It's easy to argue that California is the land freeways and automobiles. And with its massive scale and incredible geographic diversity, there are plenty of scenic routes to explore. We've all heard of the world-famous drives, like the section of the Pacific Coast Highway through Big Sur or Mulholland Drive through the Hollywood Hills. While I have plenty of favorites, I'd like to share three lesser-known routes. There are, of course, many more … [Read more...]
About Abdul Rastagar
“There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Hi, I’m Abdul, a father, husband, and all-around curious guy. I unwittingly became a frequent traveler as a baby and have chosen to never stop. Traveling the world, exploring diverse cultures, meeting different people and growing as a person with each new trip are at the core of my identity. I feel most refreshed when I’m randomly pointing at a menu written in a language I do not speak, having no clue what I just ordered.
I aim to use my travels and my writing to help bring our planet closer together. I left Twitter but you can still find me on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/rastagar).
Nice to “meat” you in Tokyo
An interview with Tokyo's hottest up-and-coming restaurateur Keisuke Inoue Most people automatically think “sushi” when Japanese cuisine is mentioned. However, Japanese food is much bigger than just raw fish and rice. It is an entirely different food culture than we in the west are accustomed to. Just check out these stats on Japan’s stunning restaurant scene: Japan boasts more than twice as many restaurants per capita than the US (1 for … [Read more...]
💩 Happens When You Travel
I didn’t think much of it at first. His face was somewhat pale and the ever-present smile had been replaced by a slightly anguished expression. He mentioned he was cold but how could this be? We were in the middle of the hot and humid Cambodian jungle. Maybe it was just exhaustion from a long day of exploring Angkor Wat? I figured if we just rested a while, we’d be OK. Then 💩 happened. Literally. The next few hours were spent assisting him back … [Read more...]
Colonial Melaka
What do you get when you mix Malay, Portuguese, Dutch, English, Indian, Japanese and Chinese? You get Melaka – a particularly diverse Malaysian town of about 500,000 inhabitants. And though the population is mostly Malay now, you’ll quickly notice the diversity in architecture, languages, people and foods. No wonder the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For anyone with an interest in history or culture, the city center of Melaka offers a … [Read more...]
Gardens of Singapore
What comes to mind when you hear the name Singapore? For me, it’s high rises, global finance, the famed marina and, of course, that huge infinity pool overlooking the city. But, to my surprise, these were not the things I noticed when I first arrived. Instead, what caught my attention was how green and alive with plants the city was. It started directly at Changi airport, where I immediately spotted the living green wall in the arrivals hall … [Read more...]
Je Me Souviens Quebec / I Remember Quebec
“Quebec is the most beautiful city in North America I’ve seen.” – Sebastian Bach Leaving aside that Sebastian has quite clearly never been to Puebla, Mexico, I am inclined to agree with him. Quebec, indeed, is a most fanciful city, romantically trapped in an era long gone and full of Old World charm. I first visited it on a day trip from Montreal with my dad fifteen years ago. Dare I steal Quebec’s honored motto of “Je me souviens” (I … [Read more...]
Pow Wow of the Northern Cree
"Under the reflection of the northern lights, we see the head of Ciiwetinustikwaan, the man of the north." - saying of the Northern Cree After days of adventure travel in the Saguenay-Lac-St Jean area come to a close, I let my fingers meander across the map to find my next would-be destination. This is actually one my of favorite activities: simply pick a remote location on a map and make my way there, never really knowing what I’ll find. I … [Read more...]
Manhattan’s Korean Way
What I love most about New York, is the diversity of people and cultures that mix and mingle without even thinking twice about it. Walking down the street, you are more likely to hear any one of a large array of foreign languages than you are to hear English. This could include Chinese, Indian, Russian, German, Hebrew, Arabic, Portuguese, Urdu.... You name it and you'll probably hear it. And each group brings with it its own culture and history … [Read more...]
Adventure Travel in Quebec – Part II
“Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventure.” When I last left you on my week-long adventure trip to Quebec's Saguenay-Lac St. Jean region, I had just finished two days of aerial challenges: an exhausting a treetop obstacle course, followed by an even more obscene climb along the 250-meter high Via Ferrata. What was next on the agenda around Saguenay fjord, I wondered? Sea kayaking in the fjord Turns out, that next stop … [Read more...]
Adventure Travel in Quebec
“Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventure.” I admit I only know a little about Quebec, that francophone region located right in the heart of North America. I am aware that it is Canada’s second largest (and second-most populous) province. And that 90% of its population lives within just a couple of hours of the border with the United States. But what about the other 10%? Where and how do they live? What’s there to do beyond … [Read more...]