This small park is one of the treasures of Friedenau - tranquil, old-world charme, great ice-cream in the tiny café!

Powell’s Books is one of the largest independent bookstores in the world. Powell's carries both new and used books, side by side. The main store, which is known as the City of Books and is located at the corner of W. Burnside and 10th Ave. in downtown Portland, Oregon, is open 365 days a year. In addition, Powell’s has three other full-service locations and two specialty stores, all of them in Portland (except for the one in nearby Beaverton). Numerous literary events, including readings by well-known contemporary authors, take place at several store locations. Powell’s City of Books 1005 W. Burnside Portland, OR 97209 http://www.powells.com/

Sometimes it seems like there are only four cities in New Zealand: the colossus Auckland, the capital Wellington, the very English Christchurch and the very Scottish Dunedin. New Plymouth in the Taranaki region is the most Kiwi city in New Zealand. It’s a pity that most travellers don’t even pass New Plymouth. It is low key, but full of character. It is situated directly on the rough Tasman Sea with its surf beaches. Above it all Mount Taranaki with its snow-capped peak sits enthroned.

Opening a bank account can be a bit of a drama in the UK if you're a foreigner. I opened mine from New Zealand as my local bank ASB had an association with the HSBC in the UK and they did some sort of referral for me. I went in on my first day there and was welcomed with open arms (so to speak). I then viewed it from the other side when the boyfriend at the time didn't arrange it from New Zealand and just bowled up to the counter expecting to be welcomed gladly. Ha ha, no. He had weeks of drama, with things having to be posted etc, which convinced me I'd done the right thing by organising...

Bondi Beach is world famous for one good reason - it's great! Not only is the beach itself just wonderful for a swim at any time of the day but the strip is lined with shops and cafes to keep you happy all day. Upstairs on the deck at the Swiss Grand Hotel you can enjoy a lovely view of the beach as you eat your fresh Sydney seafood....bliss!!

Peking Duck, or Peking Roast Duck is a famous duck dish from Beijing that has been prepared since the Yuan Dynasty(1206-1368). The dish is prized for the thin, crispy skin with authentic versions of the dish serving mostly the skin and little meat, sliced in front of the diners by the cook. Ducks are bred specially for the dish, which after 65 days are slaughtered and seasoned before it is roasted in a closed oven or a hung oven. The meat is often eaten with pancakes, spring onions and hoisin sauce. A variant of the dish known as crispy aromatic duck has been created by the Chinese community in the United Kingdom. The two most notable restaurants in Beijing which serve...

My favourite place for coffee and food is a cosy cafe called Cafe Eos. I have to visit there at least for a coffee every time I go back to Hong Kong. It's a nicely decorated, cosy and quiet cafe with nice fresh food at reasonable prices. Too bad the one in Causeway Bay has moved (or was it just renovating?). I know they have another one at Tin Hau. I have been there myself and my favourite is their homemade Apple Crumble.