Author: Paul Terry

I love to travel. I've been fortunate to visit about 75 countries so far. I prefer to travel independently to get off the beaten path a bit. I also try to find good deals to make my travels more affordable.

Eat in Hell (“Infierno”)

Entrance to Andres D.C.

Infierno (Hell)

On my recent trip to Bogotá, Colombia (May 2011), my local business partners took me to Andres DC (Andres Carne de Res) an entertaining restaurant located in Zona Rosa, an upscale shopping area of Bogotá. While Bogotá isn’t world renowned for its restaurant scene, Andres may change that.

“Purgatorio”

What a fun place with excellent food! If you’re a vegetarian, don’t even think about going. It’s all about various grilled meats, mainly beef, served on wooden platters and with drinks coming in shells (coconut?). The restaurant has seating on four levels, Infierno, Tierra, Purgatorio, and Cielo.

We managed to get a table in “Purgatorio,” not a bad place! I checked out Heaven, (Cielo), and found that the crowd there was no better than us.

The kitchen staff tends to their busy grills, and the wait staff stays in Olympic shape running up and down stairs among the four floors between Heaven and Hell. Live music is played in “Infierno” and broadcast on TV’s throughout the restaurant. Hearing Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel” and Ray Charles’ “Hit the Road Jack” being sung by Colombians was better than I could have imagined.

The party never stops at Andres’

Musicians, entertainers and dancers (with patron involvement) rotate through the levels. It’s quite entertaining just to wander through the floors (don’t get in the way of the waiters!) and explore all the unique dining themes, and little alcoves everywhere.

If you want a quiet romantic dinner, this is not the place.

The store

Andres has an in-restaurant store (on Tierra level) where you can buy souvenirs to keep alive your memories of a great meal and a fun experience. If Andres ever thinks about coming to the U.S., steakhouses and themed restaurants had better watch out! When in Bogota, be sure to take an evening and dine at Andre’s DC.

The busy kitchen

A Day in Agra

Location of Agra, India.

I visited New Delhi, India on business in March. It was a good time of year to visit; the weather was quite pleasant–low 80’s F and low humidity. I knew that New Delhi might be as close as I would ever get to the world-renowned Taj Mahal, so I arrived from the U.S. very early Saturday morning to allow myself to recuperate and get to Agra, the city where the Taj Mahal is located, before beginning business on Monday. I was traveling with two business colleagues, and we arranged for a driver to take us to Agra on Sunday. Agra is about 130 miles south of New Delhi. At the time, it cost about $180 total for the driver (who was our guide also) and the van for the day. It is also possible to fly between the two cities or take a train.

We had originally been discouraged from traveling to Agra that Sunday; due to Holi Festival (celebrating the “triumph of good over bad”) the locals believed our travel might be disrupted by the celebrations. Actually, it turned out to be a good day to go–the traffic was light, and we found the celebratory crowds to be no problem. We also got to see many people drenched in pastel colors, and we (and our van) got a little splash of color ourselves (learn more on my upcoming “Street Scenes of India” post). Our drive took about 2.5 hours each way, and it was exhilarating to say the least—with cars speeding towards us in our lane, and bicycles, carts, and even elephants on the road and in the towns we passed through.

Riding to the Taj Mahal entrance.

We arrived in Agra about 11 am. As we walked to the Taj Mahal entrance, young children were offering all kinds of items for sale. I bought a little jade elephant and a book. The omnipresent poverty is heartbreaking, and whenever I could buy a little something to help out, I did. The entrance fee to the Taj was about $20, which is incredibly steep in India, but more than worth it.

The term “Taj Mahal” means “Crown Palace” and it doesn’t begin to describe this world wonder. Agra was the capital of the Mughal (Muslim) Empire for over a century. The Shah Jahan, a Mughal emperor for 30 years (1628-1658) built the Palace in memory of his beloved wife of 19 years, Mumtaz Mahal, to immortalize her after her untimely death, at age 39 during the birth of their 14th child (!) It is said that before her death she requested her husband create a symbol of their love for their posterity. I don’t think she would be disappointed in his attempt to honor her wishes.

The Taj is on the banks of the Yamuna River. The stunning white marble was quarried 230 miles away in Makrana, Rajasthan state. The 35 different types of precious inlaid stones were imported from all over Asia and the Middle East.

Entrance Gate to Taj Mahal.

The entrance gate to the Taj Mahal is quite a sight itself. There are two rows of 11 white pinnacles on the rooftop representing the 22 years it took to construct the mausoleum.

First view of the Taj Mahal.

As the Taj Mahal comes into view, its brilliant white marble is almost blinding in the mid-day sun. It has to be the most beautiful man-made monument in the world. The Taj exudes an awe and reverence today, even 350 years later.

Taj Mahal

Before entering the plinth of the Taj, shoes are removed or covered with slip-on covers, both as a symbol of respect and to keep the plinth and Taj clean. Prior to visiting, I knew very little about the vast inlaid stone work in the marble that is part of the exterior and interior decorations.

Detail of Taj Mahal

Some of the inlaid stone is done in thin multiple layers, and is only visible in certain lighting. Floral patterns come into full bloom when the light shines through the layered stone work.

Detail of marble work on Taj Mahal.

I cannot comprehend the effort and expense that went into the Taj’s construction. Even the river flow was altered for the construction. Part of the beauty of the Taj is its total symmetry–the buildings, courtyard and gardens are all balance and symmetrical in their design. The four minarets at each corner of the plinth surrounding the Taj Mahal are constructed in such a way that if they ever fell, they would not damage the main structure.

Inside, in the main level are replicas of the tombs of Shah Jahan and his wife (the actual tombs are located in the crypt below the main level and are not accessible). There are also four rooms inside the mausoleum that were planned for other members of the royal family.

Visitors stroll on the plinth, mosque in background

There are two identical buildings, both mosques, on either side of the Taj. Most pictures do not focus on them, but they are beautiful red sandstone creations in themselves.

Interestingly, Shah Jahan was going to build a replica of the Taj Mahal in all black marble, as his own mausoleum, but did not live long enough to make this dream a reality. He was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeband spent his lastfew years at the Agra Red Fort, not far up the river from the Taj.

Our last view of the Taj Mahal

Since we just had the one day, we only had time to visit the Taj Mahal and do a little local rug shopping nearby, before returning to New Delhi. Please note that marble jewelry boxes and other souvenirs representative of the Taj Mahal can be purchased much more cheaply in other locations—ask a local where the best deals are. There a number of other interesting sites in Agra, including the Agra Red Fort (1565), and other exquisite tombs, but none can compare to the Taj Mahal.

I am indebted to Rajaram Panda, Mittal Publications, New Delhi 2007, for the historical and factual information about the Taj Mahal in this post.

Southwestern England Part 1: Nunney Castle, Wells Cathedral and Glastonbury Abbey

Southwest England

In August 2009, my wife, son, and I finally made it to Southwestern England—the counties of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. We had wanted to visit this area for a long time. It is a beautiful area of England, but a little “out of the way” since there are no large cities in this region, and it “dead ends” literally at “Lands End.” This part of England is a little less visited by foreign tourists. It is popular summer destination for the British, however, and during August we found the area full of families and caravans (travel trailers) on vacation. In the U.S., most campers stay in State or National Parks. In England, it seems most of the caravan parks are privately owned, and most campers park in fields, or where possible, close to a beach area. As beaches in England go, the southwest has some of the best in England. Even if the temperatures are in the mid 70’s F, you will find locals out on the beach.

Be aware that many of the roads seem even narrower, more like Wales, with many cars pulling trailers that take up more than half the road, some spots are a very tight squeeze! Pull in your side mirrors to keep them from getting broken or scratched by the hedgerows and passing traffic.

The three sites below are all in close proximity, we were able to visit all 3 on the day of our arrival at Heathrow.

Nunney Castle

Nunney Castle is in the village of Nunney. It’s a smaller castle and is free of charge. It was constructed in the 1370’s for a veteran of the Hundred Years’ War with France. It has a moat around it, and 3 of the 4 outer walls and all four towers are intact. As with most castles in England, it fell victim to Cromwell’s parliamentary forces in the 1600’s, when castles were no match for gunpowder and cannons.

Another view of Nunney Castle

The castle is part of a park in the village, right next to a stream. It is considered a French design, and reminded us a little bit of Bonaguil Castle in France, with the round towers. Learn more here.

Wells Cathedral – West Facade

Wells Cathedral. Wells Cathedral (its construction is believed to have begun in the 12th century) is world-renowned for its exterior decorations on the West facade (see picture). There were originally 160 statues in niches on the western facade and towers of which 120 remain (another source says 127 of 176 remain–I did not count!).

Wells Market – Cathedral in background

The interior is known for its unusual and innovative inverted arches (making big “X’s” in the transept), to support the weight of the central tower, after the tower showed signs of weakening in the 14th century. Much of the stained glass is original from the 14th century also. Don’t miss the Chapter House and Lady Chapel with their incredible intricate ceiling vaulting. We also enjoyed wandering through the Saturday market in the town square of Wells, right next to the Cathedral.

Glastonbury Abbey

Glastonbury Abbey. Glastonbury town and abbey are steeped in legend going back to biblical times. This is one of the oldest inhabited sites in England. In the 1100’s, religious sites did everything they could to attract pilgrims, so the rumor spread that this was the burial spot of King Arthur and Guinevere, based on skeletons exhumed on the site. Glastonbury, a Benedictine abbey, was one of the richest monasteries in England and even today, the remaining ruins are beautiful. Unfortunately, much of the abbey’s stone was used by the local people for other buildings after King Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries in the 1500’s. The grounds are well-kept, and there are some other interesting buildings on the site, including a 14th century Abbot’s kitchen.

Glastonbury Abbey View

For a great view of the surrounding area, visit Glastonbury Tor (tower) too. It’s a 15th century tower on a hill overlooking the town. There is almost no parking on the road leading to the tower, so I waited by the car while my wife and son quickly climbed up the hill to the tower.

Dordogne, France Part 4 (of 4): Sarlat, La Roque Gageac and Domme

Sarlat-la-Caneda (commonly called Sarlat) is a great base for exploring the Dordogne Region. The town is large enough to provide a variety of accommodation and restaurant options.

Sarlat and the Dordogne Region of France.

Architecture of Sarlat.

There are several inexpensive hotel chains on the south side of Sarlat, on Rue de Cahors, which are within walking distance of the town center. While Sarlat does not have many “must see” sights, the whole town itself is quaint, and worth a walking tour to enjoy the unique architecture, narrow streets and atmosphere. It was a loyal French village in the Hundred Years’ War, and therefore was protected and did well economically, hence why many buildings are well-preserved.

Manoir de la Malatrie, at entrance to La Roque Gageac.

The village of La Roque Gageac, only 14 km from Sarlat, occupies a narrow strip of land between the Dordogne River and a towering cliff on the north bank, epitomizes the Dordogne. It is considered by many to be one of the prettiest villages in France, and it is not difficult to see why. As one drives from Beynac east along the D703 road, the Manoir de la Malatrie (now a hotel) is the first grand building we see. The style fits the Dordogne perfectly, even though it’s a 20^th century reconstruction of the 15^thcentury original manor house. The village comes into view right afterwards.

La Roque Gageac.

Every little street is picturesque. Homes are built right into the cliff, using the beige stone so common in the area. Take the time to explore the village and enjoy the enchanting setting along the peaceful Dordogne River.

A gated entrance to Domme.

Domme is one of the many ‘Bastide’ towns established in the Dordogne during the Hundred Years’ War to provide strategic fortified population centers for strengthening the claims and position of both the French and English defenses. The Bastide towns are on higher elevations, which provided protection and early warnings of pending attacks and now provide great views of the valley. Domme is located just southeast of La Roque Gageac, along the D703.

Village of Domme.

Beneath the main town square there is a cave system that can be toured. Some tour books say that the caves were used during the Hundred Years’ War for hiding, but on our tour of the cave we learned that is was not discovered until the early 1900’s. If you have been to many caves, it may not be worth your time, but if not, it provides another interesting thing to do. There is also a little train that takes you on a short tour of the town. On the north side of the town, next to the church, a plaza provides a good view of the Dordogne Valley.

Dordogne, France Part 3: Commarque Castle (Chateâu de Commarque)

Commarque Castle is 15 km NW of Sarlat.

Commarque Castle is slightly off the beaten path , near Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil. I wouldn’t have even known about it had I not received a large picture book of France as a gift, which had a picture of the castle at sunset. It is not listed in the guidebooks I have on France, probably because it isn’t accessible without a car. We drove to the Castle from Sarlat, which is only 15 kilometers away. From the parking lot it’s another 600 meter walk to the castle on a trail through the forest.

Commarque Castle and Beune Valley.

Village ruins, Commarque Castle.

As the view of the Valley of the Beune opens up, it’s a beautiful sight. On the left hillside sits the castle and the village ruins, on the right side of the valley are niches carved in the rock wall, probably used as storage or possibly dwellings 700 years ago? In the distance, nearly straight ahead, is another small castle, privately owned by an English person. The Dordogne is a favorite spot of the English, and many have bought residences in the area.

Commarque church ruins and private castle in background.

The castle’s early history is a bit uncertain. It’s believed to have been founded in the 12^th century, and to have been rebuilt in stone in the 14^th century, with later additions continuing until the 18^th century, when the castle and village appear to have been totally abandoned. The English captured it during the Hundred Years’ War (1350’s – 1450’s) for several years. This location was strategic—near the crossing of two main roads in medieval France and the site of a spring—essential for the village and castle life. Check out the castle’s website, http://www.commarque.com/htmfr/infos.php for more information.

Cave dwellings underneath Commarque Castle.

Commarque Castle is interesting for a several reasons. First, it’s a quiet and peaceful setting in a secluded valley—we were there early in the morning, and had the castle to ourselves. The sun was out, and the dew was just drying off the grass, with birds chirping and the sounds of a babbling brook nearby. Second, there are several other buildings which made up the 13^thcentury village that have been excavated fairly recently (1980’s), and add to the wonder of the site. Third, in the cliff directly underneath the castle there are living quarters carved out of the rock which can be visited. Some of these dwellings are prehistoric, part of many which dot the Dordogne region. Fourth, it is possible to climb to the top of the castle keep (or donjon in French) for a great view of the village, and the private castle across the valley.

View of Commarque Castle donjon (tower keep).

If you love castles and sites that are less visited, take the drive out to Commarque, you won’t be disappointed.

Visiting France – An Overview

France-the largest country in Western Europe.

France is the birthplace of medieval Gothic architecture. Soaring cathedrals with priceless intricate stained glass windows (such as Chartres Cathedral) dot the country and take you back in time. The island fortress of Mont-St-Michel, exudes an incredible medieval feeling as one winds up the narrow alley through the village to the entrance to the monastery and moss-covered stone walls from centuries of damp sea air. In the beautiful Loire Valley, one finds the grand chateaux of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, which became a symbol of the excesses of the royal families, and led to the French Revolution in the late 1700’s. The Dordogne Valley offers the melding of the natural landscape and ancient architecture, such as the holy pilgrimage site of Rocamadour and other villages built right into the rock cliffs. Some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in Western Europe are not in Italy, but rather France (such as the Pont Du Gard aqueduct). It has some of the best prehistoric paintings (Lascaux Caves), and, if these sights weren’t enough, there’s also beauty in the natural landscapes— widely varied from green, fertile lowlands of Brittany in the northwest to the rocky “Massif Central” in the south center and soaring peaks of the French Alps in the southeast.

The Gothic flying buttresses of Cathédrale St.Julien, Le Mans.

Shown here are a few pictures of some less-visited sites (and one very overcrowded site!)

Blois Chateau, in the heart of the city of Blois.

A view of the town from the Lot River.

When asked, many people might say, “oh yes, I’ve visited France” but in reality they’ve seen a few of the sights in Paris and that is about it. It’s like someone visiting New York City, and saying they’ve seen the U.S. France is a special part of Europe to me. I can’t say enough about the incredible array of sights that France has to offer tourists.

Eiffel Tower near Seine River, Paris.

Traveling by Car in France

We love to rent a car when we are in France, which allows us to meander on quiet country roads and visit pristine medieval villages where very few tourists venture.

Keep in mind that many of the main highways in France are “peage” or toll roads. Make sure you have a couple different credit cards that work in Europe, since I have found that some tolls booths accept one card (like a Visa) and another booth may accept another card (like American Express). Cash is also accepted at staffed toll booths. Even with the tolls, renting a car when traveling with 2-4 people is very economical. Get a diesel fuel car if you can, since the mileage tends to be much better. Cars with automatic transmissions are less common, more expensive to rent, and are less fuel efficient. Via Michelin is a great website for calculating distance (in kilometers), as well as cost for fuel and tolls between different cities in Europe.

Take some time to familiarize yourself with the European road signs prior to driving, and when on major highways, do not linger in the left lane, it is for passing only. When coming into a town, usually the key sights are in the center of town, so follow the signs to “Centre” and then look for the big blue “P” signs which indicate parking garages or lots.

Accommodations in France

For the traveler who wants an economical European trip, France can be a great place to go, especially if visiting off-season, and if you are ok with modular, generic and basic hotel rooms. France is the home of many inexpensive roadside hotel chains such as Formule 1 (typically shared bathroom), Etap (private bath), and Ibis (all part of the Accor Group). B&B Hotels are similar to Etap, and offer very basic rooms (a double bed usually with a 3^rd single bed). Another option is Hôtel Première Classe, which is even more basic (no carpet), with a tiny bathroom (smaller than most cruise ships!) and double bed with a 3^rd single bed. All of these hotels are popular with Europeans on road trips. Many of these rooms are 30-40 Euros per night for 1-3 persons, and they are ubiquitous, usually just outside the towns on an intersection (roundabout) located near roadside restaurants or light industrial buildings. These are not quaint accommodations, but they are functional, cheap and plentiful. They have 24 hour automated check-in, and usually a very limited breakfast service for an additional fee. Most have wireless internet service too. Some of these hotels (such as Ibis and Etap) are also near train stations.

Restaurants in France

In the off season, trying to find restaurants open at convenient times is sometimes a challenge. We found that restaurants often close early (before 5 pm) during the winter or do not open until later (after 8 pm), if at all. Europeans generally eat later than we do in the U.S., but choices seem to be more limited in October-March. A good idea is to eat your main meal before 2 pm, or whenever you find a place open.

Language Considerations

As with any country, but especially in France, learning a few words is very helpful. The French are not particularly fond of speaking English. Knowing a few words helps tremendously in navigating by car, asking a price, ordering off a menu, and seeking directions. I find French pronunciation somewhat challenging, but the effort will be appreciated. My family and I played a game as we traveled in France, thinking of all the English words that are French in origin—it was fun to see how many words we kept thinking of! The history of France and England are so closely interwoven it’s not surprising that so much of our vocabulary comes from France.

In future posts on France, we will explore various regions of this magnificent country.

Dordogne, France Part 1: Rocamadour

Rocamadour is in south-central France

The Dordogne region and in particular the village of Rocamadour should be on everyone’s must-visit list in France. We have been to Rocamadour twice, and both times I was impressed how stunning the setting is—an almost vertical village nestled into a rock face on the side of the gorge of Alzou. The Dordogne region is full of many river gorges and rock cliffs with homes and villages built into the rock. In many cases, the cliffs provide a natural rear wall for the buildings.

Rocamadour (the Château is at top of cliff, the Basilica is the large building below the Château)

The village gets its name from St. Amadour, his body was said to have been found in an ancient niche (located in the Church square described below) in an undecayed state, and many miracles, mainly healings (at least 126) followed. Rocamadour became a very popular pilgrimage site in the 1100’s based on these miracles. During the Middle Ages, pilgrimage sites existed throughout Europe. These sites were typically associated with Christian relics and miracles. The rich and the poor would travel long distances to these sites to worship, be healed and forgiven. Kings and Lords of both England and France have travelled to Rocamadour. The village was occupied by the English in 1369 during the Hundred Years war.

The only convenient way to visit the Rocamadour is with a car. There is a tourist information office at the top of the cliff, on the main road just across from the Château and also in the town itself.

Main Street of Rocamadour

Rocamadour is a one (pedestrian) street town, with gates at either end, and parking is found either outside the Port du Figuier (east gate-very small parking lot), or below the village at the bottom of the gorge. Be prepared for lots of steps up to the town, and then up many more to visit the many chapels and Basilica of St. Sauveur (11^th-13^th centuries).

Church Square nestled against the rock cliff face.

The seven chapels are built around the church square (which used to be a burial site), nestled underneath the rock cliff, at the top of the Grand Stairway. The Grand Stairway (Grand Escalier-216 steps), leads from the pedestrian street up to the center of the various chapels, including the Basilica. Pilgrims for hundreds of years, and even today, climb the Grand Stairway on their knees in penance, sometimes carrying chains symbolizing their sins. Several of the chapels have been rebuilt. It is worth spending a little time just enjoying the church square at the top of the Stairway. The medieval chapels on different levels in this compact area and the rock overhang give this place a very unique feeling, one is transported back in time, thinking about this area being filled with pilgrims.

St. Michel’s Chapel and Church Square

The three chapels which are mostly original and the most interesting to visit are: The Basilica (including the crypt), The Notre Dame chapel, and St. Michel’s chapel. All three of these buildings are built right into the cliff, with the sides of the chapels being cemented into the cliff, and the rock face forming the back wall and part of the ceiling in each chapel. The niche where St. Amadour’s body was found is between the Notre Dame and St. Michel’s chapels. Also, look carefully for the faded fresco near the door of the Notre Dame chapel.

Frescoes high on St. Michel’s Chapel.

St. Michel’s Chapel, has remained almost completely intact since the 12^th century. It contains some excellent 12^th century frescoes on the outside above the door (near the rock cliff) and inside the chapel as well. When we visited in November of 2003, this chapel was closed. When we visited in March of 2009, the chapel was open. Rather than walking back down the Grand Stairway, take the narrow passage way through the Basilica and walk down the trail past the carved out rooms with the Stations of the Cross, which is interesting also.

Above the village at the top of the cliff, is Château de Rocamadour. The interior is off limits to tourists, but we did buy tickets that allowed us to walk on its ramparts right above the village overlooking the gorge.

On our first visit to Rocamadour, we stayed in the village of Gramat, just a few kilometers from away, since in November there were no accommodations open in the town.

A Tour of Buenos Aires

I had always heard that Buenos Aires has a very European feel, and after visiting, I would agree. Most Argentines are of European descent. Wide boulevards, plazas, fountains, grand monuments and many parks make Buenos Aires a beautiful city. I have been there in both the fall (March) and spring (September). Those months are great times to visit. Please note that although there is no official visa required for Argentina, U.S. citizens are required to pay a fee upon entry to the country, payable in cash (exact change required) or by credit card. The fee went up to $140 in August 2010. The entry permit is valid for 10 years.

I have stayed in the NH Jousten hotel, a decent business hotel in a central location (on Av. Corrientes) near the Av 9 de Julio (central boulevard in Buenos Aires). I have also stayed at the Hilton in Puerto Madero, which is a trendy mix of modern construction and renovated old warehouses. The Hilton hotel is relatively new with a huge atrium and many amenities.

View of Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires

Puerto Madero has many restaurants (although fairly expensive by most standards: $25-50 per person), shops, marinas and a couple of old sailing ships from the late 1800’s that can be visited. There is also a ferry terminal nearby for trips to Uruguay (see my travel blog on Uruguay).

As might be expected, the beef is excellent and we found very good Italian food also. Prices drop dramatically by going just a little ways out from the central district. Four of us ate at an excellent fondue restaurant (La Rosadita) in the Palermo neighborhood for less than $55, including drinks. Argentineans eat late by U.S. standards-typically around 9 or 10 pm.

It is easy to arrange a day tour of Buenos Aires either through your hotel or through a transportation service directly. The main sights can be covered in ½ day. The areas usually covered are: La Boca (the old port and immigrant area), the historical center of Casa Rosada and Plaza de Mayo, and Recoleta (home of many embassies, and the famous La Recoleta Cemetery).

La Boca and Caminito Street. This area reminded us a little bit of New Orleans.

La Boca, Buenos Aires

Musicians, street performers, costumed tango dancers and many little shopping booths are found in this colorful area. A number of houses are made of brightly painted corrugated metal siding, which was an inexpensive building material for new immigrants. Be sure to explore the little alleyways behind the street facades-a lot of shops and interesting sights are hidden behind the street fronts.

Caminito Street, Buenos Aires

Casa Rosada (the Pink House-below). This is the historic residence of the President of Argentina. It houses a museum which we did not take the time to visit. The Plaza de Mayo is located by the Casa Rosada and is a gathering spot for demonstrations, tourists and great people watching. Nearby is Florida Street, a long pedestrian-only shopping street.

Casa Rosada (Presidential Palace), Buenos Aires

Tango Shows. No visit to Buenos Aires would be complete without taking in a tango show. Our hotel recommended the Carlos Gardel show, whose name is synonymous with tango. Options include dinner and the show, or just the show, which is what we did. The cost for the show only (booked through the hotel) was $150 for two. The theater was packed on Saturday night, and the dining area was full (and tight!). For viewing the show only, we sat at a bar stool area overlooking the dining space, and had a great view of the stage. The show was very enjoyable-a mix of dance numbers and orchestra music.

Recoleta. This is a highly fashionable area with many beautiful buildings and monuments. Many buildings have a classical French design, including of course the French Embassy. The Church of Nuestra Señora de Pilar was built in 1732, and is the oldest Church in Buenos Aires.

The Church of Nuestra Senora de Pilar, Buenos Aires

Next to the Church is La Recoleta Cemetery which is like a miniature city, with little streets lined with grand mausoleums which are beautifully decorated. Eva Perón, the beloved First Lady and political leader of the 1940’s and 50’s is interred here along with many other famous Argentineans.

Eva Peron Grave Recoleta Cemetery Buenos Aires

La Recoleta Cemetery, Buenos Aires

: Parana River Delta

Parana River Delta

Parana River Delta (above). If time permits, it is also worthwhile to get outside the city. We visited Tigre and the Parana River Delta, and took a boat ride through the Delta. It is just about 18 miles from the heart of Buenos Aires, and many people have weekend homes in this area where they sail, swim, ski, relax and camp. These homes could have been anywhere and the area reminded me a little bit of the bayou country in Louisiana. There are some good shopping stalls in Tigre, I got some nice leather gifts at great prices.

From Buenos Aires, we also took a day trip across the Rio de la Plata to Colonia, Uruguay. See our short blog on Uruguay.

On a future trip we hope to explore the countryside of Argentina.

Tour of Sicily: Overview

Sites visited in Sicily.

We visited Sicily in late April. This is a great time of year to visit, due to the pleasant temperature (low 80’s F), spring flowers and the green landscape. The only downside we could find with this time of year is all the elementary age school children visiting many of the tourist sites—it must be the time of year for school field trips. Sicily has a little different feel than other parts of Italy. The architectural style of many buildings is Baroque, built following a devastating earthquake in the late 1600’s. Sicily is an autonomous region of Italy, and appears to be a little poorer economically than northern Italy. The island has been conquered by many different nationalities over the centuries. For a good short overview of the history of this strategic island, I recommend the book: Sicily: Three Thousands Years of Human History, by Sandra Benjamin.

Given the range of history, the sights are quite varied—from beautiful natural scenery, Greek Temples and Roman ruins, to medieval towns, churches and grand Baroque architecture.

Hotel Bel 3 Palermo.

Since Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean, we flew in to Catania on the eastern coast, and flew out of Palermo (northwest coast), so we could make a counterclockwise tour of the island. Other options to get to the island include a train to Messina (via a short ferry ride) or a ferry from Naples. We rented a car at the Catania airport through Europe By Car. The roads are in good condition and it was easy to navigate to all the sites. There were very few toll roads (Catania-Taormina and Palermo-Cefalù were the only ones we encountered) or major highways, most roads are two lane. I expected to encounter a lot of slow truck traffic and was pleasantly surprised to find very little traffic in general. Most visitors to Sicily travel by tour bus. We did our best to visit sites at hours that would avoid the tourist busloads.

B&B private rooms in Piazza Armerina

There are relatively few hotels on the island, so we stayed in bed and breakfast (B&B) accommodations, allowing us to meet local families and get a flavor for life in Sicily. We used BBPlanet.com and Venere.com to arrange the B&B’s. We loved most of the B&B rooms and locations. The Sicilian people are very warm and helpful. We spent about 10 days on Sicily, which allowed us to cover the island’s main sights and a few less visited sights. We also spent two nights on Malta, taking the ferry from Pozzallo (near Ragusa). See our post on Malta for more information.

The hilltop town of Caltabellotta in southwest Sicily

Although we had read that English was less widely spoken here, we didn’t have any problem communicating. Occasionally in restaurants ordering food was a challenge given our lack of Italian language skills, although knowing some Spanish certainly helped with understanding Italian vocabulary and in communicating. Plan on putting on some calories since good gelato can be found almost everywhere!

The Temple of Heaven-Beijing, China

On a business trip to China in August 2010 I was in Beijing and took the opportunity to visit the Temple of Heaven complex. I had seen pictures of the round Temple, but I had no idea it was part of such a large complex covering about 675 acres on the south side of Beijing (to see more of Beijing click here).

Beijing is laid out in a series of concentric “ring roads” with the main historical area (Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square) in the center ring. I stayed at the Ascott Hotel on the west side of Beijing, about 15 minutes by taxi from the Forbidden City and about 15-20 minutes from the Temple of Heaven. The Ascott is a great business hotel, and my room (with a corporate discount) was less than $150/night. The rooms are large-actually small apartments with a clothes washer, small kitchen and living room. It is also within walking distance of the “Beijing Friendship Store” on Jian Guo Road which has about 5 floors of packed shopping stalls with everything you can imagine for sale-be prepared to be hounded by the shopkeepers!

I arrived at the North Gate of the Temple of Heaven after a $4 taxi ride from the Ascott, and paid about $10 for the entry fee, which included not only the Temple of Heaven itself, but some of the other important buildings on the site as well. (Be sure to verify what your ticket provides access to, since there are a few options). There is a nice souvenir map available at the ticket office.

Temple of Heaven, Beijing

The Temple of Heaven (or “Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests”) was built in 1420. The other buildings date from the 1400’s and 1500’s. The Emperors’ annual procession (must have been quite impressive-over a mile long and included elephants, musicians, imperial guards and other officials) began in the Forbidden City and marched south to this complex. The extensive, tranquil gardens provide a good buffer to the exterior world. The Temple of Heaven is where Emperors would offer sacrifices and pray for a good harvest. The Emperors also lived here and fasted during the ceremonies, keeping themselves focused in a state of worship.

Hall of Fasting

In addition to the Temple of Heaven, visit the Hall of Fasting, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, the Echo Wall, the Circular Mound Altar and the Divine Music Office, which has a display of interesting instruments and huge drums.

Imperial Vault of Heaven.

North Kitchen, Temple of Heaven, Beijing, China.

Other buildings include the kitchen complexes and the butcher house, which prepared the animal sacrifices. Apparently the animal sacrifices were beaten with mallets rather than butchered with a knife-not something I really want to think about too much.

A long covered walkway protected the sacrifices as they made their way from the Divine Kitchen to the altar in the Temple of Heaven. The walkway is open, but the kitchens and butcher house were not open during my visit.

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