Travel
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Iceland: Part One
Westman Islands
By: - Aug 13th, 2017Heimaey is the only inhabited one of the fifteen volcanic Westman Islands on the southeast coast of Iceland. Rising from the cold sea, the island has a rugged appearance which belies its natural beauty and friendly people. Visiting Heimaey is a moving experience to learn about volcanic devastation and people's resilience to rebuild and to preserve the island's nature-made beauty.
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I Left My Heart in San Francisco
Theatre Critics Met by the Bay
By: - Jul 28th, 2017Coincidently, the 2017 ATCA conference took place at the same time that San Francisco is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the city’s now famous 1967 “Summer of Love” revolution of sexual freedom, psychedelic flower-power, pot, and tons of young people with raging hormones.
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A Shot in the Armagnac
Getting to Know Gascony's Treasure
By: - Jul 20th, 2017Armagnac has finally been recognized as the up and coming brandy. Its only taken 700 years to be recognized in the 21st century. At one time it was Louis XIV's favorite.
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The Roads of North America – Part 5
Sketch: Cruising the Golden Gate Bridge
By: - Jul 19th, 2017Picking up this series after some time, we are continuing with reports about our travels in North America. We flew to San Francisco to attend a theater conference and to discover the city once again, followed by visits to Muir Woods and California’s wine country. There will be other sketches drawn from different locations and events. Here my personal photo-perspective of the Golden Gate Bridge, arguably the most famous bridge in the USA.
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Richard Petty Museum in North Carolina
Displaying Legendary NASCAR Winners
By: - Jul 18th, 2017San Frncisco based travel writer, Susan Cohn, is known for ferreting out unusual destinations in rural America. Her stories always have an off the beaten trail exotic, down home flavor. This time she reports on the Richard Petty Museum in North Carolina. Parked on the property are dozens of iconic vehicles that made three generations of the Petty family dominant winners in the popular NASCAR circuit. This is a must see destination for fans of the popular sport. Enjoy this tale of life in the fast lane.
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Traveling Sandy Revisits Frisco
Flashbacks to The Summer of Love
By: - Jun 28th, 2017San Francisco is for lovers as our correspondents Traveling Sandy Katz and her husband Gerry rediscovered. After an absence of decades they were thrilled to be back at the City by the Bay. If you visit now some fifty years after The Summer of Love be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.
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New Zealand's Urban Wonders
Christ Church and Wellington
By: - Jun 26th, 2017Christ Church is a vibrant coastal city rebuilding itself following a major earthquake devastation of six years ago. Contemporary architecture is on the rise, while historic treasures are being restored. Wellington, the capital city, is an urban wonderland with a thriving movie industry, world-class museums, outdoor cafes, an attractive waterfront, and beautiful botanical gardens.
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New Zealand: South Island
A Wonderland of Natural Beauty
By: - Jun 04th, 2017Milford Sound with scenic fjords, national parks with spectacular mountain views and cascading waterfalls, and Dart River with thrilling jet-boat rides are the rewards of South Island. Traveling west across the Southern Alps, the rewards continue with the snow-capped Mount Cook region, Fox and San Josef Glaciers, a craggy coastline with "Pancake Rocks", and the artists' haven town of Hokitika.
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Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG
Veneto's Best Appellation
By: - Jun 01st, 2017The Asolo region in Veneto is known for superior proseccos. The town is charming and the wines are amazing. Take a short journey to Asolo with us.
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New Zealand: North Island
Auckland, Rotorua and Waimangu Volcanic Valley
By: - Apr 25th, 2017As New Zealand's largest city, Auckland offers a distinctive urban landscape with two harbors, modern high-rises, beautiful gardens, and impressive museums. Rotorua stands out with its geothermal activity and predominant Maori culture. Waimangu Volcanic Valley is a wonderland of crater lakes, hot springs, boiling mud pots, and an exuberant nature that has regenerated following the devastation of an eruption.
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New Zealand: North Island
Bay of Islands
By: - Apr 12th, 2017A subtropical archipelago, the Bay of Islands is a unique ecosystem of nearly 150 islands. Pristine natural environment with emerald hills and clear turquoise waters set the stage for picturesque historic towns, which mark the crossroads of English and Maori cultures, giving birth to the nation of New Zealand.
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Iowa's Field of Dreams
If Your Build It They Will Come
By: - Mar 06th, 2017The Ghost Players who emerge from the cornfield in the movie are re-enacted at the movie site by local residents in period White Sox uniforms.
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Authentic Bouillabaisse
Visiting Villefranche-sur-Mer
By: - Feb 20th, 2017Yet again my paella was a hit with our guests. We talked about the expensive key ingredient of saffron. The next time I want to make Bouillabaisse. But I doubt that I can match that first encounter decades ago in the charming cove of Villefranche-sur-Mer.
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Northern Greece: Part Two
From the Ionian to the Aegean Sea
By: - Feb 08th, 2017The highlights of this itinerary range from rock formations with monasteries perched atop the cliffs at Meteora to ancient Macedonian cities of Philippi and Amphipolis, the former distinguished as the first place Apostle Paul visited in Europe. The modern cities of Kavala and Thessaloniki enhance the experience with museums, monuments, and antiquities in addition to a vibrant urban life.
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Northern Greece: Part One
From the Aegean to the Ionian Sea
By: - Feb 07th, 2017Traveling through Northern Greece is a wondrous journey across ancient Macedonia. The scenic land between the modern coastal cities of Thessaloniki on the east and Parga and Preveza on the west, is a treasure trove of antiquities from the time of King Philip II and his son Alexander the Great, along with those from Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires. Biblical treasures along the route enhance the journey.
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Arthur Mooney Art Print Collection
Iowa's Charles City Public Library
By: - Feb 05th, 2017Through the generous bequest of Charles Mooney the Chares City Public Library in Iowa houses a super collection of old master prints. The 79-piece collection includes works by Rembrandt van Rijn, Pablo Picasso, Grant Wood, Marc Chagall, Paul Cezanne, James Whistler, Paul Gauguin, Edouard Manet, Salvador Dali, Thomas Hart Benton, Jan Van Eyck, Alexander Caulder and Henri Matisse.
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Lonshan Temple and Snake Alley
Letters from Taipei
By: - Jan 12th, 2017First a New Year visit to Lonshan Temple for prayer and offerings to the manmy Gods. From there it was on to Snake Alley to choose one's favorite kind of reptile for fine dining. For the adventurous there are side dishes of turtle testicles and deer penis wine.
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Betel Nuts and Jade Cabbage
letters from Taipei
By: - Jan 11th, 2017During the holiday playwright Mark St. Germain visited his daughter Kate in Taipei. This is the second of three letters he sent to friends.They encounbtered a cab driver who "When he laughed revealed a black hole where his tongue and teeth would have been. All day he chews betel nuts."
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Letters from Taipei
A Spotless Crime Free City
By: - Jan 09th, 2017Currently Mark St. Germain is finishing a screenplay of his widely produced "Freud's Last Sessions." Recenty, he spent the holidays with his daughter Kate. This is the first of three letters from Taipei that he sent to friends. For those who know Mark and have enjoyed his plays at Barrington Stage and other theatres you will enjoy and recognize his familiar wit and insight.
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Southern Siberia
Along Lake Baikal on the Trans-Siberian Railway
By: - Jan 03rd, 2017Lake Baikal is the largest and oldest body of fresh water on earth. Traveling along its southern shore by vintage steam train is a unique journey on a coastal precipice with lush mountains on one side and the lake on the other. Listvyanka, an old port town on the lake, is also close to a network of hiking paths. Irkutsk, the capital of Eastern Siberia, reflects a rich and varied cultural heritage as home to 120 nationalities, well worth the distance to get there.
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Grant Wood's American Gothic
Iowa's Most Famous Artist
By: - Dec 10th, 2016American Gothic, arguably the best known and most iconic painting by an American artist, was created by Grant Wood when he was on the dole from the WPA. Artists had to pass in work to get their monthly checks. This painting was part of the inventiry when the relief program was shut down. It was given to the Art Institute of Chicage where it has deliughted viewers ever since.
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Mongolia Part Two
Khovsgol Lake and Gobi Desert
By: - Dec 01st, 2016The vast Khovsgol Lake region in northern Mongolia is home to numerous nomadic herders. As their grazing horses, yaks, and reindeer grace the shores, picturesque gers for locals and visitors add to the pastoral charm. Gobi Desert in the south fascinates with its valleys, sand dunes, ochre-colored cliffs, and the unique two-humped Bactrian camels.
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Winemaking at Chateau De La Dauphine
Great Wines At Reasonable Prices
By: - Nov 18th, 2016Chateau de La Dauphine in Bordeaux offers wine tourism possibilities for all visitors, year round. Marion Merker heads the operation of this beautiful estate.
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Need A Lounge While At The Airport?
The No1 Lounge at London's Gatwick
By: - Oct 23rd, 2016If you travel overseas and are looking for a Lounge to spend downtime in, consider the No1 Lounge group. We used the Gatwick Lounge for nearly three hours between flights.
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Mongolia Part One
Ulaanbaatar and Gorkhi-Terelj National Park
By: - Oct 01st, 2016An independent country since 1990, Mongolia is a vast land situated between China and Russia. It has retained its centuries old nomadic life style and culture, despite 80 years under socialism. Ulaanbaatar , the capital city, is a vibrant metropolis with temples and museums, and is quickly establishing itself in the world community. Gorkhi-Terelj National Park boasts a landscape of forests, granite hills, rivers and meadows. It is home to 550 nomadic families and a favorite vacation spot for city dwellers.
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