Guest Galleries

Keanu in Lombok

Posted May 1, 2024 by Jan
Lombok
West Nusa Tenggara Province
Indonesia
July 31, 2024
 
Lombok forms part of the chain of the Lesser Sunda Islands, with the Lombok Strait separating it from Bali to the west and the Alas Strait between it and Sumbawa to the east.  
 
Lombok is about 70 kilometers (43 miles) across and a total area of about 4,600 square kilometers (1,779 square miles) including smaller offshore islands. The provincial capital and largest city on the island is Mataram.
 
The island is home to 3,963,842 inhabitants including Sasak, Balinese, Mbojo, Chinese-Indonesian, Sumbawa, Flores, Arab, Javanese, Banjarese, Malay and Batak. 
 
In the Sasak language Lombok means straight, honest.
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At only nineteen (19 mind you!) Keanu represents a growing cohort of young women and men (and many older folks as well) who proclaim:
 
We travel not to escape life but for life not to escape us.

Southern Africa by Bob and Roz Alperstein

Posted January 31, 2023 by Jan

January 30, 2022

My friend and classmate Bob Alperstein and his wife Roz recently traveled to Cape Town and Kruger National Park in South Africa and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

From his home in Northern New Jersey, Bob wrote to me and sent photos and videos.

Hi Jan,

I’ve tried to capture some of the wild experiences, but I am not sure if I succeeded. (He did!)

It’s difficult to adequately capture the feelings as you climb into the open Land Rover at the crack of dawn.  The temps are in the 40’s F and you welcome the hot water bottle and blankets.  The Land Rover moves out with the wind shield down, gradually increasing speed.  The wind hits you full on.

Bob and Roz Visit Cuba - and Howie too!

Posted March 31, 2023 by Jan

           

 

April 2, 2023

Earlier this year my friends Rosalind and Robert Alperstein visited Cuba. They each wote about their trip.  They provided photos and a video of the highlights.

My friend Howie Sorkin also visited Cuba and sent me photos.   Howie made a special effort to visit the Jewish community.

I have also attched a link to an essay by John Kiriakou

Jan

 

Return to Bangkok

Posted March 24, 2019 by Jan

 

Hello,

My friend Howie S. sent this letter and photographs to me and to all his friends after he paid a brief, but fulfilling visit to Bangkok

Jan

…………………………………………………………………..

Bangkok

Thailand

March 24, 2019

Dear Friends,

After I left Bangkok in July 1999, I vowed I would never return. 

Bangkok was one of the most frightening places I had ever visited, so much so, that my traveling companion Howard, who is visually challenged, held on to my arm so tightly that my circulation almost stopped. 

Everywhere we went people were intercepting us, pointing to the direction we were going and telling us not to go there: it was too dangerous. 

So why did I wind up going to Bangkok again? 

The Polsons In Southeast Asia

Posted March 26, 2013 by Jan

Bangkok

Thailand

March 24, 2013

Dear Friends and Reluctant Travelers,

Earlier this year, my cousins Betty and Jim Polson visited Southeast Asia for the first time.

They flew from Portland, Oregon to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to visit friends and stay with the family in their home.  Then they came to Bangkok and made a side trip to Angkor Wat in Cambodia.  They returned to Bangkok and flew to Chiang Mai in the north.

I arranged everything for Thailand and Cambodia through a travel agent I know very well.  All the local hotels, domestic flights and excursions were booked in advance.

 Frankly, I was a bit concerned.  Despite all the detailed arrangements, I was not sure if Jim and Betty could adapt to such a different environment.   As it turns out, my anxiety was completely misplaced.

 

Southeast Asia by Jeffrey Zupan

Posted January 3, 2013 by Jan

Bangkok

Thailand

January 3, 2013

 

Hello,

 

My American friends Isabel and Jeffrey Zupan just completed a six week tour of Southeast Asia: Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia.

 

They sent me some of their photographs.

 

Jeff's photos have captured the color, drama and beauty of this area of the world.

 

So, you don't have to take my word for it.  

 

The Zupans are sold! 

 

What are YOU waiting for? 

 

Come on over!

 

Always, 

 

Jan

 

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