Baby Boomers and Travel Archives

August 15, 2016 by Nancy Mueller Leave a Comment

Off the Beaten Culinary Path in Richmond, BC

For aficionados of Asian cuisine, Richmond, BC is a food lover’s paradise.

With over 200 restaurants on Alexandra Road alone, Canada’s multicultural city serves up a variety of flavors – Cantonese, Szechuan, Shanghainese, Northern Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean and Malaysian. While you could start and end your visit on “Food Street,” covering just three short city blocks, Richmond offers an abundance of eateries beyond the city’s Golden Village. So why not wander Richmond’s culinary backroads, watch master chefs in action, and expand your cultural horizons?

Here’s where to find a few of the region’s best discoveries off the beaten culinary path:

Food Courts

Parker Place, Empire Centre and Landsdowne are among Richmond’s twelve or so food courts offering plenty of places to get your Asian food fix. Whether you have a hankering for BBQ, clay pot rice or pork soup dumplings, stop here to check out local favorites. Stroll through the centers for an overview not only of the food scene, but also for a flavor of Asian decor, trendy fashions and popular art in the speciality stores on site

Our group’s weekend food fest began with lunch take-out from two food stalls at Parker Place Food Court, Lai Taste and Parker Place Meat & BBQ, for tastes of Vietnamese fish subs with a refreshing complement of cucumber and cilantro, succulent roasted bbq pork and duck, and soya chicken.

Tip: Arrive early at Parker Place Meat & BBQ. Expect waits of up to 30-minutes or longer at this popular takeout-only venue known for its scrumptious food and friendly service.

Cap off your lunch with the sweet taste of Chinese bubble waffles and dragon beard candy. Like a waffle in reverse, bubble waffles are a Chinese snack with batter inside that can be customized with matcha, Oreos or red bean paste.

What’s dragon beard candy? “Like a little cloud of sweetness,” the candy is spun sugar made originally with stuffed peanuts, similar to Turkish delight.

Still hungry? Head to award-winning James Snacks at Empire Centre Food Court to sample its signature dish, claypot rice, a one-pot dish of meats or chicken and vegetables. Try the Chinese preserved sausage (darker in color than the regular sausage) for a hint of sweetness.

Tip: Call 30 min. ahead to place your order to allow enough time for the the rice to form a crisp crust and the flavors of the ingredients absorbed into the rice.

At Lansdowne Food Court, be sure to try the juicy pork soup dumplings (Xiao Long Bao) at R & H Chinese Food.

On any given weekday, you might catch Wang Mei Ling preparing one of the 40-50 baskets she makes daily (80-90 baskets, 6 dumplings per basket, on weekends). She fills the wheat flour wrappers with minced pork and aspic, seasoned with salt and white pepper, sugar, rice wine soy and ginger. One of my favorite finds!

Richmond Public Market

How about some hand-pulled noodles for your Asian food fest?

At Xi’An Cuisine on the second floor of the Richmond Public Market, watch the chef as he demonstrates his noodle-stretching technique before you sample one of the many noodle dishes sold here. You can even pick up ingredients for a home-cooked Asian meal at the grocery store or food shops on the first floor if you want to try your own hand at noodle-stretching.

Hole in the Wall Locations

Small, unpretentious, with a focus on family-friendly food fare for the adventurous, these restaurants might otherwise go unnoticed in their tucked away locations were it not for their loyal followings.

Tip: At many hole in the wall restaurants, you can’t make reservations ahead of time. Expect up to 30-minute waits(at least) for seating depending on the time of day.

Here a few favorites from our weekend extravaganza:

Happy Date Restaurant and Bakery

Start your second day in Richmond with breakfast at this Hong Kong style restaurant with a bakery attached. Enjoy a Chinese donut (crispy on the outside, soft on the inside), dipped in soy milk.

Follow with a bowl of congee with preserved egg and shredded pork, and you’re all set for the day ahead.

Xin Shun Spicy Crab Hot Pot

Put on your plastic gloves and get your hands dirty when you dive into this dish of spicy stir-fried crab mixed with shrimp, vegetables and meats. What fun – and so delicious!

Prata Man

For a taste of traditional Hainanese Chicken, Prata Man is the place to go. Just head to the end of a small plaza on Garden City Way and have a seat at one of the dozen or so tables inside. Here the Hainanese chicken is served cold with green onion and ginger, complemented by chicken oil rice and a clear, hot broth.

Prata Man prides itself on having the highest quality of all three ingredients – the broth, chicken and chicken oil rice – to create the best possible traditional dish.

BBQ Meats at HK BBQ Master

Accessed through a parking lot located under a large supermarket, BBQ Meats at HK BBQ Master ranks high for its superb crackling roast pork, thanks to its use of pork belly.

Crackling is the crispy skin on cooked pork. Not a fan of crackling roast pork? No worries. The moist, flavorful BBQ duck and pork also drew high praise from our group of food explorers.

Order the choy sum (a Chinese leafy green like gai lan, but softer and sweeter) as a tasty side dish.

Shibuyatei

Travel is all about discovery, and Shibuyatei is a gem. Located next to a car wash, Chef Takeo Sato runs his one-man restaurant with passion. But don’t let the location fool you.

Shibuyatei is billed as one of the best places for authentic “larmen” outside Japan where Chef Takeo previously ran a ramen shop. His focus on flavorful ramen, minus MSG, is evident in every delectable bite.

Sushi Hachi

For an intimate, upscale Japanese dining experience, book a reservation at the exclusive Sushi Hachi, open only for dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays. The husband and wife team specialize in serving authentic traditional nigari and sashimi, simply presented.

If you’re not sure what to order, you can’t go wrong saying this magical phrase, “Omakase,” loosely translated as “Chef, I am in your hands.”

Sugarholic Cafe

But wait – Let’s not forget dessert after all our Asian dining! How about a bite of this scrumptious bananas & chocolate honey toast tower from Aberdeen Centre’s Sugarholic Cafe, described as “European high tea meets Japanese sweets.”

At least you know what you’re getting here!

After a whirlwind weekend of sampling traditional Asian foods at fourteen favorite eateries in Richmond, BC, it’s time to head home, with visions of yummy Asian dining dancing in my head – and on my palate.

Wander on!

Nancy

Thanks to Visit Richmond BC for showing me a few of the best hole in the wall restaurants the area has to offer!

What’s your favorite Asian dish, wanderboomers? Please share with us here.

June 8, 2016 by Nancy Mueller 22 Comments

Top 5 Travel Safety Tips

Luggage

I’m often asked what I do to stay safe while traveling, either with family or on solo trips. Here are my top 5 travel safety tips to maximize safety, comfort and fun on the road whether you’re an experienced world traveler, or just beginning your journeys:

1) Avoid being conspicuous.

It’s easy to stand out as a tourist while traveling, but there are a few things you can do to be less obvious:

Carry little cash and keep your money, maps and latest tech toys out of sight. I once made the mistake of taking out my money in clear view of my cab driver on the way to my hotel. Once he saw how much I had with me, he charged me an exorbitant rate that the local hotel clerk called – you guessed it – highway robbery. So that’s where that term comes from . . .
Avoid making inflammatory remarks (e.g. politics, religion) and don’t take the bait if others goad you into taking a political stand. It’s one thing to enjoy a spirited discussion for the purpose of greater cultural understanding; it’s quite another to feel under siege and have to defend the actions of your government in other countries.
Dress appropriately. This includes clothing and accessories. On one of my flights abroad, a kind gentleman advised me to remove my large hoop earrings or else run the risk of having them ripped out of my ears while out and about in the local community. Ouch!

2) Pay attention to your surroundings.

This is what’s known as “street smarts.” If you grew up in an urban environment, like New York City or Los Angeles, no doubt this was part of your upbringing. But if you’re from a small town like me, learning to look around your surroundings discretely is an acquired skill that’s essential to develop.

People – In his book, The Gift of Fear, Gavin de Becker stresses the importance of listening to your intuition when assessing a situation. Listening to and acting on your intuition is a valuable travel skill.
Places – Get your bearings quickly. Know where you are and learn where the exits and escape routes are located. If you’re in a tsunami zone, for example, find out where the evacuation routes are and decide on a plan of action ahead of time should a natural disaster strike.
Things – By now most of us are accustomed to looking out for unattended bags at airports and on public transportation. Don’t forget other public settings like museums and markets as well.

3) Read, listen and follow the safety guidelines & procedures provided.

The safety guidelines are in put in place for travelers’ protection. Look for printed copies here:

hotel room
airline flights
cruise ships
Log onto the U.S. State Department website for current info.

4) Stay in touch.

Let people know where you will be traveling and your expected arrival times. You might want to get off the beaten path to delve more deeply into the local culture. I hope you do! Just be sure to give your contacts a general sense of where you’re heading in case they need to reach you.
Check in from time to time at whatever intervals you decide upon with your contacts before you take off.
Keep your cell phones charged at all times. Need I say more?

5) Travel light.

Leave your cultural baggage at home. One of the great joys of traveling is making new discoveries. By leaving your cultural baggage at home, you open yourself up to learning about new customs, cuisines, and communication styles which makes for a much more interesting journey.
Pack only what you can carry whenever possible. Do you really want to be lugging around more than one bag if you don’t have to? Trust me on this. You don’t.
Stay fit and healthy and be ready to move quickly in unexpected or threatening situations. Whatever you can do to stay fit while traveling, including exercising, will pay off in your ability to participate in as many of the local activities as you desire.

What are your favorite travel safety tips? Drop me a line and let me know.

February 1, 2016 by Nancy Mueller Leave a Comment

WanderBoomer on the Move!

Oh, what a ride it’s been!

I first met Chief Wanderer of Wanderlust and Lipstick, Beth Whitman, when she signed up for my “Travel Writing for Fun & Profit” class more years ago than I care to remember. We exchanged books, her then brand-new Wanderlust and Lipstick: For Women Traveling to India for my Work Worldwide: International Career Strategies for the Adventurous Job Seeker. We stayed in touch over the next few years, meeting up at various travel events throughout the Seattle area. Soon after my dazzling tour of Alaska’s Inside Passage in 2010, Beth invited me to join her roster of Wanderbloggers, and a fun, profitable partnership was born.

Too-many-to-count trips later for both of us, Beth has made the decision to take Wanderlust and Lipstick in a new direction. As her mission remains inspiring women to travel, especially solo, it makes sense for her to bring her site back to her original roots. In the meantime, we Wanderbloogers are using Beth’s news as a catalyst to move headlong into our own bold new adventurers.

My new travel site, WanderBoomer.com, is under design as I write this farewell post to you, my loyal readers. When my site launches, you will be the first to know. Expect continuing coverage of fascinating worldwide destinations, travel tips on how to travel smart, photography inspiration and much more! In the meantime, be sure to follow me for updates on my social media sites:

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

It’s been a joy sharing my travels on Wanderlust and Lipstick! YOU have inspired me, through your comments and conversations, to leave my cultural baggage at home, seek out new adventures, and above all, to keep on moving. I thank Beth for the opportunity to be part of such a fabulous community and you, my readers, for your on-going support and shared love of all things travel.

Wander on!

Nancy

December 28, 2015 by Nancy Mueller Leave a Comment

Florida Keys & Key West Winter Getaway

As you gaze into your 2016 crystal travel ball, imagine a getaway to one of North America’s friendliest, most fun-loving destinations. Head to the southernmost site of the U.S. – the Florida Keys & Key West – for your great winter (or anytime) escape. Enjoy blue, sunny skies, soft, sub-tropical breezes and emerald waters as you kick back, feed the fishes and sip a mojito, or two.

Book a flight directly into Key West or into Miami International Airport (MIA) to catch a shuttle or rent a car to the Florida Keys, a string of upper, middle and lower islands stretching from Key Largo to Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key and finally, Key West, covering 125 miles. Highway 1 connects the Florida Keys to the mainland and the shuttle drive from MIA takes an estimated 3.5 to 4 hours (with drop-offs) at the highway’s highest speed limit of 55 mph.

Florida Keys Historic 7-Mile Bridge

For your ultimate stay and play vacation, here are a few fun activities to add to your playdate in paradise.

Voyage on the African Queen.

In Key Largo, hop aboard history with a 1.5 – 2 hour day or dinner cruise on the one and only recently-restored (2011) African Queen from the same-named classic film starring Humphrey Bogart and Kathryn Hepburn. Channel your inner Bogart and Hepburn with a turn at the helm and blow of the steamboat whistle.

Go Deep-Sea Fishing.

Continue your fun getaway with someone widely-respected as one of Florida’s national treasures, Long Island-bred Captain Skip Bradeen, who has been plying the waters of the Florida Keys for over 50 years.

Captain Skip’s musical medley on board sets an easy-living tone on his charter boat, Blue Chip Too. Apart from his mellifluous New York accent, we’re welcomed with throwback tunes like Mack the Knife, Cathy’s Clown, I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter, and Kissing and a Hugging with Fred.

Our afternoon mission, should we choose to accept it – and of course, we do – is to land red or yellow-tailed snapper, marlin, grouper, sailfish or possibly “shock”for our evening dinner. “What kind of fish is that, Captain Skip?” “Shock! Shock!” For a minute, we’re confused. Then we get it. “Ahh – shark!” Though the sharks elude us, by the end of our afternoon adventure, we manage to capture enough of the others to “cook our catch” later that evening at Lazy Days Restaurant in Islamorada.

Kayak through Mangroves.

While adventure enthusiasts can follow the Florida Keys’ paddling trail from Key Largo to Key West, we opt for a shorter, alternate route through the quiet, backcountry No Name mangrove. What is a mangrove exactly? Just ask Captain Bill Keogh of Big Pine Kayak Adventures who together with his trusted canine companion leads our group of kayakers through a lush, mysterious waterway, a forested marine ecosystem for sea- and birdlife.

As we navigate through the shallow waters, paddling where possible or pulling ourselves forward on the branches dangling overhead, Captain Bill points out the abundance of wildlife all around us. It’s hard to imagine a more satisfying, peaceful way to spend an afternoon while learning about the colorful creatures who live here.

Explore Key West.

For an overview of popular sites and tourist attractions in Key West, we take the “hop on-hop off” Old Town Trolley sightseeing tour with thirteen stops along the way. Our ride includes a cruise down Duval Street, famous for its festivals and parades, shopping and bars like Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, Hard Rock Cafe, Sloppy Joe’s and the Bull & Whistle.

Of course no stay in Key West would be complete for Hemingway aficionados without a visit to his home, now a museum. From the estate’s luxurious grounds with built-in swimming pool, to the purring six-toed cats that grace the premises, to a guided tour through the Spanish colonial-style home and writer’s studio, the site offers a fascinating peek into Hemingway’s life during his years in Key West. The author’s legend lives on in the fun Papa Look-Alike contest held annually during Hemingway Days in July.

Visitors can walk through a bird and butterfly wonderland at The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory, another popular Key West attraction on the tour. Vibrant. Magical. Calming. Soft background music adds to nature’s sounds of cascading water and birdsong as we stroll among the tropical flora and fauna in the glass-enclosed surroundings. Exotic species of birds and butterflies fly freely around us. Occasionally a butterfly lights on one lucky visitor, while the rest of us gaze at the magnificent colors up close and personal.

You have to love a town where locals and tourists gather nightly to view and celebrate sunset as a community event. Jugglers, musicians, artisans, and psychics all contribute to the festive atmosphere that takes over Mallory Square each evening starting two hours before sunset.

Or how about a quieter celebration with a sunset cruise? So many choices, each equally fun and memorable.

Eat, Drink and Make Merry.

Hogfish Bar & Grill

Enjoy oceanfront and open-air dining at several restaurants throughout the Florida Keys and Key West. Whether having breakfast at the Morada Bay Beach Cafe or lunch at The Hungry Tarpon where you can feed silver kings from your bucket of baitfish in Islamorada; whether starting your day with huge cinnamon and sticky buns at Bob’s Bunz or having lunch at Hogfish Bar and Grill where the specialty is – you guessed it – fresh, flavorful hogfish; whether you “cook your catch” for dinner at Lazy Days Restaurant in Islamorada, check in for dinner at El Meson de Pepe, a Cuban restaurant, or Half Shell Raw Bar in Key West; whether you meet for breakfast at Blue Heaven in Key West’s Bahama Village Neighborhood (also the site of Friday-night boxing matches once refereed by Hemingway himself) or Mangrove Mama’s in Summerland Key – you can count on having fresh seafood, key lime pie and mojitos on the menu.

Key Lime Pie from El Meson de Pepe

And remember – it’s never too early in the day for key lime pie. You be the judge about the mojitos.

For more information, visit The Florida Keys & Key West.

Many thanks to The Florida Keys & Key West for the chance to experience “Prime Time in Paradise.” Some, though not all, of my expenses were covered by my hosts.

Wander on!

Nancy

What about you, wanderboomers? What are your favorite recommended experiences when visiting The Florida Keys & Key West?

October 12, 2015 by Nancy Mueller 4 Comments

Roadtripping Down the Oregon Coast

Nothing quite beats the fun of roadtripping down the Oregon Coast to enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. While not quite as iconic as driving U.S. Route 66, the Oregon Coast offers plenty of spellbinding scenes, best beach towns and destination dining. Whether planning a family vacation, girlfriend getaway or romantic escape, why not take to the road to explore the region’s bounty?

Getaway Vehicle: Toyota 4Runner

For a family adventure at summer’s end, we hit the highway in style, taking a gleaming red Toyota 4Runner for a spin. Our drive was smooth, comfortable and easy-peasy to maneuver as we (okay, I) belted out favorite roadtripping tunes with visions of off-roading exploits dancing in our heads. Though used to packing light (think carry-on) for my flight travel, I had no problem filling the roomy back of the vehicle with you-never-know-when-you-might-need-it-but-probably-won’t items.

KOA Astoria/Warrenton/Seaside

For the ultimate family camping experience, KOA (Kampgrounds of America) provides RV, tent camping and cabin accommodations. On this trip, our plans included a new travel experience: a two-night stay in a deluxe cabin at the Astoria/Warrenton/Seaside KOA .

Amenities at this site include an outdoor and indoor pool with hot tub, a free pancake breakfast (with lunch and dinner available for purchase), bike rentals, and a new activities center that houses arts & crafts, arcade and board games, ping pong and pool tables and basketball. Outside, the giant Jumping Pillow and mini-golf were favorites among the campers on site.

Entering the KOA site, we’re welcomed by friendly ambassadors directing us to the registration office. The friendly atmosphere continues inside the convenience store and at the registration desk. For office manager, Rosanna, “Seeing people have fun” is the best part of her job at KOA. Doris, HR manager, agrees: “When your employees like being here, it’s a good place to be.” In fact, fellow employee Hillary likes working at KOA so much that she planned her wedding to take place on site.

Happy to recommend nearby sites for exploration, the staff directs us to historic Fort Stevens across the street, Seaside with its landmark oceanfront Promenade and beachfront turnaround, and Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia River. For this short getaway, we opt for Seaside and Astoria, saving Fort Stevens for a longer visit.

Seaside, Oregon

Amazingly, though I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest for many years, I discovered Seaside only recently while attending a Travel + Words Northwest Travel Writers Conference here. Northwest ocean breezes, a fun boardwalk that includes an oceanside aquarium, and plentiful outdoor recreational activities, have attracted families to this coastal town for generations.

Visitors can rent bikes, ride the carousel, stroll the Promenade or have a go at bumper cars. Be sure to stop in at Beach Books to browse the bestsellers, regional collection and everything in between, as well as other specialty gift shops and galleries. Or kick back on the beach and soak up the stunning ocean views.

Astoria

Once a thriving fishing, then timber town, Astoria showcases its heritage at the Columbia River Maritime Museum with interactive exhibits for visitors of all ages.

Visitors are also welcome to board the Lighthouse Columbia, a national historic landmark, just outside the museum. Throughout the town, a scattering of Victorian mansions dot the hillside, reminding visitors of its historical roots.

To learn more about Astoria’s colorful history, ride the Astoria Riverfront Trolley. Hop on and off at designated locations or stay on for the entire one-hour journey for only $1.00.

Bowpicker Fish & Chips, a dry-docked boat, (think food truck alternative), came highly recommended, but alas! The first day of our stay the eatery was closed and the second day we stopped by, the lengthy line of customers – while an obvious testament to Bowpicker’s popular following and reputation – kept us at bay. Instead, we discovered the Blue Scorcher Bakery & Cafe, a worker-owned cooperative located in the historic Fort George Building that features delicious artisan breads, pastries and seasonal foods. Also highly recommended.

By the end of our short getaway, plans to include off-roading adventures in our rugged Toyota 4xRunner took a backseat to running trails and beach town explorations. But with so much more to see and experience along Oregon’s northern coast, it’s only a matter of time before our travels bring us back.

For more information, visit:

Toyota 4Runner
KOA Astoria/Warrenton/Seaside
Travel and Words – Northwest Travel Writers Conference

Many thanks to Toyota and KOA for the chance to explore the Pacific Northwest in style for our end-of-summer family escape!

Wander on!

Nancy

When and where are you planning your next road trip, Wanderboomers?

Off the Beaten Culinary Path in Richmond, BC

Top 5 Travel Safety Tips

WanderBoomer on the Move!

Florida Keys & Key West Winter Getaway

Roadtripping Down the Oregon Coast

Destination:

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