Michael Ballard

Madagascar: More Than Just Lemurs

Madagascar is a name that brings exotic thoughts to mind. Misty mountains. Impenetrable jungle. A remote…
Postcards to Wanda: Kyrgyzstan

Hello to Wanda from Kyrgyzstan, the melting pot of Central Asia. With a mix of cultures,…
Making the Case for Mongolia

Is Mongolia the most influential country in the history of the world? It’s a question we pondered…
Overland in China: Part 6, The Great Wall

This was our fifth time to China, our second visit to the capital of Beijing, and…
Overland in China: Part 5, The Terracotta Warriors

When I was a kid, my parents had a subscription to National Geographic magazine. In a…
Overland in China: Part 4, Zhangjiajie and Tianmen Mountain

We left the popular, crowded eastern coast of China for the rocky, wild interior, stopping in…
Overland in China: Part 3, Hangzhou

A one-hour train ride to the southeast from Shanghai will find you arriving in the municipality…
Overland in China: Part 2, Suzhou

We spent several days in Shanghai eating hot pot and exploring some lesser-known temples and museums.…
Overland in China: Part 1, Overview and Preparations

Any effort to explore China with any depth would take multiple lifetimes. Angela and I had…
Mysterious Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea is a destination steeped in mystery and tribal tradition. Synonymous with jungle intrigue,…