TravelStream™ news feed for member trent on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/trent en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:54:17 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1258228936/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1258228936/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1258228936/tpod.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:54:17 -0500 Travels in 2008 and beyond.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Madain Saleh, Saudi Arabia

Madain Saleh (مدائن صالح), aka Al-Hijr, is a pre-Islamic ancient city in northern Saudi (estimated at around 4th century BC).  It's importance lied in being linked to the old trade routes to Syria, Egypt, and even back to Mesopotamia.  It was created by the Nabataeans (1st century BC), who also built the ancient capital of Petra.It has a long an intriguing history, the most interesting, to me, is that many Muslims believe the place ot be cursed and refuse to go there!  Apparently, the Qur’an states that the tribes living there fell into idol worship and that a prophet asked then to repent and sent them a pregnant camel as a peace offering.  The sacred animal was killed and consumed by the local!  As punishment, it is said that Allah struck the village with earthquakes and lightning bolts, destroying all non-believers.  So, many Muslims believe the place to be haunted by those spirits and it has a very superstitious reputation.Anyways, enough history!  We headed out to MS, by police escort of course.  After some typical Saudi bureaucracy, we entered the rocky dirt roads and rumbled our way around the archaeological site.  Not much to say really, tombs, tombs, everywhere tombs!  Amazing scenery and sites!  It has these amazing enormous sandstone rock formations set in the midst of golden sand dunes.  The landscape is stark, yet breathtaking...the emptiness of the land being dispelled only by its beauty.  In general, the tombs are grouped together, carved into the rocky/hillside/mountain formations.  The dry desert air helps preserve them and most entrances to the tombs have intricate carvings of faces, flowers (a carving of a rose signifies a place of animal sacrifice), and other symbols.  We hopped from a few tomb sites, to the old train station, to the Diwan, a magnificent area, seemingly like a canyon because it is enclosed by gigantic formations.  In here we hiked and rock scrambled all over.  A few of us climbed up to a small area that had pertroglyphs and OLD Islamic writings carved into the rock.  After that, we toured a few more tombs and then visited the Unique, Qasr al Farid, given its name as it'scompletely isolated from the other tombs.  I found this place to be the most impressive as it was carved out of one giant formation, its isolation from all others makes it seem like a place of great importance (whether it was or not).  Definitely a must-see place if you're ever in KSA!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1257770086/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1257770086/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1257770086/tpod.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:20:02 -0500 Travels in 2008 and beyond.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Al `Ulá, Saudi Arabia

Over the weekend, we (a group of about 20 teachers) set off for Al Ula, which is the nearest city to Madain Saleh, Saudi's premier archaeological site (but more on that in the next blog).  About a 4 hour drive from Hail, we piled up in cars and made the drive across the desert to Al Ula.  A few stops, driving 100 mph the whole way, we finally made it there.  There isn't too much to do in Al Ula, but there are a few interesting spots.  We went to Old Al Ula, which is the biblical city of Dedan.  Here, there are around 500 mud brick houses, all crumbling for lack of preservation.  It was quite interesting to walk and crawl around the ancient town with it's mud-covered thatched roofing and thick palm doors.  There are still a few wall paintings and even some door handles and locks.  IN the midst of the town is a restored castle, that offers expanse views of the surrounding area, which is surprisingly filled with green palm trees.  All of them amidst the white mosques and red rock mountains made for a rather picturesque sight.  After exploring the old area, we were escorted out to Al-Khuraibah (Lion's Tomb).  Though you can't enter it (excavation), the intriguing story about this place is that many Muslims believe it to be the landing place of Noah's Ark after the great flood, thereby making it the true cradle of civilization!  Whether true or not, who knows, but it re made the place much more interesting!That night we just chilled at our hotel, enjoyed the cool weather, and some of even enjoyed a night swim as the hotel decided to fill the pool due to our arrival.  Rock star treatment baby!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1257596096/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1257596096/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1257596096/tpod.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:11:54 -0500 Travels in 2008 and beyond.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Ha'il, Saudi Arabia

A few photos from my city in Saudi and a desert farm we visited.We went to a traditional Saudi restaurant, Thelathi, for some chicken, mutton, and baby camel.  It's not bad, but I liked the mutton better.The next night we went to a student's desert farm.  They grow peppers and relax outside of the city there.  I explored outside of the farm and came across a large sheep farm, met the herder Mohammed, and checked out their white camel. Our hosts were very gracious and served us snacks, tea, coffee, before cooking up a great bbq meal.  They cooked it Saudi-style, by dropping the chicken and rice down into a steel barrel buried in the ground.  With glowing embers at the bottom, they put in the food, sealed the barrel, and covered it with burlap bags.  Then they covered the whole thing with dirt and then sprayed water on top, I guess to put weight on the the top and seal it.  2.5 hours later we had some amazingly tender chicken!  After dinner, we relaxed outside on a large flat, tiled surface.  Our hosts brought out large beautiful rugs and then lined the walls with cushions.  We spent the rest of the evening laughing, conversing, and enjoying the stars above!The Saudis we've met here are SO friendly...very kind, devoted, polite, and helpful!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1255310805/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1255310805/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1255310805/tpod.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:21:59 -0500 Travels in 2008 and beyond.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Washington, Washington, D.C., United States

OK, my last little photo essay before I dive in to the Middle East!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1255310714/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1255310714/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1255310714/tpod.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:01:09 -0500 Travels in 2008 and beyond.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Colorado, Colorado, United States

Pics from a long summer in Colorado!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1255310633/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1255310633/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1255310633/tpod.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:18:37 -0500 Travels in 2008 and beyond.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Texas, Texas, United States

Photos from time spent in Texas and New Mexico over the summer.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1241382300/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1241382300/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1241382300/tpod.html Wed, 20 May 2009 19:09:18 -0400 Travels in 2008 and beyond.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Western Iceland, Iceland

The Golden Circle tour is Iceland's most popular as it takes you around the western area stopping by the big Geyser, Gullfoss (the big waterfall), and a few other highlights.  It's a great tour (and I generally dislike tours) and I highly recommend it, especially if you have limited time.  So here are some photos and captions!Travel Advice:  If you enjoy amazing natural beauty, unique animal sightings, partying, friendly people, or superb spas...somehow, someway {e.g. fly from Europe to the US (or vice versa) with Iceland Air, which provides free stopovers in Iceland,}go visit Iceland!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1241304900/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1241304900/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1241304900/tpod.html Tue, 12 May 2009 00:12:54 -0400 Travels in 2008 and beyond.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Keflavík, Iceland

After a cold morning of whale watching, I felt I deserved an afternoon at the world famous Blue Lagoon, Iceland's geothermal outdoor lava spa!  About 30 minutes outside of Reykjavik, the Blue Lagoon was created entirely by accident. In the 1970s, the Svartsengi geothermal plant began to discharge water rich in salt, algae and silica, which turned into a kind of caulk. A pool formed in the featureless lava fields in western Iceland, and when locals jumped in, they found that it cleared up symptoms of skin ailments like psoriasis.  The geothermal seawater originates 2000 meters (~6500 ft) below the earth's surface where the temperature is 464°F (240°C) and, apparently, the pressure is 36 times the pressure on the earth's surface.  The water temperature in the bathing area of the lagoon averages 104 °F (40 °C).  What else is there to say - I bathed, I tried the mud mask, I relaxed in the sauna, I felt the white mud squish between my toes, and I floated around in the arctic blue waters surrounded by black lava rocks and scenic mountains!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1241273640/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1241273640/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1241273640/tpod.html Thu, 07 May 2009 18:55:08 -0400 Travels in 2008 and beyond.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Reykjavík, Iceland

Although I arrived in Iceland with a killer headache, the astonishing natural beauty of the place was enough to distract me long enough to enjoy the phenomenal views on the ride into Reykjavik from the airport (about 45 minutes).  The area was obviously once just one giant lava field where they have carved out a beautiful city and surrounding area.  The black lava rocks are covered by a vibrant green algae and with white-capped mountains and arctic blue waters in the background, the scenery is simply amazing. Due to the debilitating headache, I didn't go out that night, but did wake up to a clear head, clear skies and a plan to go whale watching!  I ventured down to the harbor and found a boat (elding.com) and after a bus ride (going to a better area for spotting) we motored out into the cold sea.  Even if it had just been a boat ride it would have been great.  The waters are clean and clear, the weather was good, and ti was great to be outside.  I stood at the very front of the boat, which meant lots of cold wind and occasional splashes, but it also meant unobstructed views of the water.  everyone working on the boat was on the lookout for signs of the whales (blows) or dolphins (splashes).  Almost immediately, we spotted two humpback whales far off.  As the boat headed in their direction, we were able to see their large bodies bobbing in and out of the water, rhythmically gliding down the coastline.  They did a deep dive (they go down for about 5 minutes) and being that you can't tell where they will come up for air, we guesstimated and awaited their return.  There isn't much socialization on the boat as everyone is concentrating on spotting any type of sea life out there, but I enjoyed watching the seabirds swish around the sky while searching for a light snack.  Well, we guesstimated wrong and had to try to catch up to the whales before they dove again, which we didn't, but the next time we got fairly close and were able to take some decent photos of the two behemoths - amazing!  In fact, for my entries for Iceland you will probably be reading the word 'amazing' a lot!After spending some time with the humpbacks, the crew decided to push on and look for other sea life and we eventually located a group of white-spotted dolphins, but they were FAR out and we never got too close to them.  The next hour we cruised around the area searching, but had no luck.  One of the crewgirls claimed she spotted a Minke whale at one point, but no one else saw it and there were no other sightings of them.  However, on the way back into the harbor we came across the two humpbacks and followed them as they swam very close to the coast and past a harbor and I was thinking how 'amazing' it would be to have a house or apartment in that area and be able to just sit on your deck and watch whales and dolphins swim by randomly!  We floated with the two whales for 20 minutes and they continually kept giving us the flipper (haha) and then headed back in to port for the end of our whale watching tour.  Definitely something you should do if ever in Iceland!  Later today...the Blue Lagoon!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1240927980/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1240927980/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/trent/world_travels/1240927980/tpod.html Mon, 04 May 2009 23:24:15 -0400 Travels in 2008 and beyond.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

London, England, United Kingdom

London was 3 days of seeing old friends, visiting memorable sites, and seeing the most famous play in history.I flew into London in the afternoon and Katie (Scottish girl who went to UT when I did) and I went down and walked the Thames river (Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Sir Francis Drake's galleon) while waiting for our play to begin.  We went to a performance of Romeo & Juliet at Shakespeare's Globe theater.  Great theater to see a play!  Unfortunately Katie already had plans to leave for Scotland the next day, but was kind enough to let me crash at her pad for my time in London!The next day I met up with Bill (Scottish buddy who I met while living in Japan) and we checked out the Saatchi gallery, a modern art museum with 'interesting' works - I love how modern art can be anything, like 10 lifelike old men in wheelchairs randomly riding around a pristine white room!.  Then we walked and walked and walked ("just another 5 minutes" said Bill repeatedly) passing by Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and Soho.My last day in London, I went back to the Thames river area to view the Parliament area - Millenium wheel, Big Ben, Parliament, and Westminster Abbey.  Later, I met Paul (British friend who I met while traveling in St. Petersberg) near the Soho area and we ended the night in a club in Leicester Square.It was great seeing people after 9, 3, and 4 years!  Also, all the places I visited are world famous places that I have heard of ever since I was a little boy, so, obviously, it's always great to see such places.  Next, off to Iceland!
]]>