Online booksellers and eBooks are making it hard for independent bookstores to survive. Thankfully a handful of bookstores around the world are defying the online giants. They know that for many avid readers, searching for a book, then holding that book and slowly flipping through its pages is a tactile sensation no online purchase or download can … [Read more...]
Taking the road less travelled in Iceland
Embracing the Icelandic way The pungent smell of sulfur invades my nostrils as I approach a loosely shaped circle of stones. Waves of steam drift across the water’s surface indicating we have arrived at the right place. This is one of the many thousands of natural geothermal pools found all over Iceland. And I’m about to indulge in my … [Read more...]
Checkpoint Charlie – my East German mis-adventure
Corruption at its best Can you recall a time in your life and wonder “why on earth did I do that?” A time when you clearly ignored all warnings NOT to do something, you did it anyway. For the thrill or sheer ignorance of the consequences which could be an injury, losing money, ruining friendships, breaking a special item, imprisonment – the … [Read more...]
Travel Souvenirs – crazy or sentimental?
Travel Souvenirs Travel can make us do strange things sometimes. We slip into relax mode and our rational guard may be down. How often do we find ourselves on vacation and see "things / objects" we believe we just have to purchase? A "souvenir" that were we in a normal frame of mind we might otherwise avoid. I'm guilty of many of these "types … [Read more...]
An incredible Northern Light experience in Sweden’s Arctic Circle
Where to glimpse those northern lights Nature provides many special moments and it is up to each and every intrepid traveler to determine where their next magical experience will be. When my friend Robin, who was living in Breda, the Netherlands felt like releasing her 'travel bug within' she told me the Arctic Circle was her destination of … [Read more...]