It’s 6 a.m. and the normally peaceful, sleepy streets of Luang Prabang are buzzing. The tourists have arrived.
Continue reading Morning alms in Luang Prabang: religious tradition turned into tourist spectacle
A lesson in Lao: The “key” to learning the Lao language
Learning Lao has not been easy. Admittedly, I’ve been key-kahn (lazy) in studying Lao, finding it easier to do a series of grunts and charades than trying to master the six tones and complicated vowel sounds from books like Lao for Beginners. Continue reading A lesson in Lao: The “key” to learning the Lao language
Peaks and Paddies, Southern Laos
It feels like someone is snapping an elastic band at my foot, a sharp, painful pinch and burning sensation repeated over and over again. Oww!
Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island: Barefoot Luxury
“Barefoot luxury” is a term I hear more and more these days. I’ve often pondered its meaning. What is barefoot luxury?
Continue reading Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island: Barefoot Luxury
Touring the Barossa
Rich rolling hills, endless vineyards and farms – the Barossa is food and wine heaven, renowned for its bold, gutsy, luscious Shiraz. Touring the Barossa should be on every foodie’s wish list.
10 things I learned driving a Spaceship campervan
3305 kilometers, Sydney to Cairns: lush hills, dry brush, charming towns, stunning coast, endless surf, sand and sun – an amazing road trip across one crazy beautiful country.
Continue reading 10 things I learned driving a Spaceship campervan
Australia road trip: campervan fish and chips
“Fish and chips”: Pan-seared Barramundi with native Australian herbs, served with potatoes, coleslaw and “poor backpacker’s tartar sauce” Continue reading Australia road trip: campervan fish and chips
On the road in Australia: “The Great Kohlrabi Challenge”
It’s hard to miss Pat D’Onofrio at the Adelaide Showground Farmers Market every Sunday morning. Not only is there a giant queue around his Patlin Gardens booth to buy vegetables (yes, a lineup to buy veggies), Pat stands behind the piles of fresh produce and sings their praises.
Continue reading On the road in Australia: “The Great Kohlrabi Challenge”
The buzz on the tenants of postbox 321, Kangaroo Island
Kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, echidnas, penguins, seals and sea lions – I thought I had seen everything on Kangaroo Island until my guide Craig pulled the 4×4 into the Vivonne Bay “post office.” Continue reading The buzz on the tenants of postbox 321, Kangaroo Island
Khao soi: The signature dish of Chiang Mai
No trip to Chiang Mai should be without trying khao soi or khao soy. This delicious noodle soup is so iconic of the northern Thailand city that it is often simply called “Chiang Mai noodles.”
Hearty egg noodles swim in a coconut milk curry soup with tender fall-off-the-bone meat, usually chicken or beef. It’s topped with crispy deep-fried noodles, cilantro and always served with lime wedges, pickled mustard, sliced shallots and chili paste. Continue reading Khao soi: The signature dish of Chiang Mai