https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/01/wealthy-americans-plans-leaving-united-states.html "For now, Malta remains the go-to second passport for the American rich. While expensive, at about $1 million to $1.2 million all-in, Malta’s investment citizenship program offers citizenship and unrestricted travel and residency in Malta and by extension the European Union, according to immigration attorneys. The EU has been challenging the Malta program in... Continue Reading →

November 7, 2024

Yosemite Valley flooding, and 175″ of snow at Tioga Pass (April 2023)

Spring floods are beginning! The water level at Pohono Bridge is rising and the daily surge height is increasing every day. How high will it go? https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?gage=pohc1&wfo=hnx April data. https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/11266500/#parameterCode=00065&period=P365D Mid June - 6 weeks later And if you want to understand why Tioga Pass is still closed... https://cdec.water.ca.gov/dynamicapp/QueryF?s=TES Wait...175 inches?? That is 4.8... Continue Reading →

April 25, 2023

Istanbul (March 2023) – part II – Dining

Dining. We read many, many reviews detailing poor food and various ripoffs at dining establishments in Old City/Beyoglu/Istiklal/Karakoy. Yet somehow all restaurants are rated 4.8 in Google. And many with significant numbers of one star reviews under those 4.8 average ratings. It started to sound like Venice - bad food, bad service, high prices. Perhaps... Continue Reading →

April 20, 2023

Naples (March 2023) – part I

Naples - how to think about it? Ancestral home of Pizza, my favorite food of all time. "Dangerous and dirty." Gateway to the Amalfi coast and Pompeii. The first place we've traveled to since the pandemic. First off I have to say we went too hard. We are the type that has to see everything.... Continue Reading →

April 19, 2023

Istanbul (March 2023) – part I

Istanbul for me used to be one of those crazy places that "regular" people don't go to, like Antarctica or the Olympics, and I got just that reaction from several people when told of our destination. What really planted the seed was our visit to St Mark's Cathedral in Venice which houses the Triumphal Quadriga,... Continue Reading →

April 19, 2023

Culture Shock: Tea and Bathrooms

We walked into EspressoLab on Istiklal street and for a moment I forgot where I was. Me: Do you have Iced Tea?Young, mod Turkish Server's expression says: What are you talking about.Me: You know, tea over ice.Server: Uh, OK?... But Turkish tea!Me (finally remembering I am not in Starbucks in the US): Never mind. Coke... Continue Reading →

April 19, 2023

Dining, French style

Mr A had alerted me that champagne was listed on the dinner menu in Air France Premium Economy. Steward: What would you like to drink?Me (eagerly): Champagne!Steward (with the slightest of sneers): Of course Madame, but that is your apertif, what will you have with your dinner?Me: Umm...Steward: With the white veal i suggest white.... Continue Reading →

April 19, 2023

Past Posts of Note

April 19, 2023

Hello fellow Weary Travelers!

In the name of progress, we've moved our blog here from vagawandering.com. And the name of continuity, here's the first post from that blog circa 2016: "This blog is meant to be a better way to capture our travel experiences in a way that others can share. Fellow travelers are looking for guideposts and specifics... Continue Reading →

April 19, 2023