Destination: Hangzhou, China

Hailed for its blend of nature and modern living, Hangzhou (杭州) isn't a city to be missed while visiting central-east China. Its large, freshwater West Lake has inspired past artists and poets with its natural beauty, and it's home to a booming Internet industry that has drawn plenty of prospective workers from other parts of … Continue reading Destination: Hangzhou, China

Destination: Guilin, China

Our final days of visiting China were spent in Guilin, a city situated in south-central China. Located about 420 kilometres south of Hunan, it was the southernmost point we hit during our nine-day tour of the country, and it would also be a peaceful, nature-filled end to our time overseas. Which was what my family … Continue reading Destination: Guilin, China

Destination: Najac, France

Najac is a small, but notable village located about 110 kilometres northeast of Toulouse. It's known for its eponymous château, which looms on a verdant hill and offers a picturesque, postcard view from a distance-- it's no wonder, then, that Najac is listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France ("les plus beaux … Continue reading Destination: Najac, France

Destination: Rocamadour, France

Nestled deep inside a regional park in the very north of Occitanie is the tiny village of Rocamadour. What makes this semi-hidden place unique is its numerous churches and homes, all built along the slope of a green hill that overlooks a sweeping valley of forests and more hills. Its distinctive look, along with its … Continue reading Destination: Rocamadour, France

The Sea (poem)

(inspired by Cambria, California-- August 2010) The Sea We tiptoed like children across low-tides, waiting for the pacific ridge to swallow us whole. Cave mouths echoed the cambric breeze, their rough centers spill milky seafoam at the mercy of our feet, crushing sand dollars half-priced for infinite gems like burnished gold dust between fingers. It … Continue reading The Sea (poem)