Wow, I had not expected this of Calgary, Canada. The new Central library is a must see for anyone who loves public libraries. The architecture from the outside and the curved ceilings outside draws you in. The large community spaces when you walk in Then taking a tour, I realized the incredible amount of detailsContinue reading “Calgary Central Library”
Category Archives: travel
Puerto Rico
Visit With Passionate People
I was visiting this jewelry store in Rome by a very famous jewelry maker Diego Percossi Papi (exibition). The shop is tiny and I was a bit intimidated since the jewelry were all well over $1,000. I looked into the shop for a good 5 minutes until the owner/designer buzzed me in and told meContinue reading “Visit With Passionate People”
Malaysia : Bangalore : Taj Mahal : 2008
I’m one of the luckiest guys in the world! I get to spend a day in Malaysia just to watch the Badminton Super Series in Kuala Lumpur before traveling to Bangalore, India to work remotely for a week. Off to New Delhi and Agra on the weekend and visited one of the seven wonders ofContinue reading “Malaysia : Bangalore : Taj Mahal : 2008”
Paris Trip Day 4 : Compromises (2008)
I’m usually not good at resolving conflicts. In the dating environment, I would just run away. At work, we’ll try to figure out the ‘right’ way and usually, the ‘right’ way wins. With Cate, usually, the only way that wins is to compromise Last night I was trying to convince Cate to fall asleep soonerContinue reading “Paris Trip Day 4 : Compromises (2008)”
Not Being Fair Is OK
I’m in Malaysia watching the 2008 Badminton Super Series (I’m an addict) I noticed that older women in Malaysia and Bangalore often would cut in front of lines to the bathroom. It almost seems like they think it’s their right. At first I was going to ask them to get in line, but then IContinue reading “Not Being Fair Is OK”
Paris here we come again
Kate and I are heading for Paris tomorrow afternoon. She is super excited about it. She tells me she is looking forward to time with only Dad and no one else. She is looking forward to the crepes, and going up to the Eifel Tower when we first get there. I admit that I thriveContinue reading “Paris here we come again”
Singapore Layover
(red sign says ‘Remember To Eat’) On my business trip to Bangalore, I got to stop over in Singapore for 7 hours. I think it was intentional of Singapore airlines.. To bring some tourism money to the country. First observations of this country is of course it’s clean, and modern. Then I noticed there areContinue reading “Singapore Layover”
San Francisco: Shoe Garden
I was playing tourist again in San Francisco and saw this Alamo Square Park Shoe Garden. It’s amazing how many little things I still have not seen in this greatest city (next to Paris) in the world. From sfgate.com: Alamo Square Park: One of the most photographed spots in San Francisco, thanks to the breathtakingContinue reading “San Francisco: Shoe Garden”
“I seldom leave the Mission”
I overheard a young 20 something dude talking at Ritual Coffee. “I don’t ever leave the Mission, maybe someday I’ll explore Berkeley” It reminds me of a Sex and City episode where the Manhattan Guy says to Carrie or Maranda that he ‘never leaves the island because everything is available in Manhattan, why do weContinue reading ““I seldom leave the Mission””
SF MOMA At Night
(you can click on the photo enlarge) I love the night scene in large cities. It feels so alive, filled with the energy of human beings, full of lights and cars. I’m on my bike over to the SF Metreon and looking at the sureal lights of the SF MOMA.
Facination With Door Knobs
When I was in Tuscany I couldn’t stop taking pictures of door hardware.. Here goes
Positano, Italy : Heaven On Earth
Positano and the Amalfi Coast, it’s an amazing place. Carved out of the mountain side these houses look over the most beautiful waters in Europe. On your next visit to Italy, stop over
Barcelona Has The Crazy Food
I was in Barcelona for 4 days and finally am back at the mothership in Paris. If you thought SF was pretty crazy about food, Barcelona kicks everyone’s butt when it comes to food (even NY). The people here love to eat and it shows. There are restaurants that are named ‘White’, places that haveContinue reading “Barcelona Has The Crazy Food”
We Are All Just Human
I’ve been late getting on the Battlestar Galactica bandwagen. Awsome shows btw, downloaded via iTunes. I’ve come to accept the fact that humans make mistakes and it has helped me several times during this trip in Europe. 1) I wanted a ticket from Paris to Nice and this man said they are fully booked. IContinue reading “We Are All Just Human”
Hiatus in Tuscany
Taking a 2 week trip in Tuscany this week, a few ramblings. 1) Cappuccino is first in the world here in Italy, sweet necter of espresso with the right amount of milk makes a smooth drink that none can rival. There is no pretentious baristas, they just plain know to do it right. 2) StraightContinue reading “Hiatus in Tuscany”
Mission Accomplished, Paris I’m Back!
Mission accomplished: 1) kate and I survived Paris and she was happy and content to have been with me for 2 1/2 weeks. Her mom said she has been very sweet. For all dads out there, leaving your 5 year old for 2 months, leaves them missing you a lot. 2) My house in CastroContinue reading “Mission Accomplished, Paris I’m Back!”
Paris: Le Boulanger de Monge
kate loves crepes, almost every weekend she helps me make them and we talk about lumps <br> <br> http://www.youtube.com/v/avZdr8UxMA4
Japanese does French pastries
This shop so far has the best French pastries and best coffee I’ve had in Paris and it’s created by a Japanese chef http://www.sadaharuaoki.com/ My favorite is all the pastries filled with mocha powder giving it a nice Japanese flavor to the classic French pastries. The photo above is macha flavored madelline
single dad traveling with a kid in Paris
Eiffel Tower, Seine River, Louvre Museum: from 5 year old’s perpective, she can care less. Where’s the ice cream place, crepes? tired of walking, not the metro again, are we there yet? Kate is a pretty good traveler, but thinking from her perspective, I can understand. My days with her here in Paris is notContinue reading “single dad traveling with a kid in Paris”
Steady Biking From Nice To Monaco
Slow and steady, just concentrate, I’m sweating like a dog, have not needed to pee in 8 hours, all my liquids are sweated out. There is 10 more miles to go before I hit Monaco. I cursed every downhill because I have to bike up the same hill again in reverse. I reveled in theContinue reading “Steady Biking From Nice To Monaco”
True Freedom Of Travel
Having a bike always with me in Europe has totally changed the way I travel. I used to think I can just run anywhere since I like slow jogging, but can’t really do that when I’ve got a 20 lbs bag with me. This is my current thoughts on travel by bike I don’t takeContinue reading “True Freedom Of Travel”
Tonight’s Munich Gamble: Ended In Disaster
After a very fillilng meal of traditional German food of fatty pork and dumplings for lunch, I’m up for some sushi. It’s 9:58 and I’m trying to find some good food here in Munich, a search for ‘munich late night dining’ found me this CNN article http://www.cnn.com/FOOD/restaurants/weissmann/world/munich.html#ASIAN Tonight’s gamble: Sho-ya-Sushi—Though the city offers a bountyContinue reading “Tonight’s Munich Gamble: Ended In Disaster”
People On Euro Train To Munich
I arrived at the train station on the Brompton (flickr photos) 10 minutes before the train took off. The conductor looked at my bike and said I needed a reservation for it. I folded it up in 30 secs and he said I didn’t need reservations. Today’s sleeper is a 4 bed and oddly theyContinue reading “People On Euro Train To Munich”
Travel By Bike In Europe: Essential Gear Check List
As I get ready to leave for Munich for a short one week trip, I’m 2 hours away from the train leaving and as I get ready to pack I thought I write down the list of things so I remember to bring them. Might as well share it here, why not, it helps meContinue reading “Travel By Bike In Europe: Essential Gear Check List”
Mid-life Crisis Coming Early
So the common theory goes that there are basic humans needs like food and shelter and once you fulfill these needs then there is love, follow by spiritual needs and I don’t remember what other higher callings there are. For my parents’ generation they struggled for 40-50 years for basic survival and the focus isContinue reading “Mid-life Crisis Coming Early”
Travel By Train Or Plane
After reading http://seat61.com/ and watching the movie Before Sunrise, I had a very romantic notion of traveling by train. My first trip on the Eurorail from Paris to Copenhagen took me 15 hours and tor·tur·ous moments where I’m telling myself to get some sleep or I’ll be hallucinating in the bike train. Hmm, I stillContinue reading “Travel By Train Or Plane”
Parisians are just like Americans
Well I could safely say that I understand Parisian life a little bit more after running through to 140 metro stations, getting a hair cut, buying food at the local markets, going to shop at their farmer’s open air markets, biking around town on my bike for 30 days. Here is the recap and sorryContinue reading “Parisians are just like Americans”
Coffee Obsessed In Copenhagen
The photo is of Reg Barber tampers I saw in Risterit in Denmark.. ooooo.. soo cool. I’ve been hearing about these babies on coffeegeek all week. Ok, I’ve been obssessed with coffee lately. Listening to coffeegeek and http://www.portafilter.net podcasts talking about professional baristas, bean roasting, barista competitions. The 2006 barista champion actually works in Copenhagen.Continue reading “Coffee Obsessed In Copenhagen”
Dreaming Away On Eurorail
This weekend I was planning to head over to Barcelona for some bike riding and tapas, but of course the train was fill. Then I asked the ticket person Madid? No. Lisbon? No. uhh, Denmark? where? What’s the capital of Denmark? Copenhagen? OK, I’m going to Copenhagen then. So, my Brompton and I are onContinue reading “Dreaming Away On Eurorail”
Finally, Good Coffee In Paris
I been having a hard time finding Italian quality coffee in Paris. Most places that serve coffee in Paris serve very mediocure cafe creme and cappucino. While in Paris, I’ve been listening to the http://coffeegeek.com/ podcast and making myself long for a good cup of capuccino. Until one day I stumbled on urbietorbi le barContinue reading “Finally, Good Coffee In Paris”
Meeting new friends in Paris
I’ve been eating really late (like 11:30pm) here and I sometimes like to just step outside and pick up some take out from this Chinese place right downstairs. A few days ago, the owner of the place was speaking Madarin then I also starting speaking to them in Mandarin. The husband and wife both cameContinue reading “Meeting new friends in Paris”
Travel with StyleCity guides to see the chic and modern
I love the cosmopolitain cities like Paris, SF, NY, Tokyo, HK, Taiwan and whenever I can, I buy this series of books call the StyleCity guides. These books recommend places to live, eat and shop but with a focus on style and chic. Today I used the guide StyleCity Paris First Pierre Hermé, apparently, heContinue reading “Travel with StyleCity guides to see the chic and modern”
Running down the Parisian kids
I saw this really neat parc in Paris and these kids were just runing around in circles while I myself was running the Paris Metro! Neato so I decided to run them down 3 times over and and over. Run The Paris Metro: Chasing kids
Run The Paris Metro #6: 8.01 miles: 10 stations: 251 to go
Today’s run was a bit shorter, 10 down, 8.01 miles and only 251 stations to go No tagzania map today, maybe I’ll update later. Check out the pics of the Paris city life. Run #5: 13.87 miles june 13th Run #4: 12.58 miles june 10th Run #3: 12.85 miles june 8th Run #2: 10.56 milesContinue reading “Run The Paris Metro #6: 8.01 miles: 10 stations: 251 to go”
Best morning in Paris…
.. is when it’s raining outside, my apartment is filled with bright day light at 6:00am. I open up the windows and smell clean air and hear the shops getting ready to open up. I walk 5 minutes to pick up the best pain au chocolate and bring them home to eat with coffee. SoContinue reading “Best morning in Paris…”
Run The Paris Metro #5: 18 stations, 13.87 miles, 261 to go
Finally made it to 13.3 miles today. I’m getting slightly tired with only 4-5 hours of sleep and this running, but I promised myself to sleep a bit more. Today’s run covered 18 stations for 13.87 miles . Highlights were the 2 farmers markets that ‘forced’ me to stop and eat some fruits Run #4:Continue reading “Run The Paris Metro #5: 18 stations, 13.87 miles, 261 to go”
Plat Du Jour
When dining in the U.S, I have the misconception that whatever the special of the day is something that the restaurant is trying to give rid of. Here in Paris, the ‘eating’ books recommend that I always order the plat du jour because it’s almost made from what’s fresh at the market. So I venturedContinue reading “Plat Du Jour”
au nom de la rose
I think au num de la rose is a franchise store, but their presentation is really unique. With rose petals all over the front of the store and every store painted this nice mellow green. I just can’t help myself taking photos with the woman inside looking at my kinda funny
Traveling by bike in Europe
My current vacation to Paris is the 6th time for me, but this trip will be different in length as well as how I plan to explore the city. First, my Brompton bike will be with me all the time and I plan to run and bike everywhere in Paris. My first test was whenContinue reading “Traveling by bike in Europe”
Retirement at 50?
Lunch conversation started around retirement and what would we do if we were able to retire right now? The gut reaction I had was obviously stop working.. then on further thought, what would I do with my free time? I still had Kate to take care of, she goes to school, I can’t just packContinue reading “Retirement at 50?”
Panino At ino in NY
Oh you must come to ino for the best Panino, Panini, Fritata. open til 2am. I’m here now Here is the starter for this AM. Glass of Italian wine, an assorted bruschetta (asparagus, white bean, mozarella, pesto)
A hunting for chocolates we will go
Last day of this Paris trip and I wanted to hunt down some really dark, high concentrated cocoa beans dark chocolates. This was the shop I visited Denis Acabo/A L’etoile D’or This shop has all the high end chocolates from all over France. I just had to try and speak a lilttle bit of FrenchContinue reading “A hunting for chocolates we will go”
Go with the flow when traveling with parents
My parents are too old for me to try to change them so I go with flow. They wanted to eat Chinese food in Paris, so I bought them to Chinatown where I’ve never ever been to after 8 times in Paris. I bumped into a Chinese chef of 30 years in Paris and he recommended theContinue reading “Go with the flow when traveling with parents”
10 simple steps to travel in Paris
Find a really good air fare from http://travel.yahoo.com/ Rent an apartment from these folks http://parisvacationapartments.com/ , this is the apartment I’m staying, right on Rue Lepic where all the food markets are. They’ve got a full kitchen, with washer and dryer and very chic apartments Plan your eating itinery with this book Food Lover’s GuideContinue reading “10 simple steps to travel in Paris”
Off To Paris Again, But First NYC : ‘ino panini, bruschette
Yes I’m off to Paris again, this time just with my parents. I think I’ve lost count, but this should be my 8th time to the most beautiful city in the world. We have a 12 hour lay over in NY because I wasn’t thinking when I booked the flight. We are making the bestContinue reading “Off To Paris Again, But First NYC : ‘ino panini, bruschette”
Kate: having fun traveling
It was not an easy trip for her. Jet lag, grumpy parents, long walks during metro transfer, parents who want to walk thru Amsterdam without a stroller.. but I think she had a blast eating her way thru both Paris and Amsterdam.
Last night in Paris
Hobbled on a bad foot over to the Eifel Tower, had a crepe, stood in the rain and soaked up Paris. Then walked along the Seine to Place de Concord, and watched Star Wars. hee, wonderful end to the vacation Hobble Log: 3 miles
Travel: Why I belong in Amsterdam
My new favorite city to live is now Amsterdam Everyone rides their bicycles here, the ratio is close to 1-to-1 I can almost run as fast as bikes so I can be in the bike lanes most of the time running. I scared this dad riding his daughter today when I chased him The cityContinue reading “Travel: Why I belong in Amsterdam”
Travel: Amsterdam city for the young at heart
Guys and gals, for a sinful week of fun and food, you must come to Amsterdam. This city is lively, everyone speaks English, it’s a very relaxed and opened environment (open prostitution, open gay marriages, legalized drugs). When we got to Amsterdam from Paris, it was only an hour’s flight. We got some fresh juice,Continue reading “Travel: Amsterdam city for the young at heart”
Travel: “Only in Amsterdam”
I’m getting ready to leave for Amsterdam and the Let’s go Amsterdam guide book has a section named Only in Amsterdam Commercial Sex “Window prostituion, which grew out of the practice of prostitutes showing off their goods from the front windows of private houses, was officially legalized in 1911 and in 2000, the law outlawingContinue reading “Travel: “Only in Amsterdam””
Tony Tam 