The Canny Traveler

Exploring the Netherlands: Uniquely Unusual Holiday Activities

The Canny Traveler — Sat, 20 May 2023 04:05:14 +0000

When it comes to holiday destinations, the Netherlands often evokes images of picturesque windmills, charming canals, and vibrant tulip fields. However, beyond the well-known attractions, this enchanting country offers a wealth of unique and unusual experiences that are waiting to be discovered. So, if you’re seeking something off the beaten path during your holiday, here are a few extraordinary activities to consider in the Netherlands. The Netherlands is a treasure trove of extraordinary experiences, and these are just a handful of the unique and unusual activities that await you. So, venture beyond the traditional tourist path and discover the offbeat wonders that make this country so captivating. Whether you’re exploring fluorescent art, strolling through fairytale gardens, or immersing yourself in the microscopic world, the Netherlands is sure to leave you with unforgettable memories and a sense of awe.

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Turkish Delight: Top Things to See & Do

The Canny Traveler — Sat, 20 May 2023 04:02:20 +0000

Turkey is a country rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. From bustling markets to ancient ruins, there is no shortage of things to do and see in this diverse nation. If you’re looking for a holiday experience that goes beyond the ordinary, here are some of the most unique activities to consider during your trip to Turkey. Turkey offers a plethora of unique experiences that will make your holiday truly memorable. Whether you’re floating above fairy chimneys, exploring ancient underground cities, or savoring mouthwatering Turkish cuisine, you’ll be captivated by the country’s charm and hospitality. Embrace the extraordinary and let Turkey’s rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty leave an indelible mark on your journey.

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The Canny Traveler — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 07:00:56 +0000

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Sometimes…there’s just nothing to say

The Canny Traveler — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 17:53:19 +0000

I desperately search for something to write about but my mind is troubled by larger issues. Do I have to write about travel? Do I have to write anything at all? What if I don’t feel like it? What if I am too sad to even consider a travel piece? Times have changed, travel has changed. I am not even sure I plan on any form of travel for at least the next 3-4 years. If that is the case, then having a travel blog and writing about traveling seems a bit senseless. Final words I will admit that I had certain expectations when I started this blog. I had some ideas. I thought they might be good ideas, things people would want to read about. But I might be wrong and I don’t mind saying that all this SEO, Google Analytics, Google Ads stuff doesn’t really interest me so much. I just wanted to tell people about places I had been and what I experienced, both externally but also internally. How it affected me or attracted me or just moved me in some way. If you intend traveling then I wish you safe journeys.

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The Pain of Not Remembering

The Canny Traveler — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 15:03:45 +0000

Technology is a wonderful thing, allowing us the ability to see things we could never see or know before. But even something as amazing as Google Maps cannot resolve the mysteries of memory. When we left South Africa in about 1972 we spent the first year near Durham in an area known as Newton Hall. Even though I was only there for about a year somehow the place help an importance for me that still resonates today. However, the problem is that while I do have certain memories and certain information, there are gaps. These gaps come back to haunt me, so to speak, from time to time. I then set out upon an ardent journey to try and discover or perhaps better said to recover the information that I believe will calm my mind and soul. Finchale Primary School I know this was the school I went to because my mother provided me with the information. I have two very distinct memories from the time there. Firstly, of being punched in the stomach while waiting in line on the playground for something to happen. The second thing was a game of hide and seek and my first ever close contact with a girl. We were in the same class I believe and we briefly kissed. It was probably only on the cheek but I still recall this moment more than 45 years later and I still remember her name. The school in Newton Hall still exists today but I believe it does not look quite the same as when I was there. Still, good to know something remains as a focal point. Our House This is the main problem I face in terms of memory. I have vague notions of where we where and of a wooded area close by. I recall a house with two floors and the bedrooms on the upper one. My mother sent a photo of me standing out front but other than the house number there are no real clues as to the location. The house build is typical 70s and all the houses in the street look the same. I believed I had narrowed it down but somehow things did not look right. I used street view and satellite view but neither offered me what I wanted, namely a definitive a-ha moment that I had found our old house. Perhaps I will never really know. I have not had the opportunity to return there and do not know if I ever will. Final words I know there is something desperate about wanting to know where our old house was located in Newton Hall. I know I have probably spent too much time and energy on this search. Why do I keep looking? A very good question. I think there is something inside me that needs to know, needs to affirm or confirm who I am or who I was back then. There are times I still think about that girl and wonder what might have been. There are times of sadness that I cannot remember why that child hit me or why it has remained in my mind all these years. There are also times I feel angry that my parents are unable to fill these information gaps for me so that I can, finally, put my mind at ease about where we lived during that first year in a new country. Perhaps I will never know and I suppose I will have to live with it. But it makes me sad and it is the kind if sadness I seem unable to shake off and detach myself from once and for all.

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Travel Memories: Mumbai, India

The Canny Traveler — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 03:43:46 +0000

In early 2011, the company I used to work for acquired a major project from a very large and important client. In order to keep costs low it was decided to utilize employees at our India facility. However, because the project was highly complex someone needed to go to Mumbai to train the team to perform the required tasks. Thus, I found myself first on a flight to Istanbul and then onwards to Mumbai. I had never been to India before and never really had a desire to go either so I was definitely feeling excited but also apprehensive. During the flight I spent most of my time either dozing or preparing final training schedules for the large team I was soon to meet. Arrival in a strange place Like most large airports, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is an isolated bubble of convenience and cleanliness. I have never taken airports to represent the country or city they serve since they have one purpose and one purpose only, namely to greet passengers with a smiling face of superficiality. I knew someone would be there to meet me and take me to the apartment that had been arranged for the trip. Exiting the baggage collection and customs area I saw a fairly tall man holding a sign with my name on it. Unfortunately, he only spoke a few words of English. We exited the main terminal and I was immediately struck by the smell, poor air, and pervasive humidity. Welcome to India I thought to myself. From the airport to Navi Mumbai It was monsoon season and the roads were filled with holes. Rusty shacks lined the highway as taller, more modern buildings pierced the skyline. I could feel the humidity, I could feel the dirt and pollution. It was overwhelming in its stickiness and clung to me in a way I was never able to get rid of no matter how many times a day I showered. I had seen poverty before in the slums of Mexico City or the townships surrounding Johannesburg but somehow this was different, somehow it was more disturbing to my senses. Like many Third World countries, the stark contrasts between rich and poor, developed and undeveloped were very much present that night as we drove the 2 hours or so from the airport to Navi Mumbai. Taken with a pinch of salt, Navi or “New” Mumbai seemed to me to be just a large collection of residential buildings interspersed with office blocks, shops, and restaurants. But the same smells, the same pollution, and the same overbearing humidity was everywhere. Work and play As I said, I was there on business. I spent 10-12 hours a day in an air-conditioned office (unless there were power outages, which was a frequent occurrence) and had little time to explore my surroundings. Nor did I have any real desire to do so. There was not much to see in Navi Mumbai though I am sure if one had a guide there might have been parks or other areas worth seeing. One of the senior managers offered to show me around Mumbai and I was glad for the chance to see something other than the office or apartment where I was staying. As we wandered around some of the older parts of Mumbai I felt as if I was wandering through parts of central London. The buildings, the architecture, the atmosphere reminded me of places I was familiar with and it seemed even more incongruous with the slums I had seen as we approached the city. Such start contrasts are common in developing or under-developed countries. Perhaps I am too sensitive, but I doubted I would ever get used to it. I must admit I was very impressed by Mumbai Train Station and Gateway of India. It was also fascinating to see the street vendors with various types of goods for sale, the food stands with many options on offer, and of course the markets with fruits and vegetables I had never seen (or heard of in some cases). Good to know The taxis are usually air-conditioned but fairly expensive. Traveling in an auto rickshaw is very cheap and lots of fun but be prepared for a bumpy, crazy ride. Trains are an experience no matter how you look at it and while relatively affordable be prepared to squeeze in where you can and know that there are separate carriages for men and women. Food prices in India are, for a foreigner, ridiculously cheap. I ate three course meals in some very nice places for less than $8 in some cases. But, check the menu prices carefully because you pay more to sit in the air-conditioned part than outdoor seating or areas where there is no cooling. I knew India was going to be hot and humid so I went with sandals. As it turns out that was a huge mistake during monsoon season. Not only are the potholes in the roads and pavements often deeper than you might think, but the mud is so thick that even with washing my sandals a few times in the shower I could not get them clean. Eventually, I gave up and threw them away and went and bought closed shoes the next day at a large shopping mall. Final words India was a shock to the system for me and, though this may sound like a cliché, it grew on me. Imperceptibly and surprisingly I began to grow accustomed to the surroundings and found myself even starting to like what I saw. In total, I spent 6 weeks spread over two trips working in Mumbai and by the time I came back for the second trip I found I was becoming enchanted with the place. I even considered going back at some point, not on business, to explore other cities and parts of the country. I never did return nor am I sure if I ever will but my impressions of this magical, mysterious country will remain with me for a long time. Safe journeys! if you enjoyed this article, check out my other travel memories post here.

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Traveling in a Time of Crisis

The Canny Traveler — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 03:18:59 +0000

In our globally connected world, we are facing an unprecedented crisis. Not only has travel and tourism been decimated by the current pandemic but we also face a crisis of confidence. For all our technological and medical advances, despite our ability to communicate across countries and continents, we have been made aware of our frailty and mortality by a small, invisible but dangerous virus. This is not the first time of course that humanity has had to deal with such pandemics. Our history provides more than enough evidence of global catastrophe, of human suffering, of intolerance and indifference, and sadly of arrogance. Even during times of crisis and pandemics we travel. It is in our blood. It is inscribed in our genetic code. We need to move, to run away, to explore, to see what is on the other side. Because, more than anything, we hope it will be better, safer. Or perhaps we have just become accustomed to too many luxuries, become too lazy and selfish. Tips for safe travel I do not claim to know what is the best or safest way to travel. All I can do is share my experiences and thoughts on the matter and offer some travel tips for those wishing to venture out there. Option 1: by train I personally think traveling by train is the way to go if you are not in a huge hurry to get to your destination. Nowadays, trains are generally clean and safe and you can often practice social distancing better than in a bus or plane. I also think trains are romantic. I would love to travel on the Orient Express or Trans-Siberian Express, two of the world’s classic train journeys. I also find train stations fascinating and a perfect place to people watch, to observe both singles and groups in their migratory patterns. Option 2: by plane This is obviously the quickest, usually safest, and very often the cheapest option to travel in our modern world. But even with sanitary precautions and advanced air systems I would not feel comfortable sitting on a plane for even a few hours with a mask. It’s just me, but I find it claustrophobic at the best of times wearing a mask let alone on a potentially cramped plane to who knows where. Option 3: bus In the old days, this was often how I traveled from place to place. Buses were cheap, usually comfortable and you got to see more scenery than by other means of transport. Plus, I met some wonderful people traveling on buses and those memories will always remain with me. But with the need to practice social distancing, I am in two minds as to whether this is a safe way to travel during this time. Option 4: on foot Those familiar with classic religious and secular literature will know that pilgrimages were usually conducted on foot unless you were lucky enough to be a noble or member of the clergy who could afford a horse. There is something quite romantic about the notion of moving from one place to another powered only by your own feet and will. Is it practical nowadays? Almost certainly not. Is it a safe way to travel? Possibly, but I guess it all depends on where you are. Preparations for travel Traveling is not just about packing your bags, making sure you have your tickets, passport, and money ready. I believe it is also about being mentally prepared. Knowing the laws or restrictions of the country you are leaving from and the one you are going to is very important. Check the websites of government and health agencies to understand what you may need to do or bring to be safe. Check travel website and blogs for more travel tips. The more information you have, the easier things will go. During the journey To the extent possible, practice social distancing. Wear a mask at all times. Wash your hands often and thoroughly. Take music to listen to, a book or magazine to read, a notepad to keep a diary or just write down random thoughts or ideas. Drink lots of fluids, especially on planes. Once you arrive Make sure to follow any instructions from local authorities regarding health and safety. Try and make an effort to learn a few words of the local language, if relevant, and always try and smile and be pleasant. Even if you are tired or frustrated, a smile or a thank you can go a long way to making your journey more pleasant and you will find people are more willing to help. Final words Is it safe to travel during a pandemic? Is it selfish to do so for personal reasons, like a holiday? I am unsure about both matters. On the one hand, I think we are better off putting our personal needs aside for now and waiting until the worst of it is over, hopefully. On the other hand, I understand people’s need to get away, to have a break and try and forget the lockdowns and other hardships. At the end of the day, every person needs to be at peace with their conscience and know what is best or right for them. Personally, I have decided to forego personal travel for the foreseeable future. I also see this is an opportunity to plan ahead for possible future travels, to reflect upon past experiences, and perhaps to learn more about myself during the process. Hopefully, some of these travel tips will help you have a smooth experience both now and in the future. Safe journeys! Did you enjoy this article? Check out more articles with travel tips here.

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Historic Places I Love: Callanish Standing Stones, Isle of Lewis

The Canny Traveler — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 03:23:35 +0000

The cultural and historical past has always fascinated me and there are few places more enticing than Callanish Standing Stones on the Isle of Lewis. This magical, mysterious place evokes memories of peoples long lost in the mists of time. What’s special about it? Everyone knows about Stonehenge, but the Neolithic Standing Stones at Callanish offers insights into the spiritual and social activities of the peoples who inhabited these beautiful but harsh Outer Hebridean islands. Why here? What was their purpose? We can only speculate for the most part but when you wander around it becomes obvious that this must have been a special place even back then. How to get there My starting point was the ferry terminal in Tarbert but your route depends on whether you arrived here or in Stornoway. Things to see & do nearby Dun Carloway Broch I definitely recommend a trip to Carloway Broch, one of the oldest in Scotland. This Iron Age structure is remarkably well preserved and offers yet more insights about how people once lived on the islands. Gearrannan Blackhouse Village To see how islanders lived up in to the 20th century, a trip to the blackhouses is definitely something I recommend. Carefully and lovingly restored the village also offers overnight accommodation (but book very early to make sure you get the place you want). It must have been a harsh but somehow rewarding life living here. Norse Mill & Kiln For another fascinating insight into the history of the islands, visit the Norse Mill & Kiln which was used up until the 1930s. Useful resources https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/calanais-standing-stones/ https://www.calmac.co.uk/ Final words The Outer Hebrides contain numerous places worth visiting but I had always wanted to go to Lewis & Harris and especially the Standing Stones at Callanish; I was not disappointed in the least. If you liked rugged landscapes, natural beauty, history and a deep sense of tradition then a trip here will be well worth it. And be prepared for all kinds of weather. We were there in July and it was cold and wet! Not that it stopped us having a wonderful time! If you enjoyed this article, see our picks for the best things to see and do in Scotland.

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Street Food I Love: Pepito’s, Jerusalem

The Canny Traveler — Sun, 14 Jun 2020 03:35:35 +0000

I love sandwiches and wraps, especially with beef or chicken. So, when I heard about a place serving Latin American street food in the Machane Yehuda shuk in Jerusalem I just knew I had to give it a go. Before saying anything else, I have to point out I was not disappointed at all. Pepito’s is a small, hole-in-the-wall place but don’t let that deter you. If you are looking for somewhere to enjoy a long, leisurely meal this might not be for you. But if you want food prepared and served with love then you must go there. What’s special about it? Owned and run by a young couple from South America, Pepito’s is the kind of place we all dream about. Latin warmth, great food, and the hustle and bustle atmosphere of the shuk combine to make for a heady mixture of culinary and sensory delight. Originally in a small alleyway, Pepito’s has now moved to Agrippas Street, the main thoroughfare running to the shuk. However, it has lost none of its charm and the food is as good as ever. How to get there My route takes you from the top of Ben Yehuda Street by King George Street but feel free to explore and find on your own. My top recommendations According to the website, the signature dishes are La Bomba and La Morena and I have to say I totally agree. The asado in La Bomba was very tender and full of flavor and the condiments were just right. La Morena also has asado (did I mention I love asado?) so it was a perfect choice for me. The food is filling and I did not leave feeling hungry but definitely take an appetite with you. Useful resources https://www.pepitosisrael.com/ Final words Among the many small food places that have opened up in the shuk over the last few years, Pepito’s has to be one of my favorites. The couple who run the place are warm and friendly, the food is clearly prepared and served with love, and I cannot say enough but to recommend you go there if you are a foodie who loves trying new things or just looking for a satisfying experience in a great atmosphere. Want to read more about our top food picks? Check out our article on what’s on offer in Munich

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Cities I Love: San Francisco, California

The Canny Traveler — Wed, 06 May 2020 13:14:24 +0000

I arrived in California from Tijuana in October 1987 after spending about 3 weeks in Mexico. A female friend offered to let me stay at her place and together we explored northern California. Even though I only spent 2 days in San Francisco my impressions were strong enough that I often dreamed of going back and even living there. For me, San Francisco was almost like coming home. The Victorian houses, steep streets, parks, and quaint bookstores reminded me of places I had been in Europe. To this day I can remember wandering around and feeling this must be a wonderful place to live, to have so much right on your doorstep. What’s special about it? I loved the Victorian homes, I was enchanted by the Golden Gate Bridge and Presidio, and I really loved the street cars. It felt like stepping back in time to a better world. Call me a romantic but I really like things like that even if it is more of a touristy thing to do. I usually walk as my preferred means of getting around and I spent hours just wandering around areas like Fisherman’s Wharf, Russian Hill, and of course walking down the world-famous Lombard Street. Precious memories of a special time and special place! How to get there San Francisco is well served with many transportation options and I leave it up to each person to decide on the best means of getting to the city. Things to see & do nearby Chinatown A must-see for any visitor to the city, Chinatown can be easily reached from Union Square. San Francisco Cable Car Museum Definitely worth a visit for the history and importance to the development of the city. City Lights Booksellers & Publishers No visit would be complete without peeking in at the famous independent bookstore and publishing house. Wind up your tour with a stop to people watch and enjoy some refreshments at Fisherman’s Wharf. Useful resources https://www.inside-guide-to-san-francisco-tourism.com/chinatown-san-francisco.html http://www.cablecarmuseum.org/ https://www.visitcalifornia.com/attraction/golden-gate-bridge Final words Sadly, I never made it back to San Francisco but who knows, maybe one day… Whatever time of year you decide to go make sure to plan ahead, pack appropriate clothing, and travel safely at all times.

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