This is the 4×4 we took about an hour into the jungle on an old  logging road.

In this picture you are able to see the ocean along with some of the other islands

This is way out in the middle of nowhere.  This is Cannibal country!  The last recorded practice of Cannibalism in this part of the country was about 120 yrs ago.  Last “recorded”.  They say they don’t eat people anymore but I think its all a hoax.  They joke about cooking you up with this weird look in their eye….I don’t know its a little freaky!

A remote village in the middle of the Jungle.  These people are completely self sufficient, they go into town maybe once a year.  The jungle itself is like one big supermarket for them.  If you notice there is the house and then there is another structure to left.  Every house has one,  they use this as their kitchen because heverything is cooked on an open fire

An man working his crop.

One of the Village kids

Drying out some Kava for later later use

A typical house in the jungle.  Made with bamboo!

These are the guides that took us Kyaking.  Do you see the Kava bowl?  Before entering the Luva River we had to go to the nearby village and present the Chief  with some Kava and ask for permission to enter his river.  The guides did most of the talking because we ovioulsly don’t speak the native language.

Me and the Chief of  the Nakavika Village.  His legs are covered because he is paralized from an accident.  A very nice and wise man, he actually spoke very good English.  Can you believe his parents and possibly himself once practiced Cannabalism! 

The grandchildren of the Chief

Me and my new pals!

A view of the Nakavika Village

Before entereing the village we had to put these wraps on.  Traditional male skirts that are worn by all Fijian men.  It was a respect thing for the Chief and the Village

Treking down to the river for some kyak action!

Fresh Fiji water!

We hiked to a waterfall

Lets go for a swim!!!

Hiking deep in the middle of nowhere!

A local  we passed on our hike.  We weren’t sure if he was doing some farming or he was about to chop our heads off, and cook us up for lunch!

This kid is riding a piece of Bamboo down the river!

Asking Buddha for some guidance

This is the temple that overlooks Pattaya, Thailand. The town we stayed in

This is a picture of the Monk who blessed me. It was a very moving experience. After the blessing he gave me a bracelet to wear made of thread. I’m supposed to wear it until it falls off. When it does I guess it means it has done its thing.

These pics are from a Chinese Buddhist Temple not far from the other one

The Lion of Buddha, He is the one who protects, and bring health and wealth. This is what my tattoo is of.

If your wondering why BJ is not in any of these photos, it is because he fell ill and so i had to make the trek alone.

We took a boat to a remote Island about 10 miles off the coast of Thailand, and we trekked it up this mountain top to the temple. This picture was taken from about half way up.

This is where the monks lived

After trekking up to where the road ended we had to hike up 250 steep steps to get to the temple in the forest that overlooked the whole Island

Bj gaining Enlightenment

Me asking for more guidance

You are supposed to pray and throw a coin in the middle of the foot for good luck. This at the top of the mountain.

At the end of the 250 steps this what we came upon

Me contemplating life.

Random Buddha statue in the middle of forest

The pate to Enlightenment

The bracelet given to me by the monk after my blessing

An interesting evening of tradition Thai dancing

This is “Walking Street”. The Bourbon Street of Pattaya

The live music here was actually quite good. Mostly American hip-hop and R&B covers.

Hennesy my new favorite

This guy was totally serious!

The view from the back of the taxi. Yes, this is a Thai taxi.

Hmmm. I wonder what that place is???

Motor bike taxi’s waiting to rip off tourist!

Ronald, I had no Idea that you were a Buddhist!

Moe Moe play pool!

I whooped some Thai butt.

The waitresses at the bar we frequented. They loved us, because we tipped so good. 1 baht = $.32

The cutest little girl in the world. Until she ripped my glow necklace off and ran away because I wouldn’t give her more than 20 Baht for it.

Weirdo!!

Walking Street late night

Late night Taxi Ride

This guy didn’t like it when I pointed him out in the tank. He soon ended up on our plates

The Thai Jimmy Hendricks. He was actually pretty good.

A fierce competitor

Thai bar game

You can pretty much buy any thing you want here.

Vee Dub Love. Thai style

You can’t go to Thailand and not check out a little Muay Thai

My new best friend.

There are a lot of stray dogs here. It was late, he came up to me while I was people watching and wanted some love. How could I not, I needed a little love myself.

Buffalo Mozzarella

Salmon

Roman Artichoke

Danish meat.  One of the best steaks I ever had

Fresh Italian Pineapple

Seafood Risotto

Traditional Roman Pasta

Shrimp in a Cognac sauce

Peppercorn Filet

Roman Artichoke

Procuitto with melon

Parmasan

Pasta and clams

Oso Bucco

More Buffalo Mozzarella

Buffalo Mozzarella

Tomatoe Basil Jelly.  It was amazing!

Black Octopus soup.  Never thought it would be good, but is was awsome!

Minestrone w/ sausage

Chicken Meatballs w/ Ricotta

Veal Meatloaf, served cold

Ravioli with a Walnut cream sauce

Pasta with truffle oil

Beef Peposo

Quail

Tomatoes

Tullio Restaurant

Piazza Navona

My family friend Marrizio, he owns a bar right of the Piazza Navona.

Marrizzio and his staff,  Katie and Laura.  Oh and thats me

Vatican City

Sorry no pics from inside the chapel, they were not allowed.  What I can say is it was beautiful and moving!

The ruins of Ancient Rome

This is the very spot where Julios Cesar was creamated 

Our personal tour guide, thanks again to Salvatore!  He knew erything about everything

Most beautiful arch in Rome, buit for Constantine.

Outside of our hotel.  Piazza Minerva

Our driver and our car. Thanks to my friend Salvatore in Chicago!  Hooking it up!  Thanks buddy!

This is actually the front door of the guy of whom America is named after.  Notice the V and the bee above the door.  His name was Amerigo Vespucci! This picture was taken in the town of Monte Fiorelle.  A town that was built in 9th century!

The same town

1960 Vino!

1979!  This stuff is as old as me!

That was our first stop!

Dates back to the 9th century!

MEAT!!

Balsamic Vinegar aged over 25 years!

This shit is older than us!

Our second stop.

Franco! You’re zeee best!!

Vin Santo   1987!!!!

Wine tastign room  Matigliari

Tasting Balsamic Vinagar

Yummy!

Gasoline!!!!!

Hmmmm…..Which way to go???  Don’t worry, Franco knows!!!

So many choices!!!!

Truffle oil……We shipped some back, but only the select few will be able to taste it!

Franco, our driver and guide!  He is zeeee best!!!

Can you say, wine mouch!!!!

Ehhhhh!  You talkin to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The ancient enterance to Florence

Statue of the woman who bares all the weight of Florence,  such a great monument!

How about some Chianti w/ dinner?

Buca Mario est. 1886

Liver Pate anyone?

Fesh raw artichoke salad

Pasta w/ a wild boar sauce

Gnocci w/ a tomatoe basil sauce

Tuscan sausage w/ a tomatoe sage sauce with beans

Veal Knucke

Empty!!!

Compliments of the Chef.  Truffle foam with mushrooms, flower peddles and some sort of green sauce.  Lets not forget the Parmasan crustini

Lobster with citrus.  The lobster had a clementine or something on top.  The dots of sauce were Lime, lemon, and some sort of cocktail sauce.

Great Wine!  I suggest you try it if you can get it wherever you are!

Mushroom Risotto with a slice of cheese in the middle.  Absolutley wonderful

I forgot………

Veal cooked in a crust of salt, served tableside.  The best I have ever had

The Veal after it was plated

Chips, with parsly in between them

Mussels and clams in a white wine, butter, and garlic sauce. 

Gnocci w/ a Gorgonzola cream sauce

More Veal

Nicoise Salad

5 star club sandwich!!!

Water taxi to the hotel

Pic I took at the our dinner table.

Our hotel

Pic I took through a mirror

Water taxi to Morano to look at some glass work

Venice!!

Master glass blower in Morano

These chandaliers are amazing.  Can you say $80,000

If I had $2,500 I would have bought it.  I have to come back when I’m rich.

BJ’s new investment!!!!  The start of his appreciation for art!  Not cheap… 

Lobby of our hotel

DHL Venice style!

Piazza San Marco

Piazza San Marco

On the way to the train station.

Venezia Monks

this would be equivilent to the intersection at Millawaukee, Damen, and North Ave!

The train we took to Florence

Ciao Venezia!!!

Italian countryside on the way to Florence

The plane we took from Vienna to Venice

The Austrian countryside of Vienna

 Our new friend Jim from the UK!  Great guy, the plane ride wouldn’t have been the same without him.  Cheers, Jim!

A little photo of the prop, turned out pretty good!

Spring Rolls at the hotel

Beef!!

Your typical 5 star cheese burger

Club Sandwich

Traditional Ukranian food  Chicken Kiev, and some other stuff we have no Idea what the name is

Room service after a night out on the town

Chicken, beef, and lamb Satay

Duck Breast with Carmalized grapes

Some sort of Beef something

Ice cream with fresh berries

Room Service once again after a long night out

Morrocan food!!!!

Halibut and Foi Gras.  One of the best dishes I have ever had!

Ukrainian Bruchetta

Assorted smoked fishes……Breakfast at the hotel

After a nice relaxing time at Marakesh is was time to hit Club Arena , VIP style!!!

So we started the night at a local Ukrainian Bar, our friend who is local took us to. The bar was having a belated Halloween party.  We learned the Ukraine just started to celebrate this holiday 2 yrs ago!  So now I guess they dress up all week.

Some new friends!

More new friends!