* Reno ("The Biggest Little City in the World") (September 2002)

* New Orleans (August - September 2002)

NOPD's Finest (left), 632 St. Peter (middle), St. Louis Cemetary #1 (right)

Jazz: The history of jazz dates to the mid-18th century, when slaves gathered socially on Sundays at Congo Square (now Louis Armstrong Park), a special market outside the city's rampart. The African dance and drumming traditions that took place during these Sundays, combined with the city's near-universal fondness for music and dancing, had an early and significant influence on the origins of jazz. Today, the jazz tradition continues at some of the city's best music venues, including Snug Harbor (626 Frenchmen Street), Preservation Hall (726 St. Peter Street) and the Palm Court Jazz Cafe (1204 Decatur Street).

Preservation Hall (left), Street Performers (middle), Sippin' Hurricanes at Pat O'Briens (right)

Nightlife: Although bars and clubs are open 24-hours, most start jumping around 10 p.m. Bourbon Street has the liveliest bars (and an endless stream of tacky gift-shops). Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop claims to be the oldest bar in America, est. 1772 (941 Bourbon Street) and Pat O'Brien's invented the Hurricane (718 St. Peter Street).

Food: Although the main cuisines are Creole and Cajun, the distinction between the two are blurred. Creole cooking carries an urban gloss, with an emphasis on butter and heavy-cream (influenced by French and Canadian settlers), while Cajun cooking is decidedly more hearty (influenced by Acadian settlers). Some of the city's upscale restaurants include Peristyle (1041 Dumaine Street) (contemporary) and Brennan's (417 Royal Street) (brunch and bananas Foster). However, the more casual restaurants are the city's best finds, including Red Fish Grill (115 Bourbon Street) (seafood ~ try the sweet potato catfish), Mulate's (201 Julia Street) (cajun) and Gumbo Shop (630 St. Peter Street) (creole). These casual eateries serve the essentials: gumbo, jambalaya, red beans 'n rice, and crawfish �touff�e (there's also turtle soup, alligator sausage, & varieties of Gulf fish). Also, no trip to New Orleans would be complete without a cup of caf� au lait and beignets at Caf� du Monde on Jackson Square.

Jackson Square (left), Tomb of Marie Laveau (middle), Caf� du Monde (right)

* Seattle (August 2002)

* Hawaii (June 2001)

* Bali ("Island of the Gods") (June 2001)

Attractions: Bali's natural attractions include miles of sandy beaches, rice terraces, active volcanoes, rivers, lakes, sacred caves, and tropical rainforests. Most of the island's population have migrated to the island's southern region. Pura Uluwatu (or "Heavenly Place of Worship at the Head of the Rock") is a cliff-side temple and Goa Gajah or ("Elephant Cave") are the southern region's most famous sights. Bali's eastern region is the historical center of the island, with crumbled stone temples and palaces, rock walls carved with images of court life from centuries past, and age-old Hindu shrines adorned with carvings dating from the 11th century. Gunung Agung Volcano (10,000-ft) or "Mother Mountain" is considered the island's holiest site. A scenic drive to the central region's Kintamani Volcano (5,000-ft) passes through the artisan villages of Batubulan (stone carving), Celuk (silver jewellry) and Mas (wood carving). The mountain village of Kintamani offers spectacular views of Lake Batur and Gunung Batur Volcano. Bali's North Shore is unspoiled with black sand beaches. Near the village of Banjar is a natural hot spring and in the old capital of Singaraja is a multi-tier waterfall

Spa: Bali is blessed with two of the best spa resorts in the world. Along the pristine beaches of Jimbaran Bay is the Ritz-Carlton, Bali. The resort is perched on a bluff with dramatic views of the Indian Ocean. Entering the resort is an immediate step into opulence: pools cascade towards dramatic ocean views. Unpolished marble surrounds the fountains and koi ponds, carved antique wooden benches adorn the hallways, and a replica of the painted panels from the Kerta Gosa Pavilion in Semarapura graces the lobby ceiling. The swimming area has a two-tiered infinity pool and a grotto that leads through an 11,000-gallon saltwater aquarium. The resort also has a private beach. The Cinta Abadi Spa Treatment is a three-hour treatment that includes an aromatherapy massage, lulur scrub, an herbal facial & a flower petal soak.

Ritz-Carlton, Bali

Four Seasons, Sayan

Transportation: One of the most enjoyable ways to see the island is to hire a reliable English-speaking driver/guide for your stay. Although offers for "Transport! Transport!" are plentiful, the caveat is that there are many sketchy characters. We were extremely pleased with Wayan Merta because he was professional, accomodating and eager to show us the backroads of Bali and take us off the beaten path (literally! Wayan guided us on a trek through the rainforest and around Lake Tamblingan) and (cell no: 811.38.6761 and email: [email protected])

* San Francisco (ongoing)

At Plants on Polk, the motto is "Making Horticulture an Art Form and Specializing in the Unusual." This store carries some of the healthiest plants, including live moss, cacti, succulents & fragrant plants (like oncidium orchids that smell like chocolate). Located at 1475 Polk (at California).

At the Pt. Isabel Regional Shoreline, dogs may be taken off leash on the 20-acre park. This is the largest dog park in the Bay Area.

Rainbow Grocery is an independent, collectively run, worker-owned and operated cooperative that carries organic food with a focus on vegeterian and environmentally health conscious products. Located at 1745 Folsom Street (at 13th Street/Division) in the Mission District.

Golden Gate (left), China Town (middle), Exploratorium (right)

Also, here are some pictures of our SOMA loft:

the living area/mezzanine

the dining area/kitchen

The (10) States I've Yet to Visit: