Cork, Ireland Just a quick reminder to anyone who is lucky enough to be in Ireland this Halloween — the Dragon of Shandon is coming on Monday! A very toothy smile from the 2010 parade. Here's the scoop on this year's parade: Join Cork Community Art Link in the historic heart of Shandon, Monday October …
Pretend you’re in an Irish pub…
Ballingcollig, Ireland This video was shot at a Tweetup in local pub here in Co. Cork. Unbeknownst to me and Dario is that there was live music scheduled along with the chat, pints, and general good craic. The music is what's called a "trad session": an informal gathering of musicians at a local pub, …
How the Marine Corps prepared me for travel: Part 1
Marin County, CA, USA / Parris Island, SC, USA Part 1: The Background About 10 years ago I left my amazingly cool job in the visual effects industry and joined the Marine Corps. Some people think I was nuts. There were many reasons for going, however, not the least of which is that I like …
Travel Tips for Sick on the Road!
A few tips I sent to Phil about freshening up while traveling. He featured them in Sick on the Road!
Featured photo: El Teide
Tenerife, Spain As you may know, I love volcanoes and warm weather nearly as much as I love camels. So when Linda of Islandmomma offered to be my guide around Tenerife, I jumped at the chance! It was a fine chance to test out the camera I'd won from the Cork Cycling Festival's photo competition. …
Mentioned on Frommers.com! :D
Cork, Ireland Yay! TourAbsurd got mentioned on Frommers.com! :D How to Start a Travel Blog: 4 Easy Tips Read more: http://www.frommers.com/articles/7476.html In celebration, I am sharing a picture of a gorgeous mama and baby camel discovered on Cute Overload. Have I mentioned that I love camels? Oh, yes, I believe I have. …
Missing Mermaid
Copenhagen, Denmark While in Denmark one lovely May, we decided to pay a visit to the iconic mermaid sculpture. It was based on Hans Christian Andersen’s tale, The Little Mermaid, and has become quite a tourist attraction for those who visit Copenhagen. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. And yet, when we arrived …
Quote: A little thought and a little kindness…
A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money. ~ John Ruskin Photo courtesy of Jesslee via Wikimedia Commons.
The Kindness of Strangers
Today's post is from Liv of The World is Waiting, as she waxes Blanche DuBois-ish and shares with us one of my favorite things about travel. (ps: captions by moi) Watching the news these days it is all too easy to sit at home convinced that the world is full of bad people …
Quick update: what’s next?
Hello from Ireland! Just a quick update to let you know what's happening next! I'll soon be heading to Tenerife to visit Linda of Islandmomma. With the Irish winter fast approaching, I suspect I will not want to leave. Or at least that I'll want to go back very soon. Thankfully, living in Cork and …
The awesome power of Haka.
Another travel blogger linked this video on Facebook today. It's awesome and fantastic. Seriously. Gets the blood moving and makes you wish you were Māori. Can't see it? Watch it on YouTube: http://youtu.be/JuhcZX9rFRM I remembered how much I loved watching haka and listening to Lisa Gerrard's gorgeous soundtrack from the movie Whale Rider. …
Zanzibar: House of Mercury
Unguja, Tanzania Zanzibar is blessed with amazing scenery, filled with spice and warmth, and springs from often tragic history. It's also the birthplace of the incredibly talented lead singer of Queen, Freddie Mercury. Learning a bit more about the background of this tremendous singer, and possibly visiting locations of significance in his life, was on …
Capture the Calf!
Kealkill, Ireland With such an alliterative name, you just know that wacky things are bound to take place. Seriously, try it on for size: "Kealkill. …Kealkill. KEALKILL!" (not to be confused will Killkeel in Co. Down!). Ok, got it? Now add "castle" to the mix. That's right. "Kealkill castle." And guess what there are lots …
Elements of Air: Rose of Tralee “SkyFest” Airshow
Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland Today I met Dalene and Pete Heck of Hecktic Travels in Tralee. Dario and I had not yet visited the Dingle Peninsula, so the additional enticement of meeting up with some really cool bloggers finally nudged us into action. Unfortunately, or so we thought, the Rose of Tralee International Festival …
Featured photo: Skellig Michael sunset + sheep
Beara Peninsula, Ireland I have to say, I think the Ring of Beara kicks the pants off the Ring of Kerry, which is no small feat! It's not nearly as touristy and the driving is trickier (no bus tours, I believe), with much narrower, windier roads — and it is totally worth it! Dario …
Questionable ethics: stealth photos!
The Free Dictionary defines ethics in the following manner: eth·ic (thk) n. 1. a. A set of principles of right conduct. 1. b. A theory or a system of moral values: “An ethic of service is at war with a craving for gain” (Gregg Easterbrook). 2. ethics (used with a sing. verb) The study of …
Quote: Enjoy the little things…
Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. ~ Robert Brault Photo courtesy of dno1967 via Wikimedia Commons.
Where Do I Find Me a Drunk Maya God?
Today's post comes to us from Marina K. Villatoro of Travel Experta. Guatemala has just risen greatly in my estimation. Drunken Mayan gods? Mystical shamans? Volcanoes and lakes? Sign me up! :D Ahhhh! Lake Atitlan Guatemala, considered one of the top ten most beautiful lakes in the world, is also home to the …