Being a huge fan of scavenger hunts and interactive theater, I was thrilled to discover Shanghai San Francisco, a “walking adventure tour” when Stuart and I were in the city last weekend. It turned out to be such a fun way of spending a Saturday afternoon – but then, cavorting with shady characters has...
Read more »
Moment – definition – Merriam-Webster Dictionary 1. a minute portion or point of time : instant; 2. a comparatively brief period of time; 3. a time of excellence or conspicuousness. Moment – definition – mine 1. a blessing; a slice of time that is transformative in which everything is aligned to achieve a temporary...
Read more »
After considering several Halloween costume ides this year, I made a last-minute decision to go with a little shameless self-promotion. Now, I am all for thinking outside of the box, but when you actually have to wear the box, it gets a little tricky (and slightly claustrophobic). Key Learning – If considering wearing a...
Read more »
My husband is a card-carrying member of the increasingly-expanding club of air commuters – men and women who get up at the crack of dawn to catch the first flight up, down or sideways to wherever their offices are situated, forsaking health and sanity and missing literally hundreds of water polo matches, parent teacher...
Read more »
I’ve been doing a lot of traveling lately. In the last month I’ve sailed on an ocean liner and watched my mom catch her first wave on Waikiki Beach as her surf instructor Panama, who also taught my grandmother to surf, cheered her on from the water. I’ve danced the hula to classic Hawaiian...
Read more »
Don’t Do What I Did! Another Oops! Travel Moment. There is a deliberately unassuming little club on Staunton Street in Hong Kong called Feather Boa. From the outside, you would never know it existed. There is no sign, indeed no indication whatsoever that a popular bôite can be found within. The curtains hanging in...
Read more »
Is it a car or is it a traveling hut? Either way, this is an excellent fusion of form and function, with an eye to conservation. For any Gilligan’s Island fans out there – this just goes to show the professor was way ahead of his time. MANILA – Residents of Tabonton municipality in...
Read more »
Few things in this world impress me to the point that I am unable to articulate decipherable words. Funnily enough, the two things that come to mind both herald from distinguished British institutions. The first is my husband Stuart and the second is the Centenary Collection from renowned British luggage maker Globe-Trotter. Both examples...
Read more »
Because frankly, there is no wrong time for a ukulele. Snapped by another well-worn traveler. Oakland Airport – September 17, 2009
Read more »
I watched a creepy film recently called “Island of the Dead”. The film was average, but I was surprised to learn that the subject matter – Hart Island – is a real place, far spookier than the movie, where over 800,000 bodies – adults and infants, and even dismembered body parts, are buried. Hart...
Read more »
Don’t Do What I Did! Another Oops! Travel Moment. Anyone who has been to Kenya is familiar with the Carnivore restaurant in Nairobi. Known as “Africa’s Greatest Eating Experience” it is an institution for locals and tourists alike – a must visit. For my husband, son and myself, it was a novelty and a...
Read more »
I am an unabashed fan of ramshackle chic. I love the way the words sound when spoken, with the two “sh” sounds punctuated by the crisp “kle” in between. I love the idea of ramshackle chic, which in my vernacular, refers to an effortless, slightly haphazard balance of comfort and coolness; an eclectic yet...
Read more »
St Barts – Beyond the Bling – Tapping into the island’s Bohemian soul. Ramshackle Chic Travel - In search of eclectic style without the over-the-top bitter aftertaste. Volunteer Vacations with Teens – The importance of molding compassionate global citizens while they’re still young and relatively submissive. Sayulita Chic -A sleepy Mexican surf town with...
Read more »
Hosting a foreign exchange student is definitely not for everyone. Having someone living in your home with a different set of cultural norms and who possibly may not actually like you, or you them, can be a challenge at best, and a nightmare in worst cases. We were extraordinary lucky that our beloved Jule...
Read more »
Don’t Do What I Did! Another Oops! Travel Moment. I am thrilled, though appropriately embarrassed, to introduce my first “Don’t Do What I Did” (DDWID) oops! travel moment. While this little gem is a new addition to my fairly extensive body of work, I confess it’s grown on me. One recent afternoon in Phnom...
Read more »
When it comes to traveling, I like to think I become a senses-heightened, fully-engaged version of my normal self. That is: high-functioning, buttoned-up, sharp as a tack, in control without being controlling, street smart, friendly yet cautious, culturally sensitive, forward-thinking, spontaneous and always – always – prepared. Did I mention verbose? Given my completely delusional...
Read more »
June 2009 For many developing countries, corruption in government is typical and pervasive. In Cambodia, it’s a well-documented fact that corruption is rampant, serving to undermine the economic infrastructure and act as a deterrent to much-needed foreign investment. On a recent trip to Cambodia, I witnessed a small dose of this corruption, a tourist’s...
Read more »
My suspicion is that there are many discriminating, borderline OCD travelers like myself who double and triple check hotel and destination information across a barrage of online sources in the hope of validating their choices (and possibly themselves), in the process. Speaking from experience, this can be an exhaustive and overwhelming exercise, particularly for...
Read more »
Boy and his Bowls
Serving up my take on life one bowl at a time
Ramshackle Chic
An eclectic state of mind
An Indian Summer