Tag Archives: Travel

Aging: 78-Year Old Author Paul Theroux Traveled To Mexico To “Feel Young”

From a BBC Travel online article:

Paul TherouxI think of myself in the Mexican way, not as an old man but as most Mexicans regard a senior, an hombre de juicio, a man of judgment; not ruco, worn out, beneath notice, someone to be patronised, but owed the respect traditionally accorded to an elder, someone (in the Mexican euphemism) of La Tercera Edad, the Third Age, who might be called Don Pablo or tío (uncle) in deference. Mexican youths are required by custom to surrender their seat to anyone older. They know the saying: Más sabe el diablo por viejo, que por diablo – The devil is wise because he’s old, not because he’s the devil.Paul Theroux's On The Plain of Snakes A Mexican Journey

But “Stand aside, old man, and make way for the young” is the American way.

I was that old gringo. I was driving south in my own car in Mexican sunshine along the straight sloping road through the thinly populated valleys of the Sierra Madre Oriental – the whole craggy spine of Mexico is mountainous. Valleys, spacious and austere, were forested with thousands of single yucca trees, the so-called dragon yucca (Yucca filifera) that Mexicans call palma china. I pulled off the road to look closely at them and wrote in my notebook: I cannot explain why, on the empty miles of these roads, I feel young.

To read more: http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20191203-is-travel-the-secret-to-a-long-life

Top Restaurants: Sydney’s “Firedoor” Leads Fiery “Australian BBQ” Trend

From a New York Times online review:

Lennox Hastie Chef of Firedoor Photo by Con Poulos New York Times“Australian barbecue” is not, however, what Lennox Hastie, the chef at Firedoor, would use to describe his own cooking. Nor is it a term that’s been used much by anyone to describe any type of cooking. Here, the word “barbecue” is generally synonymous with the American term “cookout,” and, much like the cookout, it remains an integral part of Australia’s national identity.

Firedoor, which opened in 2015, is a prime example. Wagyu with Onion at Firedoor Photo by Con Poulos New York TimesThe kitchen is powered entirely by wood — there are no electric or gas ovens, burners or microwaves. Mr. Hastie came to this style after working five years at Asador Etxebarri in the Basque Country, where the chef Victor Arguinzoniz cooks local ingredients over fire using multiple types of wood. Mr. Hastie takes a similar approach, but with pointedly Australian ingredients.

One of the restaurant’s most thrilling dishes is a whole marron — a large freshwater crayfish native to Western Australia. The marron is grilled, split open and smothered in sea blite, a coastal plant related to samphire, and sunrise lime, a hybrid citrus created by crossing the native Australian finger lime with a calamondin (itself a cross between a mandarin and a kumquat). There are plenty of smoky, charred meats on the menu as well: pork chops, duck hearts and Wagyu all get their turn on one of the many grills.

To read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/05/dining/australian-barbecue.html

European Food Review: Italian Restaurant Movement In Paris Has “Exploded” In Last 3 Years

From a New York Times online article:

Bijou Paris restaurant NY Times“There’s really an Italian movement that has exploded over the last three years,” Mr. Imbroisi said.

Thanks to that explosion, Paris might now be the best city outside of Italy for Italian eating and drinking. With a few Metro tickets, you can journey from Venetian aperitivo culture (Hostaria Urbana), then south to Sicilian home cooking (Pane e Olio), disembarking occasionally at cozy wine bars (Tappo), massive indoor food halls (La Felicità) and new Italian restaurants from French celebrity chefs (for example, Piero TT, by Pierre Gagnaire). Racines Paris restaurant Joann Pai NY TimesIn April, the Right Bank welcomed an outlet of Eataly with a glittery gala, and the Left Bank should soon see a luxury hotel from the Italian JK brand. The marquee attraction will be a restaurant by Miky Grendene, the Italian creator of the exclusive Casa Tua members’ club in Miami.

From experimental aperitivo bars to pizza labs to Michelin-starred bistros, cool Italian establishments are filling the French capital, and Parisians are flocking to them.

To read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/04/travel/Italian-food-in-Paris.html

Top Camper Trailers: “Fargo Elite Cabins” Are At Home On Land Or Water

Fargo Elite Cabins catamaran hullEqually at home on land or water, the Fargo Elite Cabin is a fully self contained accommodation unit perfect for cruising the waterways, exploring the open roads on a trailer or truck, or even as a spare room or private rental in your own backyard!

Available with or without unsinkable catamaran hulls, the cabin is easily transported by a flat bed trailer, can be pulled up on a beach to camp for the night or parked up in your backyard as a caravan or spare room with space for 2-4 people.

There is no maintenance required, has 12.5sq metres of cabin space and over 1000 litres of underfloor storage. The house boat model is powered by a 20-90hp outboard motor (not included) and can be transported locally by trailer or worldwide by 40′ container.

To read more: https://fargocabins.com.au/

Travel Trailers: “Bowlus Road Chief” Is Light Weight, High Tech Luxury

From the Bowlus Road Chief website:

Bowlus Road Chief interior JPGThe Endless Highways is the ultimate luxury performance RV. As the industry leader with the most advanced technology, our high tech design is further elevated by more than two dozen luxurious and exclusive features and accessories. An exquisite manifestation of freedom, technology, and design, the Endless Highways ensures that your adventures are only as limited as your imagination.

Explore our magnificent public lands in the most luxurious way. A spacious, Zen-like bedroom converts from two twins to an incredible king so you can accommodate all your travel companions. The hotel-style en suite bathroom makes traveling to events like Monterey Car Week and the Kentucky Derby a five-star experience. The main cabin has dining for four. The Endless Highways is your stunning exploration guide to elevated escapes and adventures.

To read more: https://bowlusroadchief.com/endless-highways/

Top Travel Destinations: Photos From The New Empire State Building 80th Floor Observatory

From Empire State Building Twitter:

Our 80th Floor is officially re-opened – the final stage of our visitor experience redesign! The floor includes a special @nycgo  exhibit that will create a custom itinerary for the rest of your trip, based on questions you answer about your interests! esbo.nyc/bc1

Empire State Building 80th Floor Observatory

Nature Videos: “Majete Wildlife Reserve” Revived And Now “Flourishing” (National Geographic)

When Tizola Moyo started as a ranger in 1993, Majete Wildlife Reserve was devoid of any wildlife. Now, with the help of the park’s rangers and community collaboration, it’s flourishing.

Website: https://video.nationalgeographic.com/

New Camper Trailers: “2020 Into The Wild Overland XT12” Sleeps Four Adults

Into The Wild Overland XT12 TrailerThe XT12 will launch in April 2020 and include sleeping for 4 adults, a permanent queen bed, a full fold-down dinette, Maxxair fan, double pane windows with built in screens and a wet bath with shower and cassette toilet in the fully insulated cabin. The XT12 will come equipped with a stainless steel sink and faucet, 3-burner stove, 75L dual zone fridge, forced air furnace, on-demand hot water, 220 watts of solar and a 250 amp hour battery and a 23Zero Peregrine 270 awning that will cover both the rear door and kitchen.

Into the Wild Overland is excited to announce a new addition to its lineup of rugged, off-road capable camper trailers, the XT12. This model joins the current XT (the original, 2-sleeper model) and MXT (the XT with the addition of an extended tongue to carry a motorcycle) models. The XT12 is named after the length of the cabin, which will be 12 ft long.

Source and to read more: https://itwoverland.com/blog/wild-overland-announces-new-trailer-xt12/

Travel Videos: “Welcome To Arabia” In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Directed By Caspar Daniël Diederik (2019)

Director: Caspar Daniël Diederik
Producing Production Coordinator: Michael Essey
Lead Producer: Ivan Sebastian
Creative: Miriam Patience
Editor: Hani Fayed
Agency Producer: Jatinder Mahli
DOP/Camera: Ziryab Al Gabri

Welcome To Arabia Travel Video Directed by Caspar Daniël Diederik 2019

New film out of Saudi Arabia.. the city of Jeddah.

Saudi Arabia is changing rapidly and it is inviting the world to come and explore. By making tourist visa now widely available, the country is truly opening its doors to the travellers. It’s definitely positive development for the people as the arrival of travellers will bring more change the country for the good.

Website: https://storytravelers.com/