I seem to always write recommending food, but anyway here is another: In Phnom Penh there is a great restaurant called Friends.  It has nothing to do with the TV sitcom but is a non profit restaurant which is staffed by street kids who are training to become chefs and waiters.  Food is top class and the service is even better, check out the website here, also while in Phnom Penh you must go to the Russian Market for great shopping, best buy is GAP clothing.

Just back from another trip to Brazil, went north this time.  You really must go to Salvador in Bahia, this is where Brazil started.  From the Marcado Modelo (best place to buy souvenirs) you can get a boat to Morro de Sao Paulo, a great little island for a bit R&R.  Recommend staying on the third beach, they are all numbered, and eating around there as the second beach is much more expensive to stay and eat.  If you do plan to go there drop me a mail and I'll give you more details. JP

Fox glacier is a great days walk and in my opinion better than San Josef but that's for another post, but while in Fox you have to go to Cafe Neve, they have the nicest pizza I have ever had, now were not talking Pizza Hut here this is real gourmet stuff, and the wine list is also very extensive.  I still dream of my meal there.

Chang Mai is my favourite part of Thailand, it's what I imagine Bangkok was like 50 years ago.  It has a great night market, lots of day trips in the area, and great food.  A real must is to do a one day cookery course, most of the hostels will organise them for you.  The course generally involves a trip to the market to buy your food for the days cooking followed by lots of cooking and eating, a great day out and I guarantee that when you return home you will use what you have learned to impress your family and friends.

I spent three weeks in Brazil this year and the highlight of my trip has to have been Bonito.  It is an eco tourism town located in the west of Brazil near Campo Grande.  We stayed in the youth hostel www.ajbonito.com.br and organised all the trips through them.  You have to snorkle down Rio de Prata and if your feeling a bit daring then the Abismo Anhuma is a thrilling 72 meter abseil down into a cave followed snorkelling or diving in clean water inside a cave. The food in the hostel is great value and really good homecooked Brazilian fare.