A window to the World: What makes a good travel website?

As someone who remembers life before the Internet, I still recognize it as a magical thing. I remember traveling when the Internet was still in its infancy and it was a very different experience. When we traveled to Cancun in 1999, the only thing we had preplanned was our hotel and that was because we …

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Japan Travel Moment: onsen

Japan is famous for its onsen baths so you must put it on your itinerary; however, as with many things in Japan, there are specific rules you should follow. Here are my TOP 10 observations: Bathing is always done nude. Don’t be shy about exposing your whole self to random Japanese men (or women, but …

Japan Travel Moment: praying

Before entering any sacred temple in Japan, there’s a certain ritual that should be followed. First, wash your hands in the fountain provided. You will see several long-handled ladles to assist you. While there are numerous signs saying "DO NOT DRINK," you will inevitably see people drinking the water anyway. It is recommended you do …

English Basics: there, there’s, their, theirs, they’re in the air

Let's all face it, English sucks. It's a terrible language with all sorts of confusing little landmines to trip up learners and native speakers alike. The problem during speaking is these words are pronounced the same, but have significantly different meanings. When writing, these words are commonly misused, either consciously or subconsciously. Sometimes my typing …

English Basics: verb tenses for gin lovers

There are so many tenses in English, it gives people tension, and what better way to ease tension than drinking a lovely gin and tonic, martini, or gin smash. Many of us use tenses without really knowing what they are or how to use them properly. Whenever we use the PERFECT tense we must use …

English Basics: me, myself, and myself?

There is a saying in English that we're never alone because we are always with "me, myself, and I." These are three common pronouns to denote ME as the subject and object of a sentence, yet they are commonly misused by English speakers. Let's have a brief look at how to use them properly. I …