Category Archives: Travel

Semana Santa in Guatemala leading up to Easter

Posted on March 25, 2013 by albatz

‘Semana Santa‘, the ten-day Holy Week leading up to Easter Sunday, starts on the ‘Viernes de Dolores‘ (Friday of Sorrow and Pain). We were in Guatemala many years ago to witness this religious festival. We were in Guatemala City for … Continue reading →

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Chinese New Year parade, celebrations & food

Posted on February 13, 2013 by albatz

2013’s Chinese New Year’s Parade, featuring the Year of the Snake, happens on February 17 in Vancouver’s Chinatown. Here are some shots from last year’s parade to inspire you to head out and celebrate (and try out some goodies)! ‘Why … Continue reading →

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Stay-at-Home Tour of the Wineries of Spain & Portugal: Sherry, Port and Madeira

Posted on January 26, 2013 by albatz

Carrying on with my class on ‘Tasting the Wines of Spain and Portugal’, I am going into the third segment, the fortified wines: Sherry, Port and Madeira. We actually only tasted one Sherry and one Port in the class (bottles … Continue reading →

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At-Home Tour of the Wineries of Spain & Portugal: the Reds

Posted on January 25, 2013 by albatz

According to the instructor of my wine-tasting class, Spain is the second largest wine producer in the world when it comes to reds, and Portugal is ramping up production of quality reds from the Duoro and Alentejo regions. So here’s … Continue reading →

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At-Home Tour of the Wineries of Spain & Portugal: Cava and the Whites

Posted on January 24, 2013 by albatz

In my tasting class at the university we tested 12 bottles of wine from Spain and Portugal. In addition, I have put in a few more bottles from the Iberian Peninsula that have caught my attention. To keep this blog … Continue reading →

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Chai tea with ginger and cardamon

Posted on January 10, 2013 by albatz

1 cup water 1/2 inch ginger, grated 1 cup milk loose black tea – 2 tsp one cinnamon stick, grind in mortar & pestle along with 2 cloves and 2 cardamon pods (or 1/2 tsp cardamon powder) sugar – to taste
 … Continue reading →

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Johnny serves up oysters on the beach in PV

Posted on January 10, 2013 by albatz

On the beach just north of Puerto Vallarta’s malecon you can find Johnny, the singing oyster vendor. Even if you don’t buy oysters he will often croon you a little song before he’s off in search of other customers. I … Continue reading →

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Mexican Cooking Class: Sopa Tarasca from Patzcuaro

Posted on December 31, 2012 by albatz

door way into a secret jardin, Patzcuaro.  It was in 1976 that I first went to Patzcuaro, and on that first trip I fell in love with the city. And when I was in Patzcuaro, I fell in love with … Continue reading →

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Mexican cooking from Oaxaca, the land of the 7 moles

Posted on December 26, 2012 by albatz

Mexican cooking from state of Oaxaca, the land of the 7 moles. Moles are the super-rich chile-based sauces and there are all sorts of moles. But mole is only one of many Oaxacan specialities. Here are some more: Sopa de milpa … Continue reading →

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try it, you’ll like it! – the main food market in Oaxaca, Mexico

Posted on December 17, 2012 by albatz

We arrived at Oaxaca’s main food market around lunchtime, and the smell of roasting meat drew us into this hidden wing that jutted off of the main building. Here the BBQs were in full swing, the air was full of smoke, … Continue reading →

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