Flying Fido & Felix

International Pet and Animal Transportation Association specialists meet in Saigon As an INTERNATIONAL PET AND ANIMAL TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION (IPATA) member, our first priority is the animal’s welfare then a close second is the owner’s welfare. The IPATA mission statement reads: “The International Pet and Animal Transportation Association is a nonprofit trade association of independent members who are dedicated to the safe and humane transport of pets and … Read more

Echoes of Asia in L.A.

For unparalleled diversity in Asian culture and Hollywood movie magic, Los Angeles is the place to be Some years ago I traveled to Taiwan and to save costs I stayed in a super cheap, somewhat dilapidated and terribly grimy guesthouse called Amigo, located in Taipei New City. There I struck up a friendship with an American couple, Jerami Johnson (JJ) and Michelle, who had come to try … Read more

Stay Awhile in WA

Western Australia is a land of superlatives and extremes, so take your time Like many world-traveling professionals there are a few cities now that I’ve lived in that can easily be called home, but when that inadvertent question comes up here in Saigon— “Where are you from?”—I have to always answer “Perth”, the city I was … Read more

More Than A City

Stylish design, eye-popping architecture, a Mediterranean climate, and one of the most dynamic culinary scenes in the world are just a few of the many reasons to visit Barcelona Many artistic geniuses, such as painter Pablo Picasso and architect Antoni Gaudí, have drawn their inspiration and creativity from the pastel hues that radiate from the … Read more

Won n’ Roses

From flowery spring landscapes to spicy food and quietly stunning historic sites, time to put South Korea on your new travel bucket list After finishing my exchange semester in Hong Kong I spent many weeks that summer traveling by train through China. Ascending the hewn granite stairs of Tai Shan Mountain in the pre-dawn morning light, a local bedraggled man approached me with a wad of bills he … Read more

Honeymoon Italiano Style

From the soaring, spectacular Amalfi Coast to the rolling, vineyard-blanketed hills of Tuscany, newly-wedded Mr. and Mrs. Muller shared their honeymoon with a group of strangers and had a fabulous time. Two years ago we chose Milan, the fashion capital, as the starting point of our 10-day honeymoon tour of Italy. After traveling solo for so many years it … Read more

Gunslingin Texas Ranger

Deep in the heart of North Texas is Dallas, and what’s sizable about the “Big D” is its Western boots, ten-gallon hats, guns and swagger Yeehah! Welcome to Dallas Texas! Flying in on Richard Branson’s airway I avoided the newer and bigger DFW airport, instead landing at the old Love Field airport. Celebrating its 100-year anniversary, the airport staff … Read more

Autumn Wonders

Known as The City of 10,000 Shrines, Kyoto is the perfect destination to experience a kaleidoscope of autumn colors To celebrate my wife’s birthday, I booked a surprise trip to Japan to experience the majestic sights and sounds of Kyoto. Pleasant, cool days prove wonderful for walks through temples, gardens and bamboo forests. It makes for … Read more