Start your adventure with the ferry from Auckland — the 40-minute ride across crystal waters sets the tone perfectly: you’re leaving the everyday behind and stepping into pure Kiwi laid-back luxury. Waiheke is often nicknamed “Wine Island” for good reason: it’s home to dozens of world-class vineyards, each with its own vibe, views, and wines […]
Sip, Stroll, Repeat: A Slightly Reckless Day on Waiheke Island Read More »
You don’t really “see” Sydney until you’re on the bay. I stepped onto the ferry at Circular Quay and suddenly the whole city revealed itself in layers — sandstone cliffs, sailboats tilting in the breeze, ferries carving white ribbons through impossibly blue water. The skyline doesn’t crowd the harbor; it frames it. Everything bends toward
Salt-Air and Symphony: Sydney in Full Sail Read More »
Rio de Janeiro is more than a city—it’s sun-soaked poetry. From the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue gazing over the city to the energy of Copacabana, Rio pulses with life. But one neighborhood in particular, Ipanema, has etched its name into global culture—thanks to a girl who walked along its beach and into musical history.
Rio de Janeiro and the Girl from Ipanema: Where Music Meets the Sea Read More »
My recent Peruvian adventure included a deep, delicious dive into the country’s authentic cuisine with seafood as a highlight. Peruvian Ceviche is a marinated seafood dish, typically the first course, which consists of a fresh, white fish soaked in fresh lime juice and served with thinly sliced red onion and sweet potato. As I traveled
“Si!” to Peru’s Signature Delicacies, Ceviche and Pisco Sours Read More »
Before landing in Tokyo I was perfectly content with a plastic tray of wannabe sushi from the supermarket. Not any more. The preparation, presentation and consumption of this oh-so-subtle symphony of flavors, textures, aromas and colors and its accompanying description raised my culinary bar to previously unscaled heights. A caress of freshly “grated over sharkskin”
Enjoy This Sushi Symphony: Japanese Food as Performance Art Read More »
An afternoon at Tokyo’s Tsujiki Outer Market introduced me to the art of Japanese shopping. This is Japan’s “Food Town,” featuring every imaginable traditional Japanese food. It’s raucous and noisy but in a very polite, Japanese way. One main and three side streets feature stalls of the finest, just off the hook sushi-grade fillets in
Japan’s Ultimate Shopping Experience at Tsukiji and Nishiki Markets Read More »
Bubbling cauldrons of soups, meats wrapped in palm leaves, a rainbow of desserts – honestly…when it comes to street food, Southeast Asia is the Big Top of variety, flavor and (let’s say) innovation. Each country I visited, (Thailand, Cambodia and Laos on this trip,) has their street food cultural fingerprint. But there are many similarities.
Eat at the Most Bizarre, (delish) and Colorful Food Circus in the World! Read More »
With its expansive mountains cut by wandering rivers and rolling hills heavy with verdant vines, there’s no arguing that South Africa is home to some of the world’s most beautiful wine regions. Picture 250,000 acres of vines across the Western Cape region alone—it’s easy to get lost in the vast array of the country’s wine choices. At the top
Visit Franschoek, The World’s Most Beautiful Wine Valley Read More »
Even their names are exotic and offer no clue as to ingredients or taste so the traveler has to proceed with caution. Pakora, Vada Pav, Aloo Gobi, Dal Tadka, Chana Masala, Vindaloo…all the dishes and spices vary dramatically based on regional preferences, flavors and culinary traditions. I sampled each of these dishes and loved the
Spicy, Strange and Spectacular Foods of India Read More »
Let’s start with breakfast. And plantains or “platanos” which are an Ecuadorian culinary staple. Plantains are also used to prepare many popular street food dishes like emborrajados and platanos asados. But first thing in the morning, we start with Bolón de verde. Bolón de verde This classic Ecuadorian breakfast dish is made from green plantains fried
The Most Delicious and/or Unusual Dishes to Try in Ecuador Read More »