It was a crisp Friday morning in December; I was standing on a temple compound in Kathmandu thronged by hundreds of sombre-looking devotees offering prayers with garlands and fruits. The air was scented with a mixture of fragrance from the flowers and incense. The sidewalks were bustling with vendors hawking a wide variety of religious souvenirs and infested with stray dogs scavenging for food through piles of garbage. The place was overrun with … [Read more...]
Archives for July 2018
Tai Chi in China
Our dear tai chi master, Dr. Paul Lam, and his partner Hazel invited us to join them as part of a small group on a two-week tai chi workshop/tour of China. Dr. Lam said he designed the trip to be “fun and serious, leisurely and exciting, like the yin and yang of tai chi.” This design of contrasts generated a trip of remarkable paradoxes: Absolutely clean wide modern streets and filthy holes-in-the-ground bathrooms. Great Wall preserved … [Read more...]
Essential Smells, Essential Oils, Exploring the Lavender Fields of Provence with Viking Cruises
A highlight of a Viking cruise to Provence is a full-day excursion to the heart of southern France's lavender country. However, plan your trip accordingly - timing is everything when it comes to this aromatic plant. It must be sown at a certain time of year and harvested precisely during dry warm conditions. And for those coming to be inspired by its visual appeal, there is a certain time of year for that as well. The lavender fields hit their … [Read more...]
Vibrant LaGrange: Embrace the Surprise of this Sweet Georgia Downtown
LAGRANGE, GEORGIA- 2018--Annually millions, of people travel Georgia's Interstate-85, crossing the Georgia/Alabama line with no idea they are minutes from LaGrange's vibrant downtown, which puts the spotlight on mouthwatering food, energetic entertainment and opportunities for memory-making. Music to the ears Live music can be found every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at a number of pubs or venues around town, including Wild Leap Brew … [Read more...]
7 Best US Living History Museums
If you want a little more out of a vacation, take the kids somewhere history comes alive. More than just a collection of artifacts, living history museums bring history to life in a way that children remember long after the visit. Think walking along the streets our founding fathers did or touching 450-year-old buildings. Imagine mining for gold or driving the first motorized vehicle. These hands-on experiences put you in the middle of history … [Read more...]
2018 Penang Temple Fair
Chinese New Year is undoubtedly the best time to visit Penang. During this time, this UNESCO World Heritage site becomes a buzz of activity with crowds, colorful holiday decorations and a lineup of exciting and interesting events. One of the most anticipated events that always draws a diverse crowd is the Temple Fair, otherwise known as Miao Hui in Chinese. This celebration is a large-scale street fair co-hosted by a collective of Chinese … [Read more...]
Expect the Unexpected: Take Precautions When Traveling Abroad
You’ve been there before. You planned a domestic trip and despite your attention to detail, something goes wrong. You lose your luggage at the airport, your hotel room was never reserved, you forget to pack your cell phone charger, or some other crazy thing goes wrong causing you to have to make a few adjustments. You may be a tad bit frustrated, but your trip isn’t completely ruined. When you add a few thousand miles and an entirely different … [Read more...]
What to see and do in Boise, Idaho
Currently the fastest-growing city in the US, downtown Boise also happens to be easily walkable, laid out in a grid with Grove Plaza at its heart and Julia Davis Park at its southern edge. Within the space of a short week, I got to explore some of the best the city has to offer. Street Art Head straight to Freak Alley (between 8th and 9th Streets closest to Bannock Street). Colorful styles of graffiti abound everywhere you look and the … [Read more...]
Ha Ha Tonka State Park Named Most Beautiful Place in Missouri
Lake of the Ozarks, MO - In a recent article published by Condé Nast Traveler, the Lake of the Ozarks' Ha Ha Tonka State Park, located at 1491 State Highway D near Camdenton, was named the most beautiful place in Missouri. The article, which listed the most beautiful and compelling place in each of the 50 states, urges readers to consider the list as a "starting point to the most epic cross-country trip ever." According to Condé Nast: … [Read more...]
How to Prepare and Pack Like a Pro for a Trip
After 20+ years of traveling, a question I am asked every now and then is, "I will be traveling to (fill in the destination here) - how should I pack?" And the answer that I always reply with is, "pack light"! I'm less concerned with how long you are going for and where you are going - as I have lightweight options that will work for general travel to most destinations on the planet regardless of whether your trip is a week or 2 months. One … [Read more...]