Uncategorized – Page 4 – Jim's Travel Culture and History Blog

Photos around the world

This will be my last post for a while. Hope you have enjoyed them.

While living in Abu Dhabi I had always wanted to go to Armenia which was a short flight from Dubai… About three hours. The capital is Yerevan and we went with our 15 month year old twins. Traveling with children can be a challenge. We took a 90 minute taxi to Dubai and then hadContinue reading “Yerevan, Armenia”

DIBBA, Oman

Oman was the first country I traveled to outside of Qatar when I first arrived in the Middle East. I went to Muscat, the capital. It was hot and of course seemed a little exotic. I loved the Rocky landscape, the lengthy coastline and beautiful Wadis to hike and swim in. It is a countryContinue reading “DIBBA, Oman”

BENTOTA, Sri Lanka

I have been to Bentota or close by four times. It is an hour plus in taxi from the airport and you are near the beach. What I enjoyed most there was renting a scooter and trying to get lost. That was my goal each day. Take a turn off the main coastal highway andContinue reading “BENTOTA, Sri Lanka”

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”

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”

Al Ain, UAE

Al Ain is about 90 minutes by car from Abu Dhabi. It has a major university, one of the highest points in the UAE(Jebel Hefeet), an amazing camel market and an oasis in the Middle of the town. The prices paid for the camels can be staggering. The Oasis includes AL Ain Fort that hasContinue reading “Al Ain, UAE”

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”