The only thing Belfast does in moderation is moderation. Always, it has been Brobdingnagian in spirit. Always, it has lived large. Belfast, reaching for the sky, Photo by Didrik Johnck Once it was the largest linen producer in the world. And had the largest ropeworks. It was the largest manufacturer of fizzy drinks; largest shirt maker; had the largest flax machine works; largest tobacco factory; largest handkerchief factory. … [Read more...]
Up in Lisbon
One of the best ways to get to know the charming capital of Portugal is by walking without a fixed direction. So, even if you feel disoriented at first, you will always be gladly surprised with what you might find on your Lisboan way. To understand how to get located in the city, you just need to understand that as other large cities in the world like Rome, Istanbul or San Francisco, Lisbon was built on seven hills that explain its steep … [Read more...]
The Foods of Jamaica
I grew up in a New York City apartment building with many Jamaican neighbors. The fragrant spices and vibrant flavors of the Jamaican kitchen have been part of my culinary lexicon since childhood. The scent of simmering curried goat regularly wafted in the hallway as the tunes of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh blared from the stereo. When I eventually ventured to the island as an adult, I felt a gustatory homecoming of sorts. The fusion of flavors … [Read more...]
Bliss Unleashed: Barcelona – Catalan Food
If you follow the World's Healthiest Diet, a.k.a. the Mediterranean Plan, your bliss will be unleashed in Barcelona! Before expanding on Catalan's culinary delights, let's get the housekeeping issues out of our way. Prior to departure, look on the Internet and investigate affordable Barcelona apartments. Hotels in Barcelona are pricey. You'll be able to stash "food-money" in your pocket to capitalize your culinary experience. You will have … [Read more...]
Tuscan Delights
When I first married into a Tuscan family, I was stunned at the sheer number of butcher shops that stood under the elegant porticos in Greve-in-Chianti's gracious piazza. This tiny town in the middle of the Chianti Classico wine country has a score of butchers, many more than I would have thought could possibly earn a livelihood from the miniscule population. Americans may be known for consuming large quantities of beef, but Tuscans are … [Read more...]
Back to Thailand
We landed back in our home base of Thailand after an amazing time in Africa - enjoying such a variety of activities and experiences that only this continent can deliver. This was in my top 5 best trips taken so far. My heart is still in Africa while my body is in Thailand enjoying the Thai spices of life which include the food and the 5+ hour spa's in Bangkok. We arrived back in Bangkok mid day from Ethiopia. Lucky we had our yellow fever cards … [Read more...]
Tales from the Desert Kuwait
Staring out at the blackened waters of the Persian Gulf from high atop our hotel room near old town Kuwait City. The sun has obviously set and we are free to go out on the streets and eat food. 8 more days of Ramadan await us and our daylight appetites. Upon flying in our flight attendant enthusiastically made an announcement, "If you would like to see a spectacular view of desert sand, please pull down your window shades". Based on her tone … [Read more...]
Portuguese Christmas Traditions
Portugal is not a place that people associate with Christmas right away. The mild temperatures make a white winter wonderland for the holidays nearly impossible and for some it is hard to imagine Christmas without snow. And though the holiday traditions vary across countries, we have a certain Americanized image in mind of traditional Christmas festivities that the media promotes. But the idea of 10°C and sun during the wintertime is not … [Read more...]
Tapas in Seville
A very known trait of the people of Andalusia is that they are very open and social. There is nothing more social than sitting in a bar with an ice-cold beer and some tapas. And there is no better place to do get to know this laid-back way of life than this region's capital. So why not rent Seville apartments to get to know this culture. Here are some budget-friendly tips on where to go for a beer and some tapas: Las Coloniales/Taberna … [Read more...]
Select Highlights of South East Europe
These are some of the highlights of visiting select locations in Croatia, Hungary, Montenegro and Serbia. This trip was totally unscripted and unplanned. All we had were our plane tickets to Europe. We used public transportation to get around - buses, trains, city trams and metros where available. Note that while distances on the map don't look that far from each other especially along the Dalmatian Coast, the roads are narrow, windy and very … [Read more...]
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