I've been working on the Napa Wine Project for the last nearly 5 years and recently made my 600th visit, review and tasting with a commercial Napa wine producer (winery). This project is my personal mission to visit, taste and review every commercial wine producer in Napa Valley (yes, its a crazy mission) but at least 5 years later I'm not looking up at 900 producers. Today the project is a good resource for both educated wine consumers as well … [Read more...]
Back from LA
Just got back from the City of Angels. Had the Natural History museum exhibits all to myself - 1st Friday of every month open late, live bands setup shop and food - and some of the southlands pre-eminent professors and researchers give lectures, setup right among the exhibits. Def a highlight. Amazing gold and gem collection. World's largest known Ammonites. I felt like Ben Stiller in the Night of the Museum...well without the displays coming to … [Read more...]
Off to the City of Angels…again :)
I'm off to LA in a day or two for a week of fun and researching more content for my quickly growing Los Angeles article and maybe sell some of my Freeways of Los Angeles books! There is NEVER a shortage of anything to do in the LA area and this trip will be no exception. The Annenberg Space for Photography has a large exhibit on Water until mid June - so will squeeze this in. Then going to hang out near downtown with one of the Esotouric … [Read more...]
West Africa
I'm off to West Africa this month - looking to do a story on YCC Ghana - they are doing some very good work with education in small villages about 2 hours outside of Accra. Thanks to Lillie of AroundtheworldL.com for turning me on to this organization. Visits to Africa are never cheap esp even before the trip even takes place!... between visas and meds! Gotta get up to date on Yellow Fever (required for even entering a number of African … [Read more...]
New Blog Software
I've made the third change to my blogging software over the past 5 years - and closed down the Moveable Type and now am running everything through WordPress. Stay posted for more travel related posts! Regards, Dave … [Read more...]
Asia Transpacific Journeys Photo Contest
Asia Transpacific Journeys is having a photo contest with the grand prize being an Apple IPad. Every so often prizes such as this one come across our desk and we sent out notices in social media and sometimes on our travel blog. Stay posted for additional contests - this one is now closed and a winner was announced. … [Read more...]
Win a Trip to Italy!
Every so often various travel contests come across our desk - we spotted this fun one from Lonely Planet - their 'discover borders' competition with the grand prize winner winning a fully paid and hosted trip to Italy. Doesn't sound so bad, does it!? Link, Lonely Planet - contest now closed and winner was announced. Check their website for additional travel prizes and contests. … [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...]
Tour Boarding, Shanghai
Mr. Chen, the founder of TourBoarding.com recently wrote us and I would like to take this opportunity to spotlight his company. As I recently returned from Beijing I could tell there was a big marketing effort for this expo both in Beijing and in Shanghai. Due to the demand of the expo hotels are bound to be somewhat full during these months. TourBoarding is as taken from their site: "Tourboarding.com offers a new, à la carte, self-design … [Read more...]
Fake Money Story!
Recently came upon this brief tale from my first trip to Europe many years ago... Because I was well read up on the possible pick pocket incidents that could happen in Europe, I purchased a cheap wallet in the states, and then promptly slashed it with a Swiss army knife. Next I purchased some fake $100 and $50 US bills from a local supermarket. I placed these in the wallet and carried the wallet and the fake money around Europe in my shorts … [Read more...]