Also called the Hang Nga Guesthouse, owner and founder Dang Viet Nga quickly discovered that most of her guests were leaving comments about this 'crazy house' in her guestbook and eventually decided that would be the most appropriate name. And when one visits, one quickly realizes this space is perfectly named! Dang earned her PhD in architecture at the University of Moscow and eventually moved back to Vietnam. She began to conceptualize this … [Read more...]
Ruan Mai Restaurant, Krabi Thailand – December 2023
Ruan Mai Restaurant is located about a 10 minute drive west of downtown Krabi. Arguably the best restaurant in or near Krabi, this is special place that combines both a calming visual element and feel with excellent Thai food. In Thai, Ruen Mai means 'old wooden house' - the restaurant is a series of elevated wooden platforms covered with thatched roofs located above several small ponds. Features a liberal use of bamboo. Wooden walkways connect … [Read more...]
Kern River Canyon & Valley – November 2023
Whenever we drive through this special slice of the state we always start humming, Merle Haggard's Kern River, a sad song about a girl drowning in its swift waters. And more recently, the last song that the old Hag recorded, Kern River Blues. Located only about 15 minutes from downtown Bakersfield, the closest access to the river from Highway 178 winds along its banks for about 30 miles before reaching Lake Isabella. A number of pullouts are … [Read more...]
Visit Brisbane, Australia – October 2023
One of Australia's cleaner cities, Brisbane is easy to navigate and user friendly for visitors. The airport is located about a 25 minute train ride away with stations at both the international and domestic terminals (which are in separate locations from each other). Central Station is downtown within easy walking distance of numerous restaurants and shopping districts. The city is built along the Brisbane River. A great starting point is the … [Read more...]
War Remnants Museum, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam – September 2023
A visit here is an intense and perhaps shocking look into the war in Vietnam which lasted some 20 years from 1955 until the fall of Saigon in 1975. Referred to by several names, but within Vietnam this war is referred to as the American War. This museum contains multiple stories of often graphic images and descriptions of the brutality of this particular war with a focus on war crimes. Particularly difficult to visit is the exhibit on the effects … [Read more...]
Japan’s Wine Country, Visit Katsunuma, Yamanashi Prefecture – August 2023
The wine region of Katsunuma is located about 2 hours from the Shinjuku metro station in Tokyo. The Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal is a short walk from the Shinjuku metro station – buses leave regularly from here passing through Katsunuma-town in the Yamanashi-prefecture. Passengers using bus service to reach Chateau Mercian should exit the bus at the Katsunuma bus stop – from this stop it is about a 15-20 minute walk to the winery, mostly on … [Read more...]
L’Houstalet, Port Villa Vanuatu – July 2023
Founded in 1973, this French restaurant is a must try when visiting Port Vila in Vanuatu. Older then the country itself, features a lounge area, smoking and non smoking seating - sizable there is plenty of space to spread out. Owner, Clement Martinez (came to Vanuatu in 1969) is an affable character who likes to circle among the patrons taking time to visit with guests. Known for their fruit bat, otherwise known as the flying fox. This dish … [Read more...]
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston – June 2023
Like everything in and around downtown Boston, the Museum of Fine Arts is conveniently located within about a 20 minute drive of Logan International Airport. Founded in 1870, this world-class museum has been in its current location since 1909. Housing over 450,000 piece of art, this is one of the largest and finest museums in the country. A must visit when in Boston. Visitors can use one of the automated machines to purchase tickets - allow at … [Read more...]
Visit Kyoto, Japan – May 2023
Kyoto is well setup for tourism and unlike in other parts of Japan Kyoto, seems well versed in English with employees at restaurants and hotels mostly able to converse in English. This is the city of temples - during our visit, we were told there are something like 1,600 temples in or near Kyoto - several of them are within easy walking distance from the main street in the city, Shijo Avenue including the impressive Yasaka Shrine. Gion is a … [Read more...]
Hideaway Island, Vanuatu – April 2023
Easy to access, only about 15 minutes by mini van from Port Vila this private island is a favorite place to dive or snorkel by locals and visitors. Mini vans may drop passengers off at the driveway to the island or pull in next to the ferry dock (the walk down the driveway from the road is a short one). The ferry operates 24 hours a day and takes about 4 minutes from the mainland to the dock on the island. Alternatively, if the tide is low, one … [Read more...]
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