2019 and 2020 have been challenging years for Hong Kong. Protests against the local government, general population unrest, and as of this writing, the threat of a deadly coronavirus have rendered unto this megacity several blows that might take a few years to recover from. However, make no mistake about it, Hong Kong is still very much one of the world's great cities. Located at the crossroads of the West and China, this former British crown colony is one of the world's most significant financial centers, busiest commercial ports, and home to the highest number of skyscrapers of any city in the world. All photos were taken on a trip with friends, years ago. * To get an idea of how skyscraper-dense the HK skyline is, one must head to Victoria Peak, the highest point in the city!

After exploring Portugal's imperial capital, Lisbon, and its nearby seaside resorts and medieval towns, we prepared to make our way to España. Portugal and Spain, together, make up the Iberian Peninsula, and have a common history of both Muslim and Christian rule; yet they also share a common history of standing apart as separate kingdoms. * The Humberto Delgado Airport, also known simply as Lisbon Airport, is Portugal's main gateway to the world.

I personally love long drives. There is nothing quite like spending a day on the road looking at wonderful scenery armed with a good book or a solid podcast on my iPod (yes an iPod), to get the creative juices flowin' and the life batteries rechargin'. There was plenty of this to be had on our road trip from Copenhagen, Denmark to Stockholm, Sweden.   * Our trip would take us from Copenhagen, up the coast to the Danish city of Helsingor, where we would then board the ferry to take us across the Oresund strait, separating Denmark and Sweden, to arrive at the Swedish city of Helsingborg, continuing on across the Swedish countryside until we arrive at its capital, Stockholm.

...Venice becomes eerily beautiful! * People like to joke that Venice is one giant tourist trap!

Having had the pleasure of exploring three kingdoms so far ( Polish , Magyar-Hungarian , and Austrian ), we decided to take a detour to Western Europe and explore an old kingdom in one of Europe's most historically fragmented states, Germania . At its peak, the German Confederation was a loose association of 39 Germanic states including the Kingdoms of Prussia (Berlin), Saxony (Dresden), Hanover (Hanover), Wurttemberg (Stuttgart), and Bavaria (Munich).  Since we could only choose one Germanic city, we went for the area with the most castles, traditional villages, sausages, and beer, the home of the Oktoberfest , Munich ! * Arriving at the Marienplatz which has been Bavaria's main square since 1158 !

I can’t end my entry on our Greek travels without talking about one of my favorite parts of the whole trip: the Greek dogs!! Standing guard, walking around, but mostly sleeping; these HUGE (like Beethoven big), somewhat chubby, docile and friendly creatures can be found EVERYWHERE in the country!  And by everywhere, I mean even in friggin boutique stores! Apparently, these guys are every bit as important to the Greek state as its own citizens as they are constantly fed and protected by the local government and shop owners themselves. That’s some heart-warming stuff right there, people! * Outside Zara along Ermou St.

1.  Expanding my book collection No matter how integral a role the iPad now plays in my life, I will always prefer looking, touching and smelling a real book. * Books on History, Travel, Comics, Religion and Humor rule.

The hounds chilling out in a rare moment of  peace .

The  Incredible Hulk  has finally met his match! Can he withstand the brute force and glorious spectacle that is  the Shaggydog ?

Shaggy  the immigrant finally exploring the place where I have been disappearing to for the past 10 years. 

2:30am - Dog looking happy to be my guest for the evening rather than being home alone in his human female’s house. 2:45am - Dog rolling all over the bed, to get rid of my scent and replace it with his. 3:00am - Dog realizing that it’s friggin 3am, gives me the “WTF are we still awake?!?” look. 3:30am - No longer caring that his human male is taking his sweet time in checking his email, Dog starts to dream about food, cats and belly rubs.

Someone’s excited for his trip to Jerusalem!

Me:  Wake up, boy! Rockstar:  5 more minutes!!!