Be Our Guest

Spreading the Word about PNG, GoNOMAD and Around the World Travel radio

2010-02-06T20:53:00.002-05:00

I did a short segment on Around the World Travel Radio about Papua New Guinea this Thursday, This will be short also as I have reservations for dinner tonight, but this link will take you to the audio replay about PNG one of the most interesting and fascinating places I have ever been. The GoNOMAD Café will also have pictures in the place up next week. There are also two pieces on GoNOMAD up. This week will be a lot of NYC time.

The Weekend with Vincent

2010-02-05T17:22:00.000-05:00

Want to Feel Good, Go Back to Third Grade

2010-02-04T17:57:00.001-05:00

I returned to the Cahill School today to talk about Brazil, I was snowed out last week. I think it is becoming one of my favorite activities; the wonder of kids is contagious. I love the questions they ask, always interesting and often amusing. I love the way they think. I am in awe! Sally Provenzano DePoala, the teacher no doubt in my mind plays a huge part in the kid’s fantastic behavior. On a day when the Market tanks and news shows put out all bad news, a day spent back in third grade is a blessing. To make the day better I had a compilation of notes and pictures from all the kids. I read them while I sipped delicious Brazilian coffee, a perk provided by Sally’s generous nature. Speaking at the New York Times Travel Show has been bumped from the number one slot; I’ll take Cahill’s third graders. On to Australia!

Global Citizen Project, Great Idea Charyn Pfeuffer

2010-01-31T17:54:00.002-05:00

With the donations flowing to Haiti I just hope other needs are getting some help. Writer Charyn Pfeuffer is doing more than that:

The Global Citizen Project will see me, professional journalist Charyn Pfeuffer swap my BlackBerry for a backpack to volunteer with 12 community projects in 12 countries over 12 months. I've traveled around the globe in the name of work and have been profoundly impacted by the communities most underserved. I realize it’s impossible to save the world with bite-sized stints of service, but plan to promote the selected causes and communities, before, during and after the terms of service, as well as responsible travel via my platform as an influential journalist and blogger. I plan to embark on this adventure in June 2010 and will commit a minimum of two weeks of volunteer service per month.

This woman has a heart of gold and determination galore help- out here!

Ritz Carlton Tops My List for 2009, This GoNOMAD Guy Loves Them

2010-01-29T19:04:00.006-05:00

The hotel world is in a tizzy and reports by Travel Advisor and CNN.com keep things shaken. Both have done reports on the baddies recently. I thought of some great ones I have stayed in recently and one name keeps popping up, Ritz Carlton. The interesting and winning factor was the same level of caring and quality in diverse locations such as Georgetown and Guangzhou, all I have encountered give quality unparalleled, the Ritz way. One thing you can be assured of is the Ritz will not be on these lists of baddies!

Back to the Third Graders, Brazil This Time

2010-01-27T18:55:00.001-05:00

It is back to the Cahill School in Saugerties and the best third graders in the world. Mrs. Sally Provenzano DePoala’s class is studying Brazil, Kenya was my last visit. I get a kick out of the questions these kids come up with and I am amazed that they are learning so much about the world. Tonight I put together some pictures, hopefully worth a thousand words and the combination of three classes means visual backup for those questions. I have such respect for teachers and especially those like Sally, they open up the world.

Understanding Travel Writing Today, Thanks James Plouf

2010-01-26T18:21:00.003-05:00

I checked in with James Plouf’s blog site today named, Helping the Travel Writer Understand New Media. I found an eye opening list that was posted and though it wasn’t a surprise, I had no idea just how bad the newspaper business was. The top 25 daily newspapers all had steep circulation declines, USA Today down by 25%. The Wall Street Journal up by less than 1%, ouch! Luckily I have been into online travel writing for close to 11 years but I feel for all my great writing friends who got smacked. Thanks James for a site geared to the future, make that the present!

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If You Loved Angela's Ashes, You Will Love A Mountain of Crumbs

2010-01-25T19:22:00.004-05:00

Dreary rain fell all day as I worked on a piece about St Petersburg, Russia today, fitting as I remember cold rain on my walk home from the Grand Hotel to the wonderful Corinthia in St Petersburg a few months ago. I loved that city and my room there. As things often do in travel writing things gel. I also happened upon a book that I love in my hands, all about growing up in Leningrad, now St Petersburg. I admit that any book that has a blurb by the now deceased Frank McCourt is an automatic must for me. Any fan of Angela’s Ashes will also really love, A Mountain of Crumbs, by Elena Gorokhova. It has the same feel for place and situation; it opened a St Petersburg that Frank did for Limerick and Ireland during a time that has past.

April in Samoa, Nice ring to it.

2010-01-23T17:10:00.000-05:00

I got an amazing invite to another place I know only by name in April, Samoa. I immediately said YES! After checking out the Tourism website I knew I made the right decision, it looks amazing. The itinerary also looks amazing and filled with natural sights such as the Savai’ian Blowholes, Sliding Rocks and many of the places numerous waterfalls. Surfing clinic is on the list as is visiting villages and checking out the reconstruction after the Tsunami of a few years ago. Another wonderful part of the trip will be getting to know more about the Fa’a Samoa cultural heritage. Season 19 of Survivor was filmed there; I don’t think it will take much for me to survive there but the excitement of going might be tough!

National Geographic and Patagonia

2010-01-22T18:32:00.004-05:00

The Feb. issue of National Geo has a piece in it titled the Power of Patagonia, pictorially stunning. Also some great info similar to what my guide in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile told me. It was a press trip party of one experience, myself and a guide. I have done plenty of group trips and several on my own trips. If asked what I like better it is a tough question and the answer would be both. I like meeting a very small group and have several favorite editors and writers I frequently hook up with over again. That perhaps is my greatest pleasure, traveling with people I know well, the mode lends itself to that. Yet meeting some new faces is also a wonderful thing, the next time they are part of that old friend thing. Many anyways, I treasure the people I’ve meet and kept up with over the years. I do find that solo however gives you the most info, when the guide is yours and your alone, it should be that way. Still diners with others in your field is always a learning experience, you almost always learn something about yourself. That is also part of the job.

Haiti and my Shame

2010-01-20T05:20:00.002-05:00

I awoke very early today and a wee bit ashamed; I had been knocked back with a sinus and an ear infection for a few days. Like a lot of my fellow males, I handle pain badly, I have always though women stronger in many ways, and not just because of the child birth thing. It was however waking up in the middle of a CNN report on Haiti, about people alive still being brought out of the rubble a week later when it hit me. That in a drugstore located a mile away; they had various medications, food, water and copies of the Star and Enquirer in plentiful supply. The grocery store next door filled with various foods and herbal teas, no problem with clean drinking water from the tap to make cups of soothing teas.

It was a let down to me that I felt so overwhelmed with such minor health issues here in my very comfortable space. In a country not far away there was total devastation and the horrors will be unfolding for years. The only thing I could think about was the fact that for a few days I let my miniscule problems derail me so. My god how bad was it that the fact I couldn’t even get online or deal with what millions would only consider a miracle if they could just be in my position. I got a lot of catching up to do today with emails and such, but first I got some more giving to do. Maybe get some of my priorities back in alignment, it occurred to me that that might just be the healthiest thing, in many ways.

World Hum and Nine Subversive Travel Novels Made my Day

2010-01-14T19:33:00.002-05:00

I had lunch today with myself and an old copy of Paul Theroux’s The Old Patagonian Express: By Train Through the Americas. I read it years ago and have kept the book over many moves. After recently returning from Patagonia myself I wanted to get his take from years ago. I have several travel websites that I frequently love checking out and World Hum is one of them. They had a wonderful piece by Thomas Kohnstamm, Nine Subversive Travel Novels , that thrilled me. One on the list was Chatwin’s In Patagonia; I read that while on the boat from Chile to Argentina, another rare book that has traveled with me for ages. After I returned from PNG a friend recommended that I get a copy of Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, I seem to be the only travel writer who has failed to read it. On the list was also one of my favorite books of all time— Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, by Hunter Thompson, I laughed aloud insanely in my dorm room when I read it the first time. Truth be told, perhaps I was most likely as gonzo as my pockets allowed. After a day of following the unbelievable stuff going on in Haiti, I needed to laugh a bit. I put on “Southern Cross” by Crosby, Stills and Nash and thought about the nights not long ago I went topside to check out the skies; it all helped.

Conde Nast Johansens Guide, and the Corinthia St Petersburg

2010-01-13T18:06:00.003-05:00

We were beat and battered after touring our way through Lithuania and Latvia. By the time we reached St Petersburg we needed a special place to bed down, we found it at the Corinthia St. Petersburg. St Petersburg is a beautiful city and the hotel matched perfectly with the location. I have just read that the Corinthia St Petersburg was selected to be featured in the prestigious Conde Nast Johansens Europe & Mediterranean Recommended Hotels & Spa Guide 2010. A great choice!

Prepping for the NY Times Travel Show at the Cahill School in Saugerties

2010-01-12T16:21:00.004-05:00

I had a wonderful speaking gig today and the audience was very astute, better questions I have never been asked and that includes last years New York Times Travel Show. I spoke to Sally Provansano DePoala’s third grade class as well as two other third classes. Kudos to those teachers and the Cahill School in Saugerties, the future looks bright at least when these third graders take the main stage here in the US. Polite, interested and obviously well informed.

I had a rough time preparing last night; I mean what can you tell a third grader about Kenya and the people of the Masai? Plenty it turned out. I put together a DVD of dancers and animals praying that would hold their attention, it did better than Avatar, or at least this group was gracious enough to make me feel so. What really amazed me was the number and quality of questions asked after they watched the DVD. I must confess they stumped me, several times. I am still pondering the question of how the Masai brush their teeth. It is thought that only one in every four Americans has a passport, horrible by international standards. I got more pleasure speaking to these kids than they will ever know, it made me feel that our future looks bright and I haven’t felt that way in a long time!

The GoNOMAD Family, Amazing Year of Places

2010-01-11T17:35:00.004-05:00

For ten years now I have been a part of GoNOMAD and GN has been a big part of my life. It has also given me a second family, people whom I care about. That is always apparent when I drive up to South Deerfield to the offices and catch up with Max and Steve. But is also so apparent when I get an email from Paul Shoul or Sony Stark while in lets say Patagonia, often it comes from some place like Tunisia. Comments on my blog from Kelly Westoff often come at just the right time. While I am frequently out there somewhere, chances are good that one of the GN family is also someplace out there, sometimes several.Often for the last few years we gather at the New York Times Travel Show,we work and spread the word and do a popular panel all about web travel writing.

This year we all did a little piece about the trips we took, we merry band of brothers and sisters. I am often teased because I spend a lot of time out on the road, I wouldn’t have it any other way, and it was my dream. After reading about the many places my GN compatriots went I was amazed, places such as New Zealand, Normandy, Salvador, Papua New Guinea, Tunisia and the Yukon. We all share the need to travel and see the world, better yet we all like to share it. Most of the family all have incredible other obligations such as terrific careers to deal with. I am proud of all of our staff writers and just what they do for us. Thanks to all the kids from Gramps!

The Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, A Must in Riga

2010-01-07T17:40:00.001-05:00

I pulled out the stuff collected on a late fall trip to Latvia, today to begin writing about it. I always get a kick of seeing what I tossed and what remains. This little book of Propaganda was such a find for me. I am fascinated by propaganda art work and the posters done during the period between WW I and the fall of the Soviet Union and this little book has plenty with the words in English in sidebars. I bought the book in Riga at the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia. Latvia went through two occupying totalitarian regimes from 1940 to 1991, German and Soviet. At first the Latvians counted on the Germans to protect them from the Russians, then the Russians to expel the Nazis. The slogans and art work are remarkable similar, as is the artifacts inside the museum covering 51 years of occupation. It was a no win situation for Latvia.

The Museum was established in 1993 in the center of Riga with funds donated by Latvian organizations from around the world, mostly from America, Canada and Australia. Since 1997 the maintenance of the museum is funded by the Latvian Government, donations are gratefully accepted. If in Riga take some time from its beautiful city center and glimpse a strange and troubling time Latvia went through and survived.

Noticed by Word of Mouth, Conde Nast Traveler, Costliest Cocktail in the World

2010-01-06T18:15:00.003-05:00

The folks of Conde Nast Traveler launched a blog just awhile back that I wasn’t aware of, Word of Mouth. I got an email from Lisa Gartner that her editor Eimear Lynch linked to me today in his latest entry, an honor. The entry was about one of the best places in N. Ireland to have a drink and hangout, the Merchant Hotel in Belfast. If you click on expensive it takes you to my blog about the costliest cocktail in the world.I am happy enough to know that Conde Nast Traveler even knows about Be Our Guest!The Word of Mouth is now bookmarked on my laptop I am a fan.

Penis Biting Fish on the Sepic River in PNG, Glad I used the Jungle

2010-01-04T18:24:00.003-05:00

As I am finally putting the finishing touches on PNG 2 I was putting all of my materials away when an article published by the Australian Associated Press slipped out. I didn’t include it in the story but it is terrifying story about men and their jewels. It was about two men at different places along the Sepic (Sepik) River in Papua, New Guinea that bled to death while peeing in the river. It seems like piranha-like river fish followed the urine trail to the source and severally noshed causing both men to bleed to death. It is thought that the fish was introduced from across the PNG-Indonesia border. I must admit that the sounds heard from under my mosquito netting in that area made holding it till morning a new skill. I have a new respect for the ladies I snapped pictures of while fishing on my trip. Perhaps a link via sidebar should be included!

Great Places Visited in 2009

2010-01-04T08:14:00.000-05:00

Last year my first trip was Jan. 11th to Queensland for the launch of the Best Job in the World campaign. The winner was to live as a caretaker on Hamilton Island for six months. I think our group was the real winners as we visited Hamilton, Lizard and Fitzroy Islands.

It wasn’t till March when things really picked up starting with a quick trip to San Juan for the coverage of the World’s Biggest Ten K race and a return to the San Juan Marriott. April I saw some amazing beaches and culture in Salvador and Recife, Brazil, now one of my favorite areas.

In May it was the Moselle River biking tour, pedaling up to 35 miles in a day through some wonderful vineyards, a chilled bottle of white waiting at the end of the day. Shortly after was a quick food tour through Marche, Italy. Unfortunately while there a major earthquake hit. The first and hopefully the last time I am thrown out of bed.

May ended with a bang as I went to Beijing and Shanghai for my very first time in China. The amazing building going on in China was striking! The disappearing hutongs was the sad part of my experience. Early June took me to the World’s Biggest Rodeo in Calagry, first time in Western Canada and seeing the Canadian Rockies!

In Sept things really got started with a wine trip to Santiago Chile and Mendoza Argentina. Little did I know I would return in Dec for a boat trip from Chile to Argentina with a stop on Cape Horn. There is little doubt that South America is ready for visitors to head south.

Oct was packed with a Ritz Carlton bloggers blitz to Shenzhen and Guangzhou, China. Once again the building going on in China amazed me as did the sheer luxury of the two Ritz Carlton Hotels. Oct ended and Nov began while I was exploring the Baltic countries of Lithuania and Latvia, two new places for me. To see both in the beginning stages of capitalism was quite a lesson. The reminders of communism a perfect counter point.

Dec took me to Papua New Guinea perhaps the most unique destination in all my travels. Over 800 languages are spoken there and a visit up the Sepik River a trip far back in time. All in all 2009 was an amazing year visiting some fantastic places.

The Places Visited in 2009

2010-01-03T11:05:00.002-05:00

It was a year of dealing with TSA and customs, a year where bags were packed, dragged and exchanged. It was actually one of the best years of eye opening I had since I learned just what I wanted to do with my life, see the world without joining the Navy. It wasn’t just a year of countries but continents, since Sept. I have been to three twice, four in all, in fact while standing on Cape Horn the only one never reached seemed so close, Antarctica.

I met some of the best travelers in the world, some several times, some for the first time, all appreciated. It was a year that I realized how lucky I am to see the places many dream of. I met writers, editors and travel addicts, all a strange breed. I got the chance to spread the word that the world is wonderful, despite the crap I hear on news reports. I also learned some things about me, things that were hidden or suppressed. I am a homebody with wanderlust, strange indeed.

The Jetster AKA Johnny Jet, did a fine accounting of miles logged, Max also followed suit. I spent hours yesterday going through my photo albums due to some corrupt viral attack seemingly they were most affected. Fortunately I found many safe due to transferring them to portable hard drives, a habit I will forever follow now. The thought of losing pictures to the fantastic places such as PNG, Germany, Greece, China, Italy, Chile, Russia, Latvia, Argentina and Australia done this year was devastating Putting a feeling to an earthquake happening while I was in Italy wasn’t easy and I will forever remember the faces of villagers in PNG. I just loved it! May we all see beyond our doors in 2010!

The Chill Factor in New England

2009-12-30T08:08:00.000-05:00

The chill factor was big in New England last night, wind whipped snow bore through the layers of clothing. I haven’t been subjected to such Arctic blasts in a long time. Not even in January on a dogsled trip above the Arctic Circle in Finland or a winter trip up the Norwegian coast. It brough back memories of the times I lived on Lake Monamonack in New Hampshire during the college days. I do remember we once actually had ice forming in the bathroom. In all I connected with the fridgid bite, a reminder that NE has its wild side and not just tourist country stores and high speed chairlifts. Under layers NE remains.

A Snowy Night in Portland Maine and Bull Feeney's

2009-12-29T06:02:00.003-05:00

I admit it isn’t for everyone but a snowy night in Portland Maine suits me just fine. Portland has always been a NE city that I love. Walking to dinner through the Old Port area was fantastic, the lights glowed and glaze from the cobblestone street perfect. Soon a sign blowing in the wind attracted me, Lobsters like Guiness, was the wording. I peeked inside the old stone building at the pub style bar and the jovial going ons. Bull Feeney’s seemed just right, busy and warm, nodding faces and good cheer, a hit. My table on the second floor was the perfect place to enjoy my lamb chili and soft red wine. I felt as if I was in Belfast or Dublin and it felt good. My waiter mentioned that Feeney’s has the best selection of single malt Scotch in Maine, a perfect ending to a perfect winter night in Portland.

National Geo and Patagonia Picture

2009-12-28T18:39:00.002-05:00

I happened to come upon a beta trial of National Geo picture site on facebook tonight featuring Patagonia and its animals. It catptured me while finishing the last paragraph of an article on the Sepic Region of PNG, if you need a break check it out, worth it.

Living in a Strange Museum

2009-12-27T18:00:00.003-05:00

I happened to run into Phyllis McCabe this weekend, another photographer with several books out. She brought up a dinner at the house she came to last Feb. and asked what new treasures I dragged back. I immediately told her about the new penis gourds bought in Papua, New Guinea and several bystanders giggled. Phyllis immediately told them that that I might just have one of the most unusual collections of strange stuff from around the world in NY.

I doubt that but I thought about stuff that I have brought home, the penis gourds are a great new addition but some memorable treasures include a cricket casket from China, the Berber rug made from natural dyes in Fez and huge clay statues from Peru. This old farmhouse from 1845 seems to be made for things that aren’t found everywhere; the old pine floors demand it. Yet at the same time it is a comfortable place, the fireplace and old farm table have their own demands, Chance’s friends always called it the museum. I call it home.

Peter Guttman's Eye, an Apple App

2009-12-27T09:32:00.001-05:00

Outstanding photographer and good friend Peter Guttman has a very cool app out on Apple for itouch and phones. It is called Beautiful Planet and will take you to some amazing shots by Peter shot on all seven continents and in 160 countries. Peter is an author, adventurer and above all captures magic with his cameras. I have had the pleasure of his company in Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia. Seeing the world through his lens $2.99, a bargain!