A Life of Travel: My Busy US Trip, a Tiki Bar in Vegas, New Luggage and More

A big welcome to the 28 new subscribers who recently signed up!

It's time for a travel newsletter…

📆 update

I just spent about three weeks back in the US, which always ends up being a mix of family time and random side trips.

One highlight this time around was an overnight stay with a friend just north of Wilmington, North Carolina, right on the beach. Fresh air, watching dolphins swim offshore, breathing in the deep calmness - it all leads to the kind of reset that is necessary every now and then.

I also renewed my passport using the urgent same-day method, which, as usual, turned out to be a very smooth process. I booked my appointment online, showed up at the Passport Agency at 9am, dropped off my paperwork and was told to come back at 2pm. So I went to a cafe to get some work done. About 1.5 hours later, I received a text saying the new passport was already ready. No line, no wait, no hassle.

In between that, I took a quick trip to Las Vegas to see one of my closest friends. We spent a few days doing what we’ve always done there, and it’s not gambling. Instead, we had long conversations about such things as mushrooms that make you see tiny humans and the Michael Pollan book A World Appears. We ate at Viva Las Arepas, which is still just as good as it was 20 years ago. And we spent the traditional evening at Frankie’s Tiki Room, one of my favorite bars anywhere with its very dark and very quirky atmosphere.

Back in North Carolina, I spent a lot of time with my mom and sister in Durham, which I hadn’t done since last August. Nothing fancy, just quality time hanging out and chatting, something that always ends up meaning more than expected.

I also met up with two guests (now friends) who were booked on my Wander Across Iraq tour that had to be cancelled back in March. We had a great meal, talked a lot about Iraq, travel in general and where we’ll all end up next.

Such encounters are one of my favorite parts of this lifestyle - when friendships form from random connections.

Now, I’m soon back on the move again… more to come in the next newsletter!

Luggage Recommendations
Thank you to everyone who offered their advice and recommendations as I searched for new luggage! In the end, I went with the TravelPro Platinum Elite and I’ll soon be taking it on its first trip. Let’s see how it goes but so far, it seems to be very sturdy and remarkably spacious without being too large.

With my small group tours, this is the type of feedback we aim for and this is the type of feedback we get:

“Highly recommend this trip! It was never on my bucket list but FOMO made me sign up and man, what.a.trip!!!!!! Do it!” - Aino A. (Wander Across Mauritania)

👉 Check out our unique, carefully crafted 2026 and 2027 trips here!

A Cause Worth Supporting

Many years ago, I came across a Galgo - a Spanish hunting dog - in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria and something about it stuck with me ever since. If I ever settle down, one of the first things I would do is adopt a Galgo or two.

Years later, I told my friend Maxine about these dogs. She ended up adopting one…then another. Now she’s deeply involved in rescuing, fostering and helping transport galgos from Spain to the US for adoption through the wonderful organization, Greyhounds in Motion.

These dogs are often mistreated and abandoned after hunting season, and there are amazing people working to save them. Greyhounds in Motion is currently raising funds to improve facilities in Spain and support these efforts.

👉 If you’d like to help, you can donate here:
https://greyhoundsinmotion.com/donate/

👉 And you can learn more about galgos here:
https://galgosdelsol.org/what-is-a-galgo/

🌐 around the globe

🇪🇺 Tiny European Towns
A look at small towns across Europe with populations under 500, proving that some of the most memorable places are the ones barely on the map.

🥟 The Story of Momos
A deep dive into Nepal’s beloved dumpling and how it became a defining part of the country’s cuisine and culture.

💺 Couch-Style Airplane Seats
Air travel might be getting a little more comfortable, with United Airlines’ new couch seating concept designed to let passengers stretch out more in economy.

🍜 The World’s Best Night Market
A spotlight on one of the planet’s most vibrant night markets, where food, culture and energy all come together after dark.

🇳🇴 🇮🇳 Norway vs India
One comedian compares the cost of a driving fine in Norway with all of the rules you can break in India for that same amount of money.

🇷🇴 Bucharest’s Accidental Park
A failed communist-era mega project unexpectedly turned into one of the city’s most unique green spaces.

🎧 Destinations by Sound
An interactive project capturing sounds from around the world, from busy streets to quiet corners, turning audio into a new way to experience travel.

🗺️ where in the world?

A big congratulations to those readers who guessed the location of the photo in the previous newsletter! Here’s who guessed correctly:

Tyler, Ruth, Kenric, Julianna, Mher, Orit, Scott, Steve, Richele and Mari

The location is the stunning Lake Atitlan in Guatemala! Located inside of a volcano crater, the area is surrounded by hills, villages and volcano cones, making it visually remarkable. Add in the laid-back vibe and it’s easy to see why travelers flock to this region, often for extended periods of time.

This week’s image:

It’s time to guess…where was the below photo taken?

If you have a guess (the more specific the better), click reply and let me know. Anyone who guesses correctly will be mentioned in next week's newsletter 😄 

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Thank you so much for reading!

Derek
(my middle name is Earl)

WanderingEarl.com

Affiliate links: Some links above may be affiliate links in which I earn a small commission if you click on the link and make a purchase. I only promote products/services that I genuinely use and love myself.