September 17th, 2020 Though not far from one another on the Yucatán Peninsula, Ek Balam and Cobá leave very different impressions. The angular perfection of Ek Balam stands in contrast to the aged and overgrown nature of Cobá. Ek Balam is more recent (700-1100 AD) while Cobá spans the entire Pre-Classic to Post-Classic range of Maya civilization, potentially inhabited for
Read more
September 15th, 2020 A hand-carved sign welcomes us to Ek Balam, above an open gate to a wide dirt path leading into this Mayan site from the Pre-Classic and Classic periods (700-1100 AD). Mayan sites were often developed over centuries, with one structure built on top of another, extending their timeline beyond one period. The path we’re on seems simple
Read more
September 14th, 2020 After yesterday’s stop in Tulum, we’re on our way inland to explore some of the major sites of Mayan civilization. Before we start climbing stairs tomorrow, I have a couple maps for context and some interesting facts about Mayan civilization. In this week’s posts, we’re focusing on the tip of the Yucatán Peninsula. Mayan civilization reached from
Read more
September 1st, 2020 As promised in Sunday’s post, today we’re taking a quick tour around Annecy, France. Annecy is one of my favorite villages with its charming old town, canals, high mountains, stylish homes, beautiful lake and scenic bike path. Annecy is a quick three hours by train from Paris, making it a great place to experience both city and
Read more
August 22nd, 2020 Today we’re in Taipei, Taiwan rocketing to the top of the country’s tallest building. Taipei 101 measures 508 meters (1,667 feet). The building is significantly taller than anything else in Taipei, offering a spectacular view over the city from indoor and outdoor areas. For a few years after it was built in 2004, Taipei 101 was the
Read more
August 16th, 2020 We’re starting our time in Taiwan with a walk through a town called Lukang, near Taichung on Taiwan’s west coast. We spent a week in Taiwan in December, 2013. Overall, Taiwan was full of subtlety and quiet discoveries. The cityscapes felt dated (think 1970s) but in a sentimental way that reminded me of a simpler time. The
Read more
Post of the Day: Adding a bit of light to the darkness as we get through the pandemic together. This series features travel photos from my archives, shared with you while staying close to home. August 3rd, 2020 For our last day in Japan, we’re taking a quick stroll around Kyoto’s Nijo Castle, built in the early 1600s. Nijo castle
Read more
Post of the Day: Adding a bit of light to the darkness as we get through the pandemic together. This series features travel photos from my archives, shared with you while staying close to home. July 31st, 2020 Following yesterday’s post we’re exploring Yuzawa Shrine in Nozawa, Japan. It’s located up a stone staircase on the northeast side of town
Read more