TRAVEL

FLIGHT TO NEPAL—from Phuket, Thailand

Onward to Nepal! Shortly after take-off, we heard debris hitting the fuselage and had a mini freak out. Apparently, ice had accumulated on the wings and broken off. Don't they use de-icer?

Entrance of "Lost in Amsterdam" lounge café with neon red sign and person on mobile phone outside.

IS SHE LOST?—Amsterdam, Netherlands

A young woman appears to be making an urgent call while standing outside the Lost In Amsterdam Cafe in central Amsterdam, Netherlands. Do you suppose she's actually lost in Amsterdam?

Buddha statue in golden robe with red incense sticks in ancient temple with carved stone pillars.

ANGKOR WAT—Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia

Look closely, this Buddha sculpture has worn knees. Visitors must be rubbing them for luck as they pass. Nice golden sash―goes well with the red incense!

Person on stone pathway lined with palm trees, leading to large temple complex at sunset with visitors.

ANGKOR WAT—Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia

The sun is rising and the air is thick and warm as we prepare to enter the complex.

Ancient stone statues of serene figures with detailed carvings and weathered features in a wooded area

STONE GUARDSMEN—Angkor Wat, Cambodia

We passed this row of stone-faced male figures on the way into Angkor Wat. Fierce guardsmen, perhaps?

Tall trees with slender trunks, dry leaves, and sparse ground vegetation in a forest setting.

ANGKOR WAT—Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia

Boney and beautiful old trees.

Travelers repacking luggage at an airport information desk labeled "Out of gauge" with items on the floor.

REPACKING—Athens Airport, Greece

Gotta keep it lean and mean and tidy.

Man and woman in winter clothing, outside with mountains, trees, and buildings in the background.

WINTER WOOLIES—Banff, Canada

Nice shot of us, with Cascade Mountain in the background and Phoebe looking like a Russian spy. Meanwhile, I'm having a Starbucks coffee, which is so unlike me!

Narrow walkway with marble floor, intricate wall decorations, white columns, and two people walking.

CORRIDOR AT WAT PHO—Bangkok, Thailand

Two visitors walk barefoot down a long, narrow walkway inside the temple.

A person stands on a pedestal in front of a detailed, colorful tiered pagoda under a clear blue sky.

POSING AT WAT PHO—Bangkok

Posing in front of a fancy pyramid-piece that looks like it's built out of hard candy.

Colorful urban scene with pastel green and yellow buildings, white windows, outdoor café, and trees.

SCANDINAVIAN CHARM—Copenhagen, Denmark

The hazy look of this photo combined with the soft building hues and red tile roofs really captures the feeling of Copenhagen.

A large tree with autumn leaves, a metal bench, a metal railing, and fallen leaves in a park setting.

AUTUMN IN ØRSTEDS—Copenhagen, Denmark

IT'S A PRIME SPOT: a park bench under a big tree with an elevated view of Ørsteds Park with all the leaves turning.

Person outdoors, smiling and holding a small puppy, with urban gated structure background.

STREET PUP—Central Thailand

Soooooo cute! For a closer look at the same pup, visit the RANDOMS album.

Vintage white and blue camper trailer with a wooden deck, seating area, and patio umbrella in greenery.

TRAILER LIFE—Dechen Chöling Centre, France

MY FRENCH HIPPIE TRAILER! That long wooden bench on the deck was actually parked on the roof when I moved in. So I brought it down, popped an orange umbrella, and created a sitting area. More inviting, less trailer trashy.

Stone houses with red roofs and shutters, surrounded by greenery, flowers, and a curved gravel path.

STONEY STYLE—Dechen Chöling Centre, France

A variety of stone out-buildings add to the charm and sweetness of Dechen Chöling.

Large stone Gothic cathedral with twin spires, intricate carvings, and central rose window.

ST. MARY’S CATHREDRAL—Edinburgh, Scotland

Designed by English architect, Sir George Scott, and completed in 1879, St. Mary's is a stunning Episcopal cathedral in central Edinburgh.

Large historical stone building with gables and chimneys, surrounded by lush gardens and dense trees.

CLUNY COLLEGE—Findhorn Institute, Scotland

FINDHORN is a world renown self-development center in northern Scotland. I had dreamed of going to Findhorn for years, and then eventually took part in a shamanism workshop on their Cluny College campus, and I returned for work assignments in the years that followed. Dream come true!

Bald person smiling at dining table with red wine and bowl of food in cozy indoor setting.

GRAZIE!—Florence, Italy

Having some Tuscan soup and a glass of Italian table wine. Life is good!

Person reaching towards large soap bubbles in a sunlit park with green trees in the background

PARK BUBBLES—Geneva, Switzerland

A teenage girl reaches for bubbles in a park while simultaneously holding her cell phone. It's modern multi-tasking!

Children playing among water fountains in an urban square on a sunny day with traditional buildings.

WATER FEATURE—Geneva, Switzerland

Kids frolic in a geyser-like water feature in August. Why not?!!

Person with dark vest and blue backpack outside an illuminated restaurant with "Surf & Turf" signage.

PACKED & READY—Coolangatta, Australia

I've got both my backpack and my groove on as we head for the Coolangatta Airport. Next stop: Cambodia!

Calm water with forest-covered limestone cliffs and a clear blue sky in the background.

KHAO SOK NATIONAL PARK—Thailand

Wondrous rock formations in Khao Sok.

Pedestrian walkway with flags, outdoor seating, boutiques, parked cars, mountains, and trees.

ALONG THE STRAND—Porto Germeno, Greece

Disguised as an American tourist, I soldier on ahead of my group, scanning the perimeter for threats as I scout for a place to grab lunch. Eventually, I lead my platoon to a cabana-bunker for some much-needed refuge from the blistering sun.

Row of white buildings with blue doors, lanterns, tree shadows, and colorful flowers on pathway.

HILLTOP HOTEL—Katakolo, Greece

Our Airbnb in Katacolo featured bright blue doors and a lovely patio terrace with a sky-high view of the town. A humble paradise, well worth the climb of a thousand steps.

A young child in a traditional pink and gold outfit stands on a stone-paved area, with people in the background.

NEPALI CUTENESS—Kathmandu, Nepal

I spotted this little girl walking alone near the Boudhanath Stupa. Adorable child, but I had to wonder, "Where's your mother?"

Water lilies with green leaves and closed pink buds on a pond surface, round stone in background.

BOTANICAL GARDENS—Kathmandu, Nepal

I love the waxy and otherworldly look of these lily pads in the "Garden of Dreams" Botanical Park in Kathmandu.

Stone fountain with a tiered design in an ornamental pond, surrounded by lush greenery and flowers.

BOTANICAL GARDENS—Kathmandu, Nepal

This fountain looks like it belongs in a fantasy world, like Shangri-La. It's just begging for a wish and a penny!

Person on scooter with helmet and sunglasses overlooking coastal view with greenery and ocean.

SCOOTERING AROUND—Koh Phangan, Thailand

Buzzing around the island with Phoebe in the lead—what a blast!

Porch of a small building at night with red light, hammocks, chairs, and broom near a blue door.

BOHEMIAN HOSTEL—Koh Phangan, Thailand

Our bohemian-style hostel on Koh Phangan featured a massive bar and hang-out area right on the beach. Maybe $8/night? This is why people travel to Thailand and stay for a month...or a lifetime!

Face painting activity with vibrant neon colors, one person applying paint on another at a festive event.

FULL MOON PARTY—Koh Phangan, Thailand

Phoebe adds a few finishing touches to a friend's cheek before heading off to an all-night Full Moon Party.

Group of people seated on an outdoor wooden terrace enjoying an ocean view with a small island.

TOP ROCK CAFÉ—Koh Phangan, Thailand

After ascending a long and steep flight of stairs (as if climbing a ladder to a treehouse), we arrive at the Top Rock Café. Wow, that view says it all!

Building facade with "DEPART" inscription, ornate carvings, central crown, face motif, arched windows.

TRAIN STATION FACADE—Limoges, France

Completed in 1929, the Limoges-Bénédictins Station is listed as a historic monument and considered one of the most beautiful stations for its size in Europe.

Building's facade with wooden beams, plaster walls, restaurant sign, and flower boxes under windows.

WINDOW BOXES—Limoges, France

Window boxes and a cute sign add color and character to a fairly drab building.

Busy train station interior with high arched ceilings, skylights, people, luggage, and retail shops.

MILANO CENTRALE STATION—Milan, Italy

The central train station in Milan features sky-high ceilings, classic Italian tile, and gorgeous masonry work. Impressive!

Building with large windows at sunset, "Portland Oregon Old Town" sign, deer silhouette, clear sky.

WHIITE STAG BUILDING—Portland, Oregon, USA

The PORTLAND sign on top of the city's White Stag Building was installed in 1940 and became a city landmark in 1977. Man, with those enormous industrial windows, can you imagine having an office or owning a loft there? DREAM LIFE!

Colorful, two-story homes with front porches and balconies in sunlight.

PEARL DISTRICT—Portland, Oregon, USA

These craftsman-style homes in Portland—accented in pinks, purples, salmons and blues—have a uniform and nicely coordinated look to them.

Man working on a metal frame under a corrugated roof in an outdoor workshop.

AT THE WHEEL—YES Handicraft, Pokhara, Nepal

A Nepali man prepares a loom behind a nonprofit woven-goods store. Hmmm, is that big round thing a spinning wheel?

Group of four posing in front of a colorful vehicle at an outdoor site.

SAY CHEEEEESE!—Pokhara, Nepal

Phoebe hams it up with a few local guys. Everyone there is so kind and friendly.

Person with yellow backpack standing by body of water with hills and buildings in the background.

POSING ON PHEWA LAKE—Pokhara, Nepal

Hmmm, I wonder whatever happened to that neon yellow backpack? It's looking pretty scrappy, I must have tossed it at some point. It's a blur!

Young child in colorful shirt and green pants standing in a blue boat on calm water.

CANOE GIRL—Pokhara, Nepal

She just stared at me calmly as I took this photo. Pretty intense!

Multi-story yellow building with "Le Petit Marseillais" sign, trees, street lamp, and "Nino Café."

LEAN BUILD—Aix-en-Provence, France

What a cute skinny building. Wouldn't you love to rent the top floor? Très chic!

Small bakery and sandwich shop "Goût de Pain" on Rue Espariat with outdoor seating and green awning.

FRENCH PATISSERIE—Aix-en-Provence, France

It's a pastryand sandwich shop in a nice old building with a nice green awning.

A building surrounded by tall trees under a partly cloudy sky in a serene natural setting.

CANOPY OF PINES—Rome, Italy

The tops of these parasol pine trees look like puffy green clouds.

Man in casual attire with backpack points toward Colosseum in Rome on a cobblestone street.

COLOSSEUM SIGHTING—Rome, Italy

The Colosseum, I FOUND IT!

Ornate astronomical clock inside cathedral with Roman numerals, statues, stained glass window.

CATHEDRAL CLOCK—Lyon Cathedral, France

This 14th C astronomical clock, on display within Lyon Cathedral, indicates the changing positions of the sun and moon.

Saddled donkeys on a stone staircase next to a wall, with white buildings in the background.

MULE TAXIS—Santorini, Greece

On the way down to a swimming area, we passed these well-dressed mules, available for hire if you want a lift. Hmm, no thanks!

Person photographing Mediterranean-style hillside buildings with flat roofs and domes on a sunny day

POSTCARD PERFECT—Santorini, Greece

It's a beautiful white-washed world in Santorini. Picture perfect!

Seascape view with sailboats, distant coastline, islands, and the roof of a white building in foreground.

CALDERA AT SUNSET—Santorini, Greece

View from the balcony of our room, which was located above a Greek restaurant. Our room was no-frills and teensy, but who cares when you have a view like that!

Whitewashed building with a domed roof and bell tower, potted plants, sea in background at sunset.

WHITEWASHED CHURCH—Santorini, Greece

Lovely view of the white church of Agios Vasilios at sunset.

Stone-paved terrace with tables, chairs, greenery, white buildings, overlooking coastal cliffs and sea

THAT VIEW—Venetsanos Winery, Santorini, Greece

Can you believe that view??? It's hard to believe that a place like this even exists. The Venetsanos Winery—if you're ever in Santorini, you have to go!

Person with sunglasses on motorcycle, parked on paved street, tuk-tuk and tree in the background.

TUK-TUK TIME—Siem Reap, Cambodia

It sure was nice of the owner of this "tuk-tuk" taxi to let me hop on for a quick pic.

Woman standing on a busy, neon-lit Pub Street at night, wearing a sleeveless top and carrying a bag.

PUB DISTRICT—Siem Reap, Cambodia

PARTY ZONE! The Pub Street District in Siem Reap is totally hopping on a Friday & Saturday night.

Trays of prepared insects, including beetles and crickets, displayed on a metal surface at a market.

STREET FOOD—Siem Reap, Cambodia

HUNGRY? These sautéed insects were out on platters in the Pub Street District, ready to be sold and consumed. Tempting as they were, but we chose not to partake. : )

Person on motorbike carrying many brooms and cleaning tools, wearing protective gear on a city street.

BIKE VENDOR—Siem Reap, Cambodia

This vendor in a mask (pre-covid) had all kinds of goodies loaded up on his bike.

Colorful graffiti wall with large green letters "Anchor Wat" and numerous smaller inscriptions, doodles

CAFE MURAL—Siem Reap, Cambodia

This groovy art wall is a reference to the ancient temple complex, Angkor Wat, which is located near Siem Reap. But I'd still like to ask the artist, "Why the question mark?"

Seated winged stone figure with a helmet, against patterned backdrop with text.

WAR MEMORIAL—Toulouse, France

This angel sculpture is featured within the city's Combatants Monument, an outdoor memorial to the local fallen soldiers of WW 1 and 2. She definitely looks like she could hold her own in battle. She even has a helmet!

Cows grazing in a lush green field near a rustic stone farmhouse with a red-tiled roof and trees.

HAPPY COWS―Limousin, France

Beautiful brown cows are everywhere in rural France. Bovine ubiquity!

A mural of a person in red with closed eyes, arms crossed, and a fox mask on a brick wall with grates.

ROTE FABRIK MURAL—Zürich, Switzerland

An intriguing mural on the side of the Rote Fabrik Art Center features an Asian woman with a cat on her head holding a can of spray paint. Nicely done.

Person beside a mobile coffee cart offering various coffee options in an outdoor park setting.

PARK BARISTA—Toulouse, France

OPEN FOR BUSINESS outside the "Jardin des Plantes" (public gardens). I'll take a dbl-espresso, s'il vous plait!

Historic building with ornate stone carvings, clock, and sign reading "Parvis Françoise Hébrard de Veyrinas Adjoint au Maire 1935-2008" against blue sky.

FANCY ROOF—Toulouse, France

This classic stone building with its fancy French Empire roof was designed by Taillandier Architects and is located at 7 Rue du Canard in Toulouse. The plaque nextdoor marks the entrance to a courtyard honoring the late French politician, Francoise Hébrard de Veyrinas.

Two flat-faced buildings in Monpelier, France are painted in"trompe l'oeil" style to look like 3-dimensional buildings with balconies and windows.

BUILDING ARTISTRY—Montpelier, France

LOOK CLOSELY, those building facades are actually murals that are painted on flat surfaces in the traditional French style known as "trompe l'oeil".

A horned goat lies on a stone step and licks his hoof at the IL CASALE Retreat Center in Tuscany.

TUSCAN GOAT—Il Casale Center, Merrizo, Italy

While attending a shamanism workshop in Tuscany, I made friends with this sweet little goat. He kept coming up to me and leaning against my leg.

Open-air dining area at IL CASALE ("the Farmhouse"), a retreat center in Merrizo, Italy (Tuscany).

TUSCAN DINING—Il Casale Center, Merrizo, Italy

View of the dining terrace at the IL CASALE ("Farmhouse"), a family-run retreat center in Tuscany. Beautiful place, and boy, do they know how to serve up a meal!

Inner Space host, Ralph Williams. stands beside a local gondolier along a canal in Venice, Italy.

CLASSIC GONDOLIER—Venice, Italy

It was kind of this Venetian gondolier to indulge my photo-opp request. He totally looks the part, doesn't he?

A sea of bikes densely parked in public bike racks outside the Stadelhofen Train Station in Zürich, Switzerland.

BIKING CULTURE—Zürich, Switzerland

This sea of bikes at the Stadelhofen Train Station in Zürich warms my heart. As the Swiss well know, biking is not only eco-friendly, it helps to keep you in shape and the parking is FREE!

Picturesque view of Lake Zurich and a woman on a park bench from outside the Rote Fabrik Art Center in Zürich, Switzerland.

LAKE ZÜRICH—Zürich, Switzerland

View of Lake Zürich from the Rote Fabrik ("Red Factory") Art Center and Café.

Stone sculpture of "Britannia" with a gilded trident in hand (representing Great Britain, sitting beneath a sculpture of ruling monarch, Queen Anne, 1702-07) just outside St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL—London, England

At the entrance to Saint Paul's Cathedral is a sculpture of "Britannia" (Great Britain) with a gilded trident in hand and sitting at the base of a standing statue of Queen Anne (Britain's ruling monarch, 1702-1707).

People lounging on the wood-planked dock along the Upper Letten Canal in Zürich, Switzerland.

UPPER LETTEN CANAL—Zürich, Switzerland

THE UPPER LETTEN is a canal-section in central Zürich that features a long wooden deck, open-air café, and connecting hike n bike trails. It's a bohemian paradise that gets super busy in the summer months!

Street-level view of a damp and narrow cobbled street which features a row charming brick buildings in different colors on the right-hand side and a young man in a black coat (exhaling cigarette smoke while looking at his phone) in the foreground.

BRICK & COBBLE—Copenhagen, Denmark

On this moody, misty morning in Copenhagen, a young smoker checks his phone and exhales. The day begins.

Inner Space host, Ralph Williams, sits on the ground and smiles while his daughter, Phoebe, stands above him leaning on a dual-lense lookout scope in front of the clear waters of Lake Louise and its surrounding snowcapped Canadian peaks.

LAKE LOUISE—Banff National Park, Canada

A fun toursty shot at stunning Lake Louise in Banff with Phoebe leaning on a lookout scope that bears a strong resemblance to the alien from "E.T.".

Smiling couple seated on stone steps in front of a brick building with two dogs and green plants.

OLD FRIENDS—ROKPA Children’s Home, Nepal

Sitting next to my dear friend, Anju, at the ROKPA Children's Home in Kathmandu.

Interior of historical industrial building with large machinery, wooden ceiling, windows, and doorway.

HOTEL EMMA—San Antonio, Texas, USA

Some of the original machinery from Pearl's Brewery (est. 1881) is on display in the lobby of Hotel Emma, which open in 2015 in San Antonio's historic Pearl District.

Two people in red Adirondack chairs by a lake with forest and snow-capped mountains in the background.

RESTING IN RED CHAIRS—Banff, Canada

These two visitors to Banff National Park are taking a moment to rest their legs and take in the stunning view.

Wind turbines in a flat field under a colorful sunset sky with scattered clouds in the background.

WIND TURBINES—Kansas, USA

It's late-afternoon and the wind turbines are turning along I-40 in eastern Kansas.