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Tui Snider
Tui Snider

Tui Snider

Inquisitive world traveler who writes books, gives talks & leads tours through historic cemeteries. My homebase is Texas, where I share a goth/tiki castle with my mad scientist husband & tabby cat. For my newsletter & more visit: TuiSnider.com Read more🇺🇸United States
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  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler

    Equator Crossing Ritual

    February 7, 2023, Indian Ocean ⋅ 🌙 82 °F

    As far as imaginary lines go, the Equator is actually quite meaningful. It’s not just some human construct due to territorial issues and politics; it truly divides our planet in half.

    This ship threw a party to commemorate crossing the Equator. The captain joined us on deck and asked Neptune, God of the Sea, for permission to cross.

    Neptune and his pals then baptized all passengers who were willing with ladles of sea water on our heads.

    My favorite part was when all the ship’s officers who had never crossed the equator before jumped into the sea water pool together. I got a wonderful photo of that moment.

    The whole thing was a lot of fun, but it made me teary eyed; it’s one of those days where I can’t stop thinking of my Dad.

    When you love someone, so many things can trigger memories and connections to them.

    Even so, it was a fun ritual!    Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler
    111

    Sultan Park

    February 5, 2023 on the Maldives ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F

    While wandering around Male today, Larry and I stumbled into Sultan Park. The treehouse was closed, alas, but this lush park is a real gem.

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler
    1

    Green City

    February 5, 2023 on the Maldives ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F

    Male is the capital of the Maldives. But while the roads are cram jammed with cars and motorbikes, it still did not feel as frenetic as most big cities.

    Larry and I tried to pinpoint what makes Male feel more relaxed, or at least what made us feel as if it were.

    For one thing, people drive at an easy pace, without much honking. Sure, they want to get from here to there, but there is a palpable air of patience running through it all.

    It’s hard to explain, but Male feels more relaxed than most cities. (We experienced something similar in Bali.)

    At one point, Larry joked that, “Male is full of house plants!” Perhaps the abundance of flora contributed to our sense of relaxation here.

    During our snorkeling trip, the heat and humidity of the Maldives did not bother me. After all, we were in the crystal blue water most of the time!

    Exploring the city on foot, however, was another story. Many streets here are shaded by trees. (If you look closely at one of the photos I shared, you can see a tree growing through the roof of a restaurant.)

    By the time we bumped into our Romanian friends, we were drenched with sweat! (You can probably tell from the photo.)

    The man in the red shirt is walking down one of Male’s many narrow alleyways. While we appreciated all this shade, Larry and I were more than ready for a shower once we returned to the ship!    Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler

    Male Alphabet

    February 5, 2023 on the Maldives ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F

    I’m always curious about street signs and graffiti around the world. In the Maldives, I noticed a “new to me” script.

    I don’t even know what this alphabet is called or what language it represents!

    The sign you see with all the “things you can’t do” was posted outside the big mosque in Male. The Maldives have been a Muslim country since the 12th century.

    I’m sure that foreign script is quite ancient, too, but I’ll have to research it later.    Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler
    1

    Snorkeling in Male

    February 4, 2023 on the Maldives ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F

    We went snorkeling with in Male. So beautiful!

    Hulhumale Watersports Club led the expedition and they did a great job. Not only did they provide all the equipment, but they explained everything very clearly, including which hand signals to use.

    We snorkeled in two different places, and there were at least 3 tour guides in the water with us at all times.

    I mention this, because we have been on snorkel trips before where they did not keep an eye on the group. It’s easy to lose track of which boat is yours, or accidentally float way off track, but these guys were great.

    We saw colorful fish both places we swam. At the first stop, there were clouds of brine shrimp, which I mistook for debris in the water at first.

    At the second stop, we saw sea turtles as well as some black tipped sharks. The sharks made me a bit nervous, but they stayed well away from us.

    Even though it takes energy to swim, I felt so relaxed afterwards, as if I’d had a massage. I did not want the day to end!    Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler

    Goa Taxi Tour

    February 1, 2023 in India ⋅ 🌙 81 °F

    After making it through the gauntlet of bureaucracy required to step foot in Goa, Larry negotiated a taxi tour for us, along with two German couples we met along the way.

    Our cabbie’s name was Nelson, and Old Goa was our first stop of the day.

    In the 1960s, many American hippies found their bliss on the beaches of Goa. These days, sadly, this lush tropical paradise is strewn with trash.

    As we left the port, we passed high walls covered with dingy murals and concertina wire behind which India Oil operates a refinery.

    On our way to Old Goa, we passed many roadside vendors, such as this gal selling fish.

    And check out that guy on the bike: According to Nelson, he is a garbage collector.

    We didn’t get a change to check out the McDonald’s on Goa. It can be fun to see how different countries interpret the menu around the world. (I was curious if they had any items featuring curry, for instance.)

    Nelson took us by a beach during our tour, and as much as I love swimming, after all the trash I’d seen in the bay and throughout the day, I just didn’t quite feel like it.    Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler

    Signs in Goa

    February 1, 2023 in India ⋅ 🌙 84 °F

    Here are a few signs I found interesting in Goa:

    It’s actually illegal to smoke in public! (I’m not sure if this is true for all of India, but it was illegal in Mumbai, as well.)

    As for the stray dog sign, I’ve read travel warnings (along with some horror stories) about rabid cats and dogs in India, so it’s good to see that they are working on the issue.

    As for that Ayurvedic medicine clinic poster, it seems like they treat some rather unusual conditions!    Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler

    Hindu & Catholic Influence

    February 1, 2023 in India ⋅ ⛅ 90 °F

    Like so many seaports on this planet, Portugal brought Catholicism to Goa. But this is India, so the influence of Hinduism is prevalent, too.

    In the first photo, the trident and crescent moon means this statue is somehow related to the Hindu god, Shiva. Beyond that, I don’t know.

    The swastika you see in the next photo has absolutely nothing to do with Nazism. For millennia, this has been a spiritual symbol in this Hindu religion. It represents the sun and is believed to bring good luck. (Here, it is being used as a decorative element on someone’s patio.)

    We passed several roadside altars that reflect the Catholic influence in Goa. I’ve shared a couple here.

    And lastly, even though photography was forbidden in the Cathedral of Bom Jesus, I really had to show you the bloodiest crucifix I’ve ever seen!

    I also thought the saint wearing a typical marigold garland, an item used by Hindis and Catholics alike, was a good way to sum up the mix of beliefs here.    Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Krishna Temple

    January 31, 2023 in India ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    One of my favorite restaurants in Dallas is in a Krishna temple, and I swear they have the same statue of Lord Krishna as the one we saw today in Mumbai!

    At the entrance, there was a sign to remove our shoes. When we reached the patio, a group of lovely ladies asked to take my photo, so I took theirs in return.Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Sacred Cows

    January 31, 2023 in India ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    In Hinduism, there is a goddess named Bhoomi, and she is often depicted as a cow.
    Bhoomi represents Mother Earth, and is revered for her strength and gentle nature.

    There is even a festival called “Mattupongal” that honors cows for their service to mankind.

    Take all these things together, and you have the reason why Hindis let cows have the run of the place! (I’m sure there’s much more to it, but that’s what I gleaned from our guides, so far. I’m learning as I go.)

    At one point, Larry and I encountered a cow on a sidewalk in Mumbai. When I tried to pass by her head, she just looked at me and would not budge! We passed behind her instead, while she placidly chewed her cud.

    Since Mumbai’s a big city, there aren’t a lot of places for cows to graze. We often saw people sitting in the street next to a cow, offering them food and water they had brought with them.

    In Goa, on the other hand, cows have plenty of grass to munch on. We even saw cows lounging in the grassy median of a busy road.

    As we laughed about this, our cab driver, Nelson, told us that sometimes a cow will decide to sleep in the middle of the road, “And there’s nothing you can do about it.”

    “Does anyone eat these cows?” Larry asked.

    “Oh, no, not those,” Nelson told us. “But I’m Catholic, so I eat beef.”    Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Dobi Ghat

    January 31, 2023 in India ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    In the shadow of Mumbai’s towering skyscrapers lies Dobi Ghat, an old fashioned laundry that cleans clothes in water from the Arabian Sea.

    Different sections of Dobi Ghat specialize in specific items, such as jeans, sheets, etc. As you can see, they don’t use clothes pins. Instead, twisted ropes hold items in place.

    I’m not sure how they keep track of all the laundry, but it must be quite a system!

    The people who work there, live there, as well. Some of the women and children of Dobi Ghat sell items to tourists who come to the viewpoint that overlooks their busy neighborhood.    Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler
    1

    Parsi Sky Burials

    January 31, 2023 in India ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    Surely you know the word “incarnation,” but did you know that “excarnation” is a word, too?

    Read on!

    Also, see that pink building? There’s an interesting reason why so many birds are soaring nearby.

    In 1931, Mumbai’s Parsi population, Iranian immigrants who practice the Zoroastrian religion, erected that pink building. It’s called a “Dakhma,” meaning “Tower of Silence.”

    Inside the Tower of Silence, there is a chute leading to a private beach. The Parsi people send their dead down that chute so that scavenging birds can eat the bodies at this excarnation site.

    For many decades, there were plenty of vultures to complete this task. Sadly, since the late 1990s, the birds are extinct in this region.

    As always, there’s some debate as to why the vultures are gone. A likely reason is that the birds died from painkillers in the corpses which are toxic to them. The pain killers came on the market just as the vultures began to decline.

    Our guide, who is with the official Mumbai tourist office, didn’t want to talk much about it, so I didn’t press her, but I’ve read about the issue before our trip.

    These days, there are ravens and kites still swarming over the Tower of Silence, but they are not as efficient as vultures.

    It can now take a couple months for the bodies to fully decompose here, alas. These remains are not easily visible, though, and only Parsis are allowed to visit the excarnation site.

    To make up for the lack of vultures, solar panels have been added to the area. They add heat to the decaying bodies, which hastens the excarnation process.

    So why do the Parsis prefer these “sky burials” over traditional burials?

    To Parsi people, the earth and its waterways are sacred. Letting vultures dispose of their dead keeps them from polluting the earth with a corpse.

    It’s an interesting practice, isn’t it? If it weren’t for the vulture/painkiller conundrum, it seems like a good idea for those who want a green burial.    Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Mumbai City Tour

    January 31, 2023 in India ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    The ship gave everyone a free bus tour through the city of Mumbai.

    Our guide described Mumbai as the “New York City of India.” A better description might be, “New York City sprinkled with cows in random places.”

    I’ll make a whole post about the “holy cows,” too, as well as some other specific places we stopped on our tour.

    People were super friendly and many waved at us as we passed by. But talk about crowded. Hoo whee! Just look at all the people crossing the street.

    What a throng!    Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Mumbai Air Quality

    January 31, 2023 in India ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    There’s no way to sugar coat this: The air quality in Mumbai is atrocious!

    I was shocked by how limited the visibility was due to smog. Even my camera had trouble focusing at times; the whole world was a blur!

    After our jaunt through the city, Larry washed his shirt in the sink. (We do laundry by hand when we travel.) This time, however, he called me over to see the water; it was a chocolatey brown, much darker than normal. Yikes!    Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Mumbai Streetlife

    January 30, 2023 in India ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    Rather than take an official tour on our first day in Mumbai, Larry and I decided to explore this hectic city on our own.

    Our official mission was to find a pharmacy, but we were quickly distracted by all the hustle and bustle.

    Not only is Mumbai busy, but the traffic is even crazier than Naples, Italy… and that is saying a lot!

    As we stood in a median trying to figure out when to venture forth, the woman standing beside us leaned over and said, “Excuse me, but you are very beautiful.”

    I returned the compliment, for she was gorgeous, and wearing a colorful dress. We chatted a little and then she took my arm as we crossed the street.

    It was a sweet exchange.

    I know why she thinks I’m pretty, though, and I find it funny. It’s because of my pale skin!

    Unlike most places I’ve been, pale skin is revered in India. As someone who’s often been teased about my hue, this came as quite a surprise on my first trip to to this country.

    In India, pale skin means strangers will openly stare at you. Some will sneak photos of you, while others will ask to have a selfie taken with you.

    I caused quite a few double takes during our visit and one man even blew kisses. Hey, after a lifetime of teasing, it’s nice to be queen for a day!

    We never did find a pharmacy, but we enjoyed many sights in this extremely hectic city. I didn’t have any cash on me or I’d have bought a flute from that one guy.

    I don’t know what the man in the striped shirt was selling, but he kept blowing a little horn to attract attention. As for the man on the bike, he is sharpening knives.

    The guy with the big bundle is carrying sugar cane. If I weren’t worried about hygiene, I’d have tried some of the sugar cane drink they sell at stalls throughout the city.

    Sadly, my photos can’t convey the barrage of sounds and smells of Mumbai. The street food smelled good, though.    Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    I’m learning Romanian!

    January 28, 2023, Arabian Sea ⋅ 🌙 73 °F

    After a week of dining alone at a table for six, Larry and I suddenly gained two more dinner companions.

    Usually, the ship places people who speak the same language together, but for some reason, they sat a Romanian couple with us. (They are the only Romanians on the ship.)

    I suppose some Americans would be annoyed by this, but we love it!

    Not only are Constantin and Maria wonderful dinner companions, but with each meal, our language barrier erodes a bit more.

    Last night I was able to hold a rudimentary conversation with them in Romanian. So much fun!

    It helps that Romanian is a Romance Language and many words are quite similar to Italian. It also helps that Constantin and Maria don’t mind my accent or how I butcher their language!

    I am sometimes afraid to attempt speaking another language due to my limited abilities, but on this trip, I’ve even had moments where circumstances required me to attempt German and French.

    Such moments are making me less self conscious when it comes to communicating in a foreign language, something that has often held me back in the past.

    On recent sea days, the ship has been offering Italian lessons. (I’m already an advanced beginner, but I’ve never taken any actual lessons.)

    The ship’s Italian class covers irregular verbs and prepositions, so it’s helpful.

    Plus, when they give handouts, the translations are in English, Portuguese, German, Spanish, and French, so you can learn several languages at Italian class!

    I sit by a German fellow, and it’s a good thing, because he caught a few typos on the German section. They had the word for “pregnant” down for “sister in law,” for instance.

    Meanwhile, I use breakfast as my chance to practice Tagalog with the Filipinos who work the buffet line.

    One morning, I showed up a bit late, so Arnie and Genna weren’t there. Even so, when the head chef saw me, he goes, “I will call your Filipino children over.”

    It would be so fun to show my “Filipino kids” around Texas sometime.

    My Tagalog needs serious work, though. It’s not a Romance language, so I can’t intuit how to work the verbs. I really butcher it!

    With any luck, we’ll have a Tagalog class later in the cruise.

    As for lunch, well, Larry and I skip lunch. On sea days, however, we play Scrabble, so words are still a feature, albeit English ones.

    Up until recently, Larry could never beat me at Scrabble, but I shared all my tricks with him, and now he is a formidable opponent!

    I come from a family of word lovers, so being exposed to so many different languages is a real treat for me!

    If you’re a word lover like me, you might consider taking a cruise with an international line such as Costa. It’s a wonderful learning experience, plus you meet people from all over the world.

    p.s. Here are a couple pics of us and our new friends from last night’s dinner.    Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Tropical Fruit

    January 27, 2023, Arabian Sea ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    The ship took on supplies in Oman today and among them was a bounty of tropical fruit.

    I loaded a plate up Noah’s Ark style, with two of everything for Larry and I to try.

    Trouble is, we didn’t even know how to go about eating some of them. Luckily, a kindly Filipino fellow explained what everything was and showed us how to eat them.

    I washed it all down with fresh coconut, as you can see! What a treat.    Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Tasty Camel Milk

    January 26, 2023 in Oman ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    I may have passed on the “Pocari Sweat,” but I did pick up some camel milk, date milk, and a lemon mint beverage.

    The lemon mint is a bit sweet, but when mixed with seltzer water it’s wonderfully quenching!

    The camel milk is yummy, too. This morning, I had it over ice as a mixer with a beautiful double espresso. So good!

    At home, when I make a weak espresso drink for my grandkids, I call it Cowboy Coffee. (My dad did the same thing for me when I was little, so it’s a family tradition.)

    They love it!

    I suppose, however, since I’m using camel milk that I shall call this beverage, “Bedouin Milk.”

    Tomorrow, I plan to mix an iced espresso with date milk.    Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Omani Grocery Store

    January 26, 2023 in Oman ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    We asked our cabbie to take us to a regular grocery store. It’s always fun to see what’s for sale around the world.

    Along with the ubiquitous Pringles, several cylinders of which our German companions bought, I saw a sports drink called “Pocari Sweat.”

    As a fan of the movie “Tropic Thunder,” I couldn’t help but think of “Booty Sweat.” In retrospect, I wish I’d bought some just to see what it’s like.

    I’m curious about the name, as well. Who or what exactly is Pocari???    Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Frankincense & Perfume

    January 26, 2023 in Oman ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    For millennia, Oman has been known for its frankincense and scented oils. (Even today, the most expensive fragrance in the world is made here.)

    Mohammed took us to the local souk today, where I sampled a couple dozen different Omani perfumed oils on my arm.

    After a LOT of sniffing, I chose two scents: Salalah Rose, and Sultan.

    Choosing your scent is only the first step. Next, you much pick a container for them to put some into.

    That was fun, too!

    Most commercial perfumes give me a headache and smell too strong, but these perfumed oils work perfectly for me.

    It’s a tradition for Omani men to wear scented oils, too.

    If you look closely at the photo I shared elsewhere of our cab drive, Mohammed, you’ll notice a little tassel on the collar of his outfit. That is where they dab a little perfume each day.    Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Omani Dagger a.k.a. Khanjar

    January 26, 2023 in Oman

    Our taxi tour in Oman took us by the Sultan’s palace. There wasn’t much to do except look at the gates and the tall walls.

    As you can see, the Sultan’s shield includes a crown, and two crossed swords topped by a curved dagger.

    That curved dagger is called a “khanjar,” and is one of the most important symbols of this nation.

    The khanjar is featured on Oman’s flag, money, and official seals on important documents.

    Long ago, Omani men wore a khanjar on a belt around their waists, over the traditional white long dishdasha (the long-sleeved robe they wear day to day) in case they needed to defend themselves. Nowadays, men only wear khanjars on special occasions, such as weddings.

    Our friend, Tom, happened upon a big wedding while wandering about Salalah today. Not only did they invite him to enjoy some food, but they posed for photos while wearing their khanjars. (Tom said he will email me a photo of the men wearing their daggers. When he does, I will add that photo to this post.)    Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Salalah Taxi Tour

    January 26, 2023 in Oman ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F

    Cabbies around the world are notorious for ripping people off, but in Oman the prices are fixed. You will usually see a sign with the fares to various destinations posted at the taxi station.

    And instead of being accosted by 10 different cabbies, the cabs must wait in line. When it’s their turn, they are waved over by the taxi station master.

    In America, we practically expect cabbies to be immigrants, but in Oman the job is reserved for citizens.

    Our cabbie today was a sweet guy named Mohammed. He took pictures of us at every stop.

    Why? For *his* Instagram page!

    And stupid me forgot to get his IG handle. I’d love to see what he posted. Ah, well…    Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    First Glimpse!

    January 26, 2023 in Oman ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F

    In this one minute video you can enjoy with me the excitement of glimpsing The Treasury in Petra after our hike through the narrow sandstone canyon that leads to the ancient city of Petra.

    Make all the Indiana Jones’ quips you’d like!Read more

  • Tui SniderJanuary 2023Traveler

    Somalian Pirates

    January 22, 2023, Red Sea ⋅ 🌙 75 °F

    Our dinner table is by a window. The curtains were drawn last night, so I opened them.

    A few minutes later, a security team breezed in, chatting on walkie-talkies. “We found it!” I heard them exclaim as they hastily drew our shades.

    Oops! I forgot we are sailing in an area where Somalian pirates are a concern. The curtains were drawn for a reason.

    The ship sent a letter to each cabin explaining the precautions they would take and where to gather in the event we are boarded.

    For the past two days, we have not been allowed to walk out on the main deck and the ship is not lit up like a Christmas tree at night.

    Security officials stand guard 24/7 on the deck. I’ve seen them peering through binoculars.

    Last time we passed through this area, I could see that the ship was armed with water and sound cannons on either side, as well. I’m not sure this time.

    Even though the threat is a small one, I’m glad they are not taking any chances!    Read more

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