Ukraine shares a present day border with Russia and was part of Soviet Russia until 1991. Having visited Russia six or eight times since 1990, it was no surprise to see the similarities between the two countries as well as to notice many differences. Our trip took us down the Dnepr River from Kiev to the Black Sea and back. We visited many towns and villages along the way, walked through local markets, observed the daily lives of the locals, and visited churches and palaces. I was left with the impression of being in a democratic country with the friendliest people of any country that I have visited. I must go back!

Bolivia was a wonderful experience. This landlocked South American country had few tourists but had much to offer. Landscapes, nature, and cultural interests can all be satisfied in Bolivia. There are a lot of open spaces with only 22.7 people per square mile, ranking Bolivia the 216th populated country in the world. The majority of its 9 ½ million inhabitants live in about a half dozen cities. We began our tour in Santa Cruz, its largest city, but a city with an altitude of only 1,371 feet. Starting at a low altitude and working our way up to Sucre at 9,259 was a good approach to this high altitude country. Next was the mining town of Potosi at 12,904 feet above sea level. Potosi is at the base of Cerro Rico, meaning “rich mountain”, and this mountain has yielded more silver than any other mountain in the world. From this point on we stayed at about 12,000 feet or higher. Two very memorable stops were the Salar de Uyuni and the Oruru Carnival. Situated on the Altiplano west of Uyuni is the largest salt lake in the world. Driving across the salt lake is an experience not to be missed. The Oruro Carnival is literally non-stop for two days and one must be there to get a true feeling for its size. Our last stop was a visit to La Paz, the highest capital city in the world at an altitude of 12,254 feet.

Mali is a mystical land to which few Americans venture. It has been one of the main trade routes for camel caravans crossing the Sahara for more than a thousand years.

Guatemala is a country of wonderful color. Weavings, colorful cloth, and handicrafts are in abundance. It is so easy to forget about the scenic countryside, Lake Atitlan, and villages with photogenic people. The Mayan archaeological site of Tikal is a "must see".

When I told friends that my wife, Margaret and I were going to the “Five Stan’s” and flying to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, their eyes glazed over and I knew that they had absolutely no idea where this was. It is a shame that this region is not on most Americans’ “bucket list” of places to visit. The people were friendly, food, water, and lodging are generally less expensive than in the US, and history is ever present. Centuries ago the Silk Route connected the East and the West through Central Asia. I became interested in Central Asia many years ago when reading about the Silk Road. Bukhara and Samarkand always seemed like mystical places to me, much as Timbuktu, Marrakesh, Katmandu and Istanbul. In each country we had a car with driver and a guide.

Be sure to read my article on International Travel News about this trip.