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 I've
been to six of the seven continents (and, quite frankly, I was close enough to
Antarctica, that I think it should count). You can click on this little map, and
you can see what I've done in that part of the world.
Time has clouded my memories of these events and when I read them now, I
remember things happening somewhat differently. However I think these versions
are mostly factual and I trust my writing much more than my memory!
I have a large collection of travel guides which I use to plan my trips.
I also enjoy reading other people's travel essays -- the more miserable the
trip, the better, so far as I'm concerned!
You can view my collection of both on the Travel
Guides page.
My best travel memories are from Africa. I very much look forward to going
back!
- South Africa, Namibia, Botswana &
Kenya -- May 1989 (essay 212kb)
John and Pam Talbot took me on the most excellent trip. It was
a great treat to be able to travel with people who already knew the region
well. I was also impressed to be in Namibia as it was becoming independent.
This was the first time that I took three weeks away from work.
 Since
Leesa is Australian, I wind up traveling here quite a bit. I love the country
and always enjoy visiting. Note that my first trip was before I had met her.
- Australia -- August 1991
I spent part of this trip with my parents, who were celebrating
their anniversary, and part with Leesa, in a
pre-romance visit.
- Australia -- July 1992
Chris Watt, Tim and I made
this trip over the backdrop of the Barcelona Summer Olympic games. It was
right after this trip that Leesa came to the States.
- New Zealand & Australia, May 1994 (the Wedding)
Chris, Tim, Richard Cree
and I started this trip with a bachelor party in Auckland. After that, we had
a whirlwind week of events approaching the wedding at the Surfer's Paradise
Marriott. Followed by a relaxing week afterwards. Unfortunately, Leesa took
ill, but we had a fun time anyway.
- Australia -- December 1996
My first Summer trip to Australia to have Christmas with
Leesa's family. It will be considered a success if I don't accomplish anything
of note. It's also only the second time that I've taken more than three weeks
away from work. And I can now say that it was successful. Aside from spending
a great time with Leesa's parents, we also made it down to Philip Island and
got to see the Fairie Penguins come ashore. Cool.
 Asia's
pretty convenient and inexpensive from the U.S., so I go there frequently. I
think Hong Kong & Thailand are super places to visit.
- Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore &
Indonesia -- March 1990 (pictures)
My first trip to Asia, courtesy of a horrible mistake by
American Airlines. I saw Thailand with my
Dad and visited Malaysia, Singapore & Indonesia alone. My journey was
planned with Somerset Maugham short stories. I visited the towns he wrote
about and stayed at the famous hotels that he mentioned, including the famous
Eastern & Oriental Hotel in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia.
- Hong Kong, Macau & China -- July 1991
Chris Watt and I spent two
weeks in Hong Kong and made side visits to Macau & China. We still laugh about
the Independence Day lunch we had at the J. W. Marriott Hotel in Hong Kong --
the Philippine band played all of our traditional American favorites. This is
also the trip where I met Leesa.
- India, Nepal & Hong Kong -- March 1992
(essay in progress)
Another trip with my Dad. He had business in India and I tagged
along with him for a week. We saw Bombay and Goa together and then, I visited
Nepal on my own, almost meeting my maker when I got run off the road by a
truck.
- Hong Kong, Thailand, Macau & China -- April 1993
The first trip that Leesa and
I made together. She wound up having the flu for most of the trip. We were
joined by Bill Codus, who has made
several trips with me. Highlights of this trip include making a killing at the
horse races in Hong Kong; spending several days that the island resort of Koh
Samet (near the Cambodian border); ultimately returning to Bangkok to stay at
a fantastic travelers' hotel and blowing some significant dough on dinner at
the Hard Rock Cafe.
- Malaysia -- August 1997
I spent most of August in Malaysia this year conducting some
business for Marriott. I worked straight through most of the trip, but I
did have a nice weekend visit to Port Dickson.
- Malaysia & Hong Kong -- October 1997
More work for Marriott, but the treat on this trip was that I
got to see Taylor Young! He has entered semi-retirement, and had plenty
of time to visit the horse races, out-islands and fine local restaurants.
I wind up in Europe several times a year, either on business, or for a quick
trip for fun. The trips I mention here are more special ones.
- England & Luxembourg -- November 1987
There really wasn't anything all that special about this trip,
aside from the fact that I got to see Luxembourg for the first time since
1977. The trip ended with a hellish drive back to Calais in pouring rain. It
was the only significant trip that
Rebecca Racosky and I made together.
- England & France -- April 1988
The only trip that James Utt
and I made together. We saw all of the sights in London and then went to
Calais for a quick day trip.
- Holland, England & Wales -- May 1995
A nice trip that Leesa and I
made together. We spent several days bike riding in the tulip fields in
Holland, before going to visit the English and Welsh countryside. We also got
our fill of Indonesian food and found out exactly how little the dollar was
worth on the European mainland.
- Germany -- February 1997
Leesa and I had a chance to go to German over Valentine's Day
weekend. We visited Frankfurt and Munich, and had a fine time.
It was her first visit to Germany, and I got to "impress" her with my vast
knowledge of German. She also got to see my home in Germany and
where I went to school.
Since I live here, I rarely think of trips in North America as "special" and
it usually doesn't occur to me to keep a record of anything that I've done here.
However, I may have some pictures from my travels hidden in the
Gallery.
South America was the last continent that I got a chance to visit. I'm sorry
I had to wait so long.
- Argentina, Chile & Uruguay -- August 1995
The most recent trip that Tim
Suich, Bill Codus and I have made
together. We ate more meat in two weeks, than I think I have had in the entire
year since. I also got to experience all types of weather in just a couple of
days, baking for awhile at the Iguazu falls, then experiencing a snow storm in
Usuaia the following day.
- Chile -- June 1997
I was able to make a quick trip on my own this year to get in
some early season skiing at Valle Navado, near Santiago. Because I made
my plans at the very last second, I couldn't find anyone to go with me, but I
did have an excellent time on my own. I stayed in the delightful Hotel
Rothenburg, which is managed by some German immigrants. Unfortunately,
it was quite a hike from the slopes, and I should have parted with some
additional cash and stayed on the mountain.
I doubt I will actually make it onto this continent. I came very close when
I went to South America, and maybe some year, I'll do a
Qantas excursion flight over
it, but I don't think that it's really worth the effort and cost to join a
tourist expedition just to be able to say that you've been there.
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