Author Archives: JB

The Bronx, New York Simon and Garfunkel had it right. Recently we spent a perfect-weather day at our amazing local zoo, considered one of the best in the world. Even though it has rightly earned that title, due to its careful conservation and stewardship of the animals under its care, it’s getting a bit harderContinue reading “It’s all happening at the zoo”

Western Canada June 2016 And now for something completely different. First of all, for those of you waiting impatiently to learn if Don ever returned from Asia, the answer is yes. For those waiting for details on the end of his trip, you will have to wait until he finishes digesting his memories. While thatContinue reading “O Canada”

Siem Reap, Cambodia   It was another grueling seven-hour bus ride to get from Phnom Penh in Cambodia’s south to Siem Reap in the center part of the country, near the border of Thailand. Siem Reap is the penultimate tourist town. Loaded with bars and restaurants of all levels, from dives to high-end gourmet, as wellContinue reading “Our man in Asia, Part 6”

Phnom Penh, Cambodia   It was a grueling seven-hour bus ride from Saigon to Phnom Penh, including an hour-plus hassle at the border crossing. The landscape changed immediately at the border. Vietnam is lush and green. Cambodia is dry and not lush. One of the people on the tour had just finished a 55-day tour through Africa andContinue reading “Our man in Asia, Part 5”

London, England Lots of lovely experiences came my way this month. I revisited some familiar favorite sites. I saw some wonderful things that were quite new to me. I decided that the Northern Line is much more convenient than I ever realized. Though I did have an accident that involved a trip to the emergencyContinue reading “The merry month of March”

East Sussex, England Charleston Farm was the country home of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant and is an example of their decorative style, representing more than sixty years of artistic work.

Southeast Asia Don has finally made it to China, but has more to share about his recent travels: Ho Chi Minh City. Better known by its French name Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is still referred to as Saigon by both natives and visitors. Everyone seems to agree it’s easier to say.  

London, England Not content with visiting his city home and museum, I got another dose of Sir John Soane by visiting his house in the country, Pitzhanger Manor.

London, England Can you successfuly combine a once-favoured medieval palace and then royal Tudor residence with a striking art deco mansion? Eltham Palace proves it can be done, providing one has sufficient resources.

Southeast Asia Don has been able to extract some time from his tour to give us an update on his current adventures. After Hanoi, there was an overnight cruise on a junk boat through the other-worldly landscape of Halong Bay. Peppered with hundreds of islands, the earth seems to rise suddenly from the water. Dramatic, but I’m notContinue reading “Our man in Asia, Part 3”