Category Archives: Compatriot Wednesday

Bringing Sunny Italy to Rainy Amsterdam through Pasta

porch on an Italian villa

It poured my last day in Amsterdam. A heavy, drenching rain that signified summer was well and truly over. I huddled in my brother’s living room, swathed in blankets and looking out over the canals, pondering what to have for lunch on such a stormy, really-don’t-want-to-go-outside day. My thoughts drifted to a sun-drenched country house...

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Sunday Morning Walk On A Tropical Island, Part Two

white sand beach

Although I love boats, trains, and even bicycles, my favorite way to explore a new place is on foot. In a place as sweltering hot and humid as Vanuatu, a slow stroll along the coast road opened my eyes to things I definitely would’ve missed if I were whizzing past. Like these children squealing and...

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A Gorgeous Train Layover in Locarno, Switzerland

Locarno Bay Switzerland

After our train ride through the exquisitely beautiful Italian Alps here and here, we descended from the hills to see another glorious sight: the glistening waters of the Swiss side of Lake Maggiore. Margo, Katy, Kate, Kathy and I alighted from the train and joined the hordes scurrying up to the streets of Locarno, Switzerland....

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An Autumn Wander through Salisbury, England

Salisbury Old Ale House

Exploring tidy towns and verdant countryside in England this Autumn was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. Doing so with my dear friend Katy made it even better, especially when we got to her hometown of Salisbury. Katy is a wiz at languages and history and she introduced me to legends, characters and stories that...

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By Plane, Car, Boat and Foot: Getting to Nguna Island, Vanuatu

Island woman

I arrive in Port Vila, Vanuatu mid-afternoon, sweltering hot but in good spirits after a grand ol’ visit with my seatmate, a jolly Aussie bloke from Bundaberg. Dripping from the heat I beam at my host, Yoan, so glad he’s there to meet me and help me navigate my way to his family bungalows on...

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