Author Archives: admin

1. FOOTWEAR. I have at least 5 types of kayak footwear: 2 pairs of knee-high neoprene boots, Keen sandals (terrible with sand or stone beaches as toe always full of stones), Ten Fingers (cumbersome to get on, drain well), very light … Continue reading →

The world’s first WhatsAppocracy Government by social media in Somalia Cheap data, social media and creativity are filling in for an absent state Illustration: Lehel Kovacs Jan 23rd 2025|ADDIS ABABA THE ECONOMIST Thirty years ago, making a phone call from Somalia … Continue reading →

The most serious hazard for sea kayakers on exposed coasts is surf – most kayakers aim to spend as little time as possible surf kayaking. Loaded kayaks are not really suited for riding breakers. Helmets should be worn in the … Continue reading →

What’s the oldest tree on Earth—and will it survive climate change? Bristlecone pines in the western U.S. have been alive for nearly 5,000 years, but an upstart Patagonian cypress challenges that record. This 1,400-year-old bristlecone pine on Mount Washington in … Continue reading →

Coral reefs in the Philippines are some of the world’s most vibrant—but in peril Much of the archipelago’s undersea splendor is protected, but some areas are being stressed by climate change and harmed by destructive fishing practices. Tourists swim with … Continue reading →

BAHAMAS – New Providence (Nassau), Andros, Exuma, Cat, Inagua. May 8-9, 2022 In my quest to finish all the countries in the Caribbean (and thus the Western Hemisphere), I flew from Montego Bay, Jamaica to Nassau (Frontier, 22 hours with … Continue reading →

JAMAICA May 4-7, 2022 I flew from Sao Paulo to Fort Lauderdale (United via Chicago O’Hare and Washington Dulles, 22 hours, CAD$680, by far the cheapest route) on May 2-3, 2022. I slept in the FLL airport and flew to … Continue reading →

RIO GRANDE DO SOL “Great River of the South”) is a state in the southern region of Brazil . It is the fifth-most-populous state and the ninth largest by area. Located in the southernmost part of the country, Rio Grande do Sul is bordered clockwise by Santa Catarina to the north and northeast, the … Continue reading →

Brazil – Santa Catarina (Florianopolis, Joinville) April 26-27, 2022 I took the bus from Curitiba to Florianopolis (18:30-22:30, 4 hours) and walked the 1.1 km to my hostel (HI Floripa) in the downtown center.  FLORIANOPOLIS (pop 508,000, metro 1.1 million) is … Continue reading →

Brazil – Paraná Eastern (Curitiba) April 24-25, 2022 I caught the bus from the Sao Paulo T terminal to Curitiba (6 hours) at 09:20. I sat next to a 3rd-year medical student and it was interesting to see how medical … Continue reading →