October 31, 2011

Taveuni Island, Fiji: Visit Vuna Village; things to do

Visit Vuna Village


Reached via a scenic route that passes vast forests of palm trees with “sunburned” red trunks, Vuna Village is known for its tapa bark cloth and woven mats. The women work hard to prepare the pandanus leaves by boiling them, stripping them with shells to remove thorny edges, then drying the leaves on racks for days until they are dry enough to weave into beautifully handcrafted mats. (Bark from the paper nulberry tree is used to make tapa. The tree is uncommon throughout Fiji except for a few select regions.) Two natural swimming pools are found here—one for men, one for women.







October 27, 2011

Berlin, Germany: Checkpoint Charlie; things to do

Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin


Checkpoint Charlie is the most famous crossing point, where people moved from East to West when the Wall was up. Now, two “soldiers” stand guard but mostly get their pictures taken with elated tourists for an informal two-Euros tip. What is that all about?

Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin, Germany
Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin, Germany
 


Cafe Adler 

206 Friedrichstraße, 030/2518965

Stop for a drink and some lentil soup across the street at the historic Cafe Adler, once frequented by Westerners trying to catch a peek of East Berlin.




image c2010 Arline Inge

October 24, 2011

NYC: Chinatown Ice Cream Factory; restaurant review

Chinatown Ice Cream Factory  

65 Bayard St., 212-608-4170. 

ice cream counter at Ice Cream Factory in NYC
ice cream counter at Ice Cream Factory in NYC


Who knew?--America’s most popular dessert was invented in 1300 by the Chinese! In the tiny little Ice Cream Factory shop, it is married mostly to exotic Chinese flavors—almond cookie, avocado, black sesame, durian, lychee, red bean. More common flavors are also options.

October 7, 2011

Hailey, Idaho: Trailing of the Sheep Festival; things to do

October 7–9, 2011, (208) 720-0585.

crowd of sheep at Trailing of the Sheep Festival in Hailey, Idaho
crowd of sheep at Trailing of the Sheep Festival in Hailey, Idaho


This unique annual event celebrates the history and cultures of Idaho sheep ranchers. The Trailing of the Sheep Festival includes an authentic Folklife Fair; culinary events featuring lamb, cheese, and local foods; storytelling at the Sheep Tales gathering; a Fiber Festival; historical exhibits; Scottish, Basque, Polish, and Peruvian dancers and musicians; demonstrations; fiber and photography workshops; cowboy poetry; championship sheepdog trials; and the Trailing of the Sheep Parade with 1,500 sheep stepping lively down Main Street in Ketchum.


More animal attractions.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.


image cMichael Edminster 

October 5, 2011

Berlin, Germany: Topography of Terror; things to do

Topography of Terror  

Along Niederkirchner Strasse (formerly Prinz-Albrecht-Strasse).

Topography of Terror exhibit in Berlin, Germany
Topography of Terror exhibit in Berlin, Germany


Built on the site of former buildings that during the Nazi regime from 1933 to 1945 were the headquarters of the Gestapo and the SS, the Topography of Terror outdoor exhibition documents those times. It is complemented by a newly opened documentation and learning center.




image c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

October 3, 2011

NYC: Fried Dumpling; restaurant review

Fried Dumpling 

106 Mosco St.

pork dumplings at Fried Dumpling in NYC
pork dumplings at Fried Dumpling in NYC


In a quieter, less visited area of Chinatown, this tiny dumpling factory churns out scrumptious, chewy pork-filled dumplings at five for a dollar! Big windows at Fried Dumpling permit watching them being made.

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