Drawing in the Sand

It began simply as a thank-you note to good friends at sunset. I was going to email them a photo…(sorry Hallmark, it’s a different era). A very small girl from the Sea Gypsy fishing village watched me write in the sand with a stick, then came over to show me how it’s really done! She…

Artist friends

I met Ismail Kadir in China in 2008 during the International Watercolor Masters Invitational. He is the best watercolorist in Malaysia, that is… when he’s home. I’ve never seen him at home though. I’m in southern Thailand now, probably a four hour drive from Ismail’s studio, and somehow couldn’t coordinate my schedule to drop in…

Thailand’s Islands

The Sea Gypsies that operate the long tail boats in the Andaman sea have made a great life for themselves, ferrying travelers between the hundreds of small dots of land in the turquoise water. Some of the islands jut straight up out of the water with sheer cliffs topped by lush jungle. They make for…

Ferries, islands and dreams

Sitting on the ferry to Ko Phi Phi I am reminded of many such water crossings I have had in my travels. Orcas Island, Wa and Ocracoke Island NC have been among my favorites. My family used to hitch a ride with the National Park Service boat to Horn Island regularly when I was a…

Southern Thailand

The small spit of land that is Southern Thailand is a most beautiful gateway to Malaysia, and a fun place to play! We landed in Krabi a couple of days ago and have been walking the beach and boating through the mangroves, much like we did in Punta Gorda, Florida a couple of months ago.…

The best part of any adventure

Site seeing is the reason I come to a place like Cambodia. I’m looking for things that will inspire me visually. Cambodia certainly accomplished that goal and exceeded my expectations by a mile. However, the sites were only one of the best parts. I have really come to appreciate the interaction with strangers and locals…

Cambodia rocks

As much traveling as I have done, you’d think I would get tired of it, but the opposite is true. The more I travel, the more I want to travel. Wanderlust is a habit for which there is no cure. Cambodia has been great. We have explored as much as possible in just a week,…

Sunrise over Angkor

Up before the sun every day is the norm for me. I can never seem to witness too many sunrise or sunsets. Each one is a surprise, even if it comes at a predictable time. The best light occurs in early morning and around twilight. When I am exploring a new place these are the…

Ta Prohm

Those fantasies of adventure that Hollywood instilled in us as children are fun to imagine, but more incredible to actually experience. Want to feel like a Tombraider? Come to Cambodia and trek thru the jungle temples around Angkor Wat. The most amazing visuals await the intrepid adventurer. I’m in love with Ta Prohm, although it…

Top of the Pearl

Shanghai is massive. From the top of the Oriental Pearl TV tower, tallest in Asia, you can see the city unending for 360 degrees. This is a view of The Bund from above.