Tag Archives: travel

Celebrating a Milestone Anniversary inside the Enchanted Fig Tree of Australia

Posted on May 15, 2016 by

Alex and I have traveled to nearly 70 countries. We celebrated our birthdays and anniversaries in places like a street corner café on Easter Island, tiny seafood restaurant in Cochi, Kerala,  a second century BC villa –turned Renaissance palace-turned art … Continue reading →

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Where to Stay on Kangaroo Island, Australia: the Sea Dragon Lodge is an Excellent Choice

Posted on April 20, 2016 by

Since childhood, I always wanted to live among the animals of Australia – even if for a few days only. And this was how the Kangaroo Island, a small dot in the Indian Ocean, materialized first in my imagination, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Travel Photography, Travel Tips | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Going to Iceland? We recommend this book

Posted on February 16, 2016 by

Iceland Going to Iceland on vacation or business?  Take a look at this Insight Guides Iceland. This book is a great trip companion. Invaluable for trip planning and once you arrived, for exploring. Lots of historical and current information and … Continue reading →

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Chasing the Elusive Northern Lights in Iceland

Posted on January 3, 2016 by

by Alex Shaland All visitors to Iceland fall into two distinctive categories: those who saw the northern lights and those who did not. When Irene set her trip target on Iceland, she was determined to place herself, our daughter, and … Continue reading →

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Face-to-Face with Africa and other Wildlife Photography Exhibit

Posted on October 21, 2015 by

Cuyahoga County Public Library Orange Branch Presents Photography Exhibit: Face-to-Face with Africa and other Wildlife by Alex Shaland November 5th – December 1st 2015 Cuyahoga County Public Library Orange Branch, 31975 Chagrin Boulevard Pepper Pike, Ohio 44124   Phone: 216-831-4282 Internationally-published artist photographer … Continue reading →

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Irene Shaland’s Lecture Face-to-Face with Africa Presented at the Detroit Public Library on September 12, 2015

Posted on September 13, 2015 by

The Social Science, Education & Religion Department of the Detroit Public Library invited Irene Shaland to present her popular lecture “Face-to-Face with Africa.” Irene shared her personal stories she discovered in Africa. This mysterious continent remains as one of the … Continue reading →

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How to Avoid Credit Card Foreign Transaction Fees – Part Two

Posted on April 28, 2015 by

In one of our earlier blog posts, we recommended a few credit cards that do not charge foreign transaction fees when you use the card outside of the US.  If you travel abroad and don’t have one of those credit … Continue reading →

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African Safari Tips: The Importance of a Good Company

Posted on February 1, 2015 by

Text and photos by Alex Shaland Going on an African safari by yourself or in a small group is not advisable. Suppose, you are standing in front of a lion or a rhinoceros and trying to calculate your chances of … Continue reading →

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Overlooked by visitors, Catania is a masterpiece of Sicilian Baroque

Posted on November 9, 2014 by

The third largest city of Sicily, a UNESCO-listed Catania lies in close proximity to the majestic mountain Etna. The city was always subject to the brooding moods of that volcano.  In the late 1600s, Mt. Etna struck twice: first drowning … Continue reading →

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Following the Steps of Tennessee Williams in Sicily: Taormina’s Casa Cuseni

Posted on October 28, 2014 by

I came across the name “Casa Cuseni” while reading about Tennessee Williams and his beloved partner, painter/poet Henry Faulkner, spending many happy months in Taormina while staying in Casa Cuseni. I knew then, without a doubt, that when we are … Continue reading →

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