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A week before our trip, Japan was rocked. The triple whammie was capped by a nuclear “problem” that as of this writing could still result in a meltdown, and possibly burn a hole straight thru the planet. This very unlikely event is called “The China Syndrome” in the west. In Japan they probably call it the New Jersey Syndrome.

We therefore came to China. Well Hong Kong anyway. Fragrant Harbor. Victoria’s Island. These are the names the brits used for it when they colonized it. I call it the last

The Republic of Uzbekistan - a rich tapestry of architectural wonders, diverse natural reserves ranging from the sweep of the steppe and vast deserts of the Kyzyl Kul and Kara Kum to grandiose mountain ranges of the Tien-Shan and Pamir-Alai, has been top on travel agenda for adventurous people interested in exotic destinations.  Uzbekistan travel is truly an adventure with something for everyone!

The country boasts an invaluable heritage of historical centers dating back to the significant period

They are instead three islands near Hong Kong, which my wife and I took whirlwind tours of this week. All three deserve more time, alas our time is limited.

I suppose if we were 25 again, we would sample the night life in Hong Kong, which I hear is responsible for this smile on Buddha.

Happy is as happy does!

First, Kowloon.

Yes, believe it or not it is pronounced just like it looks like it should be pronounced. I have not delved into the history to find out who named it that, or why. Instead I will

India can be one of the best countries in the apple to appointment and its mix of age-old and avant-garde is a alluring experience. The majority of westerners that appointment are abiding to feel a little ability shock on accession at the arduous cardinal of people, signs of abjection and all-embracing anarchy which is India. However already you get accomplished this it is a absurd country to appointment and has some amazing India destinations. Abounding bodies travelling to India will acquisiti

by Tripatini staff

Having released her third album, Kulture Noir, last summer, Simphiwe Dana, a 30-year-old preacher’s daughter from rural Transkei, has become one of South Africa’s top musical sensations in just half a decade. Often compared to the late, great Miriam Makeba, she sings both in English and in her native Xhosa, mixing traditional Bantu musical idioms with contemporary jazz, gospel, and blues influences… and it’s all on gorgeous display in this song/video, Ndiredi, released back

San Diego has some wonderful hotels, but none are better loved than La Valencia. “The Pink Lady” has been a landmark in La Jolla since 1926.

For many years, I naively thought I was the only one whose heart skipped a beat at the sight of La Sala, where potted palms and traditional furnishings welcome guests to have a drink and enjoy the ocean view.

Then, La Valencia made the cover of Travel & Leisure and I realized I wasn’t alone in my admiration of the hotel’s Spanish colonial architecture, clas

How Not To Run A Travel Media Lunch


It may be that I’m hypercritical, but I don’t think so.

After the umpteenth Travel Media/Press lunch,  I declined the last few simply because  they promised to be  photostatic copies of most every other press lunch held.

In spite of some web sites that offer advice most PR-driven media lunches still  mirror those held for travel content providers for years.

PR and Marketing firms who are members of  SATW, arguably the most important (or self-important)  associati

A region with thousands of limestone and jungle covered peaks rising out of the bay, the UNESCO World Heritage listed Halong Bay is widely considered to be among the natural wonders of the world and should be on everyone’s must see list while planning their tours to Vietnam.

Resting on the top deck of a conventional junk basking in the beauty of this magnificent bay is a wonderful way to rest while traveling in Vietnam. Take a trip to enjoy a traditional floating fishing village, join onboard co

Group Messaging: SXSW’s Hot Topic, And Good News For Travel

It’s not easy  to wrap your mind (or your body) around this year’s South by South West (SXSW)  music festival and industry conference just completed in Austin, Texas.

There seemed to be, as Allison Fenterstock writes in NOLA, more official showcases, more films, more book signings, smart phone apps, fashion expos and lots and lots of stuff than ever before.

And big time traffic jams.

The Los Angeles Times made a big stink about keynote spe

San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica, a city with history, that has been changing throughout the years, whether for good or for bad. Leaving aside the reasons why the city is considered unpleasant and unsafe, this place has several points in its favor, and its never late to stand them out.

As any capital in the world, it concentrates all the services and principal offices. If it is about food, you will be able to find any kind of restaurant, small ¨sodas¨ serving ¨casados¨, in the central marke

On January 9, 2011 whilst the rest of us were busy doing our own stuff, a new country was created. The people of Southern Sudan voted for an independent country. The new state will be officially created in July of 2011. The news came and has been forgotten by many however, it is important to become aware of the trend and where we are going.

The creation of Southern Sudan is not an isolated incident. In fact since 1990, some 33 new countries have been born. This is more than one new country a yea

1. Look Good (=Nice & Simple)

Creative web design is all about making a website visually appealing. A visually appealing website is a site that is easy to read and easy to navigate. To create a site that visitors will not click away from immediately, follow some basic design standards, and think about the usability and accessibility of the design.

2. Content is Key

The content on your site is your vehicle to present your message and portray your brand. And if you offer the ability to book online o

NAGALAND is India’s Land of Festivals, the Switzerland of the East, the land of the mighty Naga warrior tribes. Unparalleled in its natural heritage, steeped in ancient legends of tribal royals and warriors, of chivalry, courage and integrity, this tiny tribal state is one of the most beautiful, eclectic and fascinating hill-states in India’s remote North East India Region (NER).

The state and her people, the Nagas, were relatively unknown to the world before the advent of Globalization. Equally,

Newfoundland: Sea, Solitude And Song


There’s something about Newfoundland, Canada, that gets under your skin.

I think it comes from the disarmingly warm and open people.

And it comes from the aching loneliness of the surrounding sea where Lilliputian villages snuggle against the craggy faces of mighty cliffs.

“Give us a song,” the dark-haired beauty called out from the doorway of one of the many Celtic pubs and taverns in St. John’s, Newfoundland’s energetic capital.

The young men sitting around th

Three Great Non-Travel, Travel Books

Often a non-travel novel creates the vividness and depth of a town or village or city better than  travel book might.

But recommending a book is always tricky, so here are three recent reads and likes:

In Travels with a Tangerine, Tim Mackintosh-Smith  sets out to follow the footsteps of the great Arab/Muslim traveler, Ibn Battuta  who left his native Tangier in 1325, covered three times the distance of Marco Polo, and returned 30 years later…after some 75,000

Rivers of wine streamed down craggy roads lined with grape vines and surrounded by mountains. At Casa Lapostolle, 350,000 bottles shattered as scores of oak barrels rolled off their rackings. It was February 27, 2010, in the Colchagua Valley (right) Chile’s main wine region. An 8.8 magnitude earthquake had just rippled in from the coast where a tsunami had caused considerable havoc. With tremors lasting 90 seconds, the earthquake turned out to be among the country’s most destructive—third only t

Now, twenty years on, that same garden again provides vegetables and herbs, the house foundations have been reborn with a new house above them, knarled olive trees have been brought back into fruit, yet more fruit trees have been planted and an expansive garden of Mediterranean flora occupies the hillside.

Levendis Estate is a constantly evolving haven for family holidays and romantic honeymoons on Ithaca, Greece.

The result of our first dreamings was t

by Tripatini staff

As always, our thoughts, condolences, and fervent prayers are with Japan and the Japanese people as they try to recover from this catastrophe and deal with the still unrpedictable extent of fallout from damage to the Fukushima nuclear power plant. In the meantime, please do your part by donating any amount you can to one or more of the following relief organizations (FYI, PayPal will be donating its transaction fees to registered U.S. and Canadian charities to Japan relief e