The pond at the center of Duke Kunshan University is full of life. The most obvious life is, of course, the water lilies. They’re striking and beautiful and go perfectly with the modern white stone and pagoda that surround them. If you look closer, you’ll see some fairly large fish Read more
“Wo bu mingbai,” means, “I don’t understand,” and I literally do not understand much of what is going on here. I was trying to figure out how to dial out on my room phone, and dialed the operator by mistake. “Ni hao!” she said (which means “hello”), and then a Read more
My flight from Toronto to Shanghai was “business class,” which basically means they gave me all the things: A lie-flat seat. FLAT flat. Like, all the way back. A mattress pad (srsly?), coverlet, slippers, and a pillow to use on the plane A bottle of water A toiletries kit containing Read more
Dear Grandma, Happy birthday to you! Hope it’s filled with friends and joy and good food! Enjoyed our visit so much and was so happy to see you both in good spirits and health. Thanks for the nice note! I got it in the mail the other day. I am Read more
There are tears and hugs as we say goodbye, and we’re already frantically texting each other with inside jokes and whines about missing Scotland and Ireland. The trip was wonderful. The scenery was mind-boggling. The friendships I made filled my heart.
Powerscourt & Glendalough County Wicklow is home to some of the wildest and most spectacular scenery in Ireland, as well as two of the country’s most important historic sites. Your first stop is Glendalough, which became famous throughout Europe as a center of Christian learning before it was sacked by Read more
Take a comprehensive tour of Ireland’s capital city with a local expert leading the way. Stop in Phoenix Park, site of the presidential residence, and pass by the Guinness Storehouse. Step inside the soaring St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Ireland’s largest church. Pass St. Stephen’s Green and admire the Georgian architecture of Read more
Pay a visit to Blarney Castle, the home of the legendary Blarney Stone, said to grant the “gift of gab” to those who kiss it. Then, continue to Waterford where you’ll tour the city’s famed crystal factory. I’m exhausted and all the days are running together. I’m tired of buses Read more
Make your way along the dramatically rugged terrain of the Dingle Peninsula. Take a scenic drive along the Slea Head Drive, enjoying impressive coastal views as you go. Enter the Gallarus Oratory, an early Christian church overlooking the harbor at Ard na Caithne. Enjoy photo stops at Coumeenole Beach, Slea Read more
Travel through the Irish countryside to County Kerry today, taking time to view spectacular scenery en route. Pass through the Burren, a unique limestone plateau where fields of rock are dotted with wildflowers. Pay a visit to a local crystal and marble factory. Walk along the mesmerizing coastline of the Read more