April 16, 2024 Holland America made a wise decision rerouting our ship, so we did not go to the Middle East. Today we were scheduled to be in Israel. I received an email from my good friend, Marty Shenkman, who is currently in Israel. He wrote “For a few hours we knew at least 100… Read more

April 13, 2024 After a thoughtful visit in Zanzibar, Tanzania I was looking forward to a relaxing day in Maputo, Mozambique. Like most African nations, Mozambique is not without a troubled past. The Mozambique Civil War was a civil war fought in Mozambique from 1972 until 1992. This war was between the Frelimo government, which… Read more

April 9, 2024 You may be wondering how did slavery end in Zanzibar. The answer may be different than what you assumed. Like many events throughout history, it was not the government that intervened but the work of the faith community that brought about change. Despite Britian’s criticism of slavery, the government hesitated to proclaim… Read more

April 9, 2024 When I was in my geography class in elementary school, I had to do a book report (remember them) on Zanzibar. I think it had to be 10 pages long, which seemed like a lot of pages at that time. I’m sure I supplemented the report with some colored drawings to reach… Read more

April 6, 2024 I often say that it is not the places you visit but the people you meet that makes travel meaningful. Hendrich is one such person. Chongae and I choose not to go to the breakfast buffet. The crispy bacon and “sticky buns” (cinnamon buns) seem to call me by name. Instead after… Read more

April 5,2024 The Seychelles are a group of 115 islands off the coast of east Africa. Most of the islands are uninhabited and 90% of the population lives in the capital city of Victoria, on Mahe Island. Creole, French and English are the primary languages spoken in that order. But beaches are the main draw.… Read more

April 1, 2024 Welcome to Male, Maldives. If you have heard of Maldives, it is probably because of the Adaaran Prestige, Vadoo, one of the resort islands for which the Maldives is best known. This is the 5-star resort on the nearby Maldives island of Vadoo which was the first here with over water bungalows… Read more

March 31, 2024 In People of the Lie, Psychiatrist M. Scott Peck, M.D., wrote evil people suffer from an extreme form of “self-protectiveness…Their “goodness” is all on the level of pretense. It is a lie…this is why they are “people of the lie.” They lie not to deceive others but to deceive themselves regarding their… Read more

March 28, 2024 I continue to learn from my travels. I find myself in geographical locations/environments whereas a Christian I am in a minority, which I somehow tend to like. It allows me to challenge and reaffirm my own faith. Many of the staff onboard the ship are from Indonesia and Bali in particular. Many… Read more

March 25, 2024 I shared in a previously post that “Many passengers clamor the arrival at the next port. Not me. It is rare that one has the opportunity to have a completely unobstructed view, yet with the exception of sighting flying fish and a school of dolphins only the grandeur of the endless horizon… Read more