by Editor | Feb 1, 2007 | Africa, Selous, Simon and Baker Travel Review, Tanzania
Chomp, chomp, chomp … just before dawn on our first night at Selous Safari Camp we woke to persistent chewing so close it seemed to be next to our bed. Hesitant to disturb the chewing beast, we remained sitting and listening intently until the dark of the night morphed into a soft gray. Eventually we peeked out of the folds of our tent to see the profiles of several huge animals grazing contentedly. We continued listening as the sound of hippos feeding faded toward the still water of the nearby lake. Moments like these are the reason we travel long distances across land and sea in search of game viewing experiences.
by Editor | Feb 1, 2007 | Africa, Serengeti, Simon and Baker Travel Review, Tanzania
It was marvelous to be in the Grumeti Reserves in the famous Serengeti, miles from anywhere, and enjoy a new and handsome, well appointed world class spa offering on site and in suite treatment options at the Sasakwa Lodge and nearby Sabora Plains Tented Camp. We enjoyed excellent deep tissue massages, a facial and a couple’s treatment that left us walking on air.
by Editor | Feb 1, 2007 | Simon and Baker Travel Review
The largest country in East Africa, Tanzania is home to 36 million people. About half the population is Muslim (45 percent), and the other half is Christian (45 percent). The remaining 10 percent have indigenous beliefs. Although we heard about plans to relocate the population to urban areas and increase the size of parks for ecotourism and hunting, the majority of the population today, 80 percent, work in agriculture in rural areas. Non Africans only represent one percent of the population.
by Editor | Jan 1, 2007 | Europe, France, Paris, Simon and Baker Travel Review
Les Elysées du Vernet, Paris, France Details Common Areas Dining Food Other Review About The Chef Prior to joining Les Elysee du Vernet in December of 2002, Eric Briffard headed La Régence, the gourmet restaurant at the Plaza Athenee Hotel. Earlier in his career he...
by Editor | Jan 1, 2007 | Europe, France, Paris, Simon and Baker Travel Review
Every time we dine at Helene Darroze we leave satisfied and looking forward to a prompt return. On our most recent visit to Paris, hers was the only restaurant we visited three times; three times, the meal was fantastic. Her dishes were bold, playful and full of surprises. We found the usual items available at other top tier French restaurants like truffles, scallops, duck and goose foie gras paired or prepared in unexpected ways or with exotic ingredients. Combinations that in a less experienced and gifted chef might annoy or clash, were vibrant, memorable, and perhaps most important worth repeating. Her style, though elegant and thoroughly French, is novel and packs a culinary punch. We hope it has staying power.
by Editor | Jan 1, 2007 | Europe, France, Paris, Simon and Baker Travel Review
We found Pierre Gagnaire’s signature restaurant tucked in a corner of the empty Belle Époque Hotel Balzac, on a quiet side street a stone’s throw from the Champs Elysees. Although there was no sign or number to indicate we had the correct address and from the outside the building looked empty, on closer inspection we discovered a promotional flyer for the restaurant in a display case.
