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 | Feb 1, 2007 | Africa, Selous, Simon and Baker Travel Review, Tanzania
A two hour morning flight from Ruaha National Park on a Cessna 13-seat plane found us at the Mtemere airstrip, a half hour’s boat ride from Selous Impala Camp. Musa our guide for the duration of our stay, and a boat driver greeted us at the airstrip. After brief introductions and the customary jambo greeting in Swahili we walked to the small motor boat on the Rufiji River banks on which we made our way to camp.
by Editor | Feb 1, 2007 | Africa, Ruaha, Simon and Baker Travel Review, Tanzania
We found Jongomero, named for the He He tribe’s word zongomero which means great wilderness, in a remote corner of Ruaha National Park, one of Tanzania’s fenceless parks dedicated exclusively to game viewing. Described as the “ultimate wilderness” by property manager Greg du Toit, the small luxury tented camp was perched on the edge of the Sand River. Since there were no other camps for many miles, Jongomero guests enjoyed almost exclusive access to that part of Ruaha.
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.
