I spent 48 hours in Hong Kong prior to a mainland China trip a few years ago. The stopover was part of a birthday gift to myself and I maximized every single minute of my time there. I liked it…and oh, how I wish I could have done more! Its pulse and vibrancy reminded me of Manhattan, …
My short stay in São Paulo passed in a blur of business meetings, conference sessions and networking events. Granted, I went there to work and achieved what I set out to do. But after a nearly eight hour flight, I couldn’t help being disappointed that I didn’t get a chance to squeeze in more sightseeing …
Ever since the 1961 US embargo, Cuba has held a hint of mystique for the Western traveler. Call me silly but I always likened its allure to the attraction that a girl next door feels for the brooding and mysterious “bad boy” who drives her a little lust crazy. All my female readers past puberty …
Reports of the recent Korean airlines ‘nut rage’ incident had us all shaking our heads. I mean, really, could the simple act of serving macadamia nuts in a bag instead of on a plate cause a senior executive to unravel that badly? Apparently it can. I spoke to a few of my current and former …
I follow a popular blogger who recently tweeted this travel tip: “You can’t understand the present if you don’t know the past. Read up on the destinations you are visiting.” It’s a simple reminder that is extremely profound. For that reason, I recommend that you read or listen to an audio version of Nelson Mandela’s …
Ingredients: 1 large apple, blended Cocktail shaker (a.k.a. NYC cab) Sour mix (as in, the disposition of the cab driver) 3 friends (filled with Caribbean zest and joie de vivre) Vodka (Grey Goose or Smirnoff, you choose) Ice cubes (a.k.a. cool city temperatures) Manhattan glass Instructions: 1. After a late night in Manhattan, persistently hail …
There’s an old saying that says: “The Chinese eat everything with four legs, except tables, and everything that flies — except airplanes.” I rolled my eyes and chuckled when I heard it. But when I saw dishes like sautéed frog, sweet and sour snake head soup, donkey and braised croaker (lizard) listed on hotel and …
Did you see the 1991 suspense thriller, The Silence of the Lambs? If so, do you remember when Clarice Starling answered the phone during her FBI Academy graduation party? Be honest, were you as spooked as I was to find out that it was Dr. Hannibal Lecter on the line? “Hello Clarice”, he said. [Insert …
Does music ever factor into your trips? I’ve found that it has an amazing ability to transcend language and cultural differences and connect people in a memorable way. Plus, listening to my favorite songs at the end of an exhausting yet exhilarating excursion helps me to relax and reboot for the next day. It’s also great to have access to earphones …
Trinidad and Tobago is a twin island republic just off the northern coast of Venezuela. But its place in this world cannot be limited to geographic coordinates or size. Rather, its impact lies in the warmth and vitality of its people, its diverse culture, its soca music, and its oil. Here is a brief look into …