Honor the Past - Tokyo

A woman rests in old Tokyo 

Nassau Conch Salesmen

This guy, battered by the sun on the tourist-rich banks of mega-cruise central Nassau, hawks his wares. Plucked from the sea, the man sells sea stars and conchs and what appears to be a basket of fruits. Keep on keeping on Nassau conch salesman.

Zurich Accordion Player

Caught this guy playing a haunting rhythm in a nook in Zurich

Zurich - just passed dusk

 The waterfront in Zurich, lit up like gold at night

Great place to rent a tuxedo - Menguin

Menguin is an online tuxedo rental company that saves penguins in Patagonia and rents out the coolest tuxedos with 24/7 customer service. They also make it super easy - takes about 5-10 minutes to rent and get fitted online, way easier than going to a store. 

They offer a ton of stuff and if you need to rent a tux, then you should definitely check Menguin out.

A hidden gem - Smith's Beach in Turks and Caicos

We have snorkeled in most Caribbean and Atlantic nations, and I have to say my favorite spot in the Caribbean is Smith's Beach on Providenciales in Turks and Caicos. We stopped here on our way to the airport on our last day in Provo, and I still regret leaving that great aquatic morning experience. It really has three great things going for it:   

1. It is hard to get to and thus abnormally empty relative to the quality of the reef/beach. This also makes it an intrinsically rewarding place to stumble upon.
2. It is a very healthy reef with a ton of aquatic critters.
3. It is located close to world class Grace Bay

Show up with a mask and some fins and have at it. We saw a few turtles and a ton of interesting fish and reef formations. This would be a perfect place to do a mid day picnic with some treats from  Graceway Gourmet. I will give detailed directions at the end of this post.

Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos

First cold day of Fall fell upon Atlanta today, and I could not help but wish I was in Turks and Caicos.  Good lord that place is awesome. Here are some of my shots of Grace Bay by Provo in Turks and Caicos.

Dancing with ghosts at Tikal in Guatemala

In the 19th century, a gum sapper by the name of Ambrosio Tut stumbled upon an ancient city deep in the jungles of Guatemala. The Mayan are on full display here and the ethereal quality of their forgotten and refound ancient glory runs deep. There are temples to explore and the jungle still holds more secrets - there is no doubt. Hidden beneath roots and under soft Guatemalan soil is a forgotten world that has slowly emerged. We can let go of the past, but sometimes the past does not want to let go of us. A gripping place.

Pacaya Volcano Guatemala

Even the Guatemalan volcanic highlands are within Coca Cola's grasp 

Giant robot in Tokyo

Towering over a massive mall, smoking from the shoulder like a badass

The edge of the future, Portugal

Some people stare as the explorers leave.

Antigua, Guatemala - the best place in Guatemala

Guatemala is an incredibly underrated country, often passed over for Belize, Costa Rica, and Mexico. But. There is an immense amount of culture and beauty within Guatemala. Nowhere is this more evident than in Antigua.

Like a town lost in time on a cloud, Antigua feels aloof to the modern age. Impeccably charming, safe, and enticing, every corner brings an excitement with it. Curious buildings and hallowed out ruins and preserved artifacts of colonial brilliance conspire to create an unreal collection of a place in time. It feels like the past effortlessly disregarding the present. It looks like something out of a remembered dream, just passing by as you pass through.