New York Tales : John's Pizzeria

New Yorkers claim they have the best pizza or pie (as they call it) in the world. Well they have quite a long tradition of it, with a gentleman called Gennaro Lombardo opening the first Pizzeria in Little Italy in 1905.

We were tempted to sample the pizza’s at Lombardo’s, but for some reason we just never got round to it. As is.

As we were staying quite close to West Village, John’s Pizzeria’s name crept up when we asked the hotel staff where we could get some good pizza close by.

Guangzhou – Too little time

There is really not too much I can write about Guangzhou, as we were there for only 2 nights, and only spent one full day wandering the streets of this Megacity.

It would be a disservice to say that Guangzhou was just another Hong Kong. It isn’t. They really are totally different in many ways, but being so close to each other as cross border neighbours they do have many similarities.

China Videos Part Twelve - Guangzhou

A short video of our even shorter time in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province in Southern China.

Foto Friday # 100

I cannot believe I've been putting these fotos up for nearly 2 years now. Wow how times flies.
I thought I'd put one of the best meals I've had since i started travelling. There were too many choices I can tell you.
But I've managed to narrow it down not only to the meal, but also the place and country as well. Everything was pointing to Bali Guling at Ibu Oka in Ubud.
Everything about Indonesia gripped me and i have a burning desire to return and visit many more of its islands, and also to eat some more Babi Guling. 

Indian @ Sheba Brick Lane

I’ve never actually eaten at an Indian restaurant on Brick Lane before, as from what everyone who has eaten there has told me, it’s for groups and tourists. If you know curry you give this street a miss.

So when I got an invitation to sample the food at Sheba I was a little shy of saying yes. But in the end I decided what the heck let’s see if it’s as bad as everyone says.

I normally never down that way at night, mainly because I hate to run the gauntlet down Brick Lane, running past and dodging all the restaurant touts.

Foto Friday # 99

Fried fish for sale at the local market in Saquisili in Ecuador. Normally served with rice and/or greasy fried potato's and a simple salad. A very cheap but filling lunch.

Guangxi Province - The Dragons Backbone

This was not our first visit to Guangxi province, this we did on our second visit to China 7 years ago. Unlike some of the other provinces we had visited on this trip,  Guangxi is one of the most touristy areas, but even though it gets far too many tourists for its own good, there are still some stunning areas of natural beauty that have not been spoilt.

China Videos Part Eleven - Ping'an

Ping'an in the Longji Rice Terraces or the Dragons Backbone in Guangxi province is the most visited village in the area, and with good reason. The walks and views from the vantage points are breath taking, during the high season you will be jostling for space amongst all the day trippers from Guilin, but it's a small price to pay for such beauty.

Foto Friday # 98

As this is the Cherry Blossom season in Japan, I thought I'd post to remind me how beautiful it was there.
I still remember those poor office boys having to sit all day on a piece of tarpaulin under a tree, waiting for the rest of the office to arrive later that day for some drinks. 

China Videos Part Ten - Dazhai

A short video of the small, but relaxing hamlet of Dazhai in the Longji (Dragons Backbone) rice terraces in Guangxi, China.
This village is much less visited than its more famous neighbour of Ping'an, but it is definitely worth the extra effort to come here for a day or two. The walks around are amazing.