On a humid afternoon in November, I found myself slowly wandering through the outdoor food markets of downtown Chiang Mai, Thailand. A cornucopia of vibrant and enticing food stalls and souvenir stands littered the pathways as vendors competed for my business. My stomach and brain have never had such a conflict... Stomach: "Wow that sushi looks amazing" Brain: "It's 10 THB ($0.33 USD) a piece. How long has it been sitting there? It's a … [Read more...]
Experience Authentic Venice at the Enrica Rocca Cooking School
I've been in Venice for 10 days by the time I meet Enrica Rocca; long past the point where I can stomach another meal from a restaurant with unappetizing photos of pasta plastered in the window. I'm desperate for something authentic and, as I walk with her through the Rialto markets, I sense I've found it. A native Venetian, Enrica is on a first name basis with most (if not all) of the vendors and shopkeepers in the city. The fishmongers at … [Read more...]
The Thai That Binds, Eine Kleine Nacht Market
An American backpacker cannot decide whether street food or budget restaurants offer the best (read: safest) fetish of freshness until he visits one of Thailand’s signature Floating Night Markets... As someone used to eating Thai food in New York City, with restaurants with babytalk names like “Yum Yum” and “Tastee Thai,” I was blown away when I tasted real Siamese fare for the first time in Bangkok’s Banglamphu district, an area filled with … [Read more...]
A Day of Diversity Exploring Los Angeles
Here is an example of a single day microcosm of the diversity of Los Angeles. In the morning we visited the oldest McDonald's still in operation on the planet (out of some 20,000 McDonald's worldwide!), located in Downey. It was built in 1953. The original McDonald's was founded in San Bernardino California in 1948 and was a barbecue restaurant serving over 100 different barbecue recipes. This particular restaurant was the third ever and has … [Read more...]
Reflections on Bangkok
I initially came to the "City of Angels" in 1996. It was my first big trip outside of the United States - to a country that was so different compared to the lifestyle I was used to. I was in my early 20's; everything about the city was new, exiting and unfamiliar. Mundane things I take for granted when traveling in Asia now - made a huge impression on me at the time. Writing these words while sitting under part of the Sirat Expressway near … [Read more...]
London Announces Record Numbers of International Visitors as it Prepares for Blockbuster 2014 Cultural Season
LONDON (May 12, 2014) -- London announced today that it has welcomed over 16 million international visitors in one year for the first time in history, making the city one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world. Following the hugely successful London 2012 Olympic Games and Diamond Jubilee, the city has experienced a massive boom in visitors as 16.8 million people arrived in 2013, up 9 per cent compared to 2012, according to … [Read more...]
Exploring Chachangsao Thailand
Driving by the signs for the Bang Khla floating market many times over the years finally we decided to go. On a Wednesday. File this decision in the "stupid" category. All the floating markets we have gone to in and around Bangkok have always been held on the weekends only. So to was the case here. We drove 90 mins to the river in Chachangsao and lo and behold we arrived to a bunch of empty buildings and no one floating on the river. Making … [Read more...]
Special Jungle Curry: Thai Street Food, Close Encounters of the Third-World Kind
An American backpacker cannot decide whether budget restaurants or street food offer the best fetish of freshness until he visited one of Thailand’s best outdoor night markets, serving “SPECIAL JUNGLE CURRY.” As someone used to eating Thai food in New York City, with restaurants with babytalk names like “Yum Yum” and “Tastee Thai,” I was blown away when I tasted real Siamese fare for the first time in Bangkok’s Banglamphu district, an area … [Read more...]
Running around seeking Cemeteries and Farmers Markets, Los Angeles
With such a plethora of activities offered in Los Angeles on any given day, I tend to focus narrowly into specific destinations or activities. During these past few days it was cemeteries and fruit markets! Forest Lawn is the "mother" of all cemeteries in the Southland. They operate several locations around town - but none is as large or prominent as Forest Lawn in Glendale. Acres of graves and green are surrounded by residential and urban … [Read more...]
New Hawaiian Airlines Credit Card Launches with Bonus Miles and a Gift for Sustainability
Up to $100,000 Total Donation to the Polynesian Voyaging Society For All New Credit Cards Activated Between Today and May 31, 2014 HONOLULU - Hawaiian Airlines® with MasterCard®, Barclaycard US and Bank of Hawaii today announced the official launch of the richly rewarding Hawaiian Airlines World Elite MasterCard® for consumers and the Hawaiian Airlines Business MasterCard for small businesses. In celebration of the new card, new consumer and … [Read more...]
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