Paku circumnavigates globe.

Having abandoned his search for the Northwest Passage, Paku circumnavigates globe via the conventional route around the Cape of Good Hope.

Paku in Swazi

Paku recently had the opportunity to travel to the Kingdom of Swaziland. After a harrowing drive through the South African province of Mpumalanga, where a dense fog settled across the road and Paku could barely distinguish his mitten-covered paw in front of his face, he arrived at Mlilwane lodge under the cover of nightfall.
The kind ranger toting a gun meant for stunning any wandering Hippos led Paku to his accommodations for the evening. Exhausted from the drive, he dropped off to sleep almost immediately. Only the next morning did Paku discover he was staying in a traditional Swazi beehive hut!!! Although his night had been spent pleasantly in this woven shelter, Paku dreaded discovering the giant sized bee that must also share his temporary lodgings with him! Frightened, he fled for the markets of the Malkerns and Ezulwini valley. There Paku found no shortage of woven goods, handblown glass and unique candles for purchase. After lightening his wallet of a few Lilangeni, Paku attempted an innocuous quick trip through the South African/Swazi border. Unfortunately, due to Paku's extensive purchases, he was detained at the border until his various tariffs and bribes could be sorted out.

All in all, Paku recommends Swazi for a long weekend from Joburg, but warns to bring an EpiPen in order to guard against a fatal sting from the giant though reclusive Swazi bee.

Paku encounters previously believed to be extinct dinosaur species

Paku had been under the impression that dinosaurs have been extinct for quite some time, however, it turns out that they all just moved to Canada.


As you can see, Paku had a rather unfortunate encounter with this fellow, formerly thought to have been extinct since the Cretaceous Period.

Long lost Paku resurfaces in The Great White North!

As has probably become apparent, sometimes Paku does not make the very best travel decisions. Quite some time ago, Paku was observed wandering the streets of Ottawa...


...what became of Paku in the Great White North was one of the great mysteries of our time.

Until now!

Paku has finally resurfaced, with a wild tale about an encounter with dinosaurs, a monster truck, a waterfall that is higher than Niagara Falls and a long lost French speaking relation (pictured with Paku above) who helped him find his way back to civilization.

Paku enjoys another Icelandic delicacy.... hot dogs!

Paku's final task in Iceland was to taste a traditional Icelandic hot dog from Bæjarins beztu pylsur. Paku is pleased to report that it lives up to its reputation as the best hot dog in town.

This hot dog contributed to Paku's overall impression of the Icelandic cullinary experience as unexpectedly pleasing and unique.

Pauk finds hidden people

The elusiveness of Iceland's hidden people became a source of extreme annoyance to Paku. Paku reasoned that given that the people of Iceland make decisions about the placement of roads and aluminum factories based on the location of the hidden people, someone must be able to see them to ensure they are avoiding them!

An increasingly agitated Paku was assured that there are hidden people in evidence at all times in the tiny town of Vík í Mýrdal on Iceland's southern coast.

A skeptical Paku embarked on the long, scenic drive from Reykjavik to Vik in the wee hours of the morning, though who could even tell since it is never dark in Iceland this time of year.

Fortunately, Paku was not disappointed. There area always hidden people visible in Vik because they have been turned into stone!! Quite some time ago, two trolls were tugging a three masted ship toward shore when the sun came up and they have been frozen in place ever since.

Having finally found some hidden people, Paku had only one remaining Icelandic quest to pursue.

Paku enjoys best lobster soup in the history of time

There are few foods Paku loves nearly as much as bamboo, but lobster and things made with lobster comprise the vast majority of them. Paku's encounter with the lobster soup at Saegreifinn in Reykjavik was a life altering experience. Paku has enjoyed many delicious bowls of lobster soup in his lifetime but this bowl of lobster soup is so delicious he believes it defines the category. This is the lobster soup against which all lobster soups should be compared.

Paku's search for Iceland's "hidden people" leads him to the southern most point of the northern most place he has ever been

Paku's quest to find Iceland's famous "hidden people" led him to Dyrhólaey, the island's southern most point. It was Paku's strong preference that any hidden person encounter be with elves rather than trolls but he was resigned to the fact that it ultimately would not be up to him and he would consider himself fortunate to find any evidence of hidden people at all.

Pauk warms up in a new hat

After a luxurious soak at the Blue Lagoon, Paku's first order of business was to get himself climate appropriate attire and a nice place to stay. Paku selected the 101 Hotel in Reykjavik based largely on its aesthetic which was very much in keeping with Paku's own personal style.


Paku blended into the decor so well he had difficulty finding himself in the mirror. Once he did, he concluded that he looked great in his new hand knit Icelandic wool hat.

Paku seeks relaxing island vacation; finds self in Iceland

Following a long, cold, snowy winter, Paku resolved to take a well deserved vacation at a tropical island paradise. Apparently Paku failed to clearly articulate his precise requirements to his travel agent and as a result found himself in Iceland.

While technically within his stated island specifications, Iceland was not exactly what he had in mind. In fact Iceland is more or less exactly the opposite of what he had in mind. However, Paku is all for making lemons into leomonade and made the best of the highly unexpected situation.

Rather inconveniently, Paku had packed little more than his swimming outfit. Fortunately for him it turns out that the Icelandic landscape is dotted with lava encased geothermically heated pools of hot water. Even more fortunately for Paku, the Blue Lagoon is in close proximity to the airport. After a long soak Paku was prepared to face the new reality of his vacation that unexpectedly included glaciers instead of palm trees.

Happy Evacuation Day!!!

Paku is prepared to admit that he is not as well versed in American history as he should be. As a result, Paku was alarmed by the presence of a small army in 18th century military dress armed with muskets, bayonets fixed, marching on Wall Street this afternoon. As Paku was preparing to seek cover from the onslaught, he was handed an informative leaflet. As it turns out, today is the 225th anniversary of the evacuation of New York City by the British. Happy Evacuation Day!!

Seasons Greetings!!

Nothing says Merry Christmas to Paku quite like a giant Christmas tree erected in the middle of a street that has been closed to traffic to prevent terrorists from destroying the surrounding buildings being decorated by men in hardhats on some kind of crane in the shadow of a giant American flag made of Christmas lights. Paku hopes this moving image gets you in the holiday spirit too.

Paku reflects on the future of American finance over brunch

Paku saves $24.95

The Mount Roberts Tramway is one of Juneau's most popular attractions. En route to Alaska, Paku learned that while a round trip ticket on the tram costs nearly $25, hikers who make it up Mount Roberts to the tram can ride down for free. In the current economic environment, Paku made the fiscally responsible decision to walk up and ride down.

Exhausted Paku eagerly awaiting bedtime

Paku arrived in Juneau, Alaska what seems to him like at least a day ago. Paku certainly feels quite tired and in need of some sleep. However, he is convinced that he must just be experiencing some jet lag because it is not night time yet. In fact, the light has changed very little since he arrived. Time must just move slower out here away from the office. In order to acclimate to the time change Paku would prefer to wait until the evening to go to bed but perhaps a short nap is in order...

Cherry blossoms live up to hype

Since arriving in the United States just over two years ago, Paku has heard a lot of talk about the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C. Paku considers himself an expert in cherry blossoms and was skeptical that any cherry blossoms outside of Japan could meet his exacting standards. In order to give the blossoms their best opportunity to impress him, he timed his visit to the District with peak bloom, which came rather early this year.

As it turned out, the cool weather and overcast sky were perfect bloom viewing conditions. The blossoms were particularly vivid against the overcast sky and gray water of the tidal basin. By the end of his visit, Paku was telling anyone who would listen that these were the finest cherry blossoms he had ever seen. His declarations were amplified by a few cherry themed drinks at the historic Round Robin Bar.

Paku's exhaustive search for missing luggage ultimately in vain

Paku commemorated the recent long Easter weekend with a return trip to Amsterdam. Despite cold and wet weather conditions throughout the weekend, he had a thoroughly good time. By Sunday he was looking forward to an uneventful and relaxing return journey back to New York.

Unbeknown to Paku, while he was settling into his comfortable seat on KLM, his luggage's stay in the Netherlands was being involuntarily extended.

Upon his arrival back in New York, Paku quickly cleared immigration. He then began his vigil at baggage carousel #7. When it became painfully apparent that Paku's bag would never tumble down the carousel #7 conveyor belt, Paku took up the search for his missing bag in earnest.
Paku thought that perhaps his bag had fallen out of the plane when they opened up the cargo area to unload it. Despite a thorough inspection of the outside of the plane, Paku's luggage remained unfound.

Pointlessly, Paku sought the assistant of a KLM representative. As a result of that encounter, Paku has decided that he will never again seek the assistance of a KLM representative.

The exact location of Paku's luggage and the timing of its return to the United States remains a mystery more than 24 hours after Paku's arrival back in New York.

Saving Pandas, Millions at a Time

Instead of ivory towers, Johns Hopkins has a dome.

Paku treats himself to a treat

Today Paku stopped by his local Japanese pastry shop for a delicious treat.

Paku chose this special lucky New Year's selection to enjoy
while he watches the Super Bowl tomorrow.

Paku (belatedly) commemorates birthday of Edgar Allen Poe with visit to Baltimore

Sometimes when Paku is feeling excessively cheerful, he reaches for a the collected works of Edgar Allen Poe, selects a page at random, begins reading, and is instantaneously cured.