Herodotus with a Laptop

Back from a Panamanian adventure

2011-03-01T11:40:00.003-05:00

Croft Global Travel just returned from a fantastic trip to Panama. We spent 3 days in and around Panama City. Highlights included touring the Panama Canal Zone, Casco Viejo, the Financial District and the nightlife and good eats along Calle Uruguay.

We spent the remaining 7 days on a secluded island chain called Bocas del Toro. This remote region is lush with rain forest covered islands, fantastic beaches and can only be accessed by boat. We stayed on Isla Bastimentos with a non-profit started amigos called Give and Surf (www.giveandsurf.org).

For more info, check out our Facebook page to see the photo album: https://www.facebook.com/CroftGlobalTravel

Top 41 Places to go in 2011 from the New York Times

2011-01-10T09:24:00.004-05:00

http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/travel/09where-to-go.html

Cream of the crop:
5. Milan, Italy
4. Iceland
3. Koh Samui, Thailand
2. San Juan Islands, Washington State
1. Santiago, Chile

Visit Croft Global Travel (www.croftglobaltravel.com) to start planning your adventure today.

Top 10 Places that didn't exist 20 years ago from Lonely Planet

2011-01-05T09:17:00.002-05:00

Check out the latest from Lonely Planet's Best in travel 2011.

Top 10 Places that didn't exist 20 years ago..

10. Kosovo
9. Montenegro
8. Kazakhstan (Borat!)
7. Bosnia & Herzegovina
6. Serbia
5. Palau
4. Slovakia
3. Eritrea
2. East Timor
1. Czech Republic

Lonely Planet's Top 10 Places to Learn to Cook like a Local...

2011-01-03T09:55:00.004-05:00

Lonely Planet's Top 10 Places to Learn to Cook like a Local...
10. Goa, India
9. San Sebastian, Spain
8. Fez, Morocco
7. Tuscany, Italy
6. Chiang Mai, Thailand
5. Hoi An, Vietnam
4. Banks Peninsula, NZ
3. Oaxaca, Mexico
2. Istanbul, Turkey
1. Luang Prabang, Laos

Join Croft Global Travel in 2011 as we visit Istanbul in May and Spain in September. What better place to learn to cook like a local than the destination country itself!

Virginia man has been to 823 of the world’s 872 countries, territories, enclaves, islands, provinces

2010-12-16T11:46:00.003-05:00

A pretty amazing story. A wealthy 45-year old from Vienna, Va. attempts to visit every corner of the earth. He holds the sweet distinction from the Guinness Book of World Records as the most well-traveled living human.

Three tips from the most-traveled man in the world:
1) pack light
2) arrive early
3) smile

www.croftglobaltravel.com

See our new HD travel video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAC9REEMQy0

Back to Yucatan

2010-12-06T22:54:00.007-05:00

Croft Global Travel heads to the warm waters of the Yucatan Peninsula again today. Our 3rd trip there in the past two years. Say goodbye to the freezing cold and wind. Our home base will be in Playa del Carmen with day trips to Tulum, Cozumel and Cenote dos Ojos. Not a bad way to escape the world of office cubicles and water coolers.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter at www.croftglobaltravel.com

2010-11-23T09:28:00.000-05:00

Top five sites you can see with Croft Global Travel in 2011

2010-11-22T12:29:00.002-05:00

5. Parc Guell (Barcelona, Spain)
4. Panama Canal (Panama City, Panama)
3. Chichen Itza (Yucatan, Mexico)
2. Cristo Redentor (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
1. Hagia Sophia (Istanbul, Turkey)

Where do you want to go in 2011?

Best of Panama trip

2010-11-17T17:00:00.004-05:00

Croft Global Travel is pleased to announce the newly released "Best of Panama" trip in February is sold out. The week-long rugged adventure has us in Panama City for 2 nights and Bocas del Toro islands for another 5 nights. Highlights in Panama City are the Panama Canal, El Cangrejo, Casco Viejo and the Amador Causeway. While in Bocas del Toro, we will experience a variety of outdoor activities: world-class snorkeling, deep sea fishing, beach yoga, surfing and hiking through the rain forest.

http://www.tripline.net/trip/Best_of_Panama-543447031661100392F6C5D0B589CC89

Lonely Planet's top 10 countries to visit in 2011

2010-11-09T17:44:00.004-05:00

Check out the top five of this killer list. Croft Global Travel (www.croftglobaltravel.com) will be visiting 3 of the top five this year, pretty cool.
5. Bulgaria
4. Panama
3. Cape Verde
2. Brazil
1. Albania

Sign up for our email newsletter to get updates on our upcoming trips!

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/albania/travel-tips-and-articles/76164

Jet Blue expands service from DCA Washington Reagan Airport

2010-11-02T12:03:00.003-04:00

Great news, JetBlue added additional routes from DCA to Boston, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando. This adds more flexibility for flights out of Croft Global Travel's home airport from a great airline.

Happy Jetting!

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dr-gridlock/2010/11/jetblue_launches_service_at_na.html

Top Five Worst Rated US Airlines 2010

2010-10-29T15:41:00.004-04:00

Interesting list... but Delta is dubbed the "meanest"

5. US Airways
4. American Airlines
3. Alaska Airlines
2. United
1. Delta

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-36360593

Hipmunk, the cool new flight search engine

2010-10-27T22:30:00.003-04:00

Check out the website that has kayak, orbitz, and expedia re-thinking their web design. SF-based start up Hipmunk shows your entire flight search on one page, not pages and pages of results. The "agony" element takes into account your disgust for multiple flights, long layovers and odd departure/arrival times.

The cool is back in flights @ www.hipmunk.com

All-you-can-JetBlue vs. Croft Global Travel

2010-10-19T15:41:00.003-04:00

Check out the final map of our epic trip against JetBlue's unlimited jetting pass. We had so much fun visiting people in New York City, Austin, Bogota, San Diego, Vancouver, San Fransisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Pittsburgh and Medellin. Until next year!

http://www.tripline.net/trip/Croft_Global_Travel_vs._All-you-can-JetBlue-5526033402311003B35AC9CF164ACABB

Winter trips preview

2010-10-19T15:06:00.007-04:00

Croft Global Travel (www.croftglobaltravel.com) is preparing for a busy winter of travel. When the weather starts to get cold, people all along the East Coast start looking south for vacations. Over the next few months we have a bunch of fun trips planned:

Dominican Republic: PADI Scuba diving certification trip. Starts before we leave with the online PADI training course. Then, the group will complete pool skills at Bella Vista Aqua Club in Bella Vista, Santo Domingo. The final test in the open water will be at Isla Catalina, off the coast of Bayahibe.

Panama: Trip starts in the booming metropolis of Panama City. We will explore the Panama Canal Zone, Casco Viejo (Old Town) as well as the Amador Causeway. Then, we jet off for five nights at Bocas del Toro, a chain of islands near the Costa Rica border. Here we will practice yoga, scuba/snorkeling, fishing, boating, hiking, ziplines, surfing or just hang on the cool beaches.

Nicaragua: Back again for stops in Granada, Laguna del Apoyo, San Juan del Sur and Playa Maderas

Strange signs from abroad

2010-05-12T15:32:00.001-04:00

Very funny collection from NY Times with funny signs from travels around the world.

My favorite: #21, no fishing in the toilet

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/05/11/travel/funny-signs.html?emc=eta1#/4be5ac988e31df5c7d0010a0/

Why We Travel

2010-05-10T19:47:00.001-04:00

Very cool video slide show from New York Times Travel with fun travel shots from around the world.

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/05/06/travel/20100509-WHYWETRAVEL.html

My personal favorite, the last photo in Munnar, India.

Top 5 World's Most Beautiful airports

2010-02-04T09:16:00.002-05:00

From Travel + Leisure magazine...

Check out the article and here are a few of my favs...

5. Barajas Airport (Madrid, Spain)

4. Denver International Airport (Denver, USA)

3. Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KL, Malaysia)

2. Terminal 3 (Beijing International Airport, China)

1. Sondika Airport (Bilbao, Spain)

Source: http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/worlds-most-beautiful-airports/1

Top 50 Most Searched Destinations from US Airports

2010-01-12T13:35:00.003-05:00

Interesting data on what people are searching for. How many have you been to?

1. London, UK
2. New York City
3. Las Vegas, NV
4. Paris, France
5. Dublin, Ireland
6. Los Angeles, CA
7. Orlando, FL
8. Rome, Italy
9. Madrid, Spain
10. Miami, FL
11. Cancun, Mexico
12. Frankfurt, Germany
13. Honolulu, HI
14. San Francisco, CA
15. Amsterdam, Netherlands
16. San Jose, CA
17. Barcelona, Spain
18. Manchester, UK
19. Sydney, Australia
20. Johannesburg, South Africa
21. Bangkok, Thailand
22. Fort Lauderdale, FL
23. Lima, Peru
24. Buenos Aires, Argentina
25. Chicago, IL
26. Tel Aviv, Israel
27. Athens, Greece
28. Munich, Germany
29. Milan, Italy
30. Nassau, Bahamas
31. Vancouver, BC
32. Berlin, Germany
33. San Juan, PR
34. Tokyo, Japan
35. Seattle, WA
36. Washington DC
37. Auckland, New Zealand
38. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
39. Toronto, ON
40. Edinburgh, UK
41. Krakow, Poland
42. Montego Bay, Jamaica
43. Denver, CO
44. Mexico City
45. Melbourne, Australia
46. Copenhagen, Denmark
47. Fort Myers, FL
48. Glasgow, UK
49. Havana, Cuba
50. Venice, Italy

Top 5 Global Events of 2010

2010-01-05T23:05:00.004-05:00

Time to break down the biggest and the best world events for the upcoming year. How do you spend you vacation? Going to any one of these great events would be a trip of a lifetime....

5. Running of the Bulls, July, Pamplona, Spain... history, culture, booze, blood year after year. See it with your own eyes.

4. Oktoberfest, September, Munchen, Germany... the biggest party in Europe year after year.

3. Carnival, February, Brazil... South America's biggest party one-ups Europe because its in a tropical climate. Check it in Rio -- site for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics.

2. Winter Olympics 2010, February, Vancouver, Canada... Vancouver's huge introduction to the world stage starts now.

1. World Cup 2010, Summer, South Africa... First time in Africa, 6 billion people watching.

Trail of the Maya, Yucatan adventure

2009-12-18T16:03:00.002-05:00

Herodotus took a group adventure down to the Yucatan in Mexico with Croft Global Travel. Fun times had by all, we got to see some of the best of what that region has to offer. Excellent cuisine, amazing Mayan ruins, jaw-dropping beaches and friendly locals.

Highlights of a memorable trip included exploring the archaeological ruins at Chichen Itza, zipping around the island of Cozumel on a Vespa, diving offshore with a five-foot barracuda and moray eels, as well cooling off in the vibrant waters below the ancient Mayan city of Tulum.
Enjoy!

Green Bay, Wisconsin

2009-12-08T16:17:00.004-05:00

Throwing back some COLD ones at Lambeau

Aside from the world-famous Green Bay Packers, this town can be summed up in one word... forgettable. Now now, yes they have fried cheese curds and Milwaukee is home to Miller Brewing Company, but Green Bay is cold, tiny, and in the middle of nowhere.

Best seats in the house, behind the Packers bench

Lucky for GB, the town has the Packers. Lambeau Field makes for one of the best "game-day experiences" Herodotus has ever been apart of. The stadium is so intimate you feel like you are at a big time college game, not the NFL, with the whole city behind you. The entire town literally gets out of hibernation to support the Pack.

Our gracious host for the weekend, Jeremy Kapinos (7)

With the Redskins reeling and in spite of a lackluster middle American town, Herodotus came home a fan of the Green Team. [Of course, it doesn't hurt when you've got front row seats behind the home team's bench. ]

LETS GO PACKERS, MAKE THE PLAYOFFS

Top 10 Ski Resorts in North America

2009-12-01T13:57:00.007-05:00

You can start to smell the winter in the air. With winter, naturally, comes ski trips. Herodotus attempts to rank the top ten ski resorts on the continent...

Whistler, British Columbia, site of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

10. Stowe, Vermont - Only East Coast resort to make the list.

9. Telluride, Colorado - Small but great slopes and celebrity sightings-aplenty.

8. Park City, Utah - This tiny town got worldwide attention thanks to the Salt Lake City Olympics.

7. Jackson Hole, Wyoming - Short distance from Yellowstone and Grand Tetons.

6. Lake Tahoe, California - This place is great, just ask Ben Roethlisberger.

5. Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta - As close as you can get to skiing in the Alps with jagged cliffs and gorgeous vistas.

4. Alta/Snowbird, Utah - Close to Salt Lake City and less hyped than Park City.

3. Aspen, Colorado - The Dalai Lama is a frequent guest... I'm guessing he isn't a skier but I could be wrong.

2. Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia- On full display for the 2010 Winter Olympics- World on alert--be ready to be wowed.

1. Vail, Colorado - Biggest and baddest of the bunch. Back bowls pack a punch, just ask my dislocated shoulder.

China Bowls on the backside of Vail Mountain.

Travel News, Egypt

2009-11-19T17:01:00.003-05:00

Herodotus' namesake gets a shout out last week in Egypt. Over 2,500 years later, he was right after all!

Sahara Desert, Egypt (AP - November 16, 2009)

Persian Army unearthed: Italian archaeologists believe they have found the remains of 50,000 Persians soldiers killed in a freak sandstorm 2,500 years ago. The Greek historian Herodotus wrote about the lost army of King Cambyses II, sent to conquer Egypt in 525 BC. "A wind arose from the south, strong and deadly, bringing with it vast columns of whirling sand," Herodotus wrote, "which entirely covered up the troops and caused them to wholly disappear." Most modern historians thought the story was fanciful. But archaeologist twins Angelo and Alfredo Castiglioni announced this week that they had found hundreds of skeletons, along with ancient Persian arrowheads and artifacts, in the Sahara. "In the desolate wilderness of the desert," said expedition member Dario Del Bufalo, "we have found the most precise location where the tragedy occurred."

Pico Duarte, Dominican Republic

2009-11-10T19:11:00.004-05:00

In February 2010, Herodotus will return to the Dominican Republic to climb the tallest peak in the Caribbean-- Pico Duarte. Nestled in the "Dominican Alps" the summit rises over 10,000 ft above sea level. We will depart from the mountain town of Jarabacoa and use the town of Cienega as home base. To assist us on the grueling hike, we will go with the aid of local Sherpas and pack-carrying mules. Our food, water and camping equipment will all be hauled by the mules.

Vital Facts:

Length of hike: 46 km

Duration: 3-5 days

Tallest point: La Pelona (10,164 ft)

Number of Sherpas: 2

Number of mules: 4

Total hours of hiking: ~16

View from the top: Priceless

Website launch

2009-11-08T18:32:00.002-05:00

Herodotus has launched his own travel company: Croft Global Travel

Check out the website: croftglobaltravel.com

This blog will continue to updates readers on past adventures, spotlight new destinations, recent travel news and photos.

Silly Germans

2009-11-01T21:37:00.001-05:00

Herodotus Life Lesson 001:

Next time you get dumped by your Internet girlfriend in Brazil, just hole yourself up at the airport:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33542483/ns/travel-news/

Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

2009-10-29T13:22:00.003-04:00

What better way to spend a cold winter week at home than jet down to Central America's trendy hot spot... Costa Rica. While there are many locales that would fit the bill, one destination in particular is at the top of it's class. Let's have a look at the best Manuel Antonio has to offer:

Where is it: Manuel Antonio is a National Park near the town of Quepos on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

How to get there: Arriving in the capital, San Juan, there are two options: land or air. A short domestic flight for ~$60 gets you into Quepos in 25 minutes. A bus or car ride nets a grueling 3-hour tour.

Weather (in December/January): Sunny, dry season, in the 80s.

Activities:
Surf School
Rain forest hikes
White water rafting
Jungle trail horseback riding
Rain forest spice/vanilla farm tours
Boating/deep sea fishing
Spa/massage therapy
Yoga
ATV Quad adventure
Zip line canopy tours
Snorkeling/scuba diving
Beach bumming

Manuel Antonio Beach.

Famous bar built out of a plane from the Iran-Contra affair.

Might find a sloth out your bedroom window.

Top 10 New Destinations

2009-10-24T09:45:00.002-04:00

Travel + Leisure Magazine's October edition revealed the Top 20 best new destinations worldwide where the dollar still goes far. Herodotus narrows that 20 down to the top 10 new destinations you need to check out.

10. Reykjavik, Iceland - Economy collapse bad for Iceland, good for everyone else.

9. El Calafate, Argentina - Where else can you trek across a glacier in the AM and sip cheap Malbec vino from Mendoza at night?

8. Langkawi, Malaysia - 99 islands help you forget your 99 problems.

7. Auckland, New Zealand - Dynamic sailing options and a kick-ass exchange rate.

6. Quito, Ecuador - Don't miss Old Town Quito in the highest capital city in the world (elevation 9,186 ft)

5. Moravia, Czech Republic - Wine-tasting in scenic vineyards or exploring sprawling castles... your pick.

4. Bonaire - Best scuba destination in the Western Hemisphere-- hands down.

3. Cook Islands - The Pacific's next best thing, undercutting expensive neighbors Tahiti and Bora Bora.

2. Bogota, Colombia - Buenos Aires 2010.

1. San Blas Islands, Panama - A booming archipelago with enough islands for every day of the year.

Mendoza, Argentina

2009-10-20T21:49:00.003-04:00

Hot spot: The world's new wine country

The town of Mendoza wasn't always known for its wine. After it was "discovered" by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Mendoza, fruits from Spain were introduced to local farmers. The king of these crops was wine grapes, which has emerged as the foundation of the region's culture. This fascination with wine has thrust Mendoza into one of the premier wine countries of the world, boasting over 1500 wineries. Luckily, Mendoza planned against being a one-trick pony. Tourists flock annually for many reasons: hiking Mendoza's Andean peaks, white water rafting, skiing, mountain biking, horseback riding and golfing.

Try visiting Mendoza during the Chilean summer, December to March, where the temps can reach the 90s.

Buzios, Brazil

2009-10-12T12:30:00.003-04:00

Just a two hour drive east of Rio de Janeiro is one of Brazil's best kept secrets. Long overlooked as a coastal fishing town, Buzios has emerged as the Brazilian equivalent to Martha's Vineyard. The town is a cluster of 24 adjoining beaches, with stunning hills and cliffs jutting out into the ocean. Due to the narrow roads, we rented a pair of 4-seater, manual transmission dune buggies. Buzios is definitely worth the visit if you are looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of Rio. Get some fresh seafood while you are there, it's great.

El Salvador. The new hotspot?

2009-10-04T20:17:00.004-04:00

Riding swells in La Libertad, El Salvador.

With all the Salvadorans transplanted to the DC area, the story of their homeland to me is well-known. In the past, civil war, gangs, and lawlessness immediately come to mind. The bloody civil war sent millions of Salvadorans fleeing for a better life up north. However, these notorious distinctions may be changing. Just like Liberia in Western Africa, calming violence in El Salvador has led adventurous tourist to flock back to its coasts.

Many people don't know that El Salvador is Central America's most densely populated country. Picture a tropical country smaller than Massachusetts yet full of 4 million people. The country's tumultuous civil war began in 1980 and has steadily defused since 2000.

Times have changed... today the New York Times calls it the "next Costa Rica" and TripAdvisor.com is predicting it to be "Central America's hidden gem." It has become clear, El Salvador is trying to quickly shed it's bad boy image for a favorable eco-tourist model. In 2001, the colon was scratched as the national currency in favor of the US Dollar. Check out La Libertad for fun hostels and good waves.

NY Times - Next Stop: El Salvador

Rio wins 2016 Olympics!!

2009-10-02T17:49:00.002-04:00

Party on Copacabana beach! Be there 20 minutes ago!

Rio to stage 2016 Olympic Games

BBC also reports that IOC President Jacques Rogge consulted Herodotus with a Laptop blog before confirming Rio as the winner.

Thanks for the shout out J Rogge!

Ranking the 2016 Olympics cities

2009-09-30T18:09:00.007-04:00

As many of you may know, this Friday the International Olympic Committee will decide on the host city for the upcoming Summer Olympics in 2016. Obviously, getting the Olympics is a big deal because the international spotlight can attract hordes of investors, media, tourists and... hopefully.. long term economic growth. The downsides can be increased targeting for terrorism, budgeting problems, and underage Chinese gymnasts. All four finalists for the '16 Games have strong arguments, but Herodotus ranks them as follows:

1. Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

- Although I could be biased from just seeing this magnificent city, I don't think so. Rio has every right to be selected as the first host city from South America. It's bigger than New York, with better beaches than Miami, with the tropical feel of Hawaii and the largest soccer stadium ever assembled. Did I mention one of the 7 wonders of the world?

What more does the IOC need to hear?

2. Chicago, USA

- They don't call it the Second City for nothing. The fireworks on Lake Michigan will have to wait til 2020. Not even the star power of the Obamas, Oprah's appetite or deep dish pizza can push it beyond Rio. It's South America's turn.

3. Tokyo, Japan
- If number of inhabitants was the deciding factor, then Tokyo wins in a landslide. 32 million strong, Japan's capital is massive. The world clout that Tokyo enjoys is inevitable, my main issue with the city is along the same lines as Madrid... history. Specifically, 1964, when the city last hosted the Summer Games. I realize that's decades past, but it's reason enough to give it up to a deserving first timer. But... they do have Kobe beef.

4. Madrid, Spain

- It's got world class teams (Real Madrid), world class museums (Prado), world class transportation systems, Salvador Dali (below) and one very big problem... itself. How can the IOC select Madrid when Barcelona got it in 1992? Now I love Spain as much as anyone, but let's be serious... it's not the Olympic Games of Spain, they'll have to wait at least 20 more years to get another crack at it.

Ipanema

2009-09-17T21:52:00.003-04:00

Ipanema was made famous by the Antonio Carlos Jobim song "Girl from Ipanema" written in the 60s. Today, it conjures up thoughts of wild Carnival celebrations, white sand beaches, Gisele model beauties and skimpy bathing suits. The Travel Channel recently named Ipanema the "Sexiest Beach in the World." Famous for its social scene, distinctive "Postos" as well as vendors selling everything from beer to cachaca laced smoothies to bathing suits and other goods. Bronzed bodies playing football, volleyball and foot volleyball are an Ipanema staple. Tomorrow, Herodotus jets off to Ipanema to check out what all the fuss is about.

Travel Channel - Ipanema

Ipanema Beach at 75 KM/h

Grand Canyon

2009-09-08T17:52:00.004-04:00

The Grand Canyon is one of the great geological gems the world has to offer. Over the past six million years, the Colorado River has sliced through the Earth forming a hole 277 miles long. It ranges from 4 to 18 miles wide and gets as deep as 6,000 feet. Today, the Grand Canyon attracts around 5 million visitors a year, 83% being domestic visitors. Herodotus took a guided day tour from Las Vegas to the Canyon last month. Scenic helicopter rides to get a bird's eye view are also available from Las Vegas and Phoenix.
Go explore a wonder of the world in our own backyard!

Check out a few photos of Herodotus' journey to the Grand Canyon:

A view across 9 miles of Canyon to the Northern Rim.

No matter how many languages, people will always be stupid.

Jesse and Herodotus at the Southern Rim.

Panoramic

Chicago: The Second City

2009-08-06T17:18:00.008-04:00

Let's get windy!

There's only one Wrigley Field.

Lost in the mass of space that exists between our coasts, Chicago can often be overlooked. Not the name that is NYC, the glitz of LA, or the weather of MIA. For all its shortcomings, CHI is a pretty clutch spot to crash in the summer.
Herodotus recently traveled to the Second City to visit friends and family. Gone are: the sub zero temps, seasonal anxiety disorder and lake effect snow. In are: outdoor beers gardens, walking off a city block into a sandy beach, Cubs games at Wrigley and a lots of good eats.

Rainbow over the Chicago skyline.

Chillin with some friends on a Bucktown rooftop.

What to do?
You HAVE to go to the beach in CHI in the summer, its a place to see and be seen in sand, beneath the city's scape. Locals play in beach volleyball leagues, that get pretty competitive. Wrigleyville is vibrant and classic, a throwback of stadiums of the past.
Where to drink?
Wrigleyville, Bucktown, West Loop or Lincoln Park. We stopped in the new Hofbrauhaus on Clark St. That's my fourth Hofbrauhaus in two months (Munich, Vegas, PITT and now CHI)
Where to eat?
I'd recommend Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba in Lincoln Park on Halsted. It's a great Spanish tapas place and you really can't go wrong. http://www.cafebabareeba.com/

Cartoon doors by Harpo Studios.

Bustlin Bucktown.

City beach in Chicago.

Spotlight: Montenegro

2009-08-03T16:38:00.006-04:00

Montenegro borders Albania, Croatia, Serbia, Kosovo, and Bosnia.

New global hot spots come and go, but it appears one is here to stay. It just so happens to be the youngest country in the world. In 2006, Serbia and Montenegro was no more, as Montenegro officially declared its independence. Today, Montenegro (or Black Mountain) is fast becoming a booming tourist spot. All the buzz when I was in Croatia was the beauty and affordability of Montenegro. Just as Croatia was emerging after years of violence, Montengro has emerged from the dark shadows of Yugoslavia to become Europe's new "it" destination.

Check out Montenegro's dramatic mountains (like Durmitor National Park), ancient cities (Budva and Kotor) and deep blue Adriatic waters. The best part is not that it's a fraction of the price of neighbors Croatia and Albania, but that nobody else knows about it. Depending on the season, you can enjoy the beach, go hiking, skiing, or whitewater rafting. All that in a country smaller than Connecticut and its just an hour's drive from Dubrovnik.

The walled city of Kotor.

Black Lake (Crno Jezero) under Mount Meded.

Sveta Stefan.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

2009-07-20T17:11:00.005-04:00

"The best of three worlds: a modern city, the beach, and mountains... "

A lot may come to mind when someone mentions "Rio" in conversation. It can conjure up thoughts of Carnival celebrations, beaches, soccer, volleyball, supermodels or City of God the movie. As far as I can tell, Rio is the cultural heart of Brazil set on a spectacular plot of land only the ancient Gods could create. Beautiful blue waters crash against the white sand beaches of a booming metropolis, with Sugarloaf mountain as a backdrop. The best of three worlds: a modern city, the beach, and mountains... all in the same place.
Have a look for yourself...

Downtown Rio

View of Rio at night from Cristo el Redentor.

Gondola ride to Sugarloaf Mountain

World famous Ipanema Beach

Great film

San Blas Islands

2009-07-13T17:52:00.004-04:00

Welcome to Paradise.

The locals boasts that in the island chain of over 365 islands, there is an island for "every day of the year." Located off the north coast of Panama, the islands are part of the territory of the Kuna Yala people (population ~ 40,000). Picture indigenous islanders untouched by Western culture. It's not every day you can snooze in a hammock hung on palm trees while local Kuna people fish your king fish dinner that evening. Herodotus is Panama bound again in August, life is good....

San Blas islands are off Porvenir in the north.

Main means of transport between the islands are small boats.

Local Kuna women with their signature molas.

A slice of untouched paradise.

Lazy days in the hammock.

World's Happiest Nation... Runner up

2009-07-06T16:56:00.008-04:00

So we now know Costa Rica tops the list as the "happiest nation" in the world. What about the silver medalist, the runner up, the Buffalo Bills of nations? Well, I'm here to tell you why the Dominican Republic has a lot to smile about..

Hired help

Take your car down to the friendly mechanic's shop, under an old airplane... in what was an airport..

Squeeze in tight kids and watch out for dump trucks!

Overloaded bananas on a Daihatsu

U-haul?

Dominican soccer dads

Signs that say: "No passing" in case you weren't sure.

Oh yeah.. this place too..

The world's "happiest nation"

2009-07-06T16:04:00.009-04:00

Costa Rica was just named the Happiest Nation in the world by the New Economics Foundation. The study took into account life expectancy, general happiness and ecological footprint. The survey included 143 nations, and four of the top five were found in Latin America.

Here is the top 5...

5. Vietnam
4. Guatemala
3. Jamaica
2. Dominican Republic
1. Costa Rica

Some of these are head-scratchers, but I guess I can agree with Costa Rica. Don't Vietnam and happy seem like opposites? Isn't Guatemala in a civil war? The DR is a lot of things, but "enviromentally friendly" is laughable...

Anyways, here are a few things that made me happy in Costa Rica...

Just another day at the office

Good surfing

Silly views

Packing it in.. third world style

Impressive rainforests as seen here at a Macadamia farm in Rincon de la Vieja.

Big skies at sunset.

Brac island on a Vespa

2009-06-15T10:28:00.006-04:00

Imagine yourself buzzin over hills of olive groves, whizzing past lemon trees as you hug the coast of the Adriatic. You stop... pausing to take in exactly what you think you are seeing. Your views look less like 2009 and more like those you imagine of ancient Greece or the something out of the movie Gladiator.

Herodotus explored the island of Brac, Croatia the best way possible... on a Vespa. The sun-soaked island, about 30 miles long, is covered in the same white marble rocks that were used to build the White House. Between the rock piles grow lavender, Mediterranean fruits and snakes slithered... the only reminder that you aren't dreaming. The charm of small towns, each with it's own appeal, give an amazing back drop to the stunning cliffs jutting into the incredible blue hue of the Adriatic coastal waters. The entire adventure was so surreal, I felt like I was back in ancient times with modern wheels.

Field stone walls line an olive harvesting road.

Supetar = home.

A view towards the mainland from the olive groves.

Soccer fields with the town of Postira and Adriatic cliffs in the background.

Italian cypress trees lined this secluded mountain town.

The quiet coastal town of Milna.

Fishermen in Sutivan.

Back home to Supetar after a day of adventure....

Europe through food and drink

2009-05-27T09:42:00.010-04:00

I think half the fun about travel involves eating. You can tell a lot about a culture by the food they eat. Croatia, for example, has a strong Italian influence from its centuries under the rule of Venice. Germans have perfected beer, and I thank them for that. Germans only trail the Czechs and Irish in beer consumption. The Bud Light/Miller Lite wars to them should be laughable. What's really great about Germany is their selection (there are over 1,300 German breweries). Now imagine that they have been brewing beer for about twice as long as the US has been a country.

No doubt, Europe has some great eats, so here are some you'd expect to see in Germany, Slovenia and Croatia.

An asparagus appetizer at Gil's in Dubrovnik.

Scampi pasta in Dubrovnik.

Prosciutto (jamon serrano) plate in Croatia.

Simple chicken dish in Croatia.

Amazing fried calamari and octopus salad in Dubrovnik.

Having a liter of German beer at a Split cafe.

Open spice market in Split.

Liters of Kronenbourg 1664, a French beer.

A popular Croatian dish called Mixed Grill, on Brac island.

Venetian pizza in Milna on Brac island. Before.......

... and after.

Lamb dish in Supetar on Brac Island.

Yet another mixed grill, Supetar.

Fried squid in Supetar.

Sour cream on pizza? (Makarska, Croatia)

The classic Euro street food, Doner Kabobs in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

I tried the horse burgers... probably wouldn't go back there for 2nds.

Herodotus meets Rick Steves

2009-05-27T08:32:00.004-04:00

Back from Europe!

Herodotus and Rick Steves in Slovenia.

Walking around in the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, I ran into famed travel guru Rick Steves. He is known worldwide as the author of adventure travel books for Europe as well as his own radio and TV show. Rick was filming for an upcoming TV show: Rick Steves Europe.

Munich

2009-05-14T12:46:00.006-04:00

Herodotus flies out to Munich tonight. The city's motto is "München mag Dich" which of course means "Munich Loves You" in English. It is known around the globe for great beer but was also the home of the 1972 Olympics. Here is an overview of Munich... in pictures.

Movie filmed in 2005.

Black September.

Black power at the 1972 Games.

A Munich lunch, brau and pretzel.

Augustiner beer garden.

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

2009-05-07T22:32:00.005-04:00

Wood planks makes it easier to see the falls up close.

Plitvice National Park

On the drive from Zagreb to Split, this National Park is one of Croatia's many UNESCO World Heritage sites. Imagine the Croatian Grand Canyon with 40 Niagara Falls here and there. You can walk along the elevated wood planks which zig zag in and out of the waterfalls and 16 lakes in the park. Next week, Herodotus will explore Plitvice, one of Europe's lesser known natural wonders.

Plitvice is full of steep canyons and waterfalls.

Spotlight... Dubrovnik, Croatia

2009-04-24T15:01:00.004-04:00

The city's fortified old town overlooks the dazzling Adriatic Sea atop its majestic limestone cliffs . Its marble-paved streets are lined with marvelously preserved churches, stately palaces, squares, and terracotta-roofed townhouses. Meanwhile, down below, along the seaside coast, fine beaches await Herodotus- as well as a bunch of offshore islands - making Dubrovnik uniquely appealing to history buffs and beach bums alike. The famed walled city of Dubrovnik is quickly becoming the new hot spot on the Adriatic. All this with a warm Mediterranean climate make it easy to see why Dubrovnik has risen to international prominence.

Basics:

Also known as: The Pearl of the Adriatic
Location: Southern coastal city, NW of Bosnia and east across the Adriatic from Italy's Gargano Peninsula.
Population: about 50,000
Founded: ~ 7th century
UNESCO World Heritage Site (1979)

What to see:

Old city

Banje Beach

Cliff jumping at Lokrum Island: Hail a water taxi anywhere along the coast and you'll be jumping off the rocks 15 minutes later.

Neighboring Lokrum Island

What to do:

Outdoor cafe at sunset

Energetic nightlife..
Tripadvisor

Swim in the crystal clear waters at Banje Beach...

Banje Beach with a view of the walls of the Old City

Journey to the Dalmatian Coast... a preview

2009-04-19T14:08:00.013-04:00

Dalmatia.

I know what you're thinking. Like the dog? The answer is yes. The breed of dog is loosely named for the region, but I'm not going there to find the Budweiser dog. Dalmatia refers to the island-rich coastline facing the Adriatic Sea in present day Croatia and Montenegro. It's famous for it's Mediterranean climate with a backdrop of coastal mountain ranges of white rocks. And, of course, dazzling beaches, eclectic cuisine and quaint coastal towns lined with palm trees.

Doesn't look like Bosnia got much when it came down to dividing up the coastline. That's almost laughable. Sorry Sasa, Croatia is just better.

The Journey
This adventure will be a walk through history. So, assuming I can make it out of Munich's Lowenbrau beer garden within three days, the trip will begin. From Munich, I'll be drifting south through Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia, ending the trip in the famed walled city of Dubrovnik. With major history spanning from the Roman Empire to Croatia's hopeful entry into the EU, I will soak in the Dalmatian culture just as Herodotus did on his quests throughout the Mediterranean 2300 years ago--- with all the modern amenities he never had (ie. running water, airplanes, rental cars, etc). Here is a preview of some of the hot spots on the itinerary.

Germany

The Eagle's Nest, or Berchtesgaden, in the Bavarian Alps.. known as Hitler's hideaway during WWII and portrayed in the Band of Brothers series. Nice view but kind of a Debbie downer of history.

Neuschwanstein castle in Bavaria. It's the most photographed building in Germany and the model for the Disney Castle. The castle was built in 1886 for the nut job "mad" King Ludwig. Try to imagine the German King version of Tom Cruise jumping on Oprah's couch, but for forty years. The castle's a bit more uplifting than Hitler's hideout, but the resident was equally as maniacal.

Slovenia

A panoramic view of the glacial Lake Bled in the Julian Alps of Slovenia. Still trying to figure out why they call it Lake Bled? Seems a little somber for such a nice place.

Croatia

The Travel Channel show, Bridget's Sexiest Beaches, recently profiled Croatia in an entire episode last month. Here Bridget and her hot friend Sara (who did not know what a moat or Fig Newton was during the episode) are boating around the island of Brac. I'm still investigating who is smarter, these two girls or the rocks in the background. Updates to come later..

Check it out.. Bridget's Sexiest Beaches: Croatia

Zlatni Rat beach on the island of Brac where Herodotus is going to kite surf.

Aerial view of the walled city of Dubrovnik, also profiled on the Travel Channel episode above, hosted by the two of the dumbest humans on the planet.

Spotlight: Cuba... it's closer than you may think

2009-04-06T17:52:00.014-04:00

Cuba.
The word alone is as mysterious to Americans as the Bermuda Triangle or Lindsay Lohan's stated sexuality. For years, virtually every other nation has been free to enjoy America's forbidden fruit without fanfare. That my friends, is about to change.

Quick History:
1900s - Cuba (along with Haiti) was once seen as the tropical playground of wealthy Americans. Yankees flocked to the beaches, enjoy its rum and quality tobacco.

1959 - Revolutionary forces, led by Che Guevara and Fidel Castro, calling themselves 26 of July Movement, successfully overthrew the US-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista.

Since 1959 - The US-Cuban relations have been well-documented since the revolution. Stuff like Cuban missile crisis, we like their cigars and rum, Mariel Boatlift, Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Elian Gonzalez, etc etc. If that doesn`t ring a bell, get Netflix to send you such classics as 13 Days, Miami Vice, Bad Boys II, Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, and Scarface.

Contemporary Cuba:

Feb 2008 - President Fidel Castro, who has seen ten US Presidents serve under his leadership, steps aside to allow his brother, Raul Castro, lead the country.

Enter....Barack Obama.

Wait, which one is Barack?

April 2009 - In a public editorial, Fidel Castro asked his peers in Latin America to help end Cuba's isolationism. He publicly asked for Cuba to be readmitted to the Organization of American States (OAS).

Recent Developments:
On the campaign trail, Barack Obama was adamant that his Cuba policy as President would not follow that of his predecessor. Since November, he has turned his talk into action.

Sign #1: After years of speculation that his health was deteriorating, Fidel Castro officially turns over power to his brother, Raul Castro. Raul has been seen as more moderate that his brother on social issues and international relations.

Sign #2: Obama used his executive order to shut down the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay within one year. This was seen by many as the first towards a softer policy on Cuba.

Sign #3: The Obama Administration supports the ease of travel restrictions for Cuban Americans returning home as well as expanding the amount one can send to the island as a remittance. (NY Times Article)

Sign #4: Last week, a delegation of Congressional leaders met at the home of Fidel Castro in Cuba to discuss a possible lift of the five decade long embargo. (BBC article)

What to watch for..

Summit of the Americas: Friday April 17th, Trinidad and Tobago (Summit website)

- Heads of state of 34 countries join to discuss regional topics, to include Cuba's admittance into the OAS. If this happens, many speculate that the next step could be to open travel to Cuba for all Americans once again.

If so... let's go.. I've got a sick boat we can use.

My preferred means of Cuban travel.

Rincon, Puerto Rico

2009-04-05T22:25:00.012-04:00

An evening view from Rincon of the sun setting over the water beyond Island Desecheo.

PUERTO RICO SURF ADVENTURE (aka... PRSA)
Herodotus arrived in San Juan and set off a journey around the island of Puerto Rico with eight fellow explorers. Our desination... the sleepy surf town of Rincon in the NW corner of the island. Known for its breaks, surfers have been lured by its >30 ft swells for years. We, on the other hand, opted for the more modest waves and decided to explore some other attractions on the West Coast.

Surf Mafia, Rincon

Via Rt 413, the Surf Mafia arrived for our stay at Casa Azul in Puntas. It was a long day of travel, but we were ready to unpack and unwind for a week in a Caribbean paradise. Puntas is the town at the top of the hill looking down on the Rincon coastline, west to the Mona Passage and north to the city of Aguadilla. Rincon is a city, but it also generally refers to the large collection of beaches for surfing on the peninsula such as Marias, Puntas, Pools, Tres Palmas, Little Malibu, Domes and Cofresi. The weather is tropical, the beaches are pleasant, the people are friendly and each place is just a short drive from the next.

We arrive on the scene as locals look on while I grab the "bare essentials"

Prime location atop the hill, we could easy access the beaches to the north (like Pools beach) and nightlife as well as the prime surf and chill beaches of the south like Maria's and Tres Palmas. At Tres Palmas, we watched pro surfers get pulled in by jet skis to catch >30 ft waves. Unreal..

The PRSA crew posed for a picture with the local drunks and recorder player. In the front, Bisco, Doug, Kenna and Tommy. Middle row Shanna, creepy hairy dude playing a recorder, Jesse, Chrisi, town drunk with a helmet on, random blind guy. Back row, me, Teichler.

At Maria's Beach, the group met up with Melissa from Puntas Surf School. Melissa is a Floridian who has been living for the past seven years as a beach bum/surf instructor in Rincon. I'm jealous.. She was really helpful in getting everyone up to speed on how to surf and give us the local guide to the breaks at Maria's Beach. Big ups to Melissa and her boyfriend Bill for their help!
Check out Melissa's blog at: http://www.myspace.com/puntassurfschool.

The PRSA crew after a day of surfing the breaks at Maria's Beach. Left to right: Tommy, Teichler, Bisco, Kenna, me, Shanna, Chrisi, Jesse, Doug.

Cabo Rojo and the Southwest
During a full day adventure, the group followed Herodotus south along the West coast of the island to explore the very SW tip at Cabo Rojo. After passing the salt flats of Punta Salinas, we hiked up to the red cliffs overlooking the ocean with a huge lighthouse as a backdrop. The views were spectacular. Spending the late afternoon/early evening here was a very spiritual event. Just as we were leaving we got to see a picturesque sunset looking west across the Caribbean Sea.

The birds at Cabo Rojo Lighthouse. (L to R: Chrisi, Jesse, Shanna, Kenna)

Bisco taking in the views with caution while Doug and Tommy are a bit more daring in the background.

Cabo Rojo lighthouse stoically overlooks the Caribbean as waves crash into the Red Cliffs.

San Sebastian Waterfall

Near the town of San Sebastian, we read about a waterfall measuring >40ft into a lagoon. We parked on the side of a hill, got lost, and eventually stumbled on the cascadas. Impressed, we threw on some swim trunks and gave the rope swing a try. It was a cool break on an otherwise toasty day and another great attraction that's hard for us to come by living in the concrete jungles of the East Coast. I'd highly recommend it.

Herodotus is the first gringo to take the plunge into the lagoon.

Doug and Herodotus taking a dip in the lagoon beneath a cascading waterfall on a hot day.

Bioluminescence Bay of La Parguera

One cool natural effect was to see the La Parguera Phosphorescent Bay. When the conditions are right, the cove glows with the millions of microscopic organisms known as dinoflagellates that sparkle when disturbed. This phenomenon occurs only in the tropics, typically in mangrove-protected bays like this one. As you move your arms and legs, you can see the bright trails in the water caused by these tiny micro-organisms. The real adventure is diving into the water-- in the middle of the night. Some timid members of the group relied on liquid courage (aka Colt 45's we somehow found around the corner) for help.

http://www.laparguera.com/Aboutlaparguera.htm

Hasta Luego Puerto Rico!

A nice sunset to cap off an enjoyable stay in Puerto Rico.

The Surf Mafia was formed and now we are all hooked. Our mission is to visit all ten of the world's best surf destinations..
http://blog.hotelclub.com/10-of-the-worlds-best-surf-spots/

Puerto Rican Surf Adventure

2009-03-25T21:37:00.004-04:00

It's hard to contain your emotions when someone mentions Puerto Rico.

WEST COAST, PUERTO RICO

Tomorrow we embark on a trip for the ages, a surf adventure to the mythical Puerto Rican city of Rincon. All signs point to a great trip, check for the updates later this week...

Riviera Maya, Mexico

2009-03-15T21:19:00.001-04:00

Mexico knows beer: Pacifico, Sol, Tecate, Dos Equis, Modelo...

Herodotus visited Mexico in August 2008, before the country began its transformation to the Somalia of the West. Get away from Cancun and you can explore the beauty and culture of the Yucatan. Here is a rundown of the hot spots not to miss once Mexico gets its security back under control. With the exchange rate sizzling hot ($1USD = 15MEX) in favor of the dollar, its no wonder Americans are itching to get down there. The food is unrivaled and the beers are dirt cheap. Don't listen to the news reports, Mexico is the place to be.

1) Playa del Carmen

Call this the posh Miami of Mexico, upscale cafes and restaurants line the trendy main walkway called 5th Avenue. Multiple sprawling open air bars on the beach make the nightlife the best in the area. The town is a perfect jump off point for trips south to Mayan ruins, west to Chichen Itza or east to Cozumel. Soak up the sun or spend the day kite surfing.

Cool effect at a bar in Playa del Carmen... swing seats.

View from our deck at villa Xaman Ha facing Cozumel.

2) Island of Cozumel

We took the hour long ferry ride over from Playa del Carmen to the famous island of Cozumel. The scuba diving is always ranked as one of the best sites in the world. Great visibility and the water is amazing. Rent a scooter and take the scenic 48 km drive around the entire island. Finish the day off with a cold Pacifico. I went on two scuba dives and got to swim with manta rays, turtles and barracudas.

Rent a scooter to see the entire island.

3) Mayan ruins at Tulum

Gotta be the best beach I have ever seen, all things considered. Turquoise blue water with the backdrop of ancient Mayan stone temples perched on a hill above the sea. When I swam in the water, its hard not to think why the Mayans decided to set up a civilization here thousands of years before. They built a sprawling city to serve as a major trading port and temple to he Gods as early 564 A.D. It's a must see if you make it down.

Main temple at Tulum with a nice oceanfront view.

Enormous iguanas roam the rocks under the cliffs.

Jesse and Herodotus soaking in some sun.

Journeys around the Dominican Republic

2009-03-12T18:15:00.001-04:00

Herodotus would have loved the adventures available in the Dom Rep. Many people just think of the white sands of Punta Cana beach, but this island is full of drastic contrasts. Let's explore the DR with Herodotus....

1) Climb Pico Duarte
At 10,164 feet, its the tallest mountain in the Caribbean. The journey takes from 3-5 days through the Dominican Alps, depending on the route. Enlist local Sherpa guides, while carrying your food and equipment on donkeys.

Footbridge over the mountain streams.

Take a break from the 8 hour hike in the cloud forest.

Sweet satisfaction once you reach the summit.

2) Bay of Eagles National Park

Miles from civilization and situated on the border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, this protected National Park is so secluded that there is practically no infrastructure to get to it. What looks more like an African game reserve and less like the Caribbean, the plateau drops into a deserted beach and a clear blue sea. The beach is mythical, the water is full of leather back turtles, sting rays, and octopus. A trip here can make you feel like Tom Hanks in Castaway in. Take in the views from the three story wooden tree fort.

3) Kite Beach, Cabarete

Welcome to the kite surfing capital of the world. The sport was invented less than ten years ago, but it has found its home on the DR's north coast. Kite surf pioneer Laurel Eastman (www.laureleastman.com) set up shop here because of ideal wind conditions, a wide beach, the large bay and warm waters. All of these reasons make Cabarete an annual stop on the pro kite world tour.

Cabarete's wide beach makes set up and launch easy.

On any given day, expect to see up to 500 kiters surfing in Cabarete Bay or come see a PKRA/IKO world championship.

Pro kite surfer Susi Mai makes Cabarete her home when she is not traveling the world competing for her sponsors Red Bull and Caipirinha kites. Dominican Ariel Corniel is currently #1 in the world in the male division.

Travels in Panama

2009-03-12T10:36:00.010-04:00

Welcome to Punta Caracol, Panama

Herodotus ventured to the controversial country of Panama (no, not Panama City, Florida) during October 2008. Aside from the obvious desire for sun and sand, I also wanted to see what all the buzz is over Panama City and check out one of the most famous man-made wonders of the world--- the Panama Canal. It was apparent from the start that Panama is not as poor as its neighbors. Shipping, banking and Dollarization have helped Panama enjoy it's own value of success. It's biologically diverse and naturally stunning. Take one look at a map and you can see why.... birds and animals have been bottle necked on this land as they ventured between the Americas for millions of years. The result is one of the most incredibly diverse ecosystems in the world in terms of plants and animals. Take a look for yourself....

1) The sky-high metropolis of Panama City

Think Miami... on steroids. Panama City is the Dubai of Latin America. The days of Manuel Noriega and war are in the rear view mirror, nowadays Panama is building up with help from banking and Canal profits. Panama City is the epicentre of this growth by contrasting old and new. The Casco Viejo (Old Town) is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can push your luck at one of hundreds of casinos or take a stroll in one of the world's only urban rain forests (Metropolitan National Park). Did Herodotus say... urban rain forest? Go to Panama City to see for yourself.

Herodotus enjoying a cerveza on the roof of our apartment in downtown Panama City.

A storm brews over Panama City as seen from across the Amador Causeway.

2) Punta Caracol Aqua Lodge, Bocas del Toro

A short hop away from Panama City, Herodotus jumps over to the Bocas del Toro archipelago. This chain of islands in the Caribbean Sea is a favorite vacation spot of Michael Jordan and Brad Pitt. It's beauty and remoteness are reason enough. Herodotus chose the trendy Aqua Lodge Punta Caracol, a collection of nine wooden cabins built above a live coral reef. The lodge screams Indonesian-style luxury by design and by the fact that there are two employees to every guest. Relax in your private hut, eat a hunk of grilled King fish like a king, or snorkel off the back porch with barracudas and sting rays. All in a day's work....

Herodotus boards a quick Air Panama domestic flight.

A view from my Indonesia-inspired tree-fort-hut thing.

Calm waters facing the Panamanian rain forest in the Bocas del Toro archipelago.

Convenient snorkeling off your back porch at www.puntacaracol.com.

3) The world famous Panama Canal

Everyone knows the story. It was built with American dollars in the days of Teddy Roosevelt, we used and abused it, then we finally gave it back in 1999. What people don't know is that this Canal basically revolutionized world trade. It halved the shipping time and costs from NYC to San Francisco, nearly 30,000 people died in its construction, and it takes an average of nine hours to pass through.
It also revolutionized actual ships themselves. All new major ships are built to the exact size specifications to fit within the Canal's width. The Canal museum was standard, but just sitting with Panamanian cerveza and watching a container ship pass the Miraflores Locks is really a first hand lesson in international trade.

Great idea: American adventurer Richard Halliburton swam the entire Canal in 1928. He was charged 36 cents. The average toll today is $45,000 USD.

An Israeli container ship exits the Miraflores Locks towards the Bridge of the Americas.

The system of locks to adjust to different sea levels is still in use today.

These massive ships are built every day specifically with the Canal's size and dimensions in mind.

Herodotus with a laptop

2009-03-12T01:46:00.000-04:00

Herodotus: Greek historian and world traveler whose accounts of what he saw in the Mediterranean and Africa opened people's eyes to the rest of the world... in the 400s BC.

Herodotus... with a Laptop: My attempt to open people's eyes to the rest of the world in modern terms. I will recap past adventures, preview upcoming adventures, and propose adventures for the future. When my mission is done, no corner of the earth will be left untouched by the eyes of Herodotus.

Conquests on the horizon:
Puerto Rico
Germany
Slovenia
Croatia

Join me on the adventure....