Hanoi's architecture is the blend of Vietnamese, Chinese and French. The city is known to the locals as three main areas: The Ancient Citadel Area (11th century) which was home to the Royal Family; The Old Quarter (Ancient Business Area) dated back from the 11th century was the business quarter of Old Hanoi; The Frech Quarter with French architure dated back from the 19th century were home to the French residents of Hanoi during their time here.

My family moved into Hanoi when I was 10 years old. The city was too overwhelmed for a boy who had been brought up amid wild and green mountains in the far-northern area of Vietnam. I had been more used to wild buffaloes plowing the green terraces than weaving chaotic traffic always full of mopeds and noise. Our new house was just by the airy and breezy West Lake which offered me a few free dips every summer morning. Every day, after school, I went to Bach Thao Park to seek new adventures with a few newly-made friends. My carefree childhood in Hanoi was full of fun and adventures.

Autumn in Ha Noi is like no others. It was here that autumn changed my life! I found myself waking up one morning caressed by the soothing breeze of fall with the news that I got admission to university! I ran for my bike and flew like a crazy boy down Thanh Nien Road to meet with other buddies for the coffee of celebration. That morning never fades out in my memory...

Seasons after seasons, I grew up with Ha Noi. The city seems to share the same rhythms with my heart and soul: be in when gathering with friends in the city parks; be it when mulling over my favorite hot coffee amid the old Town; be it the late nights I tumble my way back home from the heavy Bia Hoi Stuff (drought beer)....

I'm about for an new adventure of life when my new project calls for my presence half of the country away from Ha Noi. Amazingly Ha Noi is heading into fall earlier than usual. I just wanted to take in as much as I could before leaving...Morning started with a walk in the chaotic Old Quarter watching traffic weaving through the smoke of my dear hot coffee as always. I suddenly didn't want to do anything, just liked to keep it this way forever. The sudden rain just set in and stopped, just like to bid farewell.

Leaving Ha Noi this time I'm sure I'll be away for a while. I'm off back to the mountains researching the new Vietnam adventure travel experiences. I'll help to bring all Vietnam travel experiences be it savoring the fine cuisine, be it getting lost in the culture; be it a hardcode biking adventure.... a complete one!

My first chocolate trip was a trip to my own state's Chocolate Festival in Rehoboth, DE.

The Rehoboth Beach Chocolate Festival is a great way to spend afternoon with the families. The festival runs for a full afternoon in early March. The festival covers everything from baking contests to chocolate tastings. There are also kids' games, and raffles. Lunch is also available on the Main Street.

A second trip took me to Hershey, PA - home of the famous Hershey factory. Staying in the Hershey Hotel, I found indulgences don't necessarily translate to added calories. Their spa includes such luxuries as a cocoa fondue body wrap, a Swedish massage scented with cocoa, and a chocolate sugar scrub that leaves your skin silky smooth. The spa only prepared me for a visit to the Hershey's Chocolate World and Factory Tour. The tour takes you from the beginning in a tropical rain forest where the cocoa beans are harvested through their delivery to the Hershey. You continue through a simulated factory tour that takes you through the deliciously process of transforming the beans into our favorite milk chocolate. The tour concludes free Hershey samples. This is another great trip to include the family in, and when you are tired of chocolate - there is the famous Hershey's Park and Zoo.

The last trip was the whimsical weekend in Boston. The Old Town Trolley Tours took my friends and I on a three hour jaunt where we sample chocolate delicacies created by Boston's finest chefs. The Boston Chocolate Tour starts off with a stop at the Top of the Hub restaurant. Here we tasted the featured dessert for the week. Then we head to the Omni Parker House Hotel to taste the famous Boston crème pie where it was original created. The last stop was at Langham Hotel. The Langham's Chocolate Bar is a chocolate lover's paradise. The chocolate bar hosts a spectacular assortment of mousses, crepes, ice creams, cookies, and tarts.

Since this last chocolate vacation, I have discovered other places and tours where I can indulge my chocolate passion. Such tours included the New York's Chocolate Tour in New York City or the Rebecca Ruth Candy Factory in Frankfort KY. My latest find is the Regent's 11day Chocolate Cruise. I've heard these trips are a splendid way to indulge one their hearts desire with every possible chocolate and pastry creation. I can't wait to take these trips and discover other ways to turn my chocolate passion into yummy vacations. These trips are so sinfully wonderful.

Boston By Foot has been around for more than 30 years now, providing walking tours of Boston throughout the year except from November to April, when it might be a little chilly, but if your not in Boston during the spring and summer, they have custom tours at any time of the year. These tours aren't of the whole city, rather they focus on a specific neighborhood or theme, so the tour won't be as long as you would expect. They go to various places, such as the Victorian Back Bay, a beautiful place, and the Freedom Trail in downtown Boston. Each tour comes with the story of Boston and it's rich history, while experiencing beautiful architecture back since the beginnings of Boston in 1630. Each tour goes to multiple important historical cities such as the location of the Boston Tea Party. Some other tours include, Beacon Hill, Ashmont Hill, a Contemporary Boston tour, the Wharf District, The Liberty Hotel, etc. There are so many to choose from. However, not every tour is available everyday, so you should use careful planning if you are planning to go on one of these tours, but they do have tours everyday. The address is 77 North Washington Street if you want to go check them out. It's a really cool company and if you are planning to go on a walking tour of Boston, I would recommend this one from personal experience. Boston is a wonderful place and I can't think of a better way to experience it now that I've experienced a walking tour for myself.

I took a look around for some other walking tour companies and one that came up was at a website called Walking Tours of Historic Boston at Walkingboston Now, I've never actually taken a tour from this company so this is all information from their website. Unlike Boston By Foot, Walking Boston is a private tour company so it's smaller group and there's more questions you can ask and more info you can get out of it. There are 14 historic sites that you could potentially visit, all linking to Boston's rich history. The tour guide shares original documents and newspapers from the colonial period so you would hear stories that wouldn't be heard by anyone else, which makes this a truly unique tour. You must book your tours in advance since this is a private tour company. Rates are $130.00 for a private family tour (under 10 people) and $13 for adults and $10 for children under 12 for a group tour of 10-30 people. I would like to take a tour at the company and experience Boston with them, but I don't have family in Boston, but for those that do, this seems like a wonderful company to experience Boston with. They are located at 221 Massachusetts Ave.

So, whether you live in Boston or you're just visiting or going to visit, I recommend experience Boston in a way unlike any other, a walking tour. It's a really cool experience that anyone would love. Whether you want to go in a public tour and a lot of people or a private tour with just some close friends and family, both options are wonderful for any time of the year. You'll learn a lot about the history of Boston while hearing enjoyable stories and seeing the most amazing buildings. Walking tours of Boston are absolutely amazing.

Listed here are some of the great wonders of nature found in the Philippines. I have chosen 10 places that in my opinion are the best places to see in the country.

Banaue Rice Terraces

This beautiful place is located in the northern part of the country. This wonder of nature is known to Filipinos as the 8th wonder of the world. This rice terraces has been carved into the mountains by the indigenous people of Mountain Province and Ifugao more than 2000 years ago. The Banaue Rice Terraces is included in the Unesco World Heritage List in 1995.

Tubbataha Reef Marine Park

This Unesco World Heritage-listed marine park is located in the Municipality of Cagancillio, Province of Palawan. Tubbataha is made of about 10,000 coral reefs lying in the middle of Sulo Sea. Tubbataha is a nesting place for green sea turtles. It has almost 500 species of fish, about 45 species of birds, 9 species of dolphins and whales and it has about 400 species of corals.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

This great wonder of nature is another sight to enjoy. It is located in Palawan, Puerto Princesa, about 50 kilometers north of the Capital City. It has about 8 kilometers of navigable Underground River considered to be the longest in the world and features a limestone karsts mountain landscape. The river winds through a cave before it flows directly to the sea. This underground river has several chambers and also contains major formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Like the Tubbataha Reef, this nature park is included in the Unesco Heritage List.

Chocolate Hills

Chocolate Hills is located in Bohol, Philippines. It is made up of around 268 small cone-shaped hills that are almost of the same size and spread over an area of about 50 square kilometers. These coned-shaped hills are covered with grass and turns brown like a dark colored chocolate during summertime

Mayon Volcano

Mount Mayon is located is located in the province of Albay and about 15 kilometers northwest of the capital city of Legaspi.

Mount Mayon is an active volcano and has erupted about 47 times in the last 400 years. The volcano is known the world over as the most perfect cone shape volcano.

The most destructive eruption of Mount Mayon occurred in 1814 when lava flows emanating from the volcano buried the nearby town of Cagsawa, leaving only the bell tower of the church visible from the ground.. In this worst eruption, more than 2,000 people died.

Boracay Beach

Boracay Island is located in the province of Aklan with a land area of about 10 square kilometers. The island is famous for its powdery white sand and now considered as one of the best beaches in the world. From an unknown travel destination years ago, Boracay is now teeming with upscale tourists from all over the world.

Siargao Island

Siargao Island is located in the province of Surigao del Norte. It has a land area of over 400 square kilometers. Siargao is known the world over as one of the best Surfing destinations. It is home to Siargao Cup, a Philippine and International Surfing competition sponsored by the local government of Surigao.

Hundred Islands of Pangasinan

Hundred Islands is located in Pangasinan. These islands are scattered in deep blue waters of Ligayen Gulf. Some of the bigger islands have white sand beaches and dining facilities for visitors to enjoy.

Pagsanjan Falls

Pagsanjan Falls is located south of Metro Manila in the province of Laguna. The place is very popular among domestic and international travelers. Shooting the rapids is its major attraction. Boatmen will take you in their banca (wooden boat) to the river upstream, go swimming and shoot the rapids on your way downstream.

Taal Volcano

Taal Volcano is located in the island of Luzon in the province of Batangas, about 50 kilometers south of Manila. It is an active volcano with a large lake in its crater. The lake is popular fishing ground for residents living in the vicinity of the volcano.

Photo by the Quail

Sedona is also one of the great Metaphysical hot spots of Arizona. Its energy vortexes have been talked about for many years and its history goes way back to early Native American. The Yavapai-Apache are believed to be the earliest settlers of this area. Many a story has been told by the ancestors of the earliest settlers surrounding the great flood that covered Mother Earth.

The Yavapai Native American people have told the story of the Lady of the Pearl and it is said that they are the descendants of her daughter.

I have found through my researching of the Sedona area that the earliest accounts by the Yavapai concerning their take on the Creation story to be very accurate. They tell of how the Lady of the Pearl was sealed in a great log with a woodpecker along with a great white stone that is believed to have been a pearl. The Lady of the Pearl was sent from another of Arizona's great land marks, Montezuma's Well, at the very beginning of the great flood. She remained sealed in the log for forty days and forty nights. The waters from the rains covered all the land masses and when the water receded, the log came to rest in Sedona. The woodpecker freed the lady from the log and she took with her the Great stone of protection. The woodpecker guided her to the highest peak of Mingus Mountain. She met the sun; they fell in love. She returned to Sedona and bathed in the enchanted waters of Boynton Canyon. Shortly afterwards she gave birth to a daughter, that the Yavapai referred to as the First Lady and mother to its entire people.

Photo by the Quail

Another great point of interest is the many Metaphysical stores that are in the town of Sedona. They carry books, and many different types of semi precious gem stones and it's also the home of many that walk the path of healing. Yes, Sedona is a very enchanted place and it has much to offer anyone that takes the time to visit her.

Sedona is also the home of a well known author, Angel Lightfeather. She is a Spiritual Counselor to many. Her husband is also an Elvis impersonator singer, actor and entertainer. They have one of the many metaphysical, Spiritual shops that are present and thriving well. The thing that caught my attention first and foremost concerning their shop, is the hand painted mural on the stone wall that faces the road. It's a must-stop-by-and-see, if your traveling through Sedona. You can't miss it. Its one of the very first things that catches the eye of the passer-by.

Photo by the Quail

To take a picture does not do it justice, and one would be totally in awe of it, if they were to stop by and view it, for it has taken on a living energy of its own.

There is much to write about and showcase in Sedona. It's fast becoming the vacation hot spot, nestled in the red rock and mountains, with an elevation of 4,326 ft. above sea level. So what you waiting for? Come visit "Beautiful Sedona, Arizona".

Originally built as a defense tower against enemies about 200-400 B.C., the Great wall of China encompassed four thousand miles of infallible blocks. Although years have caused some of the sections to deteriorate, the Great Wall is still quite intact.

Not forbidden to visit

The Forbidden City can be found at the center of the Capital. It served as the imperial residence of the dynasties of Ming and Oing. The palace boasts of close to 9000 halls and rooms where tourists can find a lot of relics and artifacts from the previous dynasties. It is, in fact, considered as the largest palace in the world.

The Square of Peace

The Tian'anmen Square, also located at the center of Beijing, is the largest city square in the world and rests in front of the Imperial Palace. Tian'anmen, which means the Gates of Heavenly Peace is where hundreds of demonstrators where killed.

Home of the Dynasties

One of the many attractions that China offers can be found at the Xi'an, the capital city of China during the olden times. This is home to the famed Terracota Warriors and Horses as well as the Museum that features the Tomb of the Emperor Oin. You will also find in Xi'an the Bell Tower and the Tang Murals in Shaanxi Museum of History.

Another Hong Kong

Touted as the new Hong Kong, Shanghai boasts of great monuments and museums that you will love to visit. Here you will find great shopping places, great restaurants where you can eat out and relax and a lot of places where you can experience the rich culture that China has.

Another great tourist sight is the Lingering Gardens in the Suzhou. This is one of the most famous gardens in China.

The place of the pandas

Chengdu is where you will find the famous Panda City, which is a national center for research that takes care of the plight and protection of panda bears. Be careful though when you are riding the train going to this city as this route has become the haven of pickpockets. Always hold on to your belongings and avoid speaking to strangers who seek your attention.

The river three

Perhaps one of the most breathtaking sights in all of China is the Yangtze River, which is also known as the Three Gorges because of the valets that makes up the landscape. Although much of the landscape has already been modernized because of the Power Generation Project of China, the place is still a must see for tourists who want to discover the rich history of China. There are available cruise ships and boat tours that will take you to the perfect views.

Another place with a really great landscape view is the Guilin, which features the Karst topography. There are also cruises available for tourists.

Temples for tourists

The temple of Confucius is perhaps the biggest crowd drawer that Nanjing has for tourists. But besides this one thousand year old temple, there are also other temples that are also worth visiting if you still have the time. Tourists will also find the Linggu Temple and the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum interesting. In fact, you can find in the Ming one of the largest imperial tombs in all of China.