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One of the best ways to explore a city is by treasure hunt. I don’t say this idly or speculatively. For over 28 years, I’ve earned a large part of my living as a “treasure hunt master.” Even after all these years, it’s still amazing to me that organizations and corporations actually pay me (and […]

San Juan, Puerto Rico is not a great place for vegans. There are one or two restaurants here and there that might offer a vegan-like dish, but by and large, if you’re on a plant-based diet (as my wife and I are), you’re on your own. That’s what leads Donica and I to bring a […]

Although not much of an “evening guy” these days when traveling, more often than not preferring to sit in my hotel room at night, reading a book or watching a movie on my Ipad, there was, indeed, a time when I needed to get out and sample the nightlife. That impulse is what leads me […]

According to a recent article titled, The Future of Entertainment, “as traditional television becomes obsolete, the entertainment landscape will continue to evolve embracing interactive and personalized experiences.” I think this must be true, given all the unique diversions I keep seeing pop up on my daily news feed. “Explore a secret garden via VR glasses.” […]

“Stuff your eyes with wonder, live as if you’d drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It’s more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories.” –Ray Bradbury There’s a special kind of wonder you feel at about age 21. It’s different from childhood wonder, when everything is new and playful, but […]

Until visiting the Otsuka Museum (Wow Place #4) in Naruto, Japan, I thought it was a fairly ridiculous idea to display copies of famous artwork in a gallery. Why see a fake when you can travel to the actual museum to view the original? The Otsuka, however, won me over with its accurate ceramic copies […]

“This place is SO small, Dave.” “Yeah, but it’s cool, isn’t it, Yumiko?” “Does cool mean small?” Our hotel room at the Chungking Mansions is perhaps the smallest room I’ve ever stayed in. You can literally stretch your arms wide and touch opposing walls. However, at the time (~1987), a stay at the Mansions is […]

“Tim, are you sure about this?” “No problem. I’ve paraglided plenty of times.” “Yeah, but look at those cliffs. They look pretty steep.” “I got this, Dave.” As my friend Tim launches off the cliffs of San Francisco’s Fort Funston, I hold my breath and cross my fingers. I’ll give him this – Tim’s flight […]

In spite of its significance and world impact over the last two millennia, Buddhism isn’t the majority religion in very many countries these days. Bhutan, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Mongolia and Laos – that’s about it. Seven countries. Nevertheless, the Buddhist empires of yore have left their mark. A trip to Southeast Asia […]

As the wave accelerates past me and angles sharply towards the shore, I start swimming as hard and as fast as my arms and legs will propel me. Before I know it, I am up high on the crest of the swell, body-surfing the biggest wave of my life. The feeling is absolutely exhilarating! I […]