Sometimes the urge to travel hits us like a ton of bricks. Sometimes, opportunities open that cannot be turned down. And sometimes that all comes together in the form a remarkable last-minute trip that could not have turned out...
The Soviet Union Lives On in Minsk, Belarus (Trip Report)
As details emerge about the brazen interception of a Ryanair passenger jet traveling from Athens to Vilnius on Sunday by Belarusian forces, memories of my own visit to Minsk in 2011 vividly resurfaced. Visiting Belarus remains a fascinating memory,...
Avelo 737-800 Inaugural Flight Report
Just like the excitement over the birth of a new child, comes the hopes and fears and the pride and pain of launching a new airline. On Wednesday, a new airline was born: Avelo. Avelo 737-800 Inaugural Flight Report...
A Productive Day Trip To New York JFK On United Airlines
When United Airlines left New York Kennedy five years ago, I was present to say goodbye. Five years later, I was happy to welcome United back and enjoy transcontinental service between Los Angeles (LAX) and New York (JFK) once...
My Productive 10-Hour Trip To Nowhere On American Airlines
I recently spent over 10 hours on American Airlines, only to end up exactly where I started. But it was by design and proved to be an incredibly productive day aboard the 777-200. As an added bonus, I even...
Another Coup In Rangoon, Burma (Vintage Trip Report)
I was saddened this week by news that Burma, also known as Myanmar, had suffered another military coup. It brought back memories of my first trip there in March 2013 shortly after it had re-opened to international travelers. My...
My First Flight (A Lufthansa Review From My Daughter)
Nearly four years ago, my son Augustine offered a “review” of his first flight, a United 787-9 from Los Angeles to London. In the spirit of equality, my daughter Claire Marie will offer her own “impressions” of my recently-reviewed Lufthansa...
Introduction: A Flight To Germany
After canceling our trip to Spain and even opting to stay home for Christmas in Los Angeles and not even see my family, we made the choice to travel to Germany…a flight from COVID-19. This trip report covers what...
Trip Report: 2021 Biden Inauguration
Even though I ultimately watched the 59th Presidential Inauguration on a screen, my trip to Washington, DC was not in vain. This report recounts my quadrennial January journey to the District of Columbia, this year for the inauguration of...
Photo Essay: The 59th Presidential Inauguration
I have much to say about my time in Washington, DC for the 59th Presidential Inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, but photos often speak louder than words and I want to share some photos with you from...
Photo Essay: Exploring Cotonou, Benin
My afternoon in Cotonou, Benin did not go as planned. But an unexpected tour of an L-1011 plus a cultural reckoning at the voodoo market were not the only things I saw in Cotonou. This photo essay recounts my...
Humbled At The Voodoo Market In Cotonou
I thought I was being respectful but it turned out I was being just the opposite. Ultimately, I was left deeply humbled after a visit to the voodoo fetish market in Cotonou, Benin. Humbled At The Voodoo Market In...
Photo Essay: Exploring Lomé, Togo
Early on a Sunday morning, before the sun rose, I was up and ready to explore. The following photo essay recounts my walk through Lomé, Togo. Lomé Togo Photo Essay Just outside my hotel was the Monument de l’Independance (Independence...
Review: United Airlines 737-900 First Class Los Angeles To Denver
I don’t usually write domestic shorthaul trip reports, but thought it might be helpful to chronicle my recent trip to Colorado on United Airlines onboard a 737-900. While pandemic-related service cutbacks continue, the flight felt surprisingly like old times....
Detained At The Ghana-Togo Border…
You would think I might have learned my lesson in Cuba. Or in Uzbekistan. Or in Montenegro or El Salvador. But no, I had to take a picture… This picture, to be precise: Trouble At The Ghana Border Outpost In Aflao...
Overland Journey From Accra, Ghana To Lomé, Togo
I really hated to leave the Kempinski, but around 2:00pm I ordered an Uber and headed over to the bus station. Yes, I planned to take public transport on a 200km (124 mile) journey from Accra to Lomé via...
A Somber Visit To Cape Coast Castle, Ghana
Like visiting a Concentration Camp, my visit to Cape Coast Castle in Ghana was a somber reminder of the depravity of the human race. A Day Trip To Cape Coast Castle in Ghana I hired a driver in Accra...
I Experience The “Coming Out” Scam In Cape Town
A man came up to me on the street. He asked for help. I attempted to help him. But I soon found that I fallen to victim to the Cape Town version of a “coming out” scam…or something like...
My Thankful Uber Driver In Cape Town
Moments after stepping into Robert’s car at Cape Town International Airport, he started pouring out his heart to me. This was not going to be an ordinary Uber ride. A Memorable Uber Trip In Cape Town Robert, who said...
Introduction: An African Adventure As The World Shut Down
As the world began shutting down in March, I found myself in Accra, Ghana. While I considered aborting the remainder of my trip and heading directly home, I opted to remain for a couple extra days and enjoyed an...
