The idea of swimming with whale sharks made me nervous. I wanted to, a lot, but I couldn’t forget my bizarre reaction to a spinner dolphin in Costa Rica a few years ago. I was afraid I’d humiliate myself again. At the time, I’d been completely and utterly irrational. I was in the water near […]
28
Jan
Jan
The Big 5 in Kenya has drawn animal and photography lovers for decades. I’ve been to the country four times on safari and loved every minute of it, but on my most recent trip, I explored facets of the country’s culture and wildlife I’d never experienced before. Over 5 days, I spent time in Nairobi, […]
06
Jan
Jan
You’ve been dreaming about going to Kenya wildlife safari. Good choice. There’s no better time to go. Kenya Airways now has a direct flight from New York to Nairobi, which means the usual 22-hour journey, including a layover, is now a 14-hour direct flight. Trust me, even though it’s still a long-haul it’s so much better than going […]
11
Dec
Dec
Except for the gentle lapping of water against the hull, all is quiet and I am as content as I could ever hope to be. I’ve spent the afternoon dining on lobster with new friends, on a deserted beach no less, and now we’re being treated to a beautiful sunset. Susan Land, another guest — […]
19
Nov
Nov
When traveling to long-distance dream destinations, the time you spend getting there is often a nightmare. Anything that cuts down on transit time is worth its weight in gold. I’m not one to write about specific flights or airlines per se, but as a self-confessed safari addict, Kenya Airways’ (KQ) direct flight from New York’s […]
19
Sep
Sep
First, let me file this under advice I never would have thought about before until I experienced it. While visiting friends in Berkeley a few years ago I found my way to a nearby waterfront adjacent to the Albany Bulb, an old landfill that has become a park of sorts. It was an early Saturday morning […]
10
Jul
Jul
If you’re an international traveler and don’t have Global Entry (hence, a Known Traveler Number, you’re making travel way too hard. My membership is one of the best investments I’ve made…..ever. Does this sound familiar? A few years back, I flew 20+ hours from Asia. There were over 300 people who deplaned from my flight […]
01
Jul
Jul
I’m trying desperately to pull on a 7mm wetsuit but it’s clinging to me like a surgical glove. We’d been warned it would take some effort but it’s so absurdly difficult that the other women in the dressing room and I can’t stop laughing. I’m convinced there’s a hidden camera and we’re being filmed for […]
21
May
May
It was as if I was saying goodbye to a dear friend. I plopped my expired passport–the one that has traveled with me on all my adventures over the last 10 years—into the waiting envelope. The time had come for me to give up my faithful, dog-eared companion. It was the end of an era; […]
20
Feb
Feb
You’re headed to the Amazon for a river cruise, a beautiful and exotic destination teeming with wildlife and photographic opportunities and you want to take some great pictures. Awesome. But take heed, the jungle has its challenges: from a towering canopy to problematic lighting, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind […]