Author Archives: jimboyce44

Two days in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka

I have traveled to Sri Lanka six times, so clearly I am fond of it. Recently it was ranked the number one travel destination in the world. Unfortunately a terrible terrorist attack occurred shortly after. The terrorist attack occurred on Easter Sunday and killed almost 300 people. There were eight explosions. It is a countryContinue reading “Two days in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka”

The “worst” race that led to a National Championship

I am very big for a marathon runner at 6´2″ and around 190 pounds for races. Typically people my size can run a marathon but finish quite slowly. In fact, one year, I was running the Portland Marathon in my quest to break three hours and you have an option of getting weighed beforehand toContinue reading “The “worst” race that led to a National Championship”

Scary boat mishap – Maldives

We were staying on Biyadhoo Island in the Maldives having a blissful, relaxing week. Sensational snorkeling daily. They offered a boat trip that would take you out to swim with the enormous manta rays. As we were boarding the boat I noticed there weren’t any life preservers so I asked them to provide one forContinue reading “Scary boat mishap – Maldives”

Mina Port, Abu Dhabi

Much of Abu Dhabi and Dubai is very modern with over the top malls. A great contrast to that is the Mina Port area that has a wonderful fruit and vegetable market and a huge seafood market. I often rode my bike along the Corniche to arrive at this colorful part of Abu Dhabi. ThereContinue reading “Mina Port, Abu Dhabi”

Phuket, Thailand

I had wanted to go to Thailand for decades. Finally we planned a week long vacation there from Abu Dhabi. When I went to confirm the flights at the last minute I realized there was a mistake. I believe the flights would only go to Bangkok. I was somehow able to make a last minuteContinue reading “Phuket, Thailand”

Jordán and Israel

If  I had to rank travel experiences this would be near the top. There is so much to see in a relatively small area. You can feel the history, religion and conflict. We started out the trip in Amman, Jordan. Jordan is a country that has absorbed millions of refugees from Palestine, Syria and IContinue reading “Jordán and Israel”

Cairo, Egypt December 2016

Living in the Middle East made it seem that we had to get to Cairo and see the pyramids, which I had seen in photographs throughout my lifetime. From Abu Dhabi it is a pretty short flight so we booked for four nights. Two nights we stayed right next to the  pyramids in a beautifulContinue reading “Cairo, Egypt December 2016”

Languages Learned

Along with traveling, languages have always been a passion of mine. English is my first language but I have studied, learned and utilized many others to varying degrees. I studied Spanish for four years in high school and a couple of quarters at Western Washington University. One of those quarters I lived and studied inContinue reading “Languages Learned”