During a recent visit to Yangon, Myanmar a friend of a friend working in the city informed us about a North Korean restaurant within a 10 minute drive of where we were staying (the Merchant Art Boutique Hotel). My only other experience with North Korea was in Dandong, China. An old military bridge (today called the Friendship Bridge) extends half way across the Yalu River. I was there in the middle of winter and I remember it was extremely … [Read more...]
Travel Etiquette 101: Your Guide to Tipping around the World
As a citizen of the world, your travelling mantra may revolve around two things: show respect towards other cultures and offer kindness whenever you can. So one of the appropriate things to do is leave tips after an amazing meal or a memorable service. But hold on to your money for now. Inasmuch as tipping feels good to the soul, it may do more harm than good. Not all countries appreciate it. The last thing you’d want during a trip is to find … [Read more...]
Top 4 sports events to watch in 2018
The next 12 months promise to be a delight for sports fans across the world, with a vast array of top events taking place throughout 2018. Winter sports and football provide the year's top two attractions, with the Winter Olympics and the World Cup set to draw massive crowds to South Korea and Russia respectively. Winter Olympics, South Korea Scheduled to take place PyeongChang from February 9-25, the Winter Olympics brings together the … [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...]
Sweet dreams are made of this: From Russia (with love) to South Korea by ferry
Sweet dreams are made of this. From Russia (with love) to South Korea by Ferry I get a good night's sleep after the wonderful exploration of Vladivostok yesterday. I think about taking a bus to the funicular railway, one of only two in Russia. The second one has just been built in Sochi for the recent Winter Olympics. However, I choose a lie-in and a good breakfast instead. The warmth of the hotel compared to the freezing temperatures outside … [Read more...]
Between the Traditional and the Modern, there Lies Ulaanbaatar
Somewhere between the modern and the traditional, there lies Ulaanbaatar. Mongolia’s fascinating capital is a city evolving before our very eyes. Its population is rapidly trading its ancestral, nomadic ways for a more modern life while still trying to retain the uniqueness of its rich culture. Ulaanbaatar is a city in transition, moved by dynamics bigger than itself. It lies at the intersection of globalization, capitalism, the legacy of … [Read more...]
5 Reasons to Visit Seoul in Spring
The winter snow is melting and the weather is warming. The flowers are blossoming and the birds are chirping. The skies are clearing and much of Seoul, South Korea can be seen from the top of Bugak Mountain. This can only mean one thing: spring has returned and the 'Soul' of Seoul is at it's best. 1. The Sun comes out As traditional with spring in any part of the world the weather warms and the winter chill becomes a thing of the past. … [Read more...]
World’s Most Dangerous Border
World’s Most Dangerous Border The bitter wind tore through my parka, as I stood less than 25 feet away from an armed North Korean soldier. I shivered again, but this time in reflection of where I stood. Sharply uniformed North and South Korean soldiers were patrolling with weapons by their side. I was in the DMZ, the demilitarized zone that bisects North and South Korea. Former President Bill Clinton, described it as the "the scariest … [Read more...]
Mayor Garcetti Announces Fifth Consecutive Year of Record-Breaking Tourism
More Than 45 Million People From Around The World Visited Los Angeles In 2015 (Monday, January 11, 2016 – Los Angeles, California) Los Angeles tourism surged to its fifth consecutive year of record-breaking growth in 2015, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced today. A total of 45.5 million tourists visited the city last year, according to the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board — an increase of 1.3 million over 2014. These latest numbers keep the … [Read more...]
Why I’m going to Burma (Myanmar)
When word got out I was thinking of taking a group to Burma this November, I received this email: Dear Mr. Bangs: I strongly advise you to drop travel to Burma. The treatment of the Rohingy minority is so appalling that I feel that no one should be visiting that country... This is not the first cease and desist-style communication I’ve received about travel to a destination whose politics are at odds with our own. When I received a permit … [Read more...]
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