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Where to Go Next: Napa and SonomaF&W’s roundup of the best restaurants in Napa and Sonoma, from an excellent burger joint backed by a top chef to swank resort dining rooms obsessed with local ingredients. For more great restaurants, check out our guide to the best places to eat in the country.

By Sara Deseran, Ray Isle, Kate Krader
Healdsburg
Healdsburg Bar & Grill
This spring, Doug Keane of Healdsburg’s Cyrus (an F&W Best New Chef 2006) took over this longtime hangout on the town square. The chef prepares perfect burgers that are especially good with his just-funky-enough truffle fries or a slab of Rogue Creamery blue cheese on top (or both). Even better: There’s no corkage fee.



Carneros
© Angie Silvy
Farm at the Carneros Inn
New chef Jeffrey Jake is a locavore: He sources most of his ingredients from within 150 miles of the Carneros Inn’s secluded 27-acre property in Napa. Under exposed wooden beams that mimic the shape of a barn roof, Jake sends out dishes like a delicate tuna carpaccio topped with beets and tiny bits of crispy potatoes. Gillian Balance, the Farm’s noted sommelier, encourages diners to sample a variety of wines, offering much of her 300-bottle list in three- and six-ounce pours. After dinner, guests can play boules (the traditional French bowling game) just a few steps beyond the dining room.

St. Helena
© Steven Rothfeld
The Restaurant at Meadowood
Talented young chef Chris Kostow has transformed the food at this famous resort (its dining room was recently remodeled, too). His menu has a local emphasis, as in his Tomales Bay oysters from nearby Marin County, encrusted in rye bread crumbs. Imaginative dishes, like candied satsuma orange wedges topped with panna cotta, reflect his creativity.

© Laurie Smith
Go Fish
Cindy Pawlcyn has been a Napa fixture since she opened Mustard’s Grill in 1983. Her latest venture is dedicated to seafood, with a long menu that includes grilled Monterey Bay sardines as well as a great selection of sushi. (A tiny No Fish section of the menu offers chicken and rib-eye steak.)

Cook
This little restaurant on St. Helena’s main street has only 31 seats, 10 of them at the bar, so it’s best to arrive with a reservation or at an off-peak hour (the place is open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.). The Cal-Med menu changes frequently but has some signatures: calamari with grilled lemons; eggplant Parmesan in creamy béchamel sauce; and succulent braised short ribs.

25° Brix
(Pictured top, right.) Longtime San Francisco chef and restaurateur David Gingrass had a hand in everything at St. Helena’s 25° Brix, from the staff to the recent redesign (with booths made out of wine barrels). Chef Carlos Cañada, a Gingrass vet, cooks some of the freshest food in Napa Valley using produce from the kitchen gardens, such as his tomato salad dressed with garlicky pecan pesto.

Napa
Ubuntu
Starting an all-vegetable restaurant in Napa Valley, a region famed for producing the ultimate steak wine (Cabernet Sauvignon), takes either extreme optimism or talent. Jeremy Fox, an F&W Best New Chef 2008, has both. Dishes like his Anson Mills farro with ramp broth have so much flavor that meat starts to seem superfluous.

Oxbow Public Market


Yountville
Ad Hoc
Thomas Keller, one of the world’s great chefs, originally planned Ad Hoc as a placeholder for a burger spot. But the family-style restaurant became too popular to give up (Keller’s burger place will eventually be installed elsewhere). There’s a different four-course dinner menu for each night of the week; Monday’s buttermilk fried chicken is the overwhelming favorite.

from melbourne

http://www.greatoceanecolodge.com.au/ezpz/Ecolodge/Getting-here

mornington peninsula

stay: big blue backyard on st. andrews beach ***
www.bigbluebackyard.com.au

george's boutique b&b & culinary retreat***
www.georgesonarthurs.com

glynt manor www.glyntmanor.com.au

lindenderry at red hill
lindenderry.com.au

www.woodman estate.com

eat at
www.foxeys-hangout.com.au
www.thelongtable.com.au
www.maxsrestaurant.com.au
www.montalto.com.au
www.paringaestate.com.au
www.portphillipestate.com.au
www.willow-cree.com.au (salix restaurant)
www.stillwateratcrittenden.com.au
www.tenminutesbytractor.com.au
www.vinesofredhill.com.au

Aire Valley Guesthouse
(on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria)

brisbane

eat

Aria
1 Eagle St
Eagle St Pier
www.ariarestaurant.com

switzerland

Zermatt => St. Moritz by train "glacier express"

Scotland by train

http://www.seat61.com/CaledonianSleepers.htm

Jaipur Jan 2010

1) 15 Jan CX695 HKG 22:20 DEL 02:00 +1 6:10

2) DEL to JAIPUR (JAI) Saturday, 16 Jan, 2010
9W2207 Delhi Sat 05:45 Jaipur Sat 06:30

3) JAIPUR (JAI) to DEL Sunday, 17 Jan, 2010
9W3326 Jaipur Sun 18:30 Delhi Sun 19:30

4) 17 Jan CX694 DEL 23:50 HKG 07:15 +1 4:55

JetAir
Suites 3010-11, 30/F, Tower 1
The Gateway, Harbour City
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
852 3966 5008

9/26 Abaca, nice but not perfect

9/26 Abaca, nice but not perfect

Decided to come and check out the Abaca Resort which is down the
street from the ShangriLa. The HK Cebu flight is a very easy stress
free flight. 9 am flight gets in at 11 am. A very short walk to
immigration and 10 min later you are at the resort. The return flight
leaves at 8 pm so you basically get two full days away from the hustle
in HK

Abaca is a small boutique hotel with 9 rooms only, I prefer this place
for a short weekend vs the shang down the street. The shang attracts
huge groups and the last time I was there I felt more like I was in
Mongkok vs on holiday although the Shang does have excellent seafood!
(it was noisy even while i was in my room!)

Whereas at Abaca at times I felt like being the only guest in the
place! Plus the service was good

My room #2 on the ground floor faced the pool and the ocean facing
cabanas. (it's steps down to the water though no beach) Very spacious
rooms. Spacious Nice bathroom (with no windows) Comfy indoor and
outdoor daybed /lounge area with Jim Thompson cushions Docking
station for ipod, dvd player, wifi access & etc.

They have one restaurant manned by an American chef from HK called
Jadon Hyatt. Food was excellent with a good choice of wines. Had a
very good salad, absolutely kickass delicious garlic steamer clams,
decent beef short ribs. Followed by a generous portion of cheese
plate for dessert Also tried their chickpea hummus, and abaca burger
quality of the food evidenced by fact lots of locals and other non
hotel guests come by!

On the downside, a few Hiccups- though not fatal, took points away
from an almost perfect experience.

• At room2, The sliding doors that looked out to the pool couldn't be
locked ( even after they had four guys to come by to fix it). It
started raining and one of the girls started fetching the pillows and
etc on the outdoor lounge chairs. She literally just opened the
sliding door and walked into my room not realizing that the room was
occupied!! Once she saw me she just stuck the mattress pillow and etc
in my outdoor shower area ( outdoor but covered). Except that as I
could see out from the room to the outdoor shower (just a glass
partition) it was kind of annoying to see "stuff" there.

Anyway back to sliding doors that would not lock. I got an "upgrade"
to the 3rd /top floor to a more expensive room #6 (that felt way
smaller. No outdoor shower, just a balcony with lounge chair, no
ability to just walk the 8 steps into the pool, did have nicer
bathroom with windows and higher ceiling, but i did prefer room 2)

Anyway, room 6 sliding door also did NOT lock, after two more attempts
to fix it betw 3 workers, after they left i realized the glass doors
still didn't lock up (though the wire screen doors did). By then it
was late n I gave up on the whole exercise.

• The girl at the spa miscounted her time ( i had 2 massages totaling
2.5 hr) but she finished after 2. (i do think it was an honest mistake
on her part coz after i was robed up n ready to go i told her and she
was very apologetic and we did continue for 30 min more)

• In room 6 there were water temperature issues with both the shower
and the tub.

But, All in all, a promising place with room for improvement

namibia trip draft

18 Dec CX749 HKG 23:45 JNB 06:35 +1 0 12:50

Sat 19-Dec-09

Johannesburg (JNB)
Depart 9:50 am
Terminal B to Windhoek (WDH)
Arrive 11:50 am 722 mi
Duration: 2hr 0mn
SA Flight: 74

12/19 & 12/20 Okonjima Bush Camp $302x2
12/21, 22 & 23 Onguma safari tented $377x3
12/24 Mowani mtn camp $338
12/25& 26 Hansa $164
12/27 & 12/28 Sossusvlei desert camp $187x2
12/29 & 12/30 Wolwedan dunes lodge $725 per night!! with 3rd night at 50% discount .... SKIP & spend the 2 nights elsewhere????
12/31 Bagatelle kalahari $182

Fri 1-Jan-10

Windhoek (WDH)
Depart 5:20 pm to Johannesburg (JNB)
Arrive 7:15 pm
Terminal A 722 mi
Duration: 1hr 55mn
SA Flight: 77
1/1 & 1/2 in s. af

alternatively if do classic namib tour need to fly in one day earlier (change cx flight to th departure arrive on fri 12/18
and
return flight change to 640 pm departure Windhoek to cape town to Jo'burg (buy air namib windhoek to namib, change return from windhoek jo'burg to cape town to jo'burg

03 Jan CX748 JNB 12:35 HKG 07:05 +1 0 12:30

perth

Oct 23 Fri 1500 - 2245 HK perth
skywest A$800 Perth LEA 0615 arrive 0900
10/24 stay Ningaloo
10/25 stay Ningaloo
10/26 1415-1610 dinner in Perth
10/27 0005-0745 HKG

2009 pushkar camel fair

30 Oct CX695 HKG 22:20 DEL 02:00 +1

Jet Airways
Sat, 31 Oct, 2009 Delhi 05:45 Jaipur 06:30
Sun, 01 Nov, 2009 Jaipur 18:30 Delhi 19:30

01 Nov CX694 DEL 23:55 HKG 07:25 +1 0 5:00

stay at Rambagh palace

namib itin

Day 1 & 2: Windhoek - Okonjima
Today you have about a 3 hr drive north of Windhoek on the B1 road. Your destination is Okonjima and the AfriCat foundation. Apart from the beautiful location, stunning accommodation and wonderful meals the main reason for visiting Okonjima is to view cats. Your activities here are included in this package and centre around viewing leopard & cheetah, visiting a night hide and generally learning about what the AfriCat foundation is doing to preserve these wonderful animals.
Meals: Brunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Okonjima Bush Camp
Day 3: Waterberg - Etosha
Leaving Waterberg return to the main B1 road and continue your journey northwards via Otjiwarongo, Otavi & Tsumeb and then enter Etosha Park via the von Lindequist Gate (on the eastern side of the park, near Namutoni). From here it is an 80km drive to Halali where you will be spending the night, this drive could easily take you several hours as game is plentiful in Etosha and the chances are you will be constantly stopping to view animals. If time allows consider dropping in at some of the waterholes along the route as animals frequently visit these for a drink.
Whatever happens remember you need to be inside the Halali gates before sunset - and speeding, the park speed limit is 60km/h, is strictly not allowed within the park.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: ONGUMA TENTED CAMP
Day 4 & 5: Etosha Park
It is really worth waking early and heading out on your game drive as soon as the gates open at sunrise. Animals are most active in the cool of the day (early morning & late afternoon) and in order to maximise your chances of good viewings it is worth imitating their behaviour. The roads in Etosha are unsealed gravel roads but are in reasonable condition - and the general tourist behaviour is to drive between various waterholes searching for animals.
As the day gets hotter head for shade, and lunch, at one of the parks three camps, Okaukuejo, Namutoni or Halali. When things start to cool down again head out for another game drive. With two full days in the park you should have sightings of most of the parks inhabitants (although be warned the cats are notoriously hard to find - and of course what you see is determined by luck and more importantly your ability to spot wildlife). These nights will be spent at Okaukuejo Camp, the western most camp in Etosha, it is famous for a very popular (both with tourist and the local animal population) spot-lit waterhole.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Okaukuejo
Day 6: Etosha - Damaraland
Hopefully by now you will have seen everything the park has to offer and are ready to move on. From today onwards the geographical features you encounter will become more striking as you head into the Namib Desert.
Leaving Etosha via the Anderson gate head south to the Town of Outjo and from there westwards to Khorixas. Those interested in geological matters may be inclined to take the short detour from the main road to visit the Vingerklip (Rock Finger). From Khorixas continue westwards until you reach the Petrified Forest, here you will need to pay for a local guide to show you the remains of million year old petrified tree trunks (interesting, if not exactly riveting stuff). Luckily the highlight of this part of the trip is still to come - from here head to Twyfelfontein, this world heritage site has an extremely high density of bushmen rock engravings. After hiring a local guide you will be shown some of the more striking of these petroglyphs.
Your accommodation tonight is at a lodge close to Twyfelfontein
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Doro Nawas Lodge
Day 7: Damaraland - Swakopmund
A short drive followed by a slightly longer walk will bring you to the 'White Lady' rock painting. For many years it was speculated that this Bushman painting was a depiction of a European woman (it seems to have escaped those doing the speculating that the drawing was done thousands of years before Europeans visited the southern part of Africa, and even more worryingly close inspection of the drawing seems to indicate it is not female!)
From the Brandberg you begin driving towards the coast, and after 130km jarring kilometers (this road is often very corrugated) you will arrive at Henties Bay. Here turn northwards along the Skeleton Coast and head for the seal colony at Cape Cross. Despite this being one of the smelliest places in Namibia the seals make for a fascinating time. when your senses can no longer take the pungent smell of seal hop back in your car and drive down the coast, back through Henties Bay and then a further 70km to Swakopmund. On arrival in check into your accommodation before heading out for a drink, dinner and a night on the town.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hansa Hotel
Day 8: Swakopmund
There are a host of adventure activities to participate in while in Swakopmund. These range from sandboarding through quad biking to sky-diving. No activities are included in this package but they can be pre-arranged when you book this itinerary or left for you to arrange on arrival is Swakopmund
Being a German inspired town good food and beer is never hard to find, so we are sure you will find something productive to do!
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hansa Hotel
Day 9: Swakopmund - Sossusvlei
Leave Swakopmund towards the harbour town of Walvis Bay, the lagoon here attracts a lot of marine & birdlife and is well worth a visit to view the pink flamingoes. You may decide to take a catamaran cruise on the lagoon (not included in package price). Today you have a drive of around 300km's which will take you around 4-5 hours. Your route will take you across the gravel plains of the Namib Desert and through the Kuiseb & Gaub passes. Aim to arrive at your accommodation in the late afternoon
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Desert Homestead
Day 10: Sossusvlei
Wake up early and leave your lodge, heading for the Sesriem entrance gate to the Namib Naukluft Park. This gate only opens at sunrise, so there is no point arriving earlier, but driving the 60km from Sesriem through the dunes towards Sossusvlei while the sun rises is a real pleasure. The first major dune you will encounter goes by the imaginative name of Dune 45 - many people choose to stop and climb this dune but we suggest you continue onwards towards Sossusvlei. Park at the the 2x4 car park (unless you have a 4x4 vehicle this is as far as you can drive), Sossusvlei is a further 4km from here but you are already amongst fairly large dunes. The walk along the dry river bed into Sossusvlei is lovely but for the very unfit or terminally lazy there are 4x4 shuttles from the car park to Sossusvlei.
Deadvlei, so named because it is a large pan with sculptural dead trees, is close by and definitely worth a visit. When you have had enough sand - head back to your vehicle (there really is no shame in taking the shuttle back - the sand is likely to be hot, and the walk less pleasant than the one in the cool of the morning)
On your way back to the lodge stop at the Sesriem Canyon - follow the signs from the Sesriem Campsite.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Desert Homestead
Day 11 & 12: Sossusvlei - klein Aus Vista
Leaving the Sossusvlei area today you drive south along the edge of the Namib Naukluft Park with Luderitz as your ultimate destination. The district D707 road is seldom used but amongst those in the know is thought of as one of the most scenic drives in Namibia. Eventually you will reach a tarred road again at the small village of Aus. This area is well known for it's wild horses of the Namib. You will spend two nights at a lodge near Aus from where you can do a day trip to Luderitz or just spend the time exploring this beautiful area.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: little kulala
Day 13: Klein Aus Vista - Bagatelle
Leaving Aus you begin your drive eastwards. At the town of Seeheim head south towards the Fish River Canyon. The viewpoint at Hobas offers a spectacular view over the canyon, but to be honest once you have seen the canyon there is not a lot more to do in the area so you continue your journey northwards back towards Windhoek. Tonight's stop is in the Kalahari Desert, characterised by small red dunes this is a stunning area.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Bagatelle Kalahari Lodge
day 14: Windhoek
It is a fairly quick drive from here to Windhoek, so you can spend the morning exploring the area before heading back to the capital of Namibia. Those flying out can drop their car at the airport and we can arrange accommodation in Windhoek for any

uluru

Sat 24 Oct 09 09:30 Sydney 11:40 Ayers Rock (Uluru) QF728 3h 40m

Mon 26 Oct 09 12:30 Ayers Rock (Uluru) 17:00 Sydney QF729 3h 00m

Nightmare flight on my normally fav airline

Just got off a CX flight that was 15 hr delayed causing me to miss a day of work and flew into HK in typhoon 8 weather + arrived HK then realized my luggage didn't make the flight even though I checked in 3 hr before the flight!

Hunter valley 9/12/09 weekend

Hunter valley 9/12/09 weekend
Have a crush on Australia. Is it because I miss northern Cal? Or that
I just realized that only after an eight hour redeye flight away from
HK since I can sleep, albeit not very comfortably, curled up in one to
two econ class seats. Yet the end result is two full weekend days
spent on open roads.* Yes I miss driving. Fresh air. Decent food.
Relaxed and laidback local vibe. So much open space. Beautiful
scenery, so far from HK, yet a LA/SF weekend without the SF jetlag.

Lovedale in Hunter valley is a mere two hours glorious drive from
Sydney airport. Once you are on the national highway, the difficult
thing to do is to keep your eyes on the road, so easy to start
speeding and catch the eyes of the highway petrol instead, especially
after being in a semi meditative state - combo of jetlag and music
( own CDs)

Arrived at tonic hotel. Felt more like a friends/relative's place as
there is no check in check out. You get in via a code and that's it.
Very easy. I love not having to worry about the hotel key ( been
infuriated one time too many by card keys that stop working for no
reason) The room was really cold in the morning and the hotwater at
the sink didn't work ( til much later) so my first impression of the
place was not a wow. But the room faced southwest so by the afternoon
the room really lit up with the sun basically warming up the whole
room & i even got used to the farm smell (there are cute cows in front
of my room, though at a distance.) I liked the idea of being able to
heat up your own breakfast in the morning without having to see anyone
else. The rooms all have an outdoor area. Mine unfortunely was
sandwiched between 2 other rooms and since we all can see each other
through the wooden screens. There's not much privacy to speak if we
all decided to hang out at the same time. And yes did especially since
even at 9 in the morning there were still kangaroos hopping around
(and this time I didn't need a guide to tell me that since they were't
miles away) I was quite upset at myself for not having my zoom camera
with me. If not for the cute wild roos, then for the abundant birdlife.

Tried out three restaurants while here, the leaves and fishes with its
own pond of fishes. Very good vibe, super relaxing and very nicely
decorated-was definitely my fav. Also went to Roberts next to Towers
Estate- part of the restaurant was built 140 years ago, & majors lane-
Outdoor dining next to the vineyard. Less crowded vs the other places

The only vineyard ( other than restaurant with vineyards like majors
lane and roberts that serves Towers Estate) I made it to was the
Audrey Wilkinson. Great shiraz.

What a great way to end the weekend. At a lovely restaurant by
(boathouse on blackwattle bay) at a corner table overlooking the bay.

It was a nice though more conjested drive where mom called up to say
what? She was like...You are in Australia again? it's pretty bad eh.
Three weekends in the past month in Australia. Should I just move
back to California??!!

*I mean, am taking a day off on October 2nd for the Oct 1st 4 day
weekend but going to have only 3 full days in Bali (due to the flight
schedule) vs the 2 full days I get in Oz land without taking anytime
off on a normal weekend.

8/15/09 pushing the envelope or as good as it gets??

8/15/09 pushing the envelope or as good as it gets??

Only 730 pm in hk but ready to pass out.
Actually been ready to pass out since last night but my getting older body doesn't sleep very well in econ seats anymore. 8 hr in an econ seat, Half awake and a surreal first time drive /reliance on a gps telling me 1/2 the time to slowdown, arrived at Katoomba's lilianfels 2 hr after landing and promptly passed out briefly after breakfast

Great scenery 5 min from here at Echo Point Very touristy and Disneylike with paved walkway, skyways, rail, cablecar. And really REALLY loud groups of Asians. Esp the Chinese and the Koreans. But nevertheless had almost an equal number and no less egregious groups of birds. Saw the blown up versions of HK mid level white cockatoos chubby crimson red parrots and etc.

Haha if I afford to fly biz all the time I could come and spend every weekend in Australia! Even winter is not sooo bad. 20 celsius with sun was very pleasant. Real estate away from the cities are affordable, laid back locals, fresh produce, maybe I should convince my bro and his better half to move to Australia vs the other way around. (she's moved to hk).

Unlike flying to La or Sf where i end up not only with one free day only + 16 hr time difference. Here time diff only 2 hr for same cost to phuket/bali and 2 whole days

As good as it gets

8/22/09 HATE air china

8/22/09 HATE air china
Air china musings
Am never putting myself on another air china flight

Just landed and was asleep half the time (thanks to all the free champagne in the cathay pacific lounge) but pretty funny watching how inexperienced and yet eager to please the air stewarts were. It's like they are all young sweet summer interns with no training. Not very competent and if already a bit like a flock of headless chicks on a normal flight, what if something did happen? Also pretty amazing the types of luggage they let u bring on board and just leave in the space where your legs would be normally

Have never liked the new bj airport, nicely designed it is yet it always feels handicapped. Every single arrival has always had some type of minor issue that'd delay the process. So the simple process of getting off a flight to getting to a cab easily takes 40 min whereas in hk it'd take 10.

The only savings grace is that the cabride into town takes 30 min max vs the 1 hr for shanghai

8/23/09
Leaving is not that much easier. The airport is not air conditioned properly. Pre flight, Only way to go from one terminal to another is by bus. There are not enough escalators to take passengers between the different floors. Armed with boarding pass, The inter terminal trains take forever to arrive, and while one pays a full cathay fare, the code share air china = u don't get air china lounge access nor priority check in. U can trek over to the dragon air lounge sans invitation though. The worst part-
Flights NEVER seem to be on time.

Atacama Chile

HK to CALAMA
Price per adult inclusive of taxes and fees: HKD 25,278

Outbound Hong Kong (HKG) - Calama (CJC)

Departs: Fri 18 Dec 09 20:10
Arrives: Sat 19 Dec 09 17:15
Economy - 3 stops - Total travel time: 32 hrs 05 mins
Leg 1 Hong Kong (HKG) - Sydney (SYD)
QANTAS AIRWAYS
QF0128
Departs: Fri 18 Dec 09 20:10
Arrives: Sat 19 Dec 09 08:10

Leg 2 Sydney (SYD) - Santiago De Chile (SCL)
LAN AIRLINES
LA0800
Departs: Sat 19 Dec 09 09:55
Arrives: Sat 19 Dec 09 12:10

Leg 3 Santiago De Chile (SCL) - Calama (CJC)
LAN AIRLINES
LA0154
Departs: Sat 19 Dec 09 15:10
Arrives: Sat 19 Dec 09 17:15

Inbound Calama (CJC) - Hong Kong (HKG)

Departs: Fri 01 Jan 10 19:50
Arrives: Sun 03 Jan 10 14:50

Calama (CJC) - Santiago De Chile (SCL)
LAN AIRLINES
LA0155
Departs: Fri 01 Jan 10 19:50
Arrives: Fri 01 Jan 10 21:50

Santiago De Chile (SCL) - Sydney (SYD)
LAN AIRLINES
LA0801
Departs: Fri 01 Jan 10 23:10
Arrives: Sun 03 Jan 10 07:30

Sydney (SYD) - Hong Kong (HKG)
CATHAY PACIFIC
CX0110
Departs: Sun 03 Jan 10 08:35
Arrives: Sun 03 Jan 10 14:50

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
HKG to SANTIAGO ONLY

Outbound Hong Kong (HKG) - Santiago De Chile (SCL)
CATHAY PACIFIC
CX0111, LA0800

Departs: Fri 18 Dec 09 19:05
Arrives: Sat 19 Dec 09 12:10
Economy - 2 stops - Total travel time: 28 hrs 05 mins

Leg 1 Hong Kong (HKG) - Sydney (SYD)
CATHAY PACIFIC
CX0111
Departs: Fri 18 Dec 09 19:05
Arrives: Sat 19 Dec 09 07:15

Leg 2 Sydney (SYD) - Santiago De Chile (SCL)
LAN AIRLINES
LA0800
Departs: Sat 19 Dec 09 09:55
Arrives: Sat 19 Dec 09 12:10

Inbound Santiago De Chile (SCL) - Hong Kong (HKG)

LAN AIRLINES
LA0801, QF0087

Departs: Fri 01 Jan 10 23:10
Arrives: Sun 03 Jan 10 21:15

Economy - 2 stops - Total travel time: 35 hrs 05 mins
Leg 1 Santiago De Chile (SCL) - Sydney (SYD)

LAN AIRLINES
LA0801

Departs: Fri 01 Jan 10 23:10
Arrives: Sun 03 Jan 10 07:30

Leg 2 Sydney (SYD) - Hong Kong (HKG)
QANTAS AIRWAYS
QF0087
Departs: Sun 03 Jan 10 14:55
Arrives: Sun 03 Jan 10 21:15

HKD 22,454 (inclusive of HKD 354 tax)

visit also Easter Island

Marin

stay
Manka's inverness lodge @ 30 Callendar Way Inverness
mankas.com $215 incl breakfast

Nick's cove & cottages 23240 hwy 1, Marshall
695 incl breakfast, 105 dinner/2

Olema Druids
9870 hwy 1
Olema
$210 incl breakfast

Olema Inn & restaurant 10000 si francis drake
Olema
theolemainn.com $198 incl breakfast, $90/2

eat
Cowgirl creamery 80 4th st, point reyes station
drakes bay family farms 17171 sir francis drake blvd, inverness
drakes beach cafe 1 drakes beach road, inverness $100/2
hog island oyster co 20215 rte 1, Marshall
Marshall store & oyster bar 19225 hwy 1, marshall $40/2
tomales bay oyster co 15479 hwy marshall

see Point Reyes Nat'l Seashore 1 bear valley road, point reyes station

Yountville

Hotels
Bardessono hotel
Hotel luca
Bottega 6525 washington st $88/2
Girard winery 6795 washington st
Ma(i)sonry napa valley 6711 washington (boutique)

Capetown

Hotels
~ hotel missoni & radisson blu waterfront on beachroad, Granger Bay
~ www.daddylonglegs.co.za
Www.granddaddy.co.za

Food
Www.95keerom.com
Birds cafe 127 bree street
Www.carne-sa.com
Depasco 8 kloof street
Www.thekove.co.za
Manna epicure 151 kloof st
Fork 84 long street www.fork-restaurants.co.za
Www.novarestaurant.co.za

in the wine country stay at
http://www.hawksmoor.co.za/Framework/Index.asp?PagerName=Home

Back in HK severe Mon traffic

Back in HK severe Mon traffic

Drive back to Brisbane was a breeze, except for the first 10 km one
lane gravel road in complete darkness in the rain that somehow my GPS
felt was a wise way to take to hit the M1

The plane ride back wasn't too bad except for the crying kid behind
me. Think that am pretty happy being a short person when having to
curl up in 2 seats coz apparently the biz class seats were full again.

So now back in hk trying to drop off my bag and change. Should have
trusted my instinct and taken a cab from the airport. Instead to save
200 lousy hkd took the train and then waited 40 min for a cab and now
stuck in severe traffic in central, ugh

Life is good near Byron Bay

When I renovated my apartment I took out the bathtub which was a bathtub cum shower with nasty plastic curtains et al, but I still love bathtubs, esp when they are proper standalone tubs, like the one I'm blissfully soaking in now

The nicest thing I discovered about Byron At Byron Bay is that most of the resort is rainforest, fragrant and full of birds, cicadas and resident enus. A walk away from the pool and lobby area led to lily ponds, rainforest and little areas to sit and read

After a still not cheap lunch and a stroll in picture perfect Bungalow, headed down to the beach at Byron Bay again where just like Santa Monica, it was just a little too busy for me, back at Tallow Beach, a 5-10 min walk from Byron resort, hung w/tons of surfers in the water and also shares the beach with fishermen, dogs and etc

Did also manage to grab a snack at the byron at BR, while reading an article on having essential one night stands--a 24 hr holiday away from the daily grind. I wholeheartedly agree!!

Finally got in a good night of sleep but maybe I over did it coz woke up with a headache

Still went up to the Byron lighthouse around 7 to drink in the very belated sunrise and beautiful views of the various beaches

Looked like it was going to rain but the weather cleared up. Took a lovely lovely drive to Bungalow. Only 10 min scenic drive away from Byron Bay, with a few cute shops and cafes. Much like that little town 5 min northeast of Katoomba (can't remember the name anymore)

Now chilling by the pool and probably headback to Bungalow for lunch later coz if a apple carrott celery juice just cost me A$10! Not sure how much food 'd cost!

Byron Bay

So in ByronBay after a relatively decent flight to Brisbane. No upgrade again despite diamond status. Cx either having a hard time filling up seats or I'm not asking aggressively enough. Wanted to try Fins which moved to Salt Village Kingscliff for lunch but ran into horrendous traffic. Vs a 2 hr expected drive into town took 4 hr to make it into Byron bay. Partially hertz's fault. Gave me a stickshift!! But despite all that. Worth it so far. The closer i got to byron the scenery got better! ( and the traffic just reminded me of LA)

byron @ byron bay itself is comfortable, kind of like an apartment in the middle of the rainforest. Comfy but no wow factor so far like places like the Datai. Being able to hear my neighbours's conversations, however interesting, still v annoying

Still a good happy way to spend a Sat. So far. Again. I think I miss SF

hunter valley

What to eat?

Poole’s Rock Winery Estate 576 Debeyers Road, Pokolbin; +61 (0)2 4998 6968; www.poolesrock.com.au)
offers the Firestick Café by day and the Rock Restaurant by night. Enjoy delicious wood-fired pizzas while overlooking 90-year-old shiraz vines over lunch, or award-winning regional cuisine – try the scallop tortellini – in ultra-modern surroundings at dinner.

***Roberts Restaurant, Halls Road, Pokolbin; +61 (0)2 4998 7330 www.robertsrestaurant.com)
dishes up delectable Modern European fare. This rustic but beautiful old log building with its vast ceilings, enormous fireplace and antique sideboards filled with crockery and Australian memorabilia is perfect for a romantic dinner.

Hungerford Hill Winery 1 Broke Road, Pokolbin; +61 (0)2 49987666; www.hungerfordhill.com.au modern Terroir Restaurant and Wine Bar
The stylish wine bar has over 20 wines available by the glass where you can enjoy a simple salad or antipasto plate in relaxed surrounds. Next door is their stunning tasting room.

**(1)
Leaves & Fishes (737 Lovedale Road, Lovedale; +61 (0)2 4930 7400; www.leavesandfishes.com) lunch: hoiks its freshwater perch straight out of the adjacent ponds and slaps it straight on the grill. It doesn’t get much fresher than that (sun Lunch only)
82 Wilderness Road Lovedale
sat lunch

**(2)
majors lane http://www.majorslane.com/
sun lunch

**(3)
mojos http://www.mojos.com.au/
[other popular near by Lovedale restaurants are 'Mojos', which offers good food simply presented
sat dinner

**(4) The nearest wine bar is Tatlers, who provide modern Australian fare & sometimes... tapas http://www.tatlerwines.com/cafe.htm


Bimbadgen (Bimbadgen Estate Winery, 790 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin; +61 (0)2 4998 4666; www.bimbadgen.com.au) seasonal modern Australian cuisine while enjoying great views. restaurant Esca lunch only

do….
Boutique Wine Centre Broke Road Pokolbin; +61 (0)2 4998 7474; www.boutiquewinecentre.com

good place to taste several labels under one roof… small-group tour with Hunter Valley Boutique Wine Tours (+61 (0)419 419931; www.huntervalleytours.com.au)... otherwise check out Thalgara, Peterson's Champagne House, Waverley Estate, nearest wineries are Warraroong, Wandin Valley and Sandalyn, Tyrell most professionally run

Molly Morgan Range on horseback: Hunter Valley Horse Riding & Adventures (288 Talga Road, Rothbury; www.huntervalleyhorseriding.com.au

Sicily

Hong Kong (HKG) To Rome (ROM ): Sat 24 Oct
HKG 00:15 FCO 07:15 13:00

fly wind jet

24-10-09 IV 563 Roma Fiumicino Terminal A Catania 08.35 09.50
1 Adult E-PROMO € 15,00 Taxes: € 15,39

http://www.villaducale.com/

Rome (ROM) To Hong Kong (HKG ): Mon 26 Oct
FCO 12:25 HKG 06:50 +1 11:25

26-10-09 IV 562 Catania Roma Fiumicino Terminal A 06.10 07.35
1 Adult C-PROMO € 11,00 Taxes: € 13,75

florence

oct 09

Thu 01 October
CX293 HKG 00:15 FCO 07:15 takes13:00
Sun 04 October
CX292 FCO 12:50 HKG 06:10 +1 takes11:20

Departs 01/10/2009 09:30 From ROMA TERMINI
Arrives 01/10/2009 11:09 At FIRENZE S M N 9432 Duration
1h 39m
Flexible first class Flexi 1 1 x 1st Cl Full Fare

Departs 04/10/2009 07:49 From FIRENZE S M N
Arrives 04/10/2009 09:29 At ROMA TERMINI 9423 Duration
1h 40m
Flexible first class Flexi 1 1 x 1st Cl Full Fare

cape town

23 Oct CX749 HKG 23:45 JNB 06:55 +1 16:50

24 Oct BA6411 Comair JNB 08:25 CPT 10:35

26 Oct BA6428 Comair CPT 07:30 JNB 09:30

26 Oct CX748 JNB 12:35 HKG 07:05 +1 17:35

uruguay

http://www.vikhotels.com/en/hotel-estancia-vik-jose-ignacio-uruguay.html
09 block leave?
Estancia Vik, José Ignacio, Uruguay

Looking for the boho-chic crowd that made Punta del Este the ne plus ultra of South American beach destinations?You’ll find them in José Ignacio, armed with reservations at Estancia Vik, the town’s first luxury guest estancia. All 12 spare suites feature installations by Uruguayan artists; big names, including sculptor Pablo Atchugarry and painter Clever Lara, have work in the public spaces. The location—on 4,000 acres of pasture five miles from the beach—is still close enough to town that you can grab dinner at midnight, as locals do. Doubles from $750.

xian

Shaanxi history museum (advanced booking for mural wing)
eat at
Qiao Mai Yuan Fanzhuang 58 hanguang nanlu
Shang Palace at the Golden Flower hotel
see Gao Fu

Sydney

eat
Rockpool Bar & Grill
Quay: overseas passenger terminal, the rocks
pilu at freshwater
catch seaplane from Rosebay to !!Berowra waters inn for lunch
fishface 132 Darlinghurst rd (cheap version of the boathouse on blackwattle bay)
eat at Bodega as well 216 commonwealth st, surry hills

stay: establishment hotel

shop @ the strand arcade: dinosaur designs, funkis, kikki k, the corner shop, lisa ho, drinks at Pendolino cafe,
do
www.southerncloud.com.au or sydneyferries.info

Blue Mountains near Sydney

Lilianfels is like a big Victoria sponge – grown-up and childish and wonderfully tasty all at the same time. You’re in the Blue Mountains slothing about on a massive sofa, feet up, reading The New York Times with a tottering tower of tiny cakes before you, as you tick off things to buy at the nearby antiques-crazy village of Leura. But activity is the flipside to Lilianfels’ old-school indolence. So it’s a quick stroll to check out the amazing Three Sisters rock formation and the glorious Jamieson Valley and then back to the cocoon of the hotel. The staff are wonderfully good and wonderfully good-looking. Most of the 85 sunny rooms have valley views – dramatic and forbidding. There are two swimming-pools – inside for the demure, outside for the splashy – a bright restaurant called Tre Sorelle (book the far-corner table to view fellow guests) and the original house built in the 1880s, home to the lovely Darleys restaurant. Don’t forget the spa – just wonderful
~~~~~~~~~
Explore the wonderful Blue Mountains - named for the blue haze caused by the fine droplets of oil which rise from the eucalypts covering the area. This is real Jurassic Park landscape, older then the Grand Canyon, and criss-crossed by bush-walking and mountain-biking trails (there are complimentary bikes at the hotel). Don't miss the Katoomba Falls, the sandstone crevice of Devils Hole, and the endless vistas of the Jamison Valley


Gawp at the spectacular Three Sisters rock formation at Echo Point, a short walk away. Abseiling and rock climbing can be arranged locally; the amazing limestone formations of the Jenolan Caves are an hour’s drive away


The World Heritage Listed bushland boasts excellent birdlife; the hotel can arrange guided walks


Golf - there are four 18-hole courses in the area


The nearby Scenic World has 4 fun rides for the family: the 'cableway' (an aerial gondola above the jungle), a railway (the steepest incline in the world) which takes you down to a lush valley, a wooden walkway which links the two, passing through ancient rainforest, and a new glass-floored 'Skyway' which soars 250m above ravines and waterfalls


If that's too tame, try a 4WD safari, or take a back seat on a Harley Davidson mountain cruise


Give your body a break at the highly-rated spa, with its indoor pool and 4 treatment rooms; there are all-day pampering packages, super stress-buster massages, four-handed poultice massages, even mens' grooming treatments - but do book at least a week before arrival


There are several local art galleries nearby


Keep fit in the health club, play tennis on the hotel's court set in the pine forest, relax by the outdoor pool, or book a yoga lesson


If you're interested in themed team building events, there are opportunities for abseiling, rock climbing, horse riding, golf and canyoning

Hue, Vietnam

pilgrimage village

Mai Chau, Vietnam

sapa-light, accessible from Hanoi
135 km from the capital
stilt houses/ rice paddies
homestays

Mui Ne, Vietnam

most dramatic sand dunes
kitesurfers

Sapa Vietnam

rooftop of Vietnam, friendly Hmong and Dzao

battambang cambodia

flavour of old Phnom Penh, old French shophouses line Sangker River, new breed of boutique hotels and restaurants, ancient Khmer temples and "bamboo train"

Iceland

01 Jul (Wed) CX255 HKG 00:35 LHR 06:20 0 12:45

LHR - Reykjavik (KEF)
ICELANDAIR
FI0451
Departs: Wed 01 Jul 09 13:00
Arrives: Wed 01 Jul 09 15:00
travel time: 03 hrs 00 mins

stay at CenterHotel Thingholt 7/1, 7/2, 7/3

Reykjavik (KEF) - LHR
ICELANDAIR
FI0454
Departs: Sat 04 Jul 09 16:10
Arrives: Sat 04 Jul 09 20:10
http://www.gordonramsay.com/yorkandalbany
(dinner confirmed, room not yet)

fly out 05 Jul 12:35

websites to check out re: iceland
http://www.cntraveller.co.uk/Guides/Iceland/Reykjavik/default.aspx
and frommers guide

where to eat

7/1 Einar Ben
(confirmed)
Veltusundi 1
Reykjavik
354/511-5090

Newcomer Einar Gustavsson has updated the menu at this classic restaurant JUST OFF Reykjavik's main square. Named after the poet and entrepreneur who started Iceland's first daily newspaper, and located in the house where he worked (built in 1908), Einar Ben exudes a sense of history. Gustavsson uses mostly Icelandic ingredients and focuses on SEAFOOD and game, infusing dishes with mountain herbs.

We loved: Walnut-crusted reindeer with rösti potato and morel sauce.

7/2 Domo

(confirmed)
Ingholtsstraeti 5
Reykjavik
354/552-5588

Renowned local chef Ragnar Ómarsson serves his delicate French-Asian inventions in Domo's moodily lit dining room and at the long communal table in the bar. The basement is the city's hippest new venue for jazz, blues and local bands.

We loved: Fried scallops with ginger and Thai basil.

7/3 Fish Market
(booked on website ... should be confirmed... reconfirm when arrive)
Adalstræti 12
Reykjavik
354/578-8877

Menus are bound in salmon skin at chef Hrefna Sætran's new seafood restaurant, in an old wooden house next to the site of one of Iceland's first settlements. Sætran trained at the prestigious Seafood Cellar, and she transforms the freshest local ingredients with Asian-inflected combinations.

We loved: Deep-fried monkfish with Chinese spinach.

from CN09
9 Geirsgata

Tel: 354-561-1111

Despite the unremarkable concrete facade, Orange, in Reykjavík's old harbor, is packed with playful surprises. A slushie machine dispenses potent neon cocktails named for Iceland's glaciers; a mason jar holding a deer and goose terrine appears amid a cloud of dry ice; and the coconut-crusted prawns arrive via a helium-filled balloon. Presiding over this fun-through-dining experience is 29-year-old chef Thorarinn Eggertsson. He deftly incorporates aspects of molecular gastronomy into a menu heavy on locally sourced ingredients like gray duck, reindeer, and salted cod.
Tip: The "Let's Go Crazy" tasting menu is the best way to experience Eggertsson's mad genius (entrées, $32–$46).

2008 Go List
Baldursgata 14
Reykjavik
011-354/552-3939

Only in Iceland would smoked puffin, pâté of guillemot (a type of sea bird) and whale sashimi be staples at a family-run restaurant in a quiet residential area. 3 Frakkar offers some of the most delicious renditions of local specialties, in a dining room with a pleasingly homey vibe and walls lined with mounted fish and stuffed ram's heads.

We loved: Minke whale pepper steak in pepper sauce

year 2004 recommendation
Vox Restaurant
This popular newcomer serves Continental dishes with a regional twist, such as puffin breasts with foie gras. DINNER FOR TWO $250. 2 SUDURLANDSBRAUT, REYKJAVIK; 011-354/444-5050; www.vox.is

B5
Bankastræti 5, Reykjavik (00 354 552 9600). B5 has a (possibly ironic) disco-ball hanging from the ceiling - about the only item in the place that isn't taupe and made of leather. Relax in the deepest seats ever and enjoy an excellent hot chocolate, just what you need after you've been trawling the shops.

KAFFI SOLON
Bankastræti 7a, Reykjavik (00 354 562 3232; www.solon.is). Buzzy, stylish Kaffi Sólon will take you through the day, from brunch to the early hours (hence the sound system in the corner).

SÆGREIFINN
Geirsgata 8, Reykjavik (00 354 553 1500; www.saegreifinn.is). For a purely Icelandic experience, have lunch at what can only be described as a shack down at the old port. Sægreifinn specialises in lobster soup and fish kebabs. The soup, made to a secret recipe using a sort of local crayfish, is sensational. You can also try a brochette of very fresh scallops or, if you are feeling brave, whale meat. (Whale-watching and whale-catching ships sit incongruously side by side here.)

GRAI KOTTURINN
Hverfisgata 16a, Reykjavik (00 354 551 1544). 'The Grey Cat' is a cosy, dimly lit, book-lined café in an old townhouse. It only starts filling up with the breakfast crowd after 10am or so. Sit and read the Reykjavik Grapevine, the lively, English-language paper with entertainment listings, while you eat eggs, pancakes or bagels and drink good coffee (Icelanders take the latter very seriously).

RESTAURANTS

HUMARHUSID RESTAURANT
Amtmansstíg 1, Reykjavik (00 354 561 3303; www.humarhusid.is). Humarhúsid Restaurant strives for '90 per cent Icelandic cuisine' (including local lobster, horse, duck and smoked eel) and is highly rated.

LA PRIMAVERA
Austurstræti 9, Reykjavik (00 354 561 8555; www.laprimavera.is). La Primavera is Italian and very grown-up. The Italian-Icelandic fusion dish of tagliatelle with saffron, chorizo, pine nuts and salt cod (that's the Icelandic bit) worked beautifully. The chef trained with Jamie Oliver, who has eaten here and raved about it.

The basic components of an Iceland long weekend are Reykjavík, and excursions from Reykjavík; and more often than not, the Blue Lagoon spa. Every night of this itinerary is spent in Reykjavík. In high season, make sure to call a few days ahead for dinner reservations (and for in-water massages at the Blue Lagoon).

Day 1: Reykjavík

If you're out and about before 9am, head to Grái Kötturinn for pancakes, bacon, and strong Icelandic coffee. Begin the sightseeing stage at the Tourist Information Center, where you can pick up maps and brochures, and arrange tours and car rentals if necessary. Nearby are three compelling sites -- the 871±2 Settlement Museum, the City Cathedral (Dómkirkjan) in Austurvöllur Square, and the Harbor House Museum (Hafnarhús), dedicated to contemporary art. All three open at 10am; if you need to kill time until then, stroll over to Tjörnin Pond and gaze at the enormous 3-D map of Iceland inside Town Hall (Ráðhús).

On weekends, most of Reykjavík's finest restaurants are closed for lunch; two notable exceptions, both close to Austurvöllur Square, are Fjalakötturinn and Við Tjörnina. For a casual lunch, visit Sægreifinn for lobster soup and a seafood kabob. After lunch, head to the eastern half of the city center and survey Reykjavík's two main shopping streets, Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur. Nearby is Culture House, with a wonderful exhibit of medieval manuscripts. To recharge, drop into the city's oldest cafe, Mokka Kaffi.

Skólavörðustígur leads uphill to Reykjavík's most iconic landmark, Hallgrímskirkja, where you can ascend the elevator for a panoramic view. Don't miss the Einar Jónsson Museum next door, dedicated to Iceland's most renowned sculptor; weekend hours are 2 to 5pm. From here it's a half-hour walk to the National Museum south of Tjörnin Pond. If you're too pooped, catch bus 14 to Laugardalslaug for a rejuvenating taste of Iceland's geothermal bathing culture, and ply your hot tub companions for travel advice. (Be prepared for the ubiquitous question "How do you like Iceland?")

Enjoy an unforgettable dinner at Sjávarkjallarinn (Seafood Cellar), followed by nightclub-hopping into the wee hours, and -- last but not least -- a 2am hot dog at Bæjarins Bestu with "everything on it."

Day 2: The Golden Circle

An enormous wealth of day excursions depart from Reykjavík, but the most popular is the "*Golden Circle*" tour to Tþingvellir, the historic rift valley where the Icelandic parliament first convened in 930; Geysir, the geothermal hot spot that lent its name to all geysers; and the majestic Gullfoss waterfall. Sign up for an 8-hour bus tour, or for more flexibility, rent a car.

Day 3: Hot Springs Tour

The bathable geothermal hot springs of Reyjkadalur Valley are tucked inside the scenic Mt. Hengill hiking area, near Hveragerði. !!! The most memorable way to reach Reyjkadalur is on horseback !!! Eldhestar offers a 9-hour tour from Reykjavík, with 5 or 6 hours in the saddle. (The small, manageable, good-natured Icelandic horse is great for beginners.) Alternatively, rent a car for the day and hike the route. The drive is less than an hour one-way, and the hike can be accomplished in as little as 2 1/2 hours round-trip. Don't forget your swimsuit.

Day 4: The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon spa -- built around a blue-green geothermal lake within a jet-black expanse of black lava -- is Iceland's most popular visitor destination. Sign up with tour company Tþingvallaleið for transportation to the lagoon on the way to the airport. Allow 2 hours at the lagoon, more if you plan on spa treatments or eating at the restaurant.

WHAT TO SEE
GALLERIES

Reykjavik has a wealth of public and private art spaces. Check the Reykjavik Grapevine (www.grapevine.is) for details of exhibitions.

MUSEUMS

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ICELAND
Sudurgata 41, Reykjavik (00 354 530 2200; www.natmus.is). The National Museum of Iceland has a lively and imaginative permanent exhibition, 'Making of a Nation', which traces the country's history from the first settlement to the present.

THE CULTURE HOUSE
Hverfisgata 15, Reykjavik (00 354 545 1400; www.thjodmenning.is). In the 101 district is Þjóðmenning ('The Culture House'), a magical showcase for some of the splendour of Iceland's ancient past - sagas, Edda poems and other manuscripts - displayed in a series of dimly lit rooms.

The unique culture surrounding the hot, bubbling, pure waters of Iceland is worth visiting. The website www.visitreykjavik.is provides a handy guide to Icelandic bath etiquette and lists 16 thermal baths in Reykjavik alone.

BLUE LAGOON
240 Grindavík, Reykjavik (00 354 420 8800; www.bluelagoon.com). The tourists' favourite is the recently spruced-up Blue Lagoon, best visited on the way to or from the airport. The Blue Lagoon featured in the Spa Awards 2009

LAUGARDALSLAUG
Sundlaugarvegur, Reykjavik (00 354 411 5100). Laugardalslaug has the most extensive facilities, and the locals say it's the best.

plenty of adventures to be found in Iceland:

FISHING
Whether you are an experienced fisherman or a novice, the excitement of catching a fish will make sea angling in the cold waters off Iceland a rewarding activity. The most commonly caught fish on tours are cod, haddock, pollock and catfish, though if you're lucky you might land a giant halibut. All equipment is provided and the guides will help you reel in your catch. Regent Holidays (0845 277 3381; www.regent-iceland.com) organises three-hour sea-angling tours from Reykjavik.

GLACIER HIKING
Unsurprisingly, glaciers are a common feature of the country and Activities Abroad (01670 789991; www.activitiesaboard.com) offers hiking expeditions on the Sólheimajökull glacier in the south-west of Iceland. There's an ice wall on the glacier where you can try your hand at ice climbing, using axes and crampons.

HIKING
There are numerious treks that explore some of Iceland's most impressive landscapes, from the rugged coast to dramatic volcanic highlands. Exodus (0845 863 9600; www.exodus.co.uk) offers a week-long Iceland Volcano Hike, which passes through the southern region of Fjallabak. The route follows the Eldgjá volcanic fissure between Vatnajökull and Mýrdalsjökull icecaps, past craters, lava flows, lakes and canyons.

MIDNIGHT GOLF
For a surreal golfing experience, head to Akureyri Golf Club in the north of the island when the Arctic Open - a 36-hole international event - takes place. It is the only tournament in which play continues well after midnight: made possible by the fact that, in June and July, Iceland enjoys 24 hours of daylight every year. For more information visit www.arcticopen.is.

RIDING
Saddle up for a trek across Iceland's epic landscape and discover a new wild west from the back of the pony-sized Icelandic horses. 'Geysir and Gluffoss Special' is one of several riding holidays arranged by Discover The World (01737 218800; www.discover-the-world.co.uk). It lasts for five nights. To protect livestock from outside diseases, you cannot take riding equipment into Iceland, including boots and half-chaps, unless it has been sterilised, with a vet's certificate to prove it. to get round this you could buy a new pair of wellingtons for the trip which will be perfectly practical for riding through rivers.

RIVER RAFTING
Southern Iceland's rivers provide a thrilling way to explore the landscape; river-rafting tours, grades 2 to 3, are available for both experienced rafters and beginners. Discover The World (01737 218800; www.discover-the-world.co.uk) has a three-hour tour and a five-and-a-half-hour tour.

WHALE-WATCHING
Whales favour the cold waters of the North Atlantic surrounding Iceland, making the whale-watching ports great for spotting minke whales and occasionally humpback and orca, as well as white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises. Scantours (020 7554 3530; www.scantours.co.uk) organises a three-hour tour that leaves from Reykjavik harbour. You may find puffins, fulmars and gannets endeavouring to overtake your boat.

Moscow

arrive 7/1 London 05:45

Outbound London Heathrow, Uk (LHR) - Moscow Domodedovo, Russia (DME)
BRITISH AIRWAYS (stay at swissotel?)
BA0872
Departs: Wed 01 Jul 09 08:55
Arrives: Wed 01 Jul 09 15:50
Economy - Direct flight - Total travel time: 03 hrs 55 mins
Inbound Moscow Domodedovo, Russia (DME) - London Heathrow, Uk (LHR)
BRITISH AIRWAYS
BA0875
Departs: Sat 04 Jul 09 21:25
Arrives: Sat 04 Jul 09 22:20 (next day 7/5 12:35 back to HK arrive 7/6
Economy - Direct flight - Total travel time: 03 hrs 55 mins
1 × adult fare @ HKD 3,632 (inclusive of HKD 1,460 tax) HKD 3,632
1 × Average Booking Fee per pax @ HKD 0 HKD 0
Change Flight | supplied as an e-ticket Flight price: HKD 3,632

Paris

cheap places to stay
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/where_to_stay/article6295801.ece

food
try "Spring Boutique" US chef Daniel Rose's project, an epicerie-cave opened Nov 09 in the 1st arrondissement
racines 8 passage des panoramas

http://www.guest-travel-writers.com/paris-for-romantics/

conde nast traveller's 2009 hotlist of hotels

1. AMAN AT SUMMER PALACE

BEIJING, CHINA

2. AMAN NEW DELHI

INDIA

3. ANANTARA PHUKET RESORT & SPA

THAILAND

4. ATLANTIS THE PALM

DUBAI, UAE

5. BANYAN TREE SANYA

CHINA

6. BORGO SANTO PIETRO

TUSCANY, ITALY

7. CARBON

GENK, BELGIUM

8. CASTIGLION DEL BOSCO

TUSCANY, ITALY

9. CAVALLO POINT

SAN FRANCISCO, USA

10. CITIZEN M SCHIPHOL

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

11. CLOUDS MOUNTAIN GORILLA LODGE

UGANDA

12. CRAZY BEAR

BEACONSFIELD, ENGLAND

13. DESERT ISLANDS RESORT & SPA

ABU DHABI, UAE

14. DIVA

MALDIVES

15. FONTAINEBLEAU

MIAMI BEACH, USA

16. FOUR SEASONS HOTEL FIRENZE

FLORENCE, ITALY

17. FOUR SEASONS HOTEL MACAO

COTAI STRIP, MACAU

18. FOUR SEASONS RESORT BORA BORA

FRENCH POLYNESIA

19. FOUR SEASONS RESORT MAURITIUS AT ANAHITA

MAURITIUS

20. GEEJAM

JAMAICA

21. HILTON MOSCOW LENINGRADSKAYA

RUSSIA

22. HOTEL DU VIN POOLE

DORSET, ENGLAND

23. HOTEL MONTEFIORE

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL

24. HOTEL SANTA TERESA

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

25. HOTEL TUGU LOMBOK

INDONESIA

26. KEMPINSKI HOTEL DUKES' PALACE BRUGES

BELGIUM

27. LA CASONA CUSCO

PERU

28. LE COUVENT DES MINIMES HOTEL & SPA

PROVENCE, FRANCE

29. LEGADO MITICO SALTA

ARGENTINA

30. LONDON WEST HOLLYWOOD

LOS ANGELES, USA

31. LYDMAR HOTEL

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

32. MAMA SHELTER

PARIS, FRANCE

33. MANDARIN ORIENTAL BOSTON

USA

34. ME BARCELONA

SPAIN

35. MOLORI LODGE

SOUTH AFRICA


36. MONDRIAN MIAMI BEACH

MIAMI, USA

37. MONTAGE BEVERLY HILLS

LOS ANGELES, USA

38. MURMURI

BARCELONA , SPAIN

39. MYHOTEL BRIGHTON

EAST SUSSEX, ENGLAND

40. NIMB

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

41. NO. 1 PERY SQUARE HOTEL & SPA

LIMERICK, IRELAND

42. NUSS BUENOS AIRES SOHO

ARGENTINA

43. OPPOSITE HOUSE

BEIJING, CHINA

44. POD CHENNAI

INDIA

45. POSADA PUERTO BEMBERG

ARGENTINA

46. PUMULANI

MALAWI

47. PUR HOTEL

QUEBEC CITY, CANADA

48. SAL SALIS NINGALOO REEF

AUSTRALIA

49. SANTORINI GRACE HOTEL

GREECE

50. SIX SENSES DESTINATION SPA PHUKET

THAILAND

51. SOUTHERN OCEAN LODGE

AUSTRALIA

52. ST MORITZ

CORNWALL, ENGLAND

53. ST REGIS BALI RESORT

INDONESIA

54. THE CLUB AT THE SAUJANA

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

55. THE DOLDER GRAND

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND

56. THE GEORGE

HAMBURG, GERMANY

57. THE GREENWICH HOTEL

NEW YORK, USA

58. THE MANOR

SOUTH AFRICA

59. THE REGENT GRAND HOTEL BORDEAUX

FRANCE

60. THE VINE

MADEIRA, PORTUGAL

61. THOMPSON LES

NEW YORK, USA

62. TITILAKA

PERU

63. TORRE DI MORAVOLA

UMBRIA, ITALY

64. URBN SHANGHAI

CHINA

65. W HONG KONG

CHINA

66. W ISTANBUL

TURKEY

67. WITT SUITES

ISTANBUL, TURKEY

68. XUDUM OKAVANGO DELTA LODGE & XARANNA OKAVANGO DELTA CAMP

BOTSWANA

69. YORK & ALBANY

LONDON, ENGLAND

70. ZARAFA CAMP

BOTSWANA

China Suzhou

http://www.regalia.com.cn/en/locations/regalia-resort-and-spa/home/index.aspx

Regalia Resort and Spa is about 1 hour drive from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport

5 crazy? places to visit (from WSJ)

There's no shortage of destinations for adventure travelers. Intrepid souls can cliff dive, rock climb, or trek across the desert. That's not enough for some folks' wanderlust, though. They want to venture to destinations that are downright terrifying for most of us. Here are just a few of the scary locales you can pack a bag for.


AFP/Getty Images

The newly-renovated Ishtar gate in ancient Babylon, some 100 kms south of Baghdad. According to archaeologists, heavy U.S. and Polish military presence in the historical city in 2003 and 2004 caused irreparable damage to the fragile walls of the archaeological wonder.
1. The Other Way to Get Shipped to Iraq
Most people would do anything they could to avoid seeing war-torn Iraq, but if the travel bug bites you, England's Hinterland Travel can probably arrange a tour of the country for you. Last month the New York Times reported that the first officially sanctioned tour of Iraq by Westerners since 2003 was underway. By working with the Iraqi Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Hinterland was able to take an eight-person group of tourists to see places most of us will only hear about on CNN, from Basra to Baghdad.

More from Mental Floss
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Heading into a war-ravaged country might not sound like your idea of fun, but if you're really set on taking in sights none of your friends have seen, this might be the way to go. Hinterland Travel is offering upcoming tours that include not just Iraq, but also northwestern Iran. Since these aren't exactly vacation hotspots, the three-week itineraries are pretty reasonably priced at just 1,900 British pounds plus airfare and meals. Of course, you'll be effectively uninsurable for the duration of this little jaunt, so you might want to bring some extra cash along in case anything goes wrong.

2. See Rumi's hometown in Afghanistan

AFP/Getty Images

Hazrat-i-Ali, also called the Blue Mosque, in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, north of Kabul. The Hazrat-i-Ali shrine, the main architectural element in Mazar-i-Sharif, was covered with earth to escape the ravage of Genghis Khan in 1220 and remained lost until it was uncovered during the rebuilding work in 1480s.
If you want to visit a nation currently at war but don't feel like making the trip to Iraq, then Afghanistan could be your dream destination. Whether you want to see the very recent effects of the military conflict in the country or take in the truly remote parts of its geography, there are tour companies that can make it happen. Afghan Logistics & Tours offers six, 10, and 15-day tours for Westerners to see what Afghanistan's like. The tours include visits to the Masjid Now Gumad, or the Nine Domes Mosque, one of the world's oldest mosques, and Balkh, home of the 13th-century poet Rumi.

But just how dangerous is it to visit Afghanistan? According to the tour company's site, it's not too bad if you stay in the right parts of the country. Then again, the company also seems to do a booming business in armor-clad Toyotas, so you might want to be a bit more cautious than usual if you book one of these trips.

3. Colombia's Gorgeous Scenery

Associated Press

Three yellow-eared parrots perch on their nest high in the Andes of Central Cordillera, Colombia. This parrot, Ognorhynchus icterotis, thrived in cloud forests of the northern Andes a century ago. Now, it is among the world's most critically endangered species. Fewer than 75 are known to exist.
Moving right on down the State Department's list of Travel Warnings, we arrive at Colombia. Although the State Department concedes that kidnappings have fallen from their peak earlier this decade and narco-terrorism isn't quite as bad as it used to be in urban areas, it still strongly advises against traveling to Colombia. In fact, it won't even allow its own employees to travel by bus or leave urban areas.

That said, for just $1600 per person a tour company like De Una can give you a three-week tour of Colombia that hits all of the country's natural beauty, involves whitewater rafting, and takes you to see coffee production. The upside is that you'll get to take in some breathtaking scenery. The downside? If narco-terrorists kidnap you, they're not likely to let you go anytime soon. Last summer the Colombian government finally rescued a group of kidnapping victims, including three Americans, who had been held for over five years.

4. Visit Sudan for the Pyramids

Associated Press

Some of Sudan's 144 pyramids of the Meroitic kings and queens in Meroe, 125 miles north of Khartoum. The Meroitic site lacks running water, electricity or toilets.
It's no secret than things are tragically awful in Sudan, but that doesn't mean you can't still make it your vacation destination. Bestway Tours and Safaris offers a two-week tour of the country for $3180 per person. Although the nation is in rough shape now, it's got a long history that dates back for thousands of years. Sudan is still littered with Nubian ruins and pyramids, and these tours take in a lot of this ancient history along the Nile delta– certainly fascinating for anyone interested in antiquity.

Even though this kind of tour mostly goes through the opposite side of the country from war-ravaged Darfur, the State Department still strongly advises against all travel to Sudan. The warning reminds potential travelers that both terrorists and the Sudanese government have a tendency to target Westerners for physical threats or seizure of property and financial assets. If you've got the cash and stomach for it, though, you can probably see some really terrific ruins and monuments.

5. Transylvania

Associated Press

Bran Castle in Transylvania, Romania, known as Dracula's Castle.
"Wait, there's no such thing as vampires." Yeah, you're probably right. However, if they actually do exist, Transylvania seems like it would be the place to find them. That's why the Company of Mysterious Journeys offers several "Dracula tours" throughout the region that include all of the high points of the famous vampire's legend, including visits to Castle Dracula and a tour of places involved in the life of the historical Dracula, Vlad the Impaler. The tours vary in length from a weekend to over a week, which would ensure that you get all the Dracula you can handle.

Darjeeling India

New Jalpaiguri-Darjeeling - The toy train on the Darjeeling Himalayan section is not merely a source of delight for the young and old, it also represents the engineering skills of the highest order. This 83 km. long section connecting Darjeeling with the railhead at Siliguri is of great importance and has been bestowed World Heritage Site status.

Nikoi Island, Bintan, Indonesia

http://www.nikoi.com/gallery.html

lord howe

Lord Howe Island Capella Lodge 2 hours from Sydney on Q. Links (same chain at Southern Ocean Lodge @ Kangaroo Island)

Sat 24 Oct 09 07:40 Sydney 09:30 Lord Howe Island QF2256 1h 50m

Mon 26 Oct 09 14:10 Lord Howe Island 16:10 Sydney QF2261 2h 00m

Varanasi India

Nadesar Palace Varanasi (Taj?)

Taj Nadesar Palace, Varanasi, India

Taj Hotels won us over last year with the Umaid Bhawan Palace, so we couldn’t wait to see how they’d transform another former maharajah’s palace, this one in the holy city of Varanasi. Jasmine-scented grounds surround the 18th-century property, where 10 supersize suites are worthy of prominent former guests (Queen Elizabeth II and Indira Gandhi among them). Gauzy textiles in lotus-petal pinks and marigold yellows are draped over four-poster beds, and etched mirrors hang next to claw-foot bathtubs. Our favorite touch: finding a silk pouch filled with palate-cleansing, silver-coated cardamom pods at turndown. Doubles from $399

Morocco - Taroundant

• best month: April
• stay
• La Gazelle d'or (30 rooms, stables) www.gazelledor.com 480gbp 1/2 board
• Kasabat Annour (right beside kasbah walls) latest opening in town, spa, old colonial house once home to colonel of French garrison www.kasabatannour 120euro B&B
• Dar Zitoune: a few km out of the center, twin towered facade of a kasbah but inside is series of well-tended garden of fruit trees & exotic flowers 120 euros B&B
• eat
• la gazelle d'or
• chez nada (roof terrace) avenue moulay rachid (no al)
• restaurant vala (avenue hassan II) (no al)
• Jnane Soussia (garden just outside walls, tented dining areas, roast lamb, order day ahead, no al)
• fly to Agadir (80km from Taroudant) hire a car (royal air maroc flies from heathrow via casablanca)

lodge hopping - new zealand

you can drive from one to the other or just take a domestic flight

Farm at Cape Kidnappers
~ in Hawke's Bay (goo dlocal wine) short flight from Auckland to Napier & 45 minutes drive to the Farm

Huka Lodge
~ 3 hours to drive from cape kidnappers to huka lodge
~ above huka falls

South Island's whare kea lodge
(drive back to Auckland first or get direct flight to queenstown (90 min drive to the lodge) or get on flight from Auckland to Christchurch & connect flight to "Remarkables range"
otahuna lodge
-- drive from christchurch

Bolivia

• Travesia between Potosi (the world's highest town in Bolivia) & San Pedro de atacama in Chile (8 days of walking past volcanoes, llmas, salt flats, flamingos ...300 miles) end up at hotel de larache in the middle of Atacama desert $5964 all incl
• see colonial Santiago de chile
• Atacama desert's moon valley
• white washed town of Sucre
• canoe at Rurrenabaque in the Amazon

North Africa

• getting there
• Air France (flies from Paris to Algiers, Casablanca, Rabat & Tripoli
• Alitalia to Algiers, Cairo, Tripoli Casablanca
• BA from Heathrow to Cairo Algiers & Tripoli
• Iberia from Heathrow to Algiers,Agadir, Cairo, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakech & Tangier (via Madrid or Barcelona)
• Lufthansa via frankfurt to algiers, Alexandria, Cairo, Casablanca
• Royal air maroc: heathrow to casablanca, via casablanca to tripoli, cairo & algiers
• atlas blue from gatwick to fez & marrakech, from heathrow to tangier
• easyjet from gatwick to casablanca & tangier, & marrakech
• getting around
• regional carriers connect tripoli,algiers, casablanca & cairo, air algeria, egypt air, tunis air, royal air maroc
• when to go
• algeria
• april to august (coast) nov to april (desert)
• egypt: march april Oct Nov
• morocco: mid march to may & sept to nov

Zambia

• stay at Chongwe River camp or
• Robin's house at Nkwli camp, South Luangwa
• BA flies Heathrow to Lusaka
• S african air fly via johannesburg
• zambian air flies to Mfuwe (handy for S Luangwa national park)
• june to Oct best

Daypass zimbabwe
Stay. Chundukwa river lodge, royal livingstone or royal zambezi (travel agents: expert africa, bailey robinson)
Award-winning photographer David Rogers has spent the last 15 years of his life capturing stunning scenes of the South and East African landscape at hundreds of different locations. Now, he has teamed up with the renowned and extremely exclusive Robin Pope Safaris to offer his expertise on wildlife photography in the world's biggest classroom: the South Luangwa Valley of Zambia.

other places to stay
Livingstone hotels - Zambia
South Luangwa National Park hotels - Zambia
Lusaka hotels - Zambia
Victoria Falls hotels - Zambia
Siavonga hotels - Zambia

tahiti - Bora-bora

• stay
• 4 seasons bora bora $964
• novotel bora bora http://www.accorhotels.com/ $147
• eat
• villa mahana $140 dinner/2 (5 tables only)

Argentina - Buenos Aires

**jardin escondido**
This townhouse is the buzz talk of the city. Built to order for Francis Ford Coppola while he filmed his autobiographical flick, Tetro, it’s cosy, with aged brick floors, Peruvian tapestries and willow floor lamps. Actors like Vincent Gallo and Willem Dafoe stayed before Coppola decided to open it to an in-the-know crowd. Guests can book a two-bedroom wing topped with a pergola and herb garden, take over a five-bedroom upper floor or splurge on the whole house. The director’s foldaway writing desk still sits in a tiny studio and the garden is alive with the whistle of mockingbirds. Staff are discreet; breakfast, from a local pâtissier, is delivered each morning; at night, eat locally or do as Coppola does: grill up a sizzling barbecue.

• up & coming San Telmo bohemian neighborhood known for Sunday antiques market
• stay:
• Cocker (458 Juan de garay) www.thecocker.com $100
• Moreno Buenos Aires (376 Moreno) wwwmorenobuenosaires.com $160
• eat
• La Vineria de gualterio bolivar (865 bolivar) - tapas
• Desnivel (858 defensa)
• tango & drinks
• bar sur (299 estados unidos)
• el federal (599 carlos calvo)

2009 block leave? Legado Mitico B.A. then Legado Mitico Salta
Legado Mítico, Salta, Argentina

Great Value This handsome provincial capital, known for its meat empanadas and some of the world’s best-preserved mummies, has lately been burnishing its claim as Argentina’s third city for tourism, after Buenos Aires and Mendoza. Still, we were surprised to come across a hotel so refined, especially on a noisy commercial street near the main square. Each of the 11 guest rooms in this former private residence is named for a notable person (a poet; a gaucho; a sculptor) and dressed accordingly with art from the region. Guests can linger in the courtyard for hours under swaying alamo trees while sampling the region’s tangy, refreshing Torrontes wines. Doubles from $170.

from NG
eat @
Casa SaltShaker
el federal 599 Carlos Calvo
El Trapiche 5099 paraguay
Heladeria Cadore 1695 Av. Corrientes
La Cupertina 5300 Cabrera
Mercado del Progreso 5430 Av. Rivadavia
Meridiano 58 - 1689 Jorge Luis Borges
Urondo Bar 1204 Beauchef

stay at
1555 malabia house
Algodon Mansion
Gurda Tango boutique hotel
home buenos aires
mansion dandi royal
Miravida soho
palacio duhau park hyatt
sofitel BA
Telmotango hostel suites

togo

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2009/jan/18/burkina-faso-benin-togo-voodoo
cradle of voodoo tour- check out Burkina Faso, Benin & Togo

Sagada burial caves, Philippines

• Sumaging Cave (narrow crevices, deep ravines etc)
• Lumiang Burial cave (collection of centuries old wooden coffins)

Sierra Leone

• sept 07 brought about peaceful change of government via ballot box
• superb wildlife watching
• charming resorts in Freetown
• track elephants at Outamba-Kilimi National Park, primates at Tiwai Island wildlife sanctuary

Kyrgyzstan

• horsebound culture, trek out to see petroglyphs
• see kok boru (rugby on horseback, with a dead goat)
• "At Chabysh" horse racing festival held in Barskoon early November
• see Khan Tengri peak
• oral epic poem "Manas"
• alpine meadows of Tian Shan

algeria

• Fly 6/30 23:45 06:35+1 HKG to CDG
• 7/1 in Paris
• 7/2 07:30-08:45 CDG to ALG (2 hr 15 min)
• 7/2, 3, 4 in Algiers
• 7/4 18:55 arrive CDG 22:20
• Return 7/5 CDG to HKG 14:00 07:30+1
• desert oasis town to Timimoun (well set up for travellers, comfortable desert experience without tourist hordes of Morocco or Tunisia)
• Assekrem sunrise atop Tolkienesque atakor plateau
• March/April Fete du Tapis (in Ghardaia – carpet festival)
• go to Tamanraset's le tafsit (end April) celebration of Tuareg culture, camel races in Algeria's deep south
• Oran's festival national de la chanson du rai d'oran in August (world music)
• explore Hoggar mountains by 4wd in the Sahara
• millennia-old Saharan rock art rock art in Tassili N'ajjer (also see La vache qui pleure- the cow that cries, a carved masterpiece @ Tagharghart)
• dune skiing in grand erg oriental
• Roman city of Djemila
• casbah of Algiers (closer to Paris vs. Tamanrasset)
• stay
• Algiers: Hilton, or Sofitel

Kuala Lumpur KL treehouse

sekeping Serendah 45 min north of KL
www.serendah.com

hangzhou China

• Liangzhu Culture Museum 45 min drive from downtown Hangzhou, closed on Mon (a new museum in Hangzhou--showcase for ancient Liangzhu culture)

Longjing
DINNER FOR TWO $98
10 WAI JI LONG SHAN, LONGJING RD.;
86-571/8796-9230

Zhiweiguan
DINNER FOR TWO $100
83 REN HE RD.;
86-571/8701-8638

next trip go to Wuzhen clubhouse, other hotels in area to try: regalia resort suzhou, 4 seasons hangzhou, not in area but to try samatha resort zhangjiajie, Brilliant Resort Kunming, Crowne Plaza Lijiang

uluwatu - Bali's southern Bukit peninsula

• Alila Villas Uluwatu- cliff side property
• www.alilavillas.com $725

or try Alila Villas Soori
CX785 HKG 10:05 DPS 14:50 0 04:45
CX784 DPS 16:00 HKG 20:45 0 04:45

Brazil

Pantanal
http://www.fazendabarrancoalto.com.br/

• the Atlantic forest ( 1 of the richest, tallest & most impressive forests on earth) a haven for blue-chested parakeets, golden-headed lion tamarins & other endemic species
• stay at Ponta dos Ganchos (710 miles south of Rio de Janeiro)
• trekking, whitewater rafting, kayak, sail, snorkel
• www.pontadosganchos.com.br $620

another choice for 09 block leave
Uxua casa
http://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/best-new-hotels-2009/8

UXUA Casa HotelHOTEL ABOUT UXUA

YOUR STAY

CASAS

SPA

QUARTZ POOL

GALLERY

HISTORY

DESIGN

WILBERT DAS

PRESS
BEACH BOOKING TRANCOSO TRANCOSO HISTORY

QUADRADO

BEACHES

THINGS TO DO

BARS & RESTAURANTS

GETTING THERE

WEATHER
Getting There
To reach Trancoso, fly to Porto Seguro (multiple connections leave from cities such as Salvador and Sao Paulo daily). From November through February, many charter flights fly directly to Porto Seguro from Europe.

Trancoso is approximately 24 kilometres from Porto Seguro airport, which translates as an hour’s drive due to the scenic, two-lane roads and a short river ferry crossing.

Chile -

Elqui Valley

• centrally heated yurt
• star viewing windows
• hotel astronomico elqui domos

2.5 hr drive N of Santiago to COLCHAGUA VALLEY

• 30 wineries incl
• Emiliana Organico Vina Montes (15 Parcela, santa cruz)
• Clos Apalta (Km 4, Camino apalta, santa cruz)
• stay
• Lapostolle Residence www.lapostolle.com $650 incl meals & tours
• eat
• Asador del valle (los boldos, camino isla yaquil, SC) $40 dinner/2

lapland

http://www.kakslauttanen.fi/

• thermo glass walls "igloos" in Finland's arctic wilderness
• northern lights

Indonesia - Aceh

• Aceh Explorer Adventure Tours
• 25 trails, 3 hours to 2N expeditions
• 17 Jln. Panglima nyak makam
• 62/812-698-4216
• acehexplorer.com
• go between May to Sept
• Garuda, Lion Air & Sriwijaya fly to Banda Aceh via Medan
• stay
• Hermes Palace $103 hermespalacehotel.com
• Grand Nanggroe Hotel $55 aceh-hotels.com/Grand_Nanggroe
• Hotel Green Paradise $28 62-651/7411-5541

Laos - Pakse

Pakse (southern Laos)

• Asia's biggest waterfalls
• hill tribe treks
• Bolaven Plateau coffee plantations
• 4 thousand islands archipelago (world heritage)

best time Nov to Feb worst July to Oct

• fly from:
• Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Siem Reap, Bangkok
• stay:
• Champasak Palace Hotel $30
• Pakse Hotel $20
• Hotel Salachampa $25
• Do:
• rent motorbike US$6-8 per day
• the 2 dozen temples--> Wat Luang oldest, old wooden seminary w/carving
• see Wat Phou -->a world heritage site, believed to be birthplace of Khmer civiliation, atop mountain w/views, can stay overnight in Champasak
• eat:
• riverboat restaurant Khem Khong (street 11, on the Mekong River 856-31/213-240)
• Cafe Sinouk (13 South Rd 856/31/213-601)
  

Thailand Pattaya

dusitD2 baraquda pattaya
ultramodern interiors & amenities
swanky restaurant & bar
www.dusit.com

explore Vietnam Can Tho countryside by cycling through the heart of the Mekong Delta through picturesque town of Sa Dec
http://www.victoriahotels-asia.com/eng/hotels-in-vietnam/can-tho-resort

Senegal

Dakar, Senegal.

• Afro Cuban salsa, world jazz, mixed Wolof n French hip hop, zouk, mbalax, performed at just 4u ave cheikh anta diop, pen'art blvd du sud, thiossane (mbalax king youssou n'dour's club).
• Stay hostellerie du chevalier de boufflers or hotel saint louis sun).
• Eat at keur n'deye or pointe des almadies.
• Go for kaay fecc festival in June