Sea World in San Diego, California is a marine amusement park dedicated to the preservation, enrichment, and education of marine life. Through the usage of engaging exhibits and shows, the park educates and fascinates visitors, young and old. Many of the exhibits allow the guests to get up close and personal with the animals, providing a very interactive learning experience. Dolphins, killer whales, sharks, penguins, and fish of different sizes and shape is only a fraction of the list of animals you will see. Thrill seekers will also be able to enjoy their signature thrill rides and roller coaster like Atlantis and Manta Ray. After a day of fun, visitors can finish off their visit with their star attraction, an epic stadium show featuring nine adult killer whales.

Thrill-seekers need to search no further. Some of the world’s most thrilling rides can be found at the Stratosphere Hotel in Las Vegas. The Stratosphere Hotel, a 1,149 feet freestanding tower is home to the most extreme rides known to mankind. The rides which are found at the very top of this 100 plus story building are Big Shot (a “space shot” ride that projects the riders up vertically on a metal pole, Insanity (a spinning ride that dangle riders above open space), and X-Scream (a train type ride that leaves the rider suspended at the top of the building only to be held secured by the tracks). If that wasn’t enough, one can jump down this 100 plus story building only to be saved by a net place not too far from the ground. Definitely not for the faint of heart.

The Seven Courses of Beef is an interesting Vietnamese dining experience that is sure to spice up your ordinary dining routine. Just as the name implies, the seven courses of beef is a meal made of beef prepared in a multiple of ways. One second you may find yourself eating away at a perfectly grilled slice of thinly cut beef and then perhaps gulping down a refreshing bowl of beef porridge the next. The different consistency and variety will keep you on your feet as you work your way across the rounds of food the kitchen has delicately prepared. The 7 courses of Beef is usually served as followed.

1. Beef and Shrimp Salad
2. Grilled Beef (usually grilled at table)
3. Hawaiian Leaf Wrapped Beef
4. Beef Meatballs
5. Beef Dipped in Hot Vinegar (usually cooked at table)
6. Steamed Beef
7. Beef Rice Porridge

Originally built in the 1930s, Chinatown is still home to many Chinese people in Los Angeles. Although most of the newer generation Chinese relocated east to cities like Monterey Park and San Gabriel, many of the first generation Chinese remain. Today, Chinatown is a prime tourist location for those who wish to eat Authentic Chinese food and purchase inexpensive imported Chinese goods.

You can find many interesting articles of sale like ancient artifacts from this antique shop for example.

A painting of a mythic dragon and a statue of Buddha.

In Chinatown, one can find many shops selling authentic Chinese Dim Sum.

No trip to Los Angeles without a visit of Chinatown.

Little Tokyo in Los Angeles is one of the few remaining places in the United States where you can actually still find many authentic foods and goodies together in the proximity of a few blocks. The little town is home to many Japanese supermarkets, restaurants, novelty shops and the like. Whether you are a Los Angeles inhabitant or a tourist, Little Tokyo is definitely worth a visit or two.

Most of the basic Japanese foods and goodies can be purchased here.


Revolving sushi restaurant.


Little Tokyo is probably the closest thing you get to Japan…outside of Japan.

California Rolls as its name implies originated in the beautiful sunny state of California. In the 1960s, a chef in Los Angeles was disappointed by the availability of fresh sushi quality fish. He thought that there must be some way to recreate that buttery taste of fresh fish with ingredients indigenous to California. In an attempt to recreate those favors the chef put together some imitation crab meat, avocado, cucumber,seaweed, and sushi rice to create the popular dish – the California Roll. The roll proved to be a huge success with its appearance in countless sushi joints around the world. The California Roll is actually a pretty simple dish to concoct in any kitchen.
Ingredients List:
Sushi Rice
Rice Vinegar
Sugar
Roasted Seaweed
Imitation Crab Meat
Avocado
Cucumber
Sesame Seeds

Sides:
Pickled Ginger
Soy Sauce
Wasabi

Required Tools/Materials:
Bamboo Sushi Mold

1. The process begins with preparing 2 cups of sushi rice. (It is much easier to cook rice if you have a rice cooker at hand but should you be lacking one, do not despair…you can do without.) After washing the rice, add 2 cups of sushi rice into a small pot and add 2 cups of filtered water. Place the lid on the pot and turn the heat up to the max. After about 10 minutes (when the water starts bubbling) turn the heat to medium and wait for the rice to simmer for a bit (another 10-15 minutes).
2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix 3 tablespoon with 2 tablespoon of sugar and a pinch of salt.
3. When the rice is finally ready, add the vinegar in the rice and mix with a spoon. (Note: do not mash the rice, the final result of each grain fluffy and distinguishable)

4. Using a spoon, spread the sushi rice even on the surface of a piece of seaweed.
5. Sprinkle sesame seeds on to the rice.
5. On the reverse side (or on top of the rice), add the avocado, cucumber, and imitation crab meat.

6. Roll all the ingredients together to form the sushi.
(To make cleaning easier, wrap the bamboo mold with plastic wrap)

Eat plain or with pickled ginger, soy sauce, and wasabi.

Take a step into the captivating world of the islanders.

The Polynesian Cultural Center is a educational theme park of different islander and villager life style. Showcasing 7 destinations, a walk around will bring you across Samoa, Aotearoa, Fiji, Hawaii, Tahiti, Tonga, and Marquesas.


The park is divided into sections to represent the different islands and their culture.

Here you can try your luck at tree climbing. It is actually way harder than it looks.

Fire making the old fashion way. This guy means business…he got the fire going in less than 30 seconds.


Boat tour

Drumming demonstration. The host brings audience members in to make for a very entertaining experience.

After playing with the drums, it made me want to buy my own to take back home.

After an incredible day at the Polynesian Cultural Center, I stopped by the marketplace to grab a few souvenirs before leaving.

The have a lot of different goodies. Hula skirts, coconuts, and other island necessities.

Punalu’u Beach in the large island of Hawaii is known mainly for two things. Its black sandy beaches and the sea turtles that wander about.

On a good day the whole beach shore will be lined with sea turtles.

This little guy is enjoying the sunshine and having a nice nap. How relaxing.

During peek seasons, the beach is packed with people so a life guard will be on duty. With or without a lifeguard on duty though, anyone wanting to go for a swim need to be cautious.

Aside from the sea turtles, Punalu’u Beach is known for its black sand beaches. The black sand and lava rocks are formed by the neighboring volcanoes.

If you are lucky, you might find yourself a nice treasure buried in the sand. Perhaps a nice green emerald gem. The gems arLegend has it that those that remove rocks from the beach will be cursed with bad luck though. I personally didn’t leave with a souvenir but if you want to take something home, it’s entirely up to you.

Featuring the movie and entertainment industry themed shops, City Walk at Universal Studios is a movie fanatic’s paradise. Along side the shops are bars and restaurants that serve food from all corners of the world. City Walk also boosts an enormous cinema that feature both classics and new releases. The possibilities are endless in a night at City Walk.

The shops seems as if they are also straight out of a movie. This candy shop has practically everything sweet you can imagine.

Candies by the pound.

M&M merchandise

For the Christmas season, a large Christmas tree stands in the center of the gallery.

An entire shop dedicated to socks?

So many socks to choose from…!

An oxygen bar. The promoter at the front of the store claims that giving them a try will rid you of all stress and headaches. Quite honestly, I was a bit of a coward and didn’t give it a try. Any brave soul give this a try before?

Hong Kong as you can imagine has one of the worst traffic situations in the world. People and cars are everywhere! At times, walking gets you to where you need to be faster than driving. Unbelievable… Fortunately, a complex public transportation system has been in place to cope with the need to “get to places.”

Buses are probably the most convenient mode of transportation. There is almost always a route to and from every corner of Hong Kong you can think of.


Of course, if you want a less public ride, taxis are the way to go. At the same time, the most pricey.

My favorite mode of transportation is the subway though because they are not subjected to traffic delays