Paradise for Sale

Finding the Old Hawaii on the island of Lāna’i Hawaii – the name alone is enough to conjure up visions of idyllic sandy beaches bordering crystalline waters just steps from world-class malls, resorts and restaurants. Most would-be travelers tend to think first of Honolulu on the island of Oahu, known for its famed Waikiki Beach and … Read more

The Simple Life

Across the river but in another world, life is simpler in Thanh Da Thanh Da is to locals what Thao Dien is to expats – an oasis of greenery cooled by river breezes, an escape from the urban reality that is Ho Chi Minh City. Set on more than 1,200 acres (500 hectares), Thanh Da is actually an island (but … Read more

Sssh… This is Secret Bangkok

Best known for colorful weekend markets, glitzy malls and seedy after-dark activities, Nima Chandler reveals another side of Bangkok that most visitors never get to see… “I used to walk past this restaurant that was just disgusting. They had blackened rice cookers outside and dirty floors. No farang would ever go in there. But a … Read more

Trumpeting the Elephants

Both a celebration and awareness event, the Laos Elephant Festival is held annual to honor these gentle giants… It’s extolled as the “land of a Million elephants,” but despite this enchanting moniker, the unfortunate reality is that the number of these lovely mammals in laos has dwindled to less than 1,000. Current figures estimate just 400 … Read more