Riding Bicycles in the Ninh Binh Province of Vietnam

On August 7, 2020August 7, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Photo Challenge, Vietnam3 Comments

One of the things that was included in our tour of the Ninh Binh Province in Vietnam was riding bicycles through the countryside and along the rice paddies. Well, at least that was the description in the tour literature. We did ride bicycles, but it was not through the idyllic countryside, but rather through construction. Vietnam is known for it’s use of bicycles from the 1950’s, which aren’t as stable as modern bicycles. Add to that, we had to dodge construction trucks and ride over stones instead of a smooth path. It may be something that most tourists expect when visiting Vietnam, but we’d have preferred a quiet ride in the countryside versus a ride through a construction zone.

It Would Have Been Pretty Without the Construction

This is Closer to What the Tour Guides Would Like You to See

We Miss the European Rail System

On July 31, 2020July 31, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Photo Challenge12 Comments

Now, probably more than ever, we miss the convenience and efficiency of the European rail system. Part of it is due to where we live in the United States, because the states are so large and it takes a long time to even get out of Colorado. When we were living in Germany, which is centrally located, we were able to take trains not only throughout the country, but to other countries as well. Because it was so easy to take trains to different places, we used to plan our weekend and buy our tickets using the DB (Deutsche Bahn) app on the day before we wanted to leave. With the option for private cabins, food cars, and in some cases, sleeper cars, the trains provided comfort as well as convenience. The scenery as the trains wound their way through the countryside was always amazing.

Scene from the Train Window as We Traveled to Strasbourg, France

Views from the Airplane

On July 24, 2020July 24, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Mexico, Photo Challenge8 Comments

It is hard to believe that it has been more than five months since the last time that we boarded an airplane to go someplace new. Several years ago we started taking photographs through the windows of the airplanes, cars, and trains that we travel on. We actually find it interesting to look back not only at the locations that we’ve visited, but also the journey itself, to, from, and around the various countries. When we visited Acapulco in Mexico this past February, just prior to countries shutting down, we boarded a plane prior to the sun having even starting to rise. We watched the sunrise as we flew into Houston to catch our connection to continue on to Mexico. We look back at that particular journey with a combination of sadness and longing to travel once again.