Saigon, Dec. 14, 2004 Director Francis Ford Coppola's 'Apocalypse Now' is a movie about the Vietnam War. Nowadays it is also a swanky bar in the heart of modern Saigon, Vietnam. I have yet to visit it, after having arrived in Saigon today from Hanoi, but I have heard that it enjoys a locally notorious reputation for fast cars, fast drugs, and fast women. It might be wiser to start with the tamer entertainment establishments of this utterly … [Read more...]
Goats with Death Wishes
Driving in Malawi comes with a unique set of challenges and yummy fried chippies. "Distances between [Malawi's] major centers are short and the roads are good."? --Lonely Planet's Getting Around "Short" and "good" are relative terms, as places can be physically close together but feel far away in reality. Roads can be paved, but that doesn't mean you can drive freely on them. The stress of driving is one factor that makes Malawian car … [Read more...]
Bunbury, Western Australia
Bunbury and the South West area of Western Australia (or WA) is one of the world's great places to live, with a Mediterranean climate, sandy-white beaches, beautiful native forests and all the infrastructure expected of a modern western society. Bunbury is the major city in WA's South West region, that is also home to other centres such as Busselton, Margaret River, Donnybrook, Manjimup, Augusta, Pemberton, Collie, Harvey and Bridgetown. … [Read more...]
See all of Sydney but Stay in Style
This article is copyrighted by www.hotelssydney.com But if you plan on staying in style in the city voted for six consecutive years "the best city in the world to visit," consider some of the following accommodations instead. Only twenty minutes from the airport, the Sir Stamford Circular Quay hotel may be small, but the quality will both delight and astound. The classic luxury of the general areas is reminiscent of a private club … [Read more...]
Backpackers and Billionaires
It used to be that backpacking trips to Fiji involved a bus ride from Nadi to Suva, then a ferry to somewhere like Ovalau, Savusavu, Taveuni or Kadavu. No more. These days young budget travelers are lining up to go to the Yasawa Islands, a chain of 16 large volcanic islands and dozens of smaller ones roughly 35 km off the west coast of Viti Levu. The dazzling white beaches, clear warm waters, colorful coral reefs, and sunny dry climate make … [Read more...]
Views of a Cruise
I have often found that the funniest experiences come to us in life by just observing our fellow humans and being aware of our surroundings. A few times a year I give a series of lectures on board a cruise ship. I teach folks how to invest in the stock market without anxiety. How to live a wholesome, sickness free life, and most of all....... How to be happy every moment we are on earth. On one particular occasion I sat on the open decks … [Read more...]
Siberia, Russia – Here I Come!
"You must really hate this job." That's what my boss said when I told him I was moving from San Diego to Siberia for a year. In reality, I was bored and looking for something that would be completely and utterly new. Whether it was sunstroke or a developing tolerance to margaritas, San Diego just wasn't cutting it anymore. Heck, I hadn't even gone to the beach in nine months and it was only a few blocks away. Time to rediscover a zest for life. … [Read more...]
Burj Al Arab Hotel, Dubai – July 2005
Burj Al Arab Hotel Dubai - The Burj Al Arab is one of the most modernistic looking hotels that you will ever see. As a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, this also happens to be one of the most expensive hotels you will ever stay at. Its futuristic design resembles the billowing sail of a sailboat. Play golf or tennis hundreds of feet above the ground on the specially designed "sports platform". This unique sports platform has … [Read more...]
Lamu, Kenya – Attractions
I highly recommend hiring a guide for touring Lamu. Visitors probably will only need a guide for no more than 2 days as much of the town can be accessed on your own on foot. However, a guide will point out difficult to find attractions and may introduce you to some of the locals and hidden gems of the town. He can also be a good source of restaurant and lodging recommendations. Lamu is small enough where the guides are aware of most of the … [Read more...]
Lamu, Kenya – Lodging
Lamu offers numerous boutique hotels and private accomodation. Do you have additional lodging options for this page? If so, please email them to Dave as we like to keep this page updated with current lodging options. I stayed in a small house located several streets inland from the harbor front. I always had a difficult time finding my way back - through a maze of narrow dirt streets from the harbor between the whitewashed walls of the … [Read more...]