The Dean of Travel

The end of the Amazon River and bonuses in Brazil.

The long journey down the Amazon River in Brazil has come to an end and marked by two special rituals. I have found over time, it is important for me to mark the end of journey with something special.  It allows me to reflect on what has been accomplished, and to feel a sense of satisfaction. 

First, I decided to take a boat across the mouth of the Amazon to deepen my appreciation for just how big the river is.  The journey from Belem to Macapa took 24 hours! 

My boat is the one of the right.  The captain even let me stear it for a short period of time as we crossed the river!

 

While in Macapa I visited a fort built by the Portugese 250 years ago to keep the French out, a key part of the Amazon history. 

 

 

Exploring the fort in Macapa was fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And I stood on the Equator.  This was pretty cool!

 

Ocean going ships anchored at the mouth of the Amazon River.

 

Second, I dipped my feet into the Atlantic Ocean,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once this part of my mission was accomplished.  I decided to fulfill another dream, and that was to go see Iguazu Falls in southern Brazil.

This was a really cool place!  Wow!

 

And a unexpected bonus was exploring the Rio Prata, a very special river in Brazil.

 

Now I just completed a visit to the Amazon rain forest of Ecuador to visit with the Achaur people where I made some new friends.

 

 

A wonderful way to cap off a very special exploration of South America.

Cheers,

Dean

 

Floating down the Amazon River in Brazil

I have continued to make my way to the mouth of the Amazon River in Brazil.

It takes many hours by boat, as the Amazon is a huge river now, several miles wide and averaging over 100 feet deep!  There are very few roads in the Amazon region of Brazil, the river is the main highway and how most people move in the area.

As my boat works its way east, I have had the privilege to meet local people.

These two young people passed the time on the boat playing games with each other.

 

 

These two young people, Diego and Wendy did their best to teach me Portuguese.  It is a very difficult language for me. We laughed often as I stumbled through the words. The brown hammock above my head is what I sleep in at night.  In the evening, even though we are in the tropics, it gets very cold and I sleep with a sheet to help keep me warm.  My hammock is also a great place to take a nap in the middle of the day. This guy below would agree!

 

 

Traveling by boat also provided many opportunities to see beautiful scenes like watching the sun set over the Amazon River.

Or like these storm clouds in the distance below.  This photo also gives you a sense just how big the Amazon River is now.

As I meet local people, often they greet me with a "thumbs up." This is one of the friendly gestures they do in Brazil.

Exploring the Amazon River is a slow process.  You can only move as fast as the boat will go.  Sometimes it's good to slow down the pace of life, I think it allows you to appreciate the simple things, like the smile of a new friend.

Where ever this finds you, sending you a hammock smile from the Amazon River in Brazil South America!

Cheers,

Dean

 

A day with pink dolphins in the Amazon of Brazil.

I was lucky to have the chance to see pink river dolphins up close and personal while exploring the Amazon rain forest here in Brazil.

 

I love this photo, the dolphin looks so happy to see people.  River dolphins though are almost blind, they navigate the dark and sometimes murky waters of the Amazon with sonar.

This river was the Rio Negro, it meets the Amazon River at Manaus Brazil.

What do you guess the dolphin is saying?

 

 

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Pink River Dolphins in the Amazon River of South America

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 Check this out!

 

Dolphins are mammals, which means they must breath air to live.  Can you find the blow hole on this dolphin? 

 

 I love it when you tickle me here!

 

Oh, you are so cute!

 

 

Pucker up baby, how about a little kiss??

 

 

I recently learned from my friends at INPA, or the Amazon research institute that the pink dolphin is in danger, apparently people are killing them and using them for fish bait...so sad.  They tell me if this practice continues the dolphin could become extinct in 10 years.

Let us hope this changes quickly.

Dean

 

 

 

Germany Highlights

I had a wonderful time visiting several schools in Germany.  I wish to express my gratitude to all the teachers and staff who helped organize my stay, without your help, this trip would not be possible. In particular, a special thank you to the Werner's of Obspringen, your hospitality of a true gift. 

 

Below you will find a collection of a few fun moments during my time.

 

Country road in Germany, near Heinsberg. 

 

Curious cows! 

Eifil National Park

 

Flowers in the countryside.

 

New friends in Braunsrath Germany.

 

On the way to the pub. 

Mime in front of the Cologne Cathedral.  

My new traveling companion. 

Amsterdam Holland central train station.

The end of a magical journey in Europe and the beginning of a new annual summer trip to Germany!

 

Day 4- German presentations, Otto Hahn Gymnasium Cologne, Germany

Today I spent a fun day at Otto Hahn Gymnasium in Cologne Germany.

The two English teachers who were very helpful during my day at Otto Hahn.

 

First group of students to go on a Wondrous Journey.

 

Second group is ready to go explore the world.

 

Answering questions at the end of the presentation.

 

A sincere thank you to the students and staff at Otto Hahn Gymnasium for a wonderful day!

Follow your hearts, aim with your minds and remember you're never alone!

 

Cheers,

Dean

 

 

Day 3- German presentations, Gangelt Realschule and St Leonhard Gymnasium Aachen

What a fun day!

The first stop in the morning was a visit to the Gangelt Realschule.  A big thank you to Mrs Nice for helping organize my visit to her school!

 

The headmaster introduces me to the students at the Gangelt school.

 

Visiting with students at Gangelt Realschule after the program. 

 

St. Leonhard Gymnasium in the heart of Aachen Germany. 

The St. Leonhard Gymnasium is an old school that has a lot of character. 

Ready to go!

St Leonhard students stayed after the presentation to continue asking questions about what it's like to travel around the world.

Filled with questions about exploring the world, these St. Leonhard students took advantage of every moment to satisfy their curiosity.

 

A sincere thank you to the students and staff at Gangelt Realschule and St. Leonhard Gymnasium for their kindness and generosity.

 Follow your hearts, aim with your minds and remember you're never alone!

Cheers,

Dean

 

 

 

Portland Rose Parade

I happened across the last part of the Portland Rose parade last Saturday.  

 

Here's a few random photos for your enjoyment.  Let me know which one is your favorite!

Cheers,

Dean

 

 

Pacific Northwest-Feb. 2011

Oregon and Washington State can be gray, even down right gloomy sometimes.  But when you haven't seen it for years, that rainy gloom transforms into the understanding of why this place is so rich, green and alive.

My good friend Stephen, who lives in Portland OR, threw me a life line to escape the winter of the midwest for ten days.  "Come visit and hang out for a few days."  OK!

Restless from being in one place (Nebraska) for an extended period of time, I jumped at the offer. To refresh and remind myself what moisture looks like when it falls from the sky in liquid form.  To renew old friendships and to see places I once knew from a whole new angle and different light. 

My friend Tammy introduces me to her roommate Jack.

Tammy and I worked on my mission statement and purpose for the educational programs offered by Travel4life and The Dean of Travel.  Her insight and skill was highly affective as we teased out the essentials of my presentations.

We also did a brief presentation together at a leadership training, this was fun.

 

A short drive from Portland is Multnomah Falls, a stunning waterfall the whisks aways your breath with its pure beauty. 

In the Pacific Northwest, natures invents a whole new spectrum for the color green.  Vibrant, alive, rich, life giving greens to refresh your spirit. 

 

 

 

These are wonderful places to pause, reflect and ponder the amazing capacity of nature. 

 

 

Tosh, myself and Stephen enjoy a walk next to the Pacific ocean along Cannon Beach in Oregon.   I've known these guys for years.  Choose your friends wisely, ones that uplift you and bring you joy to be with. 

 

 

The Pacific coast line in Oregon is littered with rugged beauty. It's a place that beseeches long walks, deep breaths and awe. 

 

My quiet mind says, "you're not in Nebraska anymore."

 

 

A sea otter at the Oregon Aquarium pauses to say hello.   I would love to see one of these guys in the wild! 

 

 

 

 

A once mighty ship met its demise along the Oregon coast at the mouth of the Columbian River 100 years ago. 

From time to time we run our ship aground.  It is part of the natural unfolding of life of those who are willing to take risks.  At these moments we are given choices to free ourselves or remain stuck and at the mercy of the waves of life.   The choice on how to respond will always be yours to make. 

Portland Oregon

My good friend Stephen called me up and said," it's time to get you out to Portland, so I'm sending you a ticket!"

I'm fortunate to have friends like Stephen. 

So, without much of a plan I have have headed to the west coast to catch up with friends, the greenery of the Pacific Northwest and to spend some time looking at the big picture.

 

A beautiful rainbow welcomes me to Portland Oregon.  

 

The view from the Portland City Grill.  

 

We are all heading somewhere....

 

It's Wednesday morning, the sky looks clear, it's going to be a beautiful day!

Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead. - Louisa May Alcott

 

 

 

Explore the state capitol building of Nebraska!

This week's 50-50 column is a trip to the state capitol building in Lincoln NE.

To read more, please follow this link.  

 

Enjoy! Cheers, Dean