[singlepic id=322 w=450 float=center]
[nggallery id=23]
Photos: Netherlands
categories: Photos
Conflict on the road to growth
categories: Travel
It wasn’t all bubbles and buttons, though. Lily and I had our share of conflict. I suppose it’s natural, when any couple spends every single moment together, waking and sleeping, never being apart for longer than a bathroom break – especially with the added stresses of traveling. Yet it must be mentioned that our greatest attraction – each others’ strength – was also the source of our greatest conflict.
The Vélorution
categories: Travel
Amsterdam wasn’t just coffeeshops and bikes to me. For me, Amsterdam was where I felt like I really joined the Revolution.
This revolution – it’s not in the history books yet, but (more…)
Society’s Waste: Living Free
categories: Travel
When Lily came to Casa Robino, I was breaking in my new Dutch army-surplus boots and thinking about hitting the road soon; but that all changed in a flurry of excited heartbeats. I quickly found myself under an intensifying joyous magic spell; with a huge grin that wouldn’t leave my face, a sponanteous kiss on the dancefloor, and a potent infusion of soul-feeding, life-embracing energy, it was clear that our paths lay together.
Life began to sparkle and shine like never before.
(more…)
Casa Robino: the third side of a coin
categories: Travel
My first day at “Casa Robino,” I asked where the bathroom was. Simple question, I thought; it should have a simple answer.
“Just open all the doors – you’ll find it,” was the simple reply.
(more…)
Amsterdam: the bike dream
categories: Travel
The sky is contoured, like a topographical map suspended in an ancient cosmic dome. Puffy white mountains move at the rate of eons, roiling slowly, imperceptibly, across a great ocean of sapphire crystal blue, adamantly driven by condensation-drenched forests of darkening matte gray.
As you step onto the streets of Amsterdam, (more…)
The Netherlands: Once Upon A Time
categories: Travel
Once upon a time, I had a solid group of friends and family around me on a regular basis. I saw the same folks, more or less, each day of my life. It was nice – it’s a great feeling of security. It’s comfortable.
Nowadays, however, (more…)
Photos: Scotland
categories: Photos
[singlepic id=511 w=450 float=center]
[nggallery id=22]
Scotland: bike touring in the winter
categories: Travel
I stood saying goodbye on the windblasted deck, as the engines sluggishly turned over and began to push us out to sea. The railing vibrated gently as the gulf between the ship and the dock became wider. I was leaving a piece of myself behind; cutting off and pushing away. Committing another sad sayonara.
A dull melancholy sank itself upon me, as the lighthouse slipped farther and farther away. I’ve always loved Ireland, but never really knew anything about it. Now I’ve got a reason to love it, and it wasn’t easy leaving.
(more…)
Photos: Ireland
categories: Photos
[singlepic id=463 w=420 float=center]
Photos from my big crash in Ireland:
[singlepic id=427 w=320 h=240 float=center]
[nggallery id=18]
The rest are a mix of bike touring, recuperating from a broken foot, and bike touring again with Dawn:
[nggallery id=19]
[nggallery id=20]
[singlepic id=486 w=320 h=240 float=center]
And on to Northern Ireland:
[nggallery id=21]