Author: Raymond Esparza
I think we all like the “idea” of an adventure. Going out and meeting the world head on, simply taking that chance that bit of risk our common sense tells us not to act upon. Or doing something which normally would not be considered among your personality traits; at least how others perceive you. Your inner “closet” desires need to be full-filled. Sometimes, you have to take that flying leap into the unknown. It doesn’t matter if you fall flat on your face and make a fool of yourself, or end up looking like a clown. Feeling that rush of adrenaline through your body, that electrifying sensation of your brain synapses firing off because you just had an experience like no other. Sure your adventure could be a jump out of a plane at 13,000ft., or a deep sea dive, it could even be as adventurous as a once in a lifetime night with a sexy woman you finally achieved the courage to ask out. What ever your adventure may be, don’t just dream about, do it!
Yosemite Valley in October
I have been to Yosemite National Park many times, but never during the fall. The park is much cooler in the evening but the days can be sunny and warm, but you can never predict Mother Nature around this time of the year. However, the fall brings some welcome beauty and colors to Yosemite Valley. Also, there tends to be a lot fewer visitors in the park so the trails were less crowed which for us all, is always a welcome feature.
Arriving into Yosemite Valley through HWY 41 can be a whole lot of fun if you have a good handling vehicle and are feeling bit like Mario Andretti. The highway has some of the best curves along the → Continue Reading
A few days in Barcelona
If you are visiting Spain, Barcelona is definitely a city you need to visit. The large city is filled with plenty of artistic, cultural, and historical sites to experience. I was only able to visit Barcelona for about four days, but I was able to get a good sampling of what the city has to offer visitors. From the airport it is easy to catch a bus into Barcelona. There is a subway system in the city and plenty of buses, so getting around was easy. I found a hostal near Placa de Catalunya, which was convenient to buses and the subway. Near the Barre Gotic area, the Gothic quarter, we found the Hostal Lausanne, which was part of a → Continue Reading
Visiting Koh Samui, Thailand
Koh Samui is located south of Bangkok in the Gulf of Thailand about 31km east of the Ang Thong National Marine Park. Koh Samui is Thailand’s third largest island and is surrounded by 80 smaller islands. About a dozen flights a day arrive from Bangkok and feed this island with a steady flow of tourist. I wanted to save money so I took the evening train to Surat Thani so I could sleep during the 11 hour trip from Bangkok. Once at the train station you will need to catch a bus for the short ride to the boat pier where you will be able to catch a boat to the Na Thon dock on Koh Samui. There are usually → Continue Reading
Venice, Italy October visit, Day one
My first visit to Italy and my first stop is Venice. We arrived at Marco Polo Airport in the late afternoon and caught an Alilaguna ferry to Piazza San Marco. The Piazza was near our hotel, so I thought, and it was a good landmark to get our bearings. The day was nearing sunset when we left on the vaporetto to San Marcos Plaza.
After a 14 hour flight, the boat ride was relaxing. Venice harbor with a beautiful sunset as a backdrop can mesmerize and excite you at the same time. Boat traffic was light except for a monstrous cruise ship heading out to sea which looked out of place near this old city. The setting sun highlighted the → Continue Reading