Beijing’s Historic Christian Cemetery Hidden away in plain sight under some old trees and large hedges in the middle of the Beijing Administrative College campus lie the graves of several Jesuit priests and missionaries, including Matteo Ricci and Ferdinand Verbiest. … Continued
Beijing Sights Old Foreign Legation Quarter After I visited the Beijing Ancient Observatory, Southeast Corner Tower, and Ming Dynasty Wall Park, I walked through the old Foreign Legation Quarter. I particularly wanted to see a couple of historic churches in … Continued
The southeast corner of the ancient Ming Dynasty city wall is the only place where wall still remains other than the few gates lining the perimeter like Deshengmen. There is also a fantastic Southeast Corner Tower still intact. Southeast Corner … Continued
I walked a mere 20 minutes from my apartment to find these treasures in the neighborhood around Deshengmen. Beijing’s city walls once had a series of massive gates at various points for entry. In the early and mid-20th century, they … Continued
Much of the wild land in and around Cape Town, South Africa, is part of Table Mountain National Park. This includes the stretch of nature down to the tips of land known as the Cape of Good Hope and Cape … Continued
Cape Town is a beautiful city! It is where the South Africans go for vacation, and was a joy to explore. As my final stop in South Africa, it was an exclamation point! My hotel was in Green Point, so … Continued
My great grandfather took the train when moving from Pretoria to the Cape Colony in 1913. His route included a few days’ stop in Bloemfontein and Kimberley. Then, it was the long journey to the southwest corner of the African … Continued
No trip to Cape Town, South Africa, would be complete without a visit to Robben Island, the former high-security prison for political prisoners. This World Heritage Site shares a very rich history dating back hundreds of years. The island in … Continued
Kimberley, South Africa, capital city of the Northern Cape, doesn’t draw a lot of tourists like Joburg and Cape Town. However, at one time, this quiet arid city was the crown jewel of the African continent and British Empire. Even … Continued
I loved my time at Nambiti Big 5 Game Reserve! This private reserve and my lodge, Ndaka, were outstanding. I dreamed of an African safari for years. Anyone who knew me as a kid or teenager, probably expected me to … Continued