Interview: Writer Paul Theroux – ‘Under The Wave At Waimea’ (Podcast)

What can a travel writer learn from staying at home? Anne McElvoy asks the prolific travel author Paul Theroux about the virtues of being homebound during the pandemic. 

The author of “Under the Wave at Waimea” reveals that his friend and one-time foe V.S. Naipaul inspired a character in his new book about big-wave surfing in Hawaii. Also, verbal fencing with his sons Louis and Marcel and his ultimate travel destination.

Guided Tours: ‘Quebec City -Quebec, Canada’ (Video)

Take a peek into the rich history of Quebec with this informative walking tour. We learn about the founding of this historic city and explore legendary attractions such as Morrin Centre, Petit Champlain Street, Notre-Dame de Quebec Basilica-Cathedral, and The Ice Hotel!

Video timeline: ​ 0:00​ Introduction 0:34​ Founding and Independence of Quebec City 1:36​ Dufferin Terrace 2:10​ Aux Anciens Canadiens 2:44​ La Buche 4:00​ Morrin Centre 5:20​ Quebec City Hall 5:56​ Notre-Dame de Quebec Basilica-Cathedral 7:09​ Quebec Seminary 8:00​ Petit Champlain Street 8:48​ The Fudgerie 10:00​ Quebec’s building architecture 10:45​ Saint-Pierre Street 11:24​ Place Royale Town Square 12:21​ Instagram worthy Fresco 13:00​ Saint John Street 13:50​ The Ice Hotel 15:40​ Conclusion

Street Walks: ‘Janakpur – Southeast Nepal’ (4K Video)

Janakpurdham or Janakpur is a sub-metropolitan city in Dhanusa District, Province No. 2, Nepal. The city is a hub for religious and cultural tourism. It has been declared as the temporary capital for Province No. 2 until the Province Assembly votes for a permanent capital. 

Morning News Podcast: New Gun Regulations, Covid-19 Surges In Brazil

President Joe Biden is following through on a campaign promise to implement common sense gun laws. He is expected to introduce regulations for certain types of firearms and accessories. 

 COVID-19 deaths are surging in Brazil, yet President Jair Bolsonaro refuses to lockdown the country. And, Derek Chauvin’s defense is trying to make the case that George Floyd’s death had less to do with use of force and more to do with his opioid addiction and underlying health concerns.

Home Tours: Gwangju – South Korea (Video)

With the aim of expressing historical values and artistic achievements in architecture, five large-scale projects were implemented to integrate the merits of the traditional construction method of hanok, the techniques involved in building palaces during the Joseon Dynasty and restoring these cultural properties, as well as modern architectural techniques. Therefore, it was designed and constructed in a way that its artistry can be retained even after 1,000 years. The process of material selection was stringent in order to ensure that only the best is chosen, regardless the cost.

Gwangju is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, a suburb southeast of Seoul. The city is not to be confused with the much larger Gwangju Metropolitan City, former capital of South Jeolla Province, South Korea.

Views: How Singapore’s ‘Gardens By The Bay’ Was Constructed (Video)

The ‘Gardens by the Bay’ are home to 100,000 thriving plants–but for the entire setup to work, the designers had to figure out a way to protect the eerily-designed structures against the strong winds that hit Singapore.

The Gardens by the Bay is a nature park spanning 101 hectares in the Central Region of Singapore, adjacent to the Marina Reservoir. The park consists of three waterfront gardens: Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden and Bay Central Garden.

Skyline Views: ‘Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia’ (4K)

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia. Its modern skyline is dominated by the 451m-tall Petronas Twin Towers, a pair of glass-and-steel-clad skyscrapers with Islamic motifs. The towers also offer a public skybridge and observation deck. The city is also home to British colonial-era landmarks such as the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. 

Cruise Industry: How U.S. Ports Are Staying Afloat

The shutdown of cruise lines during the pandemic has had far-reaching economic consequences for America’s ports. In this video, WSJ reporter Julie Bykowicz visits Port Canaveral’s once-bustling cruise terminal to learn about what’s next for the industry.