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 been …
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 …
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 …
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. …
I’m counting down the days–20 to be exact–until I’m finished with work. After giving notice several weeks ago I’ve been scrambling to get my projects tidied up so I can pass the baton to others and follow one of my dreams, to take off and travel, not just for a vacation, but for an extended …
It’s almost time for the annual running of the Yukon Quest, a 1,100 mile dog sled race that rivals the Iditarod in length and challenge. The race alternates each year between Whitehorse and Fairbanks, AK, and race organizers from both Canada and the US are busy every winter preparing the remote course in their respective …
Water steamed over my head as I slid off the safety of the rock, suddenly hanging free with nary a surface to push against. My eyes darted up and down hoping to catch a bolstering look from a Canyoning-Quebec guide above or below me, but the constant gush of water created a blurred veil of …
Whitehall Lane and Round Pond wineries in Napa Valley offer an excellent sampling of the fine wines produced in the Napa Valley.
Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bistro is another masterpiece.
Napa Valley is filled to the brim with wineries, over 400, and selecting just a handful to visit in one day can be challenging. We visited three high quality wineries and one restaurant in a perfect day of wine tasting.