Foodies

Read more about the article Bruges where Beer and Chocolate awaits
Cities / Foodies

Bruges where Beer and Chocolate awaits

Bruges is one of Europe’s historical gems and only a 2 ½ hours drive from where I grew up and yet I had never been. I read a lot about it; I watched several movies that were filmed there, but somehow, I never made it there. But finally, this year, the stars align when my friend Michelle has to go to Europe for work around the same time I am visiting mom in the Netherlands for her birthday. The perfect occasion to plan a weekend to explore this city together. So, on Friday at the end of May, Michelle is taking the train from Luxembourg, and I am driving to Bruges, where beer and chocolate awaits.

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June 7, 2024
Read more about the article Hiking for Wine: Mendocino
Foodies / hiking / The Outdoors

Hiking for Wine: Mendocino

Seema and I decided at the spur of the moment to go on a little road trip. We wanted to hike, go winetasting and have good food. After some research, we picked Mendocino as our destination. Only a couple of hours up the coast from the Bay area, we had both not been there. It was also an opportunity to visit the wineries of the Anderson Valley. So, on a sunny Monday morning in February, we were on our way for a hiking for wine Mendocino Road Trip.

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February 16, 2024
Read more about the article Hiking TMB: Trient to Argentiere
Foodies / hiking / Tour de Mont Blanc

Hiking TMB: Trient to Argentiere

In January, six of us decided to hike the famous Tour de Mont Blanc trail in the Alpes. After research and discussions with Alpine Exploratory, our travel agent, we decided to only hike the northern section.  Seven days, around seventy miles, from Courmayeur in Italy to Chamonix in France. August 3 was our fifth day of hiking TMB: Trient to Argentiere. 9.9 miles, 3,740 feet elevation.

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October 21, 2023
Read more about the article Searching for Island vibes in San Diego
Foodies / The Outdoors

Searching for Island vibes in San Diego

We had booked a trip to Kaanapali, Maui, for Labor Day. I was looking forward to a couple of days beach, pool, dolphin trips, cocktails and good food. In summary, island living. On the morning of August 8, we heard the devastating news that a wildfire was threatening the town of Lahaina. The strong winds caused by hurricane Dora, spread the fire so fast, that it pretty much burned the old fishermen’s town to ashes. Realizing that all resources in Maui were needed to support the locals, we agreed that we should cancel our trip. However, still wanting some sun, we decided to go searching for island vibes in San Diego instead.

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September 18, 2023
Read more about the article Picnic En Blanc: A Night Of Friends, Food And Fun
Friends Together
Foodies

Picnic En Blanc: A Night Of Friends, Food And Fun

The Best Picnics ever!

A beautiful August evening in Redwood City, California. Hundreds of people, all dressed in white, gather in the parking lot of Canada College for a yearly tradition: le diner en blanc. This one is called “Picnic en blanc”. But it is the same thing, a worldwide event, that started in Paris decades ago. Thanks to Eilish, who managed to book 4 tables, we have 27 friends, gathering for Picnic-en-blanc: a night of friends, food and fun.

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September 16, 2022
Read more about the article Hiking The Wicklow Way – This Is How We Do It
Summer Hike
Foodies / hiking / The Outdoors / The Road to Everest Base Camp

Hiking The Wicklow Way – This Is How We Do It

The Wicklow Way
During one of our regular hikes in California, we realize that several of us will be in Europe this summer. One of the hikes that we had on our list, was the Wicklow Way in Ireland.

Spontaneously, we decide to try to do it while we are all in Europe and we started coordinating schedules. Soon our next hiking trip is in the books: hiking the Wicklow Way.

Best Things To Explore – Wicklow Way

 

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July 28, 2022
Read more about the article Escaping the heat of New York City – Fun Way To Keep Cool
Relaxing View
Cities / Foodies / The Outdoors

Escaping the heat of New York City – Fun Way To Keep Cool

I am visiting New York in July. It is hot and humid. On the first day, we brave the heat and walk in Central Park and the Brooklyn Bridge to DUMBO. However, on Sunday, Andrea suggest we go to Governors Island to escape the heat of New York City.

Fun Ways To Keep Cool

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July 14, 2022
Read more about the article Hiking for wine in Oregon
Photo In Blue Greenish Water
Foodies / The Outdoors / The Road to Everest Base Camp

Hiking for wine in Oregon

A Hike To Remember

I am in The Netherlands in May, when my friend Vanessa sends me a text. Do I have June 20 off? I tell her I don’t but I can take it off. She has a credit for airline tickets and wants to go somewhere for the Juneteenth weekend.

Am I interested in going? I don’t hesitate and tell her I am in. I happen to have a free night and points with Marriott. With that settled, we need to decide where we want to go. After some thought, we agree we will go hiking around Eugene Oregon.

Oregon is also where the Willamette Valley is, famous for its Pinot wine, so it becomes our “hiking for wine” in Oregon long weekend.

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July 10, 2022
Read more about the article California Dreaming: Crab and Mead wine
Foodies

California Dreaming: Crab and Mead wine

The Marin headlands are just a little north of the metropolitan city of San Francisco, but once you pass the Richmond bridge and drive on the narrow winding roads of Marin Headlands, you enter a totally different world of sleepy country side, rolling hills covered in wild flowers, cows, goats and horses. It is our destination on a sunny Sunday in March for a visit to Point Reyes Station followed by a Crab Feed at Heidrun Meadery for an afternoon of California dreaming: cheese, crab and Mead wine. (more…)

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May 8, 2022