Hotel @nyware

We rely on helicopters just to safely get around Afghanistan’s capital Kabul.

Waiting for my ride back to Kabul

We shall not cease from exploration, / and the end of all our exploring / will be to arrive where we started / and know the place for the first time.” T. S. Eliot, The Wasteland

On Top of The World 71°10′21″

I feel a lot better lately: it's as if, I am on top of the world. Oh, wait a minute, @330 miles above The Arctic Circle,  in Nordkapp Honningsvåg, I am on top of the world

I AM on The  Top of The World.

The great journey for all travelers was once  limited to explorers and expeditions, now accessible to anyone crazy enough to take a 14 day cruise to get here and back to Europe.

Endless daylight is hauntingly constant, and this cliff that plunges into the endless Arctic Ocean is majestic, having Rock of Gibraltar like gravitas.
The view from all directions is mountains, and the sound of snow melting, as Mother Nature speaks, is awe-inspiring.

Tromsø, Norway-Gateway To The Arctic

Some complain about the rain, others bike in it, and some bike in it and hope they get struck by lightning.

"What are we on? We are on our bikes."

There is Norway I'd go Oslo and make a pun about these large, soft,   fluffy and heart-shaped vaflers (waffles), a Norwegian tradition.

The view from The Bridge

Taking a moment to PAWS and reflect

Good guys in Badlands. These hounds follow those who feed them

Every great story seems to begin with a snake. Our morning hikers spotted a cobra.Charmed to meet him, I am sure.  These serpents  come out early in the morning and late at night, so the risk assessment says go out in the afternoons to lower the impact of meeting up with these cold-blooded hazards.

The snake in most South East Asian cultures is positive. Even the most poisonous thing, in India, the cobra, is a sacred animal. It embodies the power of life, because the snake sheds its skin. If I meet up with one, however, I'd consider it a sign of good luck...and run as fast as I could away from it.

I'm just glad to see so many dogs and watching these dogs be dogs is so funny. I can say any thing whatsoever  to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, ‘Wow, you’re right! I never would’ve thought of that!" They are  truly man's best friend.


These Afghan Shepherd "war" dogs here are pavement specials-muts. Most are refugees from the Afghan livestock guardian dog clans.

These lads and lasses are working dogs that have a GPS DNA to follow the nomads that roam these hills and  protect caravans and flocks of sheep, goats, camels and other livestock from wolves, big cats and thieves. ‎It's nice to have them around, following us, to ward off the other packs of wild dogs roaming these parts, and the snakes.



Coming home to a place I've never been before. It's Fee-Gee (Fiji)

Cue John Denver's Sunshine On My Shoulders.

Click links:

On Fiji Islands-Suva-PineApple Express

Ah Suva!, from sea you  looks  so promising, despite the oil slick...but in town, it looks like paradise has  committed suicide. I thought cyclone season was over. 

Fiji-Dravuni- Another Day Another Island-Escape To Reality

To the east of the International Date Line lies an exquisite garland of islands known as Fiji. Dignified smiling people bid you "bula," or welcome, to their unspoiled homeland and give you bottles of water called Fiji, bottled at the "source".

Glamping onboard the five-star cruiseship Crystal Serenity.Roll Video...





Ed Reif is the Wilt Chamberlin of the high seas, putting up ports of call numbers so high that mere tourist could never come close

Country Roads take me home to Studio 54, New York City and The Long Island Railroad-NOT  This South Pacific run, the Tahitian Treasure  28 days voyage , went on a cocaine binge today, jacked a Benz and crashed into a pole. That’s bad, right?  The Fiji Islands are nothing more than the Paris Hilton of paradises, not the best looking but certainly the most photographed for the travel brochures