Clarendon Cup

My son Jaras competes in the Clarendon Cup bike race.

Rutgers Law School Graduation

Today, I received my law degree from Rutgers University.

Malaria

I wasn't so out of shape as I thought. I just caught malaria. Staying at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi. Parents flew in from the USA today and wife flew back from Thailand. Doctor told them I have a 50% chance of living. Feeling good, albiet delerious, in Kenya. Will report back shortly.

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

It was a beautiful morning in Tanzania, and a great day to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. I started out early by catching a taxi to the base of the legendary mountain. When I arrived at the entrance to the park, the taxi driver and I walked up to the guides' booth and negotiated a price. Unfortunately, I only had one day to get back to Kenya, and I was informed that climbing all the way to the top and back would take at a minimum three days, even for the most enduring of hikers. Nonetheless, I purchased a ticket and hired a guide to at least take me on a tour through the rainforest level of the mountain.

It was a very nice hike, and I learned a lot about the mountain's rainforest habitat. As a sidenote, I had never seen so many ants crawling around in one place. I think that if you stood in one place without walking for just a few minutes, you would easily have ants crawling up your pant legs!

There is much talk about foresting the area to support the development of the nation's industries, but I hope the park remains wild and natural for at least a few more generations to see. Already, through the trees, you can hear an occasional chainsaw grinding away.

At one point, I had a great view from the side of the mountain down to the countryside below. The landscape was mostly unoccupied, with scattered farms here and there. I couldn't help but think what incredible real estate those farmers have. But, I'm sure they price for it. No doubt, they're on the fringe of poverty and strugling to make a living with their crops. I wonder if they appreciate that they have one of the world's greates natural wonders outside their door.

I felt a little nauseous by the time I had come back to the base of the mountain and I was glad to be done with the walking. I guess I need to be in better shape before I try another high altitute adventure.

Fishing Near Lamu

Captain Kevin catches the big one. Kenya (except for Nairobi proper) is a fun place to be. Saw the Indian Ocean for the first time today.

Bujagali Falls

Enjoying myself on the Nile River in Uganda. Staying at a camp with hosts from the U.K. Their potato salad is incredible. Pictured in photo is fellow law student Meena Ra.

Honeymoon in Dubai

Dressing up in Arab garb felt kind of fake, after having disguised myself in local clothing to get out to the war laden Sahara terretory last year. The honeymoon was nice though. Stayed at the Admiral Plaza hotel and went out to the dunes via Land Rover brigade. Will return back to the States in about 3 months.

Kevin as Lunch Lady in Thailand

I tried my hand as a lunch lady at a grade-school in rural Thailand. I also gave some English lessons to some of the locals. Even speaking decent Thai, I stuck out like a sore thumb, especially since I towered over the average villager by about a foot. The children were receptive, and eager to try out the few English words they learned at school. I also tried my hand at rice farming, digging drainage ditches, and arm wrestling. My height advantage rendered me undefeated against even the most buff of rice farmers.

Catch of the Day

Ate at a restaurant in Indonesia and ordered the catch of the day. Restaurant worker literally went back behind the restaurant and netted a fish. Very yummy. Also visited Singapore and Malaysia today.

Just Married

Just married, Thai style. Ms. Thidawan Ruasamran is now Mrs. Thidawan Borland. The family package includes Thidawan's 6 year-old son, Jaras.

Down and Out in Sin City

Took my uncle Michael to Las Vegas. No winnings to report.

Burma by Taxi

This week's voyage has been an interesting one, so far. The nation of Myanmar has been oppressively ruled by a military junta for quite some time. I hired a taxi driver (a.k.a. a disgruntled student of a university shut down by the military) who spoke English, requesting that he show me his country. His response, in reaction to providing him all of my military government vouchers was, "Can I bring my cousin?" My guide and his cousin (names not stated to ensure their safety) have been excellent hosts, driving me hundreds of miles around their country, showing me temples, stopping at towns to sing karaoke, and taking me to dinner theater shows. In the last couple of days, we took a trip to Golden Rock temple (through the jungle and up the mountains), and to an island pagoda near Rangoon.

Good people. Unfortunate circumstances.

Pacific Rim in Taiwan

Stopped in Taiwan for three days. This is Damshui, a very picturesque location north of Taipei.

Arrival in San Jose

Stopped to visit my fried "Dan Damage" out in San Jose on my way to Asia. Had a great time. I'm leaving my car here and continuing on to Taiwan.

Great Northwest

I visited my Uncle John in Williams, Oregon, after a detour in Seattle where I ran into Matt Pinfield from MTV. In the photo is my uncle's yin-yang garden. I spent the night in his recording studio, where he showed me some of his new material.

May in the Rockies

Drove through Gallatin and Yellowstone. Saw lots of buffalo and antelope. I even saw a moose in the middle of the road and a grizzly in the distance.

Driving Along the Northern US Border

Greetings from Fargo!

Safety in the Sahara

If you want to ensure your safety from the side effects of the Y2K bug, then let's do it right. I risked my life to smuggle myself from Morocco to the Western Sahara into a war zone. Not a computer in any direction for about 1000 miles (save for my watch, camera and camcorder). Disguised as a Saharan, I easily made it out to the dunes and spent much of New Years Eve in a tent with nomadic Saharans. Come midnight (Morocco time), I was on a bus to Rabat. It was a beautiful moment. Nearly all of the other passengers did not appreciate the fact that we were entering a new millenium. We're talking about nomadic desert dwellers with camels. I'm not sure they're on the same calendar, or if they had ever seen a calendar. However, there was a girl on the bus, who was checking her watch as intently as I was, excited about the memorialization of the passing of a thousand years. She was about 25 years old, dressed in traditional Saharan fashion (see picture above). There was no Dick Clark or Times Square. At the same moment, when our watches reached T minus zero, we both looked up and smiled at each other. I know I didn't explain it well. There were no words exchanged. I doubt she spoke English, and I didn't speak Arabic. You had to be there. We both understood eachother completely.

Ramadan in Fes

Ramadan in Fes, Morocco.  The owner of this tiny shop gave me his hat.

Three Hour Tour of Paris

The challenge I faced was this: a three-hour lay over in Paris, just three hours to see as much of the city as I can without missing my plane to Africa. I decided that my best bet was to commission a taxicab driver to assist me with my mission. I found a cab driver, who despite thinking me quite insane, agreed to give me a personalized tour.

My biggest goal, which was not to be compromied under any circumstances, was to ascend the Eiffel Tower. After all, what would a trip to Paris be without checking out the city's most famous monument? I have to say, the view was spectacular, both from the ground and from the deck. also, the tower was already decorated for the upcoming millenium celebration. Much to my dismay, I could not get my new digital camera to work. However, I was able to get some good video footage.

My second goal was shopping. I didn't have anything in particular I wanted to buy, but memories of watching the Griswalds' shopping spree in National Lampoon's European Vacation were running through my mind. I had the driver take me around the Arc de Triomphe, and then let me out on Champs Elysees. There was everything chic that you could imagine. I ended up buying a new Parisian perfume for my mother.

The clock was running, and there was a bit of traffic on our ride to the Musee du Louvre. Unfortunately, I did not have time to enter and see the artwork. Perhaps an adventure for a different day.

Last stop: Notre Dame Cathedral. The line was short and I was able to see the interior without difficulty. Finally, I got my new camera to function, and I was able to snap a shot of the building on the way out-my only still photograph of Paris.

Hiking to Angel Falls

Of all the countries I've visited thusfar, Venezuela has been my favorite. I could imagine retiring here some day.

Introducing Cleverneck

For the last few months, I've been working on songs with my new band "Cleverneck" in Scenic Lakes, New Jersey. The band lineup features me on guitars, "Dan Damage" on vocals, Mike Tehranchi on bass, and Steve Santiago on drums. The genre is New Jersey style metal.

So far, the band has been reviewed in the American "Strutter 'Zine" magazine and in the Japanese "Goo" magazine.

Band out of the New Jersey area. The band also has the classic New Jersey AOR/Melodic rocksound a la Sinnocence, first Danger Danger. So, this is a very interesting band. I don't know if they have a CD out, but I heard a great track of the guys called "Try a little harder", a classy piece of indie AOR/Melodic Rock in the best 80s tradition. Hope to have more info soon.

We are practicing our set and hope to do some live shows throughout New Jersey in the New Year.

Happy New Year!

Kofi Anan Speaks at M.I.T. Graduation (not Kurt Vonnegut)

It's official. M.I.T. gave me my Bachelor of Science in Physics. The speaker was Kofi Anan of the United Nations, not Kurt Vonnegut.

Steven Tyler Spotted in London

I recently spotted Steven Tyler shopping for shoes in London. Cheers!

Frostbitten in Hafnerfjorder Iceland

It's freezing and rainy in Hafnerfjorder, Iceland. On the upside, it's light out nearly all the time. My friend Aaron and I rented a car and drove around a good part of the country. We saw Geysir (the original geyser for which all other geysers were named), Gulfoss (Iceland's version of Niagra Falls), a volcanic beach, a glacier, the city of Rekjavik, the Hard Rock Cafe, the Blue Lagoon, and many other attractions. I'll be back in the States after London for my graduation.

Details of Canada are Foggy

My memories of Montreal are rather blurry. Peels Pub rings a bell.

Home from Europe for Christmas

I just got home from a trip to Frankford, Germany. The trip also included a detour to Luxembourg and Trier. I especially enjoyed Luxembourg's Christmas market. Trier was equally picturesque in the classic German style.

Happy holidays!

Casino Winnings Fund Trip to Guatemala

Greetings from Tikal, Guatemala. My friend Aaron and I cashed in our winnings from a night at the Foxwoods casino. Now we're at a resort hotel in Central America with umbrellas in our glasses. The Mayan pyramids are something to see. I wish I had more time to spend on Lake Atitlan.

Spring Break in Eastern Europe

Greetings from Amsterdam, Netherlands. This is the last leg of my Spring visit to Europe, following Prague in the Czech Republic and Krakow, Poland. Eastern Europe was fascinating. In Poland, I stayed in the home of a friendly stranger, and in Prague, I had a chance to practice my Russian while touring the city from a hostel.

Dinner With the Tehranchi Family

Stopped for dinner with the Tehranchi family in Alabama (and to swim in their pool) on our way to see Pearl Jam in New Orleans.