August 30, 2010

Bangkok, Thailand: See a Thai fight dance at Aksra Theatre; things to do

See a Thai fight dance at Aksra Theatre in Bangkok


These Thai fight dancers are part of a troupe of puppeteers who perform Thai classical puppetry at the Aksra Theatre in Bangkok.







August 27, 2010

Istanbul, Turkey: ice cream guy

Ice cream guy in Istanbul, Turkey


This Istanbul ice cream guy has a flair for fun and magic.






August 23, 2010

August 22, 2010

London, England: The Stafford London; hotel review

St. James’s Place, SW1A 1NJ, +44 (0) 20-7493 0111, US 800-525-4800 or 800-448-8355. Restaurant; bar.

Situated on the site that once held the home of Sir Christopher Wren, who is known for designing St. Paul’s Cathedral, this tasteful small hotel is located on a tranquil cul de sac in an exclusive residential section of town. Understatedly elegant, The Stafford London, by Kempinski spoils guests with marble bathrooms featuring deep tubs equipped with full-size soaps. My favorite amenity was the soft, fluffy terry cloth slippers that greeted me on my pillow at turndown instead of a chocolate. The hotel’s celebrated, cozy American Bar is decorated with an eclectic collection of ties, baseball caps, and other items that travelers have purposely left behind. Its head barman, Charles, claims to have exported the first dry martini to the U.S.



More London hotels.

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image courtesy of hotel
updated August 25, 2023


August 13, 2010

London, England: The Langham, London; hotel review

1 Portland Pl., (44) 20 7636 1000.

Located in the West End, just a block from the upscale, curved shopping strip known as Regent Street and not far from Regents Park and the London Zoo, The Langham London hotel was established in 1865. It was London’s first grand hotel. It was also the first hotel in town to have hot and cold running water in every bathroom, and the first hotel in the world to have hydraulic passenger lifts (or “ascending rooms,” as elevators were once called here). Featured in many Sherlock Holmes sagas, it was closed after a bomb attack during World War II. Reopened in 1991, it has been restored to its original splendor. Rooms are posh, pale, and thoroughly modern, with all-marble bathrooms. An expansive breakfast is included and presented buffet-style in a magnificent room with its own name--Memories of the Empire.


More London hotels.

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image courtesy of hotel
updated Aug. 25, 2023


August 9, 2010

Farmington, New Mexico: Kokopelli's Cave Bed and Breakfast; hotel review

Kokopelli's Cave Bed and Breakfast  

(505) 326-2461. No pets. No smoking. Children 12+.


Situated in a cliff 280 feet above the La Plata River, Kokopelli's Cave Bed and Breakfast is 70 feet underground in an excavated cave. The guest cave is reached by trekking down a sloping path punctuated with steps carved into stone, then descending a three-rung ladder into your "digs" (you need to be in good physical shape). It comes complete with a kitchen, a waterfall shower, a flagstone-lined hot tub, and a spectacular view. Should you want an airing, Mesa Verde is nearby.



More things to do in New Mexico.

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image courtesy of attraction 

August 2, 2010

Bangkok, Thailand: Temple of Reclining Buddha; things to do

Temple of Reclining Buddha in Bangkok

in Wat Pho Temple, on Maharaj Rd., next to Grand Palace.

The massive gold-plated “Reclining Buddha” here has 108 good luck inlaid mother-of-pearl soles. Visitors can purchase a bowl of coins to drop into 108 bigger bowls lined up along one side of the Buddha. They symbolize the 108 concerns of Buddha, and participants strive to concentrate on Buddha and his teachings and being thankful as they drop in their coins.






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