The wall around Fes el Bali has sealed in Morocco’s medieval history. Each neighborhood hosts a different craft or type of merchant (guild). Examples include blacksmiths, potters, weavers, butchers and leather tanneries. Few of the vendors use modern equipment. Instead, they follow traditional practices handed down through the generations. It is typical to see men like these socializing while another works. At first glance, you will be amazed how these poultry form a perfect circle while being feed, as if they were domesticated. Then you will notice their legs are bound.
Ifrane, which is located in the Middle Atlas Mountain region of Morocco, is emerging into a popular ski resort during winter but offers few other attractions. This little girl, however, was intriguing. She appeared to be slipping out of a school yard and quietly closing the gate so she would go undetected.
The Souk Sebbaghine (Souk des Teinturiers) is devoted to yarn. The craftsmen purchase raw wool that is typically sheered from sheep in the springtime. Then they wash it, pull it apart into strands and “card” it in order to remove dirt and give it fluff. Next, the wool is spun into skeins (spools) by wheel or, in this case, by attaching an end of the thread to their head. Finally, the wool is dyed in natural colors in a nearby section. The best place to purchase fabric and textiles is in Souk Semmarine.
Souk des Teinturiers, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco
Many of the people in Marrakech are of Berber descent. Therefore, you commonly see men and women wearing a traditional djellaba. The material tends to be wool in wintertime and cotton during the hot summer months. The pointed hood is called a qob. The color in these Berber robes often creates a stark contrast against the city walls.
Place Jemaa el-Fna, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
Marrakech is a city of contrasts … from attracting rich tourists who seek luxury hotels to some city residents who have no electricity or water. It has 18 souks or markets. They are noisy, often dirty and busy. Street vendors are also commonplace. This one was taking a nap during his unsuccessful day.
103, Rahba Lakdima, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco
Many of the streets and alleys of Marrakech are adorned by colorful doors, walls and windows reminiscent of a paint wheel from a hardware store. Equally colorful are women’s robes such as this one called a djellaba or kaftan. She seemed to be hurrying home with a package from the market.
Souk Smati, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
Across the Bou Regreg River from the capital city of Rabat is Salé, Morocco. Dating back to the 7th century BC, it is supposed to be the oldest city on the western coast. It is showing its age with lots of pollution. However, efforts are underway to improve the lives of its 800,000 residents. This laborer uses a wheelbarrow to rest while surveying the river as it empties into the Atlantic Ocean.
Plage de Salé Ville, Avenue Sidi Ben Achir, Salé, Morocco
Anne Frank wrote The Diary of a Young Girl from 1942 to 1944 during the German occupation of the Netherlands. This chronicled when she and her family hid in concealed rooms behind this bookcase. Anne called it Achterhuis (Secret Annex). After the Gestapo discovered and arrested them, she and her sister died in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in early 1945. Anne was 15. The Anne Frank House is a museum. Among the exhibits are photos, family belongings and the original diary of Anne Frank.
Westermarkt 20, 1016 GV Amsterdam, Netherlands
These kids are fascinated by their view of central Amsterdam behind Dam Square. On the left is the former Amsterdam Main Post Office (now Magna Plaza shopping mall.) On the right is the Royal Palace of Amsterdam (originally City Hall). But these buildings are models! They are two of several Dutch landmarks replicated in incredible detail at Madurodam. The miniature park is located a few minutes north of The Hague’s city center and an hour south of Amsterdam. So, if you can’t drive around to see the Netherland’s most exquisite architecture, then admire their tiny clones at Madurodam.
George Maduroplein 1, 2584 RZ Den Haag, Netherlands
Hokitika was established in 1864 at the start of the West Coast Gold Rush. Within two years, the town swelled to 25,000. After a few more years, the prospectors left in droves and Hokitika’s population plummeted. Today, the main industry is tourism. A popular activity is searching the shoreline for washed-up deposits of pounamu. Treasure seekers and jewelry lovers comb the rocks and sand for samples of the precious jade (greenstone). Also dotting the coastline are gorgeous pieces of driftwood.
72 Beach St, Hokitika 7810, New Zealand
Since it was established in 1985, the Art Deco Trust has done a fabulous job promoting Napier, protecting its Art Deco heritage and welcoming visitors to its city. Throughout the year, they train about 80 volunteers to give walking tours plus greet and assist tourists. During the annual Art Deco Festival, the entire team is there to guarantee you have a memorable experience. Gotta question? Then just ask the dapper-looking Jimmy Middleton, one of many friendly faces there to help you.
Auckland Domain is a 185 acre, tree-lined park established by Governor FitzRoy in 1843. It required vision to set aside such a large tract of land in the early years of the settlement’s development. You wouldn’t know it but this area was a volcanic crater. Māori people called it Pukekawa. Over the generations, Aucklanders have enjoyed the grounds for sporting events, parades, celebrations, exhibitions and time with family and friends. The park regularly hosts free concerts during the summer months. The Auckland Domain Band Rotunda was built for the 1913 Auckland Exhibition and was a gift of J. M. Mennie, a biscuit manufacturer.
Auckland Domain, Park Rd, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
This adorable little girl clutching a Shih Tzu at Frank Kitts Park is unequivocal proof of the wisdom of the woman who said, “Happiness is a warm puppy.” The quote is from Lucy in the Peanuts comic strip by Charles M. Schultz.
Frank Kitts Park, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
The crew of the Marlborough Flyer is fabulous. This jovial and welcoming engine driver is Danny Green. He is wearing traditional bib overalls, hat, leather gloves and a bright smile. In New Zealand, the train manager is called a guard instead of a conductor. He and the ticket collectors are informative, helpful and seem genuinely thrilled to have you aboard.
Picton Railway Station, 5 Auckland Street, Picton 7220, New Zealand
If you are fortunate, you will witness uniformed youth performing quasi-military routines or marching. The youngest children, beginning at the age of seven, carry wooden rifles or crossbows. Others are drummers. The officers, up to the age of 20, have swords. These are called bataljoner’ meaning battalions. There are 14 of these groups in Bergen, each from a different neighborhood. The unique tradition began in the mid-19th century. These boys are from Dræggens Buekorps. They were formed in 1856, making them the oldest of the Buekorps brigades (although this is disputed by their rivals, the Skutevikens Buekorps). Historically, this bow corps only assembles on Saturdays.
The locals will often greet arriving cruise ship passengers with a show. This adorable little girl is wearing a bunad. The style evolved from rural Norway in the 18th century to the national costume today. Common features are a wool vest with intricate embroidery, buckles, clasps and silver jewelry. These are complimented with a white blouse and long skirt. The clothes are worn during performances of traditional music and dance. Increasingly, adult women wear them as a fashion statement to social events and festive occasions. There are over 400 design variations. Each one reflects a geographical region. The elaborate outfits plus accessories are expensive, especially for handmade Norwegian bunads. Prices start at $2,000. Often a bunad is passed down through the generations.
Inner Harbour Flåm Center, 5742 Flåm, Norway
Khasab, Oman is a desolate seaport that, until recently, was only accessible by water. Because of its proximity to Iran, it is often used to illegally conduct trade. The town is etched into a desert with an average temperature of over 100 degrees from May through August. These three Arabian men, who were wearing Omani turbans and robes called dishdasha, sought shelter from the heat below an awning of a small grocery store. They seemed puzzled by why Americans would be visiting. We didn’t stay long.
Aswar Musandum, 02 Khasab, Oman
North of Australia in the Pacific Ocean is the island of New Guinea. In the west is the capital city of Port Moresby. Papua New Guinea’s history includes headhunting, cannibalism, frequent earthquakes, active volcanoes and one WWII’s largest military campaigns. There are numerous tribes, ethnic groups and over 800 indigenous languages. Most people live in small villages and rely on primitive hunting, fishing and farming. Sea shells were the primary currency until around 1930. These girls had just performed a ritual dance called “sing sing.” Their paint and feathers represent local birds and animals.
The tribesmen of Papua New Guinea are proud people despite their extreme poverty. The average family lives on less than $400 a year. Many tribes have a limited connection to the modern world. This man is wearing the traditional face paint of a Huli Wigman from the Southern Highlands.
Bramell St, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
At the top of a costal cliff in Miraflores is El Parque del Amor or Love Park. Couples of all ages but especially young sweethearts, such as the pair in the right corner, come here to emulate a giant statue called El Beso. In English it is named The Kiss or Lovers in Embrace. The artwork portrays the sculptor, Victor Delfin, and his wife. Surrounding this tribute to lovers is a mosaic wall filled with romantic quotes.
Malecón Cisneros & Malecón Balta, Miraflores 15074, Peru
The Auschwitz concentration camps in Poland display the darkest side of the Holocaust. At its peak in 1944, they housed about 135,000 prisoners. Auschwitz I was the largest and responsible for 70,000 deaths. Each arriving prisoner was photographed in classic mug shot style. Many of these photos are displayed throughout the complex, along with their name and date of execution. The sense of sorrow is overwhelming.
There are few places on earth where you can marvel at where over 1,000 years of a country’s royalty were crowned, ruled and buried. This spot in front of Wawel Cathedral and the adjacent Wawel Royal Castle represents the history of Poland from the Middle Ages, through the Renaissance and into modern times. You have not visited Kraków unless you have thoroughly explored these exemplary landmarks.
Wawel Cathedral, Wawel 3, 31-001 Kraków, Poland
There are 150 fountains on the grounds of Petrhof Palace. Several of them are “trick fountains.” These masquerade as trees or pathways designed to spray unsuspecting guests with water as they approached. The first “wet places” installed for the emperor’s amusement were The Benches within Monplaisir Garden in 1723. While the benches seemed to offer the passerby an inviting place to enjoy the park, the sudden water sprays beneath the stones would drench the person before they sat down. These trick fountains are thrilling, challenging and fun for kids. It is unlikely you will see any child with dry clothes during your tour of Peterhof Palace.
Razvodnaya Ulitsa, 2, Petergof, Sankt-Peterburg, 198516, Russia
In 2016, the combined Band of the SCOTS Lowland and Highland performed during the annual Scottish-American Memorial Day Service. Among other songs, they played the National Anthem of the United States followed by the United Kingdom’s. It was a touching and somber annual tribute to the soldiers who died during World War I.
West Gardens Cottage, Princes St, Edinburgh EH2 2HG, UK
There are approximately two billion people worldwide who play golf. Many of them fantasize about teeing off at the Old Course at St Andrews, the birthplace of golf around 1400 AD. The game was banned by Scottish kings from 1457 until 1502. In 1764, the original 22 holes were reduced to 18, thus setting today’s standard. In 1894, the Town Council declared the course to be open to the public. So make your pilgrimage to St Andrews, have your friends take your photo on the first tee (called the Burn), and then stay at the Old Course Hotel in the background while indulging in all six courses in town.
22 Golf Pl, St Andrews KY16 9JD, UK
My wife and I have traveled on the Silver Seas cruise line several times. It is a luxurious way to see multiple countries during a single trip without having to repack your luggage. A great feature is the ability to practice your gluttony: there is awesome food available 24 hours a day. During each trip, the Whisper hosts an extravagant smorgasbord in the ship’s galley. The variety and tastes of the food are only exceeded by the beautiful displays.
As your mesmerization wanes from staring at Jagalchi Fish Market’s displays, you begin to realize a common denominator: all of the fishmongers are women. They are called Jagalchi Ajumas, meaning middle-aged married women. These multi-tasking females seem tireless, capable of gutting the fresh catch-of-the-day while bargaining with multiple customers and beckoning for new ones.
52 Jagalchihaean-ro, Nampo-dong, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea
A reward of traveling is learning the culture of other countries. It is enjoyable and educational to observe and interact with locals not involved in the tourism industry such as these two female gardeners. Here is what you might find while visiting Jeju City. Although the 500 year rule of the Joseon Dynasty ended in 1897, its enforcement of Confucian principles has had a lasting impact on South Korea’s culture. Social customs stress harmony and respect for each other, especially toward the elderly and people of seniority. Family is of utmost importance yet arranged marriages still occur. Although they rarely smile, often seem pushy in crowds and maintain traditions like bowing, they are generous and warm people. Jeju Island is less patriarchal than the mainland because of the lingering influence of female divers (haenyeo) and shamanic shrines honoring women goddesses. Some of these characteristics are slipping away because of Western influences and technology.
La Rambla is a very popular pedestrian walkway stretching .75 miles through central Barcelona from Plaça de Catalunya to the waterfront. Along the tree-lined promenade are historic buildings (such as the Gran Teatre del Liceu and Teatre Principal), restaurants, shops, markets, kiosks and crowds of people. As you approach the terminus of this famous boulevard at the Christopher Columbus Monument, stop to watch the street performers. All of them wear elaborate costumes. Many pose as statues until they spring into action after receiving a tip.
La Rambla, 6, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
The Buen Retiro Park is over 350 acres so it is difficult to explore all of it. Most people gravitate towards the major landmarks. One section easy to miss is along Avenida Menéndez Pelayo. Cecilio Rodriguez Gardens features sculptured hedges and trees and blooming flowers along checkerboard promenades. Your stroll will not be encumbered by crowds. However, you may encounter an occasional peacock. This delightful respite is named after the gardener who developed it during the 1940’s.
Paseo Fernán Núñez, 1X, 28009 Madrid, Spain
Since flamenco originated in Andalusia during the 18th century, it has become a music and dance custom in southern Spain. While the flamenco guitar (toque) plays a song (cante), it is accompanied by a dance (baile) characterized by fluid yet dramatic hand waving and feet stomping of a single dancer. This woman wearing a traditional, red dress with a frilly train was a street performer. There are several venues in Seville offering staged productions. One of the best is Casa del Flamenco.
These cheering teens are part of an annual Swedish tradition for celebrating the last day of high school. The girls wear white dresses and the boys don suits and white caps. They jam into dump trucks and are then driven around town accompanied by loud music and blaring horns. These students are graduates of the Peab School, a training program for construction, woodworking and masons. It is an alternative to the national high school program.
This romantic couple is intertwined along the quay of Gamla stan. They are gazing across the Strömmen channel at af Chapman, a full-rigged sailing ship. The Swedish vessel was called Dunboyne when launched in 1888. The ship encircled the globe several times before being decommissioned in 1934. After being docked at Skeppsholmen islet in 1949, the ship was converted into a youth hostel with 285 beds. Af Chapman is managed by the Swedish Tourist Association.
Skeppsbrokajen 104 111 30 Stockholm, Sweden
Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan is a royal temple built by King Rama III in 1846. It’s a vast complex of ornate chapels, sanctuaries and temples. One building called Phra Setthamuni is an ordination hall with a large copper Buddha statue inside. Here Buddhist monks pray while wearing their saffron-colored robes.
The Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market in Bangkok will delight your senses of sight, touch and smell. Before dawn, the flowers start arriving from around Thailand and are quickly arranged into beautiful displays. Soon the crowds of commercial buyers, florists, hotels, Thai locals and tourists bump elbow-to-elbow in search of the finest bouquets. This vendor accents her flowers with colorful ribbons and bows.
The elephants at the Elephant Conservation Center are true gentle giants who seem to enjoy being photographed, fed and pet by tourists and they especially like being hugged by children like this little boy. Notice the long muscular trunk. It contains over 40,000 muscles that allow them to pick up very small objects with the dexterity of a finger or they can push down a large tree.
2031 Thai Elephant Conservation Center, Tambon Wiang Tan, Amphoe Hang Chat, Lampang 52190, Thailand
This man on a bull Asian elephant is called a mahout. These caretakers often enter their family’s profession as a youngster and are assigned a specific animal for life. The stick he is holding is called an ankuśa. On the end is a sharp metal hook that is used to goad the elephant in the ear or head to correct or change behavior.
2031 Thai Elephant Conservation Center, Tambon Wiang Tan, Amphoe Hang Chat, Lampang 52190, Thailand
In 2004, my family was staying at the Amari Coral Beach Resort in Phuket when the tsunami struck Patong Beach. This hotel and several others were heavily damaged. When we returned in 2008, the tourist town had recovered. However, this picture of a girl floating in the new pool recreated some of the horrible memories of when 280,000 people were killed. Four years earlier, on December 26, this pool was demolished by a series of giant waves.
Amari Phuket 2 Meun Ngern Road Patong Beach, Phuket, 83150, Thailand
The Hagia Sophia, also called the Ayasofa, Mosque, was built as a basilica in 537, later converted into a mosque and is now a museum. Its Byzantine architecture is stunning. Inside are a massive dome and half domes. They are supported by elaborate stone columns and arches. The adornments include gorgeous gold mosaics and Islamic elements. These three elderly Turkish women were enjoying a moment of rest and conversation.
Five main beaches stretch contiguously along the western shoreline of Grand Turk. The most popular are (from south to north) Cruise Center, Governor’s and Pillory Beaches. They are also the most crowded. If a secluded paradise is more your style, just look for signs along Duke Street reading, “Columbus Landfall National Park Beach Access.” They are your pathway to a tropical nirvana. Enjoy the view!
Columbus Landfall National Park, Beach Access Pond St, Cockburn Town TKCA 1ZZ, Turks and Caicos Islands
The Deira Fish Market in Dubai, UAE, is sometimes an overwhelming mix of pungent smells and haggling customers surrounded by every imaginable sea life on ice. The floors can be wet and slimy so wear washable shoes. The comradeship among the Arabic vendors is genuine. Nearby you can shop for meat, vegetables, spices and gold jewelry in the various souks. However, it was announced in 2013 that the fish market will soon be replaced, so hurry if you want to catch it.
Hanoi has been the capital city of Vietnam for almost 1,000 years. The Old Quarter, where the streets are still organized by trade, provides a peek into that long history. The rest of the city is a blur of activity among its six million people. But the Vietnamese seem very family oriented. This multigenerational photo of an old man with an infant is one small example.
The Xá Lợi Pagoda Temple in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly called Saigon, was the site of intense Buddhist persecution by the South Vietnamese government in 1963. This led a monk to burn himself to death in protest and the subsequent vicious attack on the pagoda. Eventually, hundreds died or vanished and a thousand monks were imprisoned. Outside is this Chinese shrine of Quan Âm, where these men are kneeling in prayer.
Hue is located in central Vietnam near the east coast of the South China Sea. The city was heavily damaged during the Vietnam War and does not seem to have fully recovered. There are several historic attractions worth visiting such as Thai Hoa Palace and Tombs of the Emperors. Among the most interesting is Dong Ba Market along the Perfume River. It is enormous at 52,500 square feet. Most of the vendor stalls are housed in a gray building that bustles with activity. Other merchants huddle outside under makeshift canopies and the mud. Life in Hue is rudimentary.
2 Trần Hưng Đạo, Phú Hoà, Thành phố Huế, Thừa Thiên Huế, Vietnam
Nha Trang is a coastal city of about half a million people. It is emerging as a popular tourist destination for its beaches. In recent years, it hosted the Miss Universe and Miss Earth pageants. Tucked away from this progress, however, are areas that still cling to traditions. An example is this woman who was cooking breaded sausages over an open flame in a market.
