San Francisco has the distinction of being one of the most visited cities in the world. Well-known for its cultural diversity, Vidya tells us more about its child-friendliness.

Hi Vidya! Please tell us about yourself.

I am a mom of twin toddler boys, enjoying the roller-coaster ride of parenthood, and trying to integrate work and family fun.

What are some of your suggestions for parents visiting with young kids to do in SFO?

The SFO Bay Area is a very diverse place and offers something for [...]]]> In the Women’s Web ‘Travel The World With Kids’ series, we talk to mums from all over the globe who are interested in exploring their backyard attractions with their tiny tots! We hope you find them useful, if someday you choose to visit their part of the world. Presented in Q&A format, this one is with Vidya from San Francisco (SFO). You can find her on Twitter.

San Francisco has the distinction of being one of the most visited cities in the world. Well-known for its cultural diversity, Vidya tells us more about its child-friendliness.

Hi Vidya! Please tell us about yourself.

I am a mom of twin toddler boys, enjoying the roller-coaster ride of parenthood, and trying to integrate work and family fun.

What are some of your suggestions for parents visiting with young kids to do in SFO?

The SFO Bay Area is a very diverse place and offers something for everyone – the usual tourist attractions such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Crooked Street, Fisherman’s Wharf, Cable Car Rides, Sausalito, Ghirardelli Square, a boat cruise to the Alcatraz Island etc are sure to be fun for all. Besides that, there are a few kid-friendly museums. The California Academy of Sciences is a great place to visit with kids – it’s the only place on the planet with an aquarium, a planetarium, a natural history museum, and a 4-story rainforest all under one roof.

The Children’s Discovery Museum is one of the largest hands-on museums in the nation; it is sure to keep everyone from toddlers to older kids engaged!

What have been some of your favourite outings in SFO with your kids?

We love going on picnics to the Golden Gate Park. The park has a wide open play area – The Koret Children’s Quarter, with a carousel ride which is a must-do!

On a bright sunny day, we also enjoy going to the beach. My kids can play with their sand toys on the beach for hours, while we relax on the warm sand, gazing out into the blue Pacific Ocean.

For tourists visiting SFO for the first time, do you have any particular tips? 

I would suggest planning for atleast a week in the area. There is a lot to do, and it works better to space the activities out, especially the little kids. Also, dress in layers  -  as Mark Twain once asserted “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.”

Are there any particular restaurants in SFO that you think kids will enjoy?

The SFO Bay Area is such a melting pot of cuisines from around the world; it’s a great place to introduce your little ones to new tastes and textures. It’s really hard to pick one or even a few restaurants, given the multitude of options but  here goes –  the Pier 39 area has several dining options with outdoor seating that works great with kids. The Ferry building, which is another great place for tourists to hang out also has some unique dining options that are fun to check out with kids . The Ghirardelli square is a do-not-miss for both kids and those of us who are kids-at-heart – you can make a meal out of their world-famous desserts.

Are there any particular shopping areas in SFO that you think kids will enjoy?

The Union Square area is a vibrant shopping destination with a wide variety of options for all budgets. You can select from luxury brands, local boutiques or nation-wide department stores. You can also enjoy a stroll along the charming Maiden Lane– a pedestrian only walkway. The Union Square Park, located at the heart of the shopping district, is a great place to picnic with the kids between shopping activities. Check out their summer events calendar for live music and other fun activities.

Any kid-friendly day trips out from SFO?

Monterey – Carmel area is a two hour drive away. Along with Monterey Bay Aquarium and Point Lobos, the Carmel area hosts several kid-friendly activities, check this out for more information.

Thanks Vidya!

*Photo credit: Vidya

Previous Interviews In The ‘Travel With Kids’ Series: 

Diana from Toronto

Brooke from Hong Kong

Ellen Schmidt from New York

Anusha from Seattle

Neera from Chicago

Jo-Lynne from Philadelphia

Tiffany from Frankfurt

Subha from Zurich

Shalini from Norway

Nora from Morocco

Laylah from Riyadh

Lisa from Dubai

Sarah from New Zealand

Toni from Manila

Maid In Malaysia from Kuala Lumpur

Uma from Chennai

The Mad Momma from Delhi

Lakshmi from Hyderabad

Sunayana from Kolkata

Sunita from Pune

Anuradha from Mumbai

Artnavy from Bengaluru

Leonny from Singapore

Mothers are our first teachers. Over the years they pass on several nuggets of wisdom, from the small ones like ‘make sure to clean behind your ears’ to the really big ones too. This Mother’s Day, tell us what you leant from your mother. Share your ‘Lessons From Ma’ with us – whether these are touching, inspiring or funny!

Where to send: Send in your story to feedback@womensweb.in with ‘Lessons From Ma’ in the subject line, and your story as a word/txt attachment. Do include the name we should use if we publish it, and a brief introduction to yourself (2-3 lines) in the mail.

By when: Please send in your stories by May 20th. The 5 best stories will be published on Women’s Web the following week, [...]]]> In honour of Mother’s Day, May’s writing theme is all about mothers. Share the lessons you’ve learnt from your mother, get published and win goodies.

Mothers are our first teachers. Over the years they pass on several nuggets of wisdom, from the small ones like ‘make sure to clean behind your ears’ to the really big ones too. This Mother’s Day, tell us what you leant from your mother. Share your ‘Lessons From Ma’ with us – whether these are touching, inspiring or funny!

Where to send: Send in your story to feedback@womensweb.in with ‘Lessons From Ma’ in the subject line, and your story as a word/txt attachment. Do include the name we should use if we publish it, and a brief introduction to yourself (2-3 lines) in the mail.

By when: Please send in your stories by May 20th. The 5 best stories will be published on Women’s Web the following week, i.e. May 21st onwards.

Rules:

- The material should be previously unpublished elsewhere. (Copyright stays with you and you’re free to subsequently publish it elsewhere).

- Keep it between 250 and 600 words.

GOODIES!

Courtesy Westland Books, each person whose entry is chosen for publishing on Women’s Web gets a copy of Chicken Soup For The Indian Mother’s Soul as well Bringing Up Vasu.

By Rakhee Ghelani

For 9 months now my backpack has been my home as I have travelled alone across India. Born and bred in Australia, I chose to move to my ancestral home of India as part of a drastic mid-life change, but first took some time out to explore my new home. From Shimla to Rameswaram and Jaisalmer to Bhubaneswar, I have been fortunate enough to see so much of this amazing country. Being the odd one out here is not always easy. As a single Indian woman with a broad Australian accent I am anything but inconspicuous, but it has certainly been an experience I will savour for the rest of my life.

Travelling in India is a mixed bag of experiences 

India is an exhilarating country to be alone in. In the space [...]]]> A woman travelling solo in India is still quite rare. One such traveller shares her experiences and lessons learnt! 

By Rakhee Ghelani

For 9 months now my backpack has been my home as I have travelled alone across India. Born and bred in Australia, I chose to move to my ancestral home of India as part of a drastic mid-life change, but first took some time out to explore my new home. From Shimla to Rameswaram and Jaisalmer to Bhubaneswar, I have been fortunate enough to see so much of this amazing country. Being the odd one out here is not always easy. As a single Indian woman with a broad Australian accent I am anything but inconspicuous, but it has certainly been an experience I will savour for the rest of my life.

Travelling in India is a mixed bag of experiences 

India is an exhilarating country to be alone in. In the space of only a few minutes you can encounter a full range of emotions from fear to joy; you never quite know what you are going to get. Travelling in Odisha by bus from Puri to Chilika Lake, as my journey approached its destination I realised that I was on the wrong side of this huge lake. Quite quickly and with limited language skills I had to find another solution to get to the other side of the lake before nightfall. I began to fill with apprehension and fear that was palpable by the time I got off the bus in the tiny town of Satapada carrying 20 kgs on my back.

Thankfully the locals were eager to help me out as a crowd of men surrounded me and advised that I had just missed the once a day ferry to Balugaon but I could spend a night in the only hotel in town and for the afternoon all of them would be happy to take me on their boat to see the lake, for a very reasonable price of course. My fear had shifted to relief and excitement about my pending boat trip all in five minutes.

India is an exhilarating country to be alone in. In the space of only a few minutes you can encounter a full range of emotions from fear to joy…

Of course not everyone is well intentioned. Whilst boarding a local bus in Bihar, a state renowned for its lawlessness, I felt a man behind me reach for my arm and yell out, “How much for you?” Before I could turn around and give him a piece of my mind the bus conductor swiftly slapped him across the head and ordered him off the bus. I was so grateful for his chivalry but it couldn’t erase the disgust and fear I felt from that comment. I had allowed myself to let my guard down for a short while but this was a swift reminder that as a woman I needed to be extra vigilant about protecting my person. Not everyone was there to help me.

Solo travel can be liberating

Being alone for days on end can be isolating and lonely at times particularly in large cities; I recall sitting in Bangalore one day and thinking it had been almost two weeks since I had had a real conversation with anyone. However the solitude can also be calming and empowering; you are accountable to no one and can do as you please. I spent three weeks in Rishikesh just doing yoga for four hours a day and looking down at the beautiful Ganga as she rushed her way towards the sea; it was my own personal ashram and an indulgence I am sure would not have been possible if I had been travelling with another.

Travelling alone also gave me the privacy to explore myself and develop new life skills. I spent 10 hours just soaking in the ethereal beauty of Amritsar’s Golden Temple and sitting alone listening to the spiritual chanting of thousands of people in Haridwar’s evening aarti. Because I wasn’t sharing these experiences with anyone I was allowed to lose myself in the moment and just be; being alone made these experiences so personal. In a country with 1.2 billion people, being able to feel peacefully alone amidst a crowd is a skill that has to be learnt, but once it is, it becomes a form of meditation. This is just one of the gifts that travelling alone in India has given me.

Travelling alone also gave me the privacy to explore myself and develop new life skills.

Another skill is the ability to be flexible. I have always been a planned traveller. With my trusty guidebook in hand I enjoyed planning out the details of my travel, but it’s not always easy to do this in India as things rarely run to time and what you are told is not always as it seems. So I have had to abandon my rigid ways and learn to just go with the flow. When my 2 pm train from Delhi to Gaya didn’t depart until 1 am, I learnt how to be comfortable on the platform steps of the New Delhi train station and used it as a Hindi study period.

When I was thrown off the bus from Shimla to Dharamsala in the middle of nowhere because I had the wrong ticket, I learnt how to use my broken Hindi to make sure I got on the right bus when it came past 2 hours later. When I decided to walk the 10km stretch of beach to Adam’s Bridge in Rameswaram and discovered at the end that the only way back was to walk or get on the roof of a fish carrying cargo van and hang on for dear life, I learnt that my fear of heights could be overcome when it was absolutely necessary.

As challenging and sometimes even scary some of these experiences were I have now also learnt to look back on them and smile. My solo journey through India has given me so much and I feel sad now it has come to an end. But as one chapter closes another one opens as I now shift gears from being a solo traveller to a single woman living in India.

*Photo credit: Mahin (Used under the Creative Commons Attribution License)

Near the shores of Lake Ontario is Toronto, Canada’s largest and most populous city. Big, beautiful and bustling, what does Toronto have in store for families with kids?

Hi Diana! Tell us about yourself.

I am an elementary school teacher and a multi-tasking mother of two children aged six and four.

What are some of your suggestions for parents visiting with young kids to do in Toronto?

When visiting in the summer, there are many fun places to take the kids while enjoying the [...]]]> In the Women’s Web ‘Travel The World With Kids’ series, we talk to mums from all over the globe who are interested in exploring their backyard attractions with their tiny tots! We hope you find them useful, if someday you choose to visit their part of the world. Presented in Q&A format, this one is with Diana Mancuso who blogs about Toronto life, kid-friendly products and more at Toronto Teacher Mom.

Near the shores of Lake Ontario is Toronto, Canada’s largest and most populous city. Big, beautiful and bustling, what does Toronto have in store for families with kids?

Hi Diana! Tell us about yourself.

I am an elementary school teacher and a multi-tasking mother of two children aged six and four.

What are some of your suggestions for parents visiting with young kids to do in Toronto?

When visiting in the summer, there are many fun places to take the kids while enjoying the sunshine. Take a ferry ride to Centre Island and bring a picnic basket with you. Not only are there plenty of rides for the kids to enjoy at Centreville Amusement Park such as a carousel, pony rides and wading pools, there is also plenty of green space which is ideal for a stroll, a bike ride or a casual picnic. A family all-day ride pass for 4 can cost about $91 plus the cost of the ferry ride.

For those who love animals, check out Riverdale Farm. With more than 7 acres of greenland located in downtown Toronto, it is accessible via public transit and there is no cost for admission. Children will enjoy exploring the trails, munching on homemade treats at the historic Simpson House and seeing the horses, cows, sheep, goats, chickens and more.

If museums are more up your alley, then the Royal Ontario Museum is a definite must-see. Open seven days a week, the ROM is home to one of Canada’s largest permanent collections of dinosaurs. It also houses a super cool bat cave simulation and their fabulous Food Studio Café which offers several delicious meals made from fresh organic and seasonal ingredients. To make admission more affordable for families, the ROM has recently reduced their prices and infants 3 and under still get in for free.

The CN Tower is also a great place to bring the kids. Take a ride up in a glass elevator and enjoy an incredible 360-degree view of the city or stand on the glass floor as you stare 1,815 feet below.

What have been some of your favourite outings in Toronto with your kids?

Some of our favourite outings in Toronto include the Ontario Science Centre that is not only educational but tonnes of fun. Enjoy a movie at the IMAX theatre or take the kids to the Kidspark for hands-on workshops. There is so much to see and do!

We also enjoy visiting the Toronto Zoo, especially in the warmer months when you can go for a ride on the Zoomobile, visit the Kids Zoo or hang out at the splash pad. One of my personal favourites is Casa Loma, an amazingly large historic castle located near the downtown core. The gardens here are beautiful!

For tourists visiting Toronto for the first time, do you have any particular tips? 

If you plan on visiting Toronto for more than a few days, I highly suggest purchasing a Toronto CityPASS which will save you 42%, giving you admission to the CN Tower, the Royal Ontario Museum, Casa Loma, the Toronto Zoo and the Ontario Science Centre. Also, I suggest bringing a backpack filled with water bottles and snacks for the kids. Concession stands in tourist areas can be quite expensive. Further, do some research before you plan your trip as there are often weekend street closures during the warmer months, making it difficult if you plan on driving into town.

Are there any particular restaurants in Toronto that you think kids will enjoy?

Dining with the little ones is always an adventure. My kids and I recently had a chance to try the Old Spaghetti Factory in downtown Toronto and the kids loved it. But beware, the portions are very large! Another favourite is Jack Astor’s where they will happily provide you with a DVD player to keep the kids entertained while they wait for their food.

Are there any particular shopping areas in Toronto that you think kids will enjoy?

One of my favourite places to take the kids shopping is the newly built Shops at Don Mills, Toronto’s first open-air mall.  The kids love wading in the fountain and running around in Town Square.

Any kid-friendly day trips out from Toronto?

If you’re willing to make the trek, check out Canada’s Wonderland located just outside Toronto in the city of Vaughn. They have an entire area dedicated to kids along with a large outdoor water park.

Thanks a lot Diana!

*Photo credit: Diana Mancuso

Previous Interviews In The ‘Travel With Kids’ Series: 

Brooke from Hong Kong

Ellen Schmidt from New York

Anusha from Seattle

Neera from Chicago

Jo-Lynne from Philadelphia

Tiffany from Frankfurt

Subha from Zurich

Shalini from Norway

Nora from Morocco

Laylah from Riyadh

Lisa from Dubai

Sarah from New Zealand

Toni from Manila

Maid In Malaysia from Kuala Lumpur

Uma from Chennai

The Mad Momma from Delhi

Lakshmi from Hyderabad

Sunayana from Kolkata

Sunita from Pune

Anuradha from Mumbai

Artnavy from Bengaluru

Leonny from Singapore

By Tranquil Samuel

(Before we get to the 5 fun ideas we have for you, do have a look at this video from Shopper’s Stop – who are the gracious sponsors of this post, and check out their summer collection).

What is it about Summer that makes us say with Russell Baker, “Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer, and like it.” Is it because, behind the dizzying heat and the mirages, there is also the promise of leisurely long cool drinks, beaches, songbirds and cool cotton clothing?

Summer, for many people stand for new beginnings – a new financial year, a new academic year, a fresh new start at the work place after a summer break, and for many people, a whole new wardrobe! Let this summer [...]]]> While the Indian summer is one long excuse to grumble about the heat, here are 5 fun things to do this summer.

By Tranquil Samuel

(Before we get to the 5 fun ideas we have for you, do have a look at this video from Shopper’s Stop – who are the gracious sponsors of this post, and check out their summer collection).

What is it about Summer that makes us say with Russell Baker, “Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer, and like it.” Is it because, behind the dizzying heat and the mirages, there is also the promise of leisurely long cool drinks, beaches, songbirds and cool cotton clothing?

Summer, for many people stand for new beginnings – a new financial year, a new academic year, a fresh new start at the work place after a summer break, and for many people, a whole new wardrobe! Let this summer be a harbinger of all good things in your life – here are five pleasure-filled things to do while the heat is on.

Working out

“Oh no! In this heat?” Don’t be surprised at this suggestion. According to experts, working out in summers has more advantages. The days are longer in the months of April, May and June and this means more exposure to sunlight, which in turn reduces cravings for excess carbohydrates and other unhealthy foods. Energy levels also increases as days are longer and brighter. So, sweat it out, and think of the cool shower or the swim afterwards, as your reward.

Cycling for leisure

Grab your bicycle and exile yourself into the gorgeous outdoors in the early summer weekend mornings. Collect colourful and fragrant summer flowers in the basket on your cycle. If you are lucky, you may just spot a koel singing in that heavy-laden Laburnum tree or see a blue Kingfisher dive into a muddy pond. “The marvel of Nature shaking off sleep and going to work,” as Mark Twain puts it, is a sight to behold – and add to that the sights of the milk van, the newspaper boy, the senior citizens going about collecting flowers for their puja – it is magical, almost like meditation.

If you have the time to linger, take with you some breakfast and have a solitary revel at one of your favourite spots. On your way back, buy fresh vegetables and fruits from early vendors.

A new wardrobe

Everyone loves the cool colours of summer. Make sure that you welcome summer in clothes and accessories that are comfortable, airy and easy on the eye. Avoid clothes made from corduroy, velvets, terry cloth, vinyl and leather. Also ensure that you get a good pair of sunglasses, a tote bag and comfortable sandals that breathe – plus a hat for protection from the sun.

Don’t forget some trendy and comfortable swimsuits as you will surely get an occasion to use them. Hit on the summer sales and get yourself great bargains!

Road trip

How about going on a road trip with a bunch of girlfriends? The men are great too, but then sometimes they end up doing everything for you, from reading the maps to changing the tyres.

Plan out the trip well. Make sure you have a dependable vehicle; this also gives many of us women a chance to familiarize ourselves with the basic mechanisms of a vehicle. Learning to change a tyre is invaluable for a trip like this; carry maps and learn how to use them. Make sure that you carry an emergency kit with you; drive sensibly and don’t forget to keep people at home posted – they care for you!

A road trip with friends is much more than seeing places at your own pace – it is also about bonding together, broadening your perspective and getting rid of prejudices. It is also about being unpredictable and spontaneous. So meet the adventure that presents itself, head-on. After all, “Zindagi na milegi dobara!”

Learn something new

The long summer days are ideal for learning a new skill. Learning a new language or learning to stitch or knit, maybe a short course in interior decoration? Now is also the time to learn that something else in your bucket-list – swimming. Go to a pool and learn this very pleasurable, useful activity which doubles up as an excellent exercise too. Children too enjoy playing in water, so this can be a very good family activity in the summer evenings.

Pic credit: Klearchos Kaputsis (Used under a Creative Commons license)

Hong-Kong, a city state with multi-cultural influences is one of the most vivacious places in South-East Asia. This is a place where elegant and upscale restaurants thrive as much as bustling street food stalls and designer malls vie for attention alongside crowded local markets. Brooke explains to us the kid-friendliness of Hong Kong.

Hi Brooke! Do tell us about yourself.

I am a mother to 2 boys, a 2 year old and a newborn. We are originally [...]]]> In The Women’s Web ‘Travel The World With Kids’ series, we talk to mums from all over the globe who are interested in exploring their backyard attractions with their tiny tots! We hope you find them useful, if someday you choose to visit their part of the world. Presented in Q&A format, this one is with Brooke Chenoweth from Hong Kong (HK), who blogs about life as an expat at A Mummy In A Strange Land.

Hong-Kong, a city state with multi-cultural influences is one of the most vivacious places in South-East Asia. This is a place where elegant and upscale restaurants thrive as much as bustling street food stalls and designer malls vie for attention alongside crowded local markets. Brooke explains to us the kid-friendliness of Hong Kong.

Hi Brooke! Do tell us about yourself.

I am a mother to 2 boys, a 2 year old and a newborn. We are originally from Sydney, Australia, and we moved to Hong Kong 5 years ago. I am a trained teacher and spent some time teaching in primary schools here before starting a family. After my first son was born I wanted to find a way to work from home and moved into freelance writing.

What are some of your suggestions for parents visiting HK with young kids to do?

The most obvious, and most popular, destination for families is Hong Kong Disneyland, and a stay at one of the resort’s hotels is highly recommended.

Ocean Park, on the south side of Hong Kong island is the only place you’ll see pandas in HK, and the giant aquarium and interactive exhibits are a big hit. There are 2 separate parts of the park, one with a playground for children under 5, and one for older kids. There’s also a cable car and train to get you from one end to the other and these are always the highlight for my son!

A trip up to the top of Victoria Peak is a must for anyone visiting HK, and again, getting there is half the fun when you take a ride on the Peak Tram.

For more general info on things to do when visiting Hong Kong, see my post!

What have been some of your favourite outings in HK with your kids?

Just outside the main gates of Disneyland is Inspiration Lake. There is a great playground, beautiful gardens and a track around the lake for walking/cycling. You can also rent paddle boats out on the lake. Entry is free and it’s a lovely place to spend an afternoon. We love taking the kids there on sunny afternoons, as parks like it are very rare in the city.

Every year the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts holds a month-long Kids Fest, in association with Dymocks booksellers. Each performance is based on a popular children’s book and this year we took our son along for the first time, as they were featuring an adaptation of his favourite book. It was a great production and he was completely entranced by it all. 

For tourists visiting HK for the first time, do you have any particular tips? 

One of the things I still struggle with is the pace of life here. Most shops, businesses and attractions don’t open in the morning until 10 or 11, which can be frustrating if you’re out and about early! Then all of a sudden the mid-day rush hits and it can be quite overwhelming if you’re not used to crowds. With small children we often find the best time of day to go out is usually early in the afternoon, to avoid queues and crowds.

Depending on the time of year you visit you might also encounter extreme weather. Typhoons and torrential rain are quite common in the summer, and it does get cold in the winter, especially around Chinese New Year. Even when it’s very hot and humid outside, it can be freezing in the air-conditioned buildings, so I am always prepared for all seasons, and you should never leave home without an umbrella!

Are there any particular restaurants in HK that you think kids will enjoy?

There are actually more than you would expect. Posto Pubblico and Linguini Fini (both in Central) offer great Italian food with an emphasis on homemade ingredients and local produce, and they are favourites of ours. Heirloom Eatery (Hollywood Rd, Sheung Wan) has a great family friendly menu and a playground across the street. Frites Belgian Pub (Quarry Bay) has cooking classes and special activities for kids on weekends, as well as a tasty menu. Starbucks, Pacific Coffee, Pizza Express and Pret a Manger are easy, go-to options with various locations across town. For a more comprehensive list see here.

Are there any particular shopping areas in HK that you think kids will enjoy?

Shopping is the national pastime! There are a number of mega-malls here with entertainment areas, movie theatres, ice skating rinks, playgrounds and amusement zones. For a complete list and details of the city’s malls check this out.

Some kids may prefer the laneways and markets, for a unique shopping experience. We took my 11-year-old nephew to Stanley Markets when he visited and he loved the cheap souvenirs and traditional Chinese handicrafts. The Ladies Market and Temple Street Night Market in Mong Kok are similar and are great places to pick up kids clothing, bags and shoes, as well as electronics, toys and souvenirs. Older kids might also like the chance to try out their bargaining skills!

Any kid-friendly day trips out from HK?

There are too many to list here! When most people picture Hong Kong they don’t normally think of beaches and country parks, but there are many on Hong Kong island itself and across the area known as the New Territories. We live on Lantau Island, which is the largest island in the HKSAR and also home to the airport and Disneyland. What most people don’t know is that we also have the longest beach in the territory, and 90kms of hiking trails, including 2 of the tallest peaks in the region. There’s the Ngong Ping Village, Tian Tan Buddha and a cable car to get you there. The rustic fishing village of Tai O is worth a look and Cheung Sha beach is a very popular spot with locals and tourists in the warmer months.

The islands of Lamma, Cheung Chau and Peng Chau are also great day trips. To the north on the Kowloon side (towards the Chinese border) there are numerous country parks and attractions like the Hong Kong Wetland Park and Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden.

The Special Administrative Region of Macau is only an hour and a half away by ferry and is a fascinating part of the region. On one side there are dozens of gaudy, Vegas-style casinos and resorts. The Venetian Hotel is a spectacle in itself, and its Cirque du Soleil show Zaia is on daily, and well worth the trip. The older part of the city houses the ruins of St Paul’s Cathedral, the old Macau Fort, and the Plaza De Senado are beautiful examples of Portugese architecture. To see it all you might want to spend a weekend, but it is easily done in a day. 

How easy/difficult is it travelling around with kids in HK?

Sometimes the adventure is in getting to where you want to go. Public transport is great and taxis are cheap, so getting around is very easy. My son loves a ride on the Star Ferry or the MTR (Mass Transit Railway), whether we’re going anywhere exciting or not! Unfortunately it’s not a “stroller-friendly” place and most of the time we find it’s easier to go out without one, unless we’re going very far.

Public toilets are few and far between, especially those with nursing/change facilities, so it helps to know where you’re going and where those kinds of things will be before you venture out with small children. I wrote a blog post a couple of years ago about my first experience of taking my son out in town on my own. It was a bit of a disaster, and fortunately we’ve refined things since then, but it’s a good example of the kind of trouble you can get yourself into if you’re not prepared!

Thanks a lot for sharing your experiences Brooke!

*Photo credit: Brooke Chenoweth 

Previous Interviews In The ‘Travel With Kids’ Series: 

Ellen Schmidt from New York

Anusha from Seattle

Neera from Chicago

Jo-Lynne from Philadelphia

Tiffany from Frankfurt

Subha from Zurich

Shalini from Norway

Nora from Morocco

Laylah from Riyadh

Lisa from Dubai

Sarah from New Zealand

Toni from Manila

Maid In Malaysia from Kuala Lumpur

Uma from Chennai

The Mad Momma from Delhi

Lakshmi from Hyderabad

Sunayana from Kolkata

Sunita from Pune

Anuradha from Mumbai

Artnavy from Bengaluru

Leonny from Singapore

By Kavita Rayirath

Making things by hand is revealing. It involves the body and mind, is intimate and expresses a personal way of seeing and doing. The maker thus is part of what is being made. Handmade Women is a series of interviews that shares words and thoughts of creative women around the world, who have chosen to craft their business by hand.

Natalie has a BFA in Illustration, post which she chose to pursue binding books. She enjoys working with uncommon fibres, repurposed and hand dyed fabrics, and vintage textiles. She’s currently running a handmade business on Etsy and binding and studying at the Center for Book Arts in New York as a Van Lier/Stein Scholar. Her work has structure and form, yet feels light and ethereal. She uses plenty of textile techniques and the details [...]]]> Natalie Stopka loves to marry textile techniques in book binding. A look at her lovely work.

By Kavita Rayirath

Making things by hand is revealing. It involves the body and mind, is intimate and expresses a personal way of seeing and doing. The maker thus is part of what is being made. Handmade Women is a series of interviews that shares words and thoughts of creative women around the world, who have chosen to craft their business by hand.

Natalie has a BFA in Illustration, post which she chose to pursue binding books. She enjoys working with uncommon fibres, repurposed and hand dyed fabrics, and vintage textiles. She’s currently running a handmade business on Etsy and binding and studying at the Center for Book Arts in New York as a Van Lier/Stein Scholar. Her work has structure and form, yet feels light and ethereal. She uses plenty of textile techniques and the details in her books are charming. Each one has a rhythm of materials that seems to sing the right note every time. I loved the Specimens book, the patterns on the spines and the woven books. Her blog is filled with her experiments, musings, baking and makes for a lovely read. Here’s a look at Natalie’s world in her own words.

What led to you to book binding?

I’ve always loved books, which led me to study Illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design, where I also took a few classes on binding and artist books. I found the process so engaging and the world of artist books so compelling that I simply kept making book after book!

Did you start off knowing what kind of books you’d like to make?

I knew what types of books I enjoyed, but it took a great deal of focus on binding technique to amass the skills for those results. As my capability and confidence grew, I was able to follow my vision much more faithfully. Now the more techniques I learn, the more daring I am able to make my books and push that vision.

What is the process like when you create a book?

My process is very much driven by materials and tactility, so simply choosing engaging materials really brings the finished book into perspective for me. Along the way I get to know their properties, testing the strength, malleability, permeability – figuring out how to use materials to their best advantage. I also really enjoy orchestrating the interplay of textures and colours.

Vintage fabrics, weaving, stitch work, textile manipulation, dyeing — what inspires you to pick and bring all these elements together in your work?

I love working with textiles! I enjoy researching fibre arts techniques which are unusual or can be incorporated in unusual ways. Historical or obscure methods – smocking, natural dyeing, ply-split braiding – these techniques are gifts passed to us by generations of artisans. Learning about and utilizing these in my work is a way to not only keep them alive, but to remind viewers of that long history. By marrying textile techniques to bookbinding, I am also participating in the evolution of each craft in my own small way.

Your work has structure and plenty of texture, yet there is a visual lightness to it. In a quote from Kendra Greene that you shared, she says ‘trusting my eyes and put faith in my fingers’ – what do you trust to tell you that you’re done with a book?

While each book is done when the pieces are put together, each book is just one step in the progress of that structure. Sometimes it takes many samples to achieve a complete book, and like Kendra Greene writes, completeness is something you feel. The weight of the pages, the many textures, the physics of the book in motion, and the relation between these contribute to a book being not just done but also complete.

How do you balance studying and running a business?

Do I? I suppose I go through periods of focusing on one or the other. That gives me the time and space to consider the projects or classes I am not involved with at the moment. After awhile I burn out on one thing, but I am refreshed and ready to switch gears back to the studio or classroom.

What have you learnt along the way that you’d like to share?

Just keep going. Do whatever it is you love to do, and new perspectives will continually unfold before you. Just keep going in the direction that feels right.

What do you wish for?

The good sense to take my own advice. And a studio in the countryside!

Thank you for sharing your lovely handmade world Natalie.

If you’re wondering which side of the book is front or back, Natalie says “If the book binder has signed their work, it is usually at the back of the book. This signature is called a colophon, and might include information about the materials and edition. However, if none of these indicators proves the book binder’s intention, the decision is yours. Whichever cover feels like the front to you, so it is. Go ahead, make your mark.”

Natalie’s website: http://www.nataliestopka.com

Natalie’s blog: http://www.nataliestopka.com/goingson/

Natalie’s shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/NatalieAsIs

Natalie’s flickr:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/natalieasis/

*Photo credit: Natalie Stopka

When one thinks of the most famous cities of the world, New York City (NYC) would easily make it to the top. A city which buzzes with life and energy at all times of the day, let’s find out what temptations it holds for the kids! 

Hi Ellen! Tell us about yourself.

I’ve lived in NYC for the last eleven years. My life has changed quite a bit in that time, from the single gal who first [...]]]> In the Women’s Web ‘Travel The World With Kids’ series, we talk to mums from all over the globe who are interested in exploring their backyard attractions with their tiny tots! We hope you find them useful, if someday you choose to visit their part of the world. Presented in Q&A format, this one is with Ellen Schmidt from New York City who documents the highs and lows of urban parenting on her blog, Baby Meets City. 

When one thinks of the most famous cities of the world, New York City (NYC) would easily make it to the top. A city which buzzes with life and energy at all times of the day, let’s find out what temptations it holds for the kids! 

Hi Ellen! Tell us about yourself.

I’ve lived in NYC for the last eleven years. My life has changed quite a bit in that time, from the single gal who first arrived after college to the now married mama of two — but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

What are some of your suggestions for parents visiting with young kids to do in NYC?

This is a great age for children to visit the Big Apple! I love the American Museum of Natural History. Everyone knows about the dinosaur wing, but the African room (filled with animal replicas from the continent) is a delight for kids.

You could spend an entire day in Central Park. My favorite activities there are exploring Belvedere Castle, renting a row boat and taking it for a spin at the Loeb Boathouse or going for a ride on the old-fashioned Carousel.

Despite the long lines and crowds, I still think there’s not much that beats the view from the Empire State Building. It’s truly amazing to see the city from this angle, where taxi cabs look like ants and the skyscrapers in every direction are all the more awe-inspiring.

What have been some of your favourite outings in NYC with your kids?

We used to live in Chelsea, and I loved taking my toddler for a walk on the Highline – the former above ground railroad is now a gorgeous walking path which runs from the Meatpacking District through Chelsea. The path is an architect’s dream and fun for kids too! Grab lunch at Chelsea Market and eat outdoors while taking in views of rooftops on one side and the Hudson River on the other.

For tourists visiting NYC for the first time, do you have any particular tips?

I suggest anyone coming to NYC for the first time to be aware of their surroundings. I have always felt very safe here, but there’s nothing wrong with being alert to everything around you!

While there are plenty of hotels to choose from around Times Square and midtown, I suggest staying elsewhere for a more authentic NYC experience, like the Upper West Side, Chelsea or Tribeca.

Are there any particular restaurants in NYC that you think kids will enjoy?

Wow. There are so many restaurants in NYC, picking just a few can be overwhelming! Once again, we love strolling through Chelsea Market and picking up food from the many options offered there. Other favorites are Bubby’s in Tribeca, Good Enough to Eat on the Upper West Side and the unhealthy but delicious burgers at the Shake Shack in Madison Square Park.

A great resource is Mini Munchers, which lists all restaurants in the city that offer kids’ menus!

Are there any particular shopping areas in NYC that you think kids will enjoy?

Dylan’s Candy Bar in Midtown East is a hit for kids and adults alike. The brightly-colored store is literally filled with every type of candy you could possibly imagine, and I challenge you to come out empty handed!

In addition, don’t miss FAO Schwartz, which is just a few blocks away. The mega toy store is so much fun to explore, and don’t miss the life-sized floor piano that Tom Hanks used in the movie “Big!”

Any kid-friendly day trips out from NYC?

Cold Spring, NY is a beautiful small town less than two hours from New York City. Grab Metro-North from Grand Central Station, which snakes along the Hudson River – a gorgeous ride on its own! The station at Cold Spring is right in town, so a rental car isn’t necessary. Cold Spring is filled with antique stores, fun gift shops and family-friendly restaurants.

Thanks a lot Ellen!

*Photo credit: Ellen Schmidt 

Previous Interviews In The ‘Travel With Kids’ Series: 

Anusha from Seattle

Neera from Chicago

Jo-Lynne from Philadelphia

Tiffany from Frankfurt

Subha from Zurich

Shalini from Norway

Nora from Morocco

Laylah from Saudi Arabia

Lisa from Dubai

Sarah from New Zealand

Toni from Manila

Maid In Malaysia from Kuala Lumpur

Uma from Chennai

The Mad Momma from Delhi

Lakshmi from Hyderabad

Sunayana from Kolkata

Sunita from Pune

Anuradha from Mumbai

Artnavy from Bengaluru

Leonny from Singapore

Vinaya, in her own words: An IT Professional and a mother of an over active toddler. The hectic pace of work and family commitments leaves very little time for leisure. Writing is an old passion and I make most of the little time I get to lose myself in the lives of imaginary characters.

Two hours off schedule we finally managed to get our son ready and piled into the car for our vacation. This was Athy, our two year old son’s, first vacation, our first vacation as parents. We would have never dared to think of taking Athy with his unpredictable demands out of his and our comfort zones had it not been for the prodding of my hubby’s younger bro. He had convinced us that it [...]]]> The next story in this month’s writing theme is from Vinaya Bhagat on how she and her child discovered the pleasures of the sea.

Vinaya, in her own words: An IT Professional and a mother of an over active toddler. The hectic pace of work and family commitments leaves very little time for leisure. Writing is an old passion and I make most of the little time I get to lose myself in the lives of imaginary characters.

Two hours off schedule we finally managed to get our son ready and piled into the car for our vacation. This was Athy, our two year old son’s, first vacation, our first vacation as parents. We would have never dared to think of taking Athy with his unpredictable demands out of his and our comfort zones had it not been for the prodding of my hubby’s younger bro. He had convinced us that it would be a great idea for the whole family to go for a vacation when he came to India during Christmas. So here we were, one and all: Athy, my husband and I, my husband’s parents and his brother heading into the unknown terrain of vacation with a toddler.

Looking at the extent of planning and our mountain of luggage anyone would have thought we were heading for the North Pole and not Pondicherry, a mere 300 kilometres away. But we had to be prepared for every eventuality. Athy’s favourite soft toys, to give him comfort in a strange hotel room. Tetra packs of milk, biscuits, dry fruits and other dry snacks and even the strictly rationed chocolates.

We finally made it to Pondicherry with frazzled nerves, eager to crash after the journey. While my husband was helping his parents settle in their room Athy and I followed the bell hop to our room. By the time I tipped the bell hop and turned around my bath-hating son had managed to undress and was busy in the hotel bathroom. By the time I rolled up my jeans and entered the bathroom the toilet paper was a soggy mess, all the faucets within his reach were spouting water at full force and the tiny bottle of hotel shampoo was floating in the toilet. To say he loved staying in a hotel would be an understatement.

I loved Pondicherry with its small town feel and tree lined roads. The French quarter, the food and the ocean promenade, even the touristy coconut shell and marble jewellery. But being so close to the ocean and not able to go in was a bit of a disappointment, so I was eager to move to our next destination, Mahabalipuram, with its ancient stone temples and yes a beach. En route we stopped by the serene pyramid shaped Nataraja temple on a deserted beach near a village. Apart from a lonely old fisherman repairing a net, we were the only people on the beach. The beach was enormous, pristine and litter free. Though Athy was wary of the ocean he ran on the wet sand to the edge of the water after a wave had receded. With me holding on to him he experienced the ocean for the first time: the cold water engulfing us in its salty embrace, the wind that blew our hair every which way, the sand shifting under our feet as the ocean retreated. But the most exciting part for Athy was the discovery of shells and conchs in the sand.

The day after we reached home Athy brought out the plastic bag full of the shells. The fishy smell trapped in the bag for three days made my head swim but Athy willingly thrust his arms in the bag and laid the stinky shells by the fistful on the sofa. That day I had no trouble enticing him in to the bathroom to give a good scrubbing to him and the shells. We still play with those shells that still have a faint whiff of the sea but are fragrant with memories.

*Photo credit: Marvin Kuo (Used under the Creative Commons Attribution License)

Vinaya has won a diary/writing pad made of handmade paper courtesy Prishth. Congrats Vinaya!

Seattle, home to industry giants such as Microsoft, Boeing, Starbucks & Amazon among others, is often associated with pouring rains and gloomy skies. But Anusha dispels such notions and tells us about the kid-friendly activities in Seattle – no matter the weather!

Hi Anusha! Do tell us about yourself.

I am grateful for the second chance to experience the wonder that is life, through the eyes of my two young boys. When I am not pondering over what it all means, I look for [...]]]> In the Women’s Web ‘Travel The World With Kids’ series, we talk to mums from all over the globe who are interested in exploring their backyard attractions with their tiny tots! We hope you find them useful, if someday you choose to visit their part of the world. Presented in Q&A format, this one is with Anusha Rao from Seattle, who reviews kids’ literature for Saffron Tree.

Seattle, home to industry giants such as Microsoft, Boeing, Starbucks & Amazon among others, is often associated with pouring rains and gloomy skies. But Anusha dispels such notions and tells us about the kid-friendly activities in Seattle – no matter the weather!

Hi Anusha! Do tell us about yourself.

I am grateful for the second chance to experience the wonder that is life, through the eyes of my two young boys. When I am not pondering over what it all means, I look for books to read to my kids and the next travel destination. I love the lively community in the Seattle area and the natural beauty in the Pacific Northwest region.

What are some of your suggestions for parents visiting with young kids to do in Seattle?

The Seattle region is a haven for nature lovers, and no, it is not always raining and yes, it is as beautiful as you can imagine! The city of Seattle is cradled among the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, and surrounded by Lake Union and Lake Washington. The Pacific Ocean is about a 100 miles away from the city and the waters of the Pacific surround the city through the Puget Sound. There are endless activities in and out of the city for families with young kids.

Beginning of the year, the mountains get abundant snow and are the perfect destination for snow tubing and beginner skiing. Spring is fantastic for bird watching, as is hiking the numerous trails. Summer truly awakens the region – sailing, berry picking, camping are just a sample of the feast that summer brings. Fall is perfect for visiting pumpkin farms, for apple picking and for marveling at cranberry bogs, all of which are within a few hours of drive from the city.

And those are just the outdoor activities. Kids here are spoilt for choices for things to do indoors – among the independent music bands (Recess Monkey, Caspar Babypants, Juggletunes) that offer several free shows all around town, family concerts by the Seattle Symphony which also has a Soundbridge Discovery Center to make classical music accessible to the youngest in the family and live theater (Seattle Children’s Theater, Second Story Repertory, Storybook Theater) that produce interactive shows appealing specifically to the toddler/elementary age group. Kids with interest in aviation will have a field day at the Museum of Flight and kids four feet and above can take a tour of the Boeing factory to see planes being constructed live.

What have been some of your favourite outings in Seattle with your kids?

One of our most memorable outings was to Ballard Locks. It is a system of locks that were designed in 1917 and is now maintained by a division of the US Army. The best way to visualize the Ballard Locks is to imagine an elevator system for boats that cross between two water bodies which are at different elevations. We love visiting here for the sheer fun of watching boats rising up and down because of water pumped in and out. We are always thrilled to spot crabbing and fishing boats making their way out to the Northern Pacific. Surrounding the Ballard Locks is a large picnic area, a lush botanical garden and an underground viewing area to see the region’s salmon migrate back and forth (best seen in July-August).

We have also loved every single trip on the Washington State Ferries. The northwest region of the state is an archipelago of islands, and the only transportation is by water. A favorite pastime is to sit by the ferry terminal, watch the cars load into the ferry, await the sound of the horn eagerly and watch them take off into the blue Puget Sound. Even more memorable are the times we visited an island with no agenda but to take the ferry across.

For tourists visiting Seattle for the first time, do you have any particular tips?

Don’t pack an umbrella! Seriously. Seattle hardly ever gets torrential rains and almost every restaurant and public place have free umbrellas for short trips to the car, so unless you’re going to be relying heavily on public transportation, and you don’t mind a light drizzle or two, you may not miss the rain gear. Visitors from the Midwest or from Southwest US typically find the temperatures cool and moderate, visitors from hotter climates will find it similar to a ‘hill station’. July and August are the most ideal for outdoor activities. For maximizing your trip, check Parentmap and Red Tricycle for events when you visit. Larry Gets Lost in Seattle is a children’s book that can acquaint young kids with the city before arrival.

Are there any particular restaurants in Seattle that you think kids will enjoy?

Because of the choice of ethnic food available, Seattle would be a great place to introduce children to cuisines from around the world. Be it Vietnamese pho, Korean kimchi or Chinese dim sum, options are aplenty, and majority of these are kid-friendly. There are plenty of eateries catering to specific dietary restrictions like vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free, but a few like the Twirl Cafe and Tot Spot Cafe stand out for having designated play areas.

Are there any particular shopping areas in Seattle that you think kids will enjoy?

Bellevue Square Mall, a 20 minute drive east of Seattle, is popular among families for Kid’s Cove, a play area on the top floor which kids under 5 are happy to play in with supervision.

For young bibliophiles, a trip to one of the independent book stores (Mockingbird Books, Secret Garden) is recommended, as well as the selection of toys that kindle the imagination at Top Ten Toys and Magic Mouse.

Any kid-friendly day trips out from your Seattle?

The opportunities can fill several guidebooks! We’ve enjoyed driving down south on the scenic Highway 101 along the Oregon Coast, hugging the Pacific Ocean; and up north to Vancouver, Canada, for its aquarium and Stanley Park, and east, past the Cacade mountains to Lake Chelan for water sports.

For kids looking for a bit of thrill, Wild Waves and Great Wolf Lodge are popular water parks and the latter is indoor and open year round. Junior Ranger programs at the Mt. Rainier National Park educate older children about the ecosystem in the area and instill in them the pride and responsibility of preserving the beauty that the region is blessed with.

Thanks a lot Anusha!

Previous Interviews In The ‘Travel With Kids’ Series:

Neera from Chicago

Jo-Lynne from Philadelphia

Tiffany from Frankfurt

Subha from Zurich

Shalini from Norway

Nora from Morocco

Laylah from Riyadh

Lisa from Dubai

Sarah from New Zealand

Toni from Manila

Maid In Malaysia from Kuala Lumpur

Uma from Chennai

The Mad Momma from Delhi

Lakshmi from Hyderabad

Sunayana from Kolkata

Sunita from Pune

Anuradha from Mumbai

Artnavy from Bengaluru

Leonny from Singapore

*Photo credit: Simonds (Used under the Creative Commons Attribution License)