When John and I were in Roscommon, Ireland, during June 2011 I contacted Sarah Browne to set up a cooking experience featuring Irish food. I was surprised to learn that in Ireland the traditional dish is bacon and cabbage served with a side of Savoy cabbage boiled in the bacon water, accompanied by champ which is mashed potatoes seasoned with scallions, milk, and butter along with salt and pepper.
People who know John and I are compulsive travelers often ask, “What is your favorite place?” I usually answer, “Where I am.” And this is true. However, there is only one place that we have returned to for five straight years.
The name “Borneo” may conjure up images of people living in a primitive manner, but Kota Kinabalu is a dynamic city with malls, four-lane highways and even Burger Kings.
We have been to Hong Kong many times. It is a wonderful place to spend a few days recuperating after a 16-hour flight. This time, we decided to check out Hong Kong’s Lantau Island instead of going into the city center. Lantau Island is called “The Lungs of Hong Kong” because it is so green.
The Mardi Gras Season in Lake Charles begins on “Twelfth Night” (January 6) and ends on Fat Tuesday, which is the day before the Lenten season begins. This year Fat Tuesday falls on February 21. Anytime during this period is the perfect time to enjoy King Cakes – they are delicious, colorful and fun. While we were in Lake Charles, Louisiana, we visited the Mardi Gras Museum.
Some trains are legendary such as the Alaskan trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks and the Australian Ghan that now goes from Darwin to Adelaide. There are many trains worldwide that offer excellent experiences. Some travel short distances while others cover a whole continent.
Tucked between Brazil and Argentina, two South American “tourist biggies,” is Uruguay, South America’s best kept secret. It has a World Heritage site, a plethora of beaches, thermal spas, working guest ranches, friendly people, and a tranquil ambiance that is hard to find in today’s frantic world.
There are wonderful places in California off the beaten track. We have been to San Francisco and San Diego but some of our favorite places are the small places that we stumble on.
This year, Chinese New Year celebrating begins on Jan. 23 – the Year of the Dragon. A few years ago we were in Hong Kong during Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year is like our Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year celebrations all rolled into one.
My 93-year-old mother, who loves to cook, often says, “Nothing I make tastes like my mother use to make.” I agree with her but didn’t realize how much our ingredients had changed in flavor until I visited Albania.
All Content Copyright Dot Publishing 2024. All Submissions Become Property of Dot Publishing All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.