Douro Valley, Portugal

At the Porto airport, a Sixt rental agent was trying to upsell us a Mercedes-Benz. It’s only 42€/day she claimed – 18€ more than the Smart car we booked off Expedia – and it would come in handy when you drive those mountain roads. She almost had us, that is, until we reviewed the total amount and realized that, contrary to our understanding, the daily rate had now jumped to 66€ (almost tripled the amount we had initially signed up for) and we were going to be driving for 9 days. We politely declined her offer and kept our Smart.

Continue reading “Douro Valley, Portugal” →

Yellowstone National Park – Mammoth Hot Springs

“No human architect ever designed such intricate fountains as these.

19025188_1226521267476857_1962671546004459498_o (1).jpg Continue reading “Yellowstone National Park – Mammoth Hot Springs” →

Yellowstone National Park – Yellowstone Falls & a Bear

After Artist Paint Pots and Norris Geyser Basin, we returned to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone – visiting its South Rim.

Artist point offers one of the most photographed views in Yellowstone.

Both the upper and lower decks were awash with tour groups and of course everybody wanted to take a picture of themselves in front of this iconic view, sans others. Continue reading “Yellowstone National Park – Yellowstone Falls & a Bear” →

Yellowstone National Park – Norris Geyser Basin

By now, we have encountered four major geothermal features in Yellowstone National Park. They are Geyser, hot springs, mud pots and fumaroles.

19025256_1226506924144958_5656416897475311702_o — Porcelain Basin

Norris Geyser Basin is the hottest, oldest and most dynamic thermal area in the park. It is also the location of the world’s tallest active geyser. Continue reading “Yellowstone National Park – Norris Geyser Basin” →

Yellowstone National Park – Artist Paint Pots

Yellowstone National Park spans an area of 3,468.4 square miles (8,983 km²). To make the most of it in four and half days seems ambitious. It is nonetheless doable with the help of a knowledgeable National Park ranger. Continue reading “Yellowstone National Park – Artist Paint Pots” →