Category Archives: Travel

Symmetric Cemetery

“We need to build a new cemetery in Palermo,” ordered King Ferdinand II. “This bloody cholera is killing people faster than we can dig graves.” Chewing tobacco and speaking in his typical mumble, the king pronounced it “cemet’ry”. The architect, … Continue reading

Posted in Italy, Photography, Sicily, Travel | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Lipari – Day 1

Lipari, Salina, Vulcano, Alicudi, Filicudi, Panarea. Don’t worry if you can’t immediately pin down these names on a map. Until two months ago, I couldn’t either. Then I moved to Sicily. If I add the name of the seventh and … Continue reading

Posted in Italy, Photography, Sicily, Travel | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Etna is causing trouble again

Since yesterday, Mount Etna in Sicily has been active again. It has been spewing lava and ash, forcing the airport at Catania to suspend operations. (Photo taken on the road to Caltagirone on 15 December 2013.)

Posted in Italy, Photography, Sicily, Travel | Tagged , | 4 Comments

You think you travel a lot?

You may think that you travel a lot because you have already been to Bali and to Australia. Or, if you are American, you may think you have seen the world after your trip to Rome and Paris. Even I … Continue reading

Posted in Military, Poland, Russia, Travel, World War II | Tagged | 4 Comments

What to do with all the Churches?

When I walked the West Highland Way in Scotland this summer, I couldn’t have known that it’s possible to experience one week of almost non-stop beautiful weather in Scotland. Therefore I had not brought my sleeping bag and had booked … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Photography, Religion, Scotland, Travel, UK | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Google Maps knows what is really dangerous

While planning my next adventure, I asked Google Maps for a suggested route for walking from Pakistan to Syria. From my irregular reading of newspapers and my reading of Karl May’s books a little while longer ago, I thought I … Continue reading

Posted in Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Technology, Travel | Tagged , | 6 Comments

After the Volcano

Yesterday I posted a video of my ascent of the active volcano on the island of Vulcano. In that video, I reported on the lethal dangers which I faced during that excursion. I only became fully aware of the risk … Continue reading

Posted in Italy, Sicily, Travel | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Video Blog: Vulcano

Travelling is fun. Hiking around islands in the Mediterranean is especially fun. Putting these adventures on the record for my esteemed readership sometimes feels like work. Work is no fun at all. That’s why, during the ascent of the highest … Continue reading

Posted in Cinema, Italy, Sicily, Technology, Travel | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Sun, Rain and the Sea

In case you can’t decide which of the forces of nature you like most, I have combined them all in this one shot which I took during a hike along the west coast of Lipari:

Posted in Italy, Photography, Sicily, Travel | Tagged | 8 Comments

How fucked up is US immigration policy?

Dear United States of America, you know your immigration policy is fucked up when some start-up entrepreneurs are so fed up with your strict visa requirements for people who wish to work, invest, start companies and create jobs, that they … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Immigration Law, Law, Travel, USA | Tagged , , | 7 Comments