New Orleans is one of those places that everyone wants to go to, based largely on its reputation as a fun, party town with jazz, blues, southern food, and a laidback vibe associated with its tagline of The Big Easy. Just about everything you have heard about New Orleans is, or has been, true at some point. First-time visitors should do all the things that first time visitors … [Read more...] about New Orleans: Good times and better times
Food
Santa Monica, haven of cool
Santa Monica, a seaside town of 94,000 people southwest of Los Angeles, prides itself on being politically liberal, environmentally caring, alternative lifestyle-friendly and culturally sensitive. It’s got a great beach, a thriving high-tech culture, is a haven for creatives, and fosters all manner of bohemian, hippie and laidback lifestyles. It still sees itself as the … [Read more...] about Santa Monica, haven of cool
A taste of Margaret River
Just three hours south of Perth, the wine and food attractions of this prized pocket of Western Australia is largely centred around the township of Margaret River. Certainly, most of the good wineries, the beaches, breweries, galleries, glassworks, and the olive oil, cheese and chocolate establishments are an easy driving distance from the township itself. Caves Road, west … [Read more...] about A taste of Margaret River
Whangamata a feast of beach delights
Whangamata is my favourite beach resort, mainly because during the summer months it combines reliable weather with good swimming and there are enough shops and other attractions to hold the interest of visitors and holidaymakers. The Maori name 'vVhangamatii.' comes from the words 'whanga' which means bay, and 'mata', that means a hard stone, referring to the obsidian (or … [Read more...] about Whangamata a feast of beach delights