driving do's and don'ts in mexico

I like road trips but in a foreign country it can be a bit harrowing.  Other countries have different rules, signs and in some places they even drive on the wrong side of the road! I find preparation reduces the anxiety (as much as it can be reduced) and hope this post helps someone else in his/her preparation.

El Castillo @ Chichen Itza

I recently returned from Cancun, Mexico where my friend and I rented a car to drive to Chichen Itza and surroundings before plopping ourselves on a beach in Playa del Carmen.

General DO Tips:

1) Research your destination and local driving tips online (e.g., Tripadvisor) and offline (e.g., friends, guidebooks).

2) Book rental car from a reputable company. After reading reviews and doing a price comparison, we choose http://www.easywayrentacar.com/ (more on easyway in my next post).

restaurant review: st. john bar and restaurant

The dining room at St. John.

During a recent trip to London, I returned for another dining experience at St. John Bar and Restaurant in the Clerkenwell neighborhood. See, there are certain things I like to eat when I am in London and the Roasted Bone Marrow and Parsley Salad dish is one of them. (The other things I love eating in London are St. John Bakery's custard doughnut and Tayyab's tandoori lamb chops.)

The scene
The restaurant and bar is very industrial looking because it used to be an old smokehouse. The decor is very minimalist - everything is white. Although it has one Michelin Star, the place is not stuck up. In fact, there's a nice (but not loud) buzz in the dining room.

The food

The Roasted Bone Marrow and Parsley Salad.

I've eaten plenty of roasted bone marrow dishes but St. John's version, which apparently has been emulated by many chefs around the world, tops my list. See, the richness of the bone marrow is tempered by the tangy parsley salad, and brought to life with a tiny bit of sea salt. And when you spread the marrow on top of the crunchy toasted bread, it's like eating heaven. Seriously, if this is all you order at St. John, you're golden.

The Eccles Cake and Lancashire Cheese is another dish that deserves a mention. Eccles cake is not a cake but a pastry... a very buttery pastry so it is nice and flaky. The dried fruit inside the pastry go well with the slightly salty flavor of the Lancashire cheese. It's delicious, and also a very British dish.

restaurant review: connie & ted's

Connie and Ted's is literally my favorite seafood restaurant in Los Angeles right now.  It is brought to you by the same team as Providence - which is considered one of the best fine dining establishments in Los Angeles - but that is obviously a "special occasion" restaurant whereas Connie and Ted's is great anytime for whatever reason. 

I am partial to casual dining with amazing food, so this place fits the bill perfectly.  I am guessing they took over an old diner because the bones of the place suggests IHOP to me, but it has been modernized with repurposed wood and glass walls.  It's like a fancified and airy seafood shack.  The service is always impeccable and knowledgeable.  The food is always super fresh and simply, but expertly prepared.  In fact there hasn't been anything I haven't liked at this place (and I've probably tried everything on the menu except for the burgers).  In 2013, Connie and Ted's and Bestia were my favorite new restaurants, but I think as time has passed, my love for Connie and Ted's has only grown stronger.

quick tips about getting around in taipei if you can't read or speak mandarin

(Taipei, Taiwan).  I think some Americans traveling to foreign countries have a tendency to assume that people will speak and/or understand a little english wherever they go.  I didn't realize until I was planning my trip to Taiwan a few years ago that my husband was one of these people.  On that particular trip we were staying at an apartment and not a hotel so I repeatedly asked him for the address in chinese, but to no avail.  He couldn't comprehend why the english address wasn't sufficient for a taxi driver.  I finally asked him if he thought people in Taiwan understood english and he looked at me as if I were being silly, because he couldn't imagine why people in Taiwan would not understand english.

(sigh)

I had to explain to him that people in Taiwan speak mandarin or taiwanese, and english is rather uncommon.  In recent years Taiwan has been promoting tourism and you can see that in the growing amount of english signage at tourist sights and the addition of more "western" style toilets (as opposed to "eastern" style toilets which are set into the ground and where you have to crouch over the opening).  Despite the improvement, that does not mean the local people can speak or read english well, if at all.  However, that doesn't mean it's difficult to get around because luckily most people in Taiwan are friendly and there are great transportation options available (especially in Taipei).

travel zen on tuesday - sun moon lake in taiwan

One of the most beautiful places in Taiwan and also the place where I got engaged!  Happy Tuesday!

taipei for food lovers

Taipei is currently getting a lot of love from food obsessed travelers everywhere. And not because of the crazy concept restaurants (toilet theme, anyone?).  It is simply because Taiwanese food is delicious, and the Taiwanese people love to eat - all the time. 

These are some of the reasons why Taipei and her varied food options are getting a lot of attention:

A street vendor at the Ningxia Night market
selling grilled oysters.

1. Lots of night markets. There are big night markets (like Shilin) and small ones (like Ningxia). If you can, try and go to every single one of them. The food there ranges from oyster pancakes to Taiwanese sausages to various grilled meats, seafood and blood to fried chicken to fruits to …. So, if you have a travel companion, make sure you buy one item from each stall and share. That way, you can get to taste more items. Trust  me, you’ll be full and beyond satisfied. If you can’t speak the language, don’t fret. Just point. 

how to score a deal on louis vuitton purse in paris

Louis Vuitton strictly controls price. You are never going to find it on sale at Neiman Marcus or their own stores. And an item will never go down in price once it has gone up. So how do you score a deal? Shop in PARIS! What better excuse is there to go?

Here’s my How-To guide on snagging a deal on an authentic Louis Vuitton purse:

Step one: Pre-shop online at louisvuitton.com. Choose the handbag or wallet of your desire. If you are geographically close to a store that carries Louis Vuitton, go check it out in person; nothing beats seeing, feeling and weighing the goods in three dimension. Let’s use my well used and beloved Neverfull GM as example. Note: when I purchased this a few years ago, it did not come with the pochette and was cheaper.

quick safety tip - let people know where you are when you travel

When i say to let people know where you are, I do not mean to publicize your whereabouts via facebook or twitter, etc. to people you barely know.  You certainly do not want to announce to random people that you will be away from home since that would be like inviting or daring people to burglarize your home.  What I mean is to let select family/friends know where you will be simply because it's a safe and smart thing to do.

I travel alone quite frequently - mostly for business and a few times for fun.  In any case, I always take the same safety precautions.

• I make a copy of my itinerary including flight, hotel, contact and other information and email a copy to myself, my mom and my best friend.... I guess now that I'm married I should add my husband to the list, but old habits are hard to break. 
• When I land and take a cab by myself, I will give my mom/friend/husband a call to let them know I'm in a cab.  If I'm in a less savory locale or feel uneasy, I will clearly tell whomever I'm calling the cab info (or even take a picture and text it).  My main objective is to let the driver know that I've told someone that I'm in their cab just in case....
• When I check into my hotel, I will call or text my mom/friend/husband and give my room number and let them know that I've arrived safely.

None of this takes a lot of time, but it provides peace of mind for your loved ones as well as for yourself.  You certainly don't want to be unreachable in an emergency or worse, if something does happen to you, this will make it easier for people to retrace your steps and find you.  This i learned from years and years of watching Law & Order.

a few helpful tips to endure a long flight…

The anticipation of a new trip is always exciting!  However, enduring a long plane ride in a cramped, uncomfortable seat while eating mediocre food (at best) is never appealing.  It’s not because I fear flying.  Rather, it’s the discomfort I feel on any flight lasting more than 4 hours – the dehydration, the claustrophobia, the bloating, the germs, etc.  It’s all made even worse by my inability to sleep more than 20 minutes at a time on any flight.   After years of flying, I've learned to do some things to make my flights more tolerable. 

1.     Entertainment –  Bring  any entertainment that makes the passage of time easier for you– e.g., read, listen to music, watch TV shows/movies, etc.  For me, this means bringing my ipad mini so I can read, listen to music or audiobooks, play solitaire, candy crush or scrabble, and/or watch movies.  Because I can’t sleep on international flights, there have been times I’ve been forced to watch all the available in-flight movies regardless of how dismal the choices may be.  (Yes, I'm embarrassed to admit that I watched High School Musical 3 not once, but twice on a 12-hour flight.)  Now, I’m wiser and download TV shows I want to binge watch.  (Dr. Who marathon - here I come!)  I also make sure I charge up everything and/or bring a portable charger.  Nothing is worse than your device running out of juice.  Nothing.

ferry building - one of my favorite places in san francisco!

(San Francisco)  The Ferry Building Marketplace is located along the Embarcadero at the foot of
Market Street.  The closest BART stop is the Embarcadero stop.  It is filled with restaurants, gourmet food shops, grocers, and bakeries.  It is definitely worth a visit for any tourist visiting San Francisco but is also a nice hangout for locals especially with the fabulous Farmer's Market there (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays).  For more information go to their official website here.

I visit San Francisco very often and I always stop by the Ferry Building because there are so many places there I adore!  I fondly recall one visit where I socialized there from 10:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.  - happily eating and drinking the day away at the wine bar, then Hog's Island, then back at the wine bar.  I always know I will be tempted to eat too much so I plan ahead and wear stretchy clothes.

Below is a list of my favorite places at the Ferry Building.  Check them out - you won't be disappointed!

• Hog Island Oyster Bar - All the seafood here is fresh and fabulous but
  
  they also make the best grilled cheese sandwich here.  It's filled with 3 types of Cowgirl Creamery cheese on Acme bread, served with pickled veggies... it's soooo good!  i want one now as i'm writing this blog!  They don't take reservations - it's first come, first serve and your entire party has to be present to be seated.  I usually try to get there early and grab a seat at the bar (or if the weather is nice, a seat in the outside patio with a view of the bay).  They've recently expanded their space with more seating and a new cocktail bar.

travel zen on tuesday - a double rainbow over tikal, guatemala

plan your new year's eve party in sydney now

The boats in Sydney Harbour were all lit up for
New Year's Eve.

Don't laugh but if you plan to go to Sydney, Australia for the specific purpose of celebrating the birth of the new year, you need to start planning now.

Last year, my husband and I were one of the first people on the planet to say buh-bye to 2013 and say hello to 2014. We had a great time but I wish I had more time to plan it so I could have booked cheaper deals. See, Australia is not a cheap place and the recession that hit a lot of countries appears to not have made it there. Learn from my mistakes and start planning now.

1. Start looking for flights. It will be pricey so start tracking them on websites like Yapta.com. Once you see a drop in price, book that flight. If you plan to use frequent flier miles, reserve them now. Seats allotted for frequent fliers tend to disappear quickly.

queenstown, new zealand for the non-thrill seeker

Queenstown has a reputation for hosting people who jump off stuff and do other crazy things. The reputation is well deserved. After all, commercial bungee and commercial jet boating started in this fair town. It somehow also seems appropriate that the beautiful mountain range towering over Queenstown is called “the Remarkables,” and another mountain nearby is called “Mount Difficulty.”

I first went to Queenstown with the idea of jumping off a bridge. I’ve previously jumped off a plane in Oxnard, California, and glided off a cliff in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. So, I thought jumping jump off a bridge wouldn't be that different. Unfortunately, the weather, my nerves or both (more likely, nerves) stopped me from doing something that would have been the basis of an awesome Facebook/Twitter profile photo (or at least something I could have put on Instagram).

Left without an extreme sport to partake in, was there anything else to do in Queenstown?  Absolutely.  For those who are not so extreme sports inclined, there are other un-extreme types of adventures and thrills to be had in and around town like the following:

restaurant review: the hart and the hunter

(Los Angeles, California).  The Hart and the Hunter is a quaint and quirky restaurant located in the Palihotel on Melrose Avenue.  Their food is consistently inventive, homey and delicious.  I particularly enjoy their biscuits (layers and layers of buttery, flaky goodness) and other pastries, but that is not to say their salads, small plates, and entrees aren't also yummy - it's just that the biscuits are so damn amazing!  The restaurant has been consistently named one of the best restaurants in Los Angeles since it opened, and it's a great place to bring out-of-town visitors for a leisurely brunch or a happening dinner.

Recently when a friend (who previously lived in LA) was visiting, I decided to bring him there since he loves good food and I figured he would want to try something new.

The Hart and the Hunter doesn't take reservations but it wasn't an issue on Wednesday night.  We arrived around 7:30 p.m. and were able to get a cute little table.  My friend could not help notice the odd contrast of the homey english country decor (i.e., lots of grandma floral prints) mixed with the hipster servers (who all seemed to be tattooed, as if it were a job requirement), but that all added to the charm of the restaurant.  Service was friendly and casual.  But the highlight was definitely the food!

good bye hot doug's!

(Chicago, Illinois).  One of my best experiences in Chicago was eating at Hot Doug's – the self-proclaimed Sausage Superstore and Encased Meat Emporium.  I remember dragging my now-husband out of bed so we could get into line before the restaurant opened at 10:30 a.m., and listening to him grumble until he saw the massive line already forming when we arrived around 10:00 a.m.  His annoyance lingered as we waited for over an hour, but the moment he took one bite all of his annoyance and frustration disappeared.  It was like magic!  

In front of Hot Doug's.

We shared The Dog (Chicago-style), the Elvis (pork polish sausage) and the Foie Gras and Duck Sauterne Sausage Dog with a heaping serving of Duck Fat Fries.  Everything was mouth-wateringly delicious.  I particularly remember how well the soft, bouncy buns complimented the delicious sausages.  And the fries!  Unhealthy – yes.  A bit greasy – yes.  Worth it – double yes!

However, I’m saddened to report that Hot Doug’s is planning to close – permanently – on October 3, 2014.  When I read the news, I have to admit I teared up a little bit.  It was such a wonderful place – great food and great vibe – owned and run by the nicest guy, Doug.  I hope after he takes a well-deserved vacation and rests up that he will be tempted to start another delicious venture with equal success.

For anyone in or visiting Chicago before the closing date – go to Hot Doug’s!  It may be your last chance!

I will miss you Hot Doug’s (sniff).   R.I.P.

a little taste of japan in west los angeles - sawtelle

Hide Sushi.

The stretch of Sawtelle Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Olympic Boulevard is sometimes called "Sawtelle" or "Little Osaka" and is home to a mix of traditional and trendy restaurants, boutiques and businesses that celebrate Japanese cuisine and culture.  There are also non-Japanese businesses here, but when you stroll through this area, it is like getting a mini experience of Japan.  You can indulge your taste buds in all sorts of Japanese foods such as sushi, ramen, shabu shabu, yakitori, curry and crepes (Japanese-style!).  There are also great little boutiques carrying unique gifts that
showcase the many facets of Japanese pop culture.  It's an enjoyable "attraction" for both locals and tourists alike.

Giant Robot.

I really enjoy spending leisurely afternoons here.  I'll grab lunch and dessert and then spend the rest of the time shopping for unique gifts and/or asian makeup and groceries.  There are a few paid lots and metered parking spaces, but I usually just park a few blocks into the residential areas for free.  There are parking restrictions so be mindful.

Below are some of my favorites places to go to when I'm in the area.

tieks review - good travel shoe?

Tieks Website

i was on the hunt for comfortable and stylish shoes for travel and during my research, i kept coming across youtube videos and articles about tieks.  i was intrigued.  they are basically ballet flats that claim to be "reinvented" and Oprah is allegedly a fan.  when i checked out the website, i had to admit that the shoes looked cute and there was an impressive array of color choices.  they were handmade in italian leather and seemed to fold up nicely and take very little space in luggage.  but the prices!  $175 to $345!!!  for ballet flats!  yes, they are handmade, but could they possibly be worth it?  let's find out!

i decided to order a pair and give them a try.  i figured that i could return them if they were immediately uncomfortable (even though several of the reviews I read noted that a breaking-in period was required).  i have tried shoes with a similar concept and they were obviously uncomfortable and/or lacked support.  i had faith that my sensitive feet would not lead me astray, so i took the plunge. 

travel zen on tuesday - halong bay in vietnam

One of the highlights of my trip to Vietnam.  It is amazingly tranquil and beautiful.  Pictures do not do it justice!  There are several overnight cruises offered - ranging from budget to luxury.  However you choose to go, you will be in awe of the gorgeous views all around you.

cost breakdown on how i travelled for two amazing weeks in morocco under $1200 (excluding shopping)

The night market at Jemaa El Fna.

I recently visited Fes, Meknes, Merzouga, Ouarzazate and Marrakech in Morocco over a two week period. This was a budget trip and technically I did carry a backpack, but I wouldn’t label it as a backpacking trip. True backpackers would be offended, I think. I stayed in very centrally located and comfortable bed and breakfast lodgings where I (and my travel companion, sazy rock) had a private room and bathroom. We didn’t skimp on other comforts or conveniences when warranted. Although we bought food from street food vendors, we also ate at pricier tourist spots (for access to their bathrooms and willingness to let us linger and rest). Also, while we walked a lot, we didn't shy away from hiring private taxis and guides. We did inter-city travel via Supratours bus, a luxury coach service connecting areas between train routes, because internal travel in Morocco is convenient and affordable.

martinikitty's favorite places to frequent in new orleans

Street performers on Bourbon.

I've been to New Orleans several times for its annual Jazz & Heritage Festival (NOLA Jazzfest) and each time I find myself falling in love with the city more and more.  Who could possibly resist the amazing food, cocktails, music and joyous energy that permeates throughout this wonderful place?  I certainly could not.  And the fact that this is where I met my husband is simply icing on the cake.  NOLA will forever hold a special place in my heart and I look forward to visiting many more times in the future.

While I always like trying places I haven't been to before wherever I am, there are still those places that you miss and want to enjoy over and over again.  I'm not necessarily saying these are the best places in New Orleans, but rather, these are the places that I cannot imagine skipping whenever I return to New Orleans.

restaurant review: azurmendi

I can't say I'm a food critic, because I'm not.  But, I like to eat... a lot.

On a recent trip to Bilbao, Spain, the hubster's friend suggested that we check out a restaurant called, Azurmendi, just 30 minutes outside the city in a town called Larrabetzu. It has three stars from the Michelin Guide. About a month or so after we dined there, the 2014 San Pellegrino's 50 Best Restaurants in the World list came out and identified it as the 26th best restaurant.  Now, I don't know whether that's true but this is what I know: Chef Eneko Atxa knows what he's doing.

The scene

The Azurmendi Greenhouse
where we tasted pumpkin seeds.

Azurmendi has two restaurant buildings: one perched on a hill and one below. They use the bottom restaurant for special events and casual dining, and the top restaurant for fine dining. The top restaurant is very modern with floor to ceiling windows so you can view verdant hills... and a freeway. Multi-lingual staff members immediately greeted us when we entered the restaurant. The waiting area (or garden) has a high ceiling with a lot of plants, a tree and a fountain.  We could see the kitchen from there.  We were told that if the restaurant was not busy, they regularly took diners on a tour of the greenhouse above the restaurant where they grew a lot of their produce.

how i traveled the world in three and a half months on my own dime

Quitting one’s job and traveling around the world has been one of those fantasies most often dreamt about by office workers I know. Unfortunately, for most of them, their financial status and responsibilities, familial obligations, and/or aversion to risks or the unknown dissuade them from taking the leap. Of course, these concerns are all valid. Traveling could be expensive, it could be hard when one has family, and it could be scary. Nonetheless, many have already written about traveling cheaply, traveling with families, and how traveling has been one of the best decisions of their lives. There are many ways that one can travel around the world. My perspective comes from my own three and a half month circumnavigation of the globe on my own dime. 

A street performer along the lakefront in Queenstown, New Zealand.  

A few brief things about me. I am a lawyer and have been for 14 years. I was fortunate enough to enjoy short holidays around the country and abroad on my modest income (I drove a junky car, lived in a tiny apartment, loathed shopping but loved dining out). As I headed towards the then-dreaded age of 40, my wanderlust became even more magnified. As much as I enjoyed my job (I worked for the good guys), I also longed to travel beyond the long weekend trips or the annual two to three week vacations.

travel zen on tuesday - chobi national park, botswana

welcome to our blog!

Watching the sun rise over the the Taj Mahal.

We are friends who share an avid passion for travel, food and fun.  Ever since meeting in law school, we have shared many adventures in our hometown of Los Angeles, across the US and abroad.  Collectively, we've visited over 60 countries and 6 continents! Some of our favorite travel experiences include:

• conquering Mt. Kilimanjaro
• eating sushi at Tsujiki Market in Tokyo at 6:30 a.m.



martinikitty with a nutella crepe along the Seine

• picnicking along the Seine during sunset

• visiting giant pandas- nuff said- in Chengdu, China
• petting lion cubs in Zimbabwe

• flying over majestic Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe & Zambia
• paying homage to Dalai Lama at mystical Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet