Author Archives: chrisgarske

There was an man with a normal life and normal responsibilities. Wife, kids, mortgage. He had a soul-killing job that paid the bills. He hated his job, but he got up every day and did it, with no complaints. When … Continue reading →

It occurs to me as I study the 450 so-far-not accomplished things on my list that I’d better start prioritizing and making a plan. So here is my current top eleven, and how long I think each will take. Hot air … Continue reading →

Fiji looks a little like Hawaii, but the water… the water is even more stunning.  Bands of turquoise and aqua, layer upon layer, stretching out to the horizon.  Mesmerizing tropical eye candy… we spent hours just gaping. Tom Hanks’ “Castaway” … Continue reading →

I read this anecdote years ago, and it stayed with me. In 1945 there was a young man, an aspiring writer, released from the army when WW2 ended. He deeply admired William Faulkner, so he decided to hitchhike all the … Continue reading →

…unless you love water sports more than anything. If you’d rather play in the waves than do anything else, you might find happiness here. If swimming, surfing, diving, snorkeling, fishing or boating are your thing, fine. If not, you might … Continue reading →

Bali is like a secret garden. Just when you’re getting fed up with the heat, rain, or beggars, you’ll peek behind a wall and get a glimpse of something breathtaking. An intricately carved temple in a perfect garden. A huge ancient statue carved into … Continue reading →

The air may be a bit sooty, and the smell inside the tomb may be a bit…footy…but don’t miss this spectacular jewel. Many world treasures don’t live up to their hype. This one does. It’s not only humanity’s greatest monument to … Continue reading →

Step out onto the ledge. Stare down at your impending death. Every cell in your body feels suddenly sick. My first jump was over a parking lot, at an outdoor concert. There were about 5000 people waiting to get in … Continue reading →

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