Europe
Brussels to Vientiane
The wait is over! After months of waiting and a few days getting Noe’s travel feet wet in Brussels, the real adventure is about to begin!
Brussels: Ixeles & Bourse
Exploring the Brussels neighborhoods of Ixeles and Bourse with a three-month-old in tow while Lori attends orientation for her new job.
Bruges Day Trip (Pt.1)
Lori didn’t have to report to work until Tuesday, so we spent Monday on a day trip to charming and historic Bruges.
Brussels: Arrival
Belgium is one of those countries that I enjoyed a whole lot more than I thought I would. I mean, what’s not to love about a country whose major exports include some of the best beer, chocolate and waffles on the planet?
Portland to Brussels
By his seventeenth it was pretty clear that Noe was starting to get bored with wineries, so we got on a plane and moved to Laos. While that might not be entirely true, the weather leaving Portland was a good sign it was time to move on.
Istanbul: Asia and the Land Walls
Our fifth and final day offered a glimpse of Istanbul’s ancient past and promising future, as we trekked the city’s 2,600-year-old ramparts, had tea in view of a legendary island tower, and took a quick trip from Europe to Asia on a subway.
Istanbul: Boat Up the Bosphorus
The Istanbul Bosphorus cruise was a surprise highlight of our Turkey visit. Here’s our complete trip report from doing it on the cheap.
Istanbul’s Mysterious Underworld
What happens when empires build cities upon empires? A lot of cool stuff gets buried in the process.
Istanbul: Exploring Galata & Taksim
We visit infamous Taksim Square where protests/ clashes with security forces made headlines recently — but not before we visit hippie-alternapunk-central.
Istanbul: Suleymaniye & New Mosque
Exploring two of Istanbul’s mighty mosques: the mammoth and magnificent Süleymaniye, and the lively New Mosque.
Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace & Grand Bazaar
A delicious Turkish breakfast, a tour through Topkapi Palace, an amble through the Grand Bazaar round out the morning of our second full day in Istanbul.
Istanbul: Cradle of Civilizations
Istanbul — heaving with 14 million people and millennia of rich culture and history at every corner may have shattered our hopes of ever landing on such a discovery again.