Rancho de Espanol provides language instruction for people of all ages. It is a wonderful retreat center equipped with hotel rooms, pool, restaurant and other common spaces. It has enclosed cabanas that serve as classrooms. However,...
Hope’s Animal Adventure: Costa Rica Butterfly Sanctuary
On April 25, 2017 we visited La Casa de la Morpho Azul Mariposario in Guacima, Alajuela, Costa Rica. Here is Hope’s experience at the Butterfly Sanctuary. This butterfly sanctuary has hundreds of butterflies and many were big and...
Japanese Gardens: “The Perfection of the Imperfect”
As far as Ryan and Nicole are concerned, Japanese Gardens are the most lovely of all gardens; utopias of natural beauty. While it has always been difficult to discern why the Japanese Garden is so utterly satisfying to the...
Japanese Ramen Haiku
It’s time to be honest. Our family might have a problem. We are the Warne-McGraw Family, and we are Japanese Ramen addicts. So far, we have sought out ramen for a meal no less than 6 times in about...
Hope’s Animal Adventure: Tokyo Cat Cafe
In Tokyo we went into a Cat Cafe where we saw tons of cats who were there for you to pet, hang out with and feed. In order to stay at the cafe you have to order one drink for...
A Chinese Farmer’s Proverb: “Hunger is the Best Spice”
Our guide, Qin “Chin,” told us his parents used to say that “Hunger is the best spice” when he was growing up. As simple farmers, they knew too well that if you are hungry enough whatever you cook or...
Surviving Scent Sensitivity in a Smelly World
You know how dogs have a really keen sense of smell? Like, they can pick up scents that humans miss? According to Peter Tyson in his article on NOVA Science Now: “What do dogs have that we don’t?...
Baan Thai Cooking Class
An American Expat here in Thailand asked us why we had chosen to travel to Thailand. And my (Nicole’s) answer included something about hearing Thailand was beautiful and the fact that our family LOVES Thai foods. So, taking a...
Christmas Markets Cruise – Germany December 2016
Our Uniworld Christmas Markets Cruise was on a beautiful ship called the Royal Dutchess. It was their first multigenerational river-cruise and perfect for our three generations. We were so thankful to have Martin and Becky Ward (Nicole’s parents) join...
Hope’s Animal Adventures: Elephants in Thailand
Hope you’re ready for another of Hope’s Animal Adventures! We spent a day at Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand and she couldn’t wait to share her thoughts on the awesome edventure of being up close and personal...