Archive for September, 2009
No Axe for California State Parks
By Thomas on September 26, 2009 | No Comments »
Fearing the closure of their beloved state parks after Labor Day weekend, Californians went on a rampage. And rightfully so. As mentioned before in The State Park Terminator, Schwarzenegger’s plans to save the economy was to shut down about half of California’s state parks. But not without resistance from the voters. Now, the people have spoken.
Instead of releasing a closure list, the governor’s office announced today that the state parks will stay open. Good news, right? Well, it’s not all good. California’s huge deficit won’t just go away. For now, the parks will stay open on a limited schedule, some only on weekends, some only during certain seasons. So the fight is not over. Keep writing in those letters and making those calls if you want your voices heard.
Human Consciousness in a Swiss Bank
By Tony on September 22, 2009 | No Comments »
Are all the answers to mankind’s questions locked up in a Swiss bank account? Could be. Will Zurich be the next travel destination du jour as pilgrims of the psychiatric sort make their way to the holy safe deposit box. If you haven’t heard about next month’s publishing of Carl Jung’s red-leather “Liber Novus,” then you clearly have not read the New York Times ten-page article The Holy Grail of the Unconscious documenting the Dan-Brown-esque history of this bizarre tome.
No, I’m not some Jungian evangelist, but I do love a good mystery. And, what’s more, I’m crazy for good pop culture build-ups. (Even if they do ultimately prove to be let-downs.) And this build-up has a surprisingly intellectual edge. That’s a novelty!
Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey
By Tony on September 17, 2009 | No Comments »
A quick trip to northern California to visit my grandparents allowed us to take a day in Monterey. After otter-spotting in the kelp beds, nothing beats a great meal on Fisherman’s Wharf overlooking the marina. The boats were swaying gently on what looked like an expanse of jet-black molten glass. Hints of color revealed the waters were filled with hundreds of tentacled jellyfish. In the distance, barking sea lions splashed into the water. Phenomenal.
While taking in the scene from Isabella’s bay windows and finishing off my decadent piece of fried cheesecake (yikes!), I happened to notice movement from the wharf below. Something was peeking out at me from between the planks » Continue reading this post »
Post No. 500 – CN Blog Revisited
By Thomas on September 11, 2009 | No Comments »
After celebrating my 40th birthday with an Italian feast, the celebration goes on commemorating our 500th blog posting! We’ve revisited the last 27 months and put together a list of the more memorable blog moments.
Traveling in Style?
An honest movie about first-class train travel in India where the comments are more telling than the video itself. It definitely makes for good reading.
Worth a Thousand Words
One of our favorite photos, taken in Zhaoxing, China. What a life she must have had…
A Different Kind of Ice Plant
A bizarre ice formation associated with certain plants. Researchers from across the globe are coming to our blog to check out our pictures. What’s your theory on it?
Attack in Mumbai
Caught in the middle of the Mumbai terrorist attack, we kept typing away hidden in our room just behind the Taj Hotel as the battles were fought all around us. Definitely one of our most memorable experiences. Mumbai Follow-Up now with additional photos.
Nubra Valley Through Bella’s Eyes
It’s great to sit back sometimes and let other people do the work. Read our first guest blog by 11-year old Bella from New Mexico. Great job, Bella!
Selective Photography
Those travel posters can be deceptive. Don’t believe everything you see as advertised.
Deprung Debates
Tibetan monks debating philosophy is everything but a quiet pursuit. And now, we’ve even added a video of this outrageous spectacle!
Dinner at the Cemetery
This was a new one for us! We just wanted a quick bite but unexpectedly found ourselves eating a masala dosa in a graveyard.
Chola Pass Misadventure
Our biggest wrong turn as of yet. Don’t let this happen to you.
The Ultimate Chicken Bus
If you thought chickens were bad, check this out!
The Big 4 – 0
By Tony on September 8, 2009 | 3 Comments »
Happy 40th birthday, Thomas! Wow, that’s getting up there, but don’t worry, you don’t look a day over 39.
I was thinking of getting you the book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, but the woman at the bookstore suggested that might not be such an appropriate gift for someone of such advanced age. So, instead, I got you this article: 5 Places Seniors Need to See Before They Die.
