ASIA
Temples for a First-Time Visitor to Kyoto, Japan
The intriguing history and beautiful traditions of Kyoto, the cultural capital of Japan, stretch back over 12 centuries, but how does a first-time visitor choose which to see among the Kyoto’s 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines? April Orcutt describes her first trip to Japan and the seven temples that were her favorites – (….Read more)
Traditional and Hip Ryokans in Kyoto, Japan
To get the true feeling of traditional Japanese culture… as it’s evolved over the centuries stay in a small inn called a ryokan. The key word that goes with “ryokan” is “service.” I certainly received the best and most personal hotel service I’ve ever had in two ryokans – one truly traditional and one hip (….Read more)
Surviving the Thailand Tsunami
My family and I couldn’t wait to vacation in Southern Thailand where the weather is almost always sunny and deliciously warm. The ocean is calm and clear. That’s where my husband, two daughters and I joined many other North Americans, Europeans and Australians. We had plans to snorkel, dive, sail, kayak and relax. We had (….Read more)
Returning to Paradise, Bali
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This was all my idea. And there were many moments before we boarded the twenty-five-hour flight for Bali via Taiwan when I thought I was crazy. Like when our fourteen-year-old daughter, J.C., announced we just had to get a hotel with a pool and internet access so (….Read more)
Burma or Myanmar. Now’s the time to go.
Mayanmar is a “hot” destination these days. My travel writer colleague at USA Today told me she had a very hard time getting hotel reservations. My experience was quite different. We made plans online and stayed in family-owned little hotels and guesthouses. We went to see the ancient Buddhist temples, and meet the warm, gentle, (….Read more)
Best Tropical Islands
Go off the the grid, feast on fresh-caught seafood and sink your toes into soft sand at my picks of the best island escapes, including the Caribbean, Hawaii, Bali, Easter Island, and Fiji. Bali Bali is my idea of heaven. On my fourth trip to Bali I was introduced to the Amanresorts’ award-winning, secluded properties. (….Read more)
Luxury in Bali at the top of the dream list.
If you could go anywhere, for a week of unparalleled luxury and exoticism, consider Bali. On my fourth trip to Bali I was introduced to the Amanresorts’ award-winning, secluded properties. Already well known to discerning global travelers, the exclusive Amanresorts are also popular with Hollywood stars. There’s a buzz among the well-heeled Aman-junkies who are (….Read more)
Bali and Beyond . . . Trance Dance!
Watch this to the end to see what the men do when they’re in a trance. I got a chance to see this rare Javanese dance performed in rural villages and accompanied by gamelan music. Dancers are calling the spirits to possess them. When a dancer is possessed, he no longer performs regular dancing, but (….Read more)
A Sultan’s Palace in Java and a puppet artist.
Regal school girls practice English with Marybeth Bond, the Gutsy Traveler. School girls, market, artist making shadow puppets. Shopping, handicrafts, etc.
Faces and Places of Thailand and Burma
My daughter and I traveled to Thailand and Burma for two weeks in May 2011. Here are some of the people and places that made the trip unforgettable!
