"Travel makes one modest.
You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world."Gustave Flaubert
Start your journey...Gustave Flaubert
Start your journey...Frozen in time is what makes Havana truly special. I had the chance to visit this place during the 9 days of mourning after Castro’s death. I went down expecting to see a somber country. What I discovered was a country filled with beautiful people, rich culture, and hospitality that extends beyond any words that I can meagerly put together. To the family that hosted me from Airbnb, to the lovely young man who open his heart and his home to me, to the beautiful cafe lady who’s coffee I will crave everyday while I am gone ¡Muchas gracias! These few photos barely capture the love and warm wishes I felt during my brief encounter there. I will be back.
Located in the Anatolian plains in central Turkey, Cappadocia is a geological tapestry of honeycombed hills and towering boulders of otherworldly beauty. The people here are passionate, giving, and inviting. From Murat at the Courtyard Cave Hotel, to Ekrem “The Horse Whisper” at the Dalton Brothers Ranch, I learned about the unique history of the land. The region has been a place of refuge for many with underground cites, cave dwellings, and cave churches due to the soft texture of the stone. The highlight of my time there was the hot air balloon ride at sunrise. Of all the times I have seen the sunrise from the cockpit, they pale in comparison to what I saw that morning. Breathtaking. To quote a cliché, pictures truly do not do this place justice.
In October 2014, I embarked on an unforgettable adventure to Pemba Mozambique. Pemba is a place that is both sadly derelict and hopelessly breathtaking. I came here to go diving with my friends. I left forever touched by the unspoiled beauty of the land, the food, and the people who live there.
In 2012, I had the honor and privilege to meet an extraordinary family running an eco tourist bed and breakfast a day hike from Machu Picchu called Yellow River. Andy and his wife Tatiana welcomed me with an open mind and an open heart. Here are a few photographs of my trek starting in Cusco, my stay at Yellow River, and then ending at one of the wonders of the world, Machu Picchu. I will always remember sipping red wine while eating smore’s that night by the hot springs and the river.
From the moment I stepped off the plane, till the moment Istanbul grew smaller and smaller out of my aircraft window, I knew I was in love with the city that truly never sleeps. My first night felt like the first kiss of new desire. I was spellbound by the tapestry of old/new, east/west, traditional/cosmopolitan. Istanbul is Turkey's economic, cultural, and historical center that straddles the Bosphorus Strait between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. The city dates back to 660 BC. Since then, it has been a crossroads between Europe and Asia and was the keystone on the historic Silk Road. Wandering the streets, you embrace the centuries of history and culture that have embedded themselves into the heart of the city. From dancing with strangers at Fuego Cafe, to the warm hospitality of Nural at Levni Hotel & Spa, Istanbul tugged at my heart and ignited my wanderlust. I miss you already.
Not only does Belize have beautiful beaches, it also has beautiful people. I was able to capture a magic moment when the Rotary Club from Canada gave the village a brand new playground for the school. A truly remarkable moment
I had the chance to fly here before the fall of Gaddafi. Even in 2006, you could feel the under current of change at hand. This was a gorgeous county rich in history. How times have changed.