Author Archives: Richard Griffith

About Richard Griffith

My first independent travel experience was a trip to Israel, in 1997, it was here that I caught the 'travel' bug! In 2001 I took an 8-month sabbatical and traveled around South East Asia. Since then I have managed to visit most of Eastern Europe along with India, Bangladesh, and a few other destinations in between. I love travel and I love meeting new people.

Day trip from Manizales.

Posted on 24/01/2018 by Richard Griffith

Travelling from A to B is something that doesn’t happen quickly in certain parts of Colombia, what looks like a short distance on a map can take an eternity in reality. It is an extremely mountainous country, especially in the coffee region. Continue reading →

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Feria de Manizales 2018/Manizales Fair 2018.

Posted on 08/01/2018 by Richard Griffith

Every January, since 1956, Manizales has held a fair that brings together the best of artistic, cultural, sporting and nightlife events; the fair has Spanish roots with bull fights and other traditional content and catches the attention of both locals … Continue reading →

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Angel on fire.

Posted on 31/12/2017 by Richard Griffith

Panajachel, Guatemala December 2017. It started out like any other Nativity play but ended spectacularly bad. Christmas in Guatemala is an interesting time; more or less the same as back home but also very different. The shops still push Christmas … Continue reading →

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The ‘easy’ way to learn a foreign language.

Posted on 28/12/2017 by Richard Griffith

What makes (some of) us Brits (myself included) so inept at learning another language? In my opinion, two reasons: laziness and the fact that we don’t really need to bother; English is the universal language across the world. I’ve been … Continue reading →

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A (possible) farewell return.

Posted on 25/12/2017 by Richard Griffith

Five years ago my wonderful mother departed this mortal coil; we shared 48-years on this earth, a lot longer than I imagined we would. 92-years of age is a pretty good innings. If there is indeed an ‘after life’ I’m … Continue reading →

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“Don’t let the bed bugs bite.”

Posted on 24/12/2017 by Richard Griffith

Remember that ‘amusing’ childhood saying that parents used to real off just before you went to bed?  Well a few nights ago I got to experience the real deal. The story starts at breakfast time, following my first night back … Continue reading →

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More of Matanzas.

Posted on 16/07/2017 by Richard Griffith

Cuevas de Bellamar. Cuba’s oldest tourist attraction, according to local propaganda, lies 5km southeast of Matanzas and is 300,000 years old. There are 2500m of caves here, discovered in 1861 by a Chinese workman in the employ of Don Manuel … Continue reading →

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Matanzas for backpackers & Varadero for your all-inclusive’s.

Posted on 07/04/2017 by Richard Griffith

With a name translating as ‘massacres,’ Matanzas province conceals an appropriately tumultuous past beneath its modern-day reputation for glam all-inclusive holidays. In the 17th century pillaging pirates ravaged the region’s prized north coast, while three centuries later, more invaders grappled … Continue reading →

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Santa Clara & Ernesto Che Guevara.

Posted on 05/04/2017 by Richard Griffith

While Varadero courts beach-lovers and Trinidad pulls in history geeks, gritty Santa Clara doesn’t stand on ceremony for anyone. Smack bang in the geographic center of Cuba, this is a city of new trends and insatiable creativity. Ernesto Che Guevara. … Continue reading →

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More of Camagüey

Posted on 04/04/2017 by Richard Griffith

The Train Station. Service to Havana, Santiago and points in between. Be prepared to travel slowly and uncomfortably. Foreigners buy tickets in convertibles from an unmarked office across the street from the Hotel Plaza entrance. Confusing time tables at Camagüey … Continue reading →

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