by Paul on November 12, 2009
Hey all,
I know foodies in NYC would shudder at the thought of trusting a food guide. They like to feel they’ve discovered places on their own and not heard about them from a “trusted source”. In Asia, it’s a bit trickier to locate and find good restaurants… there’s language barriers, clueless taxi drivers, and other obstacles to getting out on the streets on your own. So in Asia the Miele Guide has emerged in the last couple years and is about as good as it gets for us food review wise. They’ve recently announced the top 20 restaurants in Asia for 2009/2010. We’ve already dined at some and we plan on hitting up others in the future. The list after the jump. [keep reading…]
by Paul on November 10, 2009
The Great Wall. In my mind it stands as the ultimate irony tourist trap. What was started ages ago to keep foreigners out… is now responsible for bringing millions of foreigners into the country every year.
It’s one of those tings you just have to see or do… like getting a hot dog / bagel in NYC. If you’ve visited China the first thing anyone will ask is if you visited the Great Wall (ignoring the fact that there’s a LOT of China you can visit that is nowhere near the Great Wall). So we did it. [keep reading…]
by joanna on November 2, 2009
Highlights of what to see, do and eat in China’s capital city
We sometimes worry that a short trip is giving a majestic city like Beijing short shrift, but when all is said and done, wouldn’t you rather have visited a place briefly, than not all at? That said, you can get a lot done in this big city, and beyond, in 48 hours. So don’t miss the opportunity to give Beijing a run for its money even if just for 2 days….here’s our highlights of what to see, do and where to eat in the capital city. [keep reading…]
by joanna on September 23, 2009
Highlights of what to see and do in the wonderfully traditional city of Kyoto
Many folks love Kyoto and consider it the highlight of any trip to Japan. With 17 Unesco World Heritage sites, 1600 Buddhist temples and over 400 Shinto shrines, Kyoto is rife with ancient culture and Japanese history. And beyond historical sites lies the Japan of movies and books….zen gardens, red lanterns, and geishas….Thus, it is no surprise that Kyoto is considered Japan’s cultural capital. That said, unless you really want to spend weeks touring temples, one can get a real flavor of this sprawling city in 2 days. Here are our recommendation for 48 hours in Kyoto. [keep reading…]
by joanna on September 8, 2009
From charming colonial hotels to lovely gift shops
Please don’t stay in Colombo if you go to Sri Lanka. Even 3 days is enough to explore historic Galle and the surrounding areas. Here’s our cheat sheet for how to spend 3 days in and around Galle. [keep reading…]
by joanna on August 17, 2009
And left Japan kicking and screaming…
The first time I traveled to Hong Kong, I fell in love. I had an inexplicable affinity for the place, and on subsequent trips, discovered many new parts that ultimately led to Hong Kong’s classification as my favorite city in Asia. Now I think Tokyo has equally captivated me, if not possibly surpassing Hong Kong in my personal ranking…in fact when my travels came to an end, I honest to goodness did not want to leave! What is it that makes Tokyo so special? [keep reading…]
Lots of pictures of the market at the end of the article so scroll all the way down 
Muslims have Mecca, lovers of Trance have the lovely town of Goa, surfers and single, middle-aged women looking for a spiritual awakening have Bali 
For lovers of sushi the most sacred pilgrimage of all is to the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo, Japan.
[keep reading…]
by joanna on July 17, 2009
Bespoke fashion clothing and suiting for bargain prices
No trip to Shanghai would be complete without a trip to the Fabric Market, also known as the Shanghai South Bund Soft-Spinning Material Market. For gals and guys alike this expansive, multi-floor market is a paradise for any size, style or type clothing. Larger size expats often shop here out of necessity, ordering everything from jogging pants to Ermenegildo Zegna suits (in Asia an American woman’s size 10 is considered plus size). Whether you choose from the designs on offer or bring your latest issue of Vogue magazine, anything can be made. It is almost overwhelming –Armani wools, Chinese silks and an endless array of design options…. I personally find myself a little giddy over the seemingly endless options. [keep reading…]
by joanna on July 15, 2009
Like Brooklyn is to Manhattan, Kichijoji is to Tokyo – with some damn good spare ribs and octopus!
If you want to see real local flavour in an easily accessible Tokyo neighbourhood, take the 15 minute ride to Kichijoji. Kichijoji, in the Western area of Tokyo, is about 5 stops on the express train from Shibuya on the Keio Inokashira line (¥190 / $2 USD) and is to Tokyo what Brooklyn is to Manhattan – a cool little area where a lot of people live when they want a city feel but with a bit more space. [keep reading…]
by joanna on June 26, 2009
Littered with watering holes, this street makes a great stop for drinks
I don’t know if it is the charming conservation shophouses on the street or the drink specials that keep us coming…but we often end up in the Emerald Hill area of Singapore for weekday happy hours or a weekend drink to kick off the evening. While we have eaten at a number of the bar / restaurants, Paul and I agree this is not a dining destination per se, it’s really more about hanging out with friends over drinks.
Here are a few of our favourite highlights from Emerald Hill.
[keep reading…]
