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- Singapore – I fell in love with Singpore: its people, its culture, its architecture, and its food. It is, unsurprisingly, more expensive than anywhere else in southeast Asia but it is worth the experience at least once in your lifetime.
- Kuala Lumpur – Kuala Lumpur is a country in the midst of change: old norms and racists cultures are changing with the younger generation who are more respectful and adaptive to race, sex, gender, and nationality.
- Phuket, Thailand – A trip to Thailand really must include a stop in Phuket, at least once. Yes, it is touristy and pretty crowded for such a large island, but with the right guidance and investigative work, it really can be a wonderful experience.
- Hua Hin, Thailand – Hua Hin, the former beach escape for folks from BKK is a smallish town that has focused more on residential than being the in-place for tourists and commerce. But if you’re ever after locally produced sea salt, this is the place for you as the drive into and out of Hua Hin, as well as the local morning market and night market, has salt of every kind.
- Chiang Mai, Thailand – When asked about Chiang Mai, the only phrase that ever comes to mind is “college town”: not because it is raucous and rowdy but because it has a young, modern sensibility, and everyone seems to help everyone else. It was my favourite, by far, and I can certainly see why there is a growing expat community growing here.
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Author Archives: Craig
Kuala Lumpur – Kuala Lumpur is a country in the midst of change: old norms and racists cultures are changing with the younger generation who are more respectful and adaptive to race, sex, gender, and nationality.
Kuala Lumpur is a country in the midst of change Continue reading
Posted in Kuala Lumpur
Tagged Batu Caves, FRIM, FRIM Skywalk, Petronas Towers, Shangri-La Hotels, Twin Towers
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Phuket, Thailand – A trip to Thailand really must include a stop in Phuket, at least once. Yes, it is touristy and pretty crowded for such a large island, but with the right guidance and investigative work, it really can be a wonderful experience.
A trip to Thailand really must include a stop in Phuket, at least once. Yes, it is touristy and pretty crowded for such a large island, but with the right guidance and investigative work, it really can be a wonderful experience. Continue reading
Posted in Phuket
Tagged Black Ginger, Budha, Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, Elephants, Jampa, Let's Go Phuket, Phuket, The Slate
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Hua Hin, Thailand – Hua Hin, the former beach escape for folks from BKK is a smallish town that has focused more on residential than being the in-place for tourists and commerce. But if you’re ever after locally produced sea salt, this is the place for you as the drive into and out of Hua Hin, as well as the local morning market and night market, has salt of every kind.
Hua Hin, the former beach escape for folks from BKK is a smallish town that has focused more on residential than being the in-place for tourists and commerce. Continue reading
Chiang Mai, Thailand – When asked about Chiang Mai, the only phrase that ever comes to mind is “college town”: not because it is raucous and rowdy but because it has a young, modern sensibility, and everyone seems to help everyone else. It was my favourite, by far, and I can certainly see why there is a growing expat community growing here.
When asked about Chiang Mai, the only phrase that ever comes to mind is “college town”: not because it is raucous and rowdy but because it has a young, modern sensibility, and everyone seems to help everyone else. It was my favourite, by far, and I can certainly see why there is a growing expat community growing here. Continue reading
Bangkok, Thailand – This larger and largely populated city boggles the mind: the number of people, the sheer number of scooters and cars, and the various forms of public transportation should mean that it will come to a halt. But it works. And it works wonderfully in a shocking and surprising way.
This larger and largely populated city boggles the mind: the number of people, the sheer number of scooters and cars, and the various forms of public transportation should mean that it will come to a halt. But it works. And it works wonderfully in a shocking and surprising way. Continue reading
Posted in Bagkok
Tagged Bangkok, Chef Garima Arora, Chef Ian Kittichai, CO van Essel, Issaya Siamese Club, Restaurant Gaa
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Santa Teresa, Costa Rica – a surfer’s paradise, full of board rental shops, surf schools, and (somewhat) affordable restaurants
Santa Teresa is a surfer’s paradise, full of board rental shops, surf schools, and (somewhat) offordable restaurants (or numerous options for supermarkets for the economical option). It is the place that most embraced the “pura vida” approach to life. Continue reading
Posted in Santa Teresa
Tagged Behmian, Isla Tortuga, Montezuma, Santa Teresa, Selva Boutique, snorkeling, Surfing
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Nosara, Costa Rica – the “pura vida” lifestyle like no other
Nosara embodies the “pura vida” lifestyle more than any other place that I experienced in Costa Rica. Things move at their own pace, it is a surf and nature community, and everyone honestly seems to be very earth-friendly. Continue reading
Posted in Nosara
Tagged Guanacaste, Huacas Restaurant, Nosara, Pacific Ocean, Playa Guiones, Playa Pelada, pura vida, Tierra Magnifica
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La Fortuna, Costa Rica – a magical, stunning, town with the most gorgeous, professional, and hospitable hotel in Central America
Like much of Costa Rica, La Fortuna seems to be a mix of wealth and poverty, tourists and locals, and every possible type of accommodation that one could want. But hands down, this was my favourite experience in Costa Rica, even thought nowhere near a beach as it is central and next to an active volcano. Continue reading
Posted in La Fortuna
Tagged Don Rufino, howler monkey, iguana, La Fortuna, Leading Hotels of the World, LHW, Nayara, Nayara Gardens, Nayara Springs, sloth, volcano
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San Jose, Costa Rica – the capital of Costa Rica with much to be admired (and some things to be avoided)
San Jose is a fascinating city with little pockets of history that has obviously grown with the times: as things expand, another bit of history would be incorporated, but the city continued to grow. But thankfully, if you can stand the heat, it’s all walkable. Continue reading
Posted in San Jose
Tagged Caribe Shuttle, Central Market, Costa Rica, Grano de Oro Hotel, Restaurante Silvestre, San Jose
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Bocas del Toro, Panama – a a fascinating town of dirt roads (and lots of potholes due to the traffic and the rains), packed with cheap hostals and mid-range hotels, restaurants of all sorts, and bars on every block.
Located on southern tip of Isla Colon, on the northwestern corner of Panama, bordering Costa Rica, Bocas town is a fascinating town of dirt roads (and lots of potholes due to the traffic and the rains), packed with cheap hostals and mid-range hotels, restaurants of all sorts, and bars on every block. Continue reading
Posted in Bocas del Toro
Tagged Bocas del Toro, Cayo Coral, Panama, Playa Cayo Zapatilla, Playa Estrella, Starfish Island
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Panama City, Panama – a stunning blend of modern high rises and traditional Central American culture
Panama City is a stunning blend of modern high rises and traditional Central American culture that welcomes you, but also stuns you with all of its variations. Continue reading
Posted in Panama City
Tagged Azahar, Azahar Panama, Frank Gehry, Panama Canal, Panama City, W Hotel Panama
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Jerusalem is a city of change, and growth, and opportunity, while retaining its heritage and culture for the wider world to see and experience.
Jerusalem, Israel Jerusalem is a city of change, and growth, and opportunity, while retaining its heritage and culture for the wider world to see and experience. There were many aspects that were almost contradictory to other aspects that the city … Continue reading
Wadi Musa and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Petra is an experience like few others
Wadi Musa and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Petra is an experience like few others and I would highly recommend visiting. I honestly waffled on the appropriate number of nights to stay and ultimately settled on 3 nights which I think was the perfect number: I wouldn’t recommend anything less and anything more might leave you searching for things to do. Continue reading
Dead Sea, Jordan is an experience unlike any other that you will ever experience.
Many people around the world believe in the restorative properties of natural elements – going to hot springs, retreats to fresh mountain air, and yes, even seeking the benefits of the Dead Sea mud and salt treatments – and I … Continue reading
Posted in Dead Sea
Tagged beach, Bourj Al Hamman, Crowne Plaza Dead Sea, Dead Sea, Jordan Pass, mud bath, salt scrub
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Orosei is located on the Gulf of Orosei, part of the Tyrrhenian Sea on the east coast of Sardinia.
Orosei is located on the Gulf of Orosei, part of the Tyrrhenian Sea on the east coast of Sardinia. Larger than its neighbor Cala Gonone to the south, it’s a lot less “sea town” and more of a community with homes, jobs, shops, and restaurants. Like Carbras, it’s in a bit of a revitalization and still has some improvements to go, but it really is a gorgeous town, on the sea, with lovely buildings, streets, and the kindest residents. Continue reading
Located about 100km south of Alghero, the tony village of Cabras is charming and in a state of regrowth and development
Located about 100km south of Alghero, the tony village of Cabras is charming and in a state of regrowth and development. There is a sense of pride and community here that reinforces my love of Italy. It was eerily quiet on my many mornings, and even evenings, which wasn’t something that I was prepared for but sometimes you just need a place to recharge and unwind. Continue reading
Posted in Cabras, Cabras, Sardegna (Sardinia)
Tagged Cabras, Is Arutas, Mari Ermi, Portu S'Uedda, San Giovanni di Sinis, spiaggia
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Cala Gonone is THE place to go! Don’t miss it!
So, if you plan to go to Sardegna for a bit of sun and relaxation and aren’t sure where to go, without a doubt, I have to tell you to go to Cala Cogone. It truly is heaven and there is enough to do there to keep yourself occupied and happy for quite some time! Enjoy! Continue reading
Posted in Cala Gonone
Tagged beach, boating, food, gulf of orosei, gulfo di orosei, hiking, microciera, orosei, sardinia
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the best hotel in the world is in Alghero if you ask me
The cross-cultural aspect between Italy and Spain is really quite cool and unique in this lovely town! Continue reading
Isle of Harris, Scotland
or the sort of calm and awayness that only the north of Scotland can afford, the Isles of Harris and Lewis are like few other places on earth. You can experience every type of weather throughout a single day, and you will always be met with a kindness from the locals that is, at first, slightly surprising but then completely enveloping. Continue reading
London – trouble waiting to happen in this inviting and charming city
You can get in to any number of types of trouble when you visit London: lord knows I do every time! That trouble could be shopping, over-eating, drinking, or even just wondering and getting lost. But that’s part of the charm to London so come prepared – and leave that credit card in the room if you have no self-control (note to self) – and start exploring this truly wonderful city! Continue reading
Rome, Italy – My home away from home
I will tell anyone who asks: Rome is to me what the sun is to Superman. It is my home, my love, and my return. If you must, take a map but “flying blind” really is part of the fun of Rome: getting lost, finding little cafés, little shops, or just watching people go about their business. Continue reading
Posted in Rome
Tagged architecture, Chapter Roma, colosseo, colosseum, de'ricci, Flavio al Velavevodetto, food, foro italia, Italia, italy, peace, people, Roma, Roman Forum, rome, Trastevere
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Venezia, Italy – a place of quiet and intrique around every corner
No place in the world calms me like Venice. There are no cars, no motorini, and not even bicycles… just the sounds of everyday life happening. Continue reading
Senglea, Malta
The Cugo Gran Macina Grand Harbour Hotel. It was truly that stunning! Continue reading
Posted in Malta, Senglea
Tagged Cugo Gran Macina Grand Harbour, Hammett's Macina, Malta, Senglea, Three Cities
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Negril – 7 miles of gorgeous beaches and activities galore!
Nights There are a wide variety of options to choose from in Negril, from the all-inclusive to pay as you go, from 5 star to hut on the beach. Being someone who is not a fan of the large commercial … Continue reading
Montego Bay – Where you stay, and the staff you encounter, can make or break an experience. And although Montego Bay seemed to be more of a stop-over either when arriving or departing the island rather than a destination, the staff at the S Hotel alone made me want to return.
Where you stay, and the staff you encounter, can make or break an experience. And although Montego Bay seemed to be more of a stop-over either when arriving or departing the island rather than a destination, the staff at the … Continue reading