Travel
Travel• September 20, 2013

San Francisco Social Diary : Culinary Icon Cecilia Chiang at 94

This has been a banner year for San Francisco culinary legend Cecilia Chiang, still gracious and energetic at 94. She received the 2013 James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award in New York City and was the subject of the biographical documentary Soul of a Banquet, which premiered in San Francisco. Often credited with introducing Americans to authentic Chinese cuisine and […]...

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SHANGHAI SOCIAL DIARY GUO PEI, CHINA’S EMPRESS OF HAUTE COUTURE

Travel• August 26, 2013.
BEIJING – Every day in China is an adventure for me, and one of the most fascinating was my visit to the Beijing studio of couturier Guo Pei, a singular talent yet to be introduced to many Westerners. The gifted Beijing beauty produces some of the most sumptuous and exquisite fashions I have ever seen. Take a […]... READ MORE
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San Sebastian, Part II: the travel guide

Travel• June 27, 2013.
Does San Sebastian have anything else to offer besides gastronomic greatness? You bet. For one thing, Donostia, as it is called in the Basque language, is blessed with natural and man-made beauty. Situated on a scalloped bay ringed with shimmering beaches and surrounded by verdant mountains, it is a thrill to behold. And then, there’s […]... READ MORE
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San Sebastian, Part I: A Culinary Journey

Travel• June 26, 2013.
In the Bay of Biscay on the northern coast of Spain lies the glittering Basque city of San Sebastian, Spain’s best-kept secret. It is not a large city by any means, but it sure manages to punch above its weight in more ways than one. Its outsized influence is felt in several areas, including economic, political and […]... READ MORE
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Shanghai Social Diary: Shanghai Fine Jewellery & Art Fair

Travel• September 26, 2012.
Mark your calendars: the Shanghai Fine Jewellery and Art Fair (SFJAF) will be held here a third time this November (3-11) at the Shanghai Exhibition Center. As a premier fine art and jewelry fair in China, the SFJAF has attracted some of the world’s most elite art galleries who will display antiques, Old Master paintings, […]... READ MORE
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Shanghai Social Diary

Travel• August 19, 2012.
I’m back in the USA for the summer. This past year, I spent another season in Shanghai—that exotic, endlessly fascinating, and ever-changing city. I’ve compiled the best of the stories and pictures I gathered about social life and travels in China in diary form, and I’ll be posting them from time to time. Here’s another:... READ MORE
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Nina’s South African Safari at Phinda Private Game Reserve: June 2012 

Travel• August 15, 2012.
This particular safari in South Africa was different from my previous trips in that husbands/partners were invited; a far cry from all the Bush Ladies Safaris that I have been a part of during the past 18 months. My husband, Leonel Piraino, came along with me to Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa. We spent […]... READ MORE
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Shanghai Social Diary

Travel• August 10, 2012.
I’m back in the USA for the summer. This past year, I spent another season in Shanghai—that exotic, endlessly fascinating, and ever-changing city. I’ve compiled the best of the stories and pictures I gathered about social life and travels in China in diary form, and I’ll be posting them from time to time. Here’s another: [... READ MORE
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Shanghai Social Diary: Hong Merchant Antiques Gallery Opening

Travel• July 26, 2012.
When two friends, Shanghai-based venture capitalist Laurette Hartigan and Santa Barbara-based author Beverly Johnson (who collects Chinese antiques), both suggested I go to an opening at Hong Merchant, a Chinese and French-influenced antiques and art gallery, I knew it was a must. I had enjoyed the inviting atmosphere at Hong Merchant previousl... READ MORE
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Shanghai Social Diary

Travel• April 26, 2012.
SHANGHAI — Now that I’ve returned to the U.S. for the winter and have finally downloaded and organized my photos in Lightroom, I’m back to writing about my fall adventures in China. ARTIST ZHANG HUAN AT THE ROCKBUND ART MUSEUM SHANGHAI — One of the most talked-about events in Shanghai last fall was the reopening […]... READ MORE
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Shanghai Social Diary

Travel• March 28, 2012.
I recently returned from another fall season in Shanghai—that exotic, endlessly fascinating and ever-changing city. I’ve compiled the best of the stories and pictures I gathered about social life and travels in China in diary form, and I’ll be posting them from time to time. Here’s another: NATIONAL DAY HOLIDAY SHANGHAI—I sta... READ MORE
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Shanghai Social Diary: Shanghai Tour of Jewish History

Travel• March 1, 2012.
Shanghai – Not far from the famous Bund district in Shanghai is Hongkou district (pronounced “hong koh”), a quiet neighborhood with a history of Jewish immigration; it was once known as the Jewish Ghetto. Shanghai-based Israeli photojournalist Dvir Bar-Gal introduced me to the remarkable history of Jews in Shanghai, when I joined his ... READ MORE
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Nina’s Africa Diary, Part III

Travel• February 27, 2012.
Thursday January 19th This morning found me in bed until 8:30. I needed a solid night’s sleepand had been on so many spectacular game drives that I gave myself permission to sleep in. I am sure that Mike gave me a few demerit points for this. Breakfast was brought to my tent and I whiled […]... READ MORE

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