foneticklee

Although staying in Canyon to get to Palo Duro Canyon will put you about 20-30 minutes closer than Amarillo, there is less to do here than Amarillo (and that’s saying something.) I would stay in Amarillo, where you can find some decent restaurants and accommodations, and suck up the extra 20 minutes.

My in-laws live here, so I’m looking forward to returning. However, since you, the reader, are most likely not related to me or my in-laws, there is not much to recommend this town.

Yes, the food is tasty. It is also, however, incredibly expensive. It also bears no resemblance to authentic Japanese food, but that’s probably a point in its favor. Alright for special occasions, but try to go for lunch, when the prices are a few dollars cheaper. Also, they stopped doing sushi at lunch for a period, and don’t know if they have resumed – so be forewarned.

It’s a neat building, and has history to it. But as far as onsen experiences go, this was honestly my least favorite. The spa gets crowded really quickly and lacks many of the amenities that make the more modernized spas such a relaxing experience. Paying the extra Y400 for the “tea ceremony” afterward is certainly not worth it. If you are in Matsuyama, stopping by to take pictures would be cool, but go to the Hojo onsen if you need a relaxing soak.

Everybody that says that Hualien is worth visiting talks almost exclusively about Taroko Gorge, which has its own separate entry. Unless you need a place from which to access the gorge, Hualien is just a small town with crappy sidewalks. The night market here is alright and stays open late enough, but that seems to be a staple of Taiwan and the one in Hualien doesn’t stick out.

Let’s be honest – Taroko Gorge = worth visiting. Hualien = not so much.

Closed? NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! The free samples… ARRGGGHHHH!!

I was just thinking the other day about how much I missed checking out CDs from this library. A great selection, from classical to rock to rap. This was also my internet spot for close to a year. Good place to go if you’re a local, or passing through and need to check your e-mail.

Worth visiting if only to see that it’s not as bad as its reputation. Sure, there are parts (as anyone will tell you) that you want to avoid (as any city does,) but there are also some beautiful houses and excellent restaurants, and a wonderfully diverse population. Honestly, if I were to reside in the Bay, I would live in Oakland and chill in Berkeley or San Francisco.

BEST BOOKSTORE EVER!!!

In a city that’s good for eats, this is the place to come for eats in San Francisco. Authentic Indian, Mexican and Chinese within a few blocks of each other.