PLACES Shopping for Faux Food on Kappabashi Street Posted on November 1, 2015May 20, 2024 Ok, I admit it. From time to time, I find a few things more interesting than other people. Delve into the distinctive treasures of Kappabashi Street, home to remarkably lifelike food models. Crafted with the needs of travelers in mind, these models act as invaluable companions, aiding you in identifying menus across the globe, especially in places where the local language might be unfamiliar. These faux foods are great companions to menus and a cool souvenir from your travels to Japan. Kappabashi Street has become an off-the-beaten-track attraction for tourists looking to mingle with the locals, and that’s one of the reasons it made my list of must-sees.
PLACES Tokyo Harbor Cruise: Dinner and Sightseeing in Japan Posted on October 29, 2015May 20, 2024 5 days exploring the quirky neighborhoods of Tokyo culminates on a sunset dinner cruise around Tokyo Bay with delicious food, awesome service and amenities, and a great picture window to see the Tokyo skyline.
PLACES The Best Fireworks Festival in the Sky Over Busan, South Korea Posted on October 25, 2015June 9, 2024 A single firework penetrates the sky from one of the barges anchored in the ocean off Gwangali Beach in Busan. It’s 7 pm, an overcast sky, an unwelcome canvass to the fireworks display. More than a million and a half people have crowded the 1.4km long stretch of beautiful sandy…
PLACES Welcome to My Apartment in Baumholder, Germany Posted on October 15, 2015September 2, 2024 Don’t get me wrong, I loved our little apartment in Baumholder, but that town was well-known for its contrary weather. We fondly and not so fondly referred to it as the rock. We lived in an old stone mansion that had been renovated into four large apartments. We shared the second floor with a retired German officer. The first floor was split between a US Major and his wife. Across the hall was a 90+ year old German widow.
TRAVEL EXPERIENCES Enjoying Italian Opera in Daegu, South Korea Posted on October 11, 2015June 27, 2024 Opera in Daegu, you say? Heck yes. I put on my favorite little black dress and had a blast. Since 2004, the Daegu Opera House Foundation has offered a full schedule of local and well-known popular operas, concerts, musicals, and ballets like Aida and Figaro. We paid 30,000 Won each…
CULINARY TRAVEL Sipping Through Time: A Journey Inside Cheongdo’s Wine Tunnel Posted on October 11, 2015June 9, 2024 The Gam Wine Tunnel opened its doors in 2006 in Cheongdo and is the world’s FIRST persimmon wine cellar. Cheongdo is lined with bright orange persimmon trees and small family farms. The persimmon is dried, made into juice and wine. I love wine, but I think I prefer the dried fruit option the best.
NOMADIC TRAVEL The Life of a Military Ex-pat in South Korea Posted on September 30, 2015May 19, 2024 I once referred to myself as an expat. But during a recent dinner party at my home, we welcomed “real” American Expats to a long promised and much appreciated home cooked meal.
PLACES OinK: Only in Korea Jjimjibangs & Gangnam Style Posted on September 30, 2015June 9, 2024 OinK: Only in Korea Jjimjibangs & Gangnam Style Now that I’ve been here a little while, I’ve noticed that many of my first impressions still hold up to be true. Only in Korea or OinK– good, bad and indifferent. I am enjoying my new temporary home and getting as acclimated…