Welcome to The Travel Fool

I began my journey in the historic city of Athens, Greece. With its ancient ruins and vibrant culture, Athens was the perfect starting point. After soaking in the Parthenon and the Acropolis, I set off on a trip around the Greek islands. Each island had its own charm, from the white-washed houses of Santorini to the lively beaches of Corfu.

My travels then took me north to Bulgaria, which turned out to be a nightmare. As soon as I got off the bus, I was mugged, losing my wallet and passport. I spent two agonizing days there, navigating bureaucracy to get a new visa. The experience left me eager to leave but I will return one day and try again.

Back in Greece, I returned to the islands to recuperate. The serene beauty of the Aegean Sea was the perfect antidote to my Bulgarian ordeal. Soon after, I made my way to Turkey, where I spent an incredible month exploring. Istanbul's mix of the old and new captivated me, while the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia, the ancient ruins of Ephesus in Kusadasi, and the stunning beaches of Fethiye filled my days with wonder.

Next, I traveled to Syria, which turned out to be one of the most memorable parts of my trip. The people were warm and welcoming, and the history was palpable in every corner. I wandered through the bustling Souq in Aleppo, marveled at the imposing castle, and stood in awe at the ruins of Palmyra. The Crac des Chevaliers, a Crusader castle, was another highlight, standing as a testament to the region's storied past. My heart is broken for the People in Syria and I wish them peace.

From Syria, I moved on to Jordan. The highlight of my time there was undoubtedly Petra, the ancient city carved into rose-red cliffs. An overnight trip to Wadi Rum added a touch of adventure. We ventured into the desert without tents, relying on the stars for guidance. When we encountered Bedouins, they generously offered us shelter, sharing their stories and hospitality.

Finally, I arrived in Egypt. I crossed the Suez Canal into Cairo, where the pyramids and the bustling streets provided a fitting end to my Middle Eastern adventure. After a whirlwind day in Cairo, I flew back to Athens, my heart full of memories from an unforgettable journey.

The adventure began with an unexpected twist. We were flying to Senegal, excited for what lay ahead, but our journey got off to a rocky start. We missed our flight and found ourselves stranded at JFK Airport. With no other option, we spent the night there, waiting for our next chance to fly. Fortunately, we had a couple of unplanned days in New York, and thanks to a friend who graciously hosted us we made the most of it.

Eventually, we made our way to Senegal and were greeted warmly by B who was serving in the Peace Corps at the time. Our travels around Senegal were nothing short of spectacular. We explored Gorée Island, which was steeped in history, and ventured along the coast.  Each destination was more breathtaking than the last.

Our journey then took us on an adventurous train ride to Mali. We arrived in Bamako at two o’clock in the morning, and it was an experience I won’t soon forget. A gang chased our taxi, trying to get to us, but luckily we made it to our accommodation unscathed. It was a harrowing experience and opened our eyes to the dangers of traveling in Africa.

In Mali, we traveled along the Niger River and explored Segou, soaking in the vibrant culture and beautiful scenery. One of the highlights was our time in the Dogon country. We first visited Mopti and then moved on to the Dogon country, where we embarked on some incredible hikes. The landscapes were awe-inspiring, and the sense of adventure was palpable.

We had hoped to visit Timbuktu, but the river was too low for boats to travel, and the flight was beyond our budget. It was a disappointment, but it didn’t overshadow the amazing experiences we were having.

Leaving Mali, we headed down to The Gambia. We enjoyed a serene river cruise along the Gambia River and stayed in a beach resort that felt like a slice of paradise. I even indulged in an Irish breakfast, adding a unique twist to our African adventure.

Back in Senegal, we embarked on a tour of the jungle, where we encountered a plethora of wild animals. Crocodiles, Baboons, monkeys, and warthogs were among the many creatures we saw. The highlight of our time in Senegal was undoubtedly our stay in the village of Velingara. We were adopted by the village, and I was affectionately nicknamed “Boy Baldi.”  This sense of community and belonging was heartwarming and unforgettable.

We picked up a bit of the local language, which endeared us further to the people we met. Using our few words of Pulaar every chance we got added a personal touch to our interactions.

West Africa left an indelible mark on us. The people were incredibly warm and welcoming, and the experiences we had were unparalleled. It was truly a journey of a lifetime, filled with unexpected turns, breathtaking landscapes, and the most amazing people.

For years, my wife had been the voice of reason, chasing me around the world and putting a stop to my wild ideas of buying property in far-off places. But Costa Rica was different.

We embarked on a two-week vacation to Playa del Coco on the west coast, staying at the Pacifico condo complex. The location was breathtaking, with pools that rivaled any first-class hotel. We were a stone's throw away from the beach, surrounded by good shops, bars, and restaurants. The setting was perfect, and the people were warm and welcoming. By the end of our stay, we had made new friends and decided that this was a place where we could live.

The next year, we returned with a plan. After thorough research, we made an offer on a condo, which was accepted. We decided to test our resolve by moving during the rainy season, reasoning that if we could enjoy Costa Rica during its wettest period, we could enjoy it anytime. That summer was indeed amazing. We explored various beaches, swam in the pool, and found that the occasional rain was never a problem.

Confident in our decision, we went back home, packed up our house, and moved to Costa Rica for good. We enrolled our boys in school and were excited to start our new life. But just as we were settling in, A’s  mom fell ill. and she had to go back home, a week later, she called to say she couldn’t return. Our dream was cut short. I packed up the family, and we went back to the US.

It took two years before we could return to Costa Rica. This time, with the boys being homeschooled and my ability to work remotely, the transition was smoother. We settled into a routine: I would finish my work early, swim in the pool, and on weekends, I would visit the local bar to watch soccer. My bar even became the Liverpool Supporters Club, making for an amazing experience. 

Celebrating my 50th birthday on Costa Rican ziplines was a highlight. We explored more of the country, including a trip to Arenal and a memorable visit to Granada, Nicaragua. The city was enchanting, with great food and affordable prices. We even toured Lake Nicaragua, visiting some of the local islands.

However, as things started to change globally with the onset of COVID-19, we felt the need to reassess our situation. Initially, we thought staying in Costa Rica would be safer, but as everything began to shut down, we decided to return to the US. We managed to get the last flight out of Costa Rica before the airline ceased operations.

Our Costa Rican journey came to an abrupt end. We sold the condo, and I switched jobs, making remote work no longer feasible. Despite the unexpected twists and turns, our time in Costa Rica remains a cherished chapter of our lives, full of adventure, friendship, and unforgettable memories.

My Australian adventure began with a work visa and a one-way ticket to Sydney. Landing in the bustling city, I found a home in a hostel in King's Cross. The vibrant area was full of life, but after a month of exploring the city and beaches by day and the bars at night I decided it was time for a change of scenery and time to make some money.

With a sense of adventure, I headed to the mountains and landed a job picking broccoli. The work was grueling, but the camaraderie I found with my fellow workers made it bearable. We spent our free time playing pool and snooker, and we tried not to spend all our money we earned on beer. Despite the tough work, the friendships formed there were invaluable.

After a month, I felt the pull to keep exploring. My next stop was Melbourne, a city rich with culture and history. I enjoyed the urban sights before catching a flight to Tasmania, which turned out to be the highlight of my trip. With a rented car, my friends and I traversed the island, marveling at the unique wildlife, embarking on stunning hikes, and soaking in the natural beauty of every corner of Tasmania.

Leaving Tasmania, we flew back to Melbourne, where we rented another car for the scenic drive along the Great Ocean Road to the 12 Apostles, continuing all the way to Adelaide. Each stop along the way offered its own unique charms and memories.

From Adelaide, I embarked on a long bus journey to Perth. There, I connected with a distant cousin, who had an amazing pool shaped like a shamrock. Swimming in that pool was a refreshing break before I continued my journey. I spent a couple of weeks picking berries in southern Western Australia, soaking in the serene landscapes and enjoying the simpler pace of life.

The next leg of my trip was the longest bus journey in the world, from Perth up to Darwin. After a brief stay in Darwin, I took another bus across to Cairns. Unfortunately, my funds were low, so I could only admire the Great Barrier Reef from the shore, dreaming of what it would be like to dive into its depths.

My final stop was Brisbane, where I spent a couple of days before catching a flight back to New York City. The adventure was over, but the memories of my time in Australia, the friends I made, and the landscapes I explored remained vivid. Returning to my true love in New York, I carried with me stories of an unforgettable journey across one of the most diverse and beautiful countries in the world.