Welcome!

This blog will offer photos from four Italian cities: Sorrento, Ostia, Pisa, and Lucca.

Wadi Rum is the landscape used in the hit movie The Martian (starring Matt Damon) and countless other movies.

Karnak Temple in Luxor, Egypt, is the second most visited Egyptian tourist site after the pyramids. Karnak is said to be the largest walled temple complex in the world, built, decorated, and modified by over thirty different pharaohs over a period starting around 2000 BC for the next 1300 years.

I write my blogs to give my readers the vicarious pleasure of sharing my experiences via text and photos.  During this first week in Kenya, I've taken hundreds of photos.  I'll post the best ones, including shots of the various species of animals inhabiting Kenya's rich environment. 

Be sure to click on individual photos in the gallery for fullscreen display!   Enjoy!

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of the country of Malaysia.  Known previously as Malaya, the country was colonized first by the Portuguese, then the Dutch, and finally by the British.  In World War II, it was occupied by the Japanese.  It became independent after WWII.  In 1963 Malaya joined with Singapore, changing its name to Malaysia, adding the "si" for Singapore.  However, the confederation lasted only two years because of resistance to the potential influence of Singapore's majority Chinese population.

Shinto is Japan's "native" religion, dating back at least two thousand years.  The Shinto temples in Kyoto date from the eighth century, when Kyoto was the most powerful city in Japan.

Zen Buddhism came to Japan from India in the 13th century.  There was no direct conflict with Shintoism, so many temples honor both religions.  The Kyoto Zen Buddhist complex was financed by the Shogun, the richest and most powerful man in Kyoto at that time.

The inclusion of Lhasa, Tibet, in Viking's Wonders of China cruise was a big incentive for us to book this trip.  Three nights and two full days of tours were only a superficial introduction to this ancient culture.  But this was better than nothing.  I don't think we otherwise would have ever planned a trip to Tibet.  It's simply too isolated, and obtaining the required Chinese visa was expensive.

Several blog readers have requested a description of our cruise life.