For those of you who email me about such things, Bendery is also known as Bender… And Bendery was actually the first town we entered in Transnistria. After passing through the border checkpoint, one descends the hill pictured below into Bendery: By the way, despite all of the rumors about bribes and hassles crossing the … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Justin Ames
Hiller Tunnel
Ever since Brandon and I visited Hiller Tunnel at Malakoff Diggins last summer (and took the picture you can see below) we have wanted to venture into its mysterious depths… We would have headed up the cave that day, but lacked any lights (which are definitely needed). So, what better time to do so than … Continue reading
Driving Across The Country
In late January (2011) I did a solo run from Oregon House, California to Toronto, Canada (mostly on Interstate 80). I drove with my camera on my lap and these are some of the pictures I took from my car as I made my way across the country – America and Canada as I saw … Continue reading
Visiting Transnistria: Tiraspol
When I mention Transnistria, the reaction I have gotten from most people is “Trans-what? Where is that?” However, Transnistria is worth knowing about because it and Moldova are becoming significant. First off, I have included a map to show you where Transnistria is: I should mention that although it is most commonly known in English … Continue reading
Visiting Chernobyl
Chernobyl Reactor # 4 shortly after the meltdown: Part 1: Chernobyl and Reactor # 4 Until the late 1990s it would have been impossible for me to come here. The whole area was sealed off. Now though, the United Nations is encouraging “ecotourism” to the former Chernobyl disaster zone in order to help the area … Continue reading
Welcome to Gagauzia…
Welcome to Gagauzia! Never heard of Gagauzia? I forgive you because not many people have… It is worth mentioning though because this autonomous region of Moldova was the scene of fierce fighting in the early 1990s between the Moldovan armed forces and Gagauz nationalists fighting for independence (with a little help from Transnistrian militia forces … Continue reading
Suicide Hill
Written: August, 2009 in London, U.K. Occurred: Summer, Late 1980s/Early 1990s in Oregon House, CA When I was growing up in Oregon House, I often used to go riding around on my Predator BMX bike with my friends Pat and Shane (who had similar bicycles). Like most boys we would seek out excitement and go … Continue reading
The Velvet Rocket 