Craggy Range Winery, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

There’s an old adage that goes: Be nice to everyone because you will meet them again. This proved true last night. We ran into our friend Crystal Collins from the Napa Valley last night at the Craggy Range Winery restaurant called Terrôir. The location for our “small world” encounter could not have been more surprising, Havelock North, New Zealand. After a great meal Crystal took us on a tour of the stunning, state-of-the-art winery. Then we headed to the cellar for a barrel tasting of the 2006 Sophia. 

Terrôir at Craggy Range
Giants Winery
253 Waimarama Road
Havelock North
New Zealand

LAX to Auckland, New Zealand

Arrived Thursday, October 8, 2009 to Auckland. A day later than expected, not just from crossing the date line, but due to a delay in Los Angeles. The source of the delay? A battle: 747 versus a bird. The valiant bird, we’ll never know what kind of bird, lost. It didn’t just lose it was atomized. But it did get in one good shot.

Palm Springs, California

I have been visiting Palm Spring since I was a child. In the winter we headed to the desert from frigid Los Angeles escaping the 50°F nighttime temps of January. With its mid-century architecture PS was always a “cool” place to go. We stayed at The Korakia Pensione. Some of their remarkable touches - Nighttime fires that came out of the ground blazing around the pool, chilled fruit tea served by the pool daytime, Moroccan themed decor, excellent breakfasts on the deck. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat.