Erik mentioned that we’re not covering paddling as much
this time of year, for obvious reasons, but we will continue to offer suggestions on great trips you can take when the
weather improves. Here is a unique kayaking excursion that may leave your mouth watering as well. Hosted in conjunction
with Edible British Columbia, kayaking adventure company
Blue Planet organizes a 3-day
Gulf Islands Gourmet Kayaking Weekend that
includes a menu of locally sourced organic vegetables, wild British Columbia fish, pasture raised poultry, artisan
cheeses and creative desserts paired with BC wines. 2006 trip dates include two each in June and July, and one in
August, at a cost of $549 USD for what sounds like a
fabulous itinerary full of
fitness and good food.
Gadling Gift Guide: Kinara Spa Experience
Excuse me for being a little spa happy all of a sudden, but after suggesting the Spa Finder gift
certificates I figured many of you would like to know of a spa tested and sealed with
Gadling approval. Those of you looking for something more specific and in the L.A. area should check out
Kinara. Though to my knowledge they do not accept the Spa Finder GC’s they
do have some
very nice gift cards of their own.
Known for providing top of the line skin care products like the
Kinara Purifying Cleansing Gel and
Kinara Lactic Acid Hydrating Serum, both used by Halle
Berry, they are perfect for toting around on world travels
and helping to maintain healthy clear skin. It’s never safe to assume what works for Halle
might work for you, so I suggest browsing their entire catalog selection to find the perfect remedies for your own
skin. Also worth checking out is this section on winter skin care
tips and products created to protect skin from the harsh season’s weather.
After a relaxing hot stone therapy massage and before departing with the spa, visit the in-house
boutique stocked with imported goods from Europe, the East,
including the work of some local California artisans. Items include linens, pillows, lounge wear, and utensils to
name only a few. And I’m not one to gossip, but perhaps you’ll see a star or two (Lisa Kudrow, Demi Moore, or
Debra Messing) while doing your extra holiday shopping.
Kinara is a personal favorite of my own while swinging through the city. Having an amazing
atmosphere, staff, cafe, and star-studded treatment all-in-one, a trip to the spa feels a lot like
stepping into Heaven. Kinara is located at 656 N. Roberston Blvd, L.A., CA 90069.
World Insect Snacks
Mmm… I haven’t even eaten breakfast yet and I’m reading about all these (gulps) delicious
insect snacks from around the world. Oh yeah! I’m talking about ambrosial
cooked locusts, sweet honeypot ants, mouth-watering witchety grub (type of moth larva), and of course hachi-no-ko
(boiled wasp larvae). Is your stomach growling yet?
The write-up on these global finger-licking
snacks comes from the University of Kentucky’s Department of Entomology and questions why the North American
culture is so bugged out by bugs? Just a guess here, but when they’re frantically crawling around a glass dish on Fear
Factor the idea doesn’t come off as a pleasurable dining experience. I haven’t had the chance to feast on insects to
date, but I’d probably chomp on a locust or two. Had any yourself?
See what kind of critters await your taste-buds in your next travels through Algeria, Australia, Japan and
Nigeria.
(picture from photoroamings)
Divester on Key West and the Caribbean
Our Divester friends are always writing about destinations around the world that are ideal for diving, and usually great places to visit whether you are into scuba or not. Willy Volk posted two items of interest in the past week that I thought might be particularly useful to Gadling readers. First, Willy provides an in-depth description of what to do when diving is not an option in Key West. From fruity drinks to fine dining, neighborhood walks, museum visits and ghost tours too, Willy gives great details about the pubs, restaurants, accommodations and attractions that he and his wife enjoyed on their southern Florida weekend getaway. In another post, Willy points us to a list that may interest those looking to plan vacations in the Caribbean this winter. Child Magazine’s Ten Best Caribbean Resorts for Families is a helpful guide to kid-friendly hotels in Jamaica, Barbados, the Dominican Republic and Bahamas, to name a few.
Postcard from Portland #5
I’m at PDX taking advantage of yet more free wifi in the City of Roses. I’ve got about 20-minutes before boarding my
red-eye flight back to the East Coast. Because of my late departure, I took it easy today, hanging around the hostel
this morning chatting with other guests (from Ireland, Australia and Canada) until checkout. A little after noon I
walked north on Hawthorne with another local friend here in town who joined me for lunch at the Bagdad Pub, owned and
operated by McMenamins, who also run the famous Bagdad
Theater next door. We were in the mood for burgers, but, this being overly organic Portland, they only carried Boca
and gardenburgers on the menu! I went with the hot roast beef sandwich and my first Portland brew of the weekend — a
half pint of Ruby, a lighter ale with a hint of rasberry. Portland is known for its beer-making and microbrews, and
although I didn’t get to sample any others, I did happen upon the Holiday Ale
Festival when I wandered back downtown after lunch. I went to
Pioneer Square hoping to hook up with a
Portland Walking Tour, only to learn that they do not
operate from December to March (except if specially arranged for a group of eight or more.) So I did my own impromptu
walk instead, checking out the ale fest and then heading down towards the Willamette River to explore a little bit of
the Portland Saturday Market, which is open on Sundays too, despite its
official name. It was beginning to get very cold and grey again so I didn’t wander long, and eventually headed back
over the river to meet friends for dinner. We returned to the neighborhood where I had my first Portland meal on Friday
morning. Down the street from Gravy is the
Mississippi Pizza Pub, where I feasted on one final meal before heading
to the airport. I didn’t get to see lots of attractions or spend time outdoors, but I did discover the cool vibe of
this urban gem of the Pacific Northwest that everyone talks about. And I had my share of good eats around town. Next
time I’ll try more brew pubs and coffee shops, and make sure I get outside in warmer weather to do some hiking
too.