Here’s Why You Don’t Want A Zim/Zam Univisa

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This section of the Zambesi River below Victoria Falls, one of the world’s most spectacular waterfalls, is known as Boiling Pots for its roiling surface. Zimbabwe is on the right, Zambia is on left; midway across the Zambesi lies the border between the two countries. Spanning the gorge above is Victoria Falls Bridge.

I was going to Zimbabwe to visit a friend and wanted to spend some time as well in neighboring Zambia.

The two South African countries share the Zambesi River as their border where the mighty Victoria Falls unleashes its power.

I thought that a visa allowing free, unlimited border crossings for 30 days would be ideal. It was available on arrival at Zimbabwe’s Harare International Airport for 50 USD, just 20 USD more than the 30-day visa for Zimbabwe only.

I thought it would be neat to go back and forth enjoying benefits of both sides of the falls in the towns of Livingstone, Zambia, and Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side.

But there was a big snag in the plan that didn’t occur to me until too late.

Covid tests.

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Camels and Chaos: My First Week In Crazy Cairo

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Camel drivers lead their livelihood home after a day carrying visitors at the Giza Plateau outside of Cairo.

On arrival in the early evening at Cairo’s international airport I beefed with the taxi drivers who told me that the metro doesn’t go to the airport.

All the info I had was that they do. I wanted to take the metro. But I saw no signs for the metro at the airport terminal.

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Exploring Athens The Old-school Way: On Foot

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The City of Athens sprawls like this in every direction from the Lycabettus Hill, perhaps the best viewing platform in the city at about a thousand feet. Only about a 30-minute walk from my house.

I’m breaking in a new pair of hiking boots so walking has been my principal mode of transportation of late. But that’s OK since walking through unfamilar cityscapes is one of my favorite travel pastimes.

So far so good with my new bargain boots.

I’ve been in Athens now for a week. You’ve probably seen my first post on the Acropolis; now I’ve got some other photos taken on various other walks, starting with the Wednesday open market on Kavlou Street, in the Gizi neighborhood of the city, where I live.

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First Day In Athens, My Pilgrimage To The Apocalypse … Oops, I Mean The Acropolis!

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The Parthenon, the most famous of several buildings at the Acropolis of Athens

This post will be mostly photos taken Monday, my first full day in Athens, being a tourist, hiking from my apartment 3.5 kilometers to the bustling city center where history comes alive, as tour books may suggest.

My aim, however, especially on the Acropolis, was to remove the ubiquitous tourists themselves, the scaffolding and equipment in place for the ongoing renovations of the ancient site, the lighting fixtures for the evening shows, and any other visual intrusions that would mar a clear view of the magnificent, historic antiquities on display there for clutter-free photos.

Not an easy task.

But first let me tell you my revelation of the day.

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Farewell Crete, Hello Athens! With Cairo On The Horizon

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The Boutakas River begins in the White Mountains of western Crete, flows through the village of Vrisses, and empties into the Mediterranean off the coast of Crete. This scene is a few steps from the door of where I stayed for the past nine days in the lovely village of Vrisses.

Sunday I leave Crete for an 11-day stay in Athens.

Although it was my second time on the island of Crete, I previously had not given myself the opportunity to spend any time in Athens outside of a few layovers in airports.

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In Greece, Discovery Down A Road Not Before Taken

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A wintry sky this week above the stunning snow-capped White Mountains of Western Crete, Greece.

I’m having the greek salad, about as authentic as it gets where I am in the beautiful, rural foothills of the White Mountains on the island of Crete, Greece.

I watch the regulars start filing into the tavern in the early afternoon, spicing the air with their husky voices, breaking the stillness of morning with lively, spirited talk of whatever old Greeks talk about with time on their hands.

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More Fun With Chase, The Credit Card Company

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I’m still pulling my hair out with Chase, the credit card company: This latest chapter is too crazy to pass up! Let me know if you have had a similar experience.

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Born to Border Run: Georgia to Turkey And Back In A Day For Low-Cost Meds

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The futuristic border crossing from Sarpi, Georgia, to Hopa, Turkey, designed by George Jetson. The photo was taken through a window, accounting for the fluorescent light reflections and dirt smudge UFO, upper left in the sky. But it was the best view of the building that I had access to and I like the effects, complementing the surreal architectural style, more like an aquatic diving tower than a border crossing. Gotta love Georgia!

I was sailing right through the border checks until the Turkish guy asked about my visa.

I said I had been recently to Turkey and thought I still had one.

I didn’t.

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