Although Hungary is now a democratic republic, that hasn’t always been the case. The Austrian Hapsburg Monarchy controlled parts of Hungary from the 16th century until the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of World War I. During the 18th century, Count Antal Grassalkovich, an influential Hungarian nobleman and confidant of Empress Maria Theresa, […]
Day Trip
Baisha Village and China’s Famous Medicine Man
The Yunnanese ethnic diversity and character that old town Lijiang lacked, we found a few kilometers away in ancient Baisha village. Still a part of the Lijiang UNESCO World Heritage Site, Baisha is far enough removed that only a few tourists on bikes wander down its sleepy, dusty lanes. The Naxi first settled in Baisha […]
A Hike Through China’s Tiger Leaping Gorge
I have seen few landscapes in China as breathtaking as Tiger Leaping Gorge. Formed over millennia by the eroding power of gushing water, the canyon stretches 15 kilometers through China’s southwestern Yunnan Province. The name comes from a legendary tiger that is said to have jumped across the gorge long ago. On the day of […]
Touring the DMZ and Dorasan Station
When planning our trip to Seoul, the only part of our itinerary I was certain about was a tour of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) running between the borders of North and South Korea. We had pre-booked a tour with Koridoor, which operates in conjunction with the non-profit United Service Organizations (USO) and is widely considered […]
Spending a Day with Elephants in Thailand
I have been blessed with many wonderful life experiences, but our day with the elephants at Patara Elephant Farm in the mountains near Chiang Mai is undoubtedly one of the best. Hubby and I are still rhapsodizing about it two weeks later! As an ardent animal lover, spending time with these magnificent creatures was a […]