Two years ago we arrived to charming George Town with the intention of staying one week. We stayed one month in the end. In May 2015 we returned and again we stayed much longer than we had planned, and we will be definitely coming back to this intriguing town in the future. Where exactly can you find this town of wonders? George Town is situated on Penang island in the north-west of Peninsular Malaysia. We always feel home in George Town … [Read more...]
Cruising Bordeaux with Viking River Cruises
Viking River Cruises was established in 1977 as a fairly small operation with just four ships offering Russian River cruises marketed to Europeans. The company has expanded quickly over the years - entering the US market in 2000. They are now the world's largest river cruise company offering a variety of trips in Europe, Russia, China, Southeast Asia and Egypt. In addition to their main cruise offerings, Viking can arrange airfare and post and … [Read more...]
Dalian, China – June 2015
Dalian is a major seaport in Northwestern China. The city is huge and wraps around the coastline for miles with amazing modern architecture and hundreds of high rise residential buildings. The drive along part of the rugged coastline overlooking the ocean is well worth the time. Unlike Shenyang (a 4 hour drive away) which is an un-inspirational industrial city - Dalian has the influences that only a city can have by being an International … [Read more...]
Cyclepaths in Cuba
My father, usually a quiet man, burst through the door and hustled the family in front of the television set. He said we were on the verge of something terrible and we needed to see and understand. It was October 22, 1962. My father, a career officer at the C.I.A., seemed distressed with things he knew that others did not. We then watched in horror as John Kennedy described the Russian missiles west of Havana, capable of reaching our home in … [Read more...]
Plan Your Own Great Wall Adventure
A day trip to the Great Wall easily qualifies as a major highlight of our month long travels across China. In fact, I would even go as far as saying that if I had to pick just one “must” from a long list of great things to do/see in China, touring the Great Wall would be it -- although to visit only one location in China would be very distressing, as the rest of the country is fascinating. Why does the Great Wall qualify as my top … [Read more...]
A Taste of Proper Fun: Bermuda
Like many who have survived into adulthood, I wince when I look back and recall some of the youthful antics I partook under the name of fun. Like a lad who graduates from cheap flavored whiskey to fine wine, I today prefer my fun with a dash of panache, a subtle aroma, and a delightfully delicate nose. So, of course, it is a treat to discover Bermuda, the place that practically invented proper fun, and which now embodies it. The demure … [Read more...]
Benxi Shuidong National Park, China – March 2015
The highlight of a visit to this National Park is the Benxi Water Cave system (located about 45 minutes from the major city of Shenyang). This 500 million year old cave is the world's longest underwater river cave accessible by boat. It is one of this region's most visited attractions - the temperature is 12C year round - so if you are visiting in the summer its a welcome relief from the heat and during the dead of winter - a huge temperature … [Read more...]
A Day in the heavenly city of Suzhou
Above there is heaven below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou goes the famous quote, I haven’t been above yet, but they did a great job below. Suzhou is a monument to China’s amazing growth and modernization, the new areas of the city display some of the best city engineering there is, with modern architecture, wide streets and beautiful gardens all around. While the old sections have been preserved and restored to serve as first class tourist & … [Read more...]
Bhutan: My Trek in Paro Chhu Valley, Jomolhari and my time in Thimphu
April 6th, SFO–Osaka–Bangkok My flight at 1055 was to Osaka (KIX) with another flight continuing on to Bangkok (BKK). My flight is delayed by one hour. I arrive at the airport at 0955 but the check-in agent needs to see an onward ticket from BKK and does not know where Bhutan is - and has not heard about Druk Air either! It takes 30 min, even though there are few people in the check-in queue while he verifies Thailand entry requirements for … [Read more...]
The Paua and the Glory
New Zealand’s Prized Sea Snails John M. Edwards voyages to remote Stewart Island to capture one of New Zealand’s most expensive endangered delicacies: paua. Finding no “paua” on the menus of New Zealand’s North or South Islands, a dirtbag backpacker and “stringer” correspondent was forced to go to way remote Stewart Island in order to find and forage some for his own in the wild. At this island outpost on Half Moon Bay, he thus discovered … [Read more...]
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