"It is more a mission or a passion. Much more than just a job or a profession." With those words Captain Vito Giacalone of Carnival Cruise Lines began our interview recently while aboard the "Imagination" sailing in the blue Caribbean waters. "Having a tuna fisherman for a father and living by the sea all of my life, it was a very natural fit for me to want to become a captain of a ship," he continued. "But how does it all come about? … [Read more...]
To Hellholes & Back
To Hellholes & Back by Chuck Thompson This is one of the most humorous travel reads that has come across our desk in a long time. Chuck Thompson decides to visit what he perceives to be four scary "hellholes": Congo, India, Mexico City and as he says, "perhaps most terrifying of all", Disney World in Florida. The book is chock full of memorable witty quotes that will leave you hunched over laughing especially the chapters on India and even more … [Read more...]
660 Curries
660 Curries by Raghavan Iyer When one person has compiled 660 curry recipes as indicated in the title of this book, that person has conducted years of research. This person is Raghavan Iyer, a native of India who is a former chef with a degree in hotel & restaurant management. In depth sections on the components of curries, follows with 9 different curry chapters, finishing with a chapter about curry accompaniments dishes. This is a must … [Read more...]
Oakley Headquarters, Orange County CA
We recently had a chance to re-visit the Oakley Headquarters in Orange County California - it had been 12 years since I was here and this time I had a formalized tour by one of their employees. For something different and probably out of the way, make a trip up the "bunker" or Oakley Headquarters located at 1 Icon Parkway in Foothill Ranch (Orange County, South East of Irvine). Visitor parking is available across from the entrance - lots of … [Read more...]
Still Alive
I'm learning to read his jaw. Sometimes I lose the language in his translations, but his jaw telegraphs the unspeakable. But, tonight, I can't see it. We're facing each other, squaring off in the shadows over outdoor vanilla sundaes laced with crisp kiwis and strawberries, arguing about whether I should accompany him to pick up his food rations from the United Nations. The UN had suspended food giveaways, and he finally has an appointment … [Read more...]
Comida Madrilena
As the capital of Spain there is no doubt that Madrid delivers a great deal of excellent dining choices, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you get good food from the region everywhere you go. Like every other bigger city it is a melting pot for different regions where different cultures and with that different flavours get mixed together. So what are typical dishes from Madrid? If you're going to stay in apartments in Madrid you … [Read more...]
More fun in Los Angeles
There's always, always something to do in Los Angeles and this past weekend was no different. Stumbled into a place to stay at the last minute - turned out to be where George Clooney used to live and Quentin Tarantino wrote Pulp Fiction. Nice! Location was quintessential West Hollywood - minutes from the "strip". Hit the LACOT Travel Tweetup at the Xbar at the Hyatt in Century City. Good to reconnect with other LA area based travelers … [Read more...]
The Bride, the Priest and the Maniac
We both sighed when the gate agent announced our flight would be delayed - again. Only twenty more minutes the agent promised. My stomach gurgled as I slumped into my seat and returned to my book. Great. I'd probably have to run like a crazy woman to make my connecting flight at the next airport. These kinds of delays are one of the reasons I dislike traveling alone. My mind inevitably churns with all the "what ifs," especially if re-routing is … [Read more...]
Island Escape, Roxy Maldives Resort
A stay on a private island in the middle of the Maldives can make the rest of the world seem mundane, pedestrian in comparison. Such is the case of Roxy Maldives Resort (formerly Zitahli Resort & Spa Kuda-Funafaru) on its own private island in the heart of the Noonu Atoll, accessible via a 50 minute seaplane ride from Male (the capital city of the Maldives). The "welcome pier" at Roxy Maldives "Remote" Maldivian resorts such as these … [Read more...]
Luxury stays in Thailand
I had the happy occasion to be in Thailand in spring 2011, staying first in downtown Bangkok, then up in Chiang Mai, luxuriating in two hotels that were two of the most glorious and well appointed I'd ever enjoyed. In the thick of downtown Bangkok is Lebua at State Tower, a five-star, all-suite luxury hotel that towers over the rest and offers stunning views of the city and Praya River below. It is a massive place of glass and stone, and … [Read more...]
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