Hana is located on the Eastern side of Maui. The "Drive to Hana" is popularized on t-shirts and is often discussed among tourists. This "drive" usually takes about 2.5 to 3 hours although it can certainly be done in a shorter time if there is little or no traffic. Many tourists make this drive out and back in one day and as a result the morning can see quite a bit of traffic out and in the afternoon much of this traffic returns. If you can swing … [Read more...]
Visiting Male City, Maldives
It was hard leaving the resort today to start heading back to the "real world". Our sea plane took off in the early afternoon and dropped quickly from the sky to several also stunning resorts, picking up additional passengers who also looked somewhat depressed to be going home to cold weather countries this time of year. We spent the afternoon in Male (most of Male can be walked in merely several hours). This city is intruiging as is built on … [Read more...]
Greetings from Brunei
After using Bangkok as a base to visit all its neighboring countries and their neighboring countries I had run out of new countries to visit within say a three hour plane ride of Thailand (don't get me wrong, there are many places I haven't yet visited in the countries I've already been to). However I had not yet visited Brunei and with a non stop Royal Brunei flight from Bangkok lasting about 2.5 hours it was fairly easy to get here and spend a … [Read more...]
Festival of Fruit 2010, Los Angeles Chapter
I am a member of the California Rare Fruit Growers Society and have been off an on since college. This is a great organization that promotes and educates the public about growing tropical fruit, gardening and other outdoor activities related to agriculture. There are a number of regional chapters in the state, all of whom hold regular meetings. Every year there is a Festival of Fruit which rotates among the states' chapters. This year the … [Read more...]
Exploring the Diversity of Hawaii’s Big Island
We boarded the plane leaving for Kona behind a clean cut well-dressed businessman toting a RollAboard with a book tucked in tightly in the back. Only one word of the title showed, "sex" and this apparently caught the eye of a number of travelers as we heard hints of conversation and chuckles from behind us. But no one had the guts to actually ask this traveler for more details, juicy or otherwise. For those who know me, know the serious … [Read more...]
The “Big Island”
I'll be exploring the big island of Hawaii next week - will def be hitting some beaches, farmer's markets for tropical fruit and driving to the top of Maua Kea. Does anyone have any suggestions for what else to see - secluded beaches or other attractions. Thanks :) ~ Dave … [Read more...]
Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) – February 2008
Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) - The Mangosteen is simply called the Queen of the fruit and you will know why when you taste it. We have sampled the Mangosteen's subtle sweet flavors worldwide especially in the tropical countries of SE Asia where when in season it is as common as oranges and bananas are in the West. Unfortunately it is still little known in the West despite the incredible marketing of the Mangosteen juice. It is not allowed … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – Little Saigon
Little Saigon is located in the town of Westminster in Southern Orange County between the 405 and the 22 freeways (with good traffic about 45 minutes south of downtown LA). This is NOT a small town. It is predominately a Vietnamese community and is one of the largest Asian communities located anywhere in the USA. If you are not of Vietnamese heritage and you are in some of the stores and shopping districts in Little Saigon, chances are you will … [Read more...]
Saigon, Vietnam – Attractions
Many of Saigon's primary attractions are located in District 1 or 3 and often are within walking distance of each other. Tours outside of the city are usually reached by bus. Here are a few attractions that we have visited during multiple trips to Saigon. Ben Thanh Market is located in District 1 and houses numerous vendors selling a wide variety of handicrafts, souvenirs, fruits and vegetables. This market was first built in 1914. Large … [Read more...]
Tropical Fruit Farm, Malaysia – January 2004
Tropical Fruit Farm Malaysia - This fruit farm is located on Penang Island west of the city of Penang Malaysia's 2nd largest city. This fruit farm contains over 200 varieties of tropical fruit, and since its almost always "summer" in Malaysia there will be always fruit that you can taste. Tours take about 1 hour and the guide walks you through most of the 25 acres describing the fruit trees and picking fruit for you to taste. At the end of … [Read more...]