Blog
I am greeted by Mickie Ross, Williamson Museum Executive Director, as soon as I step into the museum located on the square in Georgetown. Dressed appropriately in a poppy-decorated dress (Georgetown, the county seat, is, after all, the Red Poppy Capital of Texas), she begins telling me about Williamson County. “It was in 1848 when the citizens of western Milam County petitioned the stateRead More
Thinking of Egypt and history brings to mind pyramids, tombs, gods, goddesses and ancient kings and queens. But on a G Adventures tour, I also visit St Bishoy Monastery. The Coptic Christian monastery was founded in the fourth century. The current complex dates to the ninth century. St. Bishoy is the most eastern monastery in the Wadi El-Natrun. The desert is located aboutRead More
While on a G Adventures tour of Egypt, I had the opportunity to visit Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Also known as the New Library of Alexandria, it is second in size only to the Library of Congress. Designed to hold around eight million books, the impressive modern facility also houses art galleries and several museums including the Sadat Museum dedicated to the lateRead More
It stands to reason that I am a frequent flyer on several airlines. But consider my shock when the Turkish Airlines gate employee scanned my ticket and a red light came on (you know, in that nasty “something might be wrong with your ticket” buzz). After the red light came on a second time, he read the tiny monitor, markedRead More
By Marilyn Jones Alabama may not be synonymous with fine art, but our museums are home to some truly world-class collections and pieces. You can appreciate their beauty or perhaps their emotional power; some offer glimpses into our history, telling us about our culture and where we came from. Whatever the purpose, you can make new discoveries with a short driveRead More
Recently I needed photos of Birmingham for an article. When I searched my files I came across flower photos I had taken at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. I had never used them or written about the impressive gardens. In the 1950s James W. Morgan, city mayor at the time, led an effort to establish the gardens on aRead More
A decade ago Karen Roos, a magazine editor and lover of South Africa’s Dutch Cape history, purchased a fruit and wine farm dating back to the late 17th century. She renamed it Babylonstoren and set about transforming it into the showplace it is today. Located near Franschhoek, it was in 1692 the land was granted to burgher PieterRead More
A hotel can stand alone as a destination anywhere in the world. While traveling throughout South Africa, I stayed at several hotels and resorts that were much more than a place to hang my hat and get a good night’s sleep. They had history, character and charm. The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa inRead More
By Marilyn Jones Aliana has beautiful deep brown eyes with long eyelashes. We only met this morning — just before sunrise — in Wadi Rum, a sprawling desert in southern Jordan. Aliana is one of the camels owned by a 23-year-old Bedouin, Rashim, who says he has tended camels since he was 5. Wadi Rum Protected Area covers 280 squareRead More
By Marilyn Jones When I decided to visit Vietnam and Cambodia, I checked with my travel agent to see what was available. I decided on Exodus Travels because of their stellar reputation and their comprehensive guide to activity levels. I was immediately drawn to the Classic Vietnam & Angkor schedule and the leisurely activity level. Beginning in Hanoi and endingRead More