PBG Travel & Lifestyle https://www.pbglifestyle.com/ Mon, 27 Nov 2017 06:34:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 https://www.pbglifestyle.com/wp-content/uploads/earth-plane-150x150.png PBG Travel & Lifestyle https://www.pbglifestyle.com/ 32 32 Egypt https://www.pbglifestyle.com/egypt/ Mon, 23 Oct 2017 10:02:56 +0000 http://localhost/pbglifestyle.com/?p=324 [bt_bb_section layout=”boxed_1200″][bt_bb_row][bt_bb_column width=”1/1″ align=”left” vertical_align=”top” animation=”fade_in move_up” padding=”normal” background_image=”” inner_background_image=”” background_color=”” inner_background_color=”” opacity=”” responsive=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” el_style=””][bt_bb_headline font_subset=”latin,latin-ext” superheadline=”” headline=”Travelling to Egypt” subheadline=”” html_tag=”h2″ size=”inherit” align=”inherit” dash=”none” color_scheme=”” color=”” font=”inherit” font_size=”” font_weight=”” url=”” target=”_self” responsive=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” el_style=””][/bt_bb_headline][bt_bb_text] I was set to fly to Egypt two days later and didn’t want to leave Africa without […]

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I was set to fly to Egypt two days later and didn’t want to leave Africa without going on a safari, so I had booked a tour for the next day. Dragging myself out of bed before daybreak was tough after being jostled around in a jeep for 5 hours the previous day but knowing what was in store spurred me to be at the vehicle with minutes to spare. We left as soon as the sun began to rise and it wasn’t long before we reached the reserve. I was hoping that during the safari tour I would get to see ‘the big five’ and I was not disappointed, although the glimpse of the rhino was brief, so much so that had the tour guide not pointed it out to us we would have missed it. It was a long day but one that was exciting and definitely worthwhile. That being said I was glad to finally get to lay my head down that night.

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Arriving in Egypt around midday the first thing on my mind was booking a tour to the Pyramids. Having secured my ticket I grabbed a bowl of Falafel at a sidewalk café before heading to The Grand Egyptian Museum where I spent all afternoon exploring and learning. What an amazing place Egypt is with an even more amazing history! After leaving the museum I wandered briefly through the Pyramids Gardens and then headed back to the hotel.

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Wow, what can I say about the Pyramids? I spent most of the time allowed at the Pyramid of Giza, which is the largest, and I have to say the most impressive, although it completely floors me that the Pyramids were built by hand. It is incredible to think that men somehow heaved those blocks of stone into place. Of course many lives were lost in the process, which is naturally very sad.

One word of advice to anyone planning on seeing the Pyramids: do not forget the sound and light show! If you think the Pyramids are amazing during the day you ‘ain’t seen nothin’ yet’ until you see the show. It is incredible! What a fantastic note to end my Africa/Egypt trip on! Something I will never forget!

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Kenya https://www.pbglifestyle.com/kenya/ Sat, 21 Oct 2017 10:55:29 +0000 http://localhost/pbglifestyle.com/?p=55 [bt_bb_section layout=”boxed_1200″][bt_bb_row][bt_bb_column width=”1/1″ align=”left” vertical_align=”top” animation=”fade_in move_up” padding=”normal” background_image=”” inner_background_image=”” background_color=”” inner_background_color=”” opacity=”” responsive=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” el_style=””][bt_bb_headline font_subset=”latin,latin-ext” superheadline=”” headline=”Real People” subheadline=”” html_tag=”h2″ size=”inherit” align=”inherit” dash=”none” color_scheme=”” color=”” font=”inherit” font_size=”” font_weight=”” url=”” target=”_self” responsive=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” el_style=””][/bt_bb_headline][bt_bb_text] If you have read some of my other posts you know that I like to experience the ‘real’ […]

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If you have read some of my other posts you know that I like to experience the ‘real’ people and places in a country and not just stay within the tourist’s boundaries. I had made a special arrangement to visit a Maasai village so that I could try and get a sense of what life must be like in one of the driest and hottest places in the world. I love the sun, fortunately, but it still didn’t take long for me to start struggling with the heat. Excellent sunscreen, applied often, is not only advised but a MUST if you want to survive outdoors there. And a hat!

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The Maasai are a fascinating people who for the most part seemed happy despite the challenges the rugged, arid land presents them with. Like many villages around the world it is a community in which everyone contributes to the good of the community. Children are watched by all adults regardless of whether they are their parents or not, which is just as well as it seemed to me that little ones and animals were running everywhere.

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Tradition and ceremony are incredibly important to the Maasai. I spent two nights in the village and on both nights I was treated to a display of traditional dancing and music which was exciting to watch and listen to even though I didn’t fully understand the meaning of it all. My guide, Simel, was born in the same village so knew everyone well. His English was understandable but I had to listen very carefully due to his thick accent. He told me that not every dance or song was performed for a reason and that the village was celebrating and performing for me, which I found very touching. Simel also told me that they had given me a Maasai name – Nalangu – which means “came from another tribe”.

I’m not very adventurous when it comes to trying new foods I admit. When presented with a bowl I had absolutely no idea what I was being offered, but fortunately upon seeing my wary look Simel explained that it was primarily locally-grown vegetables mixed with a little animal fat that had been mashed into a pulp. While it didn’t sound particularly appetizing I was surprised to find that it didn’t taste bad at all, and knowing the people of the village would have been offended if I had refused their kind offering I ate it all. I suspect it was nutritious; I love vegetables but typically do not eat them mashed.

I was sad to leave the village and spent about 30 minutes saying my goodbyes and thanking everyone in the worst Maasai accent they had probably ever heard…lol. I left with a beautiful red tunic that I purchased from one of the villagers as a way of repaying their kindness and hospitality. Being a fiercely proud people they would not accept money from me. Don’t get me wrong; I love the tunic and have worn it several times since returning, and every time I do it reminds me of the wonderful people I met there.

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Victoria Falls https://www.pbglifestyle.com/victoria-falls/ Wed, 18 Oct 2017 10:16:43 +0000 http://localhost/pbglifestyle.com/?p=333 [bt_bb_section layout=”boxed_1200″][bt_bb_row][bt_bb_column width=”1/1″ align=”left” vertical_align=”top” animation=”fade_in move_up” padding=”normal” background_image=”” inner_background_image=”” background_color=”” inner_background_color=”” opacity=”” responsive=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” el_style=””][bt_bb_headline font_subset=”latin,latin-ext” superheadline=”” headline=”Victoria Falls…Left Me Speachless” subheadline=”” html_tag=”h2″ size=”inherit” align=”inherit” dash=”none” color_scheme=”” color=”” font=”inherit” font_size=”” font_weight=”” url=”” target=”_self” responsive=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” el_style=””][/bt_bb_headline][bt_bb_slider images=”338,339,340″ height=”keep-height” animation=”slide” show_dots=”bottom” auto_play=”3000″ responsive=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” el_style=”” slides_to_show=””][/bt_bb_slider][/bt_bb_column][/bt_bb_row][bt_bb_row][bt_bb_column width=”1/1″ align=”left” vertical_align=”top” animation=”fade_in move_up” padding=”normal” […]

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Victoria Falls was one of the highlights of my African trip. If you have seen photos of the falls let me tell you that there is no way that the photos can prepare you for the immense power of the water that tumbles down over the edge. The sound alone is almost deafening but I could have sat and watched it for hours. I spent several hours there so was able to watch as the sun began to set. The Falls appear to change as the light change, which was beautiful to see, but the thing that impressed me most was how big they are! Huge!

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Japan https://www.pbglifestyle.com/japan/ Tue, 12 Sep 2017 07:55:45 +0000 http://localhost/pbglifestyle.com/?p=57 [bt_bb_section layout=”boxed_1200″][bt_bb_row][bt_bb_column width=”1/1″ align=”left” vertical_align=”top” animation=”fade_in move_up” padding=”normal” background_image=”” inner_background_image=”” background_color=”” inner_background_color=”” opacity=”” responsive=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” el_style=””][bt_bb_headline font_subset=”latin,latin-ext” superheadline=”” headline=”First Impressions” subheadline=”” html_tag=”h2″ size=”inherit” align=”inherit” dash=”none” color_scheme=”” color=”” font=”inherit” font_size=”” font_weight=”” url=”” target=”_self” responsive=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” el_style=””][/bt_bb_headline][bt_bb_text] Upon landing at Naha Airport I was excited to see Kira waiting for me when I finally managed […]

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Upon landing at Naha Airport I was excited to see Kira waiting for me when I finally managed to make my way out of the baggage claim area. After hugging and laughing she led me to her car and very soon we were driving the Okinawa Expressway to her home. Like so many Japanese families Kira’s live in an apartment. There I had the pleasure of meeting her mother who greeted me politely but warmly. At the door I was urged to remove my shoes and put on house slippers. Over the course of the few days I stayed with Kira and her family I quickly got used to doing this.

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Kira and I spent the afternoon catching up, laughing and reminding each other of the fun times we had together at school. It wasn’t long before her father arrived home and Kira introduced me to him, a somewhat reserved and very polite man. Gohan, the Japanese word to describe dinner (meaning rice or meal) was already set so I was invited to sit down. Kira’s family eats in the traditional style of sitting on the floor (I was given a cushion for comfort) at a very low table. All of the food was served in gorgeous fine porcelain bowls in my honor. Kira explained that they often used less fragile dinnerware for everyday meals but that her mother wanted to honor my arrival. Kira’s mother is a great cook and the food she served for dinner that evening was so yummy! We had soup, salad, rice and steamed fish.

After dinner Kira and I talked about where I should go and what to see the next day. As the wedding was a couple of days away and I was not part of the bridal party I was free to explore but unfortunately Kira was too busy to accompany me, however her mother did take me to the fresh market the next morning. What an amazing place. There were all sorts of fresh vegetables, fish, meats, and fruit. Kira’s mother doesn’t speak English as well as Kira but managed to convey to me that she shops there daily so that food is always fresh for meals.

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After a breakfast of the equivalent of an American cereal with cold milk I left their home and made my way to Katsuren Castle Ruins. What is left of the castle stands on a hill with great views of the houses and land to the South, the sea and mountains to the North. The castle has a rich history and although I enjoyed looking around and taking photographs it was sad to see that so little of the original castle remained.

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After leaving the Ruins I traveled to Mini Mini Zoo. I have seen quite a few zoos on my worldwide travels but I have a fascination for seeing the animals that are native to each country. This is a very modest zoo but still worth visiting if you have the time while in Okinawa. There are lots of small animals to see but not much in the way of larger animals. What I did find particularly interesting was the fresh egg shop and the bakery. Before leaving I succumbed to the sweet offerings and took ‘home’ some sata andagi which are very much like donuts, thinking they might be nice for dessert that evening.

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The day of the wedding we were all excited and busy. Kira admitted to being a little nervous but happy to be finally marrying the man she loves. Kira gave me a quick rundown of what to expect, explaining that she and her parents wanted a traditional Shinto wedding. I was to be one of the very few guests to attend, which she explained is a great honor.

When we entered the shrine where the ceremony was to be conducted I was amazed at how ‘Americanized’ it seemed to be. I don’t quite know what I expected but it was very modern in design. Kira and her soon-to-be husband, Akira, stood in front of the priest, Akira in a black jacket and hakama, and Kira in a beautiful white kimono. The priest asked the gods for their blessing for the couple and then Kira and Akira each sipped from three cups of sake. This ritual is called sansankudo and acts as a purification. Afterwards both sets of parents drank from the cups of sake.

The entire ceremony lasted only about 20 minutes and even though I couldn’t understand a word of what was being said by either the priest or Akira when he said his vows I could tell that it meant a lot to everyone there. It was a very quiet, formal ceremony. Just as in a Western wedding the couple exchanged wedding rings.

After we left the shrine we joined guests at a reception, where speeches were made and food was served. Again, having no understanding of Japanese I was left ignorant of what was being said. Fortunately later Kira explained much of it to me. I can see why Japanese is considered such a difficult language to learn though. Everyone was very relaxed and happy, with many people congratulating the newly married couple. It was exciting to see Kira marry the love of her life and I truly hope that she will have a wonderful, long and happy marriage. She deserves it!

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India https://www.pbglifestyle.com/india/ Mon, 17 Jul 2017 14:45:56 +0000 http://localhost/pbglifestyle.com/?p=31 [bt_bb_section layout=”boxed_1600″ top_spacing=”” bottom_spacing=”” full_screen=”” vertical_align=”top” color_scheme=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_overlay=”” parallax=”” parallax_offset=”” background_video_yt=”” yt_video_settings=”” background_video_mp4=”” background_video_ogg=”” background_video_webm=”” responsive=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” el_style=””][bt_bb_row][bt_bb_column width=”1/1″ align=”left” vertical_align=”top” animation=”fade_in move_up” padding=”normal” background_image=”” inner_background_image=”” background_color=”” inner_background_color=”” opacity=”” responsive=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” el_style=””][bt_bb_headline font_subset=”latin,latin-ext” superheadline=”” headline=”ARRIVING” subheadline=”” html_tag=”h2″ size=”inherit” align=”inherit” dash=”none” color_scheme=”” color=”” font=”inherit” font_size=”” font_weight=”” url=”” target=”_self” responsive=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” el_style=””][/bt_bb_headline][bt_bb_text] […]

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My first impressions of India as I ventured out on my first day there were of noisy streets filled with color and smells that I had not experienced before. With limited time in New Delhi I had to soak in as much as I could before moving onto Mumbai. That first morning I wandered the streets taking in as much as I could. Street vendors were selling fabrics and adornments in beautiful bright colors, calling excitedly to me to encourage purchasing, but having experienced street vendors in other parts of the world I knew to not engage them in haggling. It’s not that I don’t enjoy haggling but when pressed for time it can become very involved and before you know it you lose track of time.

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After wandering for about an hour I found myself outside a little vegetarian restaurant called Café Turtle, and after being jostled and prodded by the hundreds of other pedestrians intent upon getting where they were going, I was ready for a chance to sit down and refresh myself before heading back. As the temperature outside was quite hot I decided to try the cafe’s own cold coffee with a scoop of ice cream while I waited for the Fattoush to be brought out to me. Fattoush is a Middle Eastern salad that consists of vegetables and herbs and I have to say it was well worth waiting for. Yummy!

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The next day I travelled to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. After all, no trip to India would be complete without seeing the beautiful mausoleum that is one of India’s most famous landmarks. Having read up about rules of entry I decided to carry only my wallet and camera to avoid being stopped for a bag search. Upon arriving I have to say that even though I knew it was big I had no idea just how large the main building was until I stood near it. There was an atmosphere of awe and I swear its magnificence was almost overwhelming. India is proud of its white marble monument and quite rightly so. Wandering through, taking photos as I went, I felt insignificant compared to its beauty and grandeur. My only wish is that the tour guide had not been in such a rush to move us all along as I would have liked to have just stood in the stillness for awhile.

The gardens, as is the museum itself, are immaculate and are a tribute to the hardworking staff that cares for the Taj Mahal. If I were to guess I would say that I took at least 100 photos of the buildings from as many angles as I could manage. The pictures you see in travel guides and online are beautiful but until you stand on the very grounds you cannot truly appreciate its beauty. My advice to anyone considering a trip to India is to ensure that the Taj Mahal is on the list of must-see places. Oh, and take your time seeing as much as you can.

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Next stop was the coastal city of Mumbai. Much like New Delhi it too is a bustling city full of color, but after seeing what the streets of New Delhi were like I wasn’t too keen to try to negotiate my way through the crowds of people in Mumbai. I opted to take an organized tour because I wanted to see as much as I could in one day so I could gauge whether there was something I wanted to see more of the next day. The tour was 10 hours long, which believe me, is a l-o-n-g day, but well worth it. We started off by seeing the Elephanta Caves and then back to the city. On our drive around the city we saw the Gateway of India which is right on the waterfront, then we went on to the Gandhi Museum, which was full of great photographs, relics, art pieces and so much more. The Gandhi Museum is another ‘must-see’ place to put on your India to do list. The tour included the Hanging Gardens and I have to say of all the gardens I have had the pleasure of seeing this is right up near the top of the list for the most beautiful. I ended up spending the following morning enjoying seeing more of the Hanging Gardens than the tour allowed time for, grabbed a quick bite of lunch and then spent the afternoon back at the Prince of Wales Museum which was also one of the stops on the tour.

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Though my stay in India was short and seemed like a whirlwind event it was one of the most memorable, so much so that I feel that I will return there one day to explore further. Oh, and those sacred cows? Yes, we saw some when we were on the tour and yes, they do just wander the streets!

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Italy https://www.pbglifestyle.com/italy/ Tue, 16 May 2017 07:56:06 +0000 http://localhost/pbglifestyle.com/?p=59 [bt_bb_section layout=”boxed_1200″][bt_bb_row][bt_bb_column width=”1/1″ align=”left” vertical_align=”top” animation=”fade_in move_up” padding=”normal” background_image=”” inner_background_image=”” background_color=”” inner_background_color=”” opacity=”” responsive=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” el_style=””][bt_bb_text] ARRIVING I was determined to visit the great cities of Italy, namely Venice, Florence, Verona and Rome. I had ten days in which to ‘see it all’ as well as stay with my aunt. With her home being […]

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ARRIVING

I was determined to visit the great cities of Italy, namely Venice, Florence, Verona and Rome. I had ten days in which to ‘see it all’ as well as stay with my aunt. With her home being near Florence I would be able to day-trip into the city and so Florence was my first stop. I arrived early evening and was met by Aunt Rosa waving a sign with my name on it, fortunately for me as I had no idea what she looked like….lol.

It seemed we drove for about an hour before entering the gates of the vineyard. Trees lined the driveway and beyond I could see the vines, heavy with grapes. Aunt Rosa told me that the timing of my visit was perfect because within a month the grapes would need harvesting and she would have no time for guests. We drove up to the villa and I was immediately struck by how modest it was. Though the house was modest it was comfortable and spotlessly clean.

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DAY 1 – FLORENCE

After eating a huge meal of pasta and freshly baked oven-warm bread I went to bed. Upon waking my Aunt Rosa plied me with freshly baked bread with cheese and grapes. I quickly ate, cleaned up and then she drove me into Florence. She dropped me in the center of the city near Piazza della Repubblica, saying that she was going to spend the day with a friend, and would pick me up around 3. That gave me several hours to explore Florence, but with so much to see and do I decided a tour was my best option again. Ticket in hand I began my introduction to the beautiful, historical city of Florence.

The walking tour took us by some of the most incredibly beautiful churches, picturesque piazzas, towers, and along charming streets. There was so much to see that I swear I almost wore my camera out taking photographs. The architecture of this city is unbelievably gorgeous. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and told us many stories about the people and history of the city as we walked by each landmark. Of particular note were the Baptistery, and the Gates of Paradise. The tour took 3 hours and so I had time for a quick bite of lunch before meeting Aunt Rosa. Ever tried true Italian pizza? Well, I have and it is yummy!

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DAY 2 – Vineyard

The next morning was spent touring the vineyard and learning about the family business. It was fascinating to hear about how delicate the grapes are and how much effort goes into making a truly good wine. After lunch Aunt Rosa drove me around some of the other vineyards in the area and then we returned for dinner.

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DAY 3 – Venice

The following morning I caught a flight to Venice, got settled at my hotel and immediately headed out with the purpose of taking a gondola ride along the Grand Canal. Instead I joined a walking tour of the city’s major landmarks, which included the Basilica San Marco and the stunning Doges Palace. I am glad I made this choice because I ended up getting my gondola ride as part of the package, as well as seeing some of the local people in the neighborhoods around the city. The Rialto markets were a lot of fun to see too.

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DAY 4 – Verona

The next day I took a bus to Verona and joined a bike tour. It was 3 hours of following a guide and seeing all the major sights of the city, such as San Zeno Cathedral and the Ponte Pietra. We rode alongside the river for part of the tour and then gorged ourselves on handmade ice cream that was truly ‘to die for’! One thing that I particularly enjoyed about this tour was that we wandered ‘off the beaten path’ that most tourists trek, and got to see some of the hidden corners that showed the ‘real’ Verona. A little over an hour’s bus ride and I was back in Venice, tired but happy.

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DAY 5 & 6 – Resting & ROME!

I rested the next day and spent part of it in the kitchen with Aunt Rosa, learning how to make that wonderfully aromatic bread that seems to always be available, fresh out of the oven. I meandered around the vineyard for a bit before dinner and then Aunt Rosa, her son Alex and I sat under a large tree drinking wine. Aunt Rosa told many wonderful tales of growing up with my father, which made me smile as I imagined him as a young boy.

With Rome being the last place on my itinerary I made a pact to take my time and see as much as I could. I had arranged an hotel stay so that I could spend 3 days there, fully enjoying the magical wonders of the city and surrounding area. I visited all the major landmarks; the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, the Roman Forum, and of course the very famous Sistine Chapel which no images can ever do full justice. There are no words to fully describe its magnificence. It was a whirlwind visit of tours and although my feet were thankful at the end of the day I did what I had set out to do – saw everything I could possibly see in 3 days.

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Upon the insistence of my Aunt Rosa I stayed with her and her son for about 20 days, helping with the grape harvest as much as I could. I did manage to return to Venice and Rome for another short visit each, taking my time to explore a little further. Italy is beautiful and I was sad to leave, but I know I will be back again in the near future. In some ways I felt like I belonged there!

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