Taipei Time!

BAM!  Buddhist temples…local brews…ancient writing systems…and DREAMS. . .they are all here to be explored and admired and appreciated in the great town of Taipei. . .mmm, aaaaahh!

Taipei is the capital of the island nation of Taiwan. . .though the mainland Chinese government prefers that we not use the name ‘Taiwan’ any longer.  The official name of this island is now “Chinese Taipei.”  “Taiwan” connotes a desire for separateness and independence, and “Chinese Taipei” connotes oneness and togetherness and interdependence and flat out ownership.  Ah well…so it goes…the ongoing bickering over who owns what…the ongoing human debates…the ongoing desire to bring order to chaos. . .silly human race.

There is always news of turmoil in the paper we read here every morning…turmoil underlying the order and harmony we see around us…just under the surface of each and every smile…hmmm.  It is tons of fun to attempt to discern what lies behind every smile. . .we will never know, so we simply smile back and say, “xie-xie.”

I send you ever-daydreaming vibes from the streets of Taipei. . .feel them. . .they are spellbinding.

To see more magical images from around planet Earth simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .dive on in. . .you deserve a virtual trip NOW.

It’s lovely out there.

Trollin’ Taipei–

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

The Yuletide view of Taipei from the Tai Pan Lounge of the Regent Hotel soothes us after the little flight over the top of the Earth to get here…mmm, aaaahh!  The attentive staff bring us whatever we need to settle in and enjoy: endless pots of tea, bubbly glasses of champagne, steaming mugs of coffee, cakes, cookies, ham chunks, veggies, etc. and so on. . .thank you Tai Pan staff, we appreciate your help and service.

Next we gotta head on over to Minsheng Street and gobble some extremely tasty beef noodle soup and soup dumplings at a joint called Little Shanghai.  This is a basic lunch-only place that serves up steaming cups of tea, soups, and dumplings for lunching Taipei folks in a hurry…simple, sweet, and absolutely delicious.  Please eat here some time…YOU. . .WILL. . .LOVE!

Finally we pop into Longshan Temple, the oldest temple in Taipei.  There is always lots of activity inside and outside of this revered structure…people making donations, praying, wishing, peddling wares, and generally soaking up the good vibes here.  During the hot days of spring, summer, and fall this place is especially soothing because of the waterfall in the outer courtyard…a mist from the waterfall cools the pilgrims as they make their way in and out of the main temple area. . .so soothing–hao-hao!

That’s enough for this jaunt around town. . .we gotta pace ourselves. . .there is really no hurry at all when one is enjoying the passage of time in this happenin’ town.  We are honored to be here. . .please consider a visit to the capital of one of the “Four Asian Tigers”…this high-tech town will leave the lights on for you, most definitely.

To see more stupendous images from around our teeny tiny planet simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .do it. . .you can go just about anywhere that you like right here, right NOW.

It’s lovely out there.

Island holiday–

BOOM!  Second time on the island of Taiwan…exactly two more times than I thought I would ever visit here. . .and it is an absolute honor to return with my wife to the place of her birth…damn glad to be here–mmmm, aaaahh!

Taipei feels the same as when we visited four years ago. . .lots of hustle and bustle, lots of fragrances–most inviting, some off-putting. . .and lots of smooth efficiency.  Everything works here: transport is brisk and on-time, streets are clean, construction is happening here and there, and people greet us with warmth and ease. . .we feel good here.

We stay at the Regent Hotel once again, and I gotta tell ya, this place ROCKS!  Wonderful staff professionally help us to relax as our room is prepped for our early check in…special requests for train tickets and dinner reservations are handled with no problem at all…and we are surrounded by yuletide spirit in every public space of the hotel–just enough to make us spontaneously blurt out “Merry Christmas” to anyone who will listen to us. . .yes, merry-merry-happy-happy EVERYTHING!

So, I send out vibes of thanks to the EVA Air staff who whisked us here safely all the way from Chicago. . .to the Regent Hotel staff who are magically caring for us right now. . .and to the season of joyous appreciation, the season of holidays, the season of the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere, etc….

…feel these vibes of thanks. . .they are good for whatever ails ya.

Taiwan awaits all of you world travelers out there who haven’t been here yet. . .come on over and check it out some time…you will find plenty to love, I gar-ron-taaaay!!

To see more amazing images from around our teeny tiny planet simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the “About” page of this blog. . .dive on in. . .so much to see and soooo little time.

It’s lovely out there.

Who…what…where?

KABOOMY!  Drivin’ along…breathin’ air…sippin’ coffee…feelin’ the sky and the sun. . .knowin’ not a darn thang about this or that. . .I am spellbound. . .mmmm, aaaahh!

No filter needed out here in the rolling hills of southwestern Wiskonsen. . .no turn signal needed either cuz it’s just me and a few cows soakin’ up the mornin’ light.  Cows are thinkin’ nuthin’…I’m thinkin’ that I’ll join ’em in thinkin’ nuthin’. . .feels good…real good.

Who you gonna be today?  What you gonna do today?  Where you gonna go today?  Whoever, whatever, and wherever…oh yeah…

…I send you super-chill vibes from heartland U.S.A.. . .feel them. . .they are good for your circulation.

To see more magical images from around our teeny tiny planet simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .do it. . .so much to see and sooooo little time.

It’s lovely out there.

Holiday gobblin’…NYC–

OH YEAH!  Time is flyin’, the holiday season is upon us, decorations are up here, there and everywhere, and the grub here in New York City is as good as ever…jaaaa!!

If you find yourself in the Soho section of Manhattan, then you will do well to consider some pub grub at Fanelli’s on Prince Street–a classic old bar that still serves up one of my favorite burgers anywhere and an especially good bowl of New England clam chowder–all washed down with tasty whiskey and beer. . .mmm, aaaahh!

Another favorite is breakfast at Balthazar on Spring Street–do the Eggs Norwegian, extra soft and runny–this can be washed down with a big soothing cup of cafe au lait. . .SAY-BONE…very good, indeed!

And for kicks I have included a photo of the delicious grilled whole Branzino as served up at the Charmant Hotel in La Crosse, Wisconsin…this baby is wonderful–crispy skin, moist meat, and totally gobble-worthy. . .YES, we continue to be surprised by most things in the midwest of the U.S. of A.  Check it out, you will love it–I gar-ron-taaayy!!

Wherever you are be sure to eat well, enjoy every moment with every person around you, and then get ready to keep rockin’ it in 2018 and beyond.

To see more stupendous images from around our teeny tiny planet simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .dive on in. . .you can go just about anywhere that you like right here, right NOW.

It’s lovely out there.

Vast Viroqua–

BOOM!  We are passin’ through Viroqua, Wiskonsen on the way to somewhere…

…Viroqua is vast, wide open, full of organic farms, surrounded by dairy operations, and we are hungry for breakfast…sooooo we head on over to Dunnam’s Cafe where farm folk rule.

We are warmly welcomed, coffee cups filled immediately, orders taken shortly thereafter, and in fifteen minutes or so we are busy gobbling a “breakfast skillet” and a “country breakfast” filled with eggs, hash browns, American potatoes, bacon, onions, sausages, corned beef hash, buttered wheat toast, biscuits, and sausage gravy. . .mmm, aaahh!  All of this stuff is eaten with joy and relish. . .we love Dunnum’s Cafe, we do, we really do–jaaa!!

I send you solid heartland vibes from Dunnum’s Cafe here in Viroqua. . .feel them. . .better yet, pop on in here the next time you find yerself toolin’ around in southwestern Wisconsin–you will love it as much as we do–I gar-ron-taaaayy!

To see more stupendous images from around planet Earth simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .dive on in. . .you can go just about anywhere that you like right here, right NOW.

It’s lovely out there.

Light show on the Mississippi–

POW!  It’s December in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and the annual Rotary Lights display is in full swing.  Folks are dressed in ribbons and garland, others are in traditional heavy coats, gloves, hats, and boots. . .we choose to just pop out from the warmth of the Charmant Hotel, snap some pix, and head back in to our red wine and snacks. . .mmm, aaaahh!

The official Rotary Lights website says that this display includes about five million individual lights, and of course, everyone asks, “who pays the electric bill for all of this?”  But that’s a BAH-HUMBUG-type of question that no one chooses to answer directly. . .no matter, cuz we all know that Santa and the elves pick up the tab. . .HO-HO-HOOOO!!

And the main point is that La Crosse continues to WOW us with all that happens here nearly each and every weekend. . .at least each and every weekend that we choose to hang here. So three cheers for La Crosse, Wiskonsen–rockin’ it again, as usual. . .and three more cheers for the holiday season–if only everyone could be this cheery and wonderful and magical every other time of the year…if only.

Come to La Crosse now or any time. . .you will love it–I gar-ron-taaayy!

To see more spectacular images from around our teeny tiny planet simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .dive on in. . .so much to see and sooooo little time.

It’s lovely out there.

Midwest reverie–

MMM!  It’s dry and clear and warm-ish in DECEMBER here in southwestern Wiskonsen, and we are lovin’ it.  No snow–yaaaay. . .no sleet–yaaaay. . .no ice–yaaaay. . .no worries–BOOM!

Can we please just skip to spring?  No?  We can’t?  Ok, then we will simply enjoy these days of unseasonable warmth and crispness knowing that snow and sleet and ice are on the way.  The open roads lie before us leading that way or that way over there or back that-a-way. . .all of these roads are open to us…to all of us…and it is soothing to know that we simply have to choose. . .make a choice. . .ideally a choice filled with the potential for bliss and magic and tastiness.  Then, once a choice is made we ROCK IT. . .ROCK IT REAL GOOD–jaaaaa!!

It’s fun having no one around. . .me thinks we can get used to this…though in a spot on the sea with warmer air and abundant fried fishes where the skies and the oceans meet.

I send you wide open vibes from America’s Dairyland. . .feel them. . .careful, they are reverie inducing.

To see more magical images from around our teeny tiny planet simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .do it. . .you deserve a virtual trip right NOW.

It’s lovely out there.

 

Still #1 at the moment…NOLA–

KAPOWY!  This place is still our number one go-to restaurant here in New Orleans: Peche. . .totally outstanding!

Peche is run by dudes called Donald Link, Stephen Stryjewski, and Ryan Prewitt.  Both Link and Prewitt are James Beard Award winners. . .Stryjewski knows how to run a top-notch operation. . .and the three of these guys together have created magic here on Magazine Street where the Peche space is located. . .mmm, aaahh!

During this visit we are gobbling shrimp toast, shrimp bisque, crab and jalapeno cappelini, catfish with pickled greens, whole fried red snapper, jumbo shrimp with bacon, fried brussels sprouts, and smoked green beans. . .DAY-YAM, this stuff is good!  And everything is washed down with a nice bottle of Sancerre. . .superb!!

The people here are great. . .the drinks are upper-echelon. . .the space is warm and cozy. . .and the food is as good as any other place you can eat on planet Earth.  Please consider doing a meal or three at Peche the next time you are in NOLA. . .you will most definitely love it hee-yah.

To see more spectacular images from around our teeny tiny planet simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .do it. . .so much to see and soooo little time.

It’s lovely out there.