I was to be knee-deep in Portugal right now making the final preparations for The Ultimate Train Challenge which I announced back in June. As it were, a few personal obligations plus detours through the early part of September have caused me to change my plans and withdraw from what is sure to be a compelling adventure. I strongly encourage you to follow The Ultimate Train Challenge’s (UTC) participants Michael Hodson, Jeannie Mark, and Nora Dunn as the roughly 30-day race kicks off September 1rst. You can find them via the UTC tracker, on Twitter (@trainchallenge), and on Facebook.
The UTC is also partnering with the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation to support the charity organization Da Nang Association of Agent Orange Victims in the hopes of raising $10,000 during the race. You can help by making a donation directly; or if you’re planning on using Eurail anytime before October 1rst, purchase your tickets through the UTC site (shown right) and Eurail will donate $10 on your behalf.
Riding Two Travel Waves
As for myself, I’m looking at one of several new-to-me destinations (i.e. Alaska, Honduras, Dominican Republic) in my immediate future to explore, relax, and turn some new travel projects from electrical signals in my brain into actual real stuff. That’s the first wave, the second begins in Porto (the best city in the world voted by you) sometime in October. From there, let’s just say it gets a bit more dangerous challenging.
Finally, if you’re interested to learn more about my travels in Iraq this past winter, I’ve recently made two appearances you may be interested in:
- The Wild West Of The Middle East: Northern Iraq (as the Sunday featured traveler on Everything Everywhere.)
- The Amateur Traveler Podcast: Episode 293: Travel To Northern Iraq (or download the iTunes version.)
Hey Anil, I will be in Spain from Oct. 14- Nov. 4th. I plan to be in Madrid from Oct. 31 to Nov. 4th….if you are in the area….have fun in Alaska, too.
I’ll let you know, will be nearby in Portugal sometime over that period and Spain is a quick hop over 🙂
Sounds good! I will keep you posted! We had hoped to go to Portugal on this trip, but it will have to wait until next year when we walk the Camino Portuguese.
No wonder I didn’t see you on the UTC site! I look forward to following the challenge- but I will also be looking forward to following your travels- if you are in Alaska- look up my nephew David Seaward- he is running for mayor in Seward , Alaska- tell him his Aunt Connie told you to look him up 🙂
It was a difficult decision to make but sometimes have to realize I can’t do everything at once; though secretly I still believe I can 😉
And if I’m in Alaska I’ll say hi for you 😉
Sorry to read that you had to withdraw from the UTC! . . . But, I’ll be following where your travels take you.
Thank you so much for the support, I appreciate it!
Wow…I have a lot of catching up to do! I just arrived in Ulaanbaatar and am now digging through lots of writing and photo editing. Will follow up with you via email – would love to know more and more about where you will be in Sept/Oct!
BTW – love all of the new Anil pics on the site! 🙂
I can’t believe it’s over, what a journey, I still need to catch up with all of your Mongol Rally posts 🙂 Look forward to catching up on email as well…and thanks for noticing, I’m trying to add more photos of me as weird as it sounds 🙂