Travel Memories transformed into Photo Paintings

Posted on June 2, 2016 by Travel Spirit

One of the many things I love about travel photography is that when I look at a photo from a trip it brings back that exact moment to me in perfect clarity, the excitement of seeing something new and beautiful…aromas wafting through the air…the breeze caressing my skin…foreign sounds creating curiosity! Here are some of my travel memories edited with software that take me back to that moment…

Halong Bay, Vietnam – 2009

The view from a boat I spent the night on, very much like the one I captured here…

Vieng Vang, Laos – 2009

Petra, Jordan – 2009

Reaching “The Treasury” in Petra, Jordan while hiking…

A young girl begging while hiking for two days in the incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra…

Peru – 2009

Spending three weeks exploring Peru, this little girl and her baby Llama…

Reaching Machu Picchu, Peru, after 3 1/2 days of hiking at high elevation…

Cairo, Egypt – 2009

An old man at the Pyramids in Egypt pointing “the way”…

A chaotic, but every day life scene from Cairo…

Africa – 2012

A beautiful village woman in Zambia, Africa while on a 35-day Overland Truck Adventure through six countries…

Men from the Masai Mara tribe in Africa…

Path to the Baobab tree in Africa…

Fethiye, Turkey – 2015

Istanbul, Turkey – 2015

Antigua, Guatemala – 2016

Love the bright colors!

Near San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua – 2016

Horseback riding…

Roatan Island, Honduras – 2007

Our world is amazing and I’m leaving tomorrow to explore eight more countries in Eastern Europe…I’m so excited!

15 Extraordinary Experiences to add to your Bucket List

Posted on November 19, 2014 by Travel Spirit

There are some destinations and experiences in life that are etched into your memory and looking back at the photographs tends to rekindle the wanderlust that’s burning in your soul! It may have been the exotic aromas wafting through the air, the peaceful and serene feelings evoked, the indescribable beauty of the landscape, or the delightful people; most likely a fusion of these events served to secure their designation as extraordinary for you. These are a few of my amazing experiences.

Okavango Delta, Botswana, Africa

Ears tuned to the varied wildlife within the Okavango Delta, leaning against a pillow in a traditional dugout mokoro canoe, transported through the shallow waters with the lulling sound of poles dipping in and out of the water, I was living in the moment.

Petra, Jordan

Emerging from the mile long narrow “Siq” trail with rocks towering over 250 feet on each side, the stunning “Treasury”, carved into the sandstone cliff face dating back to the 5^th century, leaves you breathless!

Sossusvlei Dunes, Namibia, Africa

Ready for some adventure? Try walking the spine of Dune 45 in the Namid Desert at sunrise. It’s only 557 feet tall and you’ll be tromping through sand that is 5 million years old. The views are otherworldly!

Deadvlei Salt Pan, Namibia, Africa

Believed to be about 900 years old, the dead skeleton trees are set off by the contrasting colors of burnt orange sand, biscuit cracked earth, and cobalt blue sky!

Gudvangen Fjord, Norway Continue reading →

Naked in the Airport!

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Travel Spirit

Upon arrival in Hanoi, Vietnam from Vientiane, Laos, it seemed I had entered an alien land! A city of concrete…jumbled wires…a sea of motor scooters blind to the traffic lights…mass chaos with purpose…face masks creating a barrier from the dusty city…an assault on the senses with smells and colors. Pure insanity!!

The seven of us, on this tour through GAP Adventures, were instructed on how to cross the street. To walk–not run–to keep walking–that the drivers would go around us. I felt like a duck on a shooting range. Luckily, I have a spiritual grounding and realize that there are some things I have very little control over.

After being separated from the group while shopping that evening, there was a moment of sheer panic! I didn’t know the name of our hotel. The Tour Guide had given the information to everyone–when I was in the restroom–so I didn’t receive it. But I found my way to the meetup spot…whew!!

I made arrangements to spend the night on a boat on Halong Bay in the China Sea and said my “goodbyes” to the group!

At $68 for the entire excursion–it was a small price for such serenity and beauty!

I went kayaking…

Had a nice glass of vino!

Although I had a six hour layover in Nagoya, Japan‘s airport, on my way home to Cincinnati, I had plenty to keep myself occupied with there. It was a destination onto itself, with over 60 shops and restaurants and a spa!

Upon arrival at the airport, I met a girl named Andrea who had been teaching English in Hanoi for four months and was so fearful of crossing the street that she decided to move back home to Canada.

We went to the Spa together. The women had their own hot tub, cold dip, sauna, and steam room area with a view of planes landing and taking off. We didn’t have our bathing suits, but the other women were naked so…when in Rome. It makes for a great story…”Naked in the Airport”!

This is Andrea and I at the Airport in Japan.