Hiko is an ancient form of juggling in Tonga where women continuously toss tui tui nuts in the air. It is a game played only by women in this Polynesian nation and is on the verge of extinction. Paprika traveled to Tonga to capture this long-lost tradition on film. Recently, I had a chance to ask Paprika a few questions about this award-winning documentary. Q. How did you get into juggling, what drew you to juggling and what juggling does to … [Read more...]
The Ultimate BMW Driving Experience
Ever wondered what it would be like to sit behind the wheel of a high performance vehicle and try to reach both your limits as a driver and the limits of the car? Idling in traffic on the 110 is certainly no place to test out your character and comfort levels as a driver - and certainly no place for an automobile to fully perform at its engineered capabilities. But we have found a place where you can - the BMW High Performance Center in Thermal, … [Read more...]
A Visit to a Special Part of the World, The Tuomotos
We arrived at the tiny aerodrome on the island of Rangiroa in the Tuamotu archipelago of French Polynesia - marveling at the narrow air strip surrounded on both sides by aquamarine waters. Unlike all passengers we did not have any hotel reservations and we lingered around until all the passengers left and the steel gates began to close - completely locking down the small airport building. One guy walked up to us and asked us if we needed … [Read more...]
ACRE, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California – May 2021
This 25 acre palm studded oasis founded by two Canadians sits on the edge of the Sierra de la Laguna foothills, a short drive from the center of San Jose del Cabo. Depending on the route one may pass through over narrow dirt roads - past primitive looking pens holding cows - a complete contrast in comparison to the well-kept and orderly grounds of the resort. ACRE (pronounced, ahh-cray) is known for its quiet setting among the naturally … [Read more...]
China Ranch Date Farm & Bakery – April 2021
Most likely the most northern commercial date farm in the state of California - this remote ranch is well worth making the trek out to buy delicious dates (some 1,500 trees and 20 varieties). Located about 90 minutes from Las Vegas and 4 hours from Los Angeles. The property has a fascinating history - settled by a Chinese man who came here pre-1900 after working the Borax mines in Death Valley. He mysteriously disappeared (probably forcibly run … [Read more...]
The Most Unique Vineyard & Winery in the World
In 2002, Oenologue, Sébastien Thépénie responded to an ad to work at a winery in French Polynesia. Wait a minute. There is vineyard and a winery in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean? The answer is yes - on the remote Rangiroa atoll, one of the world's largest coral atolls. And certainly one of the most isolated vineyards on the planet. Today Sébastien oversees the viticulture and winemaking for Domaine Vin de Tahiti. This extremely unique … [Read more...]
Hands-on Ecuadorian Artisans Are Hands-Down Amazing
Photo by Alice Bourget [Note: this piece was written in pre-pandemic days, first accepted by the LA Times, but had a couple of long publication delays. And then the pandemic arrived. Ecuador was hit hard. Milton’s tours, listed at the end, are suspended. Here’s to travel to come!] When I was around 10, I tagged along to my brother’s Boy Scout meeting, where one activity was making art projects. Given instruction, I sprayed a clothespin with … [Read more...]
A Crazy Stop in La Paz, Boliva
Upon arriving in South America I entered a very familiar airport, Jorge Chavez International Airport. I lingered in Lima for a refreshing shower in the hotel directly across from the airport. Walked back to the departures terminal and tried to sleep for a few hours on the hard floor. Loud music playing at 130am followed by staff cleaning the floors. No sleep tonight. Boarded next flight. Arrived in Cuzco - exited the airport with just enough time … [Read more...]
Art, Beauty, History, and Cuisine on the English Riviera
Along with my partner, I recently took a short trip down to the English Riviera where I found beauty, history, and the most incredible food! We were lucky with the weather, the sun shone the whole time we were there and the air was warm and balmy, but I imagine this place is almost as scenic when the weather isn’t as accommodating. This part of Devon is best known for Torquay, home of Faulty Towers, but we wanted something a little more off the … [Read more...]
Bum Guns: A Love Story
Pants around my ankles, I can’t look away. It’s staring at me, a droplet of water slithering slowly down its face. The droplet reaches the bottom, clings, swells, then splatters against the tile floor. And I’m thinking no, I mean, they can’t, can they? They can’t actually- the angles alone! But they must, because every bathroom into which I’ve slapped my slippery flip-flops as one installed. Right there, next to the toilet. Sometimes righty, … [Read more...]
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