The Presidio of San Francisco, which in my youth was just a pretty, mostly off-limits place that we drove through to get to the Golden Gate Bridge, is being transformed into a first class destination, an oasis of green that is steeped in history. After 15 years of often rancorous discussion and community decision-making the … Continue reading
The best way to describe the harvest is that it was “the harvest that wouldn’t end”. Would it never end? That was the recurring question—the topic that came up in the Big House, the grocery store, the pub and any social gathering. “How long are you going to be here?” was the question our new … Continue reading
After lounging like Komodo Dragons in the tropical sun of Bali, we encountered a sudden change in pace, weather, well everything, when we landed in Perth. Before we get to that, can I just say how jealous I am that Perthites (otherwise known as sandgropers[?]) can reach Bali in 3 short hours? That’s 2 hours … Continue reading
It may be obvious from the vast amount of time between postings, but my best laid plans to post regularly have gone by the wayside. This is both good and bad. The good news is that once we got on a roll I simply didn’t have time to compose a readable note, though Twitter was … Continue reading
Hong Kong is such a small island but boasts an endless number and variety of world class restaurants, and every kind of eatery you can imagine, from bakeries to dim sum to international cuisine. There’s also a lot to do, and not all of it involves shopping, though there are plenty of opportunities for that … Continue reading
We stayed in 2 hotels in Hong Kong as it was a bit challenging to find rooms due to the humongous jewelry show that was going on. Both the Hotel de Edge and Courtyard by Marriott were located in the Western District adjacent to the Central District, and were both sleek and modern. Rooms … Continue reading
Watching people drag their wheelies through a weed-infested field after a three day tour of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam was comical, while I just shouldered my day pack and skipped over to the bus from the boat. In Amsterdam a narrow, twisting staircase to our room would have presented a challenge had we … Continue reading
Handling bills and other financial matters from another country used to be a giant headache back in the day when I was a child growing up in South East Asia. In this era, thanks to online banking and bill paying, it’s pretty easy to manage your finances when you’re traveling much the same way as … Continue reading
I love the preparations for a big trip: considering the itinerary, pouring over guidebooks, talking with others to gain insider tips and organizing my packing. Unfortunately the responsibilities of adult life don’t go away just because we’re stepping away for a period of time. There are several important facets of life that take quite a … Continue reading
Sometimes it’s a funny coincidence when a new product, service or advice from friends meets a need like a hand in a glove. Singapore-based GuideGecko, a new travel guide website, just launched a series of Backpacker Cheatsheets that are turning out to be a very useful starting point for our upcoming trip to SE Asia. … Continue reading
