Feb 21

Around the World Trip 2013

I've travelled quite a bit in my time, but never actually travelled around the world in one direction until 2013. I combined and 18 night trans-Atlantic cruise with several one way air tickets to cook up a very interesting 7 week long RTW itinerary - even if I do say so myself! We started our long journey by flying from Muscat to Milan Malpensa on Qatar Airways then travelled by train to our first stop - Venice. Venice is such a unique and beautiful city. I love the panorama as you walk out Read more [...]

Jan 28

Slideshow – Around the World Trip 2013

Put this together for Zawadi: Powered by TripAdvisor Read more [...]

Oct 22

Caribbean Cruise 2012

Had the pleasure of visiting Aruba, Bonaire, Cartagena (Colombia), Panama, and Jamaica on an MSC cruise aboard the Poesia in December 2012. Amani and Malaika had a ball on the ship - the staff in the Kid's Club were great. And a fringe benefit of a great Kid's Club was Zawadi & I having plenty of R&R time to ourselves :-) We snorkelled at Bonaire, toured the island of Aruba, ventured to the mud volcano El Totumo in Colombia, visited a native Indian village in Panama and had a "Dolphin Read more [...]

Sep 21

A Visit to Costa Rica!

In November 2012 I was fortunate to spend a few days in Costa Rica. Unfortunately though I came down with a virus on the journey there and the 2 days I had set aside for seeing San José were spent in bed recuperating. Once I was on the mend though, I set off by shared mini-bus to La Fortuna, to visit the place in Costa Rica I most wanted to see – Arenal Volcano. There are a number of eco/nature lodges in the area, which is also something that appeals to me. I chose the Hotel Kokoro, which turned Read more [...]

Nov 03

23andMe Relative Finder Success!

I confirmed my first genetic match using 23andMe's Relative Finder the other day. Nice to know it really works! A lady by the name of Sandra was predicted to be a 3rd cousin, turned out to be a 2nd cousin once removed. She is also a descendant of Jack Kakoschke and Emilie Wittwer. I've over 400 more distant relatives predicted, but proving the connection can be difficult when you need to go back 6 or more generations. Hope to find some more though. https://www.23andme.com/ancestry/   Postscript: Read more [...]

Sep 18

Lion Attack

Not many people know about it, but back in 2001 whilst travelling in South Africa I was attacked by a lion. Three actually. Only through quick thinking and by using my video camera as a weapon was I fortuitously able to escape the jaws and claws of death…