While hiding out from the Northern California cold this afternoon (look, I’m a wussy when it comes to the cold… even when it’s only 50 degrees), I mournfully recalled to my lunch companion about the cold night in Taipei when The BF and I ducked into a Japanese restaurant serving DIY yakitori. There sizzling on top of hot coals were the most amazing slices of beef tongue we’ve ever had. Sounds like eating and making out at the same time? Well, MORE FOR ME! Months later, I still regret not picking up a business card knowing that if I were to head back to Taipei, the chances of locating that restaurant was slim to nil. I can’t even remember how we got to that street, or what street it was on for that matter.

Sigh.

One good thing about keeping this travel blog is that I record all the details of my travel that I’d normally forget. Since I’m also a very food driven traveler, here’s my list of the great travel eats in 2009.

1. Portuguese Egg Tarts at Margaret’s Cafe y Nata’s in Macau

Edificio Kam Loi, Macau, China 853 2871 0032

2. X-small sweetwater oysters at Hog Island Oyster Farm at Point Reyes, CA

20215, Highway 1, in Marshall, CA. 49 miles north of San Francisco, 10 miles north of Point Reyes Station and 23 miles south of   Bodega Bay

3. Cerviche and Lechon at Astrid y Gaston, Lima, Peru

Cantuarias 175, Miraflores, Lima, Peru 242-5387 – 243-2574

4. Peking Duck in Peking Garden, Hong Kong

3 Salisbury Rd., 3rd fl. (Canton Rd.) Hong Kong, China. Ph: 2735-8211

5. Cajun shrimps at Boiling Crab at Alhambra, CA

742 West Valley Boulevard, Alhambra, CA – (626) 576-9368

6. French breakfast at Macrina Bakery and Cafe in Seattle, CA

2408 1st Ave, Seattle – (206) 448-4089

(source)

7. Uni at Koiso Sushi Kihei, HI

2395 S Kihei Rd Ste 113, Kihei, Maui, HI 96753-8635. Tel: (808) 875-8258

8. The Office Burger at Father’s Office, Los Angeles, CA

3229 Helms Avenue, Los Angeles – (310) 736-2224

I hope 2010 will be just as filling as 2009!

Aloha! I’m in Maui right now wrapping up a 4 days trip out here with The BF. Strangely, it seems that The BF and I can never really have relaxing trip. For the four days, we woke up everyday at an obscene hour to head off to some adventure. Yesterday, The BF and I headed to Molokini for a 5 hour snorkling trip. I’ll save the information to that for another post, but let’s just say there aren’t many pictures since I was too busy doubled over the side railing spewing freshly churned  fish food off the side of the boat. Hey, anything to help the fish population.

Since a good number of the people on the boat were my new barfing buddies, there was a lot of seasickness tips being shared. Here are a few tips for the land animals headed out to sea:

1. Dramamine: I really hate to put this one up, since I took one and it FAILED me. But perhaps it saved me for a fate worse than barfing WHILE snorkeling. Yes, give The BF props for swimming through vomit. I’ll never ask for anything again. However, dramamine usually does help me a lot for air and car sickness.

2. Ginger: Someone had recommended something called ginger gravel (sp?) to me (can anyone tell me what it is?). I may be spelling it wrong, but that’s what it sounded like to me. She said that it was a good alternative to pharmaceutical pills. Other things like ginger ale and ginger candy were constantly being eaten on the boat.

3. Ice: It sounds weird, but sucking on ice helped me. One of the crew of the boat mentioned that it helped her. It helped me enough to stop barfing, but it definitely took a little while. Perhaps it was helping me cool down a little or just hydrating me, but i sucked down 2 cups of ice and i felt a lot better.

4. Eating breakfast: I ate a little bit before we set sail, but in retrospect I really should’ve eaten a good breakfast first. It sounds weird, but I think being on an empty stomach made me more tired and everything I barfed out was just juice and a tiny muffin. Sometimes dry heaving and bile is not the ideal choice in barfing.

5. Open air and horizon: After the 4th time I hurled, I sat outside at the very front of the boat and watched the horizon. This didn’t work for me initially, but after I got everything out of my stomach I was able to eat lunch and suck on more ice. Surprisingly, that really helped me enjoy the rest of my trip.

Here’s a great site that shares some seasickness prevention tips. Happy sailing!

Last week, I surprised the BF with a trip to Joshua Tree National Park for his birthday. The day started off a little rocky when I picked up a little bit of a stomach ache, but the day turned out to be more perfect than I could have imagined.

Things to do at Joshua Tree

1. Key’s View: This very short .2 mile walk up the side of a ridge gave us an opportunity to see a panoramic view of the San Andreas fault, Cochella, Palm Springs, and Mexico. How’s that for seeing all the sights? We ended up bringing our packed lunch and parking ourselves on a bench.

2. Ryan Mountain: The park ranger at the West Entrance suggested that we check out a short hike at Ryan Mountain. From there, you can see the Colorado desert and the Mojave (?) desert on the other side. It wasn’t the most beautiful hike I’ve seen, but I think that perhaps I’m just not as into desert hikes. However, since it’s a short hike (3 miles ), it’ll still be worth your time.

2. Skull Rock/ Jumbo Rocks: The rock formations are beautiful here. It’s amazing to see how rocks can form into these large round shapes. Nothing you’d expect in the middle of a desert. You almost feel like you’re in a movie with the way you’re surrounded by these globs of rock.

3. Cholla Cactus Garden: We hit this place by sunset and it was definitely the best way to end our day trip. A rather strange looking cactus garden seemingly just pops out of no where! It really made you wonder how Mother Nature plans these things. There’s a warning sign on the front warning visitors not to touch the cactus b/c they’re poisonous. From the looks of it, it’s a pretty good idea.

There were so many other places to see that I’m certain I’ll be back especially since it’s only 2.5 hours from Los Angeles. On our way there, we stopped by Cabazon Outlets for a quick shopping trip and on our way back we hit the prime rib buffet at Morongo Indian Casino. It was definitely a fun-filled day trip!

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I’m normally a pretty healthy person, so I really try to make it a point to stay healthy even while on vacation. Who the heck wants to come back and have to lose those 5 lbs from vacation eating? Of course, I’m not perfect, but I try my best to keep some healthy habits on vacation.

Healthy Tips while on vacation:

1. Share Meals: I’ve definitely been guilty of over eating while on vacation (let’s not even speak of my trip to New Orleans! Why is the food SO good there??). So my BF and I try our best to share meals. That way, we’re never too full that we can’t go sight seeing. It also cuts back on costs.

2. Veggies and Fruits: This sounds ridiculous, but we always try to get in a side of veggies to balance out our meals. Also, if we had a very heavy meal before, our next meal will be much lighter and with more veggies. It’s tough on the body to eat a Philly cheese steak for lunch and then ribs for dinner. Trust me, I’ve tried.

3. Fiber Pills: Who wants to be backed up for 3 days while hiking up Machu Picchu? NOT ME. It’ll keep you regular and your insides happy. Check with your doctor first.

4. Water: These days, I rarely have any flavored drinks and prefer water. Be sure to have plenty of water. Don’t let bathroom breaks hinder you from drinking that H20. I’ve also heard that a lot of people mistaken dehydration for hunger. Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate. It’ll really make a difference in your energy level.

5. Active Activities: Most vacations are so jammed packed with walking that I don’t think about this too much. However, sometimes when it comes down to renting a golf cart to tour the gardens of Versailles and walking Versailles…. pick the latter. Another great way to see neighborhood is to include a quick early morning run around the hotel while your travel buddies sleep in.

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UPDATE:  Congrats to the winners, Denise, Alice, and Nancy!

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This week I’m giving away THREE copies of Fodor’s Thailand Guide with side trips to Cambodia and Laos, 11th Edition.   It has tons of gorgeous full color pictures and would be a great  resource to have! Check out the “8 Essential Experiences” to have in Thailand on Fodor’s.

If you’ve seen the movie The Beach, you’ll know exactly how gorgeous Thailand is! Interested in winning? In the comments section, share with me which movie has you dreaming about a destination! Giveaway ends this Friday at 8pm pst.

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(Ferry Building @ Embarcadero)

When I first moved to San Francisco, I really had no idea where and what all the neighborhoods were. So as a tourist, it’s really helpful to have a sense of the different types of neighborhoods so you can customize your visit.

1. Fisherman’s Wharf: This is obviously where the famous Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, Ghiradelli Square and Boudin’s Bakery is. With that said, this is a huge tourist trap! The parking is atrocious and expensive (i once paid $25 for 3 hours in a lot!). Is it worth visiting? If you’re a first time visitor, always. Jump on the SF’s Muni F line and sit back on one of their historic street cars. Walkable.

2. Financial District: This busy neighborhood houses a lot of big financial companies on the west coast. It’s fun to get caught up in the hustle and bustle on the week day, but it’ll be a ghost town on the weekends. Walkable.

3. Union Square: Another popular tourist and shopper’s destination. Hands down, this area is the best shopping area. If you can think of a store you like, there’s probably a 3 leveled one here in the neighborhood. After a tough day of shopping, head over to the Westfield food court and get some fresh cream puffs from Beard Papa. Walkable.

3. SOMA: An acronym for SOuth of MArtket, SOMA is a youngish area filled with lofts, furniture stores, art spaces, tech companies, and warehouses. The Museum of Modern Art housed here near the Yerba Buena Gardens. Personally, I don’t think there’s much to see after 4th street, unless you’re going to the famous Folsom Street Fair… which… well… you’ll probably see more than you want to see.

4. Civic Center/Tenderloin: As Dave Chappelle puts it: “There’s nothing tender about the Tenderloin”. There are a few bars, art galleries, and Vietnamese restaurants that are worth going to, but it’s definitely a tough neighborhood. The Civic Center also houses city hall, the SF opera, and the Asian Art Museum. Is it the best area to walk around in? Probably not.

5. Nob Hill: Be prepared with your good walking shoes! Nob Hill is one of the hilliest neighborhoods in San Francisco, but it houses a lot of SF landmarks. You can still see a lot of the old buildings from SF’s early gold rush history.

6. The Mission: Personally, this is my absolute favorite neighborhood in SF. A slightly down and out neighborhood, this quickly gentrifying area has a lot of great (and cheap!) dive bars and restaurants. Grab an ice cream cone from Bi-Rite Creamery and head over to Dolores Park and people watch. If the day is nice, you’ll be able to catch a great view of SF from the top of the hill. Walkable.

7. Chinatown: Aside from NYC’s Chinatown, SF’s Chinatown is actually really interesting and full of Chinese people (I’m looking at you DC Chinatown. Where are all the Chinese people there?)! I personally don’t think that the Chinese food is very good here, but Golden Gate Bakery (nob hill?) makes the best egg tarts in the city. It’s shockingly good. Walkable.

8. The Castro: Surprisingly, this neighborhood isn’t very big, but it’s definitely a lot of fun and great people watching.  This vibrant area is  SF’s LGBT neighborhood. It is also the place that Harvey Milk got his start and where the historic Castro Theater is housed. The restaurants are good and the bars are plentiful. Walkable

9. North Beach: Adjacent to Chinatown, this area is the little Italy of San Francisco. A very cute neighborhood has lots of cute restaurants and bars. After a long brunch at Mama’s On Washington Square, head over to City Lights Bookstore and soak up all of it’s literary goodness. Walkable

10. Embarcadero: On a sunny day, this waterfront area has a gorgeous view of the Bay Bridge and the water. Locals and tourists alike head to the Ferry Building every Sat morning for the best farmer’s market EVER. Things might be a little expensive, but you can graze from stall to stall for free samples. After, head over to Hog Island for fresh oysters and a grill cheese. Walkable

11. Haight-Ashbury: The famous Haight is what people always think about when they think about SF in the 60s. Today, it’s still fun walking from boutique to boutique (although a little more touristy). Walkable

12. Japantown: A small Japanese neighborhood, Japantown is a good place to get some mochi, ramen, and little Japanese knicknacks. Tired from a long day? Head to Kubuki bathhouse and soak in their same-sex communal bathhouse for the rest of the day. There are also free walking tours starting at Japantown’s pagoda.  Walkable.

11. Sunset/Richmond: Both Sunset and Richmond district has a lot to offer, but it is mainly a residential area. I’ve combined these two neighborhoods because the beautiful Golden Gate Park separates the two districts. GG Park is a great place to walk through and is even home to buffaloes (seriously!). After visiting the DeYoung Museum and the California Science Museum, head over to either of these two neighborhoods and grab a bite to eat.

12. Hayes Valley: This neighborhood is ridiculously cute. It has lots of great brunch places and small boutiques.Walkable

So many more neighborhoods! (Marina, Noe Valley, Pacific Heights, Potero Hill, Alamo Square, etc etc) There’s tons of other neighborhoods I didn’t cover, but if I did this post would be huge! Have fun and explore SF’s many many diverse neighborhoods.

(all photos courtesy of Kevin W: thanks!!)

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Check out these amazing pictures of Milford Sound, New Zealand from Kevin W. I didn’t even realize this place existed before I saw these pictures and now I have to go!!!

*all pictures credited to Kevin W. please do not copy pictures without permission

Additional Reading and Resources

Milford Sound- Fiordland.org.nz

Milford Sound- Wikipedia.com

Milford Sound- NZescape.com

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On our way back from SF to LA (post on that soon), the BF and I decided to make a quick one day trip to Sequoia National Park. We’ve always wanted to go and it was such a beautiful day for hiking. Unfortunately for us, we left a little too late and only had time to hike a short trail. So, we picked Moro Rock, which is an easy and windy 2 mile hike (from Generals Highway) through giant sequoia trees and to the top of a mountain for a 360 view of the park.

(on the trail to Moro Rock)

(view from the top of Moro Rock)

I really wish we had more time to see other stuff, but I’m sure we’ll be visiting Sequoia again. Next time, here are some other things I’d like to do:

(source)

1. Crystal Cave: This was the first thing we wanted to do, but by the time we got there it was sold out. So go early in the day to buy tickets! You can only get tickets at Foothills or Lodgepole Visitor Center.  It’s a 45 minute tour through different rooms in the cave. Adults are $11, children are $6.

(source)

2. Cedar Grove Day Hike: One of the most popular trees here is General Grant’s Tree. From the Visitor’s center it’s about a 1 mile hike. Fairly easy for new hikers. The hike ends at General Grant’s Tree which is one of the largest living trees.

3. Mineral King Valley: Monarch Lakes and Crystal Lakes are both approximately a 4 mile hike.  These look a lot flatter than mountain hikes, but the views must be incredible between two mountains.

(It’s a good thing the BF loves it too…)

On a side note: It’s bizarre to me how much I really love hiking. I was commenting to my friends the other day how one day you wake up and you realize…. I’m not hungover… what is this crazy feeling… how come my head isn’t in the toilet… why am I getting up at 7am to trek up a mountain? Oh my god. I’m old and I’d rather hike than get blasted at a bar.

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(Source)

Just read this interesting New York Times interview with Ben Bachelder a contributor to Digihitch.com. Personally, I would never consider hitchhiking because I’m a big wussy, but would you? Sounds like a great adventure, huh?

Q: First things first. Is hitchhiking dangerous?

A: Yes. But I’ve got to qualify that. It’s dangerous in the sense that you’re putting your life, your trust, in someone else’s hands. But that could also be said for a lot of other things: like your trusting that the cars are going to stop at a stop sign when you’re crossing the street; your trusting that the pilots are not going to fall asleep at the stick of the plane…

Check out the full interview here.

Additional Reading and Resources

Digihitch.com- Hitchhiking, backpacking & Budget Travel

Hitchhikers.org-The worldwide hitchhikers agency

The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide- Douglas Adams (Book)

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted! Life was a little hectic in La La land, but everything has finally slowed down. I haven’t been traveling too much lately, but I have been able to enjoy a little bit of the S. Californian life. I’ll be posting on that soon!

There’s been lots of great deals lately. Every time one pops up, the BF and I look at each other and for a brief second there’s a silent understanding that one of us is going to leap across the room to grab out credit card and book it ASAP. But it seems to always end in sadness…. financially responsible sadness.

I saw this slide show on The New York Times titled: Why We Travel. Check it out. It’ll put the travel bug in you!

I thought about why I travel and it always comes down to a few things for me:

1. Gained Perspective: Whether it’s Baltimore or Cuzco, I always gain new perspective about life and the world around us.

2. The FOOOOD: Travel with an open mind and an open stomach, I say. Who knows, you might make a great memory or two. I once shared a bag of fried crickets with a few of my closest friends while driving down a dirt road in countryside of Cambodia. How’s that for a memory.

3. Unpredictable Spontaneous Life Changing Events: The BF and I actually met on vacation on a boat in Sai Kung, Hong Kong. Sure, he had a terrible haircut courtesy of a local barber and ignored me for most of the night despite repeated attempts on my part to chit chat, but 2 years and 3 cities later we’re still together.

4. New Friends: I’ve found that travel is a quick way to make new friends. Whether through the travel adventures itself or through conversation. There’s been quite a few times where I entered a conversation with: “Oh! You’re going to…?”

5. The Fun Factor: Of course, traveling is FUN!!!! Whether it’s  sitting on a local tour bus with aging octogenarians in tour of Taiwan or searching all day for the best egg tarts in Macau, traveling is FUN. For me, I can never predict what my experiences will be!