When I first heard about the Inca ruins at Macchu Picchu in Peru, I knew that was a place I wanted to visit. In January 2007, I made that dream a reality.
My tour included stops in the capital city of Lima then off to the Sacred Valley and Cusco. I found vegan fare along the way.
This particular vacation tour was quite filled with activity. During my break time from the tour, I hopped into a taxi to seek out several of the vegetarian-friendly restaurants I had found on HappyCow. Unfortuneately for me, each one I attempted to visit was either closed at the time I arrived or no longer open for business. Apparently one of the best ones in Lima is Bircher-Benner. However, I arrived on Sunday, the only day it was closed and my time in this city was limited. Fortuneately, I have a friend who lives in Lima. He brought me to the trendy Miraflores district which has a wonderful Lebanese restaurant. I must admit, this is the BEST falafel I've ever tasted anywhere! I enjoyed the meal and the wonderful, contemporary neighborhood nightlife. I wish I could remember the restaurant's name.
My tour group visited an Inca museum in Lima. It housed hundreds upon hundreds of vases and ceramic items. We also visited a pre-Incan ruins settlement right on the outskirts of the city. In the evening, we ate dinner at a buffet-style restaurant which provided excellent entertainment for the evening. There were dancers in traditional Peruvian outfits doing local dances.
Finally we arrived at our next destination: Cusco. This is the gateway to Macchu Picchu country. Cusco was truely a quaint little town complete with old, impressive churches, local at galleries, and street performers. We toured the old cathedral filled with beautiful wood carvings and paintings followed by a stroll along the art district. The tour group arranged a dinner at a restaurant which also included music. The performers dressed in colorful, local costume and performed many traditional, Peruvian folk dances. I really enjoyed it. Our next stop was Saqsayhuaman Fortress. It is a huge stone facade. It is thought to be an astronomic observatory and an Inca oracle.
For my lunch break the next day, I ate at Govinda's, a Hare Krishna vegetarian restaurant that is popular in Latin American countries. I always enjoy the meals there. This location had vegan versions of local Peruvian dishes. That is exactly what I was hoping to try. You can have a vegan version of a local favorite Lomo Saltado, potato, or ceviche. I don't recall everything I ate there. I just remember it was all local cuisine and it was delicious. Their cakes and pies were fabulous!
The next morning we boarded our bus and left this wondrous, magical place to head towards our final destination: Macchu Picchu. Our drive through the Sacred Valley brought us by beautiful waterways, deep green valleys, and glorious mountain ranges. A sight to behold!
While in the Sacred Valley, our first tour destination was a visit to an alpaca farm. I got the opportunity to feed a meal of alfalfa to the alpaca. Its definitely a fun experience! We made a stop at Ollantaytambo Incan ruins. To get to Macchu Picchu is no small feat. We hopped on our bus then drove hour to the train station only to catch the train for a 2 hour ride. Its worth the extra $100 to take the train with the panoramic windows. The upclose view of the mountains is out of this world. Finally we arrive at our destination. Macchu Picchu is absolutely breathtaking! We enter the gate and spend a few hours walking around this magnificent, enormous ancient ruins and city. You need to still for a while and just take in this gorgeous landscape. You then start to truely appreciate the perfectly architectured city and the brilliant ancient peoples who designed and built it. If there is ever a place to visit in your lifetime, this should be a consideration. Its immensely breathtaking!
This was one of my favorite vacations ever. I truely enjoyed the traditional, indigenous culture, the beautiful landscapes and ruins, and food of Peru!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Big Easy Veggie Dining in New Orleans
Jazz..Mardi Gras..Bayou Country..Thats New Orleans!
Land of gumbo, shrimp, catfish, and alligator..Thats also New Orleans.
Fortuneately for vegetarians, there ARE a few dining options.
I decided to check out a West African restaurant called Bennachins.
Its centrally located in The French Quarter. The unique menu hails from Gambia and Cameroon - my first experience with West African cuisine. For a vegan, I am EXTREMELY adventurous in trying new cuisines! This is truely African, homestyle comfort cooking. The owners and chef hail from West Africa themselves. It is not 100% vegetarian. However, many items on the menu are indeed vegetarian or vegan. Its a cozy space. There are paintings and collectibles that remind one of the region.
A good option is the jama-jama, i.e. sauted spinach. For an appetizer, try the black eyed pea fritters. They also have quite a few stews from which to choose. Fu-Fu is a mashed yam dish which is popular. . For a vegetarian soup, try the kidney bean. Then there are the staples of jambalaya and plaintains. Truely a unique and tasty dining experience. They also serve a nice ginger beverage. This place is a gem!
For dinner on my second evening in town, I chose Thirteen. Its more of a bar and small restaurant. Its not a vegetarian restaurant persay, but is popular amongst vegetarian diners. I ordered a veggie burger with fries. It was extremely good. The other benefit of eating dinner here is that it is located on Frenchmen Street - THE street to visit if you are interested in hearing AUTHENTIC New Orleans jazz, according to the locals. Its where they hang out! Lucky for me, sitting next to me at the bar during dinner was a local jazz musician who invited me to go club-hopping after we ate.
We checked out several clubs on Frenchmen Street - One club was known as an old time, Dixeland jazz club, another played more contemporary jazz, the third had a bluesy feel. All in a all a great evening!
Another tourist option I suggest is a haunted city tour. My evening tour group walked around The French Quarter while our tour guide pointed out haunted hotels, homes, and other buildings and shared their stories with us. I don't believe in that kind of thing myself. :)
One of my FAVORITE activities(besides the great jazz music) was a Bayou Country swamp boat tour. It was arranged by a bus company in The French Quarter. However, the swamp itself is a good hour outside the city. The waterways in the swamp were vast and with every turn, the boat got deeper and deeper inside the bayou. The massive tree trunks in the swamp were a sight to behold. We even saw the swamp favorite, a 92 year old alligator called Big Al. He gets close enough to view but not close enough to pose any danger. My tour was a combo tour which also visited a couple of stately plantations. You can walk around inside of the elegant suites and then go into the sugarcane fields. I also recommend you purchase some sugarcane products: candy, jam, and syrup. Yummy!
The one jazz club in the Bourbon Street area that you must visit is the old Preservation Jazz Hall. You can sit on the old, wooden floor and listen to old time jazz musicians up close. There are souvenir shops galore in The French Quarter. I even found a vegan praline almond treat.
Another fun vacation and vegan adventure!
Land of gumbo, shrimp, catfish, and alligator..Thats also New Orleans.
Fortuneately for vegetarians, there ARE a few dining options.
I decided to check out a West African restaurant called Bennachins.
Its centrally located in The French Quarter. The unique menu hails from Gambia and Cameroon - my first experience with West African cuisine. For a vegan, I am EXTREMELY adventurous in trying new cuisines! This is truely African, homestyle comfort cooking. The owners and chef hail from West Africa themselves. It is not 100% vegetarian. However, many items on the menu are indeed vegetarian or vegan. Its a cozy space. There are paintings and collectibles that remind one of the region.
A good option is the jama-jama, i.e. sauted spinach. For an appetizer, try the black eyed pea fritters. They also have quite a few stews from which to choose. Fu-Fu is a mashed yam dish which is popular. . For a vegetarian soup, try the kidney bean. Then there are the staples of jambalaya and plaintains. Truely a unique and tasty dining experience. They also serve a nice ginger beverage. This place is a gem!
For dinner on my second evening in town, I chose Thirteen. Its more of a bar and small restaurant. Its not a vegetarian restaurant persay, but is popular amongst vegetarian diners. I ordered a veggie burger with fries. It was extremely good. The other benefit of eating dinner here is that it is located on Frenchmen Street - THE street to visit if you are interested in hearing AUTHENTIC New Orleans jazz, according to the locals. Its where they hang out! Lucky for me, sitting next to me at the bar during dinner was a local jazz musician who invited me to go club-hopping after we ate.
We checked out several clubs on Frenchmen Street - One club was known as an old time, Dixeland jazz club, another played more contemporary jazz, the third had a bluesy feel. All in a all a great evening!
Another tourist option I suggest is a haunted city tour. My evening tour group walked around The French Quarter while our tour guide pointed out haunted hotels, homes, and other buildings and shared their stories with us. I don't believe in that kind of thing myself. :)
One of my FAVORITE activities(besides the great jazz music) was a Bayou Country swamp boat tour. It was arranged by a bus company in The French Quarter. However, the swamp itself is a good hour outside the city. The waterways in the swamp were vast and with every turn, the boat got deeper and deeper inside the bayou. The massive tree trunks in the swamp were a sight to behold. We even saw the swamp favorite, a 92 year old alligator called Big Al. He gets close enough to view but not close enough to pose any danger. My tour was a combo tour which also visited a couple of stately plantations. You can walk around inside of the elegant suites and then go into the sugarcane fields. I also recommend you purchase some sugarcane products: candy, jam, and syrup. Yummy!
The one jazz club in the Bourbon Street area that you must visit is the old Preservation Jazz Hall. You can sit on the old, wooden floor and listen to old time jazz musicians up close. There are souvenir shops galore in The French Quarter. I even found a vegan praline almond treat.
Another fun vacation and vegan adventure!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Veggie-friendly Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell, Massachusetts is a small city with a population of 100,000. Its history is very import to our country. This old milltown with its many factories was a large part of America's industrial revolution. Unions first started in the Lawrence/Lowell area. While Lowell still has that milltown feel, it has also developed into a vibrant, modern city with a popular concert arena, community theater, a minor league baseball team, and several multicultural festivals.
Its dining scene is very diversified including many options for international cuisine and even vegetarian dining.
My favorite vegetarian restaurant is LifeAlive. http://www.lifealive.com/
Most of the items are vegan. I always select the vegan choices myself. Let's start off with the beverages...They have a daily ice tea created by each of the staff. I highly recommend these! The teas are a combination of herbs and spices with green, black, or herbal tea. You may also purchase a hot tea. There are also several living, fresh juices from which to choose. The menu contains descriptions of the health benefits of these juices. Truly fresh and delicious.
Then there are the smooothies! Yummy! They are made with rice milk, almond milk or soymilk. Whether you want something chocolatey or fruity, these do not disappoint. I wish I could have one every day! They are scrumptious indeed.
The meals remind me of warm, comfy, homestyle cooking. The various rice dishes contain a combo of healthy, colorful vegetables with "living", nutritional toppings and dressings such as flax, nutritional yeast, or Bragg's Liquid Amino Acids. You can even ask the staff to add a side to your meal such as garlic, squash or avocado. Everything is based on health and nutrition. The daily soups are a warm, hearty option for cold winter days. The cafe puts alot of care and thought into the restaurant atmosphere with eye-catching color schemes and patterns, candles, chimes, etc. They even give loving names to the beverages and meals.
The meals and beverages at LifeAlive are worth the visit to Lowell! You'll want to come back again and again.
Lowell has become a popular tourist attraction. It boasts to having the largest, free, outdoor International Folk Festival in the entire country! Tens of thousands attend this July weekend festival every year. There are muscians and singers from all over the world. You can hear southern bluegrass music, Puerto Rican salsa dancers, Throat singers from Tuva, West African performers, and the list goes on. In addition, you can go back in history and tour the old mills. The author Jack Keroac was born here and the city still holds a Keroac festival in the Fall.
This old New England city has much culture and history to offer. I also enjoyed the delicious vegan meals and beverages at LifeAlive!
Come to visit Lowell, Massachusetts!
Its dining scene is very diversified including many options for international cuisine and even vegetarian dining.
My favorite vegetarian restaurant is LifeAlive. http://www.lifealive.com/
Most of the items are vegan. I always select the vegan choices myself. Let's start off with the beverages...They have a daily ice tea created by each of the staff. I highly recommend these! The teas are a combination of herbs and spices with green, black, or herbal tea. You may also purchase a hot tea. There are also several living, fresh juices from which to choose. The menu contains descriptions of the health benefits of these juices. Truly fresh and delicious.
Then there are the smooothies! Yummy! They are made with rice milk, almond milk or soymilk. Whether you want something chocolatey or fruity, these do not disappoint. I wish I could have one every day! They are scrumptious indeed.
The meals remind me of warm, comfy, homestyle cooking. The various rice dishes contain a combo of healthy, colorful vegetables with "living", nutritional toppings and dressings such as flax, nutritional yeast, or Bragg's Liquid Amino Acids. You can even ask the staff to add a side to your meal such as garlic, squash or avocado. Everything is based on health and nutrition. The daily soups are a warm, hearty option for cold winter days. The cafe puts alot of care and thought into the restaurant atmosphere with eye-catching color schemes and patterns, candles, chimes, etc. They even give loving names to the beverages and meals.
The meals and beverages at LifeAlive are worth the visit to Lowell! You'll want to come back again and again.
Lowell has become a popular tourist attraction. It boasts to having the largest, free, outdoor International Folk Festival in the entire country! Tens of thousands attend this July weekend festival every year. There are muscians and singers from all over the world. You can hear southern bluegrass music, Puerto Rican salsa dancers, Throat singers from Tuva, West African performers, and the list goes on. In addition, you can go back in history and tour the old mills. The author Jack Keroac was born here and the city still holds a Keroac festival in the Fall.
This old New England city has much culture and history to offer. I also enjoyed the delicious vegan meals and beverages at LifeAlive!
Come to visit Lowell, Massachusetts!
Toronto, Canada Vegan Dining
Labor Day weekend 2007..I took a bus tour to Canada. I've always wanted to see Niagara Falls. The 4 day trip I found included not only stops to the Falls but also visits to Toronto and Thousand Islands.
Toronto, being a cosmopolitan city had several vegan restaurants. I was thrilled! Fortuneately the restaurant I chose in advance was not too far from where my tour bus stopped for a lunch break.
I ate dinner at Bo De Duyen, an Asian restaurant. For the soup, I tried bean curd with bamboo fungus. My side dish was congee, a spongy, soup-like vegan "seafood". It was soft and very chewable, a pleasure to the palate. I then had just a simple vegetable dish for the entree. It was tasty, not too sour or salty. I love Asian restaurants that have lots of flavorful herbal teas, bubble teas, and exotic juices on their menu. This restaurant did not disappointment in that area. Had I more time, I would tried other dishes that took longer to prepare. However, I enjoyed the food here. Another thumbs up!
This city has many vegan restaurants with amazing menu. If only more time! I highly recommend you check out HappyCow Toronto to find out about all of the wonderful dining options in this vegan-friendly city.
A tour of Toronto by bus is the best way to see this large city. History buffs would enjoy a visit to Casa Loma castle. It was built by Sir Henry Pellatt, a financier, military man, and founder of the Toronto Electric Light Company. The estate has has beautifully decorate rooms, secret passageways, tunnels, stables, gorgeous gardens, and towers. Also make a stop in Chinatown, Greektown, or one of many ethnic neighborhoods. The CN Tower is a definite "must visit" to get a view of the entire city from the observation deck. There is even a glass bottom floor which makes you feel as though you are walking on air!
A wonderful vegan dining experience!
Toronto, being a cosmopolitan city had several vegan restaurants. I was thrilled! Fortuneately the restaurant I chose in advance was not too far from where my tour bus stopped for a lunch break.
I ate dinner at Bo De Duyen, an Asian restaurant. For the soup, I tried bean curd with bamboo fungus. My side dish was congee, a spongy, soup-like vegan "seafood". It was soft and very chewable, a pleasure to the palate. I then had just a simple vegetable dish for the entree. It was tasty, not too sour or salty. I love Asian restaurants that have lots of flavorful herbal teas, bubble teas, and exotic juices on their menu. This restaurant did not disappointment in that area. Had I more time, I would tried other dishes that took longer to prepare. However, I enjoyed the food here. Another thumbs up!
This city has many vegan restaurants with amazing menu. If only more time! I highly recommend you check out HappyCow Toronto to find out about all of the wonderful dining options in this vegan-friendly city.
A tour of Toronto by bus is the best way to see this large city. History buffs would enjoy a visit to Casa Loma castle. It was built by Sir Henry Pellatt, a financier, military man, and founder of the Toronto Electric Light Company. The estate has has beautifully decorate rooms, secret passageways, tunnels, stables, gorgeous gardens, and towers. Also make a stop in Chinatown, Greektown, or one of many ethnic neighborhoods. The CN Tower is a definite "must visit" to get a view of the entire city from the observation deck. There is even a glass bottom floor which makes you feel as though you are walking on air!
A wonderful vegan dining experience!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Veggie Dining in Chicago
Chicago, Illinois..Thats where I ventured during a long January weekend this past year. Again, the HappyCow website led me to some wonderful vegan dining options.
I decided to eat at The Chicago Diner. The menu contains vegetarian and vegan items. Its not downtown but a subway ride followed by a short walk proved worth my while. The menu includes shakes & smoothies, brunch (tofu scrambles, burritos, french toast & many other options), entrees (lasagna, rice dishes, faux meat, stir fry), and fabulous vegan desserts. Vegans can substitute tofu for eggs. I made sure to try a smoothie, french toast combo, and vegan cookies for dessert. Everything was DELICIOUS! I can not say enough about this wonderful place.
http://www.veggiediner.com/
For dinner one evening, I decided to check out some pizza places because I wanted to try "Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza". Unfortuneately every place I visited told me that the cheese is pre-baked into the pizza or the crust contains butter. Finally, I stopped at Pizzeria Uno. They told me that they could indeed make a vegan pizza for me with several toppings. I was thrilled! Now there are several Unos in Chicago. As it turns out, I was at the ORIGINAL one, the first in the country! The vegan pizza, by the way, was SUPERB! Vegan diners: Please do not be afraid to ask restaurants if they can alter or omit ingredients. Most chefs are very accomodating. Many restaurants are willing to make vegan pizza for you.
Chicago also has a "raw food" vegan restaurant called Karyn's. http://www.karynraw.com/pgs/kfc_me.html
I ate dinner there one evening. There did not appear to be any veggie-friendly restaurants in Chicago's downtown, "Magnificent Mile" neighborhood but a quick taxi ride away. Karyn's serves healthy, nutricious smoothies and teas. The meal is a buffet where you can choose from salads, beans, veggies, and desserts. They have lots of options. You can choose from many different nutritional "boosts" to add to your smoothies. I give this restaurant a "thumbs Up" also.
My sightseeing included a visit to The Sears Tower and John Hancock Observatory overlooking the city. Another Must-See is the Adler Planetarium which is the oldest one in the Western Hemisphere. Stop for lunch afterwards in the Planetarium's cafeteria. Its large windows give you a waterfront view of Lake Michigan. Animal lovers should check out Lincoln Park Zoo. They even had barnyard animals, including my favorite; pigs. History buffs may want to stop by Water Tower Place and the Frank Llyod Wright Home & Studio. Art lovers should visit The Art Institute Of Chicago. The museum is huge. Its definitely worth your time.
All in all another wonderful trip with satisying vegan dining options!
I decided to eat at The Chicago Diner. The menu contains vegetarian and vegan items. Its not downtown but a subway ride followed by a short walk proved worth my while. The menu includes shakes & smoothies, brunch (tofu scrambles, burritos, french toast & many other options), entrees (lasagna, rice dishes, faux meat, stir fry), and fabulous vegan desserts. Vegans can substitute tofu for eggs. I made sure to try a smoothie, french toast combo, and vegan cookies for dessert. Everything was DELICIOUS! I can not say enough about this wonderful place.
http://www.veggiediner.com/
For dinner one evening, I decided to check out some pizza places because I wanted to try "Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza". Unfortuneately every place I visited told me that the cheese is pre-baked into the pizza or the crust contains butter. Finally, I stopped at Pizzeria Uno. They told me that they could indeed make a vegan pizza for me with several toppings. I was thrilled! Now there are several Unos in Chicago. As it turns out, I was at the ORIGINAL one, the first in the country! The vegan pizza, by the way, was SUPERB! Vegan diners: Please do not be afraid to ask restaurants if they can alter or omit ingredients. Most chefs are very accomodating. Many restaurants are willing to make vegan pizza for you.
Chicago also has a "raw food" vegan restaurant called Karyn's. http://www.karynraw.com/pgs/kfc_me.html
I ate dinner there one evening. There did not appear to be any veggie-friendly restaurants in Chicago's downtown, "Magnificent Mile" neighborhood but a quick taxi ride away. Karyn's serves healthy, nutricious smoothies and teas. The meal is a buffet where you can choose from salads, beans, veggies, and desserts. They have lots of options. You can choose from many different nutritional "boosts" to add to your smoothies. I give this restaurant a "thumbs Up" also.
My sightseeing included a visit to The Sears Tower and John Hancock Observatory overlooking the city. Another Must-See is the Adler Planetarium which is the oldest one in the Western Hemisphere. Stop for lunch afterwards in the Planetarium's cafeteria. Its large windows give you a waterfront view of Lake Michigan. Animal lovers should check out Lincoln Park Zoo. They even had barnyard animals, including my favorite; pigs. History buffs may want to stop by Water Tower Place and the Frank Llyod Wright Home & Studio. Art lovers should visit The Art Institute Of Chicago. The museum is huge. Its definitely worth your time.
All in all another wonderful trip with satisying vegan dining options!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Vegetarian/Vegan Dining in Egypt
Hi All,
Sometimes I hear that people are interested in travelling to particular places but they hesitate going because of the presumed lack of veggie-friendly dining options.
This past February I travelled to Egypt for a 10 day vacation. My journey started out as a 5 night Nile River cruise from Aswan in southern Egypt (30 miles from Sudan border) to Luxor in central Egypt. Then my tour group flew to Cairo for the last leg of our sightseeing.
On the cruise ship, much to my surprise there were several food options. Some of the staff did speak a little English. However, to be on the safe side I asked my tour guide to inquire from the chef as to what items were indeed vegan. There were salads of course. One of my favorite dishes was fava beans. The buffet included several veggies. Then there was the pita bread. I can't say enough about the tasty pita bread in Egypt! Its 1000 times better than the version we eat in the USA. It was like eating potato chips, you wanted one after another. :)
As the ship docked in various ports, we sometimes ate at local restaurants, in addition to onboard dining. One restaurant that stood out had a vegan tangine of vegatables in a tomato sauce. Then they spread out various dishes of hummus, baba gannoush, olives, and other spreads. There was an open-fire clay oven producing warm, soft pita bread one after another. Heavenly!
One evening in central Luxor, my tour group stayed at a large, elegant hotel. Their main restaurant had vegan options, incuding that popular veggie tangine with tomato sauce.
Luxor is also known for its wonderful local spice market. I stopped at one in one of the alleyways near the main street (recommended by my local tour guide). I purchased about 15 to 20 spices & herbs, i addition to local Hibiscus leaves for tea. All of the spices were from Egypt and other parts of Africa. When I arrived home, I did a google search for Egyptian and Middle Eastern recipes. I have been using my spices and herbs ever since, in soups, vegan entrees and stir fries. The dried Hibiscus leaves make a wonderfully potent tea which you can sweeten with vegan sugar.
In Cairo itself, I had a similar dining experience. The restaurants main staples are those hummus, various spreads and warm pita bread. The restaurant also was able to make a vegan tagine of vegetables for me, as a moment's notice.
Again, I was very pleased with the veggie-friendly dining options in Cairo.
Sightseeing was phenomenal! In southern Aswan, we toured the many temples. In central Luxor, we visited Valley Of The Kings and Queens and went underground to see the tombs. We even saw King Tut himself. The Valley visits are definitely worth the trip as the hierogylphics underground still contain rich, vibrant colors. Finally in Cairo, must-sees are the pyramids(spend an extra $5 to go inside for a once-in-a-lifetime experience but only if you are not claustrophobic), the sphinx, and the huge Egyptian Museum. Along the way, there are so many other options. I recommend a visit to an Egyptian carpet-making factory(you can practice weaving with the staff), a perfume/essence factory(purchase essences for poor memory, sinusitis, stress, etc), a papyrus paper factory, and a visit to the oldest Pyramid "the Step Pyramid".
I completely enjoyed my sightseeing and dining experiences in Egypt!
Sometimes I hear that people are interested in travelling to particular places but they hesitate going because of the presumed lack of veggie-friendly dining options.
This past February I travelled to Egypt for a 10 day vacation. My journey started out as a 5 night Nile River cruise from Aswan in southern Egypt (30 miles from Sudan border) to Luxor in central Egypt. Then my tour group flew to Cairo for the last leg of our sightseeing.
On the cruise ship, much to my surprise there were several food options. Some of the staff did speak a little English. However, to be on the safe side I asked my tour guide to inquire from the chef as to what items were indeed vegan. There were salads of course. One of my favorite dishes was fava beans. The buffet included several veggies. Then there was the pita bread. I can't say enough about the tasty pita bread in Egypt! Its 1000 times better than the version we eat in the USA. It was like eating potato chips, you wanted one after another. :)
As the ship docked in various ports, we sometimes ate at local restaurants, in addition to onboard dining. One restaurant that stood out had a vegan tangine of vegatables in a tomato sauce. Then they spread out various dishes of hummus, baba gannoush, olives, and other spreads. There was an open-fire clay oven producing warm, soft pita bread one after another. Heavenly!
One evening in central Luxor, my tour group stayed at a large, elegant hotel. Their main restaurant had vegan options, incuding that popular veggie tangine with tomato sauce.
Luxor is also known for its wonderful local spice market. I stopped at one in one of the alleyways near the main street (recommended by my local tour guide). I purchased about 15 to 20 spices & herbs, i addition to local Hibiscus leaves for tea. All of the spices were from Egypt and other parts of Africa. When I arrived home, I did a google search for Egyptian and Middle Eastern recipes. I have been using my spices and herbs ever since, in soups, vegan entrees and stir fries. The dried Hibiscus leaves make a wonderfully potent tea which you can sweeten with vegan sugar.
In Cairo itself, I had a similar dining experience. The restaurants main staples are those hummus, various spreads and warm pita bread. The restaurant also was able to make a vegan tagine of vegetables for me, as a moment's notice.
Again, I was very pleased with the veggie-friendly dining options in Cairo.
Sightseeing was phenomenal! In southern Aswan, we toured the many temples. In central Luxor, we visited Valley Of The Kings and Queens and went underground to see the tombs. We even saw King Tut himself. The Valley visits are definitely worth the trip as the hierogylphics underground still contain rich, vibrant colors. Finally in Cairo, must-sees are the pyramids(spend an extra $5 to go inside for a once-in-a-lifetime experience but only if you are not claustrophobic), the sphinx, and the huge Egyptian Museum. Along the way, there are so many other options. I recommend a visit to an Egyptian carpet-making factory(you can practice weaving with the staff), a perfume/essence factory(purchase essences for poor memory, sinusitis, stress, etc), a papyrus paper factory, and a visit to the oldest Pyramid "the Step Pyramid".
I completely enjoyed my sightseeing and dining experiences in Egypt!
Vegetarian/Vegan Dining in Dallas, Tx "Cattle Country"
Hi All,
When we think of the state of Texas, we think of cattle country. Vegetarians and vegans may shutter at the thought of vacationing in a land where there are presumed to be no plausible dining options. What I have pleasantly found is that is NOT the case! I found SEVERAL vegetarian, even VEGAN restaurants in Dallas proper and the surrounding areas.
One of my goals in life is not only to visit every continent, but to also visit each region of our beautiful country, The USA! As I am working my way westward, I found myself wanting to visit Texas for Memorial Day weekend. Seeing firsthand the vast landscape, farm country, and city life and culture "Southern style" were on my to-do list.
I knew that it would be a challenge to find some good food choices for myself. I am a vegan (LOVE animals... Peace!). My pre-planning paid off as I found several restaurant choices on the web. A great vegetarian/vegan dining resource guide is http://www.happycow.com. You can search for veggie-friendly restaurants anywhere in the country or the world.
The first one where I dined is called Kalachandjis. It is in a residential area of Dallas. They provide inexpensive buffet style lunches. The meal is mainly Indian food but they offer several other international options daily. The food is delicious. You can sit inside or outside under a gazebo type area. Nice atmosphere.
Downtown Dallas has another wonderful eatery called Cosmic Cafe. Again its reasonably priced and they offer several international as well as local selections. I ate a Mexican vegan enchalada with hot sauce and spices. It made me feel a part of the Mexican-influenced dining scene in Texas, even though I am vegan!
Another day during my trip included lunch on the outskirts of Dallas at an amazing vegan cafe called Spiral Diner. Its menu is varied with international choices for lunch/dinner, mouth-watering vegan desserts, and excellent breakfast items. Simply SCRUMPTIOUS!
I was very, very happy with the vegan dining options in Texas! You do not have to go way out in the boonies to find wonderful, veggie-friendly fare.
As for sightseeing options, I crammed alot in my long weekend (which is typical for me..go..go..go!!!!!)!
There is the Dallas JFK Museum tour, several local history museums, the Dallas Art museum, the Asian Art Museum is a must-see, a city tour by bus (to learn the city's history & landmarks), and a stroll by the West End. The Reunion Tower deck will give you a view overlooking the entire city.
The train system runs smooothly and can get you to other towns for additional sightseeing. I took the train (then hopped in a cab)further north to visit Southfork Ranch where the tv show Dallas was filmed(Don't worry everyone, no animals there being raised for meat). The quaint little towns and sprawling landscapes were something I am not accustomed to seeing in New England. Thats an important part of travel: to experience different landscapes, different cultures, different cuisines, and different peoples.
It was another fun, vegan travel adventure!
Til next time......
When we think of the state of Texas, we think of cattle country. Vegetarians and vegans may shutter at the thought of vacationing in a land where there are presumed to be no plausible dining options. What I have pleasantly found is that is NOT the case! I found SEVERAL vegetarian, even VEGAN restaurants in Dallas proper and the surrounding areas.
One of my goals in life is not only to visit every continent, but to also visit each region of our beautiful country, The USA! As I am working my way westward, I found myself wanting to visit Texas for Memorial Day weekend. Seeing firsthand the vast landscape, farm country, and city life and culture "Southern style" were on my to-do list.
I knew that it would be a challenge to find some good food choices for myself. I am a vegan (LOVE animals... Peace!). My pre-planning paid off as I found several restaurant choices on the web. A great vegetarian/vegan dining resource guide is http://www.happycow.com. You can search for veggie-friendly restaurants anywhere in the country or the world.
The first one where I dined is called Kalachandjis. It is in a residential area of Dallas. They provide inexpensive buffet style lunches. The meal is mainly Indian food but they offer several other international options daily. The food is delicious. You can sit inside or outside under a gazebo type area. Nice atmosphere.
Downtown Dallas has another wonderful eatery called Cosmic Cafe. Again its reasonably priced and they offer several international as well as local selections. I ate a Mexican vegan enchalada with hot sauce and spices. It made me feel a part of the Mexican-influenced dining scene in Texas, even though I am vegan!
Another day during my trip included lunch on the outskirts of Dallas at an amazing vegan cafe called Spiral Diner. Its menu is varied with international choices for lunch/dinner, mouth-watering vegan desserts, and excellent breakfast items. Simply SCRUMPTIOUS!
I was very, very happy with the vegan dining options in Texas! You do not have to go way out in the boonies to find wonderful, veggie-friendly fare.
As for sightseeing options, I crammed alot in my long weekend (which is typical for me..go..go..go!!!!!)!
There is the Dallas JFK Museum tour, several local history museums, the Dallas Art museum, the Asian Art Museum is a must-see, a city tour by bus (to learn the city's history & landmarks), and a stroll by the West End. The Reunion Tower deck will give you a view overlooking the entire city.
The train system runs smooothly and can get you to other towns for additional sightseeing. I took the train (then hopped in a cab)further north to visit Southfork Ranch where the tv show Dallas was filmed(Don't worry everyone, no animals there being raised for meat). The quaint little towns and sprawling landscapes were something I am not accustomed to seeing in New England. Thats an important part of travel: to experience different landscapes, different cultures, different cuisines, and different peoples.
It was another fun, vegan travel adventure!
Til next time......
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Vegetarian/Vegan Dining in Trinidad & Tobago
Hi All,
My first dining vacation review is regarding my July 4th week vacation in Trinidad & Tobago.
As everyone is well aware, the Carribean islands are known for cuisine that includes primarily fish and other forms of seafood and lots of pork. However, I was able to find some delicious vegan food on my journey!
These islands have their own local favorites, not known in the USA. I tried each of the following:
1. Callaloo Soup - Callaloo is a green, leafy vegetable similar to Spinach. It is made in a soup with squash and potato. Its a wonderful part of an everyday lunch.
2. Dasheen - This is the root of the callaloo plant. It is cut and cooked much like boiled potato.
3. Roti - A percentage of Trinidad's population is of Indian decent. Roti is a West Indian bread which they fill with chickpeas. It can be filled with various type of curries such as chickpea.
4. Doubles - These are mini-bread sandwiches filled with curried channa(chickpeas), mango and delicious hot pepper. They are eaten in between wax paper.
5. Dirty Rice - Veggie rice with beans.
6. Corn Soup - Corn kernels and juices with local spices.
7. Bake N' Veggie - Fried bread filled with raw veggies and whatever topping you choose such as tamarind, mustard, hot sauce.
There are several popular beverages on the island. Sorrel is a fruitlike drink derived from the Hibiscus plant. Coconut juice is also popular.
The Doubles and roti are found not only in restaurants but at streetside vendors and even at the airport. My first double was purchased right outside the Port Of Spain airport and it was so delicious I went back for seconds! A good breakfast choice.
Corn Soup can be found at local stands along the road and touristy areas even on weekends. Bake N Veggie can be found in town and on the road. I purchased mine at one of the many shack vendors on Maracas Beach in northern Trinidad.
Trinidad's capital Port Of Spain has a wonderful vegetarian/vegan cafe type restaurant called Mother Nature. They serve many of the items I describe above. I really enjoyed the delicious meal.
With the African and Indian history on the island, there are many dining choices for vegans and vegetarians.
While more laid-back, scenic Tobago does not offer much in terms of vegetarian/vegan dining, there are a few choices. I ate at the nice Kariwak Village under a thatched roof, partially al-fresco environment. They have buffets on weekends with plenty of vegetables, breads, beans, rice, and fruit juices. For vegan, the staff is friendly & knowledgeable and can tell you which items are made with oil instead of butter/cream/cheese. In my visit, all the veggie items were vegan. There is also a Middle Eastern cafe that serves vegan falafel, hummus and other items.
On Trinidad, I highly recommend a city tour of Port Of Spain including a visit to Maracas Beach, the fort overlooking the city, the Magnificent 7 Mansion Buildings, and a swamp Boat Tour to Caroni Bird Sanctuary to see the Ibis birds.
On Tobago, I recommend an island Tour to see Englishman's Bay and all the other coastal beaches. Another must-see is a glass-bottom boat ride to dive in the aquamarine waters and see the coral and multi-color fish. Finally, make a stop to the rainforest and Argyle Waterfalls to take a dip.
My trip was a wonderful adventure in history partaking in gorgeous scenery and indulging in delicious vegan local food!
I hope you get to experience this my fellow vegetarian and vegan world trekkers! :)
My first dining vacation review is regarding my July 4th week vacation in Trinidad & Tobago.
As everyone is well aware, the Carribean islands are known for cuisine that includes primarily fish and other forms of seafood and lots of pork. However, I was able to find some delicious vegan food on my journey!
These islands have their own local favorites, not known in the USA. I tried each of the following:
1. Callaloo Soup - Callaloo is a green, leafy vegetable similar to Spinach. It is made in a soup with squash and potato. Its a wonderful part of an everyday lunch.
2. Dasheen - This is the root of the callaloo plant. It is cut and cooked much like boiled potato.
3. Roti - A percentage of Trinidad's population is of Indian decent. Roti is a West Indian bread which they fill with chickpeas. It can be filled with various type of curries such as chickpea.
4. Doubles - These are mini-bread sandwiches filled with curried channa(chickpeas), mango and delicious hot pepper. They are eaten in between wax paper.
5. Dirty Rice - Veggie rice with beans.
6. Corn Soup - Corn kernels and juices with local spices.
7. Bake N' Veggie - Fried bread filled with raw veggies and whatever topping you choose such as tamarind, mustard, hot sauce.
There are several popular beverages on the island. Sorrel is a fruitlike drink derived from the Hibiscus plant. Coconut juice is also popular.
The Doubles and roti are found not only in restaurants but at streetside vendors and even at the airport. My first double was purchased right outside the Port Of Spain airport and it was so delicious I went back for seconds! A good breakfast choice.
Corn Soup can be found at local stands along the road and touristy areas even on weekends. Bake N Veggie can be found in town and on the road. I purchased mine at one of the many shack vendors on Maracas Beach in northern Trinidad.
Trinidad's capital Port Of Spain has a wonderful vegetarian/vegan cafe type restaurant called Mother Nature. They serve many of the items I describe above. I really enjoyed the delicious meal.
With the African and Indian history on the island, there are many dining choices for vegans and vegetarians.
While more laid-back, scenic Tobago does not offer much in terms of vegetarian/vegan dining, there are a few choices. I ate at the nice Kariwak Village under a thatched roof, partially al-fresco environment. They have buffets on weekends with plenty of vegetables, breads, beans, rice, and fruit juices. For vegan, the staff is friendly & knowledgeable and can tell you which items are made with oil instead of butter/cream/cheese. In my visit, all the veggie items were vegan. There is also a Middle Eastern cafe that serves vegan falafel, hummus and other items.
On Trinidad, I highly recommend a city tour of Port Of Spain including a visit to Maracas Beach, the fort overlooking the city, the Magnificent 7 Mansion Buildings, and a swamp Boat Tour to Caroni Bird Sanctuary to see the Ibis birds.
On Tobago, I recommend an island Tour to see Englishman's Bay and all the other coastal beaches. Another must-see is a glass-bottom boat ride to dive in the aquamarine waters and see the coral and multi-color fish. Finally, make a stop to the rainforest and Argyle Waterfalls to take a dip.
My trip was a wonderful adventure in history partaking in gorgeous scenery and indulging in delicious vegan local food!
I hope you get to experience this my fellow vegetarian and vegan world trekkers! :)
Welcome To My Vegetarian/Vegan World Travel Blog!
Hi All,
I'd like to welcome all you vegetarian and vegan world travellers to my new blog! I've travelled to many countries in 5 continents and all over our USA and have found amazing veggie-friendly dining, sometimes in the least likely of places! I just started this blog site to share all of my knowledge and experience with you about vegan and vegetarian world travel. After reading this blog, you will hopefully never fear travelling as a vegetarian/vegan again and you will realize that veggie-friendly dining is available more readily than you may have thought!
Feel free to post any questions and comments about dining as a vegetarian or vegan while vacationing across the world and I'd be happy to share any information or advice I have. :)
I'd like to welcome all you vegetarian and vegan world travellers to my new blog! I've travelled to many countries in 5 continents and all over our USA and have found amazing veggie-friendly dining, sometimes in the least likely of places! I just started this blog site to share all of my knowledge and experience with you about vegan and vegetarian world travel. After reading this blog, you will hopefully never fear travelling as a vegetarian/vegan again and you will realize that veggie-friendly dining is available more readily than you may have thought!
Feel free to post any questions and comments about dining as a vegetarian or vegan while vacationing across the world and I'd be happy to share any information or advice I have. :)
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