I departed Nova Petropolis at 6:30 am. There were so many more things to see in Rio Grande do Sul, of that I was sure. But I had to get on the road, appreciate the tight curves and tailgaters for one last time. The nearly two hour drive back to the airport in Porto Alegre was relatively uneventful, fortunately. I’d chosen to fly with Gol for my entire trip, though I realized after I bought my tickets that it might have been better to mix up my … [Read more...]
Ballarat, California – May 2020
Not to be mistaken for the original Ballarat in Australia (which is still a thriving city and a popular tourist destination), this Ballarat was named after the Australian town by an Australian miner. Originally founded in 1897, it provided services and accommodation for miners working several mines in the nearby vicinity. Its peak population was around 500 - like other remote gold mining towns, once the gold began to play out, the population … [Read more...]
Emotion and Historical Insight at Ronald Reagan Museum
On a recent trip to southern California, with some time on my hands on a Monday afternoon, I decided to point my wheels toward a place that had always intrigued me: the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. One of 13 presidential libraries in the United States, it sits atop a hill in the suburban enclave of Simi Valley, about forty-five minutes from downtown Los Angeles. I had never been to a presidential museum before and to be … [Read more...]
Brazilian Cachaça trip Day Two-Rio Grande do Sul: Casa Bucco and beyond
I bounded out of bed on that second day. It was after 7, later than I’d expected to sleep. I opened the curtains in my room to let in the bright sun. A bright blue, cloudless sky greeted me. Breakfast at the pousada was traditional: a range of cakes, breads, and sandwich makings, as well as fresh fruit, juice, and coffee. With an urge to get on the road, knowing that it would take me almost two hours to reach Casa Bucco, I ate with … [Read more...]
Pursuing Ski Resorts for both Winter and Summer Sports Activities
My first introduction to ski resorts was with my father at a very young age - we would pack into the car and drive several hours to the ski slopes and spend our afternoons combing up and down the slopes for coins and jewelry. Initially it was just walking while carefully studying the ground beneath our feet. You would be surprised what people lost during the ski season - we found beer cans still cold sitting in the snow, capri sun drinks - and … [Read more...]
Brazilian Cachaça Trip–Rio Grande do Sul, Day One (cont.): Nova Petropolis
It was late afternoon when I left Weber Haus. On the twisting roads, cars tailgated me. Geez, I get it. You guys like to go fast around tight curves. Small towns appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, with homes and other buildings popping with bright pastel colors. Unfortunately, I couldn’t much turn my head to get a clear glimpse at most of these places, because if I had, I probably would have either gotten rear-ended, or run off the road. It … [Read more...]
From Sea to Shining Sea: Rediscovering America’s Beauty
One of the joys of being a travel writer is that I get to fulfill my quench for knowledge and adventure daily. Whether by plane, train or even camel on occasion, I am fortunate to explore the nooks and crannies of this planet, absorbing the cultures, traditions, religions and especially the cuisine of foreign lands. Amongst the passport stamps and customs checkpoints, it remains important to me to explore my roots. And that is why every year I … [Read more...]
Exploring Sydney Like a Boss on a Tight Budget
Whenever someone mentions Sydney or any other Australian destination, probably the first thought is related to beauty, shortly followed by a question - ‘How to pay it?’ We know it and don’t worry, you’re not the first one. As I was living in Melbourne for three years, I’ve learned how to truly experience the culture and explore the place on a tight budget. After doing some research, I’ve managed to come up with an exciting way to explore … [Read more...]
2020 Buellton Wine & Chili Festival
BUELLTON, CA, - February 01, 2020 – The 2020 Buellton Wine & Chili Festival will take place on Sunday, March 15th from 12-4:30pm. Guests are invited to sample from over 30 wineries and craft breweries from all over the Central Coast and 25+ chili and salsa cooks including local restaurants, at one of the first festivals of its kind. Currently in its 7th year, and selling out last year, the festival has consistently grown year over year with more … [Read more...]
Ticos and Tica – the Culture and Food of Costa Rica
Costa Rica's name, "Rich Coast" was coined by Columbus when he stopped near present-day Limon and saw the indigenous people wearing "golden mirrors around their necks." As a destination, Costa Rica is rich in cultural and eco-tourism wildlife experiences with the added allure of the beautiful beaches of the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Best of all, Costa Rica is only a few short hours away from the East Coast by air. Being from the east … [Read more...]
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