It was very late into the wee hours of a rainy morning when my plane landed at the Jiangbei Airport near Chongqing, China. After gathering my luggage, I handed the non-English speaking taxi driver the address to Tongjing Hot Springs Resort. He shrugged his shoulders as if to say he had no idea where to go, then plugged the address into his GPS. Some 45
Crowded in the back of a forest green jeep with the top down, I was hanging onto the metal bars of the truck. A slight breeze touched my face in the muggy weather when suddenly light droplets began to fall from the sky. Crouching down into the vinyl black seat below the metal racks, I covered my head, iPhone and DSLR camera with my scarf.
Picture yourself in one of the over 17,000 islands in the Republic of Indonesia. One of the most notable and particularly interesting islands is known as the habitat of the Komodo dragon. It is the largest lizard on earth and known as Komodo Island. But no need to worry, the Komodo dragon is not the only species roaming around the island. There are over 2,000 people
So you saw my gorgeous photos from my luxury train trip to India? Or looked through the latest online magazine and saw something that intrigued you about India? India has a way of mesmerizing those who look for just a bit too long! So before you book that trip to India, or when you do then you will need to know how to get an
I write a lot about luxury, as it is definitely my most preferred way to travel. But I do have to admit that what is luxury to one person may not be luxurious to another, as luxury is different depending on who you ask. Also, luxury varies depending on what country you are in. One country's luxury does not equal a different country, but that
My arrival into "Heaven on Earth": Palawan, Philippines was nothing short of spectacular! If you're trying to choose where to go on vacation and the Philippines is on your radar, then do I have the place for you: Palawan, El Nido. It is a great place to start! I have not seen such pure beauty in a tropical island setting in quite some time, but
Soaring near the landing airstrip at the El Nido Palawan Airport, I could see that other passengers eyes were glued to the tiny windows in the Air Swift charter flight out of Manila, Philippines. We flew over Mount Mantalingaian, the southern Philippine mountains and were soon dipping down near Palawan Phillippines, El Nido Resorts. I had, as usual, chosen an aisle seat, not thinking about
Batik Art in Malaysia: The Fabric of our Lives My western mind always has a problem wrapping itself around things it cannot understand. This was a new concept for me and I was interested to find out what it was all about. Entering the studio, immediately I was enamored by the skill of the artisan in front of me. He has this instrument in his
It's no secret that the cherry blossom season is the best time to visit Japan. Known in the Japanese language as Sakura, these pink-and-white flowers burst open between March and May of every year, with a specific date that depends as much upon where you are in the archipelago as it does the relative warmth of the winter. Japanese people love cherry blossoms (sakura) so
The words that come to my mind when thinking of my time spent in Bali Indonesia are tropical, paradise, and exotic. In fact, Bali is the perfect place to experience Indonesian culture, luxury accommodations, exotic foods, gorgeous beaches, and wellness at local spas. Bali changed me and left me yearning for more on my last quick visit there. I believe Bal Indonesia has the ability to
Palace on Wheels is one of the luxury trains in India that travels through the majestic landscapes of Rajasthan within India’s Golden Triangle. Powered by a traditional steam engine, the Palace on Wheels train made its inaugural journey in 1982. It was THIS train that started the era of luxury trains in India. This train has given rise to other luxury trains, such as the
India is a unique place to visit and honestly, I never thought I would make it there. I think everyone should experience this country at least once in their lifetime. It is like going on a journey through your wildest imagination. India is a massive country that is home to more than a billion people with huge cultural wealth, diverse religions, and a history that
Thinking of ways to show someone you love them? A box of chocolates or a fancy night out is great, but what about giving them a massive marble tomb that will take 22 years to build and cost over 30 million rupees? Now that's a display of affection. It also happens to be the story of the Taj Mahal, one of the most famous buildings
I recently took a fascinating trip through Asia with Hong Kong as a stop. I was on a Holland America cruise ship’s “around the world” Asia Pacific Voyage. While on the ship, I would walk the deck on a regular basis. But what joy I found when I was able to step off the ship, step out of the concrete jungle of Hong Kong’s city
Colombo, Sri Lanka is a city full of treasures to discover: sitting directly on the Arabian Sea the city has an oceanside feel. In the evenings, kids fly kites against the sun setting into the sea at Galle Face Green, as onlookers happily munch fried snacks. Colombo is an architectural treasure trove, too - with colonial ruins from the Portuguese, Dutch and British eras, alongside
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 52 days later. I was to join them in Hong
Amita Thai Cooking Class, Bangkok, Thailand ✦ 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 class. And
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!) and Bangkok is a great place to start exploring them and the place to get familiar with Thai culture. The Thailand temple of Wat Arun is a great place to start and is arguably the main
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. It is a very important waterway for the people of central Thailand whose cities lie along this river.
Travelocity October on Travelocity! Every month I use my 25 years of travel experience on the Travelocity website about my latest travel experiences. I am a travel ambassador for Travelocity, and they like to call me one of their "Gnational Gnomads", which I think is super cute. This is an excerpt from those stories. You can read the entire article here on Travelocity: 6 Ultra-Indulgent
Photo by PointsandTravel Aomori, Japan: A Japanese Culture Experience As luck would have it, I finally had a chance to make my very first visit to Japan! It had been on my bucket list for quite some time! There is so much mystique and legend about Japanese culture, that I was excited to find out where in Japan I was going! I was invited
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!) That image has been carefully crafted by these stunningly
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, is the pride of Negeri Sembilan region in Malaysia. It
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 Express can get you there in minutes, and if you
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 to be there. What a stunning place! The 17-acre hot
Can you imagine going on a trip around the world? I couldn’t either, but now I have to pinch myself as I just returned from a segment of Holland America’s Grand Pacific and Far East Voyage! Although I didn’t do the entire voyage, I was thrilled to join the cruise in Hong Kong and depart in Australia. Holland America’s Grand Pacific and Far East Voyage
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 La's Rasa Sayang Resort, Penang, Malaysia Shangri
Myanmar Burma 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 the Myanmar' Water Dwellers of Inle Lake. Photo by
"I'm going without expectations."- Donnie Sexton Photo by Donnie Sexton Myanmar Pagoda Photo That was my mantra when I stepped off the plane in Yangon, Myanmar. To be honest, I had googled a few images from this Southeast Asia destination to get a sense of what kind of photos I could come home with since I was traveling with a group of photographers
Travel to Indonesia I think back in my mind as I traveled to Indonesia, and it races to the morning when I had a chance to escape the stunningly refurbished and luxury 1918 Phoenix Hotel in all its glory. Travel to Indonesia I walked only about five blocks from the hotel when I had to get a police escort in order to actually cross the
Indonesia Travel: Raja Ampat Floating up to the stunningly gorgeous jetty at the Raja Ampat Dive Resort on Waigeo Island in West Papua, I knew I was in for a special treat. This was that kind of place, the epitome of a remote, exotic beach vacation. It takes hours and hours to get here, so most people just don’t go. But I was ready for
I noticed the wrinkles in his face as he stood mute, lips tightly pressed against each other with the skin on his neck muscles taut. He was a thin man, like the ones I typically see when I travel to Indonesia. He was demonstrating one part of the process of the art form of Batik, in the third world workshop facility. I am dripping
Travel Bandung, Indonesia Wisata Off-Road Adventure picked us up after lunch from Café Burangrang. We were at the unique leisure park, Dusun Bambu in Northern Bandung, Indonesia, where we had just had a relaxing lunch overlooking an amazing view of boats on a pond with thatched bungalows. Travel Bandung The guides lead us down to the parking circle valet. One by one, we walked past
Map of Indonesia In less than 10 days, I will begin a “Trip of Wonders” in Indonesia and I am so excited. It is hard for me to hold my excitement in! I have never been here before, but looking so forward to this trip. Admittedly, my knowledge of Indonesia is limited. Indonesia to me it was like some far away place that I
It was a photo of some old buildings reflected in a canal labeled “China water town” that caught my eye on Pinterest. I did a bit of sleuthing on the web and found out there are eight ancient water towns about 1-2 hours from Shanghai. When a trip to Thailand was materializing for me, I decided on a stopover in Shanghai to check them out.
