You can imagine the moment I received the email with an invitation for me to stay on a segment of the global cruise Holland America’s Grand Asia and Pacific Voyage! As a travel writer, I was thrilled. As a traveler I was ecstatic! This global cruise started in San Diego and ended in San Diego …
Asia
✦ Cooking Class Bangkok When traveling, honestly, I never really think about taking a cooking class. I mean, I like to eat as much as the next guy, but just generally don’t think of cooking it myself. Well, that all changed when the Tourism Authority of Thailand invited me to a special Thai cooking …
Often dubbed the “land of smiles”, Thailand is every bit the “land of temples” as well. Thailand is home to no fewer than 40,000 Buddhist Temples (yes, forty thousand!). Bangkok is a great place to start exploring these temples and the place to get familiar with Thai culture. The Thailand temple of Wat Arun is …
Chao Phraya River is one of the major rivers in Thailand, running thru Bangkok. It is known as the River of Kings, formed by four major tributaries including the Ping, the Wang, the Yom, and the Nan Rivers. Ultimately though, it flows into the Gulf of Thailand. This river is a very important waterway for …
Every month I use my 25 years of travel experience on the Travelocity website about some of my latest travel experiences. I was a travel ambassador for Travelocity and this is an excerpt from those stories. 6 Ultra-Indulgent Spa Getaways Not To Miss … Spending a day relaxing at a luxury spa is a moment …
The Republic of the Maldives is known for that iconic image of over-the-water bungalows where the rich and famous frolic in the golden sun and turquoise waters. Where Maldives All-Inclusive resorts are the name of the game and you never have to lift a finger (oh, except to call on your butler for another cocktail!) …
Port Dickson is a charming coastal town that has everything from nature-based zoos and aquariums to historical monuments and lighthouses. There are plenty of things to do in Port Dickson. They also have many choices of hotels and resorts for you and your family to spend your holidays. Port Dickson, or fondly known as PD, …
Exploring Hong Kong, Where to start? I absolutely loved Hong Kong and recommend it as a very interesting place to visit. We ended up staying at the W Hong Kong. It could not have been easier to get there from the airport and it has a great view from the Kowloon side. The MTR and Airport …
After a 1 1/2-hour bus ride from Penang, Malaysia we had finally arrived at the Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat in Ipoh. Weary and worn, I was overwhelmed with joy as we approached the lush entrance of this breathtaking tropical retreat and meditation center in Ipoh. I had never seen anything like it and I was ecstatic …
Quotes on Patriotism: Republic Day in Istanbul While I was in Istanbul, it was a national holiday known as Republic Day, and the flags of Turkey were out in full force. It was the best display of patriotism I have ever encountered. There was a religious holiday going on as well, so festivities were in …
When I stepped on the grounds of the Shangri La’s Rasa Sayang Resort on the island of Penang, Malaysia, I felt like I had walked into the nostalgic good times of the 1920’s. Old-style, romantic, and unassuming, this resort is like stepping back in the time of the 1920’s world of bourgeoisie and old money. Shangri …
Travelers to Myanmar are there to explore the thousands of pagodas and temples that characterize this country (formerly known as Burma). That’s a given. But not to be missed is the surreal watery world of Inle Lake, famous for its natural beauty, glassy waters, and inhabited by Inthas, the native lake-dwellers known as Myanmar’ Water …