Folks Along the Way

Posted June 19, 2025 by Jan
Iran

Bangkok

Thailand

June 19, 2025

Hello,

In May 2022, my friends Roberta and Sergio and I traveled to Iran.  I think I can speak for them and say that it was a favorite journey.

I decided today to look back at my trip and collect photos of some of the folks I met along the way.

Today is also a special day.  My former wife, the late Alice Dawn would have been celebrating her Eighty-fifth Birthday.  Alice was a devoted teacher of French and a dedicated activist for peace in the 1960's and 70's. I am certain she would have been supportive of my project today.

Please click on the photo above for the photo gallery.

You can find my Iran travel letters, photographs and videos on this website.

All the best,

Jan

Trees

Posted May 12, 2025 by Jan
Namibia

 

Bangkok

Thailand

May 12, 2025

Hello,

To prepare for my trip to southern Africa last year, I read several comments posted by previous travelers. Most are positive regarding the accommodations and the staff at the safari lodges.   Everyone is delighted to view the wildlife and the scenery.

But to this day I remember one comment from an unhappy traveler on a game drive: “We drove through the bush for three and a half hours and all we saw were trees!”

Bad luck. (It’s not like you can pick up the phone and ask the giraffes to wander over for a visit.)

I had lots of good luck with wildlife.   

But you know?  I also loved the trees!   Common or exotic.  Alive or dead.  I love the trees.  

Earthquake: 700 Words for 70 Seconds

Posted March 29, 2025 by Jan

Bangkok

Thailand

March 29. 2025

Saturday morning

Hello,

I am looking west through the glass doors to my balcony.  The balcony provides a sweeping view of a large segment of downtown Bangkok. In the foreground on the street below, several private residences sit quietly.

To my right is the Saen Saeb Canal. The water is as flat as glass. The morning commuter boat traffic has not yet begun. In the distance the multi-laned double decker expressway runs north to south.  It’s a normal Saturday morning. Traffic on the weekend is sparse.  In the distance, beyond the highway, and scattered from north to south and east to west, a dozen skyscrapers stand tall, very tall in the dusty air.

This morning may appear normal.   It’s not.

Yesterday a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck In Mandalay, Myanmar, 830 miles from Bangkok. A modern metropolitan area of seven, eight, nine million, Bangkok is hit by an earthquake 830 miles away.  (For some perspective, the distance from New York City to Chicago is 791 miles.  The distance from London to Prague is 793 miles.)

Yesterday Friday March 28 at 06:17 GMT – 13:17 or 1:17 pm local time, Bangkok begins to shake!  Office buildings begin to shake. Shopping malls begin to shake.  The modern elevated subway cars begin to shake and bang and bang and bang against the station platforms.

At 1:17 pm on the ninth floor of a 21-floor apartment building, my apartment begins to shake.

The Giant's Playground

Posted June 16, 2024 by Jan
Namibia

Keetmanshoop

Karas Region

South Namibia

June 15, 2024Giant'sHello, 

Geological Wonders of Namibia explains The Giant's  Playground as "a chaotic pile of huge dolorite blocks." **

"Giant Dyke Swarms (GDS), which naturally appear in very old geological formations, have been detected not only on Earth but also on Mars and Venus.  

In times of great geodynamic activity, like the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean, pressurized magma violently fractures the crust, while simultaneously injecting itself through subsurface fractures, forming dykes.  Some dykes reach the surface generating volcanic eruptions.

Garas Park Camp

Posted June 15, 2024 by Jan
Namibia

Garas Park Camp

Keetmanshoop Town

Karas Region

South Namibia

June 14, 2024

Hello,

The name Garas is derived from the Nama word which means quiver tree. The Garas campsite is basic yet clean, offering washing facilities and attractive decorations. It is surrounded by numerous quiver trees, aloe plants , and stunning rock formations.

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