There’s a Cobra in the Garage!

The most common cobra in Thailand, and on our island of Koh Lanta, is the Spitting Cobra. It has three different names, but it’s the same snake: The Indochinese Spitting Cobra, The Thai Spitting Cobra, (and my personal favorite) The Naja Siamensis Spitting Cobra. In Thai folklore the Cobra is associated with the Naga, a … Continue reading There’s a Cobra in the Garage! →

My Life as a Snake-Oil Salesman

Some life experiences are more embarrassing than others. Hence, I have long delayed writing this story. Over fifty years ago I travelled the world for two years as a backpacker. I have shared my story about being jailed in Munich, but that experience was nothing in comparison with the shame and degradation which I experienced … Continue reading My Life as a Snake-Oil Salesman →

A Song for Lory

We came together at the perfect time Two travelers looking for love and adventure We found in each other, it was meant to be, A friend, a lover, a partner for life Global nomads, we began our quest Embracing new cultures, and lifelong friends Every new port became our home We loved them all, equally … Continue reading A Song for Lory →

Nurgul’s Cows

Part 1 Norm’s History with Milk When I was growing up in Rosetown, Saskatchewan, milk was a big part of prairie life. My mother Beulah pushed milk as a daily shot of protein in the Flach family household. She always maintained that milk kept me and my three siblings healthy. In the 1950’s, every prairie … Continue reading Nurgul’s Cows →

Istanbul: Cruise on the Bosphorus

Filiz, Bill, Norm, Monique Part I Reunion in Istanbul We happened to get the warmest, sunniest March day for our cruise of the Bosphorus Strait. It was still a sweater and jacket day, but the bright sun was most welcome for this Kazakh tourist, fresh out of winter. In March 2015, Lory and I … Continue reading Istanbul: Cruise on the Bosphorus →

Richard Bunbury and the Rainbow Nation

I had the privilege of living in Nelson Mandela's Rainbow Nation for four years - 2004-2008. Lory and I loved our life there living in the "Crime Capital of the World" - Johannesburg. Yes bad things happened to people as a result of violent crime, but we always felt safe living the philosophy of … Continue reading Richard Bunbury and the Rainbow Nation →

Mangrove Way – Koh Lanta

Adventure on Koh LantaAs residents of the best island in the world, we are often asked, "What is there to do on Koh Lanta?" Now I admit that it takes very little to entertain Lory and I on our island. We are the quintessential beach people. We like to walk our dogs on the … Continue reading Mangrove Way – Koh Lanta →

Man’s Best Friend

For Chandini and Muishkin From Pakistan to Kazakhstan 2002 - 2015 The new additions - Chai Lai and Choo Chai We recently adopted two rescue dogs from the streets of Bangkok. Our life with Chai Lai and Choo Chai has just begun. We adopted these puppies on August 21, 2017 - two years after our … Continue reading Man’s Best Friend →

The Crumb Rubber Factory Tour

Pekanbaru, Sumatra 2010 Pekanbaru, Sumatra is not really a tourism destination. We lived on the Chevron Camp of Rumbai for six years. We tried to develop a few day trips here and there in order to entertain friends and family who were willing to visit us. As you cross the Siak River bridge from Pekanbaru … Continue reading The Crumb Rubber Factory Tour →

The Legend of Danny Jones

Northern Lights, Saskatchewan The Canadian Tundra 1975 Danny Jones was the son of a miner in Northern Lights, Saskatchewan. This small fly-in mining community was off the grid before the phrase “off the grid” had meaning. The main recreation of the residents of Northern Lights, besides hangin’ out in the pool hall or the beer parlor, … Continue reading The Legend of Danny Jones →