Travel

Last week, I wrote an article about Russia’s longer term demographic issues. Included was some commentary about why the country has got itself into this mess. The article was reasonably well received. A former colleague told me that while he enjoyed the article, he felt it was one-sided, predictable and had no links to the Russian soul or mind. I will be the first person to admit that I’m no expert on either subject but having travelled throughout the country and met its peop

I’ve recently added a few articles with some humour. The feedback has been positive so I’m continuing in this vein. Yesterday I wrote a fairly pessimistic piece on the future of Russia so it’s time to counter balance it with some amusing tales of life there. I have been fortunate over the years to work closely with some of Ireland’s finest diplomats. Working with a state-owned company which was engaged in joint-ventures with foreign state-owned firms meant we stayed close to

I don’t think you would describe this as a travel blog, but the reader can be the judge of that. I wrote this article a couple of years ago after travelling extensively in the USA. In the meantime I have been back several times and unfortunately the revisions to it will say that things have gotten worse. America is still the land of opportunity but it is far from a perfect society. The incumbent President’s encouragement of divisiveness over unity is not helping the situation

Brief Encounters: In some ways it may be described as a cliché, but for as long as I can remember, I have loved meeting people; different people, not just different in numbers but different in character, temperament, attitude, culture etc. I tend to talk to people I meet at random; it might be a waiter in a restaurant; a chance encounter in a gym; on a bus or train or a fellow hotel guest. Really, the possibilities are endless. Many people encounter many other people every da

We all have our favourite foods and drinks which we return to again and again. Some people are more adventurous when they encounter the foods (or the cultures) of other nations; others tend to stick with what they know. Hence the old stereotypes of the Irishman looking for his bacon, cabbage and spuds or the Englishman looking for roast beef or fish and chips. Tasty? Depends where you come from I guess. Perceptions are interesting also; I would consider myself reasonably adv

Driving: I love driving; always have; always will. I remember when the famous Kerry football manager, Mick O’Dwyer, was asked was it not very far for him to travel when he took on the role of managing Kildare. Micko replied, ‘not at all, the farther the better, because I love driving.’ I totally identify with that sentiment. In fact, Micko subsequently managed Laois and Wicklow, which are also a long way from Kerry. But I digress; recently I drove to Derry and Donegal in a da

Tunisia – Travel Blog: Tunisia in January might not be everyone’s idea of a nice holiday but it’s probably the ideal time to go there if you want a cheap break with plenty of good weather and no hassle. I spent nine days there and seven of them featured glorious sunshine with great sunrises and sunsets, yet the temperature was only 18C, so ideal for exploring. I did also experience 48 hours of biblical rain but that could happen anywhere, any time. Medina in Tunis First of al

Today’s story is inspired by a former colleague and a good mate, who when reading one of my blogs a few weeks ago, said whatever you do, don’t write about the time we got deported from Belarus. Unbeknownst to us both, I had done it two years ago, but it bears repeating….. Phase 1: It is said that to make a mistake once is forgivable, twice is careless and three times is unforgivable. I am therefore on my last chance in relation to Belarus. I have managed (almost) to get mysel

The main Pyramid at Giza Before I visited Egypt, I should probably have paid more attention or cognizance to my history knowledge. I was aware that for a relatively long period from the 1950’s to the 1990’s or thereabouts, Egypt was allied with and to a large extent supplied by, the Soviet Union. This had been at the back of my mind but I had assumed that it was a military thing because the US was supplying Israel so Egypt turned to the Soviets. What I didn’t realise was that

Brendan in the early days. I saw an item on TV recently about the erection of a statue in a place called Sixmilebridge, Co Clare, in Ireland, to Dr. Brendan O’Regan. Who was he, many would ask — probably one of the greatest Irish innovators of the 20th Century or indeed of any time. The erection of a statue is hugely deserved but it cannot even begin to quantify what this man achieved or do justice to his legacy. I’m not too sure as to what positions Brendan held in Shannon A

Biarritz Back to my theme of writing travel blogs on places I have been in the past, I have never done blogs on France, Germany, Spain or Portugal. In fact, there are many more I need to get to. I’ve decided to start with France as it is one of the countries I have visited most often. As far as I can recall, I have visited every region except Normandy. So the question is where to start? I’m tempted to just go with a series of anecdotal experiences and then try to summarise. B

I first published this article early in 2024 but at that time, I was only posting on Medium. Now that I have acquired a wider audience on other platforms, it bears repeating. It’s also an updated version. I recently told my partner a funny story about the trip to Kenya and she said I should have included it in the blog. So I will this time but you’ll have to read to the end to find it. J Before I visited Kenya, I was told to beware that there would always be people around me

On our recent trip to the Balkans, my partner and I visited four countries in eleven days. We started in Croatia, crossed into Montenegro, then Albania, back into Montenegro, then into Bosnia and back to Croatia. So we quickly got used to crossing borders in remote mountain enclaves; I think apart from one time, ours was the only car in the queue at the border posts and a cursory check on our passports was all that was required. Imagine our shock therefore, when we crossed th

When I write an article or a blog, I very rarely show it to anyone before I publish it. Maybe it’s stubbornness on my part but I also don’t like people editing my books. Anyway, on this occasion, my partner Gill, who was with me in the Balkans, said she enjoyed the article but that I didn’t tell the full story. Also, a mate of mine, who has lived in the Balkans, reminded me about the Mercedes.’ So, here is the fully expanded version: People say that if you want to get the bes

Datka Peninsula, near Marmaris. I have travelled extensively in Turkey over many years so this travel blog will probably be a mix of recommendations about places to visit, recall of personal experiences and even some commentary about Turkish society and culture. In fact, let’s start with something that, while not unique to Turkey is very commonly practiced there. In western language, we would call it ‘touting.’ That is, trying to attract people to your business by approaching

The Excursion I awake to glorious, blinding sunshine. My jet lag of the previous two days is now banished to memory. A quick look from my seventh floor balcony shows me that the snow has almost disappeared and Spring is finally here. I have been living in Novosibirsk for over four months now and I have seen most of the city on foot. Having recently acquired a car, it is surely time for an excursion further afield; time for me to resume my travels in this seemingly never endin

Main Entrance. I was born in the countryside and although I have spent a lot of years living in and around different cities, I am still a country person at heart. I am most at home in the countryside, preferably when there are a few mountains, lakes, forests or even the ocean in the background. Maybe it’s a liking for the outdoors or fresh air or an appreciation of beautiful scenery. Whichever, I can never see the point of visiting museums or even cities just for the sake of

The Matterhorn. Who is the President of Switzerland? I think I could ask that question of a hundred people or even more and no one would know the answer. Why, you may ask? Most people know who the President of the US is, and of Russia, China, France and so on. People will even know the leaders of smaller nations. But in all my life, I have never heard any mention of Switzerland in a political sense, other than as the headquarters of the United Nations and many other world age

I have been fortunate to visit over eighty countries in my lifetime and I still try to visit at least two new ones each year. It was a little difficult during the covid pandemic but despite the restrictions, I managed it. People have asked me to write something about places I have visited and to give my impressions. I’ve decided to start with South Africa as I have visited quite recently and it’s fresh in my memory. In fact, I have now visited the country on two occasions. I’

Blyde River Canyon I looked at my Medium profile a couple of days ago and realised I had five new followers. As I haven’t written anything in a while, I thought, better do something if people are following. So, where to begin…I have visited many places and later regretted that I didn’t record my thoughts at the time and do a travel blog. I am therefore going to start with my most recent trip and over the coming months, work backwards. I have now visited Cape Town three times.