Just reviewed it on Google:
This is my restaurant of choice in the north of Kunming. The food is delicious and healthy. Why? Because the choice of ingredients. The choice of vegetables is remarkably unique, and they go to some very specific markets to get them. I have no problem ordering 80% wild vegetables in all the dishes of the meal. They are very open-minded for preparing suggestions, and will combine stuff whenever you think it will taste nice. Only with the wild mushrooms they'll refrain from this obviously. They have plaques on the walls saying: "We prefer to handle natural food in the traditional way to get optimal taste and think it is unnecessary to use chemical taste enhancers. We don't use MSG!" Salt is used sparingly, the chillies can all be left out and they serve you free home made kimchi and apple vinegar for every meal. Service is very attentive and friendly. Plates are almost oil-free after you finish a dish. Cold beer is available. Talk to the chef, he's a very nice guy. And get the small potatoes. And the home made peanut soup.
Reflections on the Tea Horse Road
Posted byGreat article indeed. It is always the first thing I try to communicate to our guests when they arrive in Yunnan. The depth of the historic relevance of the Tea Horse Road is unmatched. Funny that the mainstream tourism industry decided to use it as an umbrella and then promptly started to simplify it as some sort of static movement in which you can almost imagine a single caravan hauling their tea straight to Lhasa, and bringing back horses, unregarding during which season. Not only the actual movement but also the influence is so much underestimated and not given the attention it deserves. Your article makes my legs itch to pack up some mules and GO!
George Forrest: Scotland's Qing-era plant hunter
Posted byReally interesting, I'm really fascinated by the life and achievements of Forrest!
Brendan, is there a lot of info on his life in the coffee table book? I'd LOVE to read it but can't get it anywhere, seems like an expensive collector's item.
Peter, that is so interesting that you actually tried to locate his grave! Wow. I can't find the story on the Geographical Society Bulletin, do you have a link or website? Thanks!
Myanmar jails scores of Chinese loggers, Beijing incensed
Posted byServes the bastard right! Hope they stay locked up for at least the period they were convicted for.
For those interested in some extra thoughts about this matter: www.eastbysoutheast.com/[...]
Bullfighting culture in rural China
Posted byI helped out covering some big bullfights over Torch Festival in Luliang for the Wall Street Journal. Very similar experience. Thanks Jim for all the extra background on all the fascinating minority dresses and garments.
www.wsj.com/[...]
Resurrecting history in downtown Kunming
Posted byGreat article, thank you, Gokunming! I will definitely check out this hotel when I get to town next time.
And yes, at a time when half the province was high on opium, and Kunming was a huge market for this specific good, which came from the west, it is funny to think that the richest family was actually exporting a milk-papaya snack along that same route. Maybe it was milk of the poppy? :-)