Polaroid of the Week: Captivating Manhattan Sunset

We had just arrived in Guatemala and spent a couple of days in Flores, a picturesque island town on Lake Petén Itzá. One sunny afternoon, lounging on the dock, a friendly Guatemalan anciano (elderly gentleman) approached to chat. He introduced himself as Miguel de San Miguel from the village of San Miguel across the lake. At 85 years old, Miguel had lived his entire life by the lake, dedicating most of it to extracting chicle from sapodilla trees in the nearby jungles. His warmth captivated us,

After arriving in the UK from a scorching 100°F (38°C) New York day into a chilly 55°F (13°C) rainy morning, I worried my Brighton weekend—including the Pride Parade—might be washed out. Fortunately, the weather cleared by the time I reached Brighton by train. I headed straight to the beach to savor the blue skies and iconic pier. The pebble beach buzzed with families, couples, exchange students, and early Pride arrivals, all basking in the relaxed vibe. As a frequent visitor during my England

When we booked our Southeast Asia trip, we dreamed of months on tropical white-sand beaches—island-hopping, lounging in hammocks, and soaking up the sun.Reality differed: Since arriving in Thailand in October, wed visited few beaches beyond initial stops at Koh Lanta, Ko Phi Phi, and Phuket. Our itinerary focused on landlocked Laos and central and northern Thailand. In Malaysia, we explored Kuala Lumpur and the Cameron Highlands, far from coastal bliss.Local friends recommendations led us to Lan