Wide Angle Adventure
I write unvarnished opinions about all the destinations we visit – the fabulous, the good and the mediocre – and back them up with detailed descriptions and lots of photos. The idea is to give you the information you need to determine if a destination is right for you.
Blog Organization
Destination pages identify highlights and provide interactive maps and links to posts related to a particular trip. Trips are chronicled day-by-day, with information about activities and logistics to give you a realistic perspective on traveling in a country or hiking a particular trail.
Cooking in Tongues
In 2010 I started Cooking in Tongues, a travel blog focused on food and language learning. My interests and what I post about expanded over the years so in 2019 I re-launched the blog as Wide Angle Adventure. All the information and recipes in the old Cooking in Tongues can be found here. I hope the new layout will make it easier to navigate the site and find what you are looking for.
Who am I?
My first career, one in which I quickly lost interest, was as a CPA. I next flirted with culinary school and landscape design before earning a masters in teaching English as a second language. I taught English in both in the US and China and language learning remains one of my passions.
In 2012-2013 we spent a year in the South of France where, aside from the expected partaking of food, wine, language and culture, we discovered France’s extensive network of hiking trails, many of which you will find documented on this site.
In recent years we’ve added multi-day treks and diving to our travel itineraries.
Questions, comments and suggestions are always welcome.
Hi, Renee here from unpackedwriter.com. I tripped over your post in my inbox while searching through my own info on Kathmandu and Nepal. I’m trying to get my father there this Fall. And we’d like to go to Pokhara. I have questions I’d love to ask about the bus trip post, etc. where to go, where to stay– as my dad is 73 – still a world traveler, but has some mobility issues. We are interested in Taking that bus trip you mentioned from Oct 2012. Also, I’m getting quotes on flying into Lhasa, touring Lhasa and taking a jeep overland to base camp and back. But I think the real gem of the tour will be some down time in Pokhara. Your travel methods and tastes are fairly in line with mine, so I value your input. Hope to hear from you soon. – Renee (Ps- sorry I can’t recall or find your name on your blog.. darn).
Hi there! Phenomenal blog. I’m trying to source the person who shot this great image that appears on your blog https://cookingintongues.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/img_9093.jpg?w=640&h=426
Was it you? If so, can you contact me?
Hi Tanja, yes this is my photo. Thank you for your interest. Generally if you want to use the image for non-commercial purposes you can just credit it to cookingintongues.com.
Thanks! Glad I found you. I’m working on an image for a community theatre play here in Toronto focused on India and I am making a double-exposed image of the lead character/playwright and a colourful scene of India. She loved your photo… so if it works, we might like to use it. We can fully credit you and send you a copy of a postcard if that’s cool with you!
Hi, I am interested in taking a year off of work to learn French in France, and came across your blog, which has a ton of incredibly helpful information. Thanks for that. It seems like you’ve done what I intend to do. I was hoping to drop you a line for some specific questions on language programs and locations. Please let me know if you would be fine with me sending you an email.
Hi Daniel, I’m happy to answer your questions and have sent you a private email.
Hi, I kindly ask to use the following image for commercial use:
https://cookingintongues.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/dolomites-ortisei-52.jpg
Can you please let me know if that is possible and the conditions? Thank you!
Best regards
Andreas
Hi Adreas, Yes I’m happy to let you use my photo. Please credit it to Cooking in Tongues.com. Could you tell me what it is going to be used for?
Best,
Debbie Bender
Hi, thank you, that would be very nice! Could you please contact me by e-mail because I don’t want to post the purpose here, thank you!
Best regards
Andreas
Hello! Apologies for posting more than once — I can’t seem to track down my original post. I am trying to locate the photographer of an image of Fontenay that appears in your blog and thinking that it might be your image. See below link:
https://cookingintongues.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/img_9171.jpg
If this is your image, we would like to ask permission to use the image in an scholarly journal. Of course, we would properly credit the work. Please feel free to email directly if you would like more information on the intended use. Many thanks for your consideration.
Hi Sonja, Thank you for asking. I sent you a private email, but I will answer here as well. Yes it is my photo and I’m happy to have you use it. Please credit it to wideangleadventure.com.
Great blog – we are in the early stages of planning a trip to El Calafate, El Chaltén and W Trek – Torres de Paine. Your photos are making us even more keen. What sort of camera and lens did you take with you (if you don’t mind me asking)? At present I use a Canon 80D.
Hi David, I used a Canon 60D with the 18-135mm lens. I had a wide angle lens with me but hiking with other people I found that I didn’t have time to use it much. I think more important than the camera and lens is shooting RAW and having the capability to adjust the lights and darks post-processing. I use Lightroom. As you can see it’s an awesome destination with beautiful extreme latitude light. Be sure to sort out your accomodations/camping sites on the W well in advance. This trail is very popular even in the off season. Happy Trails!
Hi, Debbie — My husband and I are going to the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia in July. We found your amazingly helpful description of the Remote Safaris bush camps and the Chicoko Trails camps. We are doing a combo of the Tafika Camp and the two Chikoko trails camps. I am wondering what is the best kind of luggage for this trip. Does the company transport luggage to the Trail Camps? Or do we need larger backpacks for the days we’re on the Chikoko Trail? Any insights would be welcome. Thank You!
Hi Beth. I’m happy to hear that you found the blog helpful. Concerning your luggage question, we did not have to carry our luggage (small soft sided safari type duffle bags and a camera bag) to and from the Chikoko Trails camp. They carried it for us. I imagine that would also be true for hiking between the camps but I don’t know for sure. I would ask the owners of Remote Africa Safaris. They are very friendly and take an active interest in their guests.
Sounds like a wonderful trip. We truly enjoyed our time there. If I can answer anything else don’t hesitate to ask.
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply — duffels (mine w/backpack straps) are what we’re settling on. The pictures and information you posted give me confidence about what we’re doing once we arrive in Zambia!
If I could ask another question: The most intimidating part of our trip, for me, is our ~16 hour flight into Doha, Qatar. (We’re late 60’s – early 70s, and in good shape, but still…) Given that you travel — apparently all the time — what are your best pieces of advice about surviving extra-long plane trips? We’ve flown to Europe and to Israel, but this is by far the longest we’ll have done. Again, any thoughts would be much appreciated!
Hi Beth, I love thinking and talking about travel so I’m happy to answer any questions I can. I’m also glad to hear you found a suitable bag and the information on the blog helpful. As for long haul flights, in recent years we’ve been fortunate to travel business class. I generally plan longer trips with multiple destinations to minimize the number of long haul flights. For example Zambia, Tanzania/Rwanda and Namibia were one long trip. I also plan breaks in long trips where possible. For example, on flights to South Africa from the US we would stop in Europe for a night or two to avoid to back to back overnight flights. For the flight itself I don’t have any special tricks other than the usual tips – stay hydrated and get up and move around frequently. Sorry I don’t have a better answer. Safe travels, Debbie
Hi – I am almost 50 and hoping to do a home stay in Japan. I lived there for 3 years in my 20s and recently started studying again but want to immerse myself so I can practise, practise practise. Would you be so kind to let me know the details of where you stayed whilst there on the homestay? Thank you in advance and Happy Travels.
Hi Rebecca, I found the homestay situation through the school I attended, Coto Academy. I’m sorry I don’t have more specific information for you. You don’t mention whether you are planning to take formal classes. If so language schools generally will help you find a homestay. I wish you well on your project.