Who’s Your Buddha? The Big Buddha of Hong Kong

Up until this year’s Asian adventure our entire understanding of Buddha consisted of cheesy gold statues of a smiling, pot-bellied guy we’d seen in some restaurants. We weren’t exactly enlightened.

Perhaps we could clear up our conceptions a bit with a visit to The Tian Tan Buddha. He sits atop a hill on the outskirts of Hong Kong.

He stands one hundred and twelve feet high, and weighs in at… CONTINUE READING > >

Up until this year’s Asian adventure our entire understanding of Buddha consisted of cheesy gold statues of a smiling, pot-bellied guy we’d seen in some restaurants. We weren’t exactly enlightened.

Perhaps we could clear up our conceptions a bit with a visit to The Tian Tan Buddha. He sits atop a hill on the outskirts of Hong Kong.

He stands one hundred and twelve feet high, and weighs in at… CONTINUE READING > >

Is This the Best Docking Spot Ever?

We got Shanghai-ed – and loved it.

Not only did our ship stay for two full days in the legendary city, but we docked in an absolutely unbelievable location.

The incredible new Shanghai International Cruise Terminal could not be more in… CONTINUE READING >> 

We got Shanghai-ed – and loved it.

Not only did our ship stay for two full days in the legendary city, but we docked in an absolutely unbelievable location.

The incredible new Shanghai International Cruise Terminal could not be more in… CONTINUE READING >> 

Jumbo + Floating + Hong Kong = GypsyNester Heaven

Since 1976 one of Hong Kong’s top tourist attractions has been Jumbo Kingdom, a floating restaurant.

Wait, floating? Yes, it is moored in the middle of Aberdeen Harbour. Imagine our excitement when we learned that we could combine two of our favorite things… CONTINUE READING >> 

Since 1976 one of Hong Kong’s top tourist attractions has been Jumbo Kingdom, a floating restaurant.

Wait, floating? Yes, it is moored in the middle of Aberdeen Harbour. Imagine our excitement when we learned that we could combine two of our favorite things… CONTINUE READING >> 

Dalian, China. A City of Contrasts

Modern, yet traditional, gleaming, but with a not-so-shiny center, Dalian is a city of many facets.

Join us in old Manchuria, a place with both Russian and Japanese influences, old trolleys and new high rises…and both the best street food we’ve ever eaten and the worst thing we’ve ever put in our mouths… CONTINUE READING >> 

Modern, yet traditional, gleaming, but with a not-so-shiny center, Dalian is a city of many facets.

Join us in old Manchuria, a place with both Russian and Japanese influences, old trolleys and new high rises…and both the best street food we’ve ever eaten and the worst thing we’ve ever put in our mouths… CONTINUE READING >> 

Something’s Fishy in Busan, South Korea

Anyone who has watched M*A*S*H has heard of Busan, South Korea, although on the show it was called Pusan.

As we learned from Beijing formerly being called Peking, early western visitors to East Asia couldn’t seem to get their Ps and Bs straight.

As one of the only areas… CONTINUE READING >> 

Anyone who has watched M*A*S*H has heard of Busan, South Korea, although on the show it was called Pusan.

As we learned from Beijing formerly being called Peking, early western visitors to East Asia couldn’t seem to get their Ps and Bs straight.

As one of the only areas… CONTINUE READING >> 

Incredible Fish Market of Busan, South Korea


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This place in Busan, South Korea is HUGE and we had no idea what half the stuff is – then we we’re rescued by the funniest fishmonger ever! Isn’t he great?… CONTINUE READING >>


enlarge video
This place in Busan, South Korea is HUGE and we had no idea what half the stuff is – then we we’re rescued by the funniest fishmonger ever! Isn’t he great?… CONTINUE READING >>

A Tale of Two Flights

It was the best of planes, it was the worst of planes, that was our feeling after spending nearly thirty hours on two non-stop flights.

The first one, United flight 895, from Chicago to Hong Kong clocked in at sixteen hours. Back when… CONTINUE READING >> 

It was the best of planes, it was the worst of planes, that was our feeling after spending nearly thirty hours on two non-stop flights.

The first one, United flight 895, from Chicago to Hong Kong clocked in at sixteen hours. Back when… CONTINUE READING >>