Dec 03
I was returning to the lower 48 states after my road trip to Alaska, coming south on the Alaska Highway. If you know anything about driving in Alaska and Yukon, other than in the Kenai Peninsula and around Anchorage, the traffic is light. But coming south to Dawson Creek, BC was quite a shock. All …
Oct 07
Fairbanks, Alaska is popular for its winter activities like soaking at Chena Hot Springs, dog mushing, and marveling at the Northern Lights. But Fairbanks is a great summer destination too. Fairbanks is a perfect access point to Denali National Park, with the national park entrance only a 2 hour and 15 minute drive from Fairbanks. …
Nov 08
After the break-up of Yugoslavia, many of the trains in the Balkans ceased running. However, one of the most spectacular train rides in the world is still doable and takes you across two countries. Here are the details and some tips for riding the Montenegro to Serbia Train (aka Bar to Belgrade Train). My Baby …
Apr 17
I like train trips. My some of my favorites were the Transsiberian trip across Russia and the Canadian Via Rail to Churchill – the Polar Bear Capital of the world. This year I got to take Amtrak Across America – at least half way. My trip on the Amtrak Empire Builder started at one of …
Apr 08
Churchill, Manitoba is known as “The polar bear capital of the world” and I wanted to go there in late summer, as it was possible to see Polar Bears, Beluga Whales, and the Northern Lights, and the cost to visit was a small fraction of the cost to visit in the high season of October-November. …
Mar 31
I stayed for a glorious smog-free day in Beijing and then continued with an overnight train to Xi’an for my 4 days in Xian. Although I had a berth for this overnight ride, it was the 3rd (top) bunk. I made sure I didn’t drink anything before bed because the last thing I wanted to …
Mar 26
When taking the TransMongolian train trip from Moscow to Beijing, you can’t miss the last leg – the Ulaanbaatar to Beijing Train. The Ulaanbaatar train station is not far from the center of town. It’s worth arriving a little early to have a look around this Soviet-style train station. We checked in and were shown …
Mar 26
Based on a tip we got from the internet for the Trans-Mongolian journey, we decided to take a train to Ulan Ude, Russia and then bus to Mongolia rather than take the train. The train is a 24-hour ride, whereas the bus allows you to get a good night sleep in Ulan Ude and then …
Mar 26
Irkutsk Lake Baikal is the “Paris of Siberia” and a great stopover on the Trans Siberian Railway. The flowers and churches were great. There were lots of old wooden buildings. We went to the local market for fresh fruit. Edna and I had arranged for a car tour to Lake Baikal and Listvanyka town and …
Mar 26
The Trans-Siberian is a “bucket list” item for many and it’s possible for trans-siberian railway independent travel. We survived about 2/3 of the Trans-Siberian express from Moscow to Irkutsk. Our train ride was 80 hours – 4 nights and 3 full days. We were in the 3rd class or “platzkartney” This means there are 52 berths in …
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