Golden Day in the Emirates
Dubai has a tropical desert climate and the weather gets insanely hot! With summer temperatures reaching an average 106 degrees, it would be easy enough to just to stay indoors, lounge on the couch, and remain completely sheltered from the sun… easy enough, only… you’re in Dubai! You’re in an Arabian paradise, the crown jewel of the Emirates!
With Rebecca as my partner in crime, we set off to steal some of that summer fun unique to this Arab Emirate city. Fortunately for us, Dubai has countless recreational activities and fun events for indoors or outside.
Photos snapped from our taxi cab as we race towards this phenomenal city in the Emirates. (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Asia and tagged Dubai, emirates, United Arab Emirates by Big John with no comments yet.
A Leatherneck with a Saxophone Takes to the Pacific
In this article, A Leatherneck with a Saxophone Takes to the Pacific, we will embark on a historical journey and travel back to a time when the entire world was engulfed in war. Along the way, you will meet a patriotic young man with a love for his country and a song in his heart. This post is a brief glimpse into the life of a leatherneck who carried his trusty saxophone into war and brought the joy of music deep into the hellish jungles of the Pacific.
This particular Marine has a special place in my heart for he is my paternal grandfather, Richard Edwin Cutler. Though I never had the privilege of really getting to know him, I’ve heard the extraordinary music he once created could jazz up even the most unlikely of venues.
My grandfather, Cpl. Richard Edwin Cutler, standing tall in his U.S.M.C. uniform (circa 1943). (more…)
Posted in Asia, Historical Journeys and tagged leatherneck, marine corps band, saxophone, USMC, WW2 by Big John with 9 comments.
Diary of a Higgins Boat Sailor in the Pacific
Robert (R.C.) Triebull, a Higgins Boat Sailor in the Pacific
When one thinks of travel and adventure, a pleasant and well-planned vacation most often comes to mind. There are times, however, when a person is thrown into the midst of an epic adventure that becomes both unpleasant and entirely unpredictable. When speaking of these journeys, there are none more honorable than those enterprises of selfless service where life and liberty hangs precariously in the balance.
(more…)Posted in Adventurous Places, Asia, Historical Journeys and tagged Hawaii, Higgins boat, US Navy, Waikiki, World War II by Big John with 20 comments.
Scrumptious Confections from Around the Globe
One of the most exciting aspects about international travel can be the simple joy of sampling new desserts. If you’re a globetrotter with a sweet tooth, you know I’m speaking your language.
In the following article I’ve compiled an assorted list of scrumptious confections from around the world. If you’re currently not traveling, no need to feel left out. I’ve included the complete recipe for each dessert featured; this way you won’t have to journey any further than your own kitchen to enjoy these tastes from around the globe.
Banana Fritters
Chinese migrant workers first introduced banana plants to Queensland in the 1800s. Since then, the taste of this sweet pulpy fruit has become an Australian favorite. The banana fritter is not only delicious, it makes for a low-fat , high-fiber dessert.
Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Ready In: 15 mins
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 2 tablespoons of milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon of margarine
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1 pinch of nutmeg
- 1 quart of vegetable oil (for frying)
- 1 cup of confectioner’s sugar (for dusting)
Directions:
First, in a large bowl mash the bananas. Mix in milk, eggs and margarine until it’s completely smooth. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir these dry ingredients into your banana mixture.
Next, heat the oil in a deep fryer or heavy bottomed pan to 375 degrees F or 190 degrees C. Drop batter by spoonfuls into hot oil, and cook, turning once, until browned 2 to 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels and dust with confectioners’ sugar. This may not be the prettiest dessert but they sure are tasty. (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Great Dining, North America, South America and tagged culture foods, desserts, scrumptious confections by Big John with no comments yet.
Dubai is a Desert Oasis in a Digital Age
Out of all the Emirates in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is the most famous. This free-trade, technological city literally sprang up out of the desert in just a few short decades. Dubai is a desert oasis in a digital age. Now the sprawling metropolis is a world-class travel destination and it was my home away from home for the majority of 2011. This is a photographic journal I created during my time spent in this futuristic city.
Standing in front of the Burj Al Arab (world’s most luxurious hotel).
While Dubai is certainly an oil-rich emirate, tourism has become an important part of the city government’s strategy to maintain the flow of foreign cash pouring into the emirate. Dubai’s lure for tourists is based mainly on shopping, making it the “shopping capital of the Middle East”. Visitors no doubt als travel to this United Arab Emirate to experience the countless number of other ancient and modern attractions. As of 2018, Dubai is the fourth most-visited city in the world based on the number of international visitors. (more…)
Posted in Adventurous Places, Asia and tagged desert oasis, Dubai by Big John with 13 comments.