Swayambhunath or Monkey Temple is well worth seeing. This temple is located a short distance from Katmandu. The reason this temple is called the Monkey temple is that there are many many wild monkeys crawling around on the steps and buildings. Be careful not to have any exposed food with you because the monkeys will jump you and try to take away your food. There are 365 well worn steps leading to the top of the temple. These steps become … [Read more...]
Nepal – Bargaining
Bargaining was one of the highlights for me in Katmandu. Every where you walk in this crowded city you are surrounded by swarms of people trying to sell you something. They offer everything from the "best knives made in Nepal", to jewelry, to drugs, to women. Often we would be walking along and some shady character would come up to you and ask in a hushed whisper if you wanted to purchase marijuana, hashish, or coke. When we first arrived it … [Read more...]
Nepal – Pokhara
We did not actually visit this beautiful area which is west of Katmandu. The reason I include it here is that we were told but a number of people that it is a stunningly beautiful place to visit. Pokhara is actually at an elevation lower then Katmandu and is therefore more tropical. The valley that it sits in is home to forests and many lakes. This city is closer to the mountains than is Katmandu so you have beautiful views of Annapurna I to IV … [Read more...]
Lake Tahoe, CA – Shopping
There are quite a few excellent shopping center in the Lake Tahoe area. Some of them are listed below, some with descriptions. A good listing of malls in the Reno area is: www.newtoreno.com/malls.htm Tahoe City Boatworks Shopping Mall is one of my favorite places to hang out in Tahoe City. They are located at North Lake Blvd, and Highway 28. This Mall is located right next to The Lake and the Boatworks Marina. Often times after shopping I … [Read more...]
Lake Tahoe, CA – Pinecone Lodge
Pine Cone Lodge at Lake Tahoe is located on the West Shore just two doors down from the old Tahoe Cedars Lodge and is where Dave stayed every summer after Tahoe Cedars closed door. Update : Unfortunately Pine Cone Lodge is no longer available for rent as it has been sold. This is a nice location for privacy because you are not surrounded by other resorts - instead you are surrounded by other lakeside homes. This is a beautifully … [Read more...]
Lake Tahoe, CA – Accomodation
The following list of hotels/motels/inns is only a partial one but it provides a wide range of places to stay in the Lake Tahoe area. Cities located near Lake Tahoe are listed with their respective accommodations. The prices below range from the lowest (off season single person) to the highest (holidays and weekends/dbl. person). The room rates will be higher during the winter months because of the ski season. Dave will be sure to provide … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA – State Street
If there is one street that Santa Barbara revolves around, it is State Street. State Street is the heart and soul of Santa Barbara. It is a mix of galleries, museums, theatres, and other quaint shops. Some advice regarding parking; park your car in one of the parking lots next to State Street or curbside on one of it's perpendicular adjoining streets. Then simply walk to State Street. Parking is tough to find directly on State Street and can … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA – Museums
For the relatively small population of Santa Barbara, the amount of and quality of museums will surprise you. Here are a select few that we have personally visited; they are listed in alphabetical order: Carpinteria Valley Museum of History is located at 956 Maple Ave, just south of Carpinteria Ave. Descendants of Carpinteria's pioneer families donated household furnishings and clothing to this museum. A turn of the century schoolroom and … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA – City & Regional Parks
For hiking enthusiasts there are dozens of foothill trails in the Santa Ynez mountains. Maps and information can be obtained from Los Padres National Forest Headquarters located at 42 Aero Camino, in Goleta. Chaucer's Bookstore on State Street (mentioned in the Other Information section) has a number of good books and maps on day hiking in the Santa Barbara area. The Phone Number of the Los Padres National Forest is (805) 683-6711. Some of … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA – Orchids
Often called the "American Riviera", Santa Barbara has an ideal climate for growing orchids. In fact Santa Barbara now produces more orchids then any other region in the country. Exotic orchids soon became popular and were heavily planted in the Montecito and Hope Ranch estates. After World War II the oil baron Samuel Mosher spent 1.5 million on breeding orchids at his Dos Pueblos Orchid Company. His breeding grounds provided young plants for … [Read more...]