Let’s Go Fly a Kite! Layang Layang

JKT-NOW-coverMay 11, 2015

Story & Photography by Gail G. Collins

With buildings, power lines and trees, Jakarta isn’t exactly suited to kite flying, but our Indonesian Heritage Society group enjoyed the next best thing: A trip to Layang Layang (Kite) Museum. Founded in 2003, it is the inspiration of Endang W. Puspoyo, who has been a longtime kite enthusiast. In fact, she was preparing for the next kite festival when we chatted. The grounds are a quiet, shady respite from the hectic city, and the day we visited, they swarmed with eager school children learning kite history.

Kite Museum painting 1

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Saigon

no longer on the side

Mtn Living Mag May/June 2015

saigonIn the streets of Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh City, one can eat a nourishing meal from a cart at any time of the day or night. And often the meal on offer remains consistent despite the hour. Vietnamese food is full of garden goodies, meat or seafood, bone broth and rice in one form or another. It’s not complex, but the joy is in its simple, recognizable, and raw components. Pho, a noodle soup with unlimited add-ins, and banh mi, a tender, tasty sandwich, are the trendier trademarks, yet there is larger menu to explore among this healthy cuisine. Continue reading “Saigon”