Travel to Abu Dhabi via JFK

Leaving our home in Florida to head to snowy JFK and on to Abu Dhabi via Etihad Airlines! Warm here , but warmer there !
Arrival at JFK and flight to Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

We started our day with a real highlight, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the largest in Abu Dhabi. The Sheikh wanted to establish a structure that would unite the cultural diversity of the Islamicもっと詳しく
Mandarin Presidential Palace Hotel

A perfectly stunning hotel, converted from the former Presidential Palace
Architecture, history and culture

There is no shortage of architecturally gorgeous commercial buildings as you can see by these photos. Everything is new! In addition, the cultural center, comprised of the Loeuvre and soon to beもっと詳しく
Having fun on Yas Island

Ferrari World on Yas Island is home to the world’s fastest roller coaster, in addition to Yas Waterworld, Warner Brothers CLYMB Abu Dhabi and Sea World.
Mumbai arrival and first day

We arrived on Valentine’s Day to the darkness and furious energy of Mumbai. The next morning we awakened to the early morning smog and were greeted for our private tour by our tour operator and herもっと詳しく
St. Regis Mumbai

The St. Regis is known for its artwork, the Bloody Mary’s and sabrage. Here is a sampling from the St. Regis Mumbai.
Mumbai at night etc.

Had a relaxing day in Mumbai, brunch, pool, St Regis Bloodies. Saw the 3rd day of Indian wedding festivities, including flowers and groom’s horse. Mumbai at night tour. The city that never sleeps.もっと詳しく
Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO Heritage site

Located on an island about an hours ride from Mumbai, Elephanta Caves is a collection of rock art linked to the cult of Shiva. It is known for its huge high reliefs in the main cave.
Our visit to the Dharavi Slums

The Dharavi slum is the largest slum in Asia. We found a lively crowded community with small businesses, a rich culture, strong family ties. In fact its businesses are estimated to generate over 1 Bもっと詳しく
Churches of Old Goa

We left our ship and rode through many small villages to arrive in Old Goa, the site of several UNESCO churches and celebrated as the Rome of the Orient. Goa was the first Asian city to be ruled byもっと詳しく
Buddism thru a Monks eyes, Sri Lanka

We had a meeting with the monk who patiently explained Buddism as compared with Christianity. He thought Christianity and Hinduism were similar strong religions to Buddhism. He didn’t want people toもっと詳しく
Exploring Old Colombo, Sri Lanka

Starting with a tour through the market, we found it to be the nucleus of all things bought and sold. Merchants have longstanding customers so the need to harass tourists just doesn’t happen. Next,もっと詳しく
Blue Elephant Restaurant, Phuket

Cos and I decided to book a proper Thai lunch at the Blue Elephant Restaurant after our cruise excursion was cancelled. Although we ate here 2 years ago, we couldn’t imagine a better luncheon treat!もっと詳しく
Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia

Often called the Pearl of the Orient, this city boasts one of the finest Buddist Temples in SE Asia. We found the city to be impeccably clean (with the exception of the temple). We took its funicular,もっと詳しく
Port Klang, Malaysia

Kuala Lampur, an amazing modern capital city, with soaring high rises and the twin towers. This is the site of independence on August 30, 1957 to the sounds of Merdeka, its independence! Now Malaysiaもっと詳しく
Singapore

Wow Wow Wow! Beyond stunning architecture, cleanliness, pure gorgeousness! Big Bus gave us a brief overview of this amazing city and we want to go back! The flowers of the botanical garden, the food,もっと詳しく
Vung Tau City, Vietnam

Boarding a bus for our Vietnamese excursion, we arrived in Vung Tau City, stopping at the whale temple first, followed by a walk to the former French Royal residence of the White Villa. Weもっと詳しく
Hong Kong, China

Neon signs galore, dim sum lunch, towering skyscrapers and Victoria Peak set along beautiful Victoria Bay and the fabulous Symphony of Lights at night. You gaze in awe, taking the Star Ferry, theもっと詳しく
Macau, China

Macau, the fabulously wealthy UNESCO city, known for its casinos and, to a lesser degree, for the influence of its Portuguese and Chinese settlers. Taking the turbo- jet ferry, you arrive in an hourもっと詳しく
Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China

Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, is a modern metropolis with a 509 ft bamboo shaped Taipei skyscraper. As one of the 4 tigers, Taiwan is a powerhouse of technology commerce dominating today’sもっと詳しく
Chiran, Japan

…the Southernmost city on Japan’s bullet train. We saw some of the homes of the Japanese warrior class (Samurai) in Chiran. Next, we visited the Chiran Peace Memorial Museum featuring the story ofもっと詳しく
Kobe Japan

Visited Kobe on St. Patrick’s Day only to see our first cherry trees! Starting with a tour of the Sake Brewery Museum and tasting, we next rode the gondola to the top of Mount Rokko. Not only wereもっと詳しく
Kyoto Japan

We start our trip to Kyoto at the beautiful Buddhist Kingkakuji (Golden Pavilion). It is gorgeous, covered with gold leaf. Next, we had a lesson on screen printing on handkerchieves. We walked throughもっと詳しく