Happy New Year ! 2012

After another full year of travel I am back in Ohio with the family for the holidays..
We have a full house this year with my mother and father, my brother and my sister and her family
and dont forget Sunny the dog!!
The weather is super cold.. how I miss those warm tropical beaches of the past few years.


I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year!
I hope 2012 is a magical year!
Peter

Travel Warning - December 2011

As a traveler I feel it is my responsibility to post this OFFICIAL TRAVEL WARNING regarding those pictured above. Take a good look and if you find yourself next to these people on a plane ..please move at once or suffer the consequences...you have been warned.
I had the unfortunate luck to be seated next to these people in the window seat yesterday on a Continental flight from LA to Cleveland.
I realize many will claim just flying to Cleveland in December would be punishment enough...
but add these inconsiderate selfish travelers and now you have the 'flight from hell'.
Sure, I understand folks wanna travel to see their loved ones during the holidays.
I wished this family just stayed home and chatted on skype.
On the flight row 22 consisted of frumpy Mom and Dad and their 3 snot nosed kids and me.
The eldest kid next to me had a deep chest cough I always associated with the Midwest in the winter...
His lack of covering his mouth while coughing will lead to many nasty winter headcolds thoughout the plane... Im sure.
I chose the window seat on this particular flight to catch up on much needed sleep.
The little punk next to me would constantly elbow me ruining any chance of that.
My annoyed looks to the Mum for some parenting here went ignored.
Then the final straw was when the brat spilled his can of 7 up on my knees.
I snapped and  fired of a long string of obscenities directed at the little fuck..
His Mother heard me call her son 'a piece of shit' and she pushed the stewardess call button.
I left to the toilet to clean up.
When I finished the stew was waiting for me..I sensed her compassion as she offered me another seat and even offered a drink 'on the house'.
So I moved to an empty seat and enjoyed a peaceful rest of flight even though the annoying kids continued crying for the 2 hours left to Cleveland.

So take a good look at these travel nightmares....you have been warned!

Lolong

I just got back from an adventure in search of 'Lolong' a giant saltwater crocodile.
The croc was captured in September and now is living in Bunawan, Agusan de Sur.
Measuring 21 feet 1 inch and weighs 1075 kgs this is the largest croc in captivity.
'Lolong' is estimated to be 50 years old.
The story goes that the big boy ate a small girl last year and attacked a fisherman in September.
Thus a hunt was organized an 'Lolong was snagged in a trap.

Bunawan is in a remote area with few tourists.
All this is about to change as development has begun and people are visiting.
The Bunawan Eco-Park was born.

There was some pressure from environmentalists to release the giant croc....
no mayor in the Philippines would allow the release for safety of the people.

'Team Croc'
from left...Me, Jade, Wesley, Nico and Carlo.

Suvarnabhumi International Airport

I made this durning a 5 hour layover in Bangkok

Thailand Food Blog

I would like to share with you the best part of Thailand...the food.

A five minute motorcycle ride from the guesthouse is the town of Thongsala.
The food market is open from 3pm to 10pm.

The stalls offer many wonderful Thai dishes.

This curry fish is amazing!

The grilled fish is fresh and delicious.

The pad thai stand has nice thai noodle options.

So many choices...

My dinner...fish in chili sauce with tomato and onion.

More grilled fish in the market.

Fresh squid.

Fruit shakes are also an option here...

Durian is popular all over Asia.

Keep checkin back as I explore more Asia...

Ko Phangan, Thailand

I am now visiting the island of Koh Phangan in Thailand.
The Chocolate Bar is my favorite evening hangout for beers and nice music.
The surf season does not begin in Philippines for a few more weeks....
so I am visiting my friend Dustin from LA.

Here is Dustin making friends with a local...
Dustin came here to visit 6 months ago and has not left!

Thailand is amazing....

Sunset at the Chocolate Bar...life is good!

Seafood curry...just as good as it looks.

Bookmark this site and check back often as I discover more Thailand....

Memories from Indonesia...

Im at the helm on the ferry from Lombak to Bali.


At the train station I was recruited to join the Indonesian Army...and almost did.
I found the uniforms kinda itchy.

As I leave Indonesia after 2 months of travel,
 I want to look back at some memories.
The art of Indonesia can be found everywhere.

Jelli an I on a train in Java.
We rode several trains in Indonesia.
Sometimes in 'exectutive' class'...other times riding with the locals.
This was a nice way to meet Indonesians and see the countryside.

On the scooter at Bromo.

Bromo was amazing....a must see...especially with a scooter.
A real adventure!

This was on the road back to Malang from Bromo.

Sleepy kitties in the fish market.

This flower garden in Malang, Java was very nice.

We rented a motorcycle in Kuta, Lombok
and found this deserted beach a few hours down the road.
Not a tourist for miles..just the wind, the sea and the sun.
Paradise!

Across the road from our guesthouse in Kuta, Lombok.
The locals would grill these fresh tuna.
Less than a dollar each.....Yum.

Cocktail hour Lombok style.

The color of the sky, the sea and the beach were great in Lombok.

Indonesia at its finest...many amazing memories.

Bromo East Java Indonesia

One of the highlights of my Indonesia adventure was a visit to Bromo.
We started in Malang, 2 hours away on the motorcycle.
Here I am at the viewpoint from the next mountain over, Penanjakan.
Altitude 2770 m or 9088 ft.

Bromo is an active volcano with the last eruption in Jan 2011.

We were prepared for the harsh environment in this area. 

Here at the base, Bromo is surrounded by 'the sea of sand'.
The lack of road added to the adventure.

The motorcycle gave us the freedom to go off road.
Blowing sand made visibility near zero at times..
By the end of the day we had sand in everything and had to have the bike washed.

Bromo!