https://wanderingveena.com/blog daily 1.0 2025-06-09 https://wanderingveena.com/blog/silk-and-rhinos-assam-india monthly 0.5 2025-06-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1697bf8a-b749-4cac-a9b8-2dddaf927238/IMG_4793.JPG Blog - Silk and Rhinos Assam, India - Make it stand out The Amchong Tea Estate, spread over 1700 acres planted. Of course I visited just before the rainy season, so no tea pickers were out and about but we got to drive through the property in a jeep across unpaved dusty roads, almost an “E” ride at Disneyland for those of you who remember the thrill of such rides so long ago. Most of the tea in Assam is not cultivated on hills. This tea estate just outside Guwahati is an exception. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d9be7a21-9718-4dcd-8fca-8f83ec3aff32/IMG_5399.JPG Blog - Silk and Rhinos Assam, India - Make it stand out To round off a day of local delights the chef prepared a thali of all the traditional dishes of the local area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/67595d3f-6bf6-47dc-9be9-e47121bcbf9a/IMG_5276.JPG Blog - Silk and Rhinos Assam, India - Make it stand out The British Army had soldiers stationed here in this remote corner of India. This cemetery in Guwahati is where many of those that passed during their tenure here were buried. As we wandered through this peaceful idyll in the center of town, there were British tourists with us who spent time going over the names and histories of the people interred here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4976a9ec-095e-4f2a-b0b7-7a1c38d6f2c8/IMG_5524.JPG Blog - Silk and Rhinos Assam, India - Make it stand out While we rushed along to the park’s entrance, one of the jeeps had a rhino sighting. For the rest of us while we saw a large variety of birds the rhinos remained elusive despite our guide telling us the numbers and how it’s impossible to missing seeing them. Finally, our patience was rewarded and after we saw the first one, we were able to see many more spread out across a wide area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d6f64de0-261a-43dd-8dcf-09ef28fab7fc/IMG_5403.JPG Blog - Silk and Rhinos Assam, India - Make it stand out The daily rhythms of life on the Brahmaputra River https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e2977160-aef3-4663-b1eb-6bca01716c1a/IMG_5360.JPG Blog - Silk and Rhinos Assam, India - Make it stand out A new bridge over the Brahmaputra was under construction. It was interested sailing right under the construction so to speak. While things don’t move fast in that part of the world it was interesting to see this gap closed when we sailed past again, the approaching monsoon giving a lot of urgency to getting construction jobs completed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b45fe982-7020-44a6-bd8f-73b9adf1e1fc/IMG_5571.JPG Blog - Silk and Rhinos Assam, India - Make it stand out That afternoon we were scheduled to visit another local village to see how the village coped with the floods on the river that wiped out their villages every year, but we all passed. Instead that night we enjoyed a barbeque Indian style on the sandbank. It’s hard to imagine that these sandbanks that look so permanent are transient and subject to the whims of the mighty river and how it floods. I was told that the Northeast and the Brahmaputra River once they get their hooks in you, they never let go. I fear those stories are true because I can’t wait to go back and visit Nagaland, Arunachal and other areas in the mysterious and fascinating Northeast of India. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/97ea644b-fefc-43f2-96e2-6cef2c2a2435/IMG_5237.jpg Blog - Silk and Rhinos Assam, India - Make it stand out After boarding our ship that would take us up and down the Brahmaputra River, our first port of call was a village known for cultivating and weaving the local silk. We got an education on the Mulberry plants and silkworms and how the silk thread is extracted in an unbroken long string and then woven into cloth. This is like a cottage industry though the golden silk is extremely expensive and while not on the silk road, these villages were considered peripheral to the silk road given their proximity to Tibet and China. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7cad5385-72cf-44b2-a72a-01d61512f2c6/IMG_5297.JPG Blog - Silk and Rhinos Assam, India - Make it stand out The Kamakhya temple has deep religious significance for Hindus. People come here from far and near seeking help for fertility issues. There are some statues of the Goddess here that used to display her body but have now been covered up for modesty's sake. Goats are donated as well as sacrificed here but we did not venture anywhere close to where these blood sacrifices were made though we saw many goats especially white ones wandering around the complex with flower garlands and colorful symbols. We did not make it into the inner sanctum which had a 6 plus hour waiting line instead we explored the temple complex, lit candles, gave our obeisance to the Goddess at some of the shrines dotted around the temple complex and chatted with some of the pilgrims. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ad1e1758-30cf-4662-8609-3584b28f8406/IMG_5472.JPG Blog - Silk and Rhinos Assam, India - Make it stand out We were off to see the Rhinos after a challenging disembarkation on a mud bank which had no infrastructure helped by the crew, we managed to make it up to the vehicles that would take us into the national park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2d1d03f7-4dd0-4642-b1c2-fa224c969af6/IMG_5433.JPG Blog - Silk and Rhinos Assam, India - Make it stand out That evening we enjoyed the Bihu Dance performance by the local villagers on board our ship. The performance was supposed to be on the roomy sun deck but unfortunately the wind was picking up and sand was blowing so we moved the furniture in the lounge to make room for the dancers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/58515599-5a6a-4270-8a73-a0e25eaafd55/IMG_5542.JPG Blog - Silk and Rhinos Assam, India - Make it stand out There was a large variety of birds and one of the couples with us who were avid bird watchers were in seventh heaven. For me this parrot couple with papa watching for predators and mamma protecting the nest just made my day. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/experience-yosemite monthly 0.5 2025-05-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f882a9d1-bf04-4c38-aef9-83206ec7b271/IMG_6998.JPG Blog - Experience Yosemite - Make it stand out May is the best time for waterfalls and if the wind is blowing just right then you can truly get the effect of the bridal veil blowing in the wind right here at the Bridal Veil Falls lookout. The lookout right below the falls was very wet with the wind blowing the water right at you it was almost impossible to open your eyes to look at the falls let alone try to get a picture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a4ff753f-49e7-4617-b890-59951e2af9bb/IMG_7103.JPG Blog - Experience Yosemite - Make it stand out The Merced River flowed along next to the road. In parts it seemed to be pretty rough but at others it seemed to be deceptively calm. No one was rafting along it but it sure would make for a great adventure trip. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/da8c23e5-2d7f-41cc-8489-796c63f8bf27/IMG_7069.JPG Blog - Experience Yosemite - Make it stand out El Capitan dominates the landscape from various points but none other than when you pass right by it. We had brought binoculars to stop and see the climbers on the rock but in the end, we ran out of time. I’ll have to save that for the next time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c760793a-2235-4c55-b57d-3a226b8668b9/IMG_7269.JPG Blog - Experience Yosemite - Make it stand out The unbelievable view from Glacier Point. Thank God for all those new tools that wipe people out because it was pretty crowded by the time we made it up here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d1d0bef7-b240-4657-84f4-e6078b00cf27/IMG_7196.JPG Blog - Experience Yosemite - Make it stand out While we had only planned one day in the park originally, we decided to go back the next morning since Glacier Point did not open until the following day. There was still snow on the ground as we drove up towards the viewpoint. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f80b9087-e995-4ee9-ad19-228076ab8e9c/IMG_7072.JPG Blog - Experience Yosemite - Make it stand out The Cascade Falls were right next to the parking lot. No hiking or walking required. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a97efc1a-90af-4b91-8b62-f3cca4df8dbd/IMG_7026.jpg Blog - Experience Yosemite - Make it stand out The Valley Loop with its arch of tall sequoia trees driving down a road dappled with shadows creating a tunnel like effect. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7931ace9-da3c-41ea-b1bd-3083f0a1a2f9/IMG_7137.JPG Blog - Experience Yosemite - Make it stand out There was some sort of an accident and the road leading to the Vernal Falls trail head and Mirror Lake was closed to cars for some time but fortunately it did open up later in the afternoon and we were able to make it to the lake to see a dog enjoying the cool water while his mistress lay sunning on one of the rocks in the water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/26c7e508-a64c-4bce-bc63-3f4520eeb1a3/IMG_7271.jpg Blog - Experience Yosemite - Make it stand out Laughing as David gave us the facts and figures and tried to quiz us about the height of the waterfalls. We all definitely will remember this one; 2524 feet. We did walk to the base of this one but actually I loved the view of the fall from Glacier Point where I could almost see a burst of color over the water suggesting a rainbow as well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8516e457-acd7-4d2c-b08c-c3d057d65860/IMG_7206.jpg Blog - Experience Yosemite - Make it stand out Washburn Point Yosemite is perhaps as beautiful in my opinion as Glacier Point. What a fitting way to say Goodbye since we needed to make tracks back home and I particularly wanted to make it across the grapevine and the mountains back towards home before dark. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5cccce61-1fa2-4f87-bc49-4635088a1041/IMG_7210.JPG Blog - Experience Yosemite - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5a1951d4-5f76-40b3-a773-0fbbcdf9e92b/IMG_7173.jpg Blog - Experience Yosemite - Make it stand out Inspiration Point. That beautiful vista that opens up after you come out of the mile long tunnel entrance into the park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3ad9d153-ed80-4a21-b067-e338100604c0/IMG_7152.JPG Blog - Experience Yosemite - Make it stand out The Three Brothers. The uppermost brother is called Eagle Peak, while the other two are called middle and lower. The view from Eagle Peak is considered one of the best views of the valley. Since I am not a climber, I guess I will have to hear about it from someone who makes that climb. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6722a104-a955-4010-b814-9ecfd3e6af1a/IMG_7166.jpg Blog - Experience Yosemite - Make it stand out Valley View viewpoint with the Bridal Veil falls on one side and the Yosemite falls on the other. Perhaps if I could have climbed across the water a bit I might have been able to capture a more balanced view but nevertheless a beautiful view. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/india-off-the-beaten-track monthly 0.5 2025-04-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3f8091a2-8821-4f65-b7e0-bb74d7e51d64/IMG_5723.JPG Blog - India 2025 ~ Off the Beaten Track - Make it stand out New Market or Hogg Market as it was originally christened by the British used to be the premier shopping destination in Calcutta. It’s since been replaced by the multitude of airconditioned malls that have sprung up around the city. Having recently read the book Independence by Chitra Bannerjee Divakaruni, I decided to indulge my nostalgia by a visit. Nahoums where the characters from the novel visited with wide eyes still exists and though it was evening and most of the cases were empty. Some of the stores where I once shopped for scarves and jewelry still exist and it was fun to stop by. New Market really looks the same as it looked in my childhood except for the outside. The movie theaters where we once watched English Movies, Globe, Metro etc. have been converted into markets even though the signs remain on the outside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/88836104-26cb-4fd7-bd87-a1b7d8e67285/IMG_6003.JPG Blog - India 2025 ~ Off the Beaten Track - Make it stand out We finished an eventful day in Amritsar by arriving at Harmindar Sahib or the Golden Temple in time for the nighttime closing ceremonies. As the crowd dispersed, we found a perch near the Sarovar and let our minds drift as we savored the beauty and peace in front of us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3b98197a-4875-4be0-9627-e2eadb1ae1cc/IMG_5791+%281%29.JPG Blog - India 2025 ~ Off the Beaten Track - Make it stand out One of the most well-preserved elegant houses of the 19th century, Marble Palace was built by a wealthy Bengali merchant with a penchant for collecting art. The house is filled with objects d’art, Victorian antiques and a mix of valuable paintings and kitschy art all mixed together in random fashion. Photography is forbidden since the house is still lived in by descendants of the original family who built the palace. We arrived fairly late in the evening almost at closing time but the security team in the front were gracious and allowed us to stroll through the area open to the public. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/98b6ad7b-7360-4f4f-8c8e-e12d398570ab/IMG_5014.jpg Blog - India 2025 ~ Off the Beaten Track - Make it stand out The Northeast was once referred to as Assam but now many different states have their own identity here. I started with Meghalaya wandered discovering waterfalls, sacred forests, tree root bridges. I made it to the border with Bangladesh and to Cherrapunji once the greenest destination with the highest recorded rainfall in the world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/03b0037f-c682-4924-bf33-35269b3f8ba6/IMG_5755.JPG Blog - India 2025 ~ Off the Beaten Track - Make it stand out The Hooghly River and its bridges. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cf95b9bf-091d-458c-add3-1f9ff5d0125f/IMG_5780.JPG Blog - India 2025 ~ Off the Beaten Track - Make it stand out The LASCAR Memorial was less than half a mile from my sister’s house in the naval area. Special permission was required to go inside but we enjoyed reading the history and looking at the beautiful memorial itself from the fence. There is so much history in Calcutta, so much undiscovered. Thank you @RenuSingh for telling me about this. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3ad78bf5-4d70-4374-8f1c-884c61314922/IMG_6090-EFFECTS.jpg Blog - India 2025 ~ Off the Beaten Track - Make it stand out I am so grateful that I made it to Kashmir to spend two eventful days from Tulips and Gardens to Mountains and Valleys. I am so deeply saddened by the recent events in Kashmir that occurred shortly after I left. My heart goes out to the families of those killed for no reason than that they were at the wrong place at the wrong time and of the wrong religion. I met so many wonderful local people who were gentle, soft spoken and courteous and I feel for their pain as well, plus what the loss of tourism in that region is going to mean to them on a very personal level. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/879527f2-c389-475e-a5fa-2d4a81a0df2e/IMG_6677.JPG Blog - India 2025 ~ Off the Beaten Track - Make it stand out Even though pictures were forbidden during the performance I could not resist this beautiful final act with the colors of the Indian Flag symbolizing India’s independence. Jai Hind! until we meet again Incredible India. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c7c7090f-9e87-448b-b76c-1ed052e95afb/IMG_5891.JPG Blog - India 2025 ~ Off the Beaten Track - Make it stand out Amritsar is a foodie destination with all manner of delicious food, and we did indulge as much as we could in the short time we spent here. But of course, nothing beats the specialty of the city ~ Kulcha chana served just so. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4d4b6742-d698-468a-a48a-74207bcb964c/IMG_5263.JPG Blog - India 2025 ~ Off the Beaten Track - Make it stand out Then I added a 3-day taster cruise on the mighty Brahmaputra River. We sailed from Guwahati along the river exploring silk weaving, the mighty rhinos, and villages and rhythms along the river. What a wonderful experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fa944281-666c-48a1-9e35-2249be9be6cf/IMG_5980.JPG Blog - India 2025 ~ Off the Beaten Track - Make it stand out Alas, I had to bid Kolkata Goodbye and flew across the country to catch up with college friends in Chandigarh from where we drove together to Amritsar for a visit to the Wagah Border and the Golden Temple. Thank you @Kamaldeepgill and @ShivroopSidhu for the wonderful company and two days spent laughing, talking, and being young again even as you accompanied me against your will to the sunset Beating the Retreat ceremony at the Wagah Border between India and Pakistan which is a theatrical spectacle enacted by both sides. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3cbe7f88-7a26-4c2d-a647-aedaa0234d56/IMG_6692.JPG Blog - India 2025 ~ Off the Beaten Track - Make it stand out My younger sister @ramankapur was my host for my last few days in India before returning home. For my final wandering act in India, I have to thank my friend @HarmalaUberai who planned an evening at the Red Fort in Delhi watching the light and sound show. What an incredible experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e9b44b01-d9ce-4f12-8ac7-495bb2ec4f58/IMG_5762+%281%29.JPG Blog - India 2025 ~ Off the Beaten Track - Make it stand out The Dockyard Cafe is a new IT destination in Kolkata, but it also marks the site of some local history. The clock tower was built in 1899 and dedicated by the commissioner to the Port of Calcutta to mark the location of their dock office. The Indenture Memorial commemorates the spot where thousands of indentured workers sailed from Kolkata port from 1834 to 1920 to former British Colonies. We spent a wonderful afternoon wandering along this area enjoying views of the river, the two iconic bridges over the River Hooghly and some snacks with tea. Thank you @JyotiSethi for being my wandering companion on this one. What a wonderful adventure to discover something new and interesting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5dc6f8a8-5ace-4e8a-8026-330d63e3b80c/IMG_5803.JPG Blog - India 2025 ~ Off the Beaten Track - Make it stand out Since the Marble Palace was close to Jorasanko Thakur Bari we swung by there as well. Originally built in 1784 but later expanded this house is the birthplace of Nobel Prize Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Preserved as a museum it is an interesting experience to wander through the various rooms. As we arrived there was some type of dance competition that was happening at a theater on the premises and these young ladies were posing outside. Apparently, there is also a light and sound show here but there was still too much light, so we left. After visiting the two original thakur baris we visited one that was owned by a friend of my niece @RamnikSethiBasu, my wandering companion this afternoon. Beautifully restored with marble and chandeliers the house was a treat but what I enjoyed the most was the old electric panels with the switches and plugs that reminded me of the panels in the house I grew up in. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1bccfd47-df72-4f62-98b3-70f5a39a11ef/IMG_5846.JPG Blog - India 2025 ~ Off the Beaten Track - Make it stand out A visit to Kolkata would be incomplete without at least one stop for street food. I actually made several and tried all my old-time favorites ~ Kathi rolls, Fish fry, Kolkata Puchka’s and this stop for Bhel and Paan. I did cheat and the Puchka’s actually came home made with Mineral water and gloved hands. Fortunately, I survived all the street food with no mishaps whatsoever emboldening me for future endeavors. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/kashmir-is-a-unique-experience monthly 0.5 2025-04-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5a661269-aac8-4496-b29e-bffa8efe5517/IMG_6093.JPG Blog - Kashmir is a Unique Experience - Make it stand out A visit to Srinagar must incorporate all the beautiful gardens created during the Mughal times after the emperor Akbar conquered Kashmir for the Mughal empire, though his son Jehangir is credited with establishing some of the beautiful gardens here. I of course had made this trip primarily to visit the tulip gardens so made hte most of my day in Srinagar exploring what I could. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/eb6521f5-bcf8-4b57-8b56-9b7ea53cf50b/IMG_6630.jpg Blog - Kashmir is a Unique Experience - Make it stand out The Hazratbal shrine is supposed to house a relic that contains the hair from the Islamic Prophet Muhammed. Due to it being Ramadan with Eid approaching we could not find the right time to visit. In the end we did visit but only from the outside because prayers had already begun when we arrived there. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b47344a2-5f66-4c95-9d2b-453c3a21f1c5/IMG_6473.JPG Blog - Kashmir is a Unique Experience - Make it stand out We turned around after a brief stop and headed for Chandanwari. Famous for being the starting point for the pilgrimage to Amarnath, the hills and valleys were still covered with snow. With the sun and the heat, you could see the glaciers melting and water trickling down towards the Lidder River. I decided not to chance walking on the snow and ice and breaking a leg. As we stood in the upper parking lot, locals dragging sleds came to offer to take me for a ride on the sled instead of walking. I passed on that opportunity as well and after enjoying a brief moment in the snow-clad wonder, decided to head back towards Pahalgam. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/87fcd993-f47e-45c7-a5d4-372f9210de8d/IMG_6359.JPG Blog - Kashmir is a Unique Experience - Make it stand out After a quick stop to buy some local herbs and saffron we made it to the snow-covered hills around Pahalgam. It was a beautiful day with the sun shining bright on the Lidder River. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/649d5bef-c62d-434d-86be-be3ae7c94717/IMG_6300.JPG Blog - Kashmir is a Unique Experience - Make it stand out I was chatting with my driver about all that I wanted to see during my short sojourn in this beautiful part of India and spoke about the Shankaracharya temple which is situated at the top of the hill overlooking the town. Since there are 240 steps to climb up to the view the deity, I had decided that I could not make the climb, but I did want to see the temple having heard so much about it. Apparently as we drove along towards our hotel, Umar my driver kept pointing it out to me but for the life of me I just could not see it. I finally caught this glimpse during my shikara ride on Dal Lake. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/99d217a7-425c-42b4-a581-d074e8559e93/IMG_6638.jpg Blog - Kashmir is a Unique Experience - Make it stand out My trip had been short to begin with and then losing a day because my flight couldn’t land due to bad weather gave me a pause but all’s well that ends well and I crammed as much as I could in the two days that I was there. I did not get a chance to stop at Lal Chowk and explore this central city square so on the way to the airport Umar stopped here and suggested that we take some pictures at least. We were running late, and I was a basket case, so I refused to step out of the car, so Umar took this picture for my memories. What a beautiful sojourn, I am definitely richer from having spent time here in this beautiful part of the country. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/430319d7-a238-4c7e-831e-9c06eedac516/IMG_6632.JPG Blog - Kashmir is a Unique Experience - Make it stand out As we headed towards our car, I was struck by these piggy banks. I would have loved to buy one for my grandkids, but these were made of fired mud, and I was afraid they wouldn’t survive the journey home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e1f4937b-ab09-4eed-b3ba-4c7e2c654ddc/IMG_6492.JPG Blog - Kashmir is a Unique Experience - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8ae8ad26-ac5b-4c06-a39b-4174cda39ea9/IMG_6606.JPG Blog - Kashmir is a Unique Experience - Make it stand out The next morning, we set off towards Pahalgam crossing saffron fields and apple orchards. Since the saffron doesn’t bloom till November, we saw the yellow of the blooming mustard flowers instead of the purple of the saffron flowers. Apples too were not in bloom; the trees were just starting to flower. The locals entice you to stop with fake apples strung on the trees for a photo opportunity and a crop of last year’s apples for freshly squeezed apple juice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b3702f17-d00c-4bb5-9d74-4dfb0d75c72e/IMG_6575.JPG Blog - Kashmir is a Unique Experience - Make it stand out Just in case there aren’t enough beautiful spots for selfies, the town has posted these little signs and created photo spots for selfies. Yes! of course I took a photo under the Pahalgam sign here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5ee9b482-ca91-4e83-b75d-94a305ba9205/IMG_6044.JPG Blog - Kashmir is a Unique Experience - Make it stand out Heading into Srinagar from the airport, we crossed a bridge over the Jhelum River which flows through Srinagar and into Pakistan controlled Kashmir. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/30eaef60-c80e-45e7-bf35-5eac385a42d7/IMG_6316.JPG Blog - Kashmir is a Unique Experience - Make it stand out Dal Lake is a freshwater lake in Srinagar. It has been romanticized as the lake of flowers or the crowning jewel of Kashmir. Lined with houseboats, and shikara’s busily ferrying people simply for sightseeing or as a taxi service it is a busy sight during the day. Its 15.5 kilometers of shoreline are lined with hotels, shops and gardens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c8afc1e2-8092-4a1d-99a0-c0854b066ed3/IMG_6612.JPG Blog - Kashmir is a Unique Experience - Make it stand out Pahalgam means the valley of the shepherds. As we drove along the various points of interest from Pahalgam, I did not see any sheep which I made a point of remarking. I got various explanations from the guides stating that it was still cold to take the flocks out and that they were housed at home etc. Then on our way back to Srinagar we came across several shepherds and their flocks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cd2bf2de-6bb8-47c0-943d-89be615e50d1/IMG_6407.JPG Blog - Kashmir is a Unique Experience - Make it stand out In Pahalgam, we switched cars because our transport from Srinagar is not allowed to drive the inner loop between Srinagar, Aru Valley, Chandanwari and Betaab Valley. Our first step was the Aru Valley with its beautiful meadows and streams and so many people taking pictures and wandering along the rocks. Even though we were fairly early or so I thought, parking was a huge issue. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e6a6641a-cca3-49ce-9663-bf9595100a98/IMG_6562.JPG Blog - Kashmir is a Unique Experience - Make it stand out Visitors to Pahalgam use ponies to take them to Baisaran a nearby valley which is supposed to be a miniature Switzerland. I passed on the pony ride and off we went along our way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/712cd23a-8411-4d56-a8ac-214b04351e28/IMG_6523.JPG Blog - Kashmir is a Unique Experience - Make it stand out Betaab Valley is a beautiful destination popular with Bollywood directors. Originally known as the Hajan/Hagan Valley it was renamed to the Betaab Valley after a famous Bollywood movie Betaab. I’m so not a fan of Bollywood movies so all this came as a big surprise to me. I still have not seen the movie. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/tulip-time-in-srinagar-kashmir monthly 0.5 2025-04-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9eb836f4-9232-4ebb-891f-560191a660bc/IMG_6164.JPG Blog - Tulip Time in Srinagar, Kashmir - Make it stand out Apparently, it would take another couple of hours for the water to start flowing with enough force to power the fountains. I am sorry that I did not have the time to sit and relax and wait for the bubbling fountains which would have added another dimension to the beauty of the surroundings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/25d771e8-73bc-4ad6-8f18-d5ae2780161b/IMG_8277.JPG Blog - Tulip Time in Srinagar, Kashmir - Make it stand out Tulips are the harbinger of Spring, and they grow in many places. Before I had the opportunity to go to the Netherlands I visited the Tulip fields in the Skagit Valley in Washington State. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/755ed431-e716-42a9-99da-51cc9184c6f6/IMG_4746.JPG Blog - Tulip Time in Srinagar, Kashmir - Make it stand out As I lay back and relaxed, I couldn’t help but let my mind and imagination wander to my visit to the Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands. I had entered the gardens after a rain shower and the sight of the flowers with raindrops is a sight that will remain with me as a beautiful memory forever. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/eab87da0-5103-4952-8adc-a832b5161e2b/IMG_6092.JPG Blog - Tulip Time in Srinagar, Kashmir - Make it stand out Too excited to even enjoy the complimentary Kahwa (Kashmiri tea) served as a welcome drink by the hotel, I dropped off my luggage and was raring to go. We went straight to the Tulip Garden where people were already wandering through the tulips enjoying the color and beauty. It’s a good thing that we went to the Tulip Gardens early. We drove by the parking later in the afternoon on our way to Chasm Shahi and Pari Mahal to see a long line of people walking from far off parking since the nearby parking lots were full. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5294d799-2f75-401f-a2f5-735cc20f2ea5/IMG_6153.JPG Blog - Tulip Time in Srinagar, Kashmir - Make it stand out Next my guide decided we should visit the Nishat Gardens with a scenic outlook of Dal Lake. As we climbed the twelve levels I kept wondering if it was going to be worth it since there were not very many flowers blooming in the garden. Also, the fountains were not yet running. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/276110d0-95a4-468c-b916-7c73d5dc2aad/IMG_8358.JPG Blog - Tulip Time in Srinagar, Kashmir - Make it stand out While I was planning my trip to Kashmir one of my friends asked me if the tulip garden in Srinagar is better than the Keukenhof. To me each destination is distinct and unique and beautiful. The riot of color is a balm to the soul and oxygen for the heart. Let’s not forget there are many places where tulips grow wild sharing their burst of color with anyone who chances by. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c76ab366-1f05-4f59-9e55-0a80887d03ac/IMG_6286.JPG Blog - Tulip Time in Srinagar, Kashmir - Make it stand out After a stop at a carpet and pashmina weaving studio and some shopping we made it to the lake. This was a one of kind sightseeing and shopping experience, relaxing in the shikara as we were rowed around the lake and various vendors and sellers stopped by to sell us their wares. Stay tuned for more on the Dal Lake experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d2b73dfa-eb3a-47d0-9b4c-c1b8efc2e50f/IMG_6097.JPG Blog - Tulip Time in Srinagar, Kashmir - Make it stand out Tulip Garden Srinagar Kashmir https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/45938960-7749-4068-9b95-6f3f06ad91ba/IMG_6027+%281%29.JPG Blog - Tulip Time in Srinagar, Kashmir - Make it stand out The trip almost didn’t happen. My flight took off from Amritsar bound for Srinagar. After circling the snow-covered peaks for about forty minutes, we had to abort the landing and return to Amritsar. My time had been short to begin with and to lose a day was intolerable. Fortunately, I was able to get on the morning flight to Srinagar the next morning and took off running to cram all that I could. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ebe1762d-7e0e-410a-910c-e55cef3d176c/IMG_6319.JPG Blog - Tulip Time in Srinagar, Kashmir - Make it stand out As we headed from the airport towards my hotel, I craned my neck for my first glimpse of the wondrous Dal Lake which I had heard so much off. I am not quite sure what I imagined but at first glance it seems to be pretty crowded with houseboats, shikaras and people. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8fe18618-ccd4-4115-b6c5-880dea91a5b6/IMG_6096.JPG Blog - Tulip Time in Srinagar, Kashmir - Make it stand out Against the backdrop of the mountains and weeping willows and spring blossoms the tulips were a beautiful sea of color stretching as far as the eye could see. I am so glad that I made it and was able to spend a few hours here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3a092727-b3ec-4133-b3f1-2cc07e5fabfa/IMG_6193-EFFECTS.jpg Blog - Tulip Time in Srinagar, Kashmir - Make it stand out Pari Mahal had been on my list even though my travel planner told me that a lot of people don’t stop here. Tired from my early morning travel and sightseeing from the day, we made it, but I was intimidated by the levels and steps. I stepped towards the exit and asked the guard if I could take a few photos. Not without a ticket he said, so we bought a ticket for INR 65 and entered from the exit and walked along the terrace to enjoy beautiful scenic views of the lake and other properties along the lake. We were also able to see the famous Char Chinar structure from our vantage point. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/serene-laos monthly 0.5 2025-03-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/91df5a66-a0d8-4fdb-b435-d768a1b3d482/IMG_4111.JPG Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos - Make it stand out Temples abound through the city with their impressive red and gold architecture and gold buddhas. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a071470a-a238-4571-9a37-8e2f650cff30/IMG_4006.JPG Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos - Make it stand out Some of the more fun aspects such as tasting the local rice wine. Like the Mexican tequila there are bottles that have scorpions, and snakes etc. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3d640ad5-03b2-43c2-997a-2054490d405d/IMG_4046.JPG Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos - Make it stand out Included in our itinerary in Laos was a day cruise on the Mekong River with lunch on the boat. I really enjoyed watching the villages and people going about their daily routines as we sailed past. We stopped at this cave temple on top of a hillside. Apparently, it was considered haunted at one time and people were urged to bring small Buddha statues to chase off the ghosts. We also left our Baci offering here at the altar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0cd470fd-1acc-451f-b6f4-cca5a7a7ca27/IMG_3979.JPG Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos - Make it stand out We arrived back to dock at the hotel and make our way up along steep stairs with no handholds but thanks to a good Samarian (Luther) from our group who offered me a hand to help me navigate the climb. Laos ended a bit on a scary note thanks to one of the minibuses we were riding in being involved in an accident and having to leave 2 of our family behind. However, the two members we left behind are recovering well and Gate1 has personally reached out to us with reassurances, and to check in. Will I travel again with them? Absolutely. This is the first incident in 17 plus trips I’ve taken and hopefully the last. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/226cb505-15dc-43c0-b585-96b720c6a572/IMG_3945.jpg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos - Make it stand out In the market the shops sell the covered containers used to store sticky rice for the morning alms giving. There was a lady who woke up at 3:00 AM in the morning to make the sticky rice and fill the containers that we were provided with the offerings that we would be making to the priests. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2a322616-4321-4175-8770-8986dc0d3963/IMG_3957.jpg Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos - Make it stand out Our guide had arranged a Baci ceremony for us after arrival at our hotel where a village elder and other local people get together to pray for well wishes and good fortune. White threads are tied around the wrists of the participants with prayers. There was a very reverent atmosphere and at the end a designee was picked from our group to take the central urn of flowers which we left at a clifftop temple. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4ef88fba-aadf-415a-a7a7-bbeb3e21f8a9/IMG_4073.JPG Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos - Make it stand out We passed many a village with homes clustered around the water that sustain them in so many ways. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c3b1db60-0c30-473e-a05f-62b70b029f86/IMG_3929.JPG Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos - Make it stand out An impressive tree of life is depicted at the back of this temple structure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fccadc6a-28eb-4271-a98a-c7957d28454c/IMG_4118.JPG Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos - Make it stand out They don’t expect the tourists to sit in the traditional manner to give alms. Chairs and stools are set up stretching it seems for miles. We had our own little section where we got ready to greet the young monks as they waked past us and uncovered their offering bowls to receive our offerings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8ff54399-f37b-408e-a4d5-c2a0357c2ecb/IMG_4079.JPG Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos - Make it stand out Temples with water access and no doubt land access slipped by along the banks of the river as we sailed past. What a wonderful relaxing afternoon it was. I was reminded of the backwaters cruising I did last year in South India. similar scenes unfolded along the way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8feacd08-c3d6-420c-b0c4-74893bd8c991/IMG_3934.JPG Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos - Make it stand out and this little temple structure was like a fairytale house with people popping in and sticking their head out of the window for photos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1992d363-d61d-4108-837b-dc600618c305/IMG_3918.JPG Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos - Make it stand out There were a couple of things on tap for us upon arrival on Luang Prabang, but the immigration line was very slow and moved like molasses, so we ended up only visiting the impressive Wat Xieng Thong temple complex upon arrival. Built in the 1500s under royal patronage this temple is an impressive display of royal favor and traditional art. We wandered through some of the buildings removing our shoes to enter some of the shrines. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2bbf39d0-7b12-4723-a513-fc65b3801b1f/IMG_3920.JPG Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f6a127cf-c3ce-46eb-b621-d2650d5888bf/IMG_3969.JPG Blog - Luang Prabang, Laos - Make it stand out After the ceremony we enjoyed dinner tasting some of the dishes local to Laos amidst wine, friendship and laughter. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/back-in-bangkok-thailand monthly 0.5 2025-03-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0c880680-1755-4f9f-8664-93799d078836/IMG_3634.JPG Blog - Back in Bangkok, Thailand - Make it stand out We arrived fairly late in the evening to find a modern city glittering with lights. Fortunately, we were able to find pockets of traditional architecture and reflections of Buddhist Zen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/389cee8e-e343-4873-a7b6-9e544c20b14f/IMG_3763.JPG Blog - Back in Bangkok, Thailand - Make it stand out After a visit to Wat Pho to visit the reclining Buddha, we made our way through some tranquil back alleys for a delicious lunch and watched the rain come down in sheets alleviating the stifling humidity. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a86ca84f-12e0-4ee4-b47f-1850c71d1104/IMG_3845.JPG Blog - Back in Bangkok, Thailand - Make it stand out The noisy, colorful crowded chaos of the floating market full of vendors touting their wares and tourists bargaining for a deal. Food stalls with all manner of exotic scents flavored the air as people sat on the steps tasting some of the delicacies. I settled for a fresh green coconut and called it a day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/88fdd916-c19c-4132-95e7-384accec8ead/IMG_3671.JPG Blog - Back in Bangkok, Thailand - Make it stand out Many of the buildings embrace many architectural styles from across the work, The finest Carera marbles were used as were techniques in porcelain and gold to enhance the various buildings and temples inside the complex. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/25981767-3871-49f6-96c6-dadddb200582/IMG_3864.JPG Blog - Back in Bangkok, Thailand - Make it stand out How about some mango sticky rice with a colorful twist? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/90c314b4-21a8-4619-b583-c229b6433218/IMG_3583.JPG Blog - Back in Bangkok, Thailand - Make it stand out The flower market full of fresh flowers. In many ways the rules were so much similar to what I had experienced in South India last year of no touch, no smell or be prepared to pay for the flowers. The flowers seamlessly transitioned to vegetables and chilies and peppercorns. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d978632d-efdb-4c3c-bfd4-e9fd3960d1e4/IMG_3570.JPG Blog - Back in Bangkok, Thailand - Make it stand out Perhaps a snack from some of the street vendors selling corn on the cob, chestnuts or strawberries might be an interesting change of pace. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/32030311-cda8-4fac-b6d3-ec620f2bf608/IMG_3723.JPG Blog - Back in Bangkok, Thailand - Make it stand out A visit to the ceremonial Grand Palace and the temple of the Emerald Buddha is a must for visitors to the city. Temperatures were soaring into the 90s and humidity was hovering around the high 80s as we made our way through the huge and beautiful complex. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/81144179-73f4-4ea1-a4ad-9c08aec94ed8/IMG_3648.JPG Blog - Back in Bangkok, Thailand - Make it stand out As we entered past the ticket booth, we were entranced at the beautiful murals depicting the story of the Ramayana. The Hindu epic Ramayana seems to be a very popular theme all over Southeast Asia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0956222d-c662-4ae2-9e3e-4608df32b49b/IMG_3762.JPG Blog - Back in Bangkok, Thailand - Make it stand out Much of the city streets are dominated by portraits of the King and members of the Royal family. We drove past the very imposing royal residence as we drove through the streets of the city marveling at the so very busy Chinatown and Little India. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/322583c3-5906-4846-ab55-11726faf63d7/IMG_3811+%281%29.JPG Blog - Back in Bangkok, Thailand - Make it stand out A boat ride on the canals around the floating market with a cooling breeze added a nice touch as we saw and experienced the people living in these floating villages and admired the aesthetic touches to some of the houses. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a05900d7-a044-4e7c-9f1b-4316f659878a/IMG_3603.JPG Blog - Back in Bangkok, Thailand - Make it stand out But it was this seller dozing in the heat with various sizes of onions spread out around him, who caught my eye. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e951a26e-da65-4bb4-b609-a7f8020a41e1/IMG_3770.JPG Blog - Back in Bangkok, Thailand - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/633b8edc-d262-4e6f-99c8-b4383ba3d36d/IMG_3865.JPG Blog - Back in Bangkok, Thailand - Make it stand out A tranquil respite amidst the madness to restore and rejuvenate so we can go out and brave the heat, noise and people. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e0e56541-3f54-4925-9f69-7bbeecb02762/IMG_3630.JPG Blog - Back in Bangkok, Thailand - Make it stand out The outer court of the Grand Palace sets the tone for all the beauties that we were to experience as we moved towards the interior. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/792d3b90-26bc-43e4-8076-3f55d5dc1e3d/IMG_3698.JPG Blog - Back in Bangkok, Thailand - Make it stand out The treasure at the center of the complex is the beautiful temple dedicated to the Emerald Buddha. Having removed our shoes, we paused reverently at the window to take a picture of the inside since photography is forbidden inside. People sat and meditated or just walked through the temple as appropriate to their faith and interest. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/cambodia monthly 0.5 2025-03-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5f24db26-4220-40fa-abd5-3c08de57c723/IMG_3479.jpg Blog - Cambodia - Make it stand out A visit to this part of the world would not be complete without a boat cruise on Tonle Sap the biggest freshwater lake in Asia with its many floating villages. While we did not stop or disembark at the village, it was interesting to see the rhythms of life on the water between school, gardening, groceries and restaurants. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d56d4358-00c4-48be-8ee4-579dde041a9e/IMG_3329.JPG Blog - Cambodia - Make it stand out As we walked towards the gate the river below us was sporting dragon boats with people sailing along. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4c79f46d-899e-411f-9eca-a5568dd4c3d4/IMG_3362.JPG Blog - Cambodia - Make it stand out The Bayon Temple. I did not walk through the temple instead I got off and took pictures from the outside and marveled at the artistry. Interestingly though these temples are all Hindu in their symbolism there were many Buddha shrines in the complex. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8de1b32c-c81e-411c-9191-f4380aff1fba/IMG_8889.jpg Blog - Cambodia - Make it stand out To cherry on top, a luxury ride in a Cambodian Limousine to visit a village where we got to do some shopping for local handicrafts and enjoy a refreshing coconut or so. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/413d4ee0-c0ec-455e-a292-4da74edea2e8/IMG_3112.JPG Blog - Cambodia - Make it stand out Surrounding the walls of the Silver Pagoda are these corridors featuring paintings or murals depicting the story of the Indian epic Ramayana. These murals were created by students and are 3.5 meters tall taking up 605 meters of wall. What was amazing to me during this entire visit and across Cambodia is the impact of Hinduism in this part of the world even as these countries are predominantly Buddhist. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2a62fdb2-12ad-49f8-8ddf-356ea8e7d62d/IMG_3372.JPG Blog - Cambodia - Make it stand out The Elephant Terrace and the elephant wall. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dde4b539-8d1e-45ef-80ff-39e95c0ddaed/IMG_3060.JPG Blog - Cambodia - Make it stand out It began here in Phnom Pehn and a wonderful group of people with Nok, our Thai tour manager who efficiently herded us through our itinerary. The Independence Monument at the center of the city built to commemorate Cambodia’s independence from France with a cauldron at the center where a flame can be lit. We stood across the street and viewed the monument on its own roundabout with traffic whizzing around it. Across the street is the Norodom Sihanouk memorial which features a bronze statue of the king surrounded by flowers, fountains and trees. A wonderful gathering place for the locals on holidays and protests. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1d2684eb-9bcf-4947-bd2c-eaccaf717e94/IMG_3276.JPG Blog - Cambodia - Make it stand out Ta da early AM found us making our way to Angkor Wat. The large temple complex is an impressive sight. Inside are intricately carved walls depicting once again the India epics this time I got to see the Mahabharata and the famous battle chiseled in the stone. There is a lot of symbolism of demons and angels, and I went upstairs and down a few to see all that there could be seen. I was totally wilted by the time we left the temple complex and headed to a few local shops and a chair and fan and nice hydrating green coconut. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b507b370-7520-4e04-9fd0-bc74fc95506e/IMG_3327.jpg Blog - Cambodia - Make it stand out We then rode our bus a few minutes to make our way to the entrance of Angkor Thom. The two sides of the entrance are line with frowning demons on one side and happy angels on the other. The excitement of the group was complete when a real live monkey jumped down the statuary around the gate to greet us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a2332918-a31e-4206-aab8-d42d696f95bb/IMG_3120.JPG Blog - Cambodia - Make it stand out The Silver Pagoda and the temple of the Emerald Buddha. Visitors remove their shoes and enter with proper reverence. Photos are not allowed inside, and this one was taking from an outside door. The floor of the pagoda is lined with silver tiles though only a small portion is uncovered for tourists to view. This pagoda contains many national treasures of gold, diamonds and jeweled Buddha statues. The Emerald Buddha is possibly made of Baccarat or Lalique. With temperatures soaring in the 90s and humidity almost as high, while there was so much beauty to explore, we couldn’t help the sigh of relief as we left the palace complex to be greeted with cold bottles of water and iced towels to cool us down before we headed out to the museum followed by lunch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/23d9759b-c557-4e79-9c7c-3941013ba3c7/IMG_3234.JPG Blog - Cambodia - Make it stand out Angkor Wat https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d44640b1-ec74-42e4-9346-331693467ca5/IMG_3222.JPG Blog - Cambodia - Make it stand out With excitement reaching a fever pitch for the main event we were soon winging our way to Siem Reap and the allure of the temples and other attractions at Angkor Wat. But first before we made it to the temples, we got to enjoy an evening of the famous Apsara Dancers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/671386c4-3e1e-4e7b-8096-f6c648b27a2f/IMG_3108.jpg Blog - Cambodia - Make it stand out The Royal Palace is the official residence of the kings of Cambodia, consisting of many pavilions, villas and pagodas in the traditional Khmer style so reminiscent of Southeast Asia. The dress code is very strict in regard to covering up the shoulders and knees and there is a lot of beauty to explore including the well-maintained gardens that surround the pavilions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2080f7d9-b349-49e3-bf23-43be92ea8d08/IMG_3168.jpg Blog - Cambodia - Make it stand out Our day ended on a very somber note as we made our way to the killing fields. I guess my knowledge and history on these was very incomplete since I thought these were where prisoners of war were tortured but what I failed to realize is that the people that were tortured and murdered indiscriminately here were scholars, artisans and tradespeople who represented a way of life the communist regime wanted to abolish. We had an opportunity to listen to the story of a lone survivor who is one of 7 survivors out of 20000 who were left when they were freed and the only one still alive. Traveling with us on this trip are 3 Cambodian friends who met in middle school and then in the US who each had their own stories of their survival and escape and relocation to the US. Certainly, brought the grim horror home in so many ways. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/travel-inspirations monthly 0.5 2025-02-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3a1e9ddb-85a9-4767-8e56-25b5a353ac01/IMG_6004.JPG Blog - Travel Inspirations - Make it stand out I was educated in a missionary run convent school and so while we did not attend the religious studies that were a part of the curriculum for the Catholic children, we did read the bible in more of a literary fiction perspective and essentially grew up on bible stories. My visit to Israel was a dream come true, and I often felt like I was walking through the pages of history, All the reading that I had done in my childhood and much of the visits to various churches in Europe did not prepare me for the emotional intensity of walking the stations of the cross in the Jewish quarter and ending at the Holy Sepulcher. Standing here in awe at the very spot where the shrouded body of Jesus was laid to rest and subsequently resurrected still gives me goosebumps. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/94867e0e-4664-4343-a736-4dad54efb13d/20.jpg Blog - Travel Inspirations - Make it stand out I traveled from my home in India to the United States of America as a young and timid woman. Much of the romances that I read as a teenager were romances set in London, so London was my first stopover destination. Visiting the tower, Greenwich, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace and all that London has to offer. Since this was way before digital photography and cell phones made pictures so easy to capture, I believe I’ll have to go back to chronicle it all in photos. It was Rome that kicked off my more modern-day travels. I dutifully threw my coin in the Trevi Fountain, and fate has been kind enough to take me back to Italy multiple times to appreciate and enjoy all that the country has to offer. However, it’s the indelible sight of the forum and colosseum, the heart of the Roman empire was my first inspiration. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/493399e9-9254-4411-82d3-a91d37d5543f/IMG_0456-EFFECTS.jpg Blog - Travel Inspirations - Make it stand out So many sunsets and sunrises that remind one of all the beauty in the world that we take for granted. This might not be the most spectacular but something about the quiet beauty amongst the silence of M’dina in Malta such strikes a chord within me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/53b96635-f1ef-4280-9427-765622cdc50c/IMG_8246.JPG Blog - Travel Inspirations - Make it stand out Markets, Bazaars, new and different fruits and vegetables. What fun it is when you can taste your way through some of these markets. The trick is to either have a friend who loves to cook and will try out the exotic spice packets and marinades to pick up or not to buy any because in my house they will sit until I find them cleaning out my kitchen cabinets. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/61ea3c8c-f16f-4ae7-aabb-3403fdf16183/IMG_2672.JPG Blog - Travel Inspirations - Make it stand out I am not an archeologist and am totally sure that I’m not up to the back breaking work of finding ancient civilizations and bringing them to the public's notice, but I can state that I definitely enjoy visiting such sites and learning all I can about them. Traveling back in time to 3300 BC on a windswept coast on the Orkney Islands to see how people lived and adapted to the weather conditions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/85971625-0d04-430c-a68d-04064116b0de/IMG_8254.JPG Blog - Travel Inspirations - Make it stand out So many castles that brought alive all those medieval historical tales of knights and ladies all around Europe, but it took a special trip and much planning to make it to Neuschwanstein, the model that Walt Disney used as the fairy tale castle in Disneyland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0b19fd63-f1ae-443b-be7b-9162aeb761c8/IMG_7151.JPG Blog - Travel Inspirations - Make it stand out Sitting in a native tent, enjoying tea brewed over the fire and chatting with the local people, a la shades of Lawrence of Arabia. I let my imagine run wild imagining, Lawrence sitting here in this very spot drinking tea and talking with the forefathers of the people that I now laughed and talked to. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2bfc2876-232c-4e86-b0e2-746f6899ec22/IMG_6870.JPG Blog - Travel Inspirations - Make it stand out Another dream come true, the treasury in Petra, a wonder of the modern world. While I have not consciously chosen wonders of the world as a destination it came home to me that I have actually visited all seven wonders of the modern world and Petra was my seventh. Definitely one for my personal record books. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/02818fff-6e7d-435e-8b70-f3fb4dccc7be/IMG_6735.JPG Blog - Travel Inspirations - Make it stand out Food is an important dimension of the travel experience. I love to travel local favors and explore local spices though I have to admit that the more exotic foods like ants, or grasshoppers etc. are beyond my ability to stomach. The most adventurous I have been on the food journey is a small tasting morsel of guinea pig in Peru. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5a3bbb81-5d81-4627-bf53-933575aed131/DSC00447.JPG Blog - Travel Inspirations - Make it stand out While I have visited countless beautiful churches in Europe and other parts of the world, there is a special sense of serenity and holiness at the very heart of Christianity in Vatican at St. Peter’s Basilica. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a36b1485-6d2f-429a-b203-f6ec0b265a11/IMG_6472.JPG Blog - Travel Inspirations - Make it stand out For a time, I used the gauge of tracking the Roman footprint to choose destinations. The sight of modern-day life in the midst of ancient ruins, and people following traditions that have passed down from father to son, from mother to daughter through civilizations is a thrill that for me can’t compete with bungee jumping, zip lining or other extreme activities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c347f990-ca16-424e-a9be-6dcb4a499fb5/IMG_2359.JPG Blog - Travel Inspirations - Make it stand out Home is where the heart is. I grew up in Calcutta and many ways when nostalgia has me in its grip, I find my memories circling back to my childhood and those symbols that characterized the city where I grew up. I have been fortunate in making my way back to the city of my childhood several times in the last few years. As I pondered and thought about what to cover in this post, I find that I have so much more to share about why I travel and what I’ve found along the way so please look out for more travel inspirations coming your way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/51db6525-ac4a-4954-9f1b-efd0783e228e/IMG_9700.JPG Blog - Travel Inspirations - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/wandering-in-los-angeles monthly 0.5 2025-01-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0d4cec37-72bf-4349-a534-df5e98cb7b6e/IMG_9739.JPG Blog - School Reunion in Los Angeles - Make it stand out This interesting metallic sculpture has always fascinated me near Little Tokyo. Perhaps we could do Japanese food and wander through Little Tokyo instead of China Town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5c7e2649-4939-4f3f-9b36-31f29e593aca/IMG_1378.JPG Blog - School Reunion in Los Angeles - Make it stand out The Hollywood sign over the Hollywood reservoir but then we did the Hollywood theme the last time around spending time on the walk of fame and the iconic Hollywood attractions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ce957e46-ca6d-4f2e-9b84-2f27849d6798/IMG_8373.JPG Blog - School Reunion in Los Angeles - Make it stand out Maybe just hang out at one of our homes playing board games and catching up on news and gossip and having lunch at one of my favorite places in a beautifully landscaped outdoor mall. Alas the reunion never happened thanks to the outbreak of the fires and some of the places on my list might never be the same again, but I look forward to rescheduling and making it happen. Los Angeles is resilient and definitely has a lot to offer even without the theme parks which are one of the major attractions that bring visitors here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c8cd329b-33dd-421c-8269-cd89d91983db/IMG_0825.JPG Blog - School Reunion in Los Angeles - Make it stand out Marina Del Rey with its upscale hotels, eateries, and marina. You can do a boat ride in the marina, shop for tchotchkes, perhaps catch a sea lion or two as you wander around before catching a delightful seafood meal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7392ebac-a9bf-426c-b924-09ae8935ebb2/IMG_1969.JPG Blog - School Reunion in Los Angeles - Make it stand out The modern Getty Museum with its beautiful gardens that appeal to all the five senses, two restaurants on the property and a wonderful art. Close to home and a wonderful place to while away a few hours enjoying the beauty and ambiance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b08d0257-7aa2-434f-b243-49d3d8a998b7/IMG_8158.JPG Blog - School Reunion in Los Angeles - Make it stand out The Los Angeles Public Library with its beautiful rotunda that showcases LA’s history. It’s an absolute treasure to walk through and Books! how could anyone go wrong with books. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/434ab28a-179f-4de9-9f33-fd40fa29fa2d/IMG_9896.JPG Blog - School Reunion in Los Angeles - Make it stand out Some of the gals suggested dim sum for lunch following the library which was perfect since China Town is not too far at all from the library and would make a wonderful stop even as we could time with this with a quick run to union station to drop off a couple of girls who would be taking the train. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8598e881-c567-4436-ac2e-a3af87b960b3/IMG_7026.jpg Blog - School Reunion in Los Angeles - Make it stand out Echo Park with its nearby Victorians and its swan shaped paddle boats might be a great adventure that incorporated the one mile walk around the lake and some fun having paddling competitions on the lake. Another beautiful urban retreat within sight of Downtown Los Angeles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/522701d7-88bf-4290-b5a3-02e7e026634c/IMG_7905.JPG Blog - School Reunion in Los Angeles - Make it stand out Some of the beautiful gardens and parks around Los Angeles, Huntington Gardens, Descanso Gardens, The Los Angeles Arboretum with its dancing peacocks sure to invoke memories of home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b60b1842-c9d6-408c-b93e-098177dcfbf9/IMG_8707.jpg Blog - School Reunion in Los Angeles - Make it stand out Self-Realization Fellowship and Meditation Center on Sunset in Pacific Palisades. One of my personal favorite retreats in the city where you can get away from it all. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/119de14e-3086-4d75-bca5-3619f5486736/IMG_1985.JPG Blog - School Reunion in Los Angeles - Make it stand out The Getty Villa with its antiquities, Romanesque architecture, and beautiful gardens. A wonderful retreat on the Pacific Coast near Malibu eateries on the beach, or Santa Monica where we could descend on the pier and indulge in the games while pretending to be young and carefree again. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e352f406-e801-4e13-9942-74c128f44dab/IMG_6531.jpg Blog - School Reunion in Los Angeles - Make it stand out Malibu a stretch near PCH that’s just a memory. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/stopover-in-nadi-fiji monthly 0.5 2025-01-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/58fc3f6e-f3cc-41aa-bf53-b2968b2c59a5/IMG_2548.JPG Blog - Stopover That Almost Didn’t, Nadi Fiji - Make it stand out The Sabeto Mud pools. According to the crew on the Fiji Airways flight if I did only one thing it would be this and a massage. There are 4 pools here. You start with the mud pool and slather your body with this volcanic mud which is supposed to be excellent for your skin and then there are 3 other clear pools. It was 98 degrees Fahrenheit on the day that I went. The thought of getting into hotter weather was not at all enticing though there was a couple all slathered in mud and people in the other pools who said that it was very very hot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/026200a6-d7ea-447e-908c-d595268b3d61/IMG_2555.JPG Blog - Stopover That Almost Didn’t, Nadi Fiji - Make it stand out While I did not do the official tour of a native village this village was along the way to the garden of the sleeping giant and the Sabeto mud pools. Not too many people live in these traditional huts anymore, but it is interesting to see how the construction keeps them cool and comfortable in the hot weather. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/65eeb09a-6d4a-4116-8b25-71b9243447ee/IMG_2428.JPG Blog - Stopover That Almost Didn’t, Nadi Fiji - Make it stand out Oh! Glorious Sunset. Reminds me of the quote by Kristen Butler - “Sunsets are proof that no matter what happens, every day can end beautifully.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7a336073-5e05-49d0-b4fe-57dd31bee49b/IMG_2444.JPG Blog - Stopover That Almost Didn’t, Nadi Fiji - Make it stand out The resort had a daily schedule of activities to keep visitors busy, but I enjoyed the evenings on the beach, soaking in the sunset and watching the local fire dancing and other cultural activities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7e797f2b-c670-4527-877e-eae8bbcadb01/IMG_2531.JPG Blog - Stopover That Almost Didn’t, Nadi Fiji - Make it stand out The Sleeping Giant. The true gem to visit is the garden that is nestled at the foot of the mountain. Beautifully landscaped with orchids, lily ponds, it’s a delight to walk through to get to the viewpoint. If you ask, the lady at the front desk will also give you mosquito repellent to make your walk more enjoyable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/67a23b7c-89cc-413c-b6aa-7081d79df435/IMG_2536.JPG Blog - Stopover That Almost Didn’t, Nadi Fiji - Make it stand out The whole island is lush and green. My driver was very obliging and stopped where I wanted to stop and even took me to Denarau island to show me the golf course and the large resort properties. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/138cee14-7de2-4620-8722-45121f62a6a0/IMG_2454.JPG Blog - Stopover That Almost Didn’t, Nadi Fiji - Make it stand out The Hindu temple in Fiji is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. This is just a smaller structure that is on the massive complex. They were painting the facade and most of it was covered by a black drop cloth plus it was extremely hot and I was not prepared to walk on the hot concrete in search of a visit and some additional photos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/23ce5701-207e-4df8-b032-c376e0a47089/IMG_2549.JPG Blog - Stopover That Almost Didn’t, Nadi Fiji - Make it stand out I passed on the thermal pools but decided to go with the massage. When I got to the Massage Room, it was one large room with massage tables laid out one next to the other and communal massages. It truly was an experience and after some internal debate I stripped off and lay down on the table for one of the best and cheapest massages ever. Traveling certainly broadens your perspective; I thought nothing could surprise me after the Hamam in Morocco but …. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d8220a3a-3848-41b9-841d-5465c67e8507/IMG_2471.JPG Blog - Stopover That Almost Didn’t, Nadi Fiji - Make it stand out Part of my tour included the local markets but due to it being Sunday most of the markets and shops were closed so instead we went out to a farmers’ market out in the suburbs that sat snoozing in the heat. I got to see Cassava, Taro and Kava roots that the locals use for locally fermented alcohol. This lady was so happy when I stopped by her stall and so disappointed that I did not buy anything but still gave me a smile as I took her picture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/23f63100-3a19-4652-a370-76091280c120/IMG_2436.JPG Blog - Stopover That Almost Didn’t, Nadi Fiji - Make it stand out Lighting the torches https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1e3b75ca-646d-4317-a824-8fb33ca23fe5/IMG_2403.JPG Blog - Stopover That Almost Didn’t, Nadi Fiji - Make it stand out The Crowne Plaza resort was a fabulous respite amongst the rigors of travel, their breakfast buffet was impressive, one of the best I’ve seen in a while and the room rate was so very affordable. I thought my grandchildren would really enjoy it but my son of course is leery of the 11-hour flight to get here with two small children. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/cruising-through-the-polynesian-islands monthly 0.5 2025-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2f8d54b9-cbaa-4c23-ae22-c86ed50084f6/IMG_2015.JPG Blog - Cruising through the Polynesian Islands - Make it stand out Since the weather and the wet is not conducive to keep the bottoms of the boats rust free, the locals have these hangar-like things that hold the boats above the water when not in use. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dc4b0c23-88d9-479a-8b37-7f19e4f58f63/IMG_1873.JPG Blog - Cruising through the Polynesian Islands - Make it stand out Even in India where I grew up, I have not seen trees laden with mangoes like I saw here in the islands. I enjoyed eating the delicious mangoes every day with my breakfast. What a life. According to Google Statistics based on 2024, I took 19004 photos, 497 videos, captured 1130 smiles and had a streak of 30 days in a row when I took photos every day. 2025 has just begin, let’s see how I fare in 2025. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8715229b-80d8-4037-ab22-9879a619d2c5/IMG_1464.JPG Blog - Cruising through the Polynesian Islands - Make it stand out The people of the islands are Christain, having been converted to Christianity by the various missionaries that made their way to these islands with the European seafarers. All of the islands boast beautiful stone churches of the various Christian denominations. Many of the sacred pagan places that the islanders worshipped were destroyed during this phase but a few survived and in fact I believe we actually saw Marae on every island that we visited. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c7a4b5fa-fc06-4437-a2d9-ce0a10ddccb7/No-2214_PG301124_MOOREA_%C2%A9StudioPONANT-MargauxFLOURY.jpg Blog - Cruising through the Polynesian Islands - Make it stand out I saw turtles in so many different places but alas never got to be able to take a picture so this one is not mine, but I couldn’t resist including it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/876928d4-c395-4c8e-a8f1-926e55272829/IMG_1481.JPG Blog - Cruising through the Polynesian Islands - Make it stand out On the island of Huahine, in addition to the blue-eyed eels we saw these fish traps that have survived through the times. Our guide told us that this is the lazy way to catch fish since all the fisherfolk have to do is to relax, drink beer and wait for the fish to come into the trap. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5095dd83-6035-4979-b3e5-34cf1d16b185/IMG_2001.JPG Blog - Cruising through the Polynesian Islands - Make it stand out Island living at its finest. I could see myself laying on the beach with my kindle a fresh green coconut beside me after a morning of snorkeling. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1807d39c-2187-4b23-b505-ec9bcdf9a944/No-2151_PG301124_BORA+BORA_%C2%A9StudioPONANT-MargauxFLOURY.jpg Blog - Cruising through the Polynesian Islands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/00fd70a0-8e1f-4a6d-8c2f-56a974ab13c5/IMG_2087.JPG Blog - Cruising through the Polynesian Islands - Make it stand out We had a day on the Paul Gauguin private island that was set up complete with an elaborate Barbeque, bars, a few shops and even a massage tent where you could enjoy the ambiance of the ocean breezes while you got a massage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/08ff6a3b-1902-49ac-a905-445157e09060/IMG_2239.JPG Blog - Cruising through the Polynesian Islands - Make it stand out The quintessential over the water bungalows of the resorts that are liberally scattered over these islands. The ultimate in resort living. We also visited the bungalow that Marlon Brando stayed in while filming Mutiny on the Bounty before he bought his own private island and created a resort where he entertained friends and family. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0d07597d-65fd-4291-8446-724973a69522/No-2025_PG301124_HUAHINE_%C2%A9StudioPONANT-MargauxFLOURY.jpg Blog - Cruising through the Polynesian Islands - Make it stand out One of the nuggets of knowledge I picked up during my travel in this region is that UC Berkeley has a campus on Moorea where undergraduate and graduate students can come to take classes in biodiversity and ocean related studies. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a65aac69-1a54-4126-886c-9e2f06f32cb9/IMG_1948.JPG Blog - Cruising through the Polynesian Islands - Make it stand out Crabs apparently eat the hibiscus flowers that are rampant all over the island. We did a demonstration throwing out these flowers from the windows of our tour bus and saw the crabs come crawling out of their hidey holes to drag the flowers. The flower in this case as you can see is significantly bigger than the crab dragging it. I’m glad they served soft shell crab the day before because I don’t think I’d have had the heart to eat them after seeing this scene. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8fb706c7-eb5c-4f47-90f3-aab2f1000172/IMG_2028.JPG Blog - Cruising through the Polynesian Islands - Make it stand out Most of the islands don’t have farmers markets etc. and the locals just bring their home-grown fruit and vegetables and set up a roadside stand to sell them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/175638e2-896a-474b-8fd4-cb51ae7e99dd/No-2110_PG301124_BORA+BORA_%C2%A9StudioPONANT-MargauxFLOURY.jpg Blog - Cruising through the Polynesian Islands - Make it stand out No wonder the local people don’t worry about how much they make or the cost of living on the islands since they have plentiful fruit, vegetables, and fish. Snorkeling and diving are a dream for enthusiasts of water activities. The water is warm and clear and beautiful even if you just wade into it. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/cook-islands-south-pacific monthly 0.5 2024-12-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/198983b1-7a20-403b-8bb0-eade93a9f664/IMG_1784.JPG Blog - Cook Islands South Pacific - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/23436c51-bb5c-4b34-b0fc-9517de0e679f/No-2068_PG301124_AITUTAKI_%C2%A9StudioPONANT-MargauxFLOURY.jpg Blog - Cook Islands South Pacific - Make it stand out I loved watching the early mornings as the ship navigated from open sea towards the island DuJour. Watching the green specs and the volcanic rock formations come in wreathed in clouds was a fantastic experience. One day I saw dolphins dancing along the side and of course there were birds that I didn’t necessarily recognize. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f1847252-0ad6-4334-9344-72e32ac951c9/IMG_1720.JPG Blog - Cook Islands South Pacific - Make it stand out An introduction to the many and varied fruits in season during this time of the year. The land is so fertile that one gentleman told us that if you eat a mango and toss the seed into the ground, within a month you’ll have green shoots which will eventually turn into a tree. We passed trees laden with bananas, mangoes, papayas. I treated myself to papaya and mango every morning at breakfast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/12456ebc-5f55-46c3-ad16-0fcb4ce768a3/No-2047_PG301124_AITUTAKI_%C2%A9StudioPONANT-MargauxFLOURY.jpg Blog - Cook Islands South Pacific - Make it stand out The water is so crystal clear that you can step into the water from any beach and put on goggles and put your head down and you’ll find underwater beauty. The colors are phenomenal. I did not have an underwater camera, so this picture is not mine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1b19124f-68e1-48d2-91f6-ac62f68e5fa6/No-2065_PG301124_AITUTAKI_%C2%A9StudioPONANT-MargauxFLOURY.jpg Blog - Cook Islands South Pacific - Make it stand out The islands are surrounded by a coral reef that protects them from the roughness of the ocean. The lagoons are shallow, beautiful and calm. The water is warm. What a wonderful experience to just wade into the water and bask in the sand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/62b73865-f46c-4b23-8aaa-3067599e1e90/IMG_1659.JPG Blog - Cook Islands South Pacific - Make it stand out Christianity is the prevailing religion. All the various denominations are present, and sometimes almost impressive brick and mortar churches mark the islands. On one island one of the tour guides told us that they were 99% Christian and 1% other, the other being a Muslim transplant who had moved to the island. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b8bdd5c6-53dd-4ea7-86da-c63ad4bc1889/IMG_1590.JPG Blog - Cook Islands South Pacific - Make it stand out The islands are simple, people seemed to be happy and colorful. Most of the people live on these family lands, their dead buried right by their houses for the most part. Money doesn’t mean much to these people who are happy living on their ancestral lands, farming and fishing and living a happy life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7621d7a1-4332-461e-a136-f712e4f7e8bd/IMG_1701.JPG Blog - Cook Islands South Pacific - Make it stand out While in New Zealand I had heard the story of how the Māori people came on 7 canoes to settle the country. While the people did not originate here in the Cook Islands, they stopped here to rest and provision. A memorial marks the site that represents each of the seven canoes. How wonderful when the history carries across multiple countries giving it more depth. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/050a379a-5959-4ba1-a5cb-6a798892986f/IMG_1778.JPG Blog - Cook Islands South Pacific - Make it stand out These islands are all volcanic in nature and continue to contract and expand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b679e43d-e70f-408d-bdb4-25b11f08af48/IMG_1605.JPG Blog - Cook Islands South Pacific - Make it stand out For this first foray I decided to cruise the Society and Cook Islands. At the Cook Islands the ship has to stop outside the Coral Reef and there is no way to anchor so the ship actually is in constant motion as the tender takes passengers to the shore. The waves were high, and it was like an e-ride in Disneyland to board the tender and to deboard when you were back at the ship. On one such foray, I was next in line to disembark when the waves suddenly had us rocking and the poor seaman was clutching at my arm to keep me stationary. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4d87ecd5-70f6-4a79-a1e8-4052c6dd137c/IMG_1767.JPG Blog - Cook Islands South Pacific - Make it stand out Bright colorful tie dye sarongs sway on lines in the wind. In India, the process is laborious with little seeds or beads tied into the fabric to form the patterns. Here they just fold and knot and dip in the vegetable dyes they use and voila in the space of a few minutes they have a sarong. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5ca53b4d-cbd2-4f8a-a51b-389a965fa10b/IMG_1807.JPG Blog - Cook Islands South Pacific - Make it stand out At every island we got to experience their local dances. What a wonderful experience it’s been. French Polynesia here I come. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/auckland-new-zealand monthly 0.5 2024-12-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/aa6ee0b5-f10e-41f1-848e-11dbd4fda384/IMG_1254.JPG Blog - Auckland, New Zealand - Make it stand out Such a typical idyllic view of this part of the world. I could sit with a snack or coffee and feast my eyes on all this beauty. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b41fb605-04ff-4bc2-828a-b9ce8767d3c0/IMG_1300.JPG Blog - Auckland, New Zealand - Make it stand out This house from the windows of the Hop on Hop off bus looked weather beaten and appealing. Actually, the picture makes it look so much nicer than reality. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c92a0083-e2e7-4dc6-a5a5-123433d13d99/IMG_1066.jpg Blog - Auckland, New Zealand - Make it stand out The Parnell neighborhood once in decay and decline is now a flourishing neighborhood full of shops and restaurants. I had a delightful lunch here as I wandered through the street and shops. There is even a restaurant called O’ Calcutta here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2b689e17-183e-4c4a-876f-f3304598a828/IMG_1099.JPG Blog - Auckland, New Zealand - Make it stand out As I spend my last couple of days exploring Auckland, I made my way up to Bastion Point overlooking the Waitemata Harbor. Not only is it a beautiful overlook with views across the water and the city but it also marks the history of Māori protests against the land grab by the Europeans. If not for this protest this area might have been filled with buildings and hotels instead of open and free to people to wander around and soak in the atmosphere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6a29c1ec-4d9c-4001-92fd-722c693278c2/IMG_1224.JPG Blog - Auckland, New Zealand - Make it stand out This is low tide in this marina, when the boats flop around like they’re recovering from a drunken binge. I did actually get to see this same marina when the tide came in and it will surprise you that all these tippy boats were upright and ready to sail. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/62278661-85b1-4676-afa3-114cb4798dd5/IMG_1132.JPG Blog - Auckland, New Zealand - Make it stand out The ferry terminal was busy and bustling when I made my way there to catch the ferry to Waiheke Island. While I waited for the next ferry, I met a delightful lady who gave me the 411 on what to do, how to do and how to enjoy this part of New Zealand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dea71ed5-8909-41e2-9d9d-20c8bdf77bbd/IMG_0810.JPG Blog - Auckland, New Zealand - Make it stand out Goodbye New Zealand, I have thoroughly enjoyed my wandering here. What a beautiful country with so much to offer visitors. People need to visit at least once if they can. More adventures are calling to Wandering Veena as she limps her way across the Southern Hemisphere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/988a685d-e1c7-4e92-8495-fc083318a02f/IMG_0955.jpg Blog - Auckland, New Zealand - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1dea6868-98f3-47d3-af80-d388dfd8fa1f/IMG_1327.JPG Blog - Auckland, New Zealand - Make it stand out Waiheke island, one of the wine growing regions in New Zealand. I visited several wineries but 3 that stand out to me. Goldie the oldest winery on the island, now managed by the university of New Zealand, Mudbrick where I tasted the best blush wine slushy and Batch which had some gorgeous views. My friend at the ferry terminal suggested watching the sunset from Mudbrick but I was tired and had a long trip back to Auckland so I left and missed what I’m sure would have been a spectacular sunset. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/331c6153-2d9b-4a97-9509-31589995b8d1/IMG_0816.JPG Blog - Auckland, New Zealand - Make it stand out It comes as no surprise that even though it is summertime in the Southern Hemisphere, all the countries celebrate Christmas Holidays just as we do here, many of them dreaming of the white Christmas that they see in movies and pictures. Everywhere you look Christmas decorations were out in full force. In fact, I ran into a group of young ladies on their way to New York for their holidays with a wish to see snow and enjoy a white Christmas. Another English transplant told me that it’s weird to celebrate with the typical Christmas meal and then go to the beach. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9b984180-ca13-4505-ad7f-80651a5841c1/IMG_1039.JPG Blog - Auckland, New Zealand - Make it stand out The Winter Garden, a special place to T-Rex and Charlie Mouse 2 characters in a love story by one of favorite Kiwi Authors, Nalini Singh. With its beautiful fernery and greenhouse full of flowers, I could understand why it might have been special to the author and her characters. I love when I can bring my love of travel in synch with my love of reading. So many of my travel destinations are inspired by the books I read. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/the-south-island-new-zealand monthly 0.5 2024-12-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/072350d7-b929-45e1-b9b9-1bfafa4b317f/IMG_0415.JPG Blog - The South Island ~ New Zealand - Make it stand out We set off from Christchurch on the scenic Transalpine Kiwi Rail Express for Arthur’s Pass. The road to Franz Josef had been closed due to a rockslide and it was not certain whether it would open in time for us to make it to Franz Josef. Disembarking at Arthurs Pass we met our coach and made our way towards Franz Josef stopping at some of the gold mining towns on our way. Fortunately the road opened just in time for us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/18eea0b6-884a-4749-893a-5d96e74c6caf/IMG_0247.JPG Blog - The South Island ~ New Zealand - Make it stand out While a helicopter tour of the glacier was not something our tour company offered as an option a couple of my friends had done it and urged me to definitely splurge on this. What an experience to fly over the pristine white tops of the glaciers and see the Tasman Sea in the distance and waterfalls trickling along the hillside thanks to the snow melt. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/adff9596-93d7-4f1c-9b7b-f9a3c4deaca0/IMG_0789.JPG Blog - The South Island ~ New Zealand - Make it stand out Finally, Queenstown and our beautiful hotel on the lake. The sunset that I could see from my room overlooking the lake. Three nights to wake up and go to sleep on this gorgeous view. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1e42b8d3-41b6-4931-8a7d-a6c2582bb587/IMG_0470.JPG Blog - The South Island ~ New Zealand - Make it stand out Then the quirkiness of the Kiwis, the Bra fence. Don’t recall quite how it got started but it did. Then a local older lady complained, and the police cleared it but soon they were back. Now no matter what they do to clear off the fence, the bras are back and in greater numbers than ever before. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/18dc93bf-2df0-4584-9447-d566703a0db6/IMG_0780.JPG Blog - The South Island ~ New Zealand - Make it stand out Thus ends the tour portion of my New Zealand itinerary. A goodbye to all the new friends over dinner accompanied by fabulous wine. I still have a couple of days in Auckland before embarking on another portion of my epic adventure, so stay tuned. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8fce996a-a50c-44bf-9515-678c0c468d77/IMG_9950.JPG Blog - The South Island ~ New Zealand - Make it stand out Another cute neighborhood around the corner from our hotel. Apparently, this has been created to simulate California. To me it seemed more European than California but who am I to argue with a local’s perception. And no, I did not eat there. While I did not go with the group to the downtown Market, food court I did eventually make my way there and had a fun time tasting a few different things from the various stalls that included Nepalese momos, Sushi, Samosas, and various other icecream, coffee and chocolate options. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c285f14e-0756-4c7e-8d35-145081313a57/IMG_0306.JPG Blog - The South Island ~ New Zealand - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5612d154-491f-4122-be87-e92350a974bc/IMG_0579.JPG Blog - The South Island ~ New Zealand - Make it stand out Perhaps I should have also included Canada to the countries the scenery reminded me off as we stopped at the Mirror Lakes and walked along the lookout points taking in the scenery and views. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2143b6ad-ba58-4e5b-a434-53b30b635665/IMG_0214.JPG Blog - The South Island ~ New Zealand - Make it stand out Aaron our tour manager had been cautioning us that we shouldn’t have high expectations about seeing the glacier because the glaciers have retreated considerably. And truly there was not much ice or snow to see from the glacier viewpoint I split off from the group and did what was supposed to be an easier hike but ended up being the prettier one since I made my way to this lake and enjoy a visual feast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/51088f9f-a484-4c60-8948-07bd3be50be6/IMG_0649.JPG Blog - The South Island ~ New Zealand - Make it stand out Milford sound was the mecca, the most beautiful place in the world and we would be blown away when we visited. Of course, that would be the day that the weather gods decided to extract their vengeance for all the gorgeous, beautiful sunshine we had enjoyed in New Zealand. While the boat trip down the sound did not meet all expectations, but if you braved the rain you were rewarded by a beautiful view like this. And you got to see waterfalls all the way home to Queenstown. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3d4a432b-c7b2-4278-81bf-89f2fd969ebf/IMG_0693.JPG Blog - The South Island ~ New Zealand - Make it stand out Then the day cleared up and beautiful sunshine greeted us on the other side of the mountain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/79a38bf9-9168-46a6-9674-2556d2ce8b83/IMG_9911.JPG Blog - The South Island ~ New Zealand - Make it stand out Flying from Wellington to Christchurch was a surreal experience. After checking in our bags, we walked to our gates at Wellington with no security to cross, bottles of water intact in our carry-ons. The feeling intensified when we arrived in Christchurch and went directly to this newly restored area which was what the entire city looked like before a devastating earthquake wiped it out. Modeled for Cambridge or Oxford you have to pinch yourself to believe you’re not walking those venerable halls. The city even has an Avon River, where you can punt. I was looking forward to creating my memories of my visit to Cambridge but by the time I got to the river for punting I was too late and there was no one there. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/212d1ff8-517f-46de-aa5d-e49194571ed7/IMG_0439.jpg Blog - The South Island ~ New Zealand - Make it stand out Then began the long journey through some spectacular scenery towards Queenstown. I felt at times like I was in Switzerland with the sparkling blue of the alpine lakes that we passed and/or stopped at or in Norway with its magnificent mountains and myriad waterfalls. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/kia-ora-aotearoa monthly 0.5 2024-11-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a7076725-c571-4e91-97af-88f5b576f7a5/IMG_9633.JPG Blog - Kia Ora Aotearoa - Make it stand out Christianity was introduced to New Zealand in 1840 and missionaries traveled along New Zealand establishing churches and stations and educating the Māori about Christianity and converting them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/26215779-bf33-4339-a0b0-8cf12f986f72/IMG_9456.JPG Blog - Kia Ora Aotearoa - Make it stand out I’m not sure that we even realize that we don’t see birds other than seagulls or ducks in Los Angeles, so it’s a real treat when you hear birdsong all the time and catch glimpses of birds just sitting and enjoying their morning. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a8a22ee6-da0c-4085-a9e2-a919ae848c1b/IMG_9821.JPG Blog - Kia Ora Aotearoa - Make it stand out The city of Wellington spread out on the hills above the harbor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/31d8beec-c9a5-4e93-b3e1-1c48ced07a94/IMG_9454.JPG Blog - Kia Ora Aotearoa - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7f125ccc-cd92-4b3b-8850-80f92f65feff/IMG_9201.JPG Blog - Kia Ora Aotearoa - Make it stand out Stories about Peter Jackson who has led New Zealand into being one of the premier filming destinations in the world were shared by Aaron and of course New Zealanders are so proud and continue to bask in the glow from the Lord of the Rings. If you’re a fan, a visit to Hobbiton is a must. As we left the train at Arthur’s Pass, we passed a museum dedicated to LOTR with a large statue of Gollum on the rooftop. Wellington Airport is styled as the airport of the Middle Earth and there is a large statue of Smaug the dragon in the check in area and eagles soaring on the ceiling by the departure gates. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/eef2f495-388e-402b-9840-833e70f7847a/IMG_9466.JPG Blog - Kia Ora Aotearoa - Make it stand out The hills were alive with the yellow of the gorse. What a wondrous site even though gorse is invasive and not good. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b2e4535b-3944-42d2-9ccf-34cd729242d5/IMG_9603.JPG Blog - Kia Ora Aotearoa - Make it stand out Mission Winery in Hawke’s Bay. New Zealand wine of course is famous, and we drank it with dinner or even lunch. I love the Sauvignon Blanc that I’ve tasted in the US and enjoyed a fabulous one with my cousin in Australia however much of the wine that we drank along the way left me underwhelmed. I have discovered that it is important to know exactly what you like and skip the house wine if you want to drink good wine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a6b88675-09d9-461d-839a-5f8306846e60/IMG_9429.JPG Blog - Kia Ora Aotearoa - Make it stand out while we were to see many amazing waterfalls along our journey these rapids cum falls were the first we stopped at. Apparently, people perform daredevil stunts here though we were not witness to any. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/56024940-6e61-482c-9b94-9571ea0c8353/IMG_9167.JPG Blog - Kia Ora Aotearoa - Make it stand out New Zealand has more sheep and cows than humans and yet they need more if this corrugated steel huge edifice is a witness. By the way these are public toilets in a small town along the roadside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/63a4e28d-bd75-4f2d-8423-7ce21aa99509/IMG_9831.JPG Blog - Kia Ora Aotearoa - Make it stand out What a fabulous journey across the North Island, learning about the Māori culture, the historic hikoi protesting the proposed changes to the treaty of Waitangi though we escaped all the crowds who had dispersed by the time we showed up in the downtown government area, seeing Hakka live and enjoying all that this part of the world had to offer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b5aeb215-042a-42a9-a411-cec45bc3fde8/IMG_9363+-+frame+at+0m9s.jpg Blog - Kia Ora Aotearoa - Make it stand out In Rotorua we got to see bubbling mud pots and steaming geysers. It reminded me so much of Yellowstone and Iceland. I did not get a chance but some of the folks from our group visited the spa with its many bubbling pools. The pool in our hotel was over 100 degrees. The steam warmed rocks ranged from too hot to moderately hot and there were signs everywhere warning people about sitting on the rocks to take in the views. I actually found one that was just right and sat there warming my legs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fb7f7282-978d-43c4-a3eb-70ae225c49b5/IMG_9486.jpg Blog - Kia Ora Aotearoa - Make it stand out Since I did not stop in Auckland before embarking along the North Island, this was the first inhospitable black rocky beachy that I got to see. As I watched warmly clad in my jacket, I saw a guy emerge from the water after his swim. I will say the locals are definitely a hardy lot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1f249bd4-96fd-4ec2-978b-0ddc84d89a51/IMG_9405.JPG Blog - Kia Ora Aotearoa - Make it stand out So many new words, Hikoi the peaceful march and Hakka the warrior dance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/42f746c7-35f6-448c-b3d8-dafa22c2e95a/IMG_9817.JPG Blog - Kia Ora Aotearoa - Make it stand out Māori carvings and tattoos are rich in personal stories and the stories of the people. While in New Zealand we got to visit many sites like Te Puia in Rotorua and Te Papa museum in Wellington to see and learn about the Māori culture and history. All along our journey across the islands, Aaron our tour manager shared the myths and legends in each region that we were passing through. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4e2fedaf-8916-4fd9-9ef9-d7bc3207e945/IMG_9551.JPG Blog - Kia Ora Aotearoa - Make it stand out Napier, the original city was complete destroyed and rebuilt in Art Deco style. This is the building that once housed the town’s newspaper. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/sydney-australia-the-land-down-under monthly 0.5 2024-11-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b308e99e-f10a-4ab7-9e47-8711bee34c67/IMG_8632.jpg Blog - Sydney, Australia, the Land Down Under - Make it stand out Standing here watching the fishermen fish in the ocean, I am reminded that if I were to sail far enough, I might actually wash up on the shores of the Americas. So near and yet so far. It’s astonishing that most scientists and seamen predicted that there had to be a large landmass in the Southern Hemisphere to balance all the landmass in the Northern Hemisphere and yet it took western explorers a long time to actually make their way here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f3b1d7c1-fe36-46a6-990a-44e92e99a809/IMG_8946.jpg Blog - Sydney, Australia, the Land Down Under - Make it stand out Another interesting inlet along the way as I toured the harbor via a harbor cruise. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4b8fe640-259a-4677-9dde-854255e1dcbc/IMG_8916.jpg Blog - Sydney, Australia, the Land Down Under - Make it stand out The Sydney city skyline as the sail boats dipped and swayed with the wind was breathtaking from the harbor cruise that I took. At a glance without the unmistakable harbor bridge and opera house in the view it might look like any other large city by the water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1b1aa772-68f3-47f8-bd58-3191390392dd/IMG_8758.jpg Blog - Sydney, Australia, the Land Down Under - Make it stand out Let’s not forget that Sydney was once the like the wild west and home to many of the convicts who had been sent away for various crimes. In an attempt to tame and bring some law and order the Hyde Park Barracks were set up to house the prisoners in Sydney. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2bc41019-4e03-46f0-a7de-1f8b41d5ef8c/IMG_8977.jpg Blog - Sydney, Australia, the Land Down Under - Make it stand out So many names from books that I’ve read, Rose Bay, Double Bay, Manly. I heard quite the discussion with family who currently live in Sydney about their favorite beaches even as they voiced their disdain for Bondi. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9cb4eac3-9202-41a2-aee8-17837a40c32c/IMG_8801.jpg Blog - Sydney, Australia, the Land Down Under - Make it stand out Neighborhoods that once might have had a humble start have been revamped and are now some of the most expensive real estate in Australia as well as some of the most eclectic and interesting dining destinations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b4f1d55d-7e02-4c58-b2fb-23e202b6e485/IMG_8825.jpg Blog - Sydney, Australia, the Land Down Under - Make it stand out Darling Harbor, so many neighborhoods full of fabulous restaurants with beautiful settings along the waterfront including the famous Harry’s Pies that has served meat pies to the likes of Prince Harry, Frank Sinatra and Chris Hemsworth. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/932039a3-58d1-40e2-b185-c600d470c19f/IMG_8642.jpg Blog - Sydney, Australia, the Land Down Under - Make it stand out Street art has become such an artistic expression in most major cities of the world and Sydney is no exception. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9cd37d20-6006-474a-b7b5-84e98e149a54/IMG_8565.jpg Blog - Sydney, Australia, the Land Down Under - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cb0f00d0-f109-4378-bfbb-815fd2dab0b3/IMG_8877.jpg Blog - Sydney, Australia, the Land Down Under - Make it stand out Street cafes like this abound all over the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/64c91f85-505f-42d5-8fd9-fa369f5a1ed4/IMG_8881.jpg Blog - Sydney, Australia, the Land Down Under - Make it stand out The Sydney Opera House is an architectural marvel. While I did not have time for a tour inside, a lady I met along the way raved about it. I did however thanks to my cousins in Sydney have an opportunity to attend a performance inside one of the smaller theaters inside. It was an intimate, one-of-a-kind experience with superb performers, a bit of an adult show. What I really liked is how the country recognizes and pays homage to its first nations people before kicking off the performance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/12d47d5b-1223-4a02-8bd4-198ad8d1e185/IMG_9005.jpg Blog - Sydney, Australia, the Land Down Under - Make it stand out And yes, we did adjourn to the Opera Bar after the performance and enjoy the beautiful nighttime ambiance of the circular quay. This was after we enjoyed dinner on the water before the show as well. All in all, one of the best evenings during my time here in Australia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5b8426f6-6326-4f15-9a1c-8627655e85ab/IMG_9075.jpg Blog - Sydney, Australia, the Land Down Under - Make it stand out Despite the weather that threatened rain almost daily and remained somewhat overcast during my time in Sydney, I actually managed to do everything I planned included making my way into the blue mountains to pay a visit to the three sisters. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d9eba140-b1cc-4bbc-af73-2ca8853da53e/IMG_8995.jpg Blog - Sydney, Australia, the Land Down Under - Make it stand out When I was sitting at home in Los Angeles planning my trip I thought that I had allowed enough time to explore Australia. Today as I contemplate on my last evening in Australia, I realize I have but scratched the surface and whetted my appetite. Perth, Adelaid, Darwin and the Kimberly, I did not even make my way close to that part of Australia. Of course, I did crazy things like ride a coach for 5 hours to go from Ayers Rock to Alice Springs because I read “A Town Like Alice” when I was a teenager, then I visited the office of the Flying Doctor Service there and worried all my friends who thought I had sought medical attention and not visited as a tourist attraction. I have enjoyed the time that I have spent and if God is kind and my body is willing, I’ll make it make for round two. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/99066cde-98d3-4327-ad07-4a0c0974c045/IMG_8598.jpg Blog - Sydney, Australia, the Land Down Under - Make it stand out Bondi Beach, one has to definitely pay a visit to another well known icon though as my cousin said there are better beaches all along the Sydney coastline and we did actually get to visit some of them and even have lunch at Clovelly Beach which happens to be a particular favorite with my cousins. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/queensland-australia monthly 0.5 2024-11-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/de18f9da-8256-424d-9432-905c61230c5d/IMG_8127.jpg Blog - Queensland, Australia - Make it stand out The fish are not visible from the air but of course they are visible under the water and through the glass bottom boat and the walking platform that is surrounded by water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7f73acb1-a5ff-4d44-8a06-a9e1728d2935/IMG_7545.jpg Blog - Queensland, Australia - Make it stand out I don’t think I ever figured out why this bridge was named the storybook bridge, but it reminds me so much of the Howrah Bridge in the city of Kolkata where I grew up. I took the ferry which cost me 50cents to ride up and down the Brisbane River enjoying all the sights from the river including the many bridges. I hopped off at one of the quays famous for its many restaurants and enjoyed a meal by the water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f05609df-96c2-4572-865b-0c7a4108fe8a/IMG_8457.jpg Blog - Queensland, Australia - Make it stand out Wandering the markets in Kuranda village that had all manner of very interesting hand made goods for sale. I learned how the first nations people make a digeridoo by allowing termites to hollow out a piece of wood and then a process to treat and preserve it. I listened to an expert play it. No, I did not buy one though I was definitely tempted. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8547b74a-c3e5-4c55-a0ae-ab1786f73731/IMG_7628.jpg Blog - Queensland, Australia - Make it stand out The Shrine of Remembrance with its eternal flame is a war memorial dedicated to the Australian and New Zealand forces; the Anzacs. The shrine is dedicated to soldiers of all wars including World War I. In the park below the shrine is a wall with the cities from which these brave men and women hailed written in metallic letters. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/09346fed-2b3d-457a-a638-b776a3fe8055/IMG_7707.jpg Blog - Queensland, Australia - Make it stand out Of course, one can’t come to Brisbane and not visit the famous Gold Coast and Surfer’s Paradise. The town and the beach have become very crowded and touristy and there are several other spots that are more popular with the locals now, but of course I had to visit Surfer’s Paradise with its stories of the bikini clad meter maids and taps spraying suntan oil. Many of these things are memories now and inscribed in large photo posters along the beach. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cd1cfa11-8ce4-43d2-bf46-21d328e37bd7/IMG_7599.jpg Blog - Queensland, Australia - Make it stand out The Brisbane River looks like a giant winding snake and in fact I found from one of my traveling companions as we came in to land that it’s often referred to as the “brown snake”. Established as a penal colony at the mouth of the river, the city has grown into a beautiful modern city, full of impressive skyscrapers, beautifully preserved old architecture and a host of bridges that crisscross the city. American history also is remembered here in the MacArthur Building which once served as the headquarters for the Pacific Theater of war. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9ccda881-9eca-437f-9798-aa132547db77/IMG_8103.jpg Blog - Queensland, Australia - Make it stand out Then it was onto Cairns, my first stop being the reef. I took a helicopter tour and seeing the immensity of the reef from air is mind boggling. What I saw definitely beats any photo that I could take. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bbb4286c-ff77-4203-abfa-37f95d6b9294/IMG_8546.jpg Blog - Queensland, Australia - Make it stand out The Queensland Coast from the air https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/63cd3ee0-03bc-456d-a143-76173fe5a9cc/IMG_8530.jpg Blog - Queensland, Australia - Make it stand out While we went skimming up via the Sky Rail, we came back down via the scenic Kuranda Railway. Unbeknownst to me I was booked into Gold Class which kept my wine glass full to the accompaniment of snacks and a gentleman serving us who constantly gave us the heads up to keep our cameras ready for the next incredible photographic opportunity. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ec1d05a3-ae74-4d6b-b5fb-9757de0d10a5/IMG_8333.jpg Blog - Queensland, Australia - Make it stand out Cape Tribulation where the Endeavor, Captain James Cook’s ship ran aground on coral. He named it Tribulation because that’s where all his troubles began. To think that I was standing on the same beach where the famous Captain James Cook and his crew first landed in Australia and annexed it for the queen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b34dc5ae-ed31-4264-8791-9e58105a1a6d/IMG_8443.jpg Blog - Queensland, Australia - Make it stand out Next stop an exploration of the rainforest. I took a few different trips to explore the rainforest. The first took us driving and walking with a boat trip on the Daintree River thrown into to hunt for crocodiles. We never did see any crocodiles and in hindsight I think I could have skipped this day tour. My favorite was the Sky Rail (cable car ride) that takes you skimming over the tops of the trees, sometimes inside the forest giving you an incredibly unique experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cf96a0ae-3796-4758-9824-44264933b69f/IMG_8520.jpg Blog - Queensland, Australia - Make it stand out The view from the top of the sky rail looking back. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/the-start-of-an-epic-journey-down-under monthly 0.5 2024-11-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d207ea41-d45b-4322-8ab3-509fad59cf5d/IMG_7315.jpg Blog - The Start of an Epic Journey, Down Under - Make it stand out Queen Victoria Market was established in 1878. It has long rows of merchandize alphabetized. Everything from fresh fruits and vegetables and clothes can be found here. It happened to be market day when I made my way there and so it was extremely crowded. I found it hard to ignore some of the similarities between the British Colonial influence here and in Kolkata where I grew up. The facade of Kolkata’s new market is probably more impressive in comparison but the quantity of the goods here is outstanding. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/df42f9c6-6b62-4d97-9571-a2abeeefed05/IMG_7002.jpg Blog - The Start of an Epic Journey, Down Under - Make it stand out This seeming sculpture intrigued me as I saw it through the window of the tour bus. So of course, I had to snap a picture and then research to find out that it is an integrated approach to artwork paired with habitat called the Habitat Filter. It features a series of ‘pods’, the largest over 25m high, with a range of sustainability elements including specially designed nesting boxes for birds and bats, solar panels to offset nighttime lighting energy needs and the use of recycled materials in construction. I wish more cities would embrace beauty with the need to take care of the environment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/554c613d-9a6e-40b9-8605-24788287c101/IMG_7478.JPG Blog - The Start of an Epic Journey, Down Under - Make it stand out Of course, the grand finale was the Penguin Parade watching the penguins coming home from the sea after spending their time hunting and gathering to fee their babies. It’s a fascinating sight and since the penguin eyes are sensitive to light photography is not allowed but instead the penguin parade folks provide you with free downloadable photos. What an amazing beginning to a trip of a lifetime. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fed83f18-a36a-4ba8-9e48-9b7eec54ed5b/IMG_7348.jpg Blog - The Start of an Epic Journey, Down Under - Make it stand out The Block Arcade is a historic shopping arcade constructed between 1891 and 1893. It is considered as one of the late Victorian era’s finest shopping arcades and contains stylish shops and cafes. With my love of English high tea, it was inevitable that I would end up here for a late breakfast of scones and tea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8b0fb387-9436-440d-9a14-cc967069b9b8/IMG_7205.jpg Blog - The Start of an Epic Journey, Down Under - Make it stand out The Twelve Apostles are a collection of limestone stacks formed by erosion of the local limestone. Apparently there never were twelve and there’s some speculation about whether there are now 7 versus the original nine but it is a beautiful sight from the lookout point. There was also some tongue in cheek regarding the fact they might have originally been named the Sow and Piglets, but the Twelve Apostles was deemed as more suitable to attract tourists. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/29ea2542-0945-4353-bd2a-04714077d614/B76B32F8-8B5E-42A8-8DC7-C927E2F20D3C.jpg Blog - The Start of an Epic Journey, Down Under - Make it stand out I saw my first Koala in the wild. I had somehow imagined that Koalas live in groups but in reality, each one has his or her own tree. They live their life happily munching and sleeping. Since it was emphasized so often while we talked about Koalas, I want to add my penny’s worth and tell you that they are not bears, they are marsupials. There were many wallabies in the local area, and I was also lucky enough to catch this baby penguin still in his/her nest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c1394216-ef8e-4264-84e0-95d943596115/IMG_7337.jpg Blog - The Start of an Epic Journey, Down Under - Make it stand out The Victorian Gold Rush attracted people from all parts of the world. Ethnic communities were established within the city. Melbourne’s Chinatown is known for being the oldest China town and the longest continuous Chinese settlement outside Asia. As one local jokingly told me nowadays it’s not much, we only go there for the food. I however did not eat there because I was determined to do scones and clotted cream at the tearoom. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0f9e1a5d-4fef-4e5d-ab83-164f5d44e34b/IMG_7301.jpg Blog - The Start of an Epic Journey, Down Under - Make it stand out The City Pier had a prominent sign wishing all a very Happy Diwali. Made me homesick for a moment thinking of friends and family celebrating and observing all that this festival means to Indians particularly Hindus. The fact that this sign is displayed in such a public space in such a large city gives one insight into how many Indians must live here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8b95a040-c451-4224-bb85-234362c52e1f/IMG_6929.jpg Blog - The Start of an Epic Journey, Down Under - Make it stand out One of my best friends in Melbourne during the short time that I was there, free trams within the CBD (or Central Business District). No need for a hop on hop off. Just take tram number 35 that’s called a circle tram around the city and hop off at the various attractions or take a tram going north south or east west. So long as you are within the CBD the trams are free. What a wonderful way to explore and save your legs. Melbourne has the largest network of trams in the world, I was told. I think about Kolkata the city where I grew up with trams that have now been eliminated thanks to progress. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/15f84fff-4c04-4f09-8d7d-0330f09d715d/IMG_7050.jpg Blog - The Start of an Epic Journey, Down Under - Make it stand out The Great Ocean Road was built by soldiers returning from World War I. The Australian Government used this opportunity to house, feed and gainfully employ their returning veterans, while serving a need for the country. Dedicating the highway to all those fallen during the war makes this the largest war memorial in the world. Interestingly enough Australia consulted the great state of California and modeled this after the Pacific Coast Highway. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/576603c9-f302-40bf-ac9d-572c43dc8e84/IMG_7102.jpg Blog - The Start of an Epic Journey, Down Under - Make it stand out The scenery is spectacular as you drive along and very reminiscent of the beauty that we have around us back home in California. The road hugs the coast which is known as the Surf Coast during this stretch of it before it winds through the rainforest (green coast) to open back up into the area with the interesting limestone formations making that stretch the shipwreck coast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3d27f326-5163-464d-8409-d459191188a3/IMG_6998.jpg Blog - The Start of an Epic Journey, Down Under - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3f9329c1-6e51-40dd-b4cf-13dbcf4728e7/IMG_7240.jpg Blog - The Start of an Epic Journey, Down Under - Make it stand out Another viewpoint along the coast is the stunning Loch Ard Gorge with its enduring story of Tom, a ship’s apprentice from the Loch Ard who was one of two survivors from a 54-person ship and a young Irish beauty called Eva. The local press at the time romanticized the story of the heroic rescue but alas nothing permanent came of the stories and Eva returned to her homeland in Ireland leaving Tom to continue with his sailing life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d94b0ee0-a13e-460b-a749-1a987930a808/IMG_7368.jpg Blog - The Start of an Epic Journey, Down Under - Make it stand out On my last day it was off to Phillip’s Island to get closer to nature and see some of the local flora and fauna of the area. Until this bridge built from recycled materials was constructed the only way to cross over was by ferry. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/home-again monthly 0.5 2024-11-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bdbed854-a9a6-44f2-95b7-5efb2184f196/IMG_6659.jpg Blog - Wandering Close to Home - Make it stand out I found my imagination captured by this Gangster Gardener exhibit that focuses on revitalizing communities in Los Angeles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f59c1fbf-c4f2-4327-a771-e2d27faccc5a/IMG_6765.jpg Blog - Wandering Close to Home - Make it stand out It was a glorious morning, and my camera took great pictures or so I think as I made my way along this city block enjoying the sunshine and ambiance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e3b199a1-a642-45c1-8103-88d2822b49cc/IMG_6525.jpg Blog - Wandering Close to Home - Make it stand out My friend Jane made a short stopover in Los Angeles on her way to New Zealand with her friend Lisa. I gave them the 5-cent tour of Los Angeles which included this preening sea lion in Marina Del Rey amongst other things. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7b5890ba-1e75-49ac-8d9f-e974dd117357/IMG_8341.JPG Blog - Wandering Close to Home - Make it stand out Then it was a visit to the nearby park that has a lake and ducks on it. Not only did I enjoy my walk snapping pictures of ducks and water and people, but I also gave my camera a workout. A little bit of this and a little bit of that helps to manage the wanderlust while I’m home and dreaming of the next big trip around the blue yonder. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/26d561a7-aca4-4aa1-b78b-8be3416f976a/IMG_6782.jpg Blog - Wandering Close to Home - Make it stand out I got my new iPhone 16 and wanted to give it a whirl and work out the kinks and settings on the camera before I headed out on my next big trip. So, I decided to drive along the coast and stop for a fabulous sea food lunch along the way. My friend @malachana was my fellow wanderer on this trip. As we got to Mugu Rock which is a man-made phenomenon not too far from the naval base the sky was beautifully blue, and the rock stood out. I however decided to walk a little further so I could get a good frame with the rock silhouetted against the water and lo and behold the marine layer decided to drift right over and veil everything. From that point on the cover never lifted and I ended up with grey drifting ghostly pictures in time for a Halloween theme. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/21f6b400-6753-4b6d-8994-91dc1293e295/IMG_6490.JPG Blog - Wandering Close to Home - Make it stand out Fortunately, the outside garden does not have a photography restriction and the ornated fountains have a very Spanish and Moorish (shades of Alhambra) touch. With the Pacific Ocean swathed in the marine layer that is so much a part of the coast at this time of the year, ghostly images of surfers, and the Malibu Pier played hide and seek as we walked outside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c2783ea1-5d5a-497b-b74c-d663f35ef588/IMG_6788.jpg Blog - Wandering Close to Home - Make it stand out The seagulls were pretty friendly and seemed to be gazing at the grey clouds waiting for the sun to break through even as a few intrepid ones lifted off to investigate if there was blue beyond the grey. Since it was not to be, I decided to save my camera experiment for another day and after enjoying fresh seafood along the coast at Neptune’s Net a popular motorcycle and surfing hangout near the coast we made tracks for home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/026dada2-b446-4e9f-9e0f-484a5da3a253/IMG_6627.jpg Blog - Wandering Close to Home - Make it stand out The Hammer Museum in the heart of UCLA territory of Westwood. All summer I have been wanting to visit but it wasn’t until one recent Saturday I was able to make my tracks there. I remembered my last visit, many years ago and the thought-provoking exhibit that I had seen at that time. While I enjoyed the old masters in the Armand Hammer Collection, I enjoyed some of the other exhibits as well including bee sculptures. I did also want to try out the newly refurbished restaurant that has gotten great reviews but as it turned out they were shutting down for a private event just as I made my way down there. Ah well! this will only give me another opportunity to visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0581e105-0816-49e6-8809-a77fe4b369a4/IMG_6456.JPG Blog - Wandering Close to Home - Make it stand out On an enviable seafront location in Malibu stands this beautiful mansion that was once a wedding gift and started out as a summer home only to eventually become a real home to Rhoda and Merritt Adamson. Built in 1929, the house has beautiful, handcrafted touches and the most gorgeous tiles throughout the house. What I found most fascinating is that everything in that house was locally sourced and crafted including the furniture. No photography inside the house and the only way to see it is via a docent led tour that is really worth it. My friend @Achint was my wandering companion on this visit. What a great way to meet friends, exercise a little wanderlust and enjoy a superb lunch in good company. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a3d163a0-d7a7-44d2-b4cb-15d419a30d96/IMG_6537.jpg Blog - Wandering Close to Home - Make it stand out And then the magic happened. As we drove along the Pacific Coast Highway, the sun broke through the crowds and he beautiful blue vista appeared. We might have been on a tropical island so beautiful was the sight of Santa Monica in the distance and people walking the seashore looking for seashells. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/38858692-9c60-4212-95ef-2d21e2c3a54e/IMG_6857.jpg Blog - Wandering Close to Home - Make it stand out Sunrise from my bedroom window. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1734ef49-c1d4-4307-9f17-3d338ea10dad/IMG_6726-EDIT.jpg Blog - Wandering Close to Home - Make it stand out I love books and bookstores so one morning I decided to combine my next camera testing experiment with a visit to the Lost Book Store in Montrose, a quaint town nearby. An old-fashioned toy store, a carpet store, a lot of interesting restaurants. To my delight I found out that the owners are opening a store soon near my neighborhood. Can’t wait to check that one out when it opens. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/arrivederci-italy monthly 0.5 2024-10-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9024a4ae-a3f5-4247-919d-78f3a4f89ba2/IMG_6327-EFFECTS.jpg Blog - Arrivederci Italy - Make it stand out We had clearly saved the best for last. A wander through the terraces of the Duomo and a peek inside the church itself. Definitely skip the line, elevator access is a must though keep in mind that the elevator access takes you only to the first level and there are still about 90 or so steps to take you to the send level and then a descent via the steps all the way down to the church. Of course, I got to cheat, I was moving down the steps at snail’s pace, so the security guard took pity on my and escorted me to descend from level one to the church via elevator. The beauty of the terraces and the views make this a must see destination. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/02cd884a-55d7-48e0-93f4-3b86d18f5552/IMG_6124.JPG Blog - Arrivederci Italy - Make it stand out Before this trip to Italy, I asked my nephew who is well traveled in Italy for his favorite destination in Italy and he said hands down Bergamo. So of course, I had to visit and form my own impression of this beautiful medieval town. An hour’s train journey from Milan, and a bus ride from across the train station took us to these Venetian Walls that surround the upper city full of beautiful churches, towers and castles and a view to die for. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/36570f45-8eda-49b9-ac76-4dd2b85944be/IMG_6393.JPG Blog - Arrivederci Italy - Make it stand out We were staying the night at the airport Sheraton in preparation for our early morning departure and so it was time to say goodbye and make tracks to our hotel to pick up our luggage and car for the hour or so ride to the airport. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/56d4c0f5-fca7-4e22-b889-f8613efc9b88/IMG_6145.JPG Blog - Arrivederci Italy - Make it stand out A funicular takes you from the Citta Alta still higher to San Vergilio with its quaint architecture, beautiful old church and more breathtaking views from the highest point here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/faacb86e-7420-4a6d-a5ff-bb6f2195235c/IMG_6094.JPG Blog - Arrivederci Italy - Make it stand out Lights, camera action. One last look at the city of Milan as the hours fly by. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/784e8ff0-c32c-45a5-807d-2f11bd107d33/IMG_6399.JPG Blog - Arrivederci Italy - Make it stand out As our plane took off, the snow-covered alps were beneath my wings. Arrivederci Italy, until we meet again. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/20e2b1fd-50c7-477d-9fac-b68dc64dc0e8/IMG_6146.JPG Blog - Arrivederci Italy - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0938fd80-c93b-4cde-9f7b-ae245b772f2e/IMG_6271.JPG Blog - Arrivederci Italy - Make it stand out As I window shopped my way, I decided to combine my two favorite foods espresso and gelato and treated myself to an Affogato. I think I can still taste the delight of the espresso with hazelnut gelato. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/441f4c7a-ed76-49d4-ae8a-7087f24ae2f3/IMG_6262.JPG Blog - Arrivederci Italy - Make it stand out our time in Milan had mostly been spend in and around the Duomo or on day trips outside the city. As our time in the city came to an end, I decided to take on last lazy walk around the heart of the city, enjoying the street performers and people enjoying their coffee and lunch breaks. My walk took me to the Castle Sforza where a safety demonstration of some sort was taking place, and these vests were floating in the fountain. After spending some time listening to the various languages and conversations around me, I headed back towards the Duomo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c42d54d5-f21b-4e5d-bf16-7d4fd11166c5/IMG_6104.JPG Blog - Arrivederci Italy - Make it stand out Within Italy so many of our journeys began and ended right here at Milano Centrale. Milano Centrale is so much more than a train station, it’s a destination in itself, a place to wander, a place to absorb the color and noise. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2a05c0ca-2a80-4a5d-98e5-6530f67e7642/IMG_6377.JPG Blog - Arrivederci Italy - Make it stand out The inside of the church is of course magnificent. It was just our luck that the nail from Christ's cross had been removed for cleaning and was to be replaced the next day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7bfebbb0-9f21-45fe-94fd-c6834170334f/IMG_6227.JPG Blog - Arrivederci Italy - Make it stand out A walk through the walled city to take in the interesting shops, churches and piazzas takes you to the Piazza Vecchia and the civic tower, the "Campagnone" located in the heart of the Citta Alta. A fabulous lunch sets the right tone for a little more wandering before making tracks back to Milan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/806f961d-0e68-4bbd-937a-ae336d20d227/IMG_6389.JPG Blog - Arrivederci Italy - Make it stand out A last Aperol Spritz that became my favorite cocktail in short order and a small dinner in the bustling city before heading out. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ebe72d43-0f9a-476f-b812-d3d6e8dbad8a/IMG_6251.JPG Blog - Arrivederci Italy - Make it stand out The first time I saw the notice that Starbucks was opening their doors in Milan, I wondered how they would fare but as you can see it’s pretty popular if the people milling about, here are any testament. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/prosecco-and-grappa-vicenza-italy monthly 0.5 2024-10-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ebd5c181-c574-4009-9fff-a4cb9895fbbc/IMG_5892.jpg Blog - Prosecco, & Grappa Vicenza, Italy - Make it stand out The sunshine had deserted us once more as we made our way towards the Prosecco Hills amongst dark clouds and a slight drizzle. However, nothing could hide the beauty of the green patchwork of the small vineyards that dot the hills and valleys that stretch as far as the eye can see. We were to taste the Prosecco at SOMMARIVA, Palazzo Rosso. First, we got the tour and an education into Prosecco production and bottle and packaging. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9306351d-111c-4edb-a7b3-627b0fe6b988/IMG_5982.JPG Blog - Prosecco, & Grappa Vicenza, Italy - Make it stand out Grappa is definitely an acquired taste and for many of us it was one and done. It was so funny to see all the faces and grimaces around the room. I couldn't resist waving to the two peeping toms who were looking at us through the little window overlooking the tasting room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f9c80dcc-ffe6-4e6d-9e75-b5657eeecc37/IMG_6093.JPG Blog - Prosecco, & Grappa Vicenza, Italy - Make it stand out Finally, my first Aperol Spritz and Aperitivo Mailan style enjoying the sunset, the lively crowds and soaking in the atmosphere. There's still a couple of days in Milan before we bid Italy Arrivederci. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0348585b-ecdc-4ddb-b08f-73c4b2326610/IMG_5940.jpg Blog - Prosecco, & Grappa Vicenza, Italy - Make it stand out Our stop was the beautiful town of Bassano del Grappa and the local Grappa that is distilled at a distillery called Poli. As we approached the town, we were greeted to the beautiful sight of the Ponte Vecchio also known as the Ponte Degli Alpeni, a covered bridge that dates back to the 13th century. Along the way we also got an education on the Alpini the famous mountain infantry that was formed to defend Italy's Alpine borders way back in 1872. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/eefeccd3-6ed0-4caa-aad7-4ca8b95ad2aa/IMG_6029.JPG Blog - Prosecco, & Grappa Vicenza, Italy - Make it stand out Vincenza as we descended the hill on our way from our hotel to the train station. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/393600a9-93b4-4ecc-b2aa-f44231ab80fc/IMG_6087.JPG Blog - Prosecco, & Grappa Vicenza, Italy - Make it stand out But the day wasn't over yet, after a fabulous vegetarian pizza at a small cafe near our hotel and a nap we were refreshed and ready for a night on the Naviglio Grande, the grand canal of Milan with its crowds of people enjoying the evening. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/240127b8-bd2b-495e-bf5c-82a8d1f33452/IMG_5912.jpg Blog - Prosecco, & Grappa Vicenza, Italy - Make it stand out And then the main event, up a flight of stairs where we greeted by a beautifully set table already laid out with charcuterie boards, bread and condiments. Then came the various vintages that had been selected for our tasting. Each one was accompanied by food that paired perfectly. A veritable feast that we enjoyed thoroughly regardless how short a time it had been since breakfast. SOMMARIVA, does export to the US and I am going to look for my favorites here at the local wine stories. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/195f1331-e9ae-4b93-8f10-a0c815b83674/IMG_5989.JPG Blog - Prosecco, & Grappa Vicenza, Italy - Make it stand out The town is very picturesque with its cobbled streets and medieval architecture. Shops selling all manner of pottery and other products as well as restaurants line the streets and plazas. Of course, our visit was wet and cold, and people congregated to the little cafe for a spot of hot coffee to warm up. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d7396d5b-651b-4b0e-9a23-208a55e6bf12/IMG_5949.jpg Blog - Prosecco, & Grappa Vicenza, Italy - Make it stand out The day had been pretty overcast with some drizzle but as we approached the town and prepared to exit our transport for our guided walk the rain started to come down hard. To our amusement, Guilliana our guide had been playing a playlist of sunshine songs to no avail. Fortunately, we were prepared with raincoats and umbrellas. The view from the bridge is breathtaking with the alps in the background and the colorful buildings of the town highlighting the river flowing through them. Armed with our cellphones and cameras, the entire group ignored Guilliana's request to make it to the grappa tasting first and then free times and pictures. Sorry some things just need to be done in a certain order, regardless of schedules. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dfaafb8d-4546-4c7f-bce9-a6d67b6aa79e/IMG_5960.JPG Blog - Prosecco, & Grappa Vicenza, Italy - Make it stand out A battle was fought here during World War II and many of the houses along the river still have bullet holes that one can see. The elite fighting force the Alpini destroyed the bridge to try to stay the tide of battle, but the town was hard hit and about 30 of the Bassanese partisans were caught and hung along the street. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/21140ac1-eedb-4f42-8c17-9d529768c794/IMG_5929.JPG Blog - Prosecco, & Grappa Vicenza, Italy - Make it stand out Unfortunately, all good things come to an end and so we bid goodbye and headed off to the last item on our itinerary, Grappa. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/27815f95-8133-4ed3-8cb1-846bcb31123e/IMG_5986+%281%29.JPG Blog - Prosecco, & Grappa Vicenza, Italy - Make it stand out We did make it to the distillery and even posed and took pictures with the founder's statue and touched his hat for good luck as the sign suggested. Watched a moved and toured the museum before making our way to the tasting room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2dd4e9e1-80f6-45b7-9359-39bdfda4401c/IMG_6033.JPG Blog - Prosecco, & Grappa Vicenza, Italy - Make it stand out And lo and behold after a final dinner together and many hugs and goodbyes later @Ushrani and I were on a train from Vicenza to Milano. We became quite the experts on train schedules and statuses as we sat on the cold platform in Vicenza waiting for our train that was a half hour late. Keep in mind we were also a half hour early given our American mentality of hurrying up to get everywhere. We made friends with a young man on the platform who gave us a quick tutorial on navigating the Italian train system that stood us in good stead for the remaining travel that we had planned. Poor guy I am sure he was very happy when his train came, and he could leave the two brash, needy, American ladies behind. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/foodie-central-emilia-romagna-italy monthly 0.5 2024-10-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/274d19dd-e5a2-4fd6-be8e-e6b33d46a80f/IMG_5769.JPG Blog - Foodie Central ~ Emilia Romagna, Italy - Make it stand out After a tour of some of the major sites of Bologna we got to the main event of our program here. This map so aptly summarizes why the province of Emilia Romagna has the reputation for being Foodie Central. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/96cae75a-513b-4d1c-bfb7-ab4164298014/IMG_5698.JPG Blog - Foodie Central ~ Emilia Romagna, Italy - Make it stand out Bellies full of fabulous fare we were let lose to enjoy a little bit of time in the city strolling around the churches and shops. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4d1912b9-fb9e-4a03-bbd1-00b01bef8f2d/IMG_5866.JPG Blog - Foodie Central ~ Emilia Romagna, Italy - Make it stand out After the day long feast, we barely managed to roll out of the bus into our gorgeous historical hotel on the outskirts of Vincenza province. Finding our room was like traversing a labyrinth until we found it tucked it away in a corner after ascending some steps, descending others and turning a few corners. Our room was complete with a little window overlooking the gardens at the back, with a sloping wooden room complete with a skylight on which we could hear the soothing pitter patter of rain. Prosecco and Grappa still to come. Thank God for the sightseeing portion which included some walking to help make room for the fabulous food and wine that we were consuming on a daily basis. I read some posts from other travelers who complain about the quality of the food or the quantity of the wine, let me tell you this is one itinerary where the tour company does not stint on quality or quantity. I have never been fed so well on any organized group tour before. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0f89db06-2bfe-4820-9ab8-f922cf8990f7/08A868C4-D231-423A-8FE2-7F9991EA1B3E.jpg Blog - Foodie Central ~ Emilia Romagna, Italy - Make it stand out First stop on the foodie trail in this section of our itinerary was a stop at a high-end Balsamic vinegar operation. The vinegar is like black gold and family traditions and vintages are closely guarded much like wines in the wine growing regions. When a child is born in the family. the current year's vintage is barreled with the child's name and birthdate. In bygone days these were dowry that went with a girl when she married and left home. The vinegar is aged through 5 barrels, each barrel smaller and more concentrated than the last. A small concentration of aged vinegar is used to kickstart the process. It's quite interesting when they explain the process stating how the starter from an ancestor's barrel is used to kickstart the fermentation process. Depending on the aging process, the vinegars are used for different purposes including a variety that can be used with fruit and dessert. We thoroughly enjoyed the tasting and the education. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/951af80d-4363-4046-b3dc-c2b30397d120/IMG_5660.JPG Blog - Foodie Central ~ Emilia Romagna, Italy - Make it stand out With all the vinegar but no food or bread we were feeling pretty peckish as we pulled out from the vinegar tasting. But not to worry, we were soon pulling into a traditional village trattoria. Traditionally the Nonna cooked hearty fare for all the folks that worked the farms in the area. At lunch time all the worker bees stopped by for a quick filling home cooked meal so they could go back and continue to work the land. Our meal was definitely not quick as wine flowed, accompanying the different dishes that made up our lunch. The lady next to me was vegetarian and her pasta looked and smelled delicious whereupon she shared some with me. Thanks to where I was sitting, I got to enjoy both the vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Replete we left for our one night in Parma. In an interesting side note there are a lot of Sikhs from India who have settled in this region producing Parmesan Cheese. We, however, were quite a distance from the town where these Sikhs are based and could not make it to see their operation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7fbee24d-f52c-41af-9132-f19bc77a77f2/IMG_5751.JPG Blog - Foodie Central ~ Emilia Romagna, Italy - Make it stand out We strolled through the oldest food market on our way to our food tasting though our guide stopped at a variety of shops to explain and introduce us to various foods that are traditional here. As our guide explained, no part of the pig is wasted here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7d42ba24-d833-44d7-a57c-09c74383b157/IMG_5838.JPG Blog - Foodie Central ~ Emilia Romagna, Italy - Make it stand out As we all snoozed off our full stomachs the bus made its way to Vicenza where we were to spend the last couple of days in country with the tour. We all desperately needed the stroll through the quaint town with its medieval buildings and squares. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fbc267a0-e991-4653-858b-f869455f08fc/IMG_5717.JPG Blog - Foodie Central ~ Emilia Romagna, Italy - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/42d6f7de-3891-4e22-9593-343ad06cfa1c/IMG_5728.JPG Blog - Foodie Central ~ Emilia Romagna, Italy - Make it stand out Besides its reputation as the foodie capital of Italy, Bologna boasts of the oldest university in the World established in 1088 where it has been the site of study for canonical and civil law. We truly only walked the ground floor which is absolutely beautiful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/450ebdab-4bc9-4571-8192-c15b57129efe/IMG_5774.JPG Blog - Foodie Central ~ Emilia Romagna, Italy - Make it stand out In Italy food consists of meat, pasta and vino. On our stroll through the food market, we saw fresh fruit, fresh fish, fresh handmade pasta and of course the various varieties of ham and pork and shops selling vino. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a36cc9fb-a0ad-4f66-8610-1ea4a1d004d8/IMG_5852.JPG Blog - Foodie Central ~ Emilia Romagna, Italy - Make it stand out As we headed into Vicenza we had more food on our itinerary for the evening, an introduction to Venetian Cicchetti accompanied by local Venetian wines. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/the-ligurian-riviera monthly 0.5 2024-10-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e5470a87-5bee-4ece-ae7e-98eb8e86d616/IMG_5569.JPG Blog - The Ligurian Riviera - Make it stand out As the day wore on, the crowds in these little villages continued to grow as did the crowds at the train station. The narrow streets were made narrower still with all the boats being pulled up along the sides of the street and the growing crowd of people walking and enjoying the afternoon. With warnings about pickpockets ringing in our ears we made our way to the train station through the crowd keeping a hand on our bags and wallets. Human nature is so contrary, the day before many had been unhappy with the rain and gloom, today it was hot and muggy. Nothing is perfect but we had a tiring but full and perfect day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a6b8d7e7-f150-46c5-befd-16a398270a48/IMG_5410.JPG Blog - The Ligurian Riviera - Make it stand out We ordered the local treat, paciugo which is a delicious concoction of gelato, berries and cream. Yum, yum, good to the very last drop and lick of spoon. The cafe owner was in a mood to chat, and Usha was very curious about the stories she had heard about the Ambani celebrity guests who had visited during the summer and shut down the town for their exclusive visit. We sure got the inside scoop as the cafe owner regaled us with how the entire town was taken over and all the cafes and restaurants cooked to order for these special celebrities. Something that has never happened before in their history and he doubts would happen again. It's definitely the talk of the town as was at our hotel where the concierge told us about their 4-star hotel that had been booked to house some of the staff that were attending the celebrities on board the cruise ship. There is a very small local Indian population in Santa Margarita, but it so happened that one of the hotel staff was an Indian gentleman from Mumbai. He told us how all the locals pestered him about his nonexistent invitation to the festivities. Interesting kettle of fish indeed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c670feed-afed-46e6-8c45-08381a99bb3b/IMG_5593.JPG Blog - The Ligurian Riviera - Make it stand out It was a wonderful experience navigating all these beautiful villages using public transportation though of course we had guides and whispers in our ears telling us about our approaching station. After a brief nap back at our hotel to refresh ourselves, we decided to spend the evening on the patio of our hotel enjoying aperitivos and the sunset across the expansive beauty spread out before us. After a fantastic couple of days here in the Ligurian Riviera we were ready for the next stage of our adventures in the foodie region of Italy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/65bfe467-414b-4e75-902d-fa82f19adc62/IMG_5546.JPG Blog - The Ligurian Riviera - Make it stand out Due to the choppy waters, all the boats were pulled up on land and I was amused to see this mom with her young baby using a boat to shade and change her baby. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/178b6f32-b1d5-4905-9550-272728627539/IMG_5584.JPG Blog - The Ligurian Riviera - Make it stand out While we missed the adventure of taking boats and ferries and seeing these picturesque destinations from the water, sometimes the views as we came out of the train stations was breathtaking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/be253a7f-51be-4210-89a3-5aec35e9ee11/IMG_5346.JPG Blog - The Ligurian Riviera - Make it stand out Christopher Columbus is a local boy born right here in Genoa. His discovery of the America's however was credited to Spain since it was Ferdinand and Isabella who financed his expedition, but the locals have honored him with a statue right here in the main square of Santa Margarita. Vendors of Bangladeshi and Pakistani origin wandered this area selling rain gear and tchotchkes. While I was not in the market for either I had quite the conversation with a young homesick Pakistani student. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e30989da-fbed-4621-9694-15244e167136/IMG_5360.jpg Blog - The Ligurian Riviera - Make it stand out There were not a lot of people wandering around here thanks to the rain, but I did notice a few daring people dipping their toes into the water and these young children exercising their high spirits along the rocky shore. No calls of caution from adult throats, I always wonder where the parents or other supervising adult is when I witness such situations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/aa754a49-97c0-4461-99d6-99685bfbe9ac/IMG_5517.JPG Blog - The Ligurian Riviera - Make it stand out A one stop hop on the train took us to the second town of Vernazza. As the rest of the group set off to go to the harbor area, I decided to stay closer to the train station, grab a Cappuccino and people watch. A good move as it turned out since the sky turned a bit threatening and a rain squall blew over the town as I sat safe and snug beneath an umbrella watching and listening to the people around me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6682c09f-cf56-45ff-8e0d-47f135a925f2/IMG_5326.jpg Blog - The Ligurian Riviera - Make it stand out Rain greeted us on arrival into Santa Margarita as we quickly dropped off our hand luggage at our hotel and made our way to the town itself where we had time for lunch if we wanted or wandering. The rain and drizzle certainly did not keep us from any activities, but we did have to adapt to the weather conditions. Private cars, buses and trains instead of ferries which were nonoperational due to the turbulence of the water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9ba13091-f11b-462a-b116-00ba46600d43/IMG_5470.JPG Blog - The Ligurian Riviera - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/400da89c-425e-4795-99ad-f41c586519e7/IMG_5514.JPG Blog - The Ligurian Riviera - Make it stand out Enough about gossip and onto bigger and better things especially the weather which dawned bright and shiny the following morning. Notwithstanding the day's sunshine the water was still choppy and turbulent and not conducive to ferries so trains it was as we took off to spend the day in the legendary beauty of Cinque Terra. Our first stop of the day was in Monterrosa. As you emerge from the train station the beautiful view of the water is right in front of you. We walked with our guide along the promenade to the village and enjoyed visiting the church and browsing through the quaint town before meeting back at the train station. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7b8ddfe3-a56b-4c0f-83ff-aaf66b274fe8/IMG_5553.JPG Blog - The Ligurian Riviera - Make it stand out Our last stop for this morning was Manarola a couple of train stops from Vernazza. While we had been warned on how challenging and demanding this day would be on us, fortunately both in the choice of the villages we visited and, in the weather, we ended up having a lovely and yet not too strenuous day. After a delightful lunch in a trattoria, tasting the local walnut inspired sauce that was absolutely delish and a limoncello spritz, we wandered to the waterfront to admire the picturesque scene that is featured as the calling card for Cinque Terra. I recalled our guide's warning at the start of our day that the colors of the houses are not as bright and bold as we are used to seeing in social media. I loved the pastel colors against the blue of the water and definitely wished that this was one village that we could have approached from the water for truly spectacular pictures. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c660b4cc-8e6c-4261-95f6-06ca51fbbcef/IMG_5399.jpg Blog - The Ligurian Riviera - Make it stand out We boarded our private cars hired to take us to Portofino in lieu of the ferries or public buses. Portofino was wet with the rain deciding to greet us with abandon as we walked from the taxi stand down towards the iconic waterfront. Despite the damp and overcast weather we managed to walk around and get a feel for this little spit of a town and dip into some of the shops that surround the harbor. Having heard of the local delicacy of fresh fruit and cream we had determined to get us some at the Dolce and Gabbana Gelateria. Unfortunately, they were not serving due to the rain and so we found a cafe that was happy for our business and parked ourselves under an umbrella and proceeded to get a load off our feet and engage in some interesting conversation with the cafe owner server. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/rice-truffles-barolo-nocciolo-piedmont-italy monthly 0.5 2024-09-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b51c8c9e-862b-4557-86a5-5d3de0eac36e/IMG_5170.JPG Blog - Rice, Truffles, Wine, Nocciolo ~ Piedmont Italy - Make it stand out The highlight of our afternoon/early evening was the traditional Italian Aperitivo at one of the oldest cafes in the area. Here amongst the traditional hors d'oeuvres we got to taste cocktails with vermouth which is another local specialty. I went for the Torino Milano which has Vermouth and Campari, and my table companion went with Bicerin a coffee layered drink. We happily split our offerings so we could taste both. A thumbs up to the Torino Milano but the Bicerin was just a glorified hot chocolate not quite the thing at cocktail hour. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b400a0f0-2141-4c23-b163-431a1edecffa/IMG_5131.jpg Blog - Rice, Truffles, Wine, Nocciolo ~ Piedmont Italy - Make it stand out We crossed several interesting chocolate, and other high ends shops to find ourselves at the Palazzo Carignano, birthplace of the first king of Italy and home to the first Italian Senate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/15346427-b1d8-40f7-89bc-f63e2df22e37/IMG_5180.JPG Blog - Rice, Truffles, Wine, Nocciolo ~ Piedmont Italy - Make it stand out The next day we were off to the Barolo Hills to taste Barolo wines that are special to this region. As we drove along, we learned about the hazelnuts that grow in abundance here and about truffles and how the most expensive truffle was found right here in them thar hills. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/77bbe517-9bfc-492c-a6b3-3dc319715002/IMG_5276.JPG Blog - Rice, Truffles, Wine, Nocciolo ~ Piedmont Italy - Make it stand out The locals eschewed the beautifully decorated interior of the winery and enjoyed their picnic in the sun. They looked like they were having such a great time that despite our own wonderful afternoon I felt a tinge of envy and would have loved to join them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c96b4989-6bb1-46b6-ae64-9623081ac97d/IMG_5059.JPG Blog - Rice, Truffles, Wine, Nocciolo ~ Piedmont Italy - Make it stand out We stopped a sleepy village in Piedmont where we felt like we were the only people walking around this very interesting farming commune and received an education on rice. Rice is used for a lot more than Risotto here including a rice brewed local beer that we got to taste. Risotto was the main rice course, and we learned how to make it. Many members of the group went up front and assisted the chef in stirring the pot and in general chatting up with a gentleman who spoke no English. Our entire multi-course meal featured rice in every course from the bread to the cracker that decorated our dessert. Interestingly I learned that even though they grow a variety of rice similar to the Indian Basmati rice they cannot call it that kind of like sparkling wine and champagne. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6bf09ef9-b1da-4cfb-a3c9-7bbc98748a2d/IMG_5254.JPG Blog - Rice, Truffles, Wine, Nocciolo ~ Piedmont Italy - Make it stand out Our chosen winery for the tasting and food pairing. We got a tour of the facilities and the hoops that the owners have to jump through to call their wines Barolo. A beautiful setting with some delicious food as a part of the food pairing. Barolo wines are mostly reds and out of the five that we tasted four were red, but I absolutely loved the one white wine that we tasted here. Now I have to figure out where and how to find some of my favorite wines and Proseccos here at home. No, I did not have wine shipped home. By the time we were enjoying our food and wine tasting, this place was buzzing with people, not a single table empty including the picnic area outside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1726939242858-Q99Y84C0368NIJP4JGJ7/IMG_5231.jpg Blog - Rice, Truffles, Wine, Nocciolo ~ Piedmont Italy - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/624435f9-a2ff-47f9-814d-246ae610fdac/IMG_5219.JPG Blog - Rice, Truffles, Wine, Nocciolo ~ Piedmont Italy - Make it stand out The grapes looked ripe for the picking, and I know despite questions regarding plucking and tasting several people in our group can attest to their sweetness. While it was a bit early for grape picking it seems that the abundant rains which we can definitely attest to have ripened the grapes earlier than normal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1726874214204-79HSRI62TBDRPW3R0KIC/IMG_5118.JPG Blog - Rice, Truffles, Wine, Nocciolo ~ Piedmont Italy - Make it stand out The best part of the transition areas is that you never know that you'll discover around the corner as demonstrated by this quirky upside-down head of Michael Angelo's David known as the Big Testone meticulously reproduced by Andrea Salvatori. I am sorry to say I missed the stars and coins inside the head but then we were busy taking photos and selfies and missed a lot of what our local guide was saying at the time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/549893e0-cd18-4777-8218-cc0488160f5e/IMG_5291.JPG Blog - Rice, Truffles, Wine, Nocciolo ~ Piedmont Italy - Make it stand out That afternoon, we got back to our hotel, and I sneaked in a short nap after all that food and wine before proceeding to get lost in the city. I wanted to look for some local chocolates and hazelnuts to take home with me and set off to find the local grocery store but soon found myself wandering far and wide. There was me trying to find Italian words, some signs and gestures and the person I was talking to shrugging his shoulders and pointing out a direction. What fun it is to get lost in a city. There were these interesting posters, a street market, a building with an oversize Thor's hammer in the courtyard and art galleries and even a theater. I did finally find the grocery store with a little bit of help but on the way there I also found a quaint shop selling some hand dipped chocolates manned by a sweet old shopkeeper. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7e4372a1-7538-438a-b47b-7f109136a43a/IMG_5296.jpg Blog - Rice, Truffles, Wine, Nocciolo ~ Piedmont Italy - Make it stand out After all the eating and drinking, dinner was not on the menu that night but there's always room for gelato. So, I grabbed my double scoop of hazelnut gelato from a highly recommended gelato shop in the square and sat down to enjoy the ambiance of the evening particularly as these beautiful lights came on. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/002f5404-09c0-44bd-8c65-7522937ef175/IMG_5152.jpg Blog - Rice, Truffles, Wine, Nocciolo ~ Piedmont Italy - Make it stand out Piazza Castella the main square with the palace, and other government offices full of people with the church around the corner where the shroud of Turin is located. The shroud itself is preserved in a metal container and you can't really see it let alone photograph it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/042b82fd-be76-4361-8ab4-6e1a9060d2c2/IMG_5114.JPG Blog - Rice, Truffles, Wine, Nocciolo ~ Piedmont Italy - Make it stand out After a satisfying lunch accompanied by wine flowing freely, we made it to Turin our night stop for a couple of nights. The afternoon was spent acquainting us with Turin and the role that it played in the unification of Italy. Not that I knew it then but our Limo driver on the way to the Milan airport talked about how full of themselves the people of Turin are for their role in the unification which in his opinion is overblown to say the least. It's always fun getting the inside scoop from the locals who tell it like it really is and not the tourist spiel. He was surprised that Turin was even on our itinerary given all the interesting places Italy has to offer. Regardless, I found Turin a very interesting city with a lot to offer in terms of beautiful historical buildings and the interesting passages or the transition areas as the locals call them. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/stresa-lake-maggiore-amp-lake-orta-italy monthly 0.5 2024-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/89041280-bb61-4f9d-8197-5e5ceef476ee/IMG_4894.JPG Blog - Stresa, Lake Maggiore & Lake Orta, Italy - Make it stand out Unfortunately, the sun was nowhere to be found the next morning as we drove along the lake towards Lake Orta. We picked up our guide from a local village close to San Guilio which was our destination this morning. The public ferry that we boarded was relatively empty and the rain decided to start coming down hard as we disembarked. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d1c5c7d2-fe49-4ddc-88a0-bec66edf286d/IMG_4979.JPG Blog - Stresa, Lake Maggiore & Lake Orta, Italy - Make it stand out For me these lower rooms with their motif of the sea decorated with shells and other elements of the sea are truly impressive. Apparently when Napoleon came here, he refused to sleep in the guest chambers instead he insisted on sleeping in these beautiful rooms. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/25ad700f-c569-4d67-b41c-9fbb8944d857/IMG_4992.JPG Blog - Stresa, Lake Maggiore & Lake Orta, Italy - Make it stand out Our evening wrapped up in the small fisherman island with a scrumptious dinner. It was time to move on to the Piedmont region where we would explore the foods made from rice, truffles, Barolo wines, chocolates and hazelnuts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7de1c906-04a7-42f6-8c0d-6dd43625f733/IMG_4994.JPG Blog - Stresa, Lake Maggiore & Lake Orta, Italy - Make it stand out This spiral staircase connects the basement to the upper floors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2f84bb9f-d79c-4082-8c6d-4d5185b1aac8/IMG_4828.JPG Blog - Stresa, Lake Maggiore & Lake Orta, Italy - Make it stand out We took the train from Milano Centrale to Stresa. In fact, during this entire trip we took several trains across Italy becoming quite the expert navigators and figuring out train schedules and platforms etc. The tracks were out of commission for a stretch that included Stresa, so we took the train to the last operable station and then transitioned to a bus that was waiting just outside the station to the Stresa train station where we took a taxi to our hotel. In total a trip that would have cost approximately 200 euro from our hotel in Milan or a 145 Euro from the Milan Malpensa airport cost us approximately 9 Euro per person by train. The Milan Central Station is a beautiful old building that is as much fun to explore as other architectural marvels in Italy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ff75f25e-79f9-41b0-84ac-cf2ad4731109/IMG_5039.JPG Blog - Stresa, Lake Maggiore & Lake Orta, Italy - Make it stand out Our room was beautiful with a terrace facing the blue waters of the Lake. We dropped off our luggage and decided to go explore the grand promenade that led from our hotel into the center of the town. As it turned out we never made it to the center of the town, instead we paused along the waterfront at a little cafe to enjoy gelato and take some pictures of all that we could see. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/851af705-28a9-4f54-9403-8059e6cd02fd/IMG_5033.JPG Blog - Stresa, Lake Maggiore & Lake Orta, Italy - Make it stand out After a short respite for lunch at the hotel and a chance for many of us to change our wet and damp clothes we were bound to Isola Bella the beautiful island palace of Prince Borromeo. The gardens and sculptures were magnificent and while rain threatened, and all was wet and damp we were able to walk through the outdoors relatively dry ourselves. The garden is famous for its white peacocks which seemed to be around along with several babies. I however did not find these peacocks impressive. It's possible that the rain had their feathers all droopy and bedraggled. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/34b486a4-9c76-4a1a-91f3-02e5779830d3/IMG_4948.JPG Blog - Stresa, Lake Maggiore & Lake Orta, Italy - Make it stand out The inside of the palace is magnificent. It was set up to a status symbol of the family's wealth and the beauty of the art furnishings, architecture, and artwork definitely impress. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/efa79468-420f-4642-9d47-2296f3cdcb20/IMG_4922.JPG Blog - Stresa, Lake Maggiore & Lake Orta, Italy - Make it stand out Fortunately, this part of our excursion was indoors as we explored the beautiful church with its gorgeous painted mosaics. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2967b016-9230-45a2-85dd-83d82bbd2c20/IMG_4843.JPG Blog - Stresa, Lake Maggiore & Lake Orta, Italy - Make it stand out Isola Bella https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bf9bc178-7b33-4942-bb26-649e6793ab82/IMG_4930.JPG Blog - Stresa, Lake Maggiore & Lake Orta, Italy - Make it stand out Another ferry boat dropped us off in the pouring rain to the town where we took a walk to explore what we could see in the rain. I decided to part ways with the group and instead found a nice cafe and treated myself to a hot Capuchino seated at a table by the water protected by a clear plastic cover. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/the-start-of-a-new-italian-escapade monthly 0.5 2024-09-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7a796af0-c58a-4594-88ee-886fda0e44b0/IMG_4450.JPG Blog - The Start of a New Italian Escapade - Make it stand out Fortunately, in Bellagio, the sun was shining, and the town was filled with tourists, sipping wine, exploring, shopping and in general having a good time. We too found our way to a restaurant with a view of the water and enjoyed an excellent lunch of Pasta accompanied by salad, followed by some shopping and general walking around the town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3288a4cb-ae4f-4e56-aafb-77510a917b89/IMG_4804.JPG Blog - The Start of a New Italian Escapade - Make it stand out And so ended our brief two-day sojourn exploring Milan and the areas around it where it began in Piazza Del Duomo. Tomorrow is the train from Milan to Stresa where we are to meet up with the rest of our group and begin our long awaited and looked forward to food and wine tour starting on Lake Maggiore. Stay tuned. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5603408f-7bf2-48bf-9382-bcd9a3e5e22f/IMG_4775.JPG Blog - The Start of a New Italian Escapade - Make it stand out From Verona, we made our way to Lake Garda where we got to sail around the lake and see the castle, and ruins and the bubbles from the hot springs that bubble from the bottom of the lake. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b907f503-d997-49fa-be71-afce1cab8ed2/IMG_4788.JPG Blog - The Start of a New Italian Escapade - Make it stand out One of the most expensive brands of watches has their name on this ramshackle falling down farmhouse in the middle of a vineyard. A sight from the window of the bus that just struck me as an anomaly to be noted and shared. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0ccb6291-a7ee-468d-8f90-039113cc01ea/IMG_4692.JPG Blog - The Start of a New Italian Escapade - Make it stand out But of course, we had to visit Casa da Julieta and see the famous balcony from whence Juliet is said to have cried "O Romeo, Romeo wherefore art thou Romeo?" Our guide gently suggested that it was best for the ladies in a couple to go to the balcony and the gentlemen gaze from the bottom, but the courtyard was crowded, and it appears that you need a reserved time slot to brave the balcony. Of course, the other weird thing here is grown people rubbing Juliet's breast, which apparently causes the statue to need to be replaced every so many years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d948dea1-e473-4570-a2e7-8a66ff4c948a/IMG_4241.JPG Blog - The Start of a New Italian Escapade - Make it stand out All roads in Milan lead to the Piazza Del Duomo and so of course did mine. It was still early, and the square was not bustling and full of people as it usually is after 9:00 AM plus the sky was ominous with thunderclouds and soon the rain would come pelting down. This was my first time in Milan since Covid and as I stood in front of the cathedral, I was reminded of that Easter morning when Andrea Bocelli sang Amazing Grace to an empty echoing square. Goosebumps arose on my arms, as I quickly made my way inside the galleria to meet our guide who was going to escort us on trains and ferries to Lake Como, Bellagio and Varena. The threatened rain showed up and we could only see wet and mist shrouded buildings and colorful umbrellas bobbing in our vision. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4a64a75a-7406-4319-937f-669055887078/IMG_4616.JPG Blog - The Start of a New Italian Escapade - Make it stand out Soon we were in Verona and making our way along the city center with a local guide getting to appreciate that Verona is a beautiful city and so much more than the home of Romeo and Juliet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3a7e939d-6876-49df-a473-1c1614a25fa5/IMG_4559.JPG Blog - The Start of a New Italian Escapade - Make it stand out By the time we made it to Varenna, the sun was shining, and it was time for a gelato by the water. I was starting to fade and more than ready to find a seat on the train and make my way to the hotel and take a load of my feet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0abe65a6-601d-406b-80e7-a08cf242639a/IMG_4265.JPG Blog - The Start of a New Italian Escapade - Make it stand out As you make your way down the steps from the train station in Como towards the center of the town you pass this interesting statue that is dedicated to service people disabled in the line of duty. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1c0cf3dc-3232-4084-adcf-7a960641a170/IMG_4578.jpg Blog - The Start of a New Italian Escapade - Make it stand out The next morning, Verona was on the agenda but on our way out of the city we passed the Bosco Verticale. Recognized as the most innovative skyscraper in the world in 2015 and the one of the fifty most iconic skyscrapers in the world in 2019. The building consists of ninety plant species distributed on the facades, designed to increase biodiversity through vertical greening and reducing urban sprawl. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/68dd35f3-bd68-477f-891b-64b3c3d18948/IMG_4709.JPG Blog - The Start of a New Italian Escapade - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2ad5e277-f7c9-4c9f-8899-333d7765af96/IMG_4370.JPG Blog - The Start of a New Italian Escapade - Make it stand out Sightseeing in the rain did not make for a good option so after a brisk walk through the streets of Como we made it to the Ferry. Fortunately, as we made our way along Lake Como the day began to brighten and the bright yellow, orange and cream so typical of the Italian lake and hillside towns began to brighten our bedraggled selves. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/goodbye-maritimes-new-brunswick monthly 0.5 2024-09-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7ee1f48f-e360-4ae6-ac77-fc3a014fbea3/IMG_3837.JPG Blog - Goodbye Maritimes New Brunswick - Make it stand out The Reversing Falls are a series of whirlpools, waves and white-water rapids that are created when the tides of the Bay of Fundy collide with the St. John River. At low tide, the Bay of Fundy tides are below the river and the flow of the water creates turbulent rapids and whirlpools that travel both clockwise and anticlockwise. At high tide the water in the Bay rises above the river and creates a reverse effect and huge waves. At slack tide when the water levels of the two are equal, there are calm waters, and these 20 minutes are the only time a boat can safely navigate the reversing rapids. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ba6f15de-0e6c-4017-a6cb-5c5f70c1cb17/IMG_3706.JPG Blog - Goodbye Maritimes New Brunswick - Make it stand out The Lobster Fleet docked in port. This area is famous for the lobsters, scallops, mussels and fresh sea food and fishing is one of the main industries here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/facfbc02-f5ce-4ac7-ac25-17636212653d/IMG_3736.jpg Blog - Goodbye Maritimes New Brunswick - Make it stand out St. John is the oldest incorporated city in Canada established by royal Charter in 1785. It has the third largest seaport in Canada and due to its location and the tides in the Bay of Fundy is one port that never ices over in the winter. The architecture of the city is an eclectic mix of Victorian, Romanesque, Georgian, Queen Anne and modern. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/234fdf07-b9d0-4783-b429-59e383d646dc/IMG_3763.jpg Blog - Goodbye Maritimes New Brunswick - Make it stand out The Three Sisters Lamp visible from three miles out to sea served as a lifeline for sailors navigating the tricky waters of the St. John harbor during the night. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c529fb62-9cb0-49c6-9ea6-a37b6ffe685b/IMG_3659.JPG Blog - Goodbye Maritimes New Brunswick - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/adc9bbca-049b-4d3b-a503-bac04cb07df4/IMG_3873.JPG Blog - Goodbye Maritimes New Brunswick - Make it stand out The entire Martimes region is rich in lighthouses. I wish we had had more time to explore some of the lighthouses. Perhaps one day I can look at creating an itinerary that features tracking and visiting historically significant lighthouses across Maine and the Maritimes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b2a22351-288d-44e5-9fdf-7e4d5f7b89fc/IMG_3642.JPG Blog - Goodbye Maritimes New Brunswick - Make it stand out They were not kidding when they called this the chocolate river. Colored brown by the sediment it carries, the Petitcodiac River flows about 79 miles across New Brunswick and past Hopewell Rocks which was our first destination in New Brunswick. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7f9727af-f291-45fd-aebe-b2ce78afc0df/IMG_4050.JPG Blog - Goodbye Maritimes New Brunswick - Make it stand out A grand finale, the last chance to enjoy the seafood in this area. Fabulous fresh lobsters. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f772277f-6791-4246-9b40-21ef075f19e7/IMG_3794.JPG Blog - Goodbye Maritimes New Brunswick - Make it stand out Kings Square an urban park in St. John surrounded by historically significant buildings like the Imperial Theater and the St. John City Market. Within the Park itself are markers and plaques paying tribute to individuals who have contributed to the city’s heritage. The square was first established in 1785 at the city's inception and then turned into a park in 1844. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4139ee64-86a0-48d6-9635-88e24589f4f5/IMG_3958.JPG Blog - Goodbye Maritimes New Brunswick - Make it stand out I've taken a large bite of the apple but there is so much more to explore both on the American and the Canadian side. I vaguely recalled that there is a lot of history in this region both good and bad but now my interest and appetite has been whetted. Au revoir, À bientôt, until we meet again. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/75c33d8a-e185-45dd-a926-92087c3a454b/IMG_3684.JPG Blog - Goodbye Maritimes New Brunswick - Make it stand out The Hopewell Rocks are also called the flowerpot rocks. Sea stacks shaped in various shapes with fanciful names like E.T., Mother-in-law, elephant, etc. have been created by water erosion. This area in the Bay of Fundy is subject to the highest tides in the world. The Bay of Fundy is an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean and at low tide the bottom is uncovered enough that people can walk and explore the area. We arrived here as the tide was coming in and hurried to descend to the sea level and actually walk the ocean floor. What a thrill. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2492624d-57cc-41be-b6fc-82a2d08b40da/IMG_3718.JPG Blog - Goodbye Maritimes New Brunswick - Make it stand out Women might not have had the right to vote and even now might not be in control of their biology, but they have risen to the occasion when called upon to hold and defend what is theirs. Such is the story of Francoise-Marie Jacquelin wife of Charles La Tour Governor of St. John. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/29b50a55-565a-4b05-b54d-6df3c2e379b7/IMG_3724.JPG Blog - Goodbye Maritimes New Brunswick - Make it stand out When her husband was away and she was in charge, she defended the fort and defeated the enemy, a fellow Frenchman who wanted to have sole power in this part of the world. Unfortunately, she was defeated by treachery and deception, but you can hear and see her story at the Fort La Tour just outside of St. John, New Brunswick. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/st-andrew-by-the-sea-new-brunswick monthly 0.5 2024-08-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7b45e94a-c90a-4a04-bfaf-ea4511dc9cb2/IMG_3878.JPG Blog - St Andrews By the Sea ~ New Brunswick - Make it stand out The scenery was calling me to me and my trigger-happy camera so off I went after lunch in search of beauty and some exercise while the rest of the group split up to follow their own interests. I made my way to the pier with its signs of whale watching and fishing charters. As I walked, I saw a fishing boat which had just docked full of tackle and barrels, a father and son fishing off the pier with their fishing poles cast out, a boat full of people with orange preservers getting ready to head out. So much color and ordered chaos compelled my eyes from one side to another. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3170e4e5-db67-4023-af4e-394f79b41e51/IMG_3897.JPG Blog - St Andrews By the Sea ~ New Brunswick - Make it stand out Even as my head was buzzing with memories of my iconic walk, I switched gears to explore the quaint Main Street and grab a quick cup of coffee before heading to pick up our bus and head out to the beautiful Kings brae gardens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e6405517-bb46-4590-9571-53007f62117b/IMG_3970.JPG Blog - St Andrews By the Sea ~ New Brunswick - Make it stand out A teapot garden, what a cute idea that I'd like to implement on my balcony. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0ca5dee9-f250-49e1-a7ce-9053ead203d0/IMG_3914.JPG Blog - St Andrews By the Sea ~ New Brunswick - Make it stand out A final beautiful sight as we made tracks for our home away from home. It turned out that I was wearing a top in shades of red similar to the flowers, so I did pose against this background. One of these days I might even share that picture or the group photos we took here by the entrance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3dbe23ea-2269-449c-9816-56acdf5971f8/IMG_3922.JPG Blog - St Andrews By the Sea ~ New Brunswick - Make it stand out And then we were there, Kingsbrae gardens which is a series of gardens within a garden bursting with color and beauty. The gardens are designed to appeal to all five senses including taste. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4de9016e-35ef-4bb0-a66a-cc66c5e88d34/IMG_3980.JPG Blog - St Andrews By the Sea ~ New Brunswick - Make it stand out The children's garden along with fantasy, small structures are homes to animals like alpacas, goats, rabbits etc. The alpacas had been relocated due to some work being done on their home, but we got to visit with the goats and the rabbits. The best part of these pictures is sharing them with my grandson. He kept wanting to go back to see the rabbits which fascinated him though the goats took a better picture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0a8e39f0-c52a-4357-9886-b83b09ddafd2/IMG_3893.JPG Blog - St Andrews By the Sea ~ New Brunswick - Make it stand out After a suitable time taking pictures and absorbing all there was to absorb at the busy pier, I made my way back to Main Street. I was still pretty full of lunch but this ice cream shop standing on the weathered pier caught my eye. My vivid imagination made the leap to hordes of summer visitors lingering here ice cream cones in hand bringing color and energy to this space. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bbf259ef-3b8a-4fbb-bb32-99f264093e69/IMG_3858.JPG Blog - St Andrews By the Sea ~ New Brunswick - Make it stand out I could spot red sails in the distance, a nice contrast from the typical white ones and homes all along the waterfront with their spectacular views and sea breezes. A lighthouse peeked out in the distance, and I watched boats lazily circling it. The tide was in but there is an area near here where a path opens up at low tide leading to an island in the middle giving people an unparalleled opportunity to walk on the bottom of the ocean. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ce962fd9-d6de-43b2-8308-c47dd78f180a/IMG_3869.JPG Blog - St Andrews By the Sea ~ New Brunswick - Make it stand out We made it to town around lunch time. After our usual orientation drive, we were dropped off near Main Street with a plethora of cute restaurants and cafes and quaint shops calling to us. Me and Marguerite my newly made friend decided to grab lunch first and then split off on various pursuits. Since the whole point of being in a picturesque seaside village is to enjoy all things to do with and around water, we made our way to a restaurant with a patio with a view of the pier and boats of every color and description. After all the hot weather we had been having, it was actually quite cool by the water and to our pleasant surprise the restaurant provided blankets to those who wanted them, so we snuggled up and enjoyed one of the most delicious meals I've had with a fabulous view. Mmm! Perfection. Maine, USA is just across the water from where we were seated. Suddenly Marguerite's smart watch automatically switched over to Eastern Time while the rest of us at the table were still on Atlantic Time. Nope, no freaky phenomena, just two cell phone towers located in two different time zones but so close together that two people sitting at the same table for lunch can be in two different time zones. That was definitely a first. The joys of travel, you never what might come barreling around the next corner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2af45bf6-a81a-4284-9e7f-1003a2c83062/IMG_3667.JPG Blog - St Andrews By the Sea ~ New Brunswick - Make it stand out While St. Andrews was not where we could walk on the ocean floor due to the tides, we had actually already fulfilled that item on our checklists at the Bay of Fundy when we first entered New Brunswick. The walk on the bottom of the ocean floor was a highlight item for many of us on this tour. Fortunately, the tides worked in our favor and our local guide at Hopewell Rocks changed the order of events and we rushed to where we could descend to the beach. Something like this, is a once in a lifetime event and emboldened from navigating 600 steps at Watkins Glen Park I trotted down those steps like a champ. Yay! I made it and I have the picture to show for it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a28012e0-24d7-4d84-92ac-eb99b4b19d94/IMG_3864.JPG Blog - St Andrews By the Sea ~ New Brunswick - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f54b18cf-3538-4c89-b70c-c11b47c20056/IMG_3911.JPG Blog - St Andrews By the Sea ~ New Brunswick - Make it stand out So, what came first, the car or the house? Since this was just a quick glimpse out of the windows of the bus as we were driving it's a rhetorical question but a fun memory. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/00855e80-5918-47c9-b62a-fb88dd3e5eb2/IMG_3948.JPG Blog - St Andrews By the Sea ~ New Brunswick - Make it stand out Such a wonderful afternoon, soaking in the beauty and gaining inspiration for things you might want to try at home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f0d748e5-5459-441e-b685-51f6088c9fdb/IMG_4012.JPG Blog - St Andrews By the Sea ~ New Brunswick - Make it stand out My senses were filled to the brim, so I left the group before we made it to the sculpture garden to find a seat, in the gentle breeze just soaking it all in. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/prince-edward-island-the-maritimes monthly 0.5 2024-08-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8d046779-8f19-4ecd-8b1a-75476ed6deb3/IMG_3605.JPG Blog - Prince Edward Island ~ The Maritimes - Make it stand out The island has 61 lighthouses and range lights making it the highest concentration of lighthouses in North America, it would not be right not to include at least one lighthouse in today's post. This lighthouse stands guard and overlooks the Confederation Bridge. In fact, we stopped here to take pictures of the bridge and use the restrooms before saying goodbye to Prince Edward Island. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a3ab655c-b947-417b-bf86-dd45e27fe42b/IMG_3376.JPG Blog - Prince Edward Island ~ The Maritimes - Make it stand out Charlottetown has been designated as the cultural capital of Canada. The city's public art collection provides a visual demonstration of this title as we walked around the city admiring the Victorian architecture, the theater and arts district and the pedestrian street full of restaurants, cafes and live entertainment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e5bf0393-a036-48bb-af7c-afd1f32b4e36/IMG_3594.JPG Blog - Prince Edward Island ~ The Maritimes - Make it stand out Cows is a Canadian ice-cream institution. With flavors like wowie cowie, gooey mooey, and fluff and udder it was a very hard choice to make. It's a good thing that we had decided to do ice-cream instead of dinner after our big lunch for the day between tasting and the so very generous scoop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ede61205-b243-4347-a6a5-838fe85afd07/IMG_3431.JPG Blog - Prince Edward Island ~ The Maritimes - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9fe26b39-08fe-4eec-b37f-1fb5af8d1422/IMG_3562.jpg Blog - Prince Edward Island ~ The Maritimes - Make it stand out With its 90 plus beaches and pristine coastline the island more than lives up to its first nation’s name of “land cradled in the waves”. While we did not visit many beaches, we did make our way to Cavendish Beach where we got to enjoy the sun and sand and dip our toes into the Atlantic Ocean. Even as Hurricane Debby was hurtling towards the Florida and Carolinas, we talked about the impact of hurricane Fiona and how it reshaped PEI's coastline washing away shorelines in the space of a few hours. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f21224a1-f5b4-40d8-aa0e-ed2f7055df52/IMG_3344.JPG Blog - Prince Edward Island ~ The Maritimes - Make it stand out The impressive Charlottetown City Hall, built in 1888 in a Victorian version of Romanesque revival style of naturally occurring stone in the region. It was a testament to the growth and prosperity of the city during the late 19th century. In the front of the building is the bell that once graced the bell tower now affectionately known as Big Donald. Prince Edward Island is where the confederation of the provinces became Canada. The city hall anchors the historical center of Charlottetown with its beautiful Victorian architecture, cafes, shops, bays and beaches. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/88217709-85fd-45ee-a144-229bc5f575da/IMG_3608.JPG Blog - Prince Edward Island ~ The Maritimes - Make it stand out Until 1997 the only way to Prince Edward Island was via ferry. The opening of the confederation bridge changed life as the locals knew it and made the island far more accessible. The bridge itself is a 2-lane highway, the longest bridge in Canada and the world's longest bridge over ice covered water. The bridge connects Prince Edward Island with New Brunswick. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/779bf855-86b8-4f85-acfc-4642442c1033/IMG_3539.jpg Blog - Prince Edward Island ~ The Maritimes - Make it stand out Next stop was the also famous PEI Mussels but that came over lunch and we had to still explore more of the island before we could take a load of our feet and feed our stomachs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9e6f8f6b-52e7-41b8-8f07-b7bd59bbcbf5/IMG_3360.JPG Blog - Prince Edward Island ~ The Maritimes - Make it stand out Churches of various denominations dominate the landscape all across the Maritimes. This ornate one was hosting a wedding. We got there to watch the laughing happy bridal party come down the steps. The bride's aunt was carrying a bag of stuff to her car grumbling about how this is the last time she's going to be so involved in a wedding. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/df4dbd46-2290-4a40-9965-f4b972fafdf8/IMG_3478.JPG Blog - Prince Edward Island ~ The Maritimes - Make it stand out Was Anne of Green Gables partly a biography of author Lucy Maud Montgomery. Yes! there appear to be some similarities, but consensus is that it was modeled partly on her life and partly on what she hoped her life could/should be. It is inevitable that visitors play some homage or nod to Lucy and Anne. So, it was. We stopped at the museum which is run by Lucy's cousins and enjoyed walking around the house, gift shop, planting potatoes, and enjoying tea and cookies. As we drove around the island our guide pointed out various points of interest related to Lucy's life on the island. We had watched the movie Anne of Green Gables as we drove through Cape Breton, so our entire group was very familiar with the story and with the beauty of the island well before we made it here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/df7a5b72-7b21-4fee-9849-bb127d9a4c90/IMG_3351.jpg Blog - Prince Edward Island ~ The Maritimes - Make it stand out These little bronze mice are a recognition of and a nod to another famous island author, David Weale. These bronze mice represent a character in the book, "The True Meaning of Crumbfest". They can be found at various points along the walk through the historical center of town starting with the town hall. I have to admit though that I did not see the one at the town hall and clear forgot to go back and look for it. There is actually a scavenger hunt game that encourages you to locate all the mice scattered around the city. These mice brought to mind the fanciful gnomes of Wroclaw in Poland that can be found in the historical center of the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fe5460d0-6344-43bb-b359-3fc1c539628d/IMG_3367.jpg Blog - Prince Edward Island ~ The Maritimes - Make it stand out The main harbor of Charlottetown with its many shops and restaurants is graced with a sculpture of William Henry Pope, a father of the confederation depicted here as he was rowed out to the SS Queen Victoria to greet the delegates arriving to attend the Charlottetown conference in 1864. What I found fascinating was how the pavement was fashioned to represent the rolling waves that carried the boat forward. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bcd17ba3-180d-4628-9b5a-221f7e38010a/IMG_3542.jpg Blog - Prince Edward Island ~ The Maritimes - Make it stand out Oysters from Prince Edward Island are a prized delicacy all around the world and when a disease infected oysters on the island requiring the Oyster farms to start over, the world was sad about the loss of these oysters. As we traversed around the island, we got sight of these oyster cages floating in the rivers and ocean so clearly, we needed to learn more about one of the greatest exports. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0d093a62-fce3-4be6-809e-85d1a1a50ec0/7FA0739A-23CE-4199-A644-4B3AAF5E0D29.jpg Blog - Prince Edward Island ~ The Maritimes - Make it stand out With that in mind we arrived at a local oyster farm for a presentation on cultivating oysters and a taste test. Ok! I admit I was chicken. I'm not an oyster fan, I find them slimy and refuse to try them and I kept that attitude here as well though I had no qualms listening and watching the various demonstrations and even took a few photos of some of my newfound friends slurping them down. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/cape-breton-island-the-maritimes monthly 0.5 2024-08-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1b537973-3024-43d6-802f-803ae0d2f7de/IMG_3254.JPG Blog - Cape Breton Island -The Maritimes - Make it stand out As the day advanced the sun broke through and we got some fantastic views of the coast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/aa17f4f9-a271-4718-b3b6-4e93fe0985ba/IMG_2972.JPG Blog - Cape Breton Island -The Maritimes - Make it stand out Alexander Graham Bell established his research laboratories in Baddeck on the shores of the Bas D’Or lake. We made our way directly to the museum managed by Parks Canada and spent some time expanding our knowledge of all that Mr. Bell invented beyond the telephone. Tired of being cooped up in the bus all afternoon, I wandered out of the museum and made my way to the beautiful overlook with its outstanding view of the lake viewed through a frame of colorful flowers swaying in the breeze. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/30c2857b-78f9-482e-ad9b-d5504f400429/IMG_2965.JPG Blog - Cape Breton Island -The Maritimes - Make it stand out Alexander Graham Bell, best known for his invention of the telephone, revolutionized communication as we know it. His interest in sound technology was deep-rooted and personal, as both his wife and mother were deaf. Helen Keller was a friend and in fact she visited here. Mr. Bell is well known as the architect that launched Ma Bell the telephone company that dominated communication across North America for so many years. What I learned here in Baddeck was that Mr. Bell’s interests and inventions ranged far beyond the telephone. He experimented with hydrofoil and aerial technologies here in Baddeck and his efforts resulted in the first powered flight right here off the ice-covered waters of the Bras d’Or Lake. It’s interesting to see the testimonial to the aerial technologies in the kites that are flown by families and children outside the museum in the garden that surrounds it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/28de01d1-ef1e-41e2-9ea8-74496baef8bb/IMG_2978.JPG Blog - Cape Breton Island -The Maritimes - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4a09a0b7-1757-45ab-abbe-e012fc213c14/IMG_3294.JPG Blog - Cape Breton Island -The Maritimes - Make it stand out Soon we were loaded on and made our way to the passenger decks where we could hand out and watch the water, a few birds and boats as we made the crossing. On a random note, I have to note that I really admire the Indian women I encounter almost everywhere I travel proudly clad in their sarees and tennis shoes on their feet as they venture out with their children and grandchildren. Such was the case on the ferry as well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f50d34ae-f097-4728-be3e-5c541ea05eec/IMG_3228.JPG Blog - Cape Breton Island -The Maritimes - Make it stand out Every day during the tour, Lisa our tour guide gave us treats throughout the day. Today as we pulled into the parking lot for Ingonish Beach she broke out a maple Liqueur called what else: Cabot Trail. Yum. After our iced drink we made our way across the pebbles to the sand where many families were enjoying the sun, surf and sand. The beautiful, impressive Keltic Lodge provided a beautiful background. What a fabulous day it turned out to be as we made our way back towards Baddeck and our hotel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/42b607d4-2124-4b4c-8199-26f922f8f1b3/IMG_3116.jpg Blog - Cape Breton Island -The Maritimes - Make it stand out Morning as mostly on this tour was marked by fog and drizzle. Bales of hay lay on the grass ready for use in the winter months just like it is all over Europe. The architecture of the houses as they emerged from the mist was interesting with a deeply sloping back roof and a woodshed nestled to the back as though protecting the house against the elements. This area is famous for the Las Suetes, those gale-like high winds that range from 90 to 200 km/h. This architecture protects the roofs from being blown off. it is so interesting how each area and architecture adapts to nature in its own unique way. This area is also home to many hookers, no, no, not the kind that troll the street corners but the kind that use a hook and yarn to do craft work. In the rest stop that we stopped at there were many fine examples of the art on display and sale. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/de40f776-fd3e-4780-8f00-12ea92a93e03/IMG_3195.jpg Blog - Cape Breton Island -The Maritimes - Make it stand out A nature walk along the naturally occurring bog. Carnivorous plants with their pitchers looking to capture insects, tamarack and other local fauna emerged from the thick fog at times looking positively ghostly. Apparently, the last time our guide came this way, her group was serenaded by frogs but alas there was no serenade for us. but the walk was a nice pick me up after sitting in the bus for a while. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0d1c1b50-a438-4b79-995f-6518dfb42c92/IMG_3303+%281%29.JPG Blog - Cape Breton Island -The Maritimes - Make it stand out While much of the ferry ride was on open sea and not much to see as we began to head towards landfall in PEI we could see the lighthouses emerge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/df45b38a-f016-42c2-b61e-5f6d88206ec4/IMG_3280.jpg Blog - Cape Breton Island -The Maritimes - Make it stand out Fortunately, we made it to the Ferry Landing in time to see the giant ferry coming in to dock and to watch it unload all the cars and trucks that had been housed in its belly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/33c31d41-0106-4f55-8004-2d14ee7187a1/IMG_3143.jpg Blog - Cape Breton Island -The Maritimes - Make it stand out The beautiful gothic stone St. Pierre Catholic Church in Cheticamp is a testament to a local priest’s vision about what his flock needed in this area. With its beautiful tall facade, beautiful nave and rose window the church rivals many churches around the world. The stone to build this massive edifice was dragged by volunteers across the frozen ice of the nearby harbor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d7ee24ca-4637-4631-9229-2071d7099a3a/IMG_3002.JPG Blog - Cape Breton Island -The Maritimes - Make it stand out The Bras d’Or Lake dominates the town of Baddeck. The lake with its navigable open channels to the ocean which brings in salt water with the tide and various rivers that flow into it give it a brackish flavor or should I say a little bit of sweet and a little bit of salt creating an interesting habitat for fauna and flora. It was inevitable that we take a cruise around the lake and look at the beautiful lake front houses, a lot of property owned by Alexander Graham Bell and his descendants even to today and look for Eagles nest and listen to tales of the Scottish Ship Hector which met its fate on the rocks of Cape Breton. The boat crew has eagles trained on command, with food as bait so we all got to see and take some pictures of Eagles. Yay, token wildlife if you were sitting on the right side of the boat. One of the ladies captured a fantastic picture of an eagle swooping down to capture the food that she had to share with everyone on the tour the next day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bbe3a733-99fa-429a-93f0-9e96a3ac43bb/IMG_3262.jpg Blog - Cape Breton Island -The Maritimes - Make it stand out These types of lakes and shallow water ways provide a wonderful habitat for moose but unfortunately, we were not destined to see any as we headed out from Baddeck across the Canso Causeway one last time heading towards the Prince Edward Island ferry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/06732220-ac34-4f32-bd12-178181d98fea/IMG_3152.JPG Blog - Cape Breton Island -The Maritimes - Make it stand out We skipped the first lookout on the Cabot trail because the fog was so thick there was nothing to see. We stopped at this one as the fog showed signs of thinning to admire the ocean view and gaze at the twisting turns of the trail as it wound its way along the shore. As always when I drive along coastal highways in other parts of the world, I am reminded of the beauty of the Pacific Coast Highway near me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/010b2845-975e-4982-880e-dad249aa06fe/IMG_3510.JPG Blog - Cape Breton Island -The Maritimes - Make it stand out Two days on the beautiful pastoral Prince Edward Island, what a treat. If I manage to make my way back to this part of the world I would like to come and stay here for a week and explore this beautiful island. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fd979ae8-db6c-442b-a800-899a575fb243/IMG_3260.JPG Blog - Cape Breton Island -The Maritimes - Make it stand out Our hotel in Baddeck or should I say Inn sat on a hill across the street from the lake with its interesting European or perhaps it was meant to be French since it had a French name overlooking the lake. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/visiting-the-maritimes-nova-scotia monthly 0.5 2024-08-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2caca4a9-5d90-44fd-9e0c-5c9d610fe851/IMG_2889.JPG Blog - Visiting the Maritimes - Nova Scotia - Make it stand out The next morning, we got to explore Halifax a bit and drive along the coast to the South Coast of Nova Scotia. Amongst places on our itinerary today were the so very picturesque Peggy’s Cove and steeped with history Lunenberg. Halifax also had a lot to offer with its many pubs and restaurants and busy wharf, port and gardens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/573bb435-d923-4a90-ac6c-5b07209bc8cb/IMG_2897.JPG Blog - Visiting the Maritimes - Nova Scotia - Make it stand out The Fairview Cemetery serves as the final resting place for some of the bodies recovered from this great explosion but also about a hundred plus victims recovered from the sinking of the Titanic are buried here as well. In the shape of a ship’s bow there are grave markers donated by the steamship line as well as markers put up by family members. It is hard not to be solemn in a place like this and reflect that if things had been managed better a lot more people could have been saved. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fcd7c326-032e-4803-91d0-0d85ada53c54/IMG_2667.JPG Blog - Visiting the Maritimes - Nova Scotia - Make it stand out The iconic lighthouse which is symbolic of Peggy’s Cove in all the pictures of this area rose out of the fog. The haunting sound of bagpipes and people scrambling over the rocks added a poignant touch to the atmosphere. Boat tours were ready to take the tourists on this early foggy morning out to sea but unfortunately our time was limited and we had miles to go and places to see which did not include a boat tour. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/475f5f86-70c4-4c56-97fb-562581478353/IMG_2877.JPG Blog - Visiting the Maritimes - Nova Scotia - Make it stand out We traversed up Citadel Hill to the historic fort with its commanding view of the Halifax harbor but arrived too late to enter the fort itself. However, we spent a bit of time wandering along the hill and taking in the views. The red and white conical stack to the left of the bridge marks the location of the disastrous collision of the French SS Mont Blanc with the Norwegian SS IMO. The Mont Blanc filled with munitions caused an explosion that decimated the port area with a lot of the shock absorbed by the citadel hill. At least 1782 people were killed in the explosion including many children. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cec72827-aad0-411a-a10c-f1074680b313/IMG_2806.JPG Blog - Visiting the Maritimes - Nova Scotia - Make it stand out Lunenberg, a UNESCO World Heritage town with its 18-century architecture sits dreaming of past glories. We enjoyed a walking tour of the town and explored the wharf area, cute shops and enjoyed a delicious lunch at a restaurant right on the wharf. Yum! the sea food is so fresh, and everything tasted fantastic accompanied by a nice glass of white wine. The racing ship the Bluenose II was in port and a walk around the Fisherman’s Memorial, and other interesting artifacts along the water built up quite the appetite for lunch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/48563081-a077-4fb3-842d-9f25f572a10e/IMG_2773.JPG Blog - Visiting the Maritimes - Nova Scotia - Make it stand out An interesting touch of more modern history with this segment of the Berlin Wall which was established here in 1990. It was brought here by James Kinley, then Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, to signify peace and unity. Mr. Kinley convinced a German businessman to donate this piece of the Wall to continue its deep-rooted ties with Germany as 1,400 German immigrants established the community of Lunenburg in 1753. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/483b1f5d-c88e-45aa-bd06-d039e1789d13/IMG_2640.JPG Blog - Visiting the Maritimes - Nova Scotia - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a48c1b74-4ca8-4067-9df6-3a368d36cfda/IMG_2627.JPG Blog - Visiting the Maritimes - Nova Scotia - Make it stand out Peggy’s Cove is a picturesque fishing village that dates back to the 1800s. The dark rocks are dangerous, and tides have been known to come sweep people out to sea. Kinda reminded me of the black sandy beach in Iceland as our guide was talking about it. As we drove into town, we saw stacks of the lobster traps or lobster pots lined up on many of the docks. While it was too early for us to eat, I believe this area serves up terrific lobster. Walking along the cove, I came across the 100-foot sculpture of the local fisherfolk carved by Finnish artist William, De Garthe. The town is named for a book by William De Garthe of a schooner that was shipwrecked off Halifax Rock where the famous Lighthouse sits. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/721b7b2b-d389-4743-aca0-0dbf65feff39/IMG_2915.JPG Blog - Visiting the Maritimes - Nova Scotia - Make it stand out Peace by Chocolate is such a lovely story of perseverance and a whole town rallying around their Syrian refugees. The Hadhad family has been making chocolate since 1986 when they were bombed and forced to leave their home in Syria. After spending three years in Lebanon, they finally managed to make their way to Canda and settled in Antigonish Nova Scotia. The son Tareq had dreams of going to Medical School and becoming a doctor. When he was unable to fulfill his dream, he came back to Antigonish and started making chocolate using his family recipe. He is now a success story with many stores across Canada, his story immortalized in words and a movie. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b6b31acc-023f-4efc-8ea4-1ab67a2bf59e/IMG_2539.JPG Blog - Visiting the Maritimes - Nova Scotia - Make it stand out I landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia with its big city look, and small town feel after connecting through Toronto. How did I miss that there is actually a Maritime or Atlantic time zone and suddenly I was 4 hours ahead of the West Coast and the 7:00AM start in the morning felt so very long ago. On this first night I was content to check in, grab a bite to eat and head straight up to my room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/008db59c-6d2f-4399-b010-5d5508e8c2c0/IMG_2862.JPG Blog - Visiting the Maritimes - Nova Scotia - Make it stand out The Public Gardens in Halifax is an example of a Victorian era garden first established in 1867. It is free to the public and has been in operation for over a hundred years. The beautiful bandstand is used for free concerts on Sunday afternoons during the Summer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/85913a82-ba9e-4162-8f19-27091fd1da44/IMG_3271.JPG Blog - Visiting the Maritimes - Nova Scotia - Make it stand out We made our way over the Canso Parkway after a lengthy traffic stop due to construction and into Cape Breton. As it turned out we weren’t quite out of the woods yet because one of the members of our group began to complain of acute abdominal/ chest pain. EMTs were called and our fellow passenger removed to the nearest hospital which was some distance off. We set off again on our journey feeling like we’d abandoned a member of our family. However, things would look up and given a clean bill of health they were back with the group after a two-day absence, and I particularly had the good fortune to enjoy their company over some shared dinners and drinks. Definitely needed to plan for the unexpected on this trip though I did make some terrific new friends that I hope to stay connected with. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6ba37db6-8493-4da6-807e-ea65fe22a745/IMG_2733.JPG Blog - Visiting the Maritimes - Nova Scotia - Make it stand out Off we went, driving along a scenic route that took us past bays and inlets where occasionally we could see a mass of homes and boats, including a flotilla of sail boats or sometimes a one of fishing shack with a boat bobbing at the dock until we came into the beautiful blue waters of Mahone Bay with its facade of three churches announcing our arrival. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/708440f9-8356-4c2e-a85a-d7705463a711/IMG_2927.JPG Blog - Visiting the Maritimes - Nova Scotia - Make it stand out Heading out of Halifax we made our way next towards Cape Breton. On our way we stopped at the historic town of Antigonish which is the site for the Highland Games here in Canada and home to St. Xavier’s university. As our guide talked about Antigonish, being of Indian heritage I started wondering what the Lord Ganesh had to do with a town in Canada famed for highland games. As I later discovered the name was a First Nations name and had nothing to do with my kind of Indian. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/wine-tasting-around-the-rogue-valley monthly 0.5 2024-08-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f1eb013e-f307-409e-a369-4383a3ed4b5a/IMG_2450.JPG Blog - Wine Tasting Around the Rogue Valley - Make it stand out Our first stop was at the Valley View Winery which according to my research was the oldest winery in the region. As it turned out, that was a bit of misnomer and more of a marketing ploy. Yes, originally the first winery in the region was established right here but it subsequently went out of business and closed down. Then in the 1970s or so, the land was bought and seeded with new vines and ultimately produced wine. Under the current leadership, the wine is relatively new but getting some awards and getting its own recognition. The lady who ran the tasting room is the wife of the winemaker and was justifiably proud of the legacy that the winery is now establishing. We enjoyed the beautiful setting, tasted about 6 wines for about $15 and enjoyed a chat and some recommendations of other wineries to visit in the area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3c2cf834-a3e8-4006-a11d-1e380bc19eac/IMG_2502.JPG Blog - Wine Tasting Around the Rogue Valley - Make it stand out The thriving pear orchards provide opportunities for the winery to produce pear ciders etc. By now we were full of lunch and buzzed from wine tasting so we skipped the tasting room and walked around the property before calling it a day and heading towards the airport. On our way we crossed the large Harry and David facility as we geared up for the next adventure in our weekend. Given the global outage from the day before would we actually make it home. Thankfully we did after a few nail-biting delays around 2:00AM. What stands out from this day in the Rogue Valley is how open and friendly it is over here as compared to the commercialization we now find in Napa and even Paso Robles. All in all, an excellent trip with a lot of different activities and places to see. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d5513cc5-a0d2-4ba7-b0a5-84ba073fe375/IMG_2493.JPG Blog - Wine Tasting Around the Rogue Valley - Make it stand out Our next stop was at the Dancin Vineyard where we tasted a variety of their whites and one of their reds, ultimately settling on the Moscato to accompany our lunch and buying the chardonnay as well as the Moscato to have shipped home. While the winery did not advertise their lavender, they had many varieties of lavender growing along the path towards the tasting room and behind the tasting room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4c70fc56-33a4-48e3-81dc-4d8c5ab2365e/IMG_2472.JPG Blog - Wine Tasting Around the Rogue Valley - Make it stand out We passed the quaint town of Jacksonville enjoying the shops and restaurants and people milling around to head towards the Dos Mariposas winery which we had primarily picked because they boasted a lavender farm. The winery boasted a colorful facade. The tasting room and patio with its colorful umbrellas overlooked the vineyards and a pond which had ducks swimming in it along with the lavender patch where one could actually cut lavender stalks to take home. Walking through the vineyard ripe with bunches of grapes reminded me of my very first trip to Napa where we found red grapes hanging on the vines by the parking lot. We didn’t know better and actually plucked grapes straight from the vine and ate them even before we headed in for a tasting. Thank God! I’ve grown up a bit since then. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cdd77e40-10d7-4fc7-a7d2-4be0c5c816d4/IMG_2474.JPG Blog - Wine Tasting Around the Rogue Valley - Make it stand out The lake was so beautiful that we actually contemplated changing our lunch plans and potentially eating here on the beautiful patio but thankfully we didn’t because we had the most superb lunch and tasting experience further on. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ef0a75c3-802f-45d3-8833-43d083593700/IMG_2495.JPG Blog - Wine Tasting Around the Rogue Valley - Make it stand out We ate a superb lunch and tasted our wine sitting on a patio overlooking this pond with beautiful koi fish milling around. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/45cb8ee1-e08b-4187-9e0a-e8e89e2448fb/IMG_2501.JPG Blog - Wine Tasting Around the Rogue Valley - Make it stand out Time was getting on and we reluctantly tore ourselves away from Dancin and its wonderful ambiance to hit the last winery on our list. The Edenvale Winery which was established around a pear orchard. There was a wedding happening in the winery and the Voorhees Mansion that we had been keen to tour was closed to visitors and the event folks were setting up for the wedding even as the groomsmen for posing for pictures. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/adb703a6-4314-469d-8aa8-e90c2f024409/IMG_2460.JPG Blog - Wine Tasting Around the Rogue Valley - Make it stand out It was one of the recommendations that landed us at the Red Lily Winery on the Applegate trail. The vineyard is located in a beautiful setting along the Applegate River and people can take their wines down to the river and sit at the tables set up with umbrellas to enjoy the wine and the view. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d58ca325-e944-4665-9703-444620aeb235/IMG_2468.JPG Blog - Wine Tasting Around the Rogue Valley - Make it stand out Red Lily is a family owned and operated winery, well known for its terroir inspired wines. The winemaker is a local woman born and brought up in the Rogue Valley. This was as far as we went towards Grants Pass. Given our short clock and a couple more wineries we wanted to visit before heading towards the airport we turned around and headed back towards Jacksonville. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7803d900-fae2-4a26-90a8-0d553652694e/IMG_2482.JPG Blog - Wine Tasting Around the Rogue Valley - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/crater-lake-oregon monthly 0.5 2024-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/78fa2aba-2c94-44dd-9578-a0175eaf0b47/IMG_2136.JPG Blog - Crater Lake Oregon - Make it stand out Since we had gotten is so late, we decided that we would go to Crater Lake the following day and spend our first day wandering around the local area and visiting the Lava Beds National Monument. In the lobby as we wrapped up breakfast, we ran into a ranger who was very knowledgeable of the area and gave us good advice and directions including making sure we drove through the town of Merrill at the posted 25 miles per hour speed limit. It seemed to be a well-known secret since everyone slowed down to the speed limit. Soon the terrain began to change, from the green pastoral fields to boulders, rocks and other remnants of volcanic eruptions and lava flow. Along the side of the road was the beautiful Tule Lake Wildlife preserve home to many varieties of birds and local animals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2fd38f78-d5cf-40ea-8e45-3ac7749ba528/IMG_2374.JPG Blog - Crater Lake Oregon - Make it stand out Rather than driving ourselves, we decided to take the ranger guided trolley tour that stopped at various points along the East Rim drive explaining the natural features of the lake and fanciful shapes and names. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2ea30c5a-e8ed-4095-9108-1385a5883c29/IMG_2218.JPG Blog - Crater Lake Oregon - Make it stand out From the visitor center armed with a map we explored the Mushpot which is the only lit lava tube where you can go into without hard hats and flashlights. There are a few areas where you have to bend over but no crawling is required. Along the way signs explain the natural formations and how they were created. It’s a fascinating not to be missed visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1ff4a249-d63c-45f6-a325-eccc11f7f202/IMG_2307.JPG Blog - Crater Lake Oregon - Make it stand out Given everyone’s advice, we headed to Crater Lake National Park early in the morning. The entrance to the park was shuttered with no one to check our newly acquired National Park Pass. We headed towards the Rim Village and the lake. Our first sight of the lake as we pulled over the side of the road with other cars was breath taking. The deep blue color is mesmerizing. The lake fills a 2148 ft deep caldera that was formed by the collapse of the Mazama Volcano 7700 plus years ago. No rivers flow in or out of the lake, the evaporation being compensated by the rain and snow. To put things in perspective, our ranger guide gave us an example of the Washington Monument, topped by the Eiffel Tower, topped by the statue of Liberty plus change to illustrate how deep the lake is, making it the deepest lake in the US and perhaps 8th or 10th deepest in the world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8568a84d-7615-43aa-8a11-ccc0153fc831/IMG_2425.JPG Blog - Crater Lake Oregon - Make it stand out We were looking forward to our last lookout where the ranger would point out the various volcanoes that surround this area. Unfortunately, the smoke from the fire drove the visibility down and closed some of the trails and roads. We watched the helicopters fly over the blaze dumping fire retardant and water and chatted with the fire spotters stationed at the lookout. Geeta hiked around the lake while I adjourned to the cool of the Crater Lake Lodge before a late lunch took us back to our hotel. only to be greeted with the news of the CrowdStrike outage that had crippled the global airline industry. Would we be able to get home the next day? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f707f65d-3b50-45de-92cd-d8a827fb78c7/IMG_2289.JPG Blog - Crater Lake Oregon - Make it stand out We headed into the town of Klamath falls for lunch and a walk around the quaint main street that sat drowsing in the afternoon sun. A lot of the shops and restaurants were closed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cd1a0483-d3a7-4c91-b4d3-b9e5f3f0e4fe/IMG_2295.JPG Blog - Crater Lake Oregon - Make it stand out Well, that’s because the town had an artisan fair along main street that evening complete with food stalls, bands and bible groups along with the artisans. What a welcome contrast from the afternoon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/770ac6c6-503c-424f-982d-cf06aa67b21f/IMG_2404.JPG Blog - Crater Lake Oregon - Make it stand out Wizard island, Phantom Ship, Skell rock, the Old Man Tree which has been floating in the lake for over 100 years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/892d8a09-282e-45e4-844d-8a0510515971/IMG_2340.JPG Blog - Crater Lake Oregon - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/27e474a2-7dd8-46b2-a992-6c7fb7c4a2b4/IMG_2264.JPG Blog - Crater Lake Oregon - Make it stand out Tule Lake Segregation camp was the largest of the internment camps during World War II housing almost 20,000 people of Japanese American descent. Surrounded by a fence, the guard tower dominating the center and abandoned farm tools and implements littering the small square the area has an abandoned look and feel. The visitor center has been moved and the museum that is now housed here had no problem allowing us to wander through this area. Such a cruel example of what fear and racism can cause even in a country like the USA which is constantly condemning similar actions in other parts of the world. This little square of land, stands forgotten, abandoned and unmentioned, a silent testament to what occurred here. George Takei, well known as Commander Sulu in the famous Star Trek series spent his earliest years here in this camp which is no better than most concentration camps in Europe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2fae422e-1ba1-4d31-9c95-c86ab7466e84/IMG_2261.JPG Blog - Crater Lake Oregon - Make it stand out As we entered into the National Park grounds, we passed many historical battleground sights of the Modoc War. As the first settlers came into Oregon, the land belonging to the local native American tribes were parceled out these settlers and the Native Americans relegated to reservations except unfortunately the Modoc Indians were not granted their own reservation land. They came out to these lands and hid out in the various caves and other formations fighting a guerilla type war against the army. The Modoc War as it is known is considered one of the costliest wars with a price tag of half million dollars and many lives lost on both sides of the conflict including an army general. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/48fe5e35-057c-4fd0-8e50-1e176e44918a/IMG_2263.JPG Blog - Crater Lake Oregon - Make it stand out The terrain in this part of Oregon is full of contrasts from this beautiful green pastoral scene of cattle farms, dairy farms, potato farms and other crops to the lava rocks and tall grasses and dormant volcanoes ringing the valley. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/92715d47-3eed-450c-b11a-8d775acc8979/IMG_2142.JPG Blog - Crater Lake Oregon - Make it stand out To our surprise we saw an intrepid Bambi running across the road almost right in front of our car; thank God, Geeta who has great reflexes was driving. He headed into the trees by the side of the road where his mother was sheltering. To our delight the two deer seemed to stand and stare at us fairly tamely as we pulled over to the side of the road and began to click. Good thing there was no other traffic on the road. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/vancouver-british-columbia monthly 0.5 2024-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/203bdf3f-38e8-42bf-9f85-12a86cc8c06a/IMG_1939.JPG Blog - Vancouver British Columbia - Make it stand out The city side view from my room. Asta La Vista Vancouver. I am sorry my time was so short, but I will definitely try to return and explore more of how you are today instead of the yesterday I remember. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f8cd593f-eb05-4f82-8c85-9fcb5f3741ae/IMG_1853.JPG Blog - Vancouver British Columbia - Make it stand out The 9 O’clock Cannon one of a few gifted to Canada, was once installed here to allow the ships to set their chronometers and clocks. After being stolen a couple of times it’s now bolted down and enclosed in a cage but still dominates the water and the Vancouver cityscape. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/040400ed-7f41-444e-ba97-947a2e2e730d/IMG_1907.JPG Blog - Vancouver British Columbia - Make it stand out Vancouver has a steam clock that covers the steam grate here in Gas Town. No chance of that iconic moment with Marilyn Monroe’s dress flying over a grate. However, it has its own shenanigans with sound and steam at the quarter hours. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/29d806be-53a3-4c35-9a68-e974f891c56d/IMG_1862.JPG Blog - Vancouver British Columbia - Make it stand out The SS Empress of Japan once known as the Queen of the Pacific crossed the ocean over 400 times during its lifetime. The colorful figurehead was saved and mounted here in Stanley Park to emphasize the deep connections between Vancouver and Asia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6281820b-54d0-4c66-9469-ffd29e046fb5/IMG_1861.JPG Blog - Vancouver British Columbia - Make it stand out Vancouver’s own version of a Little Mermaid, The Girl in the Wetsuit is perched on a rock in the water along the north shore of Stanley Park. I remember my first visit to Stanley Park, there used to be sketch artists who sat with their easels doing pencil sketches. My younger son wanted one but not my older one. I still have that sketch framed hanging on my bedroom wall. In retrospect what a wonderful souvenir it turned out to be of our visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/72c060af-e8cc-4efa-ae6c-0bc6c4dc3a89/IMG_1898.JPG Blog - Vancouver British Columbia - Make it stand out A tired dock walker takes a nap in the shade of an angel. This area smelled so strongly of weed and other intoxicants that I felt I might have just gotten intoxicated just from walking through the area. Fortunately, I was able to enjoy my glass of wine with dinner and didn’t stumble over my speech, too much. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c51924ea-2c7f-4f0c-88e3-d9499f6256e8/IMG_1868.JPG Blog - Vancouver British Columbia - Make it stand out There are a lot of hiking paths and tall shade trees that dot the center of the park even as you have the trail that cars and tour buses trundle along. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4a4901f0-55a0-4f71-a447-89b9cc3c58f7/IMG_1851.JPG Blog - Vancouver British Columbia - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dc77282f-979e-46ce-a179-52f8b0bb340a/IMG_1927.JPG Blog - Vancouver British Columbia - Make it stand out Hurrying home (to the hotel) and a planned farewell dinner with the group I barely had time to admire the graffiti along the way. It’s amazing how this has been transformed from a nuisance to an art form that every big city now proudly displays and even offers tours of. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f6cc1982-fad6-4204-be9e-c8270f788c21/IMG_1894.JPG Blog - Vancouver British Columbia - Make it stand out The glass and steel cauldron mounted with a view of the water is an impressive sight. I can just imagine the flames shooting up with the crystalline effect of the supports showcasing the fire and ice theme of the Olympics. Soon, the Olympic Flame will be lit once again in Paris and then four years later in my hometown of Los Angeles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9e3e6bc8-727e-4377-9a7a-07379966d69f/IMG_1810.JPG Blog - Vancouver British Columbia - Make it stand out The Totem Poles in Stanley Park, along with the two gates these are an impressive sight. As I wandered through this area, I was again reminded of our visit so many years ago and a picture of me and my kids right here. That picture too is a part of a collage of family pictures in my home. I had to send these pictures to my older son asking him if he remembered these. Connections, I’m once again reminded of our family who hosted us in Vancouver and showed us around especially my niece Sonu Warna who showed us her beautiful hometown. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f76e8ef5-afe9-49de-ac32-46a418b38dec/IMG_1875.JPG Blog - Vancouver British Columbia - Make it stand out The Lions Gate Suspension Bridge. With the beautiful mountains towering behind it and the graceful span across the river and the lions gracing the front it is a sight to behold. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/085eb0fc-2ea7-41d9-8433-d45ed5a82203/IMG_1901.JPG Blog - Vancouver British Columbia - Make it stand out Vancouver’s pedestrian area is called Gastown. I put in Gaslamp district in my navigation app, and it tried to map a path to San Diego. I couldn’t figure out why it would want to give me walking directions from Vancouver to San Diego. It pays to understand the subtleties of names when you are trying to interface with technology. What’s the difference between Gas Town and Gas lamp? well apparently quite a lot according to my oh so particular application. All’s well that ends well, I did find it and managed to walk there in 15 minutes from where I was and was spared routing myself through San Diego. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/beautiful-bountiful-british-columbia monthly 0.5 2024-07-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/93296b9f-9872-446e-a803-fd9c0fd6f407/IMG_1758.JPG Blog - Beautiful Bountiful British Columbia - Make it stand out Another town, another stop, this time for lunch, a town famous for axe carving competitions and a display of beautiful carvings all around the town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3c08ddf8-c07c-4016-90f0-a069c9a0d6df/IMG_1465.JPG Blog - Beautiful Bountiful British Columbia - Make it stand out A stop in the town of Vernon where we met up with a local guide who knew the children and grandchildren of the pioneers who established this town. The history of the town is told in the form of colorful murals that decorate the walls of the buildings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1ba539f1-dd2f-4aaf-a90a-58ebc1d3440f/IMG_1703.jpg Blog - Beautiful Bountiful British Columbia - Make it stand out The winery is also known as the pyramid winery since the owner uses this pyramid as a part of the wine making process, something he learned in the Champagne region of France. The pyramid is constructed using the same geometric calculations as the pyramids in Egypt all be it a scaled down version. We actually got to visit inside and experience a meditative moment. A first in a wine tasting wine tour experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e96d6bc4-abb4-48d6-acd4-81dc54972161/IMG_1848.JPG Blog - Beautiful Bountiful British Columbia - Make it stand out The First Nation’s people’s greeting. Hello! we come in peace. Welcome to Vancouver which we will explore next week. I am so glad we got to drive through this part of British Columbia and learn more about this fertile land that serves as the breadbasket for Canada. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9a543480-ab2b-4e37-8213-c36210567d47/IMG_1497.JPG Blog - Beautiful Bountiful British Columbia - Make it stand out As we left Alberta behind in our rear-view mirror, we began to see lakes and fields full of fruits and vegetables. Our first stop of the day was at a dairy farm for ice-cream and cheese. I was disappointed that they did not do cheese and ice-cream flights like I had just experienced in the Finger Lakes, but the ice-cream was delicious, and the one scoop was generously equal to two. The Cheese was a bit too much for one person, so I brought it along when we went wine tasting and shared it with the group. The cherries from the fruit stand in Kelowna so fresh and delicious, yum. Then the honey farm, where we got an education on bees and tasted the many varieties of honey as well as a flight of mead or honey wine. As we drove through the farming communities of British Columbia, it was interesting to learn that most of the farms were owned and operated by Sikhs from India. The fruit stands so uniquely different from everywhere I’ve been included samosas and tikka masala. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/11985076-5cd5-4f57-89bc-6493d8aa7faa/IMG_1644.JPG Blog - Beautiful Bountiful British Columbia - Make it stand out Okanagan Lake where we went in search of the Ogopogo but like the Loch Ness monster in Scotland, this one too proved to be elusive. We did sail around the lake viewing the million-dollar homes on the shores of the lake and see how close last year’s fires came. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2b0fdcff-ad30-4686-9f29-098eb83c0ae5/IMG_1689.JPG Blog - Beautiful Bountiful British Columbia - Make it stand out @Ritagujral just mentioned how much this area reminded her of our recent trip to the Finger Lakes. As we drove along the various highways, we passed multiple lakes that populate this part of British Columbia. All beautiful under the moody sky. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/319f5d28-23ce-49ae-b55d-f9603e3481c2/IMG_1677.JPG Blog - Beautiful Bountiful British Columbia - Make it stand out So woefully ignorant of the British Columbian wine country. I was familiar with ice wine but did not realize that Canada produces some fantastic Whites and even some Reds. Summer Hill winery where we ended up for wine tasting and a wine tour was a beautiful location and we got to taste some superb whites and even a couple of reds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/556d1e4e-56d0-4383-89aa-f5ca27c25b21/IMG_1563.JPG Blog - Beautiful Bountiful British Columbia - Make it stand out The rain had no discernable dampening effect on the Canada Day celebrations in the town of Kelowna. Bands were going strong on both sides of our hotel and people were dancing and celebrating. There were even fireworks late at night which I missed since I was tucked up snug in bed after wandering in the rain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b8734ac8-4eba-4da8-b6f9-eb4a2626d06c/IMG_1611.JPG Blog - Beautiful Bountiful British Columbia - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/360e97a6-ada3-46a6-ad5d-a6d4a4d270e9/IMG_1488.JPG Blog - Beautiful Bountiful British Columbia - Make it stand out The Indian Motorcycle which once competed with the Harley Davidson. While the motorcycles were manufactured in the US, this mural is dedicated to the Megaw family and their dealership and the motorcycles they sold. Unfortunately, the dealership went out of business and the Indian motorcycles also lost their prominence. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f6d2330c-955f-4c3e-8490-7b2837dcd457/IMG_1731.JPG Blog - Beautiful Bountiful British Columbia - Make it stand out British Columbia’s version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame except this was along the side of the Tim Hortons in a little town we stopped at for a coffee break and these are hockey stars. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/the-canadian-rockies monthly 0.5 2024-07-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3eed80df-522f-4b76-a96f-4a523ee281e6/IMG_1122.JPG Blog - The Canadian Rockies - Make it stand out Our last stop in this lake circuit was Lake Minnewanka which means “Lake of Spirits” in the First Nations Language of the local tribe in the area. This lake powers the town of Banff. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f002d7de-c339-45b9-ac0c-dd5e339d125c/IMG_1153.jpg Blog - The Canadian Rockies - Make it stand out Castle Peak and Eisenhower Green. Apparently, President Eisenhower was to visit Banff and the Canadian government decided to name this mountain peak that looked like a castle in his honor. They got a band and banners and prepared to felicitate the president, but he never showed up. He was too busy golfing at the Fairmont hotel. So, the mountain peak was named Castle Peak and a small green spot in front of the mountain was name Eisenhower Green as a proper dig at the man. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/17d79cbf-9b92-4030-aaf3-140ea269226f/IMG_0837.JPG Blog - The Canadian Rockies - Make it stand out We left Calgary in the throes of preparing for the Calgary Stampede around the corner even as we took a walk and drive through some of the highlights fo the city. It drizzled on and off during the day as we drove but as we pulled into Canmore just outside the Banff National Park, the sun broke out for a bit to give us a wonderful view of the three sisters. Individually these peaks are known as Faith, Charity and Hope or sometimes also referred to as Big Sister, Middle Sister and Little Sister. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/30a39293-c277-47e2-9fef-df23aaeb05b2/E2E071CF-341E-459C-AA25-437AF11F36BB.jpg Blog - The Canadian Rockies - Make it stand out Next to the Natural Bridge is a commemoration of the Otter Camp internment site where Germans, Austrians, Hungarians and Turks were herded here. Many of these people are responsible for building the superb highways that span the mountains in this area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/807e0c11-4475-40ca-8f55-abca42833cc7/IMG_0967.JPG Blog - The Canadian Rockies - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2490d362-93c9-45c3-83e2-e52a9453816a/IMG_1288.JPG Blog - The Canadian Rockies - Make it stand out Again, despite the rain the Emerald Lake was gorgeous. Probably one of the most beautiful lakes out of all the beautiful lakes that we got to see. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ad30113f-4302-4546-b871-6d0cc6244cee/IMG_1196.JPG Blog - The Canadian Rockies - Make it stand out The beautiful Lake Louse. Despite the misting rain when we arrived, the beauty of the lake was undiminished. With the beautiful clear green water and snowcapped mountains, it reminded me of a pilgrimage that I had made as a teen with my father to a place call Hemkunt Sahib. As these memories were flooding my mind, I saw this lady wrapped up in a shawl which was draped over her head to keep her hair dry who looked so much like my deceased aunt that I had to stop and take a picture. Unfortunately, everyone was rushing, and I never got to chat and find out more about the family or to get contact information. It was in the moment, and it enriched my overall experience of being here in this beautiful place. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d42f47a0-b96e-4859-ab3a-97b6b410c9ad/IMG_1022.JPG Blog - The Canadian Rockies - Make it stand out The next morning, we had an early start to make our scheduled time for the Gondola that takes you up three thousand feet above the town of Banff for a view of the spectacular peaks that ring Banff. Despite the place being full of people and more arrived all the time, there was a hushed reverence as you stepped out on the viewing terraces to gaze upon the splendor. I of course forgot it was Saturday morning and a one-hour time difference and had the urge to share the splendor with one of my sons who was not a happy camper to be woken up by a video call from his wandering mother. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fdd36a46-ab9d-4afb-926e-46b81d0f81ad/videoframe_9877.jpg Blog - The Canadian Rockies - Make it stand out After spending a delightful two days exploring Banff National Park we set off across the Rocky Mountains towards Lake Louise and Emerald Lake. As we pulled out of Banff the Rocky Mountaineer was leaving the station and we got to see the train cross in front of us. It is only rightful that we talk about the Canadian Railroad and how it brought British Columbia close to the rest of Canada. We learned about the challenges of laying train tracks on the steep slopes of the Rocky Mountains and how some of these challenges were conquered by constructing spiral tunnels to slow the speed of the trains and prevent accidents. As we stopped at the viewpoint, we were fortunate to watch a long goods train snake its way through the tunnels. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/119ef9d9-9346-404e-9cd0-e7bd023b3668/IMG_1358.JPG Blog - The Canadian Rockies - Make it stand out The Golden Sky Bridge, a two-mile loop that crosses two of these swaying bridges. The rain decided to come down pretty hard and of course fog was drifting along so I went up to the first bridge and stepped on it and then opted out. Instead, I got a nice cup of coffee to warm up and waited for the folks who made the hike to return. The journey continues but we’ll pause and rest here for now. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/23ff9e7f-1fbc-4e78-b2a4-775a22626107/IMG_1110.JPG Blog - The Canadian Rockies - Make it stand out And so, we made the circuit with a photo stop at Two Jack Lake and heard the story of Jack which I’ve somewhat forgotten to be honest but when I looked up why it was called Two Jack, I learned that it was named after two different people named Jack but not the significance of why they deserved the lake to be named after them. One of the things that impressed me about this lake was how the color changed from deep to lighter emerald depending on how the sun hit the water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ac40c9c0-10d9-4e44-b54d-9537e11f6a71/IMG_0910.JPG Blog - The Canadian Rockies - Make it stand out Sometimes things come about because of happenstance. Looking for restrooms, we stopped at this brooding government building which had once been a mental asylum which had public restrooms and spectacular gardens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/328bfce2-096b-4fea-b0fb-58a37d694b68/IMG_0895.JPG Blog - The Canadian Rockies - Make it stand out We drove around the impressive Fairmont Hotel in Banff to stop to admire the Bow Falls on the Bow River. The rest of the group was scheduled to go rafting on the river. Despite assurances that riding the river was a relaxing experience and not like riding rapids, I refrained from this activity. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1ffb2cb7-8cf9-4fe8-95b9-339459be5c5b/IMG_1081.JPG Blog - The Canadian Rockies - Make it stand out By now the day was shaping up to be bright and beautiful as we headed to Cascade Pond which was full of people enjoying the day. Smoke from the Barbeques scented the air as we toasted the day and the trip with Cabot Trail a maple cream liqueur. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fec41ebb-65f6-4160-a332-b134ad8889d1/IMG_1320.JPG Blog - The Canadian Rockies - Make it stand out The Natural Bridge over the Kicking Horse River. The river has been carving out the riverbed and thanks to the rain over the past week the river was in full spate. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/wandering-on-a-summer-afternoon monthly 0.5 2024-06-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cb136f95-bc9d-45ec-91ef-09502a5421ba/IMG_0610.JPG Blog - Wandering on a Summer Afternoon - Make it stand out On the back of the house was a second fountain with gentle bubbling water and lotus flowers blooming. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9a0a5d2b-33f4-42bf-9b63-44ecb12abee3/IMG_0658.JPG Blog - Wandering on a Summer Afternoon - Make it stand out As I headed to my last stop of the day which despite all the information I had about it being open was closed. However, I ended up on Arroyo Drive and under the 101 freeway and satisfied my urge to get a picture of the Pasadena Ninth Circuit court which started its life as a resort. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1cd41b2f-8599-41d8-a95f-8407e851c204/IMG_0621.JPG Blog - Wandering on a Summer Afternoon - Make it stand out I left Gamble House for more wandering around the neighborhoods of Pasadena. I ended up at Merritt House, which is now closed to the public, but it put me back in the mental frame of feeling like I was wandering in Europe and looking into a hidden garden. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6674f24c-756d-4490-b0ec-0fcfc55ed2de/IMG_0598.JPG Blog - Wandering on a Summer Afternoon - Make it stand out Today started with a stop at Gamble House home of David and Mary Gamble of the Procter and Gamble known for creating the soap that floats, Ivory Soap. The architecture is distinct with sleeping porches, overhanging eaves and a plethora of plants growing what appears like almost out of the house. Tours are available and I absolutely could not believe that it was sold out for the time that I arrived. Clearly a weekday afternoon is no deterrent to folks wandering around. The interior is also quite distinct but not wanting to wait around I resolved to return another day with a ticket bought in advance to see the interior. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a61c937a-2796-4820-83a2-08490140835a/IMG_0603.JPG Blog - Wandering on a Summer Afternoon - Make it stand out Since I didn’t get a tour, I can’t tell you if these plants trained this way are meaningful, but I found it very interesting and something worthy of sharing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8ad57797-c62c-413e-ad6a-3ca1ddbb814f/IMG_0635.JPG Blog - Wandering on a Summer Afternoon - Make it stand out Around the corner was a waterfall and a stream that with running water that warbled and gurgled and skipped over the stones in its path. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/89d7195b-83ff-498c-b726-fb8869572d11/IMG_0622.JPG Blog - Wandering on a Summer Afternoon - Make it stand out Merritt Mansion was renowned for its beautiful formal Italian garden which is now hidden away behind locked gates. These urns bursting with flowers provided both a hint of what they hid as well as a privacy fence. This entire area is full of apartments, and I ran into a local who was walking by. She told me that this area had been open to the public until a couple of years ago but no more. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/284e7fbb-7dd7-46d7-bb17-0e31d6a0e0cb/IMG_0600.JPG Blog - Wandering on a Summer Afternoon - Make it stand out The gardens drowsed in the summer heat with fountains adding the tinkling sound of water. As the docent told me, it’s one big garden and you can walk around and over the grass through the porches. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c61d2c24-3a7e-4069-8572-485ee91017b6/IMG_0666.JPG Blog - Wandering on a Summer Afternoon - Make it stand out At the park right under Colorado Boulevard Bridge children were coming in for a picnic or just to play. Alas! my day and wandering were done, and I was ready to head back home and call it a success. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dec26923-e5c7-4b4d-b111-2159909dbed9/IMG_0638.JPG Blog - Wandering on a Summer Afternoon - Make it stand out The Ambassador Gardens which I had originally come in search off were pretty but not as impressive as I was led to believe. Also, the pool was dry and devoid of water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/73c79830-5143-4799-bf05-4afde20ea46e/IMG_0629.JPG Blog - Wandering on a Summer Afternoon - Make it stand out What a tempting sight on a warm summer afternoon. I resisted kicking off my sandals and wading into the water even though there were no signs forbidding it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/af89103d-15f3-4733-9a56-5fa2aab7de4a/IMG_0631.JPG Blog - Wandering on a Summer Afternoon - Make it stand out Avoiding the no trespassing signs and locked gates I wandered around the back where I could find a bench on the green and admire the hidden nooks and cranny’s that were visible from my vantage point. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/aefd8c2b-63ad-4649-ad4e-f4c38a1b4953/IMG_0629%281%29.JPG Blog - Wandering on a Summer Afternoon - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/hidden-pasadena-california monthly 0.5 2024-06-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/55ed0b8e-0b3b-41c6-8e13-40b6effba285/IMG_0393.JPG Blog - Secret Places Pasadena California - Make it stand out As I moved along my circuit, I made a brief stop at the very charming Burlington Arcade that is modeled after a shopping arcade in London complete with its authentic red phone booth. There are some interesting shops and cafes, here that were fun to browse through. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d3a89eab-2ac0-44c7-ac83-2022a976cc6b/IMG_0350.jpg Blog - Secret Places Pasadena California - Make it stand out You can sit at a swivel stool and order and enjoy your treats as you chat with the gentleman behind the counter. Alternatively, there are tables scattered around both inside and outside. I actually took my ice cream to go. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6af24728-8cd6-4d48-8dea-1a63e9dee35f/IMG_0435.JPG Blog - Secret Places Pasadena California - Make it stand out Another beautiful rose garden to add to the list of rose gardens that I have been exploring this spring. Of course, it’s a bit late in the season now but still the roses covered the grounds in color. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/af4e390a-fdf1-4691-8115-89ed7443fa5c/IMG_0387.JPG Blog - Secret Places Pasadena California - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4a3735c8-5e25-4960-950a-82c5470ce71f/IMG_8847.JPG Blog - Secret Places Pasadena California - Make it stand out Another very interesting feature is this walk of wish trees donated by Yoko Ono which are laden with wishes tied on the branches. You can bring your own wish here as well as read other’s wishes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ba4f19fe-c1c3-400c-8374-5605fa4a6592/IMG_0379.JPG Blog - Secret Places Pasadena California - Make it stand out The Old Mill, El Molino Viejo, was completed about 1816 as a gristmill for Mission San Gabriel. The original adobe sits amongst a couple of acres of gardens that highlights many of the trees and plants that would have been in the Mission San Gabriel’s Garden. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9dde969f-87e1-4142-96dc-84ed9c8a417a/IMG_8862.JPG Blog - Secret Places Pasadena California - Make it stand out The garden includes thousands of California-native plants and a variety to benches, tables, birdbaths and statues. You definitely feel like you may be in Italy as you wander through the garden. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cb93eef2-f4c2-447d-b095-e0dc8b833975/IMG_0404.jpg Blog - Secret Places Pasadena California - Make it stand out One of the reasons I picked Sydney in Spring is to see the Jacaranda Trees blooming. Did you know that Los Angeles has so many Jacaranda trees that the city actually maintains a map where they might be found. Here in Pasadena as I made my circuit, I drove down a street with blooming trees. What a fabulous finale to a wonderful afternoon. And no, I’m not canceling my Australia trip because I’ve seen the Jacaranda bloom here at home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6d4369ef-d9f9-48b5-a491-662e5384914f/IMG_0364.JPG Blog - Secret Places Pasadena California - Make it stand out The historic adobe building so reminiscent of the early Spanish settlers is open to the public, but I came here too late to go in. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0883f7ab-bc64-4a29-99b5-aa91d43f849f/IMG_0375.JPG Blog - Secret Places Pasadena California - Make it stand out Summer concerts are hosted here on the patio with soothing sound of the fountain and lights strung across the top. I will be checking the schedule and hope to make it here for an evening entertainment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7c6cf808-0ec2-4b27-83c3-b69e3ccd4d85/IMG_0358.JPG Blog - Secret Places Pasadena California - Make it stand out Even though I could not relate to all the various candies and items for sale and display I sure enjoyed browsing through everything on offer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fce12107-1521-480c-9553-5fe010fe72ca/IMG_8831.JPG Blog - Secret Places Pasadena California - Make it stand out My first stop on today’s adventure was the Arlington Gardens. Apparently, this area was once the staging area for the construction of the 710-freeway expansion but when the freeway project was abandoned due to community opposition this parcel of land was left vacant and eventually turned into a garden. Betty and Charles Mckenny are the founders of the garden who worked with designer Mayita Dinos based on inspiration from the book Sun-Drenched Gardens: The Mediterranean Style. The Garden they created demonstrates how beautiful and practical a well-planned, water conserving, and climate appropriate garden can be. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9ce74716-daba-4df9-8f37-9b7457652ade/IMG_0371.JPG Blog - Secret Places Pasadena California - Make it stand out There is a strong sense of serenity and peace as you sit at one of the benches scattered about the garden where I enjoyed my ice cream treat from the Fair Oaks Pharmacy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6e44211f-76d3-4d33-b937-151a181adc01/IMG_0425.JPG Blog - Secret Places Pasadena California - Make it stand out My last stop on my way home, The Wrigley Mansion and Rose Gardens. Originally the home of chewing gum magnate William Wrigley this mansion is now the headquarters of the Tournament of Roses and sits amidst lavish rose gardens that are free to the public. Supposedly this was one of Mrs. Wrigley favorite homes since she could watch the Rose Parade pass by from her front porch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1f7adf8a-dada-481b-8575-404e4c72686b/IMG_0348.jpg Blog - Secret Places Pasadena California - Make it stand out We left the Mediterranean lands behind for the urban sprawl of South Pasadena to step back in time at the Fair Oaks Pharmacy on the corner of Mission and Fair Oaks. People could get ice cream, candies, drinks, sodas, milk shakes and custom compounded medications all under one roof. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/a-living-history-of-civil-rights monthly 0.5 2024-06-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/438588d4-ff51-4045-a621-7b2893368e4d/IMG_9469.JPG Blog - So Much History ~ From New York to Los Angeles - Make it stand out The murals are relevant and current as we walked along the street and read the messages and saw the art that reflected artist’s thoughts on the state of the world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cf25cdbb-28ae-4cc2-863a-94cbed06d659/IMG_9056.JPG Blog - So Much History ~ From New York to Los Angeles - Make it stand out It’s hard to believe that the Women’s Right movement began in the small town of Seneca Falls. Due to the town’s connectivity through the canals, and railroads the women here felt that it would be easier to spread their reform message across the globe. The organizers of the First Women’s Rights convention organized the first ever women’s rights convention in 1847 with a view towards “securing to women an equal participation with men in various trades, professions and commerce”. But ideas proved easier than actual change and it would take seven decades in the United States and eight in Great Britain to achieve women’s suffrage. On August 22, 2013, President Obama visited the Women’s Historical National Park to deliver a copy of the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act. Despite all this good work, the glass ceiling remains and women are still fighting for equality. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cd877bbc-b88f-4481-a44c-59a546364bc5/IMG_8884.JPG Blog - So Much History ~ From New York to Los Angeles - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f41e4f97-dd3d-4a5d-b183-f3258e8f3b8c/IMG_9055.JPG Blog - So Much History ~ From New York to Los Angeles - Make it stand out Painted by Blake Chamberlain, a multi-colored mural of the key players who spearheaded the movement for reform. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9dd92ae8-0244-4d17-a589-ba9c95827c41/E58664C9-EDBE-4AB4-A436-8E85BAD2FD6C.jpg Blog - So Much History ~ From New York to Los Angeles - Make it stand out By this time, it was inevitable that we would put Auburn on the map and visit Harriet Tubman’s home and heritage. There is much construction and refurbishment happening in Auburn, but I did visit the Equal Rights Heritage Center. The wall of fame at the Equal Rights Heritage Center honoring the voices that contributed to the civil rights that many of us enjoy today despite the struggle that continues to exist. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/489d4b2b-4611-4709-8a8e-cb52f083fcf2/IMG_8891.JPG Blog - So Much History ~ From New York to Los Angeles - Make it stand out It just seems appropriate to mention the American Library exhibit that I had a chance to visit right here in Los Angeles at the Skirball Center Museum. This piece by contemporary artist Yinka Shonebare consists of 6000 hardback books wrapped in Dutch wax printed cotton, 3200 of which names embossed in gold. These names comprise of immigrants and descendants of immigrants who have had an impact on American Culture and African Americans who migrated from the American South to the North during the Great Migration. Would it surprise you that Donald Trump’s name is one of those 3200 names? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e85313b1-e8ac-4f24-a2d0-6272685fbd01/IMG_9515.JPG Blog - So Much History ~ From New York to Los Angeles - Make it stand out Another stop on the Freedom Trail before the bridge came into being the boats that were used to cross the river into Canada. This is marked by the the Freedom Crossing Monument in Lewiston. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/afe0a7ad-9560-46f0-8272-f3ee5269267c/IMG_9462.JPG Blog - So Much History ~ From New York to Los Angeles - Make it stand out Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/853e9bc7-8662-4ead-be25-c8ba5e3f1133/B756D3A3-1861-46F5-A531-AD4CEDD6DDA1.jpg Blog - So Much History ~ From New York to Los Angeles - Make it stand out While the exhibit is eye catching and definitely made me catch my breath what I really liked about it is the interactive nature of the exhibit. It’s almost like having a conversation with everyday people like you and I who are encouraged to add note cards with their stories or use one of the computers set up to type in their story. What an incredible experience to spend some time reading the stories. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1646d212-55d0-4f29-a59d-de929ec38a46/99FCF1B2-0EAC-4DFD-A483-B1D76D0EE3E7.jpg Blog - So Much History ~ From New York to Los Angeles - Make it stand out In a much more reflective mood, we determined to add the historical element to our exploration of this area. With that in mind we made our way to the Underground Railroad Heritage Center and stood at the Freedom Bridge in Niagara Falls. Murals outside the center celebrate the courage of the people like Harriet Tubman who led escaped slaves through the underground railroad to freedom in Canada. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a671a09e-d8de-462d-ba8b-d63832689b9b/IMG_0287.JPG Blog - So Much History ~ From New York to Los Angeles - Make it stand out The walls of the Equal Rights Heritage Center showcase the history of the movement and honor the men and women who contributed to the cause. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/a-beautiful-destination-the-finger-lakes monthly 0.5 2024-06-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c79b84f0-3ad8-4b7b-9250-96024ebba042/IMG_0237.jpg Blog - A Beautiful Destination the Finger Lakes - Make it stand out We certainly couldn’t be so close to Ithaca and not stop to see the Cornell Campus. Tired from two days of hiking, and with rain and drizzle in the air I decided to do my sightseeing around the campus via car instead of walking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4af94c9e-e411-480e-8329-a46f48c19787/IMG_9540.jpg Blog - A Beautiful Destination the Finger Lakes - Make it stand out Just a quick diversion on our way to the Finger Lakes, the town of Lockport and the Eerie Canal. Completed in 1825, the canal was the first navigable waterway connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. As we wandered along the canals and watched this tourist boat navigate the locks, I was glad that we were too late for a ride on this one and too early for the next one since it appeared agonizingly slow to sail through the locks. Yet it speeded up the movement of goods tremendously in this part of the world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0b1b2834-24a0-4b66-a6b5-7757c32315f4/IMG_9720.JPG Blog - A Beautiful Destination the Finger Lakes - Make it stand out Trip to Elmira College finally marked a success since we located Mark Twain’s study and actually found a docent manning the study willing to talk with us and answer questions. I would have traded better signage from the parking lot over the live docent, but you take what you can get especially since we did ultimately find the study. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2a4acaf8-be1d-41ee-8220-144583835ad3/IMG_0095.JPG Blog - A Beautiful Destination the Finger Lakes - Make it stand out Corning downtown is full of interesting shops and restaurants. A soulful cup was an interesting choice for a coffee and bagel and a chance meeting with the owner who travels all over the world in search of the perfect coffee to serve her customers. The Finger Lakes Region was active in reform and Utopian movements, and we managed to visit a few memorials and museums to the cause, look for this post next week since I’m not quite done with the Finger Lakes yet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7ed371ce-dd32-426b-8293-097b2a18c9f3/IMG_9970.JPG Blog - A Beautiful Destination the Finger Lakes - Make it stand out Amongst the fabulous scenery, the historical pier, marina and sail boats, Watkins Glen is also considered the home of Grand Prix racing in the region. The 6.6-mile circuit of the Grand Prix race run on October 2, 1948, runs through the streets of the town and can be done as a self-guided trip. The street signs are race cars and there are murals of race cars on the walls along Franklin Street which is the main street in the town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ec11bf66-0864-47b3-b9f3-1097aa5b7a90/IMG_0061.JPG Blog - A Beautiful Destination the Finger Lakes - Make it stand out Normally flights are four, eight, twelve. I decided to go with a mixed flight of 2 + 2 (ice cream and cheese) but couldn’t make up my mind so the young man serving us threw in the fifth for free. Both the cheese and ice-cream were delicious. After originally demurring that she was going to pass, Rita actually went back in and got her own flight. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/12534993-d1c5-4f8e-b2dd-bb5428619fbe/IMG_0187.JPG Blog - A Beautiful Destination the Finger Lakes - Make it stand out Lots and lots of waterfalls and we saw most of them including the one that just flowed right along the road as we drove by. I will certainly try to share the beauty of some of these falls along the way, but I also loved these little bowers of green woodland along the falls that almost seemed like fairy woods. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/42fdb461-c545-456f-a990-cf7623385f61/IMG_0075.JPG Blog - A Beautiful Destination the Finger Lakes - Make it stand out We stopped at the Shtayburne Farm for an ice-cream and cheese tasting and to get a closer look at the farms that we had seen in passing as we drove along the roads from place to place. The farm is home to about 60 cows and family owned. Rita of course went out to interact with these calves who came right out of their tents when we approached looking for treats of which we had none. Not to be deterred this adorable calf decided to lick her jacket to see how it tasted. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/19fad298-57e0-4e49-9c22-b7887f6867ee/IMG_0157.JPG Blog - A Beautiful Destination the Finger Lakes - Make it stand out The Taughannock falls, supposedly are as tall as Niagara though not as wide and without the force of water. Doesn’t quite seem so but that’s them facts. There was a sign along the 2-mile roundtrip walk that stating that we have accomplished in an hour what took nature 1000s of years to create. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/eca70d69-d759-4dd0-9aac-e498dff165e8/IMG_9917.JPG Blog - A Beautiful Destination the Finger Lakes - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b96ffc85-9b65-47d7-959e-ee63e32105d0/IMG_9717.jpg Blog - A Beautiful Destination the Finger Lakes - Make it stand out Mark Twain spent a lot of his summers in the Finger Lakes in Elmira and wrote some of his most famous works here. Elmira College is where they relocated his study so it would be more accessible to the public. Accessible it might be but it’s a well-hidden secret and for a while Rita looked at me like I had lost my marbles when I insisted it was here, but we couldn’t find it. It took me wandering into this chapel with its beautiful stained-glass panels and two young ladies who came to turn these lights off to find the study. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b501df99-886c-4da5-943e-118790aee938/IMG_9783.JPG Blog - A Beautiful Destination the Finger Lakes - Make it stand out Corning was our home away from home for the 4 nights we were in the Finger Lakes but regardless a visit to the Corning Museum of Glass is definitely a must do when in the region. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0ed8c73c-4a13-419c-b48a-45996ef04d94/IMG_0298.JPG Blog - A Beautiful Destination the Finger Lakes - Make it stand out The Finger Lakes are a group of eleven long narrow lakes. While there is a scientific explanation of the ice age and how these were created, I love the native American legend. A Great Spirit dearly loved this area of the Americas laid his hands on the earth to bless it. when he lifted his hands, he left behind the imprint of his fingers which filled with water. The eleventh I suppose was a bonus. We drove 850 miles over 7 days exploring waterfalls, wineries, the lakes, the universities, the noted notables, museums and ate some fabulous food along the way. Oh, and let’s not forget the hiking and walking. I personally beat my personal best total walking streak and managed to climb 500 plus stairs which I also descended making it a total of approximately 1100 stairs. We met up with Rita’s niece and nephew-in-law over coffee and John asked us about “skinny atlas”, it turns out he was talking about Skaneateles. A lot of the names are Native American in origin and not pronounced as we would, so it was like learning a new language. Since that is a part of wandering in them thar foreign lands I loved the fact that this element was also added to our itinerary. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/162c9309-76dd-4f8f-acd2-7ce23bb7fa62/IMG_9983.jpg Blog - A Beautiful Destination the Finger Lakes - Make it stand out Seneca Lake is the largest of the lakes and is the deepest lake in the United States. Every few yards along the lake are wineries along what it is known as the Seneca Wine Trail. There is the Cayuga Wine Trail and the Keuka Wine Trail as well. This region produces mostly Rieslings and while we stopped at a few wineries along our way we did not do a lot of active wine tasting. We did stop at the award-winning Keuka Springs Winery and while I did not participate in wine tasting, I tasted a few towards selecting the perfect glass of wine to enjoy. Sitting on the patio gazing at the beautiful scenery and sipping my wine, I could feel all my cares and the tiredness of the day just slipping away. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/niagara-falls-new-york monthly 0.5 2024-06-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1f1e41c9-aabb-4f54-8cc6-f802971cbc6b/IMG_9175.JPG Blog - Waterfalls Are Just the Start, Niagara Falls - Make it stand out We did finally get into our hotel. Tired from all the driving and no sleep on the red eye flight I crashed while Rita went for a walk to photograph the sunset and the lights. The next morning, I was ready and raring to go. We decided to skip the Maid of the Mist ride but elected to go to the Eagles Nest and the Observation Deck. The beautiful Rainbow Bridge between the US and Canada is so clearly visible from this spot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/82292589-94f9-4ac2-b356-8627f0a02bb2/IMG_9267.JPG Blog - Waterfalls Are Just the Start, Niagara Falls - Make it stand out The Three Sisters Islands higher up the river are a great photo destination. Rita wanted to try and get a picture from the top since she’s one of three sisters and I realized that I too am the middle one of three sisters, so here’s the view from the walkway over the middle island. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/24c75480-db9b-44b7-92ea-2c51b562ffc0/IMG_9585.jpg Blog - Waterfalls Are Just the Start, Niagara Falls - Make it stand out And the best omen possible in the midst of a possible forecast for rain. A double rainbow. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b515ae69-b6fc-4325-a4df-90d43dd31358/IMG_9363.JPG Blog - Waterfalls Are Just the Start, Niagara Falls - Make it stand out The bridal Veil Falls are definitely aptly named. I took the green park shuttle around the park, and I heard one of the passengers ask about the force of water per hour. The driver responded, “Sorry Sir, I don’t know that answer, but I do know that it is 75000 gallons per second.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6d8e4930-ad0a-4972-9a7d-4a3aebeb7c68/IMG_9484.JPG Blog - Waterfalls Are Just the Start, Niagara Falls - Make it stand out Niagara Falls, NY was the last stop on the underground railroad and this bridge named the Freedom Bridge spelled freedom to the escaping slaves as they crossed over to freedom and safety in Canada. It is still an active border crossing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/63e71c19-6e75-4cfa-83a2-55b81751ec99/IMG_9558.JPG Blog - Waterfalls Are Just the Start, Niagara Falls - Make it stand out Finally, it was time to get serious and start heading to a meal and our night destination. A beautiful view reminding us that we are now back in the Finger Lakes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d405d6f2-21bd-4475-9bfd-c0c0cc6fc7c4/IMG_7515.jpg Blog - Waterfalls Are Just the Start, Niagara Falls - Make it stand out It so happened that the town of Canandaigua was on our route, and a stop at the City Pier to see the boathouses was a must. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0a18d4ba-4104-4c20-9f3c-d76407048bd5/IMG_9540.JPG Blog - Waterfalls Are Just the Start, Niagara Falls - Make it stand out The day was young yet and so we passed on the power plant stop to make a stop at Lockport, a community that was built around the Erie Canal which connects the Hudson River to Lake Erie. We got to see the locks in operation though we did not have time for the hour-long cruise through the locks on a boat trip that lasts about an hour. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5d0108af-784e-493b-b6ff-fc307e759323/IMG_9106.JPG Blog - Waterfalls Are Just the Start, Niagara Falls - Make it stand out Thanks to our growling stomachs we stopped in the town of Geneva only to find most of the shops and restaurants closed. After finding a charming lunch place we stopped at the Finger Lakes Welcome Center to take some pictures with this iconic sign. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9ccf16f7-3613-4fac-8243-c27bc0d2058a/IMG_9043.JPG Blog - Waterfalls Are Just the Start, Niagara Falls - Make it stand out As we headed towards Niagara Falls New York, signs for the Fingler Lakes began to appear. It would have probably taken an act of God for us to stay on the highway but since there was no act in sight, we took off and followed signs and cute backroads to end up in the town of Seneca Falls location for the movie “It’s a beautiful Life”. After spending some time exploring, we continued along the back roads, stopping where our eyes told us to. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3317ab78-495d-4b95-9b32-86675b892843/IMG_9332.JPG Blog - Waterfalls Are Just the Start, Niagara Falls - Make it stand out A statue honoring Nikola Tesla recognizing his contribution to inventing AC current. Story has it that Thomas Edison tried to steal his work. Hmm! I am grateful for his inventions that make our life easier today. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/108afc58-db05-4d02-8549-d8644a6a217c/IMG_9196.JPG Blog - Waterfalls Are Just the Start, Niagara Falls - Make it stand out The American Falls https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2da94f56-5574-453a-8339-bbd51ae1be4f/IMG_9442.JPG Blog - Waterfalls Are Just the Start, Niagara Falls - Make it stand out Replete with our viewing of the falls, we headed out of Niagara but decided to make a few stops along the way to our hotel in Corning. These windows were painted by artist Polly King who is quoted to say, “Colors Sing to Me”.as a part of a city beautification project. After seeing this we had to make a stop at the Castellani Art Museum to see her work exhibited there. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/08985523-f2cd-4bc6-b8e6-d1899938a964/IMG_9378.JPG Blog - Waterfalls Are Just the Start, Niagara Falls - Make it stand out The horseshoe falls are known as the Canadian falls and the best view is from the Canadian side. Since we only had a day to spend in this area, we decided to shelve the idea of crossing over to Canada and instead contented ourselves on the American side and enjoying the views over a lunch at the Top of the Falls restaurant over Terrapin Point, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/02e4f2b0-6199-40ac-89a5-7e42135f933f/IMG_9285.JPG Blog - Waterfalls Are Just the Start, Niagara Falls - Make it stand out This was not a stunt, but I never did find out what this group was looking for or doing as they waded into the fast-flowing water well hooked up. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/contemporary-sikh-art monthly 0.5 2024-05-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/374e172b-c79d-4d82-a0a6-b2e9f8d84e6a/IMG_8773.JPG Blog - I Will Meet You Again Fowler Museum - Make it stand out What would the Lord of Death and Justice make of the state of affairs at play? a very powerful message by artist Manjot Kaur about the current socio-political environment in India. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ca935e2b-780b-49fb-9611-0bb597c19072/IMG_8776.JPG Blog - I Will Meet You Again Fowler Museum - Make it stand out The visual impact of the entrance had me catching my breath. The linen panels by artist Rupy C Tut from her “Decoding the Hate Helix” swaying gently in a nonexistent breeze, framing Sunroop Kaur’s powerful self-portrait and the militant soldier priest standing over a crumbling Golden Temple set the tone for what is to follow. From this first step in, you are captured and enraptured, and your brain is working as fast as your feet and eyes and ears. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7e2f3b3e-189f-40a6-86a9-03c86ec8aed4/IMG_8771.JPG Blog - I Will Meet You Again Fowler Museum - Make it stand out The struggle is never ending. there’s always something continuing to happen. The farmers protest against unfair farm bills that caused these workers to camp outside the capital when they were prevented from entering. They withstood, heat, cold rain until the central government was forced to repeal the laws. They yet struggle for justice on this issue. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/024d8a2b-42b9-4c2c-93e2-b22db9a174ff/IMG_8753.JPG Blog - I Will Meet You Again Fowler Museum - Make it stand out Perhaps the second most powerful impact on me was this exhibit with the suitcases that depict migrations on a generational basis. My parents both migrated from what became Pakistan in the partition of India in 1947 and started life anew in a secular India. They were more fortunate than many others in that their journey was somewhat uneventful even though life as they had known it was changed forever. Many members of my family moved to different corners of the world after the genocide in 1984. I myself left my home and family in India to begin a new life in the US, with all my worldly goods packed into one suitcase and $200 in cash in my pocket. Who knows what is in store for my children or my children’s children. What I have learned is that humans are resilient, and home is where the heart is, not bricks and mortar and the heart of course is family. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a83ac873-723d-4603-96cc-e0907b736f51/IMG_8748.jpg Blog - I Will Meet You Again Fowler Museum - Make it stand out A sense of longing for things left behind a sense of loss, a desire to reach out and touch. A dream for things to get better. Part of a series of paintings by artist Rupy C. Tut titled Reaching out to Homeland. I see this in my 91-year-old Aunt who still remembers her home in Sargodha, still yearns for one more glimpse of what was left behind. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cd57ba0a-7222-4494-990b-e5fec77c1968/IMG_8764.JPG Blog - I Will Meet You Again Fowler Museum - Make it stand out Two large paintings showcase the now and then of making a home and the woman’s integral role in forming the center of the house but also the evolution of the role through the ages. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2630e672-c27e-4cd4-80a3-9aac75a021b6/IMG_8742.JPG Blog - I Will Meet You Again Fowler Museum - Make it stand out Thank you, Sonia. I truly enjoyed seeing the exhibition through your eyes and coloring it with my life’s experiences. Let’s end as we began with Amrita Pritam’s poem “the threads of memory are woven with enduring specks. I will pick up these particles, weave the threads and I will meet you yet again”. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6cd322fe-7967-44b0-8d1e-452f077df9b1/IMG_8759.jpg Blog - I Will Meet You Again Fowler Museum - Make it stand out Threads of Change from the series Slaves of Fashion painted by the Singh Twins. This painting depicts the impact of colonization and Indo-British Trade the impact of which is felt even today. A very powerful moving work once you examine the detail in these paintings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d213e3a3-7ae7-4bc9-900f-0dd0c5b23e90/IMG_8800.JPG Blog - I Will Meet You Again Fowler Museum - Make it stand out A moment of joy and celebration as Pakistan opened a corridor that allowed Sikh pilgrims to travel to religious shrines in Pakistan under controlled circumstances. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e3a9baaa-e955-4fd8-91d5-d6d3d0110cca/IMG_8746.JPG Blog - I Will Meet You Again Fowler Museum - Make it stand out Portrait of Amrita Pritam at the cusp of the partition of India with her verses in Gurmukhi and Shahmukhi https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3dba00e5-cb42-4897-91bd-18e517e11862/IMG_8752.JPG Blog - I Will Meet You Again Fowler Museum - Make it stand out Longing in another sense. This is a painting of a gurdwara left behind in Pakistan. The artist has taken the mud from the ground on which the Gurdwara stands and mixed it into his paint, so it is contained in the painting. In a very real sense taking the mud from your home along on your journey no matter where it might lead. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/wandering-in-dtla monthly 0.5 2024-05-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f3418a5b-2cd6-4b90-9393-f77fdc4e68e8/IMG_8677.JPG Blog - A Morning in DTLA - Make it stand out Robert Rauschenberg Untitled ~ Oil, fabric and newspaper on canvas is what the plaque reads next to the work. What I found the most intriguing was that Eli and Edythe Broad traded a Vincent van Gogh’s drawing to acquire this piece in 1983. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e00acf2d-8ec4-4e28-bd5b-41bc4fcd4e29/IMG_8681.JPG Blog - A Morning in DTLA - Make it stand out “Everybody has their own America, and then they have pieces of a fantasy America that they think is out there, but they can’t see.” - Andy Warhol. Abstract impressionism using products like Coca Cola and Campbell’s soup cans. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/77f16e08-6007-45e2-9075-c0f4606aea8e/IMG_8640.JPG Blog - A Morning in DTLA - Make it stand out Starting off with Robert Therrien’s “Under the Table” we had fun trying to reach up on tippy toes to touch the top of the underside of the table or pretend to climb up to one of the chairs. With much shared laughter and selfies and photos of each other’s shenanigans we set the tone for how our morning would proceed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/98f76cd8-bca1-4c62-b77a-5af32e0b448a/IMG_8685.JPG Blog - A Morning in DTLA - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/99147653-727b-4769-a32f-635b08a87b87/IMG_8722.JPG Blog - A Morning in DTLA - Make it stand out The Blue Rose Fountain created by Frank Gehry as a tribute to Lillian Disney blending in her favorite Royal Blue Delft porcelain in the shape of a blooming rose. The beautiful fountain is set against the backdrop of the metallic facade of the concert hall and flowering trees and invites people to stop for selfies and pictures in general. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a4d0205a-5490-4f62-b19f-96a6e448dce5/IMG_8651.JPG Blog - A Morning in DTLA - Make it stand out Is this a fabric drape? my friend Usha wanted to know if it was soft to touch. It’s hard to imagine that this stunning drape is constructed of bottle caps, reused aluminum, copper wires, and other materials. El Anatsui, from Ghana has used his skills to present a weave that represents clothing worn on important occasions in their country. No, I don’t know how it feels since touching was not allowed and a museum guard was close by to ensure the rules were followed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/11d6ce49-5db3-4e24-92c9-5a1bcf25d064/IMG_8660.JPG Blog - A Morning in DTLA - Make it stand out Roy Lichenstein is one of the founders of American Pop Art. Using themes based on imagery founded in advertising and comic books he developed his own brand of Abstract Impressionism. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/83e7556a-2a0d-458f-9418-76e1a1b5739e/IMG_8727.JPG Blog - A Morning in DTLA - Make it stand out There was some question about potentially riding the Angels Flight railway to head over to the Grand Central Market for a culinary adventure, but we decided to pass on that portion of the plan. Such a smart move. The whole objective of this morning excursion was to meet for lunch, so we settled on chef Timothy Hollingsworth’s restaurant Otium. I had become a fan of the chef while watching the show Final Table and we quite enjoyed the beautiful restaurant which was full of lunch goers when we walked in. Remember the parking ticket that we had so religiously validated? Well, the validated discount was only valid for the first 3 hours which was a memory by the time we enjoyed our lunch and lingered over coffee and dessert. Ah well the extra parking fee was worth it for a fantastic half day full of friendship and wandering. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dd85332a-0156-42ed-a6fb-7f79695467e3/IMG_8714.JPG Blog - A Morning in DTLA - Make it stand out After making sure that we validated our parking, we walked across to the Disney Concert Hall with the objective of exploring the hidden Blue-Ribbon Garden with its shady nooks, and people enjoying their lunch on the various seating areas scattered around. I’m glad that @coastallivingwithAchint was with me, otherwise I would have climbed the stairs outside the hall to make my way to the garden. Instead, we went into the lobby and found that we could actually take the elevator on the inside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7ddb437f-3da4-4ad8-b85a-8ccb336d3b32/IMG_8711.JPG Blog - A Morning in DTLA - Make it stand out These trees add a spectacular touch of color against the twisted steel oh so modern facade of the concert hall. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dd97899f-b0f0-4e42-9b20-08e908a79c9c/IMG_8668.JPG Blog - A Morning in DTLA - Make it stand out At times fun, at times sober and thought provoking we wandered through the third-floor galleries. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cf23eaa6-c918-4f88-888a-c13dd24370c0/IMG_8667.JPG Blog - A Morning in DTLA - Make it stand out Another thought-provoking piece of art from Japanese artist Takashi Murakami who is known for promoting pop art in ways unforeseen by American critics and artists. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/a-slice-of-england-in-beverly-hills monthly 0.5 2024-05-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/70d30a60-b83e-474f-bf92-a4600a8ae3ae/IMG_8426.JPG Blog - A Slice of England in Beverly Hills - Make it stand out As I wound my way downwards, I was reminded that what goes down must come up especially as I passed a lady making her way up the stairs huffing and puffing a little bit. I felt a sense of mystery and melancholy since the day was a bit dark and brooding. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/21c27e52-617a-48a7-a050-fa3979c227dc/IMG_8463.JPG Blog - A Slice of England in Beverly Hills - Make it stand out The interior of the mansion of course was not open today, but people did walk up to the glass paned doors peeking inside and marveling at all the architectural details of the property designed by Gordon Kaufman. The property has been used in movies and can be rented for parties and weddings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a57e4798-3d41-4be1-b5ba-dd1c74f18369/IMG_8477.JPG Blog - A Slice of England in Beverly Hills - Make it stand out While there are many fountains on multiple levels in the gardens, this was the only one that actually had water in it. I could imagine gentlemen in evening dresses and ladies in their beautiful gowns fluttering their fans as they perambulated. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d58eab9d-88ee-4518-9b7a-3213e248a929/IMG_8489.JPG Blog - A Slice of England in Beverly Hills - Make it stand out The entrance gates on Doheny which are not open to the public. I don’t think this driveway was ever used by horse carriages, but can you imagine a gentleman in his phaeton smartly cracking the whip as the tools up the driveway to the main entrance? I so love traveling in foreign lands, but I am enjoying this brief sojourn discovering hidden secrets closer to home far off the beaten path. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f10c8993-6cb2-4a5a-879f-c617f8ec58b4/IMG_8401.JPG Blog - A Slice of England in Beverly Hills - Make it stand out or took a load of their feet as they enjoyed a brief conversation in the various nooks scattered around. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6e339a1a-ab31-4bac-a5b1-a4a9f9464582/IMG_8431.JPG Blog - A Slice of England in Beverly Hills - Make it stand out Interesting statuary and fountains abounded on multiple levels. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a0fb3bb6-a228-4cf3-8e62-e0707fe6d21a/IMG_8415.JPG Blog - A Slice of England in Beverly Hills - Make it stand out Other areas of the property looked out over the other homes in the Trousdale Estates in Beverly Hills. The Palm trees of course are a dead giveaway that I was only faking it in imagining that I was in England. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1e8aa867-4223-4162-8851-b563a4a47530/IMG_8454.JPG Blog - A Slice of England in Beverly Hills - Make it stand out Making my way through the grounds I came across the Lotus Pool with the entire property overlooking Downtown Los Angeles. West Wood and Santa Monica depending on which way you looked. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/abe21a8c-07a5-4a79-9aff-e7f9e1398f74/IMG_8444.JPG Blog - A Slice of England in Beverly Hills - Make it stand out Surprisingly for a weekday there were a lot of people wandering the property as well as a group of tourists with a guide posing for photos here by the Lily pond. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4473714b-f4e9-43c1-827b-be6ed4ffe77c/IMG_8482.JPG Blog - A Slice of England in Beverly Hills - Make it stand out With its yew hedges and white roses blooming, it’s so easy to pretend that I am actually traveling to a faraway destination even though I might only be a half hour from home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cb242e14-d478-41fb-81df-7ffbc1b59073/IMG_8395.JPG Blog - A Slice of England in Beverly Hills - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b8db1f03-d092-49b5-8882-d40a1f79fe1c/IMG_8397.JPG Blog - A Slice of England in Beverly Hills - Make it stand out As I entered the fairly large visitor parking lot, I saw the gardens were laid out on multiple levels with benches placed at strategic levels encouraging visitors to enjoy the quiet and breathe in the scents of the flowers and plants blooming all around. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/94036693-75a8-4596-a41e-2e1d262f0068/IMG_8433.JPG Blog - A Slice of England in Beverly Hills - Make it stand out The 55 room, 46,000 square foot manor would fit right into the English countryside posing as the country estate of an English peer. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/los-angeles-libraries monthly 0.5 2024-05-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/685b50a0-6562-4a22-bf17-fd460bfb4c66/IMG_8158.JPG Blog - Libraries Fuel the Power of Imagination - Make it stand out The creme de le creme of the Goodhue building, is its beautiful heart, the Rotunda. The ceiling is stenciled within patterns by a local artist Julian Garnsey and the murals depicting the four eras of California history are done by Dean Cromwell. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/62188409-aad5-4092-8bde-13f55addfce4/IMG_8097.JPG Blog - Libraries Fuel the Power of Imagination - Make it stand out The International Languages department contains murals from Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d5a6798e-7815-4721-b8ca-2aee3bcd59a8/IMG_8090.JPG Blog - Libraries Fuel the Power of Imagination - Make it stand out A view of the chandeliers from the lower level looking up. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/631f8e38-af79-48e6-be9a-76a9ceef9349/CA67BD9B-A6B8-4BE1-874A-FBD395C42BB8.jpg Blog - Libraries Fuel the Power of Imagination - Make it stand out The library collection contains one of the twelve surviving copies of the Gutenberg Bible, the Ellesmere manuscript of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and the Audubon book of North American birds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ec5a8dd1-1058-41f3-b198-d4df9954531f/IMG_8187.JPG Blog - Libraries Fuel the Power of Imagination - Make it stand out The Huntington Library most particularly the gardens are one of my favorite places to visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/41047d0d-9936-4fb8-8ce2-55d583395d55/IMG_8150.JPG Blog - Libraries Fuel the Power of Imagination - Make it stand out The children’s reading room with its original painted ceiling, painted murals depicting the history of California and the original lamps from the 1920s. I am determined to bring my grandchildren for an outing to this beautiful library so they can appreciate the beauty and history of the state and city that we live in. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8cccb4c7-7910-4ee5-a96c-09d457b5c6a3/IMG_7940.JPG Blog - Libraries Fuel the Power of Imagination - Make it stand out It’s a well-used library with many people sitting around and enjoying the books and ambiance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ce383439-5932-483e-b9e5-1c2bd6220789/IMG_8126.JPG Blog - Libraries Fuel the Power of Imagination - Make it stand out Hanging from the center of the ceiling is the exquisite Zodiac Chandelier. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e2b9560e-db0a-4db1-b50e-65af89f2942c/IMG_8087.JPG Blog - Libraries Fuel the Power of Imagination - Make it stand out I started my tour by taking an elevator to the fourth floor and stepping into the Tom Bradley Wing and looking at the atrium where three huge chandeliers hang. The first depicts nature, the second human culture and technology and the third emotional and spiritual worlds. The elevators themselves are lined with glass walls holding old library cards. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4a3a2bad-8071-44a2-9a6e-5a2acce128a4/IMG_7979.JPG Blog - Libraries Fuel the Power of Imagination - Make it stand out The Powell Library which is one of the 4 original buildings that make up the heart of UCLA. It is where Ray Bradbury wrote Fahrenheit 451 in the basement. I used to visit here for book fairs etc. but haven’t been on the campus for a long time. Of course, given what’s happening on college campuses it was completely the wrong time to visit and the library itself was closed to boot. I’ve put this one and the library on the USC campus on the back burner to visit once things are calm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/35226ebf-3202-4467-abd3-3a5a00ae0888/IMG_8077.JPG Blog - Libraries Fuel the Power of Imagination - Make it stand out The Richard Riordan Central Library was first opened in 1926 in what is now called the Goodhue building and then added on in 1993 with the modern Tom Bradley wing. The building itself is exquisite and definitely worth the visit and a docent lead tour of the features of the beautiful Goodhue Building. I planned my visit on a Saturday with the thought that traffic and parking in downtown LA would be much easier. Of course, with my luck a film crew had turned the area next to the library into a street in New York and streets were closed and parking was difficult at best. Initially I thought I had lucked out and found a parking garage, but when I made my way to the entrance it was closed, and my only option was to back out the twisty entrance, not an easy feat mind you. I was glad of the rear cameras and the proximity alarms that kept me from scratching my car. After that challenging start, however, the visit itself was a total dream. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/eb8df908-9fc1-4c87-99fe-b133b4d86275/IMG_7936.JPG Blog - Libraries Fuel the Power of Imagination - Make it stand out The Brand Library in Glendale was constructed in 1904 by Leslie Coombs Brand as his home modeling it after the East India Pavilion in Chicago’s World Exposition. He left it to the city of Glendale upon his death in 1925. The library is housed within the home and it’s a delight to wander through and admire the architecture of the original house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/41acc133-f8bd-49db-a023-57a3c5a1c662/IMG_8134.JPG Blog - Libraries Fuel the Power of Imagination - Make it stand out On the staircase near the 5th street entrance are three sculptures: Black and marble bronze sphinxes and in the wall, niche is the Triumph of Civilization which has a copper panel representing the history of the world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a02ebbb0-0dc7-488d-97f5-5b340ac817bc/IMG_8140.JPG Blog - Libraries Fuel the Power of Imagination - Make it stand out The special project in the Getty gallery depicts the gentrification of East Los Angeles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d6a4f319-c314-47e7-9165-ed6bfc0efad0/IMG_8190.JPG Blog - Libraries Fuel the Power of Imagination - Make it stand out While I have wandered here in the Huntington Gardens many a time it is fitting that today’s nod to the gardens is to the statue of the bard William Shakespeare surrounded by the beautiful roses in bloom in the garden. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/potter-daniels-manor-2024-pasadena-showcase-house monthly 0.5 2024-05-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7c9b0ad0-6cf2-47f1-9a3c-38783c17132b/IMG_7723.JPG Blog - Potter Daniels Manor 2024 Pasadena Showcase House - Make it stand out We took the time to enjoy a cold drink at a table in one of the gardens enjoying the afternoon before stopping in and browsing through the shops at the showcase. And yes! absolutely bought a few things. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d18968e5-dbd9-4ae4-8db6-2b44da27ef9d/IMG_7658.JPG Blog - Potter Daniels Manor 2024 Pasadena Showcase House - Make it stand out Crossing the threshold enter into an impressive foyer with walnut paneled walls, hand painted murals and a staircase with intricately carved banisters leading the way to the upper levels. Throughout the house are beautiful light fixtures and chandeliers, each more impressive than the next, starting with the stunning 26 light leaf chandelier that graces the entry foyer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4fb83aa9-f997-4e1b-9765-7ca573adba42/IMG_7667.JPG Blog - Potter Daniels Manor 2024 Pasadena Showcase House - Make it stand out Another stunning Murano Chandelier shines down on the sideboard. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/889fbd86-9a4b-4e45-92ff-c2dc4070fe37/IMG_7728.JPG Blog - Potter Daniels Manor 2024 Pasadena Showcase House - Make it stand out The coach house was a separate mini house located on the grounds with its own kitchen, dining, living room and bedrooms. A perfect mother-in-law or dowager home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7a421c3f-8535-4583-b267-b4fcd7fcc572/IMG_7662.JPG Blog - Potter Daniels Manor 2024 Pasadena Showcase House - Make it stand out The Stately Dining room with its custom silver and china place settings gleams under another stunning chandelier which lights up the beautifully painted ceiling as well as the gleaming table settings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6365bbb8-f87e-4e97-ab51-de3ba872bf0b/IMG_7638.JPG Blog - Potter Daniels Manor 2024 Pasadena Showcase House - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bf79e3ce-36f1-4631-9322-0deb4a0a78ca/IMG_7664.JPG Blog - Potter Daniels Manor 2024 Pasadena Showcase House - Make it stand out A harp stands on the ready to entertain the diners as they enjoy their multicourse dinner. Of course, there was no harpist as we toured through these rooms but as I learned from my chat with the designer of this section of the house, they have been looking for one. Interested parties might want to reach out. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1db45363-f395-4531-8b56-f43735a1f212/IMG_7713.JPG Blog - Potter Daniels Manor 2024 Pasadena Showcase House - Make it stand out The side gardens offered many practical tips that one could incorporate into one’s own garden. My friend @Malachana told me that she actually took a ceramics class and would like to see if she could create these planters for her own garden. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bae9b58d-aa3a-4dc5-9c91-127874133812/IMG_7645.JPG Blog - Potter Daniels Manor 2024 Pasadena Showcase House - Make it stand out As you pass through the back patio the gardens bloom with succulent and California wildflowers. Of course, we first came into the back, admired the gardens before making our way to the front and the entrance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e8a78f99-7609-4117-b8f9-ee61c18eebd6/IMG_7680.JPG Blog - Potter Daniels Manor 2024 Pasadena Showcase House - Make it stand out These mullioned windows stretch all the way to the top floor with hand painted murals bookending it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0c27accb-c9a1-4d94-b577-2c3cd8cdcc50/IMG_7659.JPG Blog - Potter Daniels Manor 2024 Pasadena Showcase House - Make it stand out The first floor consists of public entertainment areas, starting with the stately living room with its grand piano. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/77338fe2-a9a3-42ff-a8fc-048cc06d0935/IMG_7688.JPG Blog - Potter Daniels Manor 2024 Pasadena Showcase House - Make it stand out Despite its age, there is a lift, appropriately labeled in stained glass of course. No, it was not in use for visitors but apparently it does work. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8d05912c-6c56-4d10-b3fd-5730632b3f49/IMG_7699.JPG Blog - Potter Daniels Manor 2024 Pasadena Showcase House - Make it stand out The nursery. What a wonderful dream room for a baby. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/124dcc4d-8e6d-4474-b2ca-c5724718acde/IMG_7733.JPG Blog - Potter Daniels Manor 2024 Pasadena Showcase House - Make it stand out One last glance at this beautiful manor that rivals some of the stately homes many of us travel to Europe to see. I have only offered a sneak peek at some of the areas but there’s a lot more here to see and admire and take home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/063732f8-6fa2-42f1-9169-606c1433c2e2/IMG_7670.JPG Blog - Potter Daniels Manor 2024 Pasadena Showcase House - Make it stand out A library, reading room, etc. This window seat was one of my favorites. I could absolutely imagine myself curling up with the good book and a lap blanket enjoying the view of the gardens. I also loved the eclectic bookshelves that contained all manner of curiosities like cameras through the ages, an old-fashioned telephone and even a replica of R2D2 of Star Wars fame. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/916e43d0-5ef7-4e2e-af2e-3b534d6b00f9/IMG_7691.JPG Blog - Potter Daniels Manor 2024 Pasadena Showcase House - Make it stand out There are three bedrooms on the upper level. I absolutely loved the master bedroom and since I happen to be in the redecorating frame of mind, took note of some easily implementable items, (I hope!). This bedroom was termed the romantic room, to me it appeared to be the peacock themed room with is dark colors and full-length mirrors and huge stuffed peacock. Not very restful from my perspective but decoration is a matter of taste and preference that is completely subjective. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/the-importance-of-april-2024 monthly 0.5 2024-04-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/eef085f5-e7d9-4151-82a3-646d4a599952/IMG_7313%281%29.JPG Blog - The Importance of April 2024 - Make it stand out While we’ve had ample rainfall this year in California, the earth has been drying out and the flowers are just starting to bloom. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ac4ae8f0-4644-49d6-b46a-9f73434d41bd/IMG_7302.JPG Blog - The Importance of April 2024 - Make it stand out Neighborhood gardens are also ablaze with color. This house and garden is my personal barometer in my neighborhood of the changing seasons and a great incentive to get off my couch and go for a walk. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/939b3bd7-de05-49b6-92d7-da5b6fb12467/IMG_7367.JPG Blog - The Importance of April 2024 - Make it stand out Signs of spring were everywhere. I need to get a book to learn the names of the flowers and trees. I love the color and beauty but am abysmal at names. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/35002486-189e-4f40-aee4-a9b3f9004117/IMG_7317.JPG Blog - The Importance of April 2024 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b5656556-e42f-40cf-9498-5f0b123250a3/IMG_7354.JPG Blog - The Importance of April 2024 - Make it stand out The roses are bursting with color though there are still buds a plenty that will keep these gardens in full bloom for another couple of weeks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bd1eea99-028d-4ca3-bb57-ebf5698b746c/IMG_7379.JPG Blog - The Importance of April 2024 - Make it stand out It’s definitely coming up roses everywhere you go here at the Huntington Rose Garden. Reds, pinks, yellows, orange, white, all nodding their heads in the sun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/552bd3dc-2fa7-4baa-8bc9-8d8fade603ca/IMG_6892.JPG Blog - The Importance of April 2024 - Make it stand out In honor of national book day, and independent bookstore day we visited the Pilgrims Way bookstore in Carmel California. It was fun taking a quick browse through the store and the garden tucked away behind but what stays in my memory are some of the signs on the walls. While April may not feature a Thanksgiving Day, this one definitely made me raise my eyes to heaven and thank the universe for the blessings of family, friends, home and health. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/282583d7-95c0-4a1b-8097-baf7f8f86847/IMG_7397.JPG Blog - The Importance of April 2024 - Make it stand out A patch of wildflowers that are blooming all over the hills and dales of California. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1995756d-9ea6-4fbc-a257-d27790fb5b66/IMG_7343%281%29.JPG Blog - The Importance of April 2024 - Make it stand out Their color a feast for the eyes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0ff0be30-93c4-484d-9d02-3f2b2d1e8cda/IMG_6785.JPG Blog - The Importance of April 2024 - Make it stand out My recent trip to India has awakened my spirituality, so this year observance of earth day makes me think of the Sanskrit chant; the Gayatri Mantra that is said to contain all the knowledge of the universe and provides universal light and wisdom when chanted. In a little-known garden in New Delhi India which is dedicated to the knowledge of the ancient Vedas is this metal sphere transcribed with the entire gayatri Mantra, thanks to @ramankapur for arranging to bring me here. In observance of earth day, Maya Angelou’s words “We need joy as we need air. We need love as we need water. We need each other as we need the earth we share.” best describes our initiative to preserve this earth we live in as a legacy for future generations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cca46886-4454-4157-87dd-b2b4d26577a3/IMG_7365%281%29.JPG Blog - The Importance of April 2024 - Make it stand out Along with me, people were out in full force, walking around, sitting on the benches or on blankets and rugs amongst the flowers enjoying the beautiful afternoon. What a beautiful way to get in some steps while feasting on nature’s bounty. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/the-colors-of-spring-northern-california monthly 0.5 2024-04-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0cceec56-df96-439a-b764-7008d5635748/IMG_6813.jpg Blog - The Colors of Spring Northern California - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7afe5ad1-011a-4bd9-b05f-0b3dd032dbb7/IMG_7160%281%29.JPG Blog - The Colors of Spring Northern California - Make it stand out While my key objective in Mendocino was to enjoy the coast and the wildflowers, I took the skunk train into the redwood forest to marvel at the giant trees. These are called coastal redwoods and the tallest of them grow to 300 feet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7ad5271c-a1fa-4bb3-876b-b542872f2b78/IMG_7066.JPG Blog - The Colors of Spring Northern California - Make it stand out Right in front of where I parked my car in Mendocino was this garden blooming with color. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7fe803e5-64aa-49ff-b613-544e70ab1e86/IMG_7220%281%29.jpg Blog - The Colors of Spring Northern California - Make it stand out The next morning found me at MacKerricher State Park to see the tide pools. Here I found sea gulls in plenty and a fair number of people walking along the boardwalk and venturing down into the tide pools. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3677a1da-25f7-4c67-88e5-8a8d17168d91/IMG_7076.JPG Blog - The Colors of Spring Northern California - Make it stand out Another must do on my list in Mendocino, Fort Bragg was to visit this bridge. I had seen the bridge with wildflowers in the picture, but I did not have that same luck but did manage to get some great shots of the bridge from different parts of the Russian River Gulch state park. I have lived in California over 40 years but not sure why I have never visited this beautiful part of the state. I was enthralled by the beauty and while I’m not ready to give up wandering in them thar foreign parts, I sure hope to spend more time wandering and discovering this beautiful country where I make my home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8620d6cb-47d6-436e-a985-e5c5bdec3ed3/IMG_7008.jpg Blog - The Colors of Spring Northern California - Make it stand out I continued to drive North through some of the most beautiful green hills and scenery towards Mendocino California. Along the twisting, turning curvy highways, I saw a lion cub run across the road right in front of my car even as the tall Coastal Redwood trees cast a large shadow over the highway. Along the sides of the road were sheep and goats grazing even as signs for apples, cider tasting, and other fruit stands enticed me to stop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0100851e-79bf-4bd1-83fc-f7c2758cdc5d/IMG_7064.JPG Blog - The Colors of Spring Northern California - Make it stand out I grabbed a quick lunch at Frankies, stuck my head into the sock store where I couldn’t resist buying some interesting and overpriced socks and took a quick walk around the Mendocino Headlands where I got to enjoy the beautiful vistas of the pounding sea and the swaying wildflowers dotting the path. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4baba7dd-9d60-4d01-87b3-060439e2ab96/IMG_6902.JPG Blog - The Colors of Spring Northern California - Make it stand out On our way home we stopped at Moss Landing to see if we could spot sea otters frolicking in the waters and to taste the local delicacy of fried artichokes. Check out @ritagujral’s post on a recap of the day and lots of fun photos of us enjoying the day. The fried artichokes absolutely worth a stop, so delish. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a94947ed-5865-4302-b605-2772cfd8fff7/IMG_7241.JPG Blog - The Colors of Spring Northern California - Make it stand out Ok maybe these are not colored flowers, but the glass beach was one that I had been wanting to visit for some time. Most of the glass has been picked over by visitors though there are still shards left if you look carefully and when the sun hits just right it’s beautiful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ba937d8f-5e37-4154-87f3-42390465113e/IMG_7125.JPG Blog - The Colors of Spring Northern California - Make it stand out As I drove along the Pacific Coast Highway and wandered along some of the coastal access roads, I came across this family of deer grazing on the headland. What an awesome sight it was. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4f51c998-8882-4158-8ab9-23a9e47b57ea/IMG_6983.jpg Blog - The Colors of Spring Northern California - Make it stand out As I finally hit the pacific coast highway, I was greeted by the beautiful vista of the ocean waves and hills dotted with yellow, purple, orange and purple. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f5bc2079-b531-4653-b54c-97adeeeed0c0/IMG_6961.jpg Blog - The Colors of Spring Northern California - Make it stand out After a day spent celebrating with my aunt and cousins, I set off to capture more spring color and at the same time wrap up my quest of visiting all the California Missions. Here in Sonoma, California, I visited the last of the missions that were established to wrap up my quest to visit all 21 missions that dot the landscape from south to north. Given today’s quest of finding wildflowers, I was rewarded to see poppies, blooming all around the mission. As an unexpected bonus I also visited the Bear Flag commemorative stone right across the street from the Mission to commemorate the raising of the bear flag by the Bear Party to celebrate California’s independence from Mexico. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1d554363-aa0f-4bfc-981d-a37b428364f9/IMG_6862.JPG Blog - The Colors of Spring Northern California - Make it stand out The plan was to visit the Garrapata State Park between Carmel and Big Sur to enjoy the Calla Lily Valley. Fortunately, while Highway One was closed for a stretch it was about a mile beyond our stop. Now, I have to admit that I had visions of a huge, lush valley full of the white flowers that are so reminiscent of Easter that I as a teeny, tiny bit underwhelmed to see that it was only a narrow crack but nevertheless it was full of flowers and the day itself will go down in my memory banks as a fabulous day full of friendship and laughter. Thank you @joyachatterjee, @ritagujral and @chandandhingra for adding your own brand of fun and frolic. Now I have driven along this highway multiple times and at least twice last year, but it took @joychatterjee to point out the interesting rock formations carved into the sides of the road by the wind. If only I was gifted like Mr. Steinbeck who wrote about all these places in and around the Monterey Peninsula then I would have written stories about knights and ladies and fanciful quests. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/unplugged-the-andaman-islands monthly 0.5 2024-04-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/23ccda4a-be7e-40c4-acde-ce4086b8b9cf/IMG_6410.JPG Blog - Unplugged ~ The Andaman Islands - Make it stand out This area is surrounded by jungle and the government is very careful to maintain the ecosystem. I tasted a delicious mango, drank my fresh green coconut as per habit. The fruit sellers particularly the coconut sellers have to account for each coconut and require you to return the empty husk. Interesting! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0cb3eaff-103b-42df-ae16-53281bf8ad8c/IMG_6361.JPG Blog - Unplugged ~ The Andaman Islands - Make it stand out The boat dumps you on this moving platform with these steel posts that one can hold for support except some of them are missing and others are loose so they twist with you as you try to hold on. At one point I stopped and just stood there because there was nothing to hold onto. A couple coming up behind me helped me out, the gentleman went ahead with my hand on his shoulder and his wife clutched at me from the back. Thank God for good Samaritans of which I encountered many on this trip. Then on the return trip as I stepped on the beach, a huge wave came along and almost swept me out except for the bruising hold of two water sports operators who held on to me. A lot wet but thankfully not floating away to sea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d6303d66-6172-4448-9119-202d0da3ce50/IMG_6175.JPG Blog - Unplugged ~ The Andaman Islands - Make it stand out My niece @ramniksethi was originally slated to come with me but settled on a video call to admire the beautiful blue waters that stretch for miles empty of any sailing vessels or people. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a16abb29-6d3d-421c-8cff-2cecb07f167a/IMG_6460.JPG Blog - Unplugged ~ The Andaman Islands - Make it stand out Being an island, all goods are brought by sea and then carried by human labor to small tempos and distributed around the island. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5150fa13-5c52-497d-b8b0-2118ea05724b/IMG_6199.JPG Blog - Unplugged ~ The Andaman Islands - Make it stand out I did not have a hammock with me and did not think to ask the resort I was staying at if I could rent one, but I too found a nice shady spot, a refreshing coconut and enjoyed my stint at people watching. I found a lot of friendly people to chat with who were open to sharing their own experiences and were free with advice for a solo woman traveler. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/30cccffd-b736-4df3-b901-5a9b126c6b1c/IMG_6210.JPG Blog - Unplugged ~ The Andaman Islands - Make it stand out This is the life. A gentleman had brought his own hammock and strung it in the shade of the trees at the public Kalapathar beach enjoying his afternoon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6f2c739d-5375-4054-a49e-ebc534c2f281/IMG_6502.jpg Blog - Unplugged ~ The Andaman Islands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f5909471-4e6b-4b31-a4bc-8f3cd215cdde/IMG_6696.JPG Blog - Unplugged ~ The Andaman Islands - Make it stand out As we came into port in Port Blair the sun was setting. I disembarked and took a quick picture from the jetty. I was one of the fortunate one that the military guard said OKAY while he stopped others from pulling out their phones to capture the image. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4ac14320-d13b-4b1d-a73d-74fd75bb2c55/IMG_6509.jpg Blog - Unplugged ~ The Andaman Islands - Make it stand out That night I visited the cellular jail for the light and sound show. The light and sound show is extremely well done but as I sat there listening to the sound of the cruel jailers, the pitiful laments of the prisoners and the sound of whips and images of hangings, I had to wonder why I would devote an evening to such a grim subject all be it, it is a part of history. It was declared a national memorial by the Indian Government in 1979 and today twin flames are lit to remember all the freedom fighters who contributed to the Indian war of independence. I already have an itinerary for the next visit and surely there will be one because these islands have a lot more to offer than a beach vacation and a grim history. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/531daf2d-b010-482b-b7ef-e41ef16d0a55/IMG_6321.JPG Blog - Unplugged ~ The Andaman Islands - Make it stand out The next morning found me on the pier for my trip to the Elephant beach which is the water sport mecca on this island. I was so not prepared for the chaos and cacophony of noise before the first tickets were issued and people assigned to boats. Once we actually got assigned to our boats, the next challenge was wading in the water to clamber on board the boat. I can look back and laugh at myself but let me tell you scrambling on and off these boats is not easy for someone who is not super agile. I don’t know how the women in saris managed this endeavor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/da1840de-ef3a-48fb-9030-97a4d28d47c4/IMG_6133.jpg Blog - Unplugged ~ The Andaman Islands - Make it stand out Commercial fishing is outlawed here, and the coast guard enforces this strictly. It is said that this is one of the few areas in the world where fish die of old age. Being very close to Myanmar (Burma) here the coast guard often impounds illegal fishing boats that make their way to these waters to try their luck at fishing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/202a5420-2bd7-4280-b538-b3bcad3aeb5e/IMG_6378.JPG Blog - Unplugged ~ The Andaman Islands - Make it stand out I did a submersible ride to view the coral and the abundant sea life under the sea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/de94e889-ac80-41ed-a6da-fa0af54271d6/IMG_6228.JPG Blog - Unplugged ~ The Andaman Islands - Make it stand out The interior of these islands is still covered in jungle. Out of the 836 islands in this group only 31 are inhabited. There are islands where the native population doesn’t allow strangers to land, and you’ll be killed on sight if you do decide to live dangerously. I feel like in three days I barely scratched the surface of all the flora and fauna and natural phenomena to be found here. Definitely worth a return visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/33656d47-faf5-4c30-aada-8dc3f1c78f9b/IMG_6480.jpg Blog - Unplugged ~ The Andaman Islands - Make it stand out Neil Island ferry stop. I did not personally visit just watched the beautiful scenery from the ferry as it stopped to load and offload passengers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bb44a848-bf4c-4ad7-a72e-32091a040f9b/IMG_6279.JPG Blog - Unplugged ~ The Andaman Islands - Make it stand out In the late afternoon after lunch and a refreshing nap I made my way to the beautiful Radha Nagar beach with its beautiful white sand where it seemed all the folks currently on the island were enjoying frolicking in the water. Photographers roamed selling their services taking pictures of families and newlyweds. The sunset was absolutely gorgeous and one of the highlights of my trip here to Havelock Island. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/aa02c735-7ec1-45de-a4c4-3703ee69e3af/IMG_6442.JPG Blog - Unplugged ~ The Andaman Islands - Make it stand out The waters are an unearthly blue and so clear that you can see to the bottom of the ocean floor. One of the gentlemen who was seated in our area of the ferry runs a scuba diving operation on Havelock. He asked us about our snorkeling and diving experience and pooh pahed the guy who mentioned other parts of India. He said that once we had dived here, we would be spoiled for life. Unfortunately, due to the lack of trained EMTS and medical facilities on Havelock they do not permit folks over 55 to dive or snorkel so I can’t personally attest though I did an underwater tour in a submersible to see the coral and abundant fish. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/to-the-ajanta-caves monthly 0.5 2024-04-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a25da60f-04a2-45d5-8a51-7304857c6ec7/IMG_5898.JPG Blog - The Caves at Ajanta - Make it stand out The statues of the Buddha are depicted in three different poses. Hands raised in blessing, Meditative pose and the final pose where he sent out his disciples to roam the world spreading his message. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a7cd3956-c1bd-4d4f-afc2-3c5aa4c33564/IMG_5996.JPG Blog - The Caves at Ajanta - Make it stand out Verandah caves with elaborate carved pillars an impressive Buddha statue and paintings covering the walls. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/aff4d634-62fb-4eed-bb07-6195cf9efce2/IMG_5855.jpg Blog - The Caves at Ajanta - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8e19af78-e639-4c4c-a2fc-32c6b68e626d/IMG_5911.JPG Blog - The Caves at Ajanta - Make it stand out The majority of the caves are monastery caves used for gatherings with rooms built around the rim for people to stay in them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0b246457-430e-4e84-bb5b-58e5f652c204/IMG_5946.jpg Blog - The Caves at Ajanta - Make it stand out Some of the caves contain Stupas with the Buddha’s carved in them. These caves are supposed to be positioned such that the sun hits the central image or stupa during a solstice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0b088d59-4ed0-49c1-b135-71e256cebb9a/IMG_6004.JPG Blog - The Caves at Ajanta - Make it stand out The walls tell stories from Buddha’s life or Hindu mythology. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2d950ad6-81ed-46a9-895e-0036f6d4b352/IMG_5950.JPG Blog - The Caves at Ajanta - Make it stand out On the side in this cave is an area cut out like a palette where the artisans supposedly mixed their colors and dyes that they used to paint their stories. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/74d3ce22-8d6b-48ac-8006-4eecc10a3fbb/IMG_5875.JPG Blog - The Caves at Ajanta - Make it stand out The blue color was made from Lapis Lazuli and is the one color to have survived well through the ages. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/63d0f07c-e6cd-45b0-9779-b8fb1ef175c1/IMG_5859.JPG Blog - The Caves at Ajanta - Make it stand out Most of the caves are large consisting of both paintings and carvings depicting folk tales and the lives of the Buddha. This particular painting of the princely Buddha is likened to the Mona Lisa whose eyes follow you as you move around the cave. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ac5d91e9-501d-41eb-92df-4dafcc5bb350/IMG_5906.JPG Blog - The Caves at Ajanta - Make it stand out The doorways and entrances are carved with mythical creatures as well as gods and goddesses from the Hindu pantheon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/07d19e0f-dfc4-4aec-be84-9d2c89dc660e/IMG_5932.JPG Blog - The Caves at Ajanta - Make it stand out There are approximately 30 rock-cut hewn caves set up in a horseshoe pattern on the hillside. The caves are serially numbered and access to the first cave is via a steep staircase of stone cut stairs. The government has made some effort to create a steep curving path sans stairs though it is not wheelchair accessible. For elderly or disabled folks, you can hire a chair that is carried on the shoulders of 4 people to make your way up to the caves. Even so some caves are not accessible given the steep and narrow staircase necessary to ascend to these caves. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7fab3ef9-45ad-4a64-9801-8643a44b6502/IMG_5921.JPG Blog - The Caves at Ajanta - Make it stand out Fortunately, I did not have to climb down all those stairs to go down. Instead, there was a shorter staircase halfway through which led to a bridge across the river and on the outskirts of the nearby jungle. When my guide was showing me the path I asked if this would take me back to the parking lot. Oh no! this only took me back to the shops and the shuttle stop that took me to the lower shuttle stop where I had to walk through a barrage of shops and vendors to exit and find my car. This trip brought home to me the diversity and range of all that is to be found in India. It is an incredible destination and I have just scratched the surface. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/433e5f0e-414b-4e3f-b03d-931c146bb5a5/IMG_5954.JPG Blog - The Caves at Ajanta - Make it stand out What I found fascinating here at Ajanta different from Ellora is the different architectural construct of these caves. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/53cc5a46-6585-454b-9e7e-d51057f77ab5/IMG_5917.JPG Blog - The Caves at Ajanta - Make it stand out Carvings of the Buddha along the wall surrounding the central niche. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/ellora-caves monthly 0.5 2024-03-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/740e54b5-b62f-4ddf-89d0-073115d5bb56/IMG_5596.JPG Blog - Exploring the Ellora Caves - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/86a6e2ba-40b0-4842-885d-02673bfca5a6/IMG_5591.JPG Blog - Exploring the Ellora Caves - Make it stand out Like all Hindu temples as you traverse left to the right you enter into an open courtyard that takes your breath away with the intricacy of the architecture and carvings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d26577e4-cb8b-464f-9359-ce64574095e4/IMG_5580.JPG Blog - Exploring the Ellora Caves - Make it stand out Finally, cave 16 or the Kailasha cave. Local legend has it that the carving inside this cave is so fine that it could not have been done with a mere chisel and hammer. They think that extra-terrestrials landed on the X shape on the top of the cave and used cutting edge technology from a world far, far away to carve the myths and legends in this cave. Also, this is the largest monolithic cave, and tons of rock was scooped out to make room for all the carvings inside. Where did all that rock go? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4e79ca09-d2ac-42c2-93c6-c8f4cda05665/IMG_5529.JPG Blog - Exploring the Ellora Caves - Make it stand out We skipped the Hindu caves for the moment and made our way all the way to the far end of the cave complex to the Jain Caves. Apparently, this is always the order so that the star of the complex the Kailasha temple is the last cave to be visited. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ab9310cb-31a2-4134-a3c5-feb5bfaf4f3c/IMG_5563.JPG Blog - Exploring the Ellora Caves - Make it stand out Before making our way to the creme de la creme cave we stopped at cave 29 which according to my guide was the practice cave. A stone mason had to graduate from here to be allowed to work on the Kailasha cave. Full of light and air, this cave seems to be primarily dedicated to Shiva. This particular carving was one of my favorites depicting the wedding of Shiva and Parvati. Apparently, Parvati was so excited to be wedding her lord that she leapt forward and grabbed his hand without waiting for him to make his way to her. Here she is depicted holding his hand with a slight blush on her cheeks. As we wandered through this cave, I ran into a French couple who were staying at my hotel. They said that they would consult their book and take pictures and notes and then go back to their room at night and research on the internet. They found this method better than engaging a guide whom they did not understand well. In addition, to all that one sees, tastes and touches I find these engagements with people and the stories that I gather almost if not more meaningful than the wandering itself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c73bcc19-607d-428e-a072-ec6f00a73e89/IMG_5486.JPG Blog - Exploring the Ellora Caves - Make it stand out Each of the caves have multiple carvings. These caves represent the Buddha in a realistic form guarded by guardians and other mythical creatures. While not a good picture source there is a niche with a Buddha in it that when the light hits at the right time, it appears as though the forehead is crowned with light like pictures of saints. While none of the carved Buddha’s are the laughing Buddha’s of Chinese lore there was one with an exaggerated belly that I insisted on rubbing for good luck to the amusement of my guide. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/21091390-6844-4098-bd04-7a4fe6c7c50d/IMG_5534.JPG Blog - Exploring the Ellora Caves - Make it stand out Cave 32 is reputed to be the finest of the Jain caves also known as the Indra Sabha. The cave has niches with carvings of Mahavir and Jain God Bahubali, and the gods of prosperity and generosity. The pillars are very finely carved, but I thought it was only fitting to depict the God of prosperity here amongst all the various carvings in this cave here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1bf8e5b5-08f7-4b83-b565-faae2060d318/IMG_5555.JPG Blog - Exploring the Ellora Caves - Make it stand out During the monsoon months a waterfall runs through here though it was dry during my visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6e76f9e7-ffaa-4d4e-bc53-d0441c1287c4/IMG_5632.JPG Blog - Exploring the Ellora Caves - Make it stand out My brain was whirling and my mind so full of the beauty that I had seen I made my way towards the exit. One of the things that I have seen all over India on this trip are all the school children who are brought to these monuments to see and appreciate the treasures they have in their backyard. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2ecbb783-4c3b-4db7-9895-5993dff939e3/IMG_5551.JPG Blog - Exploring the Ellora Caves - Make it stand out The Ellora complex stretches across a fair distance that is relatively flat and so for a grand fee of $1 one can use the e-carts to take you from one end to the other. As we waited for the cart to fill up with more passengers I ran into a fellow adventurer. She works at the Taj hotel in Mumbai. After her shift was over, she caught the night bus to Aurangabad and arrived at the cave complex at 6:00AM. She says she travels alone and every time she has a few days off work or a longish weekend she hops on a bus and makes her way to explore all that she can see, hear and feel. Definitely a fellow wanderer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/90013344-c5d7-4e58-bd69-dc064f1b1bc9/IMG_5625.JPG Blog - Exploring the Ellora Caves - Make it stand out Walking along all the chambers, pillars you make a full circle admiring the fine intricacies of the carvings. Supposedly it took 7000 laborers, removing 2000 tons of rock to create this temple hewn from a single rock. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/21938b57-0e1a-4323-a243-40c37211cc6f/IMG_5691.JPG Blog - Exploring the Ellora Caves - Make it stand out Sightseeing is thirsty work and I had been eyeing the fresh sugarcane juice everywhere I went on this trip. I finally succumbed thanks to the kindness of my driver who make sure the vendor scrubbed his equipment and washed the glass with mineral water so I could enjoy this treat without fear. What an awesome way to end an awesome day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7a3998ac-814f-4cc9-867c-89e0049ee967/IMG_5506.jpg Blog - Exploring the Ellora Caves - Make it stand out Cave 10 is one of the most stunning caves of the Buddhist groupings. The chamber has 28 columns surrounding a decorated stupa with a massive preaching Buddha carved in the forefront. The details of the carvings and the overall impression in this vast hall are amazing. To think that these were carved using just hammer and chisel in these basalt caves. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/442727c4-813e-481b-87b5-041d6cead6a8/IMG_5483.JPG Blog - Exploring the Ellora Caves - Make it stand out After traveling constantly for almost three weeks, I relaxed in the morning with a good breakfast, some stretching and music to set the right mind set. As we drove out of the hotel driveway, I asked my driver if the guide was going to meet us at the caves or if we were picking them up on the way. Whoa! as it turns out there had been some type of a snafu and there was no guide. A few frantic phone calls later it was decided that the driver would engage a guide on location. Thank God for my Zen feeling that kept me calm and meditative, unless there was something in the breakfast cappuccino. As it turns out it’s pretty easy to get a licensed guide at the entrance at a far lower cost than I had pre-paid in my package. I went to buy my tickets with the instructions from the guide ringing in my ears to speak in Hindi and not English so I could purchase the lower priced tickets for Indian nationals and then we were off. Outside the first cave we found a rock for me to be seated while the guide gave me the history and legend of the caves. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2d22d2b5-3d4e-4187-8f6b-a8dce3dc0308/IMG_5586.JPG Blog - Exploring the Ellora Caves - Make it stand out As you enter the complex you are greeted by the Goddess Gajalakshmi seated on a lotus flanked by her attendants with elephants sprinkling water over her. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/to-the-southernmost-tip-of-india monthly 0.5 2024-03-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b7f21982-6643-4e2b-8246-a75663cf74b8/IMG_5211.JPG Blog - To The Southernmost Tip of India - Make it stand out We finally made it to Kanyakumari int he dark and I had to make do with being somewhat full from my big lunch and few snacks from the mini bar and a cup of tea for dinner. Early AM while it was still dark, we drove to the Sunrise beach for the sunrise. The beach was crowded, and people kept arriving all the way until the sun was rising. As the sky began to lighten, chants from the temple and the church right there began to sound in the air and the lights from the strategic island and monuments around us began to flicker off. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e4c6c6f2-facf-4965-a3e6-ac5f10eab307/IMG_5273.JPG Blog - To The Southernmost Tip of India - Make it stand out The Swami Vivekananda rock memorial is another memorial located right in the Kanyakumari harbor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/efc40890-2bbc-4aeb-815b-4453801975b8/IMG_5255.JPG Blog - To The Southernmost Tip of India - Make it stand out Close to where I found a perch a young man set up and altar and set out all his idols in anticipation of the sunrise. A true sun salutation to the Gods as the sky brightened and the fishing boats began to come into the harbor and the nearby monuments appeared out of the darkness. There was a large variety of fish that I saw coming in, getting packed in ice and leaving the crowded port area as we tried to make our way out back towards our hotel and breakfast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/06f19ecd-e072-4461-bdb5-47054b96d72a/IMG_5148.JPG Blog - To The Southernmost Tip of India - Make it stand out The elephant rock, no surprise it looks like a sleeping elephant. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6ba83823-97a0-4849-82c4-b3f48ed41196/IMG_5269.JPG Blog - To The Southernmost Tip of India - Make it stand out The Thiruvalluvar Statue is a colossal statue of a celebrated Tamil poet and philosopher situated on a rock right in the harbor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/55bbf288-e074-40d9-bef0-30d56006182f/IMG_5390.JPG Blog - To The Southernmost Tip of India - Make it stand out After a day relaxing in the spa getting a massage and a facial and a nap it was time to venture out to the Sunset point to watch the sun set over the water. Like the morning there were a lot of people finding perches on the rocks scattered along this rocky beach. As the sun began to disappear along the horizon, there were chants of it’s going, going, gone and goodbye. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b1587f1a-35ad-4a75-aa74-9f3f5b234bf2/IMG_5015.JPG Blog - To The Southernmost Tip of India - Make it stand out Beachgoers were soaking in the sea, the sun and the sand stretched out under the umbrellas on Kovalam Beach when my driver dropped me off at the parking lot. Fishing boats were pulled up on the shore and fisherfolk wandered along mending nets and doing other maintenance types of things, fruit sellers, ice-cream sellers and other vendors wandered along selling their wares. I met a lady with a basket of fruit and the most dazzling smile who tried me to buy some of her wares of pineapples and bananas. When I declined the fruit but tried to pay her for posing for me, she declined but allowed me to capture her dazzling smile on my phone. After a refreshing drink of fresh coconut water and an amazing lunch of freshly grilled prawns we were on the road again. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3c667023-c303-49c6-8c90-a8963f3f581f/IMG_5075.JPG Blog - To The Southernmost Tip of India - Make it stand out I almost did not do the small boat cruise along the Neyyar River to the meeting point of the river with the Arabian Sea since we had done back water cruising in Alleppey, but my driver insisted it was the best thing since sliced bread and I succumbed. I wonder if he was getting a cutback since it was not on my original itinerary. The water along the back waters was so clear and tranquil that it worked like a mirror. I really enjoyed the quite tranquility and the ocean waves at the confluence of the river with the Arabian Sea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/52a832f7-4418-422f-b81f-766d68a6361c/IMG_5202.jpg Blog - To The Southernmost Tip of India - Make it stand out The Mathur Aqueduct which again according to my driver was a bit of a waste of time but I insisted and so he did take me there. Of course, in the process I did miss stopping at the Padmanabhapuram Palace, but then you can’t do everything even if you wish you could. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f7a7df85-a55f-4c87-a545-0215d5869cd3/IMG_5421.jpg Blog - To The Southernmost Tip of India - Make it stand out Great balls of fire. I actually made it to Kanyakumari and enjoyed two sunrises and a sunset before heading onwards to my next adventure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6c32080b-5f09-4614-a9b0-340f791e4282/IMG_5305.JPG Blog - To The Southernmost Tip of India - Make it stand out The sun rose in all its glory. Sadly, it was a bit cloudy and overcast and the spectacular oranges and pinks that I had anticipated did not really materialize but nevertheless it was a satisfying sight. People around me cheered and commiserated in turn as the sun rose. Vendors selling shell necklaces and coffee and snacks came circling around us tourists and the Unik’s came around picking up babies and fondling old men, clapping their hands and singing their songs and generally looking for tips. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2eeb40b2-6ba2-46f1-a17a-92c879763768/IMG_5132.JPG Blog - To The Southernmost Tip of India - Make it stand out Punjabi’s of course find their home everywhere as evidenced by this Punjabi Dhaba right at the confluence of the Arabian Sea. No, I did not stop here, I was still full from lunch and really, I had to move along since I still had a long drive ahead of me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b321de4a-288e-4d04-8ad6-0b7ac9bb19a2/IMG_5126.JPG Blog - To The Southernmost Tip of India - Make it stand out The golden sands beach where the water of the Arabian Sea foams over the sand and people enjoy a bit of a carnival atmosphere with camel rides and floating restaurants. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/eca66707-b020-47f8-9aa4-5ca1d82c1287/IMG_5196.JPG Blog - To The Southernmost Tip of India - Make it stand out The Thiruparappu Falls accessed through a busy marketplace were full of people enjoying the cool refreshing water on a hot and humid day. I might have never made it here except for my travel arranger Ann’s advice telling me to insist on going where I wanted to go. My driver originally told me that there was no point in venturing here since the falls were dry due to no water. Hmm perhaps our ideas of dry and wet were a bit different. He later clarified to say that there is a lot more water in the rainy season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/eeba25c7-305b-4805-a064-4be7d3efad4e/IMG_5321.JPG Blog - To The Southernmost Tip of India - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8f08b48f-4e3d-4d1a-8efc-11fabfcd3426/IMG_5171.JPG Blog - To The Southernmost Tip of India - Make it stand out And a southern version of the Pieta facing the Arabian Sea. Watch out Michael Angelo you might have some competition in these Indian backwaters. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/gods-country-kerala-india monthly 0.5 2024-03-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b0e640be-3657-47ed-b992-b2a3fd54ded6/IMG_4975.JPG Blog - God’s Country Kerala, India - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a3da59a9-820e-4aef-b377-110d0eb25ca1/IMG_4889.JPG Blog - God’s Country Kerala, India - Make it stand out Since many of the group were returning back to the US the following day a last chance for shopping. Me who’s not a shopper also succumbed to the lure of the shops and the quality of the goods. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1ccd61c3-603b-4f1f-9a80-42c25a1b4aeb/IMG_4204.JPG Blog - God’s Country Kerala, India - Make it stand out Watered by many rivers, one sees a sea of green. From the lush tea gardens to the abundance of spices our first introduction to Kerala was a revelation. When I heard there was a wellness spa in our hotel facility I decided to forget about hiking in the national forest and exploring the spice gardens and instead treated myself to 90 minutes of the most sublime massage that restored all the energies that had been flagging from the heat and the touring to date. I did however participate in the jeep ride that took us high up in the hills and also watched them sorting the local cardamoms which give this area the nickname of the cardamom hills. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5795e675-05a8-43c0-83f6-5e10ed955a71/IMG_6525.jpg Blog - God’s Country Kerala, India - Make it stand out Love Kathakali style. This ancient dance form is only performed here in Kerala. Mostly performed by males though some females are slowly joining the ranks we were privileged to watch these performers put on their makeup and then watch the rigid training they go through in their facial expressions, eye and hand movements. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0f2dd7cb-806a-44cf-9dfa-0e05ca370f00/IMG_4610.JPG Blog - God’s Country Kerala, India - Make it stand out We stayed at a heritage hotel in Fort Kochi established first by the Dutch, the French and finally the British. What a beautiful property this hotel was. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/194f48c8-262b-4c20-8459-d4168acf9329/IMG_4548.JPG Blog - God’s Country Kerala, India - Make it stand out Temples, churches, mosques dotted the banks serving the religious needs of the population. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/caf4614e-0e7f-4c39-bb13-f72da923542f/IMG_4185.JPG Blog - God’s Country Kerala, India - Make it stand out I had never seen these finger bananas before, so I absolutely had to share them with you all. Now I do not like bananas so despite the variety found here I did not actually taste them, only lived second hand through all my new friends in the group. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/98522bfd-cb98-4299-97a8-3a2dcdd93e7f/IMG_4946.JPG Blog - God’s Country Kerala, India - Make it stand out The silhouette of modern Cochin which we visited for our home hosted meal and cooking demonstration. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/28a32743-671c-4f23-86f6-a6de15a1d081/IMG_4294.JPG Blog - God’s Country Kerala, India - Make it stand out We got a chance to explore the Periyar National Forest and venture out on the lake to see the local flora and fauna. When a dam was created here this rosewood forest was decimated but tree skeletons that rise up from the water. We were fortunate to see turtles, elephants, deer a variety of birds as we chugged along the lake. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/777f27fb-a504-4d70-bded-c938abfaea44/IMG_4896.JPG Blog - God’s Country Kerala, India - Make it stand out The oldest church in India and then the oldest synagogue in India. We spent a bit of time at both. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7d3eb241-1ffc-432d-8a87-18a6e6d3e075/IMG_4458.JPG Blog - God’s Country Kerala, India - Make it stand out The tranquil back waters that the state is famed for and the boat that we would be spending a few hours enjoying lunch and drifting along the water soaking in life along the waters. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/75cbbfa2-d639-4e95-9a66-5c897e73fc33/IMG_4501.JPG Blog - God’s Country Kerala, India - Make it stand out Beautiful homes with their private boat docks dotted the banks as did rural villages and people performing their daily activities along the waters. We passed vendors in their boats as they sold and delivered supplies. Since we did not stay the night, we did miss the early morning rituals of shopping for fish and vegetables. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fb9136dc-6c6a-4997-9118-de6e8f992a47/IMG_5452.jpg Blog - God’s Country Kerala, India - Make it stand out For a moment I had to blink my eyes to remember that I am in India and not a different South Asian country as I saw these women working the rice fields that ran along the road that we traversed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a9e5c82f-182f-4816-a6e4-e57c531dc6ac/IMG_4510.JPG Blog - God’s Country Kerala, India - Make it stand out It’s as easy as stepping out of your home and letting down your pole to catch the fish you’re going to serve for dinner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/48b77d16-b985-4611-b512-1ecb9acb51a5/IMG_4870.JPG Blog - God’s Country Kerala, India - Make it stand out There was still a palace to be visited. Gifted by the Dutch East India company to the then rulers of this part of the region, the beautiful paintings that grace the walls tell a story. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/museums-palaces-and-other-points-of-interest-tamil-nadu-india monthly 0.5 2024-03-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a78fb82b-c4af-4bd0-ad28-9ba4925919e9/47BFB652-6E5E-412B-A02F-7F8C0414D9C4.jpg Blog - Much More Than Temples ~ Tamil Nadu, India - Make it stand out There are no famous names that people might recognize and yet the artistry of these long forgotten and long-gone artists is amazing. The level of detail on the front of the figure is repeated at the back. The loving folds of the clothes, the designs on the clothes, the arch of the body. Each piece in every museum, palace and cave celebrates the talent of the artiste and yet not a one of them left their names behind for posterity. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e25b3bd2-a965-4bed-b08f-a54365f6eab5/IMG_3898.JPG Blog - Much More Than Temples ~ Tamil Nadu, India - Make it stand out Another abandoned palace which is now in the process of being restored. Beautifully painted ceilings, frescoes and cavernous rooms mark this palace. It was built to be impregnable but like anything it was foiled by the simple fact of one of the workers related to his wife on an evening the story of a secret way in which was overheard and then used by his nephew living with them to prove to the King that there was a weakness. Of course, he lost his head for showing up a king but that’s life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ffa4e93c-af0d-4f8d-b78f-05d478da4337/IMG_3141.JPG Blog - Much More Than Temples ~ Tamil Nadu, India - Make it stand out While the production of salt is not used in commercial use for table salt these are salt flats where salt is harvested from the sea. As we crossed this area, we were reminded of the famous Dandi March or salt satyagraha led by Mahatma Gandhi to protest British taxation of salt. I absolutely love this aspect of travel watching history come alive in front of my eyes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4b1796e4-c9af-4e2e-99f4-55444f2847fe/IMG_3633.JPG Blog - Much More Than Temples ~ Tamil Nadu, India - Make it stand out The ritual of the dead at the banks of the Cauvery. Unlike Varanasi, the south Indians do not consecrate their dead to the flames at the banks of the river. However, within the first year after the passing they come here to perform rituals and make offerings of rice, food and fruit to the river and have a priest pray for the cycle of rebirth that a human is subjected to as a part of the Hindu beliefs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6f2cd657-a93c-4e1e-8d80-1e578542af68/IMG_3009.jpg Blog - Much More Than Temples ~ Tamil Nadu, India - Make it stand out The state of Tamil Nadu is the southernmost state in India and has the third largest coastline in India. Riddled by many rivers the Cauvery being the largest, it is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal which in turn feeds into the Indian Ocean. Of course, that means beautiful beaches full of color and glamour and the rhythms of the sun, sea and sand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/93eaa9ef-a9ee-4f28-ae5d-75ef37745251/IMG_3238.JPG Blog - Much More Than Temples ~ Tamil Nadu, India - Make it stand out In Pondicherry at the promenade by the water, is a statue of Mahatma Gandhi that replaced whichever French dignitary originally held pride of place here. Despite this being a French city until the 1950’s there are many figures from the national freedom struggle that grace the walls in the form of graffiti art along the paths that we took towards the promenade. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ca010890-b479-4d70-a9c8-29b4c2141a5f/IMG_3710.JPG Blog - Much More Than Temples ~ Tamil Nadu, India - Make it stand out Chettinad, is a region in Tamil Nadu that was populated by the bankers and merchants of India who thrived during colonial times. Beautiful large mansions survive some in ruins and some lovingly restored in this region. Many of them empty and abandoned as the people who once lived in them moved away to other parts of the world when they lost the protection of the colonial army. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/15f280c7-e770-4ed6-96b7-953cd180b47f/IMG_3702.JPG Blog - Much More Than Temples ~ Tamil Nadu, India - Make it stand out These hill forts were once held by rebels in opposition of the British but eventually conquered and taxed to destitution for their folly in standing up against the conquerors of their home country. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b33a6d2e-6278-4269-8c06-d9ebae43cc06/IMG_3974.JPG Blog - Much More Than Temples ~ Tamil Nadu, India - Make it stand out Jallikattu is the Tamil Nadu version of running the bulls. We did not get to see this because it only happens in a certain season, and this was not it. However, this was painted on the wall near one of the sights that we were visiting, and our tour manager explained what it was and how integral a part it played in certain parts of the state. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f85a9236-9db5-4064-a2a4-8fe217ecdd59/IMG_3061.JPG Blog - Much More Than Temples ~ Tamil Nadu, India - Make it stand out Before the gorgeous towering edifices were created, the stone masons and artisans had to practice somewhere. This is an example of early carvings representing the five chariots of the Pandava brothers and their wife Draupadi. Like the early European churches and religious inspired art, these artists were also inspired by the myths and legends of the Hindu Pantheon and epic stories of the Ramayana and Maha Bharat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9f2bc66b-e0f6-4b0b-9fa1-cceb44007d4f/IMG_2702.JPG Blog - Much More Than Temples ~ Tamil Nadu, India - Make it stand out One of the first places we visited at the beginning of our journey was the fantastic museum in Chennai. We drove up to this fabulous palace like structure, which by the way was always constructed to house a museum. As we wandered through a few of the galleries and looked at the richness of the statuary and the stories the walls told of ancient India it sent goosebumps through my skin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/63fff1f5-a3e3-4888-b0d6-a092f351d40a/3F74A925-88BF-4BE0-A085-875C5CECAC57.jpg Blog - Much More Than Temples ~ Tamil Nadu, India - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/164f9b4e-df72-4d76-b023-4a4f2bbb5983/IMG_3093.JPG Blog - Much More Than Temples ~ Tamil Nadu, India - Make it stand out The most amazing seafood for under $15 (USD) for the most part was available all along the coast. I had this amazing meal where I got to pick the chef’s marinade and had fresh prawns made to perfection. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9d6e3e00-30cb-4061-9cfb-01780f6564a6/IMG_3503.jpg Blog - Much More Than Temples ~ Tamil Nadu, India - Make it stand out While the Palace in Thanjavur itself is beautiful and houses some fantastic art it was this arched path that caught my imagination. As did the story of how the local rajah was tricked into giving up his kingdom thanks to the British laws that annexed so many kingdoms if a ruler did not have a biological heir. The people of our group were shocked that the Indian rulers did not stand up against these arbitrary laws that the British Colonial army established to benefit them. Since today is womans day it is befitting to recall that it was the Rani of Jhansi, a queen and a woman who first rose in rebellion against this law. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a967ae25-0aea-42d1-be7e-ea1ff94c9f74/IMG_3495.JPG Blog - Much More Than Temples ~ Tamil Nadu, India - Make it stand out The entrance to the library captured my imagination with its beautiful plaster painted reliefs and animals. I am not sure what level of restoration if any has been undertaken but it is phenomenal to see these age-old murals in beautiful living color. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/spiritual-south-india-tamil-nadu monthly 0.5 2024-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d336ce32-28e5-4fe3-b85b-a47f8040adf3/IMG_2871.jpg Blog - Spiritual South India ~ Tamil Nadu - Make it stand out Ekambareswarar Temple https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/91a61136-468b-4478-b6b1-6e1d68dcd835/IMG_3847.JPG Blog - Spiritual South India ~ Tamil Nadu - Make it stand out The beautiful Meenakshi Temple in Madurai the granddaddy or should I say mommy of all the temples that we saw. Dedicated to the Goddess Meenakshi Lord Shiva’s human consort this temple consists of 14 towers beautifully made of bricks and mortar and beautifully painted three-dimensional figures formed from plaster of Paris. In all the Hindu temples pilgrims and visitors enter and move clockwise as they pay respect to the various shrines in the temple. In this temple alone all visitors who enter regardless of where they enter from head towards the Devi Meenakshi’s shrine first before visiting any other shrine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6a564ef8-8e27-4133-bb2c-02e745d91a88/IMG_3567.JPG Blog - Spiritual South India ~ Tamil Nadu - Make it stand out On to the city of Thanjavur with its own set of soaring temples, with intricate carvings. The inner sanctum was not open yet in front of which a long line of pilgrims awaited entrance. We strolled through the massive temple complex looking at some of the shrines built in the complex awestruck at the complexity of the carvings all around. One of the things to appreciate is that these temples in India are commissioned by the ruling body who gets the credit while the artists who create such beauty get no recognition at all. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f4e5c92c-73a3-4179-a9a6-e20d57450dd3/IMG_3183.JPG Blog - Spiritual South India ~ Tamil Nadu - Make it stand out Our spiritual journey continued to Pondicherry, the French city of India where citizens still retain dual citizenship except in Auroville where citizens renounce their citizen to all countries to become residents of this land granted to the foundation of the yogi Aurobindo. Here in the city of dawn we got to visit and gaze upon the meditation center. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b2414d84-8ac7-42b7-b7e3-b9c32b2ea9ec/IMG_2942.JPG Blog - Spiritual South India ~ Tamil Nadu - Make it stand out Having spent a day sightseeing in Chennai and visiting the Santholme Basilica Church one of the holiest Christian sites in India and the Kapeelshwarar temple and excellent example of early Dravidian temple architecture we set off for Kanchipuram city of 1000 temples. As we drove through the city, we craned our necks and tried to take photographs of the all the carved towers that we could see though the windows of the coach. We finally came to our first temple stop, the Ekambareswarar Temple with its 540 pillars. Once we shed our shoes, we walked through the temple complex to visit some of the shrines. Then, a visit to what was one of my favorite temples. the stunning Kailasanathar Temple with its elaborate carvings. Little niches with carvings surrounded the center temple. Once colored with vegetable dyes some of whom have survived even today, we got to admire the beautiful carvings of the various gods and goddesses of the Hindu Pantheon. In between visits to the temples and night fall in our resort of Mahabalipuram located on the Bay of Bengal we got to visit a weaving factory to see how the famous hand woven Kanjeevaram sarees are woven. Definitely not in the market for a saree but feeling totally nostalgic I indulged in a couple of silk scarves to commemorate the visit. Let’s not forget the fabulous sea food that satiated more than our hunger. More on this later. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a920fef2-5eed-43b4-bd01-a4bf99bfc09a/IMG_2924.JPG Blog - Spiritual South India ~ Tamil Nadu - Make it stand out The Hindu religion is a combination of myth and religion. Every temple as a temple pool for the ritual bathing and cleansing prior to initiating prayer. In the famous Meenakshi temple of Madurai, no pictures allowed there is called the pool of the golden lotus. Legend has it that since all entrants to the temple had to bathe in the sacred pond before a visit to the Goddess shrine, a holy book was put into the water for the water test whereupon a golden lotus rose and kept the book from getting wet and destroyed in the water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a6ad9b47-8637-459c-b57d-26256e03ccaa/IMG_2682.JPG Blog - Spiritual South India ~ Tamil Nadu - Make it stand out After completing our personal pilgrimage at Shri Hazur Sahib, we flew to Chennai to meet our tour group. Our first day of sightseeing and first stop after leaving our hotel was at a small temple where people come for blessing of new vehicles or pray to safety for a long journey. We too joined the faithful and had our bus garlanded with flowers and the driver and his assistant blessed for the 14 days incredible journey that we were to undertake. Our tour manager @jaychandran, driver Ravi and assistant Iyapan were outstanding and a great support team during our entire journey. An interesting side note that along with the more traditional offerings fo rice and flowers, people also offer beer and cigars at this temple. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a9127de7-0893-41f0-9987-a2baee1ce36a/IMG_3214.JPG Blog - Spiritual South India ~ Tamil Nadu - Make it stand out Flower shops selling garland or other temple paraphernalia cropped up frequently indicating how many small local temples exist all over the place. For many their day begins and ends with prayers offered in home temples or nearby local temples. Some of the larger temples that we saw on this visit had long lines of faithful pilgrims who had journeyed from their homes from all over the South to see and be blessed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a8e47a8b-a0dd-4135-9493-328ca13052ff/IMG_2929.JPG Blog - Spiritual South India ~ Tamil Nadu - Make it stand out While flowers, fruit and other food offerings are made in the temple by the faithful, many come bearing prayers and dreams. Here on this tree in the temple complex you can see cradles with little dolls from people desiring children to other prayers. This tree with its prayers reminds me of a visit to the native American tribal lands in the USA where prayers scarves are tied to trees carrying prayers and pleas from the faithful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/89ffe8b2-6b12-4959-8a92-20e43e6e5495/IMG_3570.JPG Blog - Spiritual South India ~ Tamil Nadu - Make it stand out The Nandi bull is the lord Shiva’s ride. In all the temples in the South which are primarily dedicated to Lord Shiva, a shrine of the bull can be found facing the sanctum where Shiva’s shrine is located. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5be7c437-9fba-4b69-92a3-42891a1186e9/IMG_4002.JPG Blog - Spiritual South India ~ Tamil Nadu - Make it stand out We visited the flower market in Madurai after the initial wholesale frenzy was over, but folks were still selling flowers to local retailers. Here a family weave lotus flower garlands. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dce83dac-60a8-4087-8ed6-22daa6b5d31c/IMG_3017.JPG Blog - Spiritual South India ~ Tamil Nadu - Make it stand out Back in Mahabalipuram one of my favorite temple complexes is the ancient Shore temple located on the coast. History has it that a tsunami originally swept this temple away but over time parts of it have been located and assembled. To me it is a testament to endurance. There is so much more to this beautiful state, and I’ll share some of what I found significant and interesting as we continue our journey through this incredible part of India. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bd8b82b1-946c-4741-9c17-1cef287d2b5c/IMG_3146.JPG Blog - Spiritual South India ~ Tamil Nadu - Make it stand out Ponds full of lotuses can be found along with flower fields of Jasmine, Roses and Marigolds. These flowers are harvested early in the AM for sale to retailers and temples for the daily fresh flower offerings and garlands for the deities. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/to-the-south-of-india monthly 0.5 2024-02-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d1bb9493-53b0-44d8-99d4-b520f9d6fb8d/IMG_2522.JPG Blog - The Beginning of a Spiritual Journey in South India - Make it stand out After a quick stop at the Chowmahalla Palace we drove to Hussain Sagar Lake with its Buddha statue in the middle of the lake. By this time we were starting to fade thanks to our super early start in the morning and a flight from Kolkata to Hyderabad. We elected to not walk or take a boat ride on the lake. Instead, we admired some of the sights from a viewpoint and moved on. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ecbf9b4a-4537-4001-95c5-bcca6797ce2f/IMG_2523.JPG Blog - The Beginning of a Spiritual Journey in South India - Make it stand out By now we were starting to experience hunger pangs as well, so we headed to Paradise Biryani the famous Biryani restaurant. Apparently, a lot of Biryani places have now opened in Hyderabad but the travel agent who made our arrangements told me to trust the driver. After a wonderful meal of Biryani, and Lacha Parathas with a chicken dish we headed off again for our last destination of the day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/02014a0a-8fe0-4947-8497-4daa36a93683/IMG_2494.JPG Blog - The Beginning of a Spiritual Journey in South India - Make it stand out The bustling Charminar (or the Four Minarets) constructed in 1591 is a symbol of the city of Hyderabad. As we wandered in the crowded bazaar, we continued to hear announcements from the local police about guarding our belongings and beware of pickpockets. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/94c0bc9b-c1d9-44bc-bb92-d20e99967176/IMG_2596.JPG Blog - The Beginning of a Spiritual Journey in South India - Make it stand out Our first sight of the Gurdwara was breathtaking. We were staying inside the Sach Khand complex so after checking in and leaving our stuff in our rooms we headed over to pay our respects inside the inner sanctum. Shri Hazur Sahib is one of the five seats of power or Takths of the Sikh Religion. The inner sanctum is the place where Guru Gobind Singh Jee ruled from and eventually departed this earthly abode from. The Gurdwara has one of the finest displays of Swords and daggers and other arms used by the Guru and some of his disciples during the wars that were waged here in the Deccan region. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2e7dfc25-0820-4c35-af86-4472e646f6c2/IMG_2492.JPG Blog - The Beginning of a Spiritual Journey in South India - Make it stand out The Laad Bazaar famous for its bangles, pearls and other jewelry. For a hundred Rupees or just over a dollar I bought three packets of bangles as a nice souvenir. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b5a650f3-9e8c-40a4-81dc-d47a0242d58d/IMG_2556.JPG Blog - The Beginning of a Spiritual Journey in South India - Make it stand out I had been craving a young green coconut since I arrived in the city but finally, we made a stop along the roadside to enjoy the water and scooped out the cream inside the coconut. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9dcfb91a-b8eb-49d4-960e-fb17d8cedd92/IMG_2540.JPG Blog - The Beginning of a Spiritual Journey in South India - Make it stand out The Golconda fort is a fortified citadel dating back to the 11th century. For me the romance of this fort is its renown for the diamonds that were mined and traded here. Over time the Daria-i-Noor, the Kohi-i-Noor, the Hope diamond and the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond all made their way through the marketplace here. I have been to the light and sound here before and found it impressive, but my traveling companion was tired, so we skipped the light and sound and headed back to our hotel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c829366b-5484-40f1-9865-8854654615c0/IMG_2672.JPG Blog - The Beginning of a Spiritual Journey in South India - Make it stand out Thoroughly invigorated we made an early start to head to the Hyderabad airport to join our group in Chennai to being our spiritual journey through Tamil Nadu and Kerala. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/aba8d506-ab36-4cf6-9c33-7ed0fe263bfd/IMG_2485.JPG Blog - The Beginning of a Spiritual Journey in South India - Make it stand out The next morning after breakfast we headed out of the city leaving the silhouettes of ancient domes and palaces behind as we got on the road to Nanded. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/92c601fb-2716-4352-9467-7deceeb717c1/IMG_2879.JPG Blog - The Beginning of a Spiritual Journey in South India - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9ec39072-14f7-4608-b906-4b11871a0a30/IMG_2478.JPG Blog - The Beginning of a Spiritual Journey in South India - Make it stand out From the airport we headed to our hotel checked in, refreshed ourselves and headed out car and driver in hand. First stop was the Salar Jang Museum where we toured some of the galleries. Even though it is February, the weather is pretty hot in this part of India already. While India charges a different admission for foreigners, almost double the price for Indians and sadly now with my foreign passport I am considered a foreigner they have also figured out how to make additional money by charging you for cameras and cell phones. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/85ebaf27-dd7d-49cd-b51e-f42cf77da47e/IMG_2626.JPG Blog - The Beginning of a Spiritual Journey in South India - Make it stand out At 2:30 AM in the morning the congregation heads over to the sacred River Godavri a round trip of about a half mile to fetch water from the river to clean the inner sanctum. Many pilgrims make this trip barefoot though we wore our shoes. As we napped during the morning after our return, we could hear the chanting of prayers as they echoed around us. There are many smaller historical gurdwaras in the vicinity, so we paid our respects at a few, visited the stables which breeds horses from the line of the horses originally ridden by the Guru himself. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/layover-at-singapore-changi-airport monthly 0.5 2024-02-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/27306497-7452-4eb5-8eda-e798c3042d38/IMG_2265.jpg Blog - Layover at Singapore Changi Airport - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/63a290a6-f4b8-4c15-8c7b-9d05f083bdd8/IMG_2194.JPG Blog - Layover at Singapore Changi Airport - Make it stand out Armed with a slew of recommendations from the staff in the lounge I wandered through the Singapore Food Street but decided to pass on food. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bfe124f8-6379-42a1-868d-0d2690588ecb/IMG_2297.JPG Blog - Layover at Singapore Changi Airport - Make it stand out And taste the most expensive cup of coffee that I have ever drunk. $36 USD for their best coffee. The to go coffee is served along with a cup of Chantilly cream and a sugar stick. Despite being in sticker shock, I decided that I just had to spend a bit extra and try their brioche with Turkish Delight at its center. I will say the coffee was delicious but was it worth the price, the jury is still out. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9159c645-89f7-4f01-90bc-99a1df7d7262/IMG_2253.JPG Blog - Layover at Singapore Changi Airport - Make it stand out Finally, the jewel in Changi’s crown, the tallest indoor waterfall in the world. Sponsored by HSBC the rain Vortex cascades down seven stories surrounded by a lush rain forest. You can view this from the Sky train that goes between Terminals 2 and 3 though it is actually located in the public area of Terminal One. The area is full of people taking selfies, I saw a lady all dressed by in a cheongsam holding a fan posing. I also had an interesting discussion about walking shoes with a cute young Indian couple whom I met as I wandered through the entertainment complex and considered stopping at one of my favorite dim sum restaurants for lunch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/90b6eb21-f78e-4ff2-9bb8-f107b6aca955/IMG_2287.JPG Blog - Layover at Singapore Changi Airport - Make it stand out I was so excited to see this large Bacha Coffee shop almost as we exited the sky train. On my recent trip to Morocco, the Bacha Palace and Bacha coffee had been one of the places to visit but it was closed due to damage sustained in the recent earthquake. I decided to wait a while before tasting the coffee. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2dd4751c-6950-4c3e-89b2-2827cc4ae7be/IMG_2225.JPG Blog - Layover at Singapore Changi Airport - Make it stand out In order to go visit the famous Jewel I had to complete all formalities to exit the transit area and enter the public area but before I headed down to immigration one last stop at the Orchid Garden. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a54a9bae-0de3-4ed0-b7ce-0c55764bae34/IMG_2302.JPG Blog - Layover at Singapore Changi Airport - Make it stand out Before I knew it the day was done, and it was time for my onward flight. As we were taxing for our spot to take off this airplane was being towed across the runway. I’m sure my imagination can supply a story though the truth is left behind with the airport authorities in Singapore. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cdb98940-a73d-4107-9a79-df2f50f0017d/IMG_2237.JPG Blog - Layover at Singapore Changi Airport - Make it stand out This beautiful area had orchids galore and these beautiful blown glass sculptures full of flowers. It seemed an important selfie and photo stop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bfccce9b-bf40-4113-9d2d-b46652548d86/IMG_2281.JPG Blog - Layover at Singapore Changi Airport - Make it stand out Even though I still had plenty of time I decided to head back to Terminal 3 and the lounge. As I entered the departures area of Terminal 3, I saw this beautiful display of the dragon welcoming the lunar year of the dragon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/af36cc9d-be85-403b-be1c-d3228e475c36/IMG_2190.JPG Blog - Layover at Singapore Changi Airport - Make it stand out As I wandered through Terminal 3 I stopped t admire the designer row. but it was this store with its over the top aquarium facade that caught my eye. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/38d167a1-c12f-42a3-b570-fb8f852e2fd8/IMG_2176.JPG Blog - Layover at Singapore Changi Airport - Make it stand out Our flight landed at Terminal 3. After disembarking from the aircraft, we took a SkyTrain to the T3 transit area. Free tours are offered by Singapore airlines of the city and/or the Jewel inside the airport. I chose not to take one of the tours, instead armed with a guide to all the marvels at the airport I decided to use the Skytrain system to wander through terminals, 1, 2 and 3 at my own pace. Initially I had thought to leave my hand luggage at a luggage concierge in Terminal 3 but because I had a laptop, they would not hold my stuff. Instead, the lady suggested a similar facility in terminal 2 that was larger and had luggage scanning capabilities. In the end I just ended up keeping my luggage with me as I wandered. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6a75ca5b-2475-43b7-ba1a-dc4b17d54fad/IMG_2198.JPG Blog - Layover at Singapore Changi Airport - Make it stand out I took a peep inside the butterfly garden also located in terminal 3 as I made my way towards the Sky train stop that would take me to Terminal 2. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/trolls-in-southern-california monthly 0.5 2024-02-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fabef9df-a08f-49f6-80d1-6b780957ac93/IMG_2019.JPG Blog - Trolls in Southern California - Make it stand out Along our path were other interesting sculptures. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2eb9f797-e738-493c-9512-63467ba51e58/IMG_2032.JPG Blog - Trolls in Southern California - Make it stand out I had a marvelous time at the garden, and I do plan to return to visit the light show Astra Lumia soon. I am so pleased that as a part of pursuing my love of wandering I am also discovering adventures close to home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/49e7b25b-45d1-462d-bb06-e862eb954fa5/IMG_2016.JPG Blog - Trolls in Southern California - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/18955a92-3fc0-4434-96cc-73c1e45844ec/IMG_2030.JPG Blog - Trolls in Southern California - Make it stand out I’ve lived in Southern California for forty plus years but had never visited the South Coast Botanical Gardens. I am grateful for the opportunities to wake up and smell the roses and explore where I live as I have never done before. It was a gorgeous Southern California day with bright sunshine making us grateful for the opportunity to get some steps in while enjoying the ambiance and the butterflies to uplift our spirits. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/646ffd26-1b79-4718-af64-a663afcd3150/7413E80C-4962-4DCF-A0FA-2105C82DD32B.jpg Blog - Trolls in Southern California - Make it stand out Find them we did, all of them. These six larger than life trolls are created by Thomas Dambo from reclaimed materials. Each troll brings us a message of sustainability and preserving the earth for future generations. Story has it that hundreds of trolls came together at “Trolliefolkyfest” to discuss us the damage that we humans are doing to our environment like cutting down forests, emptying rivers, and putting our future into danger. While most trolls think we can’t be redeemed, these six came out here to Southern California to spread their message. Similarly other trolls have popped up in different parts of the world such as Denmark, France, Germany, China, South Korea, Chile, etc. to spread their message. Through his trolls, Thomas’ vision is to create art that inspires people to go explore, have adventures in nature, and demonstrates that trash can be turned into something beautiful. I am so glad that I was able to go visit before they left my corner of the world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/868f8b29-ca14-4165-b447-2d5dba5fcaf6/IMG_2022.JPG Blog - Trolls in Southern California - Make it stand out Some pretty modern looking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b9153a0e-e24f-4e3e-ad54-d63e334a1857/IMG_1987.JPG Blog - Trolls in Southern California - Make it stand out We started off our visit at Ibbi Pip’s playhouse with the colorful bird houses hanging from the ceiling and a few human sized nests for photo opportunities. Ibbi Pip is an advocate for animals and birds and creates these colorful creations to communicate with them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/22667028-aa26-4907-8f5b-b0cc6d8b954f/IMG_1998.JPG Blog - Trolls in Southern California - Make it stand out We had to stop and try to capture these butterflies that were brimming with high spirits and refused to hold still for a command performance. Nevertheless, I managed to persevere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e0004820-f916-4f56-a7f1-dfc996d5ee36/IMG_2026.JPG Blog - Trolls in Southern California - Make it stand out The presence of the trolls was marked by these bird houses though sometimes we had to leave the road to find them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4e29e47b-3587-49ac-99b6-2175c50ec8b7/IMG_2005.JPG Blog - Trolls in Southern California - Make it stand out As we walked along looking for the trolls, we spotted all kinds of marvels in the gardens. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/journeys-end-marrakech monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/62f46608-07b4-40f4-8c2d-e5dcba6e6bb1/IMG_1775.JPG Blog - Journey’s end Marrakech - Make it stand out Back in Marrakech, back in the Jardin Majorelle. This time we took a shorter stroll around the garden but still a great experience enjoying the beauty and color on display. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bcdb8a0f-91de-4354-9916-f839eaa7097d/IMG_1875.JPG Blog - Journey’s end Marrakech - Make it stand out As if to totally change the ambiance of the old towns, medinas and souqs that we had gotten in plenty our farewell dinner was at a fancy French restaurant in the newer part of Marrakech. All good things must come to an end and so it was. Many of us including me were heading home the next morning while others were staying on or venturing to other parts. Goodbyes are hard but memories of new friendships linger. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e160200b-e71e-48f0-a40b-feed48788409/IMG_6561.JPG Blog - Journey’s end Marrakech - Make it stand out Since I had visited the falls on my previous trip in this area and actually hiked all the way to the bottom of the ravine and admired the falls up close and personal and barely survived to tell the tale I absolutely declined the tour with the local guide this time around. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8961af2f-31ab-42e9-b294-6234c2eb0984/IMG_1801.JPG Blog - Journey’s end Marrakech - Make it stand out The Koutoubia Mosque is the largest mosque in Marrakech. Its style is inspired by the Giralda Tower in Seville and the Hassan Tour in Rabat. The mosque also known as the Booksellers Mosque reflects the bookselling trade practiced in the nearby souk. At one time as many as 100 book vendors worked in the streets at the base of the mosque. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6f6248e3-f399-4597-bc44-d8a17372a851/IMG_6340.JPG Blog - Journey’s end Marrakech - Make it stand out The Dar El Fanaa square with its chaos of people milling around, snake charmers and henna ladies, and donkey carts. You’ve got to visit it at least once. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/885ed01d-a529-4eea-8e26-42e57b0ef8c8/IMG_6794.JPG Blog - Journey’s end Marrakech - Make it stand out On our way into the city, we stopped at a local oasis for a camel ride where we were given authentic robes to wear, and scarves were tied Berber style to protect our head and noses from the desert sand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/96c3321a-dd5c-44ad-b3eb-283dc722ca2b/IMG_1804.JPG Blog - Journey’s end Marrakech - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/506f538e-00a9-4ced-8ad1-c161cc68f636/IMG_1790.JPG Blog - Journey’s end Marrakech - Make it stand out The Boutique at the Jardin Majorelle is a direct homage to Yves Saint Laurent whose work was profoundly inspired by the colors of Marrakech. All the products offered here are locally designed and made. The earnings from the boutique are used to fund social and cultural initiatives in Morocco. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/82feea4a-0059-450b-8969-cb06555be31c/IMG_6898.JPG Blog - Journey’s end Marrakech - Make it stand out After a long full day, we finally made into the city and to our hotel in the more modern part of Marrakesh. The hotel was very interesting, most particularly the bathroom design which was very open and a challenge for folks sharing rooms who were not a couple. At least it made for interesting conversation over dinner. One of the things that is not talked about a whole lot is the differences between facilities and how the taps and showers work in every place you visit. The first person to take a shower often gave tips and guidelines about how the taps worked to their roommate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c326c110-a646-42dd-8dae-d69efbff0a2e/IMG_6694.JPG Blog - Journey’s end Marrakech - Make it stand out Dar El Bacha which had been on our initial itinerary was still closed due to damage sustained in the earthquake. Instead, we got to visit the beautiful Bahia Palace which was designed by a vizier for his favorite concubine and modeled after the Alhambra Palace in Granada. As I walked through the palace on this second visit, I couldn’t help but compare it to my earlier visit with all the girls darting around looking for the best background for photos and calls to join the group for group photos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/92df6cb9-f47f-4869-8b71-250e8dc956cc/IMG_1717.JPG Blog - Journey’s end Marrakech - Make it stand out We left Fez and journeyed through the Middle Atlas Mountains where we spent one night at Bin El Ouidane. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/53c18e11-c7f5-4c98-bda3-2b35da47af2c/IMG_6338.JPG Blog - Journey’s end Marrakech - Make it stand out No visit to a Moroccan city is complete without a stop in the medina and a walk through the souks. I had thoroughly investigated and wandered through the Marrakech medina and the souks on my first visit. So as many of my companions were busily finishing their shopping, I got to enjoy a delicious pomegranate juice from the local juice sellers gathered in the square. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2b8846ed-128c-43e8-816b-b0ceb0ece4d2/IMG_6643.JPG Blog - Journey’s end Marrakech - Make it stand out One of the things that is notable about this beautiful palace is that the ceilings in every room are different. One almost wants to walk with one’s head craned upwards and hang the consequences of bumping into others. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5e3129c5-6035-42ed-a6c6-5cd98915236b/IMG_6745+%281%29.jpg Blog - Journey’s end Marrakech - Make it stand out There was almost no conversation about the recent earthquake in Morocco and little signs of damage other than some closed attractions, we did come across this rare sight of a building propped up post what I assume is damage sustained in the earthquake. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8e0e2ee2-3725-4df9-9a49-f2f3de5e7ae0/IMG_1733.JPG Blog - Journey’s end Marrakech - Make it stand out On our way into Marrakech, we stopped in Ozoud where we visited with a Berber family and were shown the right way to make Mint tea. Over cups of tea, we got to chat with the gentleman whose home we were visiting. It is so enterprising that these folks get to share their culture and exchange ideas with tourists while also making some money to sustain their lifestyle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cae8c069-1bbc-4f95-9f8a-4b16aefcd08b/IMG_6735.JPG Blog - Journey’s end Marrakech - Make it stand out Another joy of traveling broadening one’s palate. I got to experience a variety of flavors and dishes enjoying and celebrating the differences. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/remarkable-fes-morocco monthly 0.5 2024-01-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/20c2609e-1765-4180-931c-5f5365ac0078/IMG_1604.JPG Blog - Remarkable Fez, Morocco - Make it stand out We approached the blue gate through the Medina and were fascinated that the inside looking out is tiled in green tiles and not blue. These green tiles coordinate with the rooftop of the green mosque that is located just outside the city walls. I couldn’t find out why this contrast of colors and coordination but am fascinated with the level of planning those long-ago architects did. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d428b21a-6bbe-4a88-91e8-ccccf9e4fd6f/IMG_1535.jpg Blog - Remarkable Fez, Morocco - Make it stand out Birds eye view of the Fes Medina https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ca529126-917b-4918-a517-99346a9cdbb8/IMG_1543.JPG Blog - Remarkable Fez, Morocco - Make it stand out All over Morocco the people were friendly and welcoming and especially with the young ones like these were fascinated by us American tourists. These young ladies wanted to take pictures with us but since the pictures were on our phones and cameras, I guess it was just the thrill of being in a picture and a story to tell that was the goal for them because they don’t have a picture to go with it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/049e4bfb-738a-48de-ad64-c981e65c8bc6/IMG_1658.JPG Blog - Remarkable Fez, Morocco - Make it stand out As someone remarked the outside of the homes as viewed from the narrow winding streets of the Medina look like blank walls the insides are a different story with beautiful fountains, fruit trees and gardens. After lazing in the sun on the rooftop I made my way to the garden for a fabulous lunch of Moroccan salads and pancakes to the sound of the tinkling fountain. What a fabulous time out from all the frantic travel and sightseeing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/970f690f-0796-4ce2-933f-6181d705e01b/IMG_1665.JPG Blog - Remarkable Fez, Morocco - Make it stand out Then it was time for a home hosted dinner and a meet up with our hostess Ayesha and her sister. It’s fascinating to learn that Ayesha found this way to maintain her ancestral home, stay at home and raise her children while being an ambassador to the Moroccan way of life to tourists. I was reminded of another enterprising woman and the Breadbasket in Jordan with its all-woman run kitchen. It is fascinating that women can find a way to work within their traditions and restrictions and still be entrepreneurial. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2a92b692-df33-4880-bf88-69cd3515e6d7/IMG_1630.JPG Blog - Remarkable Fez, Morocco - Make it stand out University Al Qarawiyyin is one of the leading spiritual and educational centers of the Muslim world and is considered the oldest continuously operating institution of higher learning. It focuses its studies on Islam, legal sciences, and classical Arabic. Since I had so recently visited Kairouan in Tunisia I stuck my head in through these ornate doors fascinated with the flow of ideas and information across North Africa. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6436efe1-8d44-48be-81ca-4f92315ec8e8/IMG_1635.JPG Blog - Remarkable Fez, Morocco - Make it stand out Even though at the time I was a bit irritated at the long winding way we made our way to the riad, in retrospect I can’t help but appreciate some of the sights that I saw along the way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/69baef1f-d1bc-41d6-b274-99660bac8c9d/IMG_1621.JPG Blog - Remarkable Fez, Morocco - Make it stand out One of the many entrances to the Medina. I elected to separate myself from the group since I was not keen on spending an entire day shopping so assigned a guide, I made my way into the medina through this gate called the Bab Rcif and traversed a short cut through the narrow souks and past a few important landmarks in the Medina before making my way back to our riad. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/999e47c6-167b-4941-b293-ad402ccaeeb9/IMG_1565.JPG Blog - Remarkable Fez, Morocco - Make it stand out The Jewish quarter was established in close proximity to the Royal Palace as a show of protection by the then Sultan. So, it was simply a matter of walking across the street to admire these bronze doors that grace the palace. They are an awesome sight set in blue tiled arches and separated by these white arched alcoves with inscriptions on them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/29e54ae0-206b-4c77-9bca-a970595ecced/IMG_1577.JPG Blog - Remarkable Fez, Morocco - Make it stand out Most of the gates to the Medina that we saw were elaborately tiled and a sight to behold but out of a total of 13 gates that provide entrance to the old city of Fez are simpler ones like this which was originally designated for use by the tradespeople. This one is the Gate of the Farriers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/704edc64-4071-4464-bdee-e25d5d14faba/IMG_1653.JPG Blog - Remarkable Fez, Morocco - Make it stand out Finally, I arrived back home and made my way to the rooftop to enjoy the sunshine and getting the weight of my leg. The only thing I was sorry to miss was the leather tanning area which is one of the things that Fez is famous for. Ah well who knows my steps might make their way this way again someday. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e947fd5c-36fa-4cc5-9855-fbf6763f0dec/IMG_1624.JPG Blog - Remarkable Fez, Morocco - Make it stand out The River Fez which at one time divided the original Medina into two was covered up when the two were joined again. Our guide pointed out the carpet shop where the rest of the group was scheduled to visit later and as it turned out many would purchase rugs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/24815360-db0d-49e1-a504-f2a54171f2b1/IMG_1588.JPG Blog - Remarkable Fez, Morocco - Make it stand out One of the most ornate is the Azure (Blue) Gate or the Bab Bou Jeloud. Decorated with beautiful blue tiles, it looks into the Medina which has buildings also crowned with blue tiles to keep up with the aesthetics. Just inside the entrance was a juice vendor serving freshly squeezed juice and we lost our entire group as they swarmed the juice vendor even though we had just had breakfast a short time ago. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f2fbeb9a-c29d-4a74-8928-1e0c15d31d6d/IMG_1626.JPG Blog - Remarkable Fez, Morocco - Make it stand out While the short cut to the riad was a bit longer than I thought, I resisted all attempts to enter shops pointed out by my guide and focused on enjoying and appreciating the many interesting buildings and sights along the way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/27cb7b00-bc6f-495b-b1f8-1eaddac14abd/IMG_1558.JPG Blog - Remarkable Fez, Morocco - Make it stand out Jews escaping from Andalusia were welcomed to Fez and played a pivotal role in the development of the city. A thriving Jewish quarter was established here but as the importance of Fez declined, the Jewish population was also decimated. This cemetery is all that is left of the once thriving Jewish quarter here in Fez. The Moses Maimonides was one of the famous inhabitants who made his way here from Andalusia. Unfortunately, this too was not destined to be his forever home since he was forced to leave Fez when the terror was at its height and ultimately made his way to Egypt. Part of what I love about wandering around the world is these little tidbits and piecing together stories across different parts of the world. I was first introduced to Maimonides in Cordoba where there is a large statue of him in the Jewish quarter there. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/64b0e629-ef4a-4f7d-97d6-3c963b5c72c1/IMG_1616.jpg Blog - Remarkable Fez, Morocco - Make it stand out Built in 789 A.D., the ancient walled city is one of the oldest in the world. Refugees from Cordoba and later Tunisia shaped it into what it is today. In 1981 UNESCO declared it a world heritage site. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/the-blue-pearl-of-morocco monthly 0.5 2024-01-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/45e0932f-2308-449e-b5d9-b5c3119b86f2/IMG_1434.jpg Blog - The Blue Pearl of Morocco - Make it stand out One of the smaller town squares along the way. We saw a small group of tourists enjoying coffee and a snack but for the most part the cafes were devoid of customers and almost seemed closed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/89f64753-78b2-4f1b-8c3c-5c4d03c631b3/IMG_1468.JPG Blog - The Blue Pearl of Morocco - Make it stand out Shades of blue are predominant but as you can see there are accent colors that also have a place in the palette that the local shops sell. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5c00f85d-ce9e-4be2-9279-6e2e3163b100/IMG_1500.JPG Blog - The Blue Pearl of Morocco - Make it stand out The town was founded by the Jews and Moors who escaped from Spanish persecution in the late fourteen hundreds. Nestled in the Rif Mountains it sprawls over hills and valleys with the requisite curving roads and lanes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/160d3b4c-7320-468c-8fb8-86046f6a43ee/IMG_1459.JPG Blog - The Blue Pearl of Morocco - Make it stand out The blue color adds a touch of mysticism and elevates these homes, shops, cafes and alleys into a whole new level. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1e3fd611-c9d8-4d62-8415-110005c70cd7/IMG_1457.JPG Blog - The Blue Pearl of Morocco - Make it stand out The town was quiet, it seemed like we were the only people around other than shopkeepers and a few locals. We wandered along listening to the guide in our ear as we stopped and took pictures. It was just inevitable that some of us would get separated from the group and it was just as inevitable that I would be one of the “lost” ones. Fortunately, we were only misplaced temporarily not lost in the maze of alleys though our tour guide had told us that if we continued to head downwards we would eventually end up in the townsquare. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8792954e-2ef3-4d6d-b71c-f4e0b0f2fdda/IMG_1474.JPG Blog - The Blue Pearl of Morocco - Make it stand out Narrow alleys lead off from the main path showcasing colorful goods to sell. This might be my favorite photo stop in the town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f25cad18-39cd-4c7e-b5f4-91963a9b40bf/IMG_1493.JPG Blog - The Blue Pearl of Morocco - Make it stand out With my adrenaline at an all-time high, it was a good thing we were near the main square and the end of our guided walk. I was able to find a cafe, order myself a sweet green tea which I promptly spilled all over the table and my companions and a bag of ice for my leg. Not the kind of adventure necessarily that you want on your travels but since all’s well that ends well it added a nice touch of excitement to our day and made this visit memorable. Holding my icebag, we headed towards the bus and onwards towards our nighttime stop in Fes in a riad in the UNESCO designated Medina. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cdc40a07-3f6c-472a-a6d1-511ade6c8b1a/IMG_1480.JPG Blog - The Blue Pearl of Morocco - Make it stand out This is supposed to be a hot Instagram photo opportunity. We waited a while, but an Asian family refused to budge taking all manner of photos and all manner of poses. I was just talking to my son, and he was telling me that the Tesla super chargers kick you off a charger if all the chargers are full and there are cars waiting. There needs to be a similar protocol about photos and popular spots because people just don’t like to move even when there are a lot of people waiting. I came back and snuck in a photo later but felt quite like a lemming because I am not sure what makes this spot so popular given there are many other interesting spots throughout the town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6bb910ff-71f7-4dab-9038-e2a50595a65d/IMG_1423.jpg Blog - The Blue Pearl of Morocco - Make it stand out It was still pretty early when we entered the Medina, so a lot of the shops were closed and shrouded under covers. We weren’t here to shop anyway so we proceeded along the narrow curving alleys that sloped up and down along the hilly terrain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/88f96d15-1de5-4777-a9aa-9ac6e5fafd95/IMG_1432.jpg Blog - The Blue Pearl of Morocco - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/05d0b88e-3764-470a-9142-b480a25e7b47/IMG_1491.JPG Blog - The Blue Pearl of Morocco - Make it stand out It was at this moment that it happened. With the guide droning on in my ears about the condition of the roads and how the government didn’t do much about repairing them, I felt myself flying off said road and heading for a prone position on the muddy ground. Soon I was surrounded by well-meaning kind shopkeepers who brought me a stool, water to wash my muddy hands and a wet towel to brush the mud from my clothes. Out of 20 people in the group, I was the only lucky one to find the pothole and then get my foot caught in it. On the plus side I was able to experience the kindness of the local people firsthand. Ah well! it’s a good thing that nothing worse than embarrassment and a whole bunch of black and blue happened. Oh yes! I also learned that my apple watch was programmed to alert my emergency contact who was boarding a flight at O dark hundred in Florida at the time. When I caught up with my son the first words out of my mouth were “I’m okay” and his were “well that’s fine and dandy but I’m not”. Luckily, we’ve since worked out our differences and he’s still my emergency contact, and the feature on the apple watch is still active despite my best efforts to turn it off. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8d0ff00e-f8bd-46eb-bba6-1ef1c83dbd5d/IMG_1479.JPG Blog - The Blue Pearl of Morocco - Make it stand out Another hot Instagram spot. This time we did manage to get some photos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/433cc716-0790-496a-a690-ebfcf9ba4bca/IMG_1407.JPG Blog - The Blue Pearl of Morocco - Make it stand out Blue and green are the popular colors in Morocco, but blue is the color of Chefchaouen which is called the blue city near and far. From the bus stop we walked by beautiful, tiled fountains and gardens as we headed towards the Medina. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/discover-morocco-tangier monthly 0.5 2024-01-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bddafe92-b6f1-49a5-aec6-e840466792c2/IMG_1210.JPG Blog - Discover Morocco Tangier - Make it stand out Even as we walked by Anthony Bourdain’s favorite restaurant on our way to lunch, I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic about home as I saw the apple pie a la mode that my friend had ordered for dessert. Food has a flavor all of its own when it is supplemented with good friends and laughter. I couldn’t help but think about one of my favorite meals in Tangier where the food itself was so so but we laughed so much that the meal became a treasured memory. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/22b047ba-cb48-48df-9bc7-a9322ea49ef7/IMG_1293.jpg Blog - Discover Morocco Tangier - Make it stand out Another anomaly camels on the beach? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d2308d19-d97f-4c00-8579-a022ed9795f1/IMG_1280.JPG Blog - Discover Morocco Tangier - Make it stand out The caves of Hercules are accessed via land via an entrance in the rocks carved by the local Berber people. Myth has it that Hercules rested here during the 11th of his 12 labors. Other myths talk about the shape of the sea entrance which has been carved by the force of the water flowing in. Is it shaped like the continent of Africa? Did the Phoenicians actually carve it so and let the sea finish the work? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b1f470c4-995c-4e9c-8bac-3e586879761e/IMG_1398.JPG Blog - Discover Morocco Tangier - Make it stand out Chefchaouen, Fes, the Mid Atlas, Marrakech, there’s a lot more to come. Hold tight folks as we continue our journey through Morocco. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3ca26667-f95c-46a6-bb81-391be47f4329/IMG_1355.JPG Blog - Discover Morocco Tangier - Make it stand out Like many of the towns along the coast the forts are bristling with guns that were used to defend the coastline from barbary pirates and other conquering invaders. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fbace6e4-1efb-4b07-b29a-c6df47e36f98/IMG_1129.JPG Blog - Discover Morocco Tangier - Make it stand out Artists like Matisse and writers immortalized these beautiful nooks and crannies in their paintings and words. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/596f7b6e-aa13-4ad5-b42d-2ef482d8a28c/IMG_1391.JPG Blog - Discover Morocco Tangier - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1605728c-884a-4bba-ae40-41c7753b21d5/IMG_1183.JPG Blog - Discover Morocco Tangier - Make it stand out The American Legation building the only US property located outside of the USA. This property was a gift from the then Sultan of Morocco who was the first foreign nation to recognize and independent America as a country. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c4f46f52-0918-4a88-a27a-c0d9a435d6aa/IMG_1148.JPG Blog - Discover Morocco Tangier - Make it stand out The souk might be like any other souk in Morocco but market day with the Berber women in their interesting hats was an interesting sight. We saw shops overflowing with spices, dates, nuts, olives, carpets, jewelry and all manner of goods. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b9c9f94c-b29c-4d5a-aa1e-69712b6ed507/IMG_1173.JPG Blog - Discover Morocco Tangier - Make it stand out A marriage belt on display in the gold souk. Every Moroccan man worth his salt must be able to afford one as a gift to his bride in order to marry. The size, shape and weight of it varies depending on the man’s stature and wealth. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1317600d-4654-4fb0-bf58-796dbf2ff163/IMG_1339.JPG Blog - Discover Morocco Tangier - Make it stand out Part of the Tangier region is the city of Tétouan which has a fort, an ancient medina, a royal palace and a school to teach artisans about the ancient arts of Morocco. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/328ed107-9fe0-4084-acf5-3b36dbbeb4ac/IMG_1102.JPG Blog - Discover Morocco Tangier - Make it stand out The well-preserved Medina with its narrow winding streets, the forts bristling with cannon to protect the city from marauders who would attack from the sea make for a fascinating walk and conversation. We entered the medina through the Bab Kasba and walked past lively cafes, flower bedecked terraces and shops. Hashish was once freely smoked in the coffee shops and several artistic types flocked here to enjoy the apparent freedom that was offered here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/226b03f6-1ff4-4e01-991a-88f456489678/IMG_1251.JPG Blog - Discover Morocco Tangier - Make it stand out Cap Spartel where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic. what a beautiful sight all the different shades of blue make. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/morocco-take-two monthly 0.5 2024-01-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/45e3b25c-ddff-4c83-8355-31e69ea45fb4/IMG_0909.JPG Blog - Morocco Take Two - Make it stand out Then it was to the Kasbah and the Andalusian Gardens with a palace that has been converted into a museum. Here fountains bubbled with water in typical Moorish style with water running through the gardens laden with oranges which were the only fruit to be seen and somewhat bare of flowers thanks to the season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9157cae1-d072-4f0b-a9e8-8a1771fc95b6/IMG_0876.JPG Blog - Morocco Take Two - Make it stand out The inside of the mausoleum however is breathtaking and rivals the workmanship of the Alhambra Palace. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f57d2f14-172b-432c-ac8a-62e114168d12/IMG_0885.JPG Blog - Morocco Take Two - Make it stand out We had caught glimpses as we drove up here but clearly visible outside the mausoleum is the Mohommed VI tower, a 55 story, 820 feet high skyscraper. This tower is the tallest in Africa and fated to remain the tallest in Morocco for the near term since UNESCO has put a stop to building any other buildings higher than the original skyline. Alongside it is the very modern looking Grand Theater Performing Arts Center designed by a local Moroccan architect Zaha Hadid. While we spent a lot of our time exploring the medieval parts of the Moroccan cities, these touches of modernity in some of the cities make an interesting contrast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0500f6ef-d5dd-4aec-87f4-1c05046b784d/IMG_0978.JPG Blog - Morocco Take Two - Make it stand out However, a bus full of people needs stops along the way and ours came at the beautiful artsy city of Asilah on the shores of the Atlantic. This town is bustling in the summer with people flocking here to enjoy the ambiance, but it was relatively quiet as we walked through the streets and admired the wall art and shops. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0d82cd50-5175-4258-8930-a56e2d800c6f/IMG_1012.JPG Blog - Morocco Take Two - Make it stand out Walls have interesting paintings, a lot more sophisticated than the typical graffiti that we are used to seeing decorating walls. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d446bdd2-5c15-4ce2-833c-78eb6d0c2fe7/IMG_0861.JPG Blog - Morocco Take Two - Make it stand out After a brief stop to exchange some money, we made our way to the Hasan Tower and the mausoleum of Mohamed the V. The Hasan Tower minaret was left incomplete when a dynasty change occurred. Despite asking the question multiple times we never quite got the answer why it was never completed by the new ruling dynasty especially since no new minaret was built for the mosque that was built here. The mausoleum and the mosque are built of beautifully carved white marvel surrounded by colorful tiles in the Moorish style. Our guide tried to tell us that this complex is comparable to the Taj Mahal in India. Unfortunately for him there were 4 of us Indian women who scoffed at this statement and soon set him right. I wonder if he still continues to use the same lines with new tour groups? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/94a98f11-c1ee-4d3f-8e04-35487f1fb3e9/IMG_1031.JPG Blog - Morocco Take Two - Make it stand out On our journey to the top of the fort and back, we passed many shops and cafes but the most interesting one that we stopped at was this public bakery where the baker was baking bread which he shared with us hot from the oven. Then some of us made friends with the baker and he brought out another loaf that he had just baked, and we got into trouble with our guide who was not happy about this. Still not sure what his beef was especially since we paid the guy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7c901559-ca54-4513-b26c-47429223529e/IMG_0936.JPG Blog - Morocco Take Two - Make it stand out At the top we had a 360 view of the twin city of Sale, as well as a cemetery and the city of Rabat. We exited from a gate at the top of the fort to head towards our bus that was going to take us onwards. As we exited, we stood at the top of a set of stairs that were supposedly used in the latest Mission Impossible movie for Tom Cruise to ride a motorcycle down. It certainly seemed like a daring endeavor, and I will have to get the movie to compare it to my memories. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7667bcc7-8e6e-458e-9653-a197da3c579e/IMG_0906.JPG Blog - Morocco Take Two - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f024c5a9-9cec-45c5-9b9a-53f4597b54db/IMG_0845.JPG Blog - Morocco Take Two - Make it stand out Rabat is the capital and administrative center of Morocco, the seventh largest city of the country located on the shores of the Atlantic and one of the cleanest cities in Morocco. Our morning in Rabat started with a visit to the Palais Royale. The main seat of the government of Morocco and the home of the King when he’s in residence. An impressive palace complex including the royal mosque and all manner of administrative buildings. The palace itself is surrounded by royal guards consisting of the various branches of the military in their colorful uniforms. The fountains in the complex ran empty, a sign that the king was not in residence in the Palace. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d454a44f-af66-4c6b-96af-05eec822d738/IMG_0923.JPG Blog - Morocco Take Two - Make it stand out After touring the museum, we made our way through the narrow streets of the medina towards the top of the fort for a scenic overview of the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c940ad9e-5cce-4220-9f2e-23bd1cb35734/IMG_0927+%281%29.JPG Blog - Morocco Take Two - Make it stand out The narrow streets always curving upwards and stairs that are really not quite the stairs we are used to are clean and quiet. The blank walls facing outwards hide the beauty of the courtyards and gardens that are located inside. These flowerpots on the road gave us brief hints of how beautiful the inside must look. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bf92b450-d78c-488a-a1b6-cde6def0fa1f/IMG_1014.JPG Blog - Morocco Take Two - Make it stand out The city by the ocean, what a view from the ramparts with the blue waters stretching as far as the eye can see and the white surf lapping up to the shore. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/da57cafe-b0af-49d4-bd64-a31cf822fcfe/IMG_0970.JPG Blog - Morocco Take Two - Make it stand out Pastoral scenes greeted our eyes as we made our way to Tangier. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/84702a4e-a504-4e44-82f0-4bbe8de059a5/IMG_1026.JPG Blog - Morocco Take Two - Make it stand out Colorful carpets hung on the walls enticing people to stop and perhaps buy as did art pieces along the sidewalks and of course paintings on the walls that we walked by. What an absolutely wonderful stop, probably one of the highlights of this journey through Morocco. This is just the beginning and there’s a lot more to come so stay tuned. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/happy-new-year-1 monthly 0.5 2023-12-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9f363e5f-940a-4ce0-ad3c-0e4d1af5f55a/IMG_4838+%281%29.JPG Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out While I started the new year off with time at home, deepening existing connections and exploring places of interest close to me, I kicked off my travel odyssey with a tulip river cruise and a visit to the Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands. On a beautiful cloudy morning, we entered the gardens with no one there before us and walked through the misty morning, awestruck at the blanket of color spread out before us. This was my first river cruise and I had been a bit afraid of cruising solo, but I made the best friends that a gal can wish for on this cruise and felt like I had known them forever as they saved a place for me on the bus rides and at the table for meals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/704f1b76-6edb-4505-a930-29567bda5ce8/5448A8EF-D091-48F7-8D2C-52BE4FB82BA3.jpg Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out In the meanwhile, on the personal front my younger son Sumit brought home a new daughter and a readymade family. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4d6d7753-1ce1-4dbd-bbd9-003861388c1e/IMG_1394.jpg Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out The last part of the year kicked off with a fun friends and family trip to faraway Morocco. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e71c9584-dab4-402b-a331-82aae7f3694b/IMG_6532.JPG Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out And an opportunity to try the most delicious and decadent dessert that I had the good fortune to taste. Yummmmmmmm! so good my taste buds are still salivating. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3e3163bc-78af-409f-a21b-0a6be15e973a/IMG_0093.JPG Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out Even as the drums of war beat in the world today, I am inspired by the visit to the Gdansk shipyard where the solidarity movement began, and a few people were able to set off the dominos that would eventually topple the iron curtain. A ray of hope that light always follows the dark. Once ruled by cruel dictators and oppressed by communism the people of these Eastern Bloc countries that I had the good fortune of visiting: Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania and Poland were able to shake off their shackles and start a journey towards peace and prosperity. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/480dcaf0-1ee0-4c42-a812-a0d8c5418325/A6A32325-E206-492B-9517-CC5A7DE88953.jpg Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out While we take air travel so much for granted today including all the gripes about delays and sudden changes, did you know that we have to give credit for the current state of air travel to the pioneers who first tested commercial flights across the Atlantic using this little known and almost forgotten corner in Ireland. Foynes, Ireland was chosen as the strategic point where the newly designed BOAC and PanAM clippers could make the flight across the Atlantic to the USA. History in the making that has left behind this little-known place in the dust as air travel has reinvented itself and grown way beyond what it was then. By the way this place is also famously known to have invented Irish coffee in an attempt to placate passengers while they were waiting for their aircraft to be ready to fly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/aad64306-9679-4de5-ac18-4c6c3ab0562d/IMG_7145.JPG Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out The feelings of peace and serenity stayed with me as I continued my journey from the Netherlands on to the Majestic Balkans. I was fortunate to visit the birthplace of Mother Teresa in Skopje, North Macedonia. Mother Teresa was the icon of caring and compassion that I grew up with in Kolkata. Of course, subsequently she was canonized and recognized for her contributions to humanity. It was with deep reverence and gratitude that I was able to visit her birthplace even though the original house was destroyed in an earthquake, and this has subsequently been built as a marker. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/063619e9-24f5-46b1-9aea-c58080a49f8a/IMG_0344.JPG Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out From where I got to visit Tunisia. Here, I got to play dress-up as a Berber bride and show some Indian dance moves. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/68dd2617-c216-4bb5-88f8-0ed378f7c67c/IMG_8220.JPG Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out Then it was time for some fantasy and making dreams come true as I made my way to Neuschwanstein, the model for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d48a9718-b199-499a-aa4d-879aeebaff4c/IMG_7045.jpg Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out I also turned one year older and per my tradition got to spend my birthday in an exotic location amongst strangers some of whom were fated to become friends. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/34d74774-cd26-49d5-bb03-5fd8c6c27e5b/IMG_1017.jpg Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out As I reflect on all the wonderful things I saw and experienced this past year I am full of nostalgia and a bittersweet feeling that a simple post like this is so inadequate to express my feelings of awe and gratitude for the bounty that I have received during the year. May we sail on the tides of time to conquer new horizons or spend a moment or two with the familiar and the beloved. May the learning never end and may we continue to grow. With choked feelings I leave you with this final quote from one of my favorite authors. “If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.” —Paulo Coehlo. Happy New Year! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3eebfc06-e76d-45c1-9ec9-9cebaa7277e5/IMG_1520.jpg Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out And my grandbabies continue to thrive and grow, Shaan turned 5 and Dilan turned 1. Life sure is beautiful, especially when my 5-year-old little man asks me what was the one thing that I enjoyed the most on my recent trip. When did this role reversal begin? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7a4a0702-1f6c-4d3f-bc52-eea02a4248dd/IMG_9682.JPG Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out Before I stepped back in time to walk with the pharaohs in the valley of kings and visit the great pyramid of Giza. Another bucket list item checked off. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/54fa52de-89f8-4857-910a-a89822edec2d/IMG_8639.JPG Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out I did a small detour from North Africa to visit Madeira and walk on the glass bridge of the highest peak in Europe if not the world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/12ba8ee9-7436-4c3f-8582-54c6a989d11e/IMG_4484.JPG Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out Along the way, let’s not forget my very own personal Titanic moment where the world is my oyster, and the possibilities are endless, such a great omen for the coming new year. As someone recently told me they thought they knew how to live life to the fullest but perhaps I might have them beat. What can I say! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b7874e49-2ab5-44c2-9554-7b008bc84162/IMG_1533.JPG Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/tis-the-season monthly 0.5 2023-12-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1933cc22-13e3-482d-a7f5-ef6c70d30be5/IMG_1179.JPG Blog - Tis the season - Make it stand out America’s first outpost outside of the United States in far way Tangier, now the American Legation Museum all dressed up in holiday colors contrasting with the beautiful fountain in the center courtyard. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4f14c1a6-e20a-4eea-a1ef-491d0a0b89b5/IMG_1023.JPG Blog - Tis the season - Make it stand out Could this be an exotic rendering of the Nutcracker Ballet in artistic Asilah? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/feacdd23-4655-4266-8ba2-be067a74d763/IMG_1883.JPG Blog - Tis the season - Make it stand out Toys and gifts are synonymous with Christmas the world over. A child in Ecuador looking at the display with dreams in his eyes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8f103712-636d-4be8-9589-c33100b83804/IMG_1634.JPG Blog - Tis the season - Make it stand out At the quirky Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo where this is a year-round event. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/34454052-d22e-44d4-8378-c119d5f475cb/IMG_1896.JPG Blog - Tis the season - Make it stand out The Los Angeles Arboretum all dressed up for the holidays with the Illumination holiday show. What a fun experience to walk through the light displays, enjoy a drink to warm up your insides, perhaps taste some of the food truck offerings and in general enjoy all that the season has to offer. Happy Holidays, peace and goodwill to all. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e5716ffc-0a34-45ec-b27c-61a362c37aa3/IMG_1715.JPG Blog - Tis the season - Make it stand out Christmas is celebrated the world over and it came as no surprise to walk into a remote corner in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco to find the hotel lobby ready for the holidays. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f96215b7-21f2-4dcb-b391-9e8c5cbaa680/IMG_1914.JPG Blog - Tis the season - Make it stand out Six of us gathered here in Southern California to celebrate friendship and our alma mater St. Teresa’s Higher Secondary School in Kolkata India. Thanks to @GeetaBrara for her hospitality in hosting and a super thanks to her husband @jaybrara for putting up with our shenanigans and a super duper thanks to @joyachatterjee, @sunitalall, @ritagujral, @madhoosingh who made these two days memorable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/72a9e80f-76af-4af7-b244-767450b2101d/IMG_9734.JPG Blog - Tis the season - Make it stand out Colorful flowers and butterflies are like a basket full of toys on Christmas morning. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0eeafa66-33a3-4de0-b2a6-34618e798d92/IMG_9519.jpg Blog - Tis the season - Make it stand out The beautiful ceilings and lights in the Alabaster Mosque in Egypt remind me of the light and beauty of the season. May there be peace upon all. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fe4e63a2-ac15-4a32-9e66-bb9f45a5fe7d/IMG_0054.jpg Blog - Tis the season - Make it stand out Chihuly glass sculpture at the Atlantic Hotel and resort in Dubai, UAE. While I know it’s supposed to be an exotic rendering from the sea but in my imagination, it looks like a tree. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6688aa25-0c76-4189-ba93-a792dd300434/IMG_3145.jpg Blog - Tis the season - Make it stand out You can travel the world and I certainly have done so these past two years but there is a different feeling about coming home and celebrating all that it has to offer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a79f99a1-486f-4685-83bd-26418015d434/IMG_1878.JPG Blog - Tis the season - Make it stand out Especially good friends who pause for a whimsical moment while walking along Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/15c556a3-26d7-407c-8372-44aaf3e7226f/IMG_1904.JPG Blog - Tis the season - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/tunisia monthly 0.5 2023-12-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/eaa647cb-7ea2-450e-82b5-5b82f3316d7e/IMG_0408.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Tunisia - Make it stand out We headed over towards Matmata and the real Tatooine which George Lucas used as the basis for the planet Tatooine that he created for the Star Wars films. Berber families in this area dug below the surface of the ground to create these rabbit warrens of homes known as troglodyte homes. The family no longer lives here but they come spend the day here doing tours and selling local products like honey and nuts. As we approached one of the ladies was lighting a fire in a clay over and putting in bread to bake. I remembered a similar clay oven in my grandmother’s house and my mother making bread the same way. There were a bunch of ladies visiting from Pakistan who were reminiscing about the same thing as they drew water out of the well and tasted the fresh bread. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/14aa9991-f6c3-4d9a-b5f3-0d080db7cc6a/IMG_0366.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Tunisia - Make it stand out Chott El Jerid is the largest salt pan of the Sahara Desert. As we drove along it seemed to stretch endlessly. The salt that is extracted from here is exported to Europe to use to salt the roads after a snowstorm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/70215e8a-abbf-4401-b184-f3e428febdc8/IMG_0514.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Tunisia - Make it stand out Ksar Ouled Soltane or the granaries that were established by Berber villages to store their grain, oil etc. Each family had their own location here. As we traversed this area not only did it feel like we were a part of a Star Wars film but in various locations people would come out and point to a staircase in one example and say that was used to access Anakin Skywalker’s home. Props and references to Star Wars are scattered all over this area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/76ce962c-ff2c-48e9-8185-b2ffd38f4d4b/IMG_0002.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Tunisia - Make it stand out The Great Mosque of Kairouan is one of the oldest places of worship in the Islamic world and the largest in North Africa. We wandered through the complex, seeing the sun dial and the minaret and peeking inside the mosque where the devout worship. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6f288358-4055-4fbd-9915-79063a8b8c0d/IMG_9925.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Tunisia - Make it stand out Onto the Roman ruins of Dougga. UNESCO world heritage site, certified as the best preserved Roman small town in North Africa, we walked through the entire town; theater, the market, the forum, a few of the villas, baths, etc. Since it was our first day, while I had my hiking sticks, I forgot them in the hotel room. I did not make that mistake again. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8b8d9813-2d77-4407-954d-d67198a30a4e/IMG_0577.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Tunisia - Make it stand out El Jem the roman amphitheater is a UNESCO world heritage site and the largest in Africa and one of the most well-preserved examples of its kind in the world. There was a local with a beautiful camel tethered here to take advantage of visitors. Our guide told us to beware and have nothing to do with the man since he had tried to cheat his last travelers by encouraging them to take pictures and then held them hostage for money. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b8b3cd8a-baf1-44b5-a3a2-bff9b54d086d/IMG_0675.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Tunisia - Make it stand out After a quick stop in Sousse at a French restaurant for a fabulous lunch we arrived for a night stop in beautiful Hammamet and our Adult only resort hotel with its private beach on the Mediterranean. Alas our trip was nearing its end, and we enjoyed our time here wandering through the beautiful property and taking advantage of all that the resort and spa had to offer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/62c858b9-5871-44e6-813b-ccff3297fe5e/IMG_0256.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Tunisia - Make it stand out One day, we switched to a 4X4 and took a fun trip over the sand dunes outside of Tozeur as we stopped to see Ong Jemal or the rock that is shaped like a camel’s neck. At the small stop here, the local kids had a baby desert fox which they presented to us for a photo op. It was so sad to see the beautiful baby animal chained up. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e29240e6-ca19-4024-8091-6f2fd99b995a/IMG_0622.jpg Blog - The Many Faces of Tunisia - Make it stand out The Ribat in Monastir is a prominent fort built on the Mediterranean to guard the coast. I actually had more fun exploring the sea front and taking pictures of the surf and sand than exploring the fort. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/14b1c5f5-5948-4e3d-913f-0b2faf1704a2/IMG_9976.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Tunisia - Make it stand out The water temples of Zaghouan were not quite what I expected. Of course, given that Tunisia is a desert country, water was scarce, so the Romans built these temples in the mountains to collect water from the Atlas Mountains combining multiple sources to bring them 139 miles across aqueducts to Carthage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6693b22e-ca36-4ea1-99ae-50281979d045/IMG_9785.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Tunisia - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/836cc45b-f048-4e0a-9904-8a6c3bf131aa/IMG_0207.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Tunisia - Make it stand out The Berber villages of Chebika, Tamerza, Mides were a day trip from our overnight hotel in Tozeur. Tunisia is as dry as my home state of California, but we got some rain overnight in Tozeur. Not sure if it was the unexpected rain or some other problem but our hotel lost power for 24 hours. We woke up to the darkness and had the fun of showering to the light of our cell phones and had breakfast by candlelight in the hotel dining room. Not to be deterred we set off on our planned itinerary for the day to the Berber villages in the nearby area. These are great hiking destinations and many people come here to hike. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1d5ede81-a585-42f0-b848-bb36249dc438/IMG_0762.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Tunisia - Make it stand out Full circle, back in Tunis and Sidi Bou Said for a last night in the beautiful Le Demure which felt like home by this time. With their gracious permission, I did a load of laundry and got ready for my next adventure. Since Tunisia is a relatively new destination for lots of folks, I wanted to provide an overview and skimmed through the highlights of our trip, but I hope to come back and dive in and explore some areas in more details. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6bd1814e-52c1-4278-92f7-a3dc8eb8353f/IMG_9850.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Tunisia - Make it stand out The Baths of Antoninus are the largest Roman baths built in Africa and perhaps one of the three largest built in the Roman Empire. A cruise ship was in town, and we arrived here in the morning along with a couple of tourist buses, but the site did not feel at all crowded as we wandered along the ruins with the blue sparkling Mediterranean in the background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4d9fbef1-0765-40dc-bbb0-b57b68fc9595/IMG_0284.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Tunisia - Make it stand out The highlight of our desert ride was the trip to the Star Wars set of Tatooine, home of Luke Skywalker. Our driver was a colorful local who was a 40-year-old child who had so much fun that it was infectious. I have videos that he took after borrowing my phone as we sailed over the sand dunes laughing and screaming aloud for effect. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/826103d1-1106-49b2-8242-cab8ea3764a8/IMG_0083.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Tunisia - Make it stand out Sidi Sahib the barber and Companion of the Islamic Prophet Mohammed is buried here at the mausoleum of the Barber in Kairouan after falling in battle. Children are brought here for circumcision and the site is revered with pilgrims coming here from near and far. The inner sanctum is only open to Muslim worshippers. As we stood there one of the guards took my cell phone and actually went inside and took some pictures for me. On an interesting note, the Tunisians did not convert to Islam until they were conquered by the Arabs. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/of-temples-and-tombs-egypt monthly 0.5 2023-12-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c42e67b2-96a3-4ed7-82d1-3798bdb0362b/IMG_9570.JPG Blog - Of Temples and Tombs Egypt - Make it stand out I will say after a while all the temples begin to blur and the facts begin to converge in your mind. It just showcases how rich Egypt’s cultural history is and the archeologists have only just scratched the surface. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0b055a98-c8fc-4884-9ab3-7093aad4396b/IMG_9325.JPG Blog - Of Temples and Tombs Egypt - Make it stand out There are many internal flights in Egypt during the course of a sightseeing a tour. We flew from Cairo to Luxor, Aswan to Abu Simbel and cruised the Nile in between. With sand and dust flying clearly cleaning the windscreen is in order but I just had never seen it done this way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a6a55cf2-05c2-4d78-9068-530aaa8d0670/IMG_9700.JPG Blog - Of Temples and Tombs Egypt - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/82e57589-eb73-4441-b4b3-c5a4e8461a49/IMG_9601.JPG Blog - Of Temples and Tombs Egypt - Make it stand out The tomb of Tutankhamun was found pretty intact and full of treasures and gold. Almost all the artifacts have been moved to the new museum that has still not been opened called the GEM. A few token pieces have been left in the Egyptian museum that are slated to be moved in time for the opening. While the highlight pieces are insides rooms that cannot be photographed, this is his throne that is on display at the Egyptian Museum. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a0b36924-8f8b-4e52-a814-081f72a6aa51/IMG_9273.JPG Blog - Of Temples and Tombs Egypt - Make it stand out I don’t even know why I hesitated for a moment about taking the optional trip to Abu Simbel. The two temples here are the most awesome sight that you’ll be privileged to see on a trip to Egypt. The trips are run by Egypt Air. Travelers take a flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel and catch an Egypt Air Shuttle that drops you off at the visitor center and then after two hours picks you up for your return flight to Aswan. I felt that the time on the ground was too short as you battle the heat and people to absorb all that’s there to absorb and take pictures to boot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0e87f2ed-c397-4660-9e8a-8127e93d7bd9/IMG_9315.JPG Blog - Of Temples and Tombs Egypt - Make it stand out while Ramses the II was totally narcissistic and has statues or himself and temples all over Egypt one has to appreciate the fact that he honored his favorite queen Nefetari but dedicating a companion temple to her at Abu Simbel. The paintings inside that temple still glow with life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a75ccdf3-7222-45c0-824f-090be7c02078/IMG_9457.JPG Blog - Of Temples and Tombs Egypt - Make it stand out Karnak is the main temple in Luxor that all tourists usually visit. We had the opportunity to also visit the Luxor temple which is a much smaller and less significant temple in Luxor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e0269a8c-913c-4429-a701-ca90c652dacf/IMG_9448.JPG Blog - Of Temples and Tombs Egypt - Make it stand out The temple of Hathor in Dendera. Images of the Goddess were defaced by early Christian settlers who hid in this temple complex from their persecutors. The colors and carving though are beautiful. This temple complex was one of the highlights of our visit to Egypt. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fd68502d-de78-496d-aec1-2ace7f8e2966/IMG_9657.jpg Blog - Of Temples and Tombs Egypt - Make it stand out The Alabaster Sphinx with the features of Ramses the II at the open-air museum in Memphis. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/50020106-940d-47d0-8e69-b6a1532d7545/IMG_9714.JPG Blog - Of Temples and Tombs Egypt - Make it stand out The Sphinx of Giza. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4617000c-2e06-4daa-91c6-644161ccb00e/IMG_9690.JPG Blog - Of Temples and Tombs Egypt - Make it stand out While this is not the greatest photo because of the angle of the sun but there were many people gliding over the pyramids which I thought would be such a fun thing to do. Alas, it was not in our itinerary. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/85ba2ccf-acd5-4fba-ab05-d5c60c7b95a4/IMG_9420.JPG Blog - Of Temples and Tombs Egypt - Make it stand out In Dendera, there is a carving of Cleopatra and her son Caesarion. The only one to be found of Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f73df951-e5cc-45cc-92b4-3016e5cdb1bd/IMG_9629.JPG Blog - Of Temples and Tombs Egypt - Make it stand out The step pyramid of Saqqara. It was the original model for the pyramids in Giza. I quite liked this smaller pyramid both because we got there when there were not too many visitors and also because it felt and looked unique. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/cruising-the-nile-river-egypt monthly 0.5 2023-12-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6bf2ae22-7274-4239-b5de-e9d3a25b0cf5/IMG_9336.JPG Blog - Cruising the Nile River Egypt - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6cb0a69f-bff5-42ff-8ae5-a8c81a52c2fd/IMG_8650.JPG Blog - Cruising the Nile River Egypt - Make it stand out My first view of the Nile from my hotel room in Cairo definitely did not prepare me for the mystique of exploring ancient temples, meeting Nile pirates, fisherman and farmers as we sailed along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c5a1abbf-6035-485f-a1ca-dfd9cc0160d1/IMG_8703.JPG Blog - Cruising the Nile River Egypt - Make it stand out The sun was blazing, the temperature a balmy 94 degrees Fahrenheit as we explored the temple of Karnak. I was a bit disappointed to not have seen the pyramids yet but found the temple of Karnak surprisingly impressive despite the heat as we walked down the avenue of the Sphinxes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4e63ec1e-abe5-44e9-a8cc-998e24abf9ac/IMG_8691.JPG Blog - Cruising the Nile River Egypt - Make it stand out In the visitor’s center is a replica of the Golden boat that was used to take the Gods along the River Nile a couple of times a year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e2d5779d-df58-4169-ad7c-5e7900a91cf5/IMG_9356.JPG Blog - Cruising the Nile River Egypt - Make it stand out Nile Pirates showed us all manner of goods and hung around the ship as we sailed along the river. In Aswan, during the Felucca ride these kids paddled up to us singing us songs in English. Our guide was explaining that these children do not speak a word of English but have learned these songs in different languages by rote. They have an uncanny gift of recognizing the nationality of the tourists in the boats and sing songs in that language. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/33be615b-25fa-4274-ae3c-ec2883cbdc97/IMG_9224.JPG Blog - Cruising the Nile River Egypt - Make it stand out Papyrus. How times have changed between when the ancient Egyptians recorded their stories on handmade paper derived from Papyrus and publishing my story on social media. I wonder what the ancients would have made of this scenario. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8146e864-5b0e-4f74-94cb-17f36a60ab6c/IMG_9387.JPG Blog - Cruising the Nile River Egypt - Make it stand out The temple of Sobek that sits right on the river was lit up beautifully at night as we approached during our downstream trip. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/96eff981-1ee9-404c-bf7f-9e48929db154/IMG_9228.JPG Blog - Cruising the Nile River Egypt - Make it stand out One of the highlights of the trip was high tea at the Cataract Hotel where the legendary Agatha Christie wrote Murder on the Nile. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/00625265-b592-4d67-b913-b216806a5a14/IMG_8830.JPG Blog - Cruising the Nile River Egypt - Make it stand out Before setting sail the next morning, we visited the Valley of Kings and the requisite 3 tombs that visitors are allowed to visit. The color, the scenes and the burial site were awesome despite the slight feeling of claustrophobia from the crowds and the heat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d8a7ea4e-97fe-4944-8322-90a4f71e54d7/IMG_8976.JPG Blog - Cruising the Nile River Egypt - Make it stand out While we had many excursions of the ship to explore the temples and other ancient marvels along the Nile it was just as much fun to spend a couple of relaxing days, on the sundeck enjoying the breeze and seeing the local people live their everyday life along the river. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/63515e7b-76cc-4843-aa7d-609f9d6eb98d/IMG_9071.JPG Blog - Cruising the Nile River Egypt - Make it stand out Empty boats stood at anchor near the lake in Aswan as we rowed across to the Philae temple. Due to the war in Gaza, many tourists had cancelled, and the season was off to a slow start. It was estimated that they were fifty percent below the total number of visitors that had been planned for. A big blow to the tourist industry that has been barely recovering from Covid. For myself I will say that I am glad I did not cancel my trip because I felt completely safe during the time i was in country. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a8d5b5e3-202e-4205-b63a-2d205fc1834c/IMG_8790.JPG Blog - Cruising the Nile River Egypt - Make it stand out The giant Colossi of Memnon are just a quick promise to share the ancient marvels that Egypt has to share with you all when I return next week. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/lisbon-portugal monthly 0.5 2023-11-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/67d06c8f-e4db-4942-986b-15ebbfdda3f5/IMG_7981.JPG Blog - Lisbon, Portugal - Make it stand out Graffiti is becoming increasing popular as an art form all over the world. It is a treat to experience local artists and the statements that they make with their art. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dd1e1d76-fe47-418a-b40a-66f740ff2286/IMG_8167.JPG Blog - Lisbon, Portugal - Make it stand out With the sun breaking out finally we left Sintra for Cabo da Roca. With the surf soaring high against the cliffs, it was a scene to be seen to be believed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e147c4f4-6484-4da6-9657-5266612e8807/IMG_7998.JPG Blog - Lisbon, Portugal - Make it stand out Instead, we decided to go to Belem’s Pastries. I had tried these earlier on my previous visit but this time we wandered into the restaurant section and made a brief stop in the kitchen to watch the production. Yum! you just can’t stop at one. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1aa38694-a862-46bf-ab0f-c92a5577f625/IMG_1423.JPG Blog - Lisbon, Portugal - Make it stand out Rain greeted us on our day trip to Sintra and it rained all day long. We visited the Quinta Regaleira and took the garden tour, photo courtesy @SabinaSikand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/82c75bfc-bf48-46d9-82c6-74c2290a4a73/IMG_7951.JPG Blog - Lisbon, Portugal - Make it stand out It is only fitting that this adventure begins on the North Bank of the River Tagus in the Belem district and the monument of the discoveries which celebrates the Age of Exploration in Portugal in the 15th and 16th centuries. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7649ab6a-ee69-424a-8640-d9baaca39d12/IMG_7778.JPG Blog - Lisbon, Portugal - Make it stand out We had a totally gastronomic experience all over Portugal but most particularly in Lisboa. We followed all the recommendations and when the taxi driver, the hotel concierge and Offbeat Portugal all give the same recommendation one better pay attention. The wines, the food, Ooh la la. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6b2921d0-86d1-4ff4-aef0-d6e9c66f5121/IMG_8125.JPG Blog - Lisbon, Portugal - Make it stand out Pena Palace in the rain looks almost mystical but let me tell we were sodden and miserable in our raincoats. @SabinaSikand was laughing that all her pictures in Portugal and have been wearing her raincoat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a4139993-2c70-442a-8a16-ea6e8eea237d/IMG_7895.JPG Blog - Lisbon, Portugal - Make it stand out The oldest bookstore in the world and it has a UNESCO stamp on the outside. While the neighborhood is interesting the bookstore at heart is a bookstore. For a book lover like me it was the thrill of wandering through the bookstore that gave me chills. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e3019465-20fb-4c73-b2da-b0794bafb7ce/IMG_7844.JPG Blog - Lisbon, Portugal - Make it stand out The Tuk Tuk ride as something new I hadn’t done before. First, our driver is late, telling us that he was really on time but the traffic on Liberty Avenue just did not allow him to move at the pace he needed to then his vehicle was wet because he forgot the covers and last but not least it died at the top of the hill and the company had to send a replacement. Regardless Sabina and I found the funny in the experience and actually quite enjoyed it including some superb photos as we traversed the various neighborhoods in Lisbon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1a4cf11b-dedc-41ed-a89c-26ec3e4c9d4a/IMG_8171.JPG Blog - Lisbon, Portugal - Make it stand out So here ends continental Europe and the Atlantic takes you away to unknown parts of the world. I can only imagine the sense of adventure and excitement the sailors felt as they left land behind and embarked on their voyage of discovery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a6926f29-4481-4314-8974-429b3f836ba6/IMG_7991.JPG Blog - Lisbon, Portugal - Make it stand out Jeronimo’s monastery as viewed from across the street. Originally, we planned to enter the church but it was not open yet and so we wandered along the riverbank exploring all the monuments along there. When we came back the line was really long, and we decided to skip the interior. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b7594647-0e4d-4580-96b5-f98c253a395b/IMG_7964.JPG Blog - Lisbon, Portugal - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/af88a1c5-a420-4830-a07e-1fe954b252fe/IMG_7780.JPG Blog - Lisbon, Portugal - Make it stand out But we did have to try one of the alternate transports in Lisbon. The elevators also were very crowded so in the end we took a cable car to the top of the hill for a fabulous view of the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d77ab8a3-3ea0-4f75-b3a8-2a4c34e950e9/IMG_0626.jpg Blog - Lisbon, Portugal - Make it stand out We took a Tuk Tuk tour to experience the 7 hills of Lisbon. Y’know I thought only Rome was built on 7hills, but Lisbon is also. Along the way the narrowest street in the Alfama area in Lisbon. Originally, we had intended to take the tram 28 that takes you along all the way to the summit but tram 28 has become so popular with the tourists that it’s almost an hour and a half to a 2 hour wait. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/madeira-island-paradise monthly 0.5 2023-11-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c6a1f9f1-ca49-4d17-8b01-2526e0b0a9db/IMG_8280.JPG Blog - Madeira Island Paradise - Make it stand out When my driver picked me up for an Orientation tour, he insisted on the Botanical Gardens. I tried to convince him that I could leave that to a future visit, but I am so glad he insisted. Not only are the gardens beautiful but there are beautiful views from all over the gardens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/44a202e6-12fd-4d72-b228-5cead013448a/IMG_8321.JPG Blog - Madeira Island Paradise - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/511242cb-4885-47ea-8574-faceaeec9da9/IMG_8609.JPG Blog - Madeira Island Paradise - Make it stand out While our guide did not deem it safe to visit the waterfall that pours right onto the highway and cars get to drive through it. We did get to see a few other waterfalls as they came tumbling down by the side of the road. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/98f43213-a5b1-4d97-bb9b-5c039618893a/IMG_8551.JPG Blog - Madeira Island Paradise - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/307f5bfc-cb24-4fff-9fb9-7751c9c83d2c/IMG_8282.JPG Blog - Madeira Island Paradise - Make it stand out The gardens were a burst of color and I saw flowers that I’m familiar with in colors that I have never seen before. What a wonderful experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ed6a5ea8-79fa-4b0b-aa28-cf9abf29bb05/C360529C-991A-43EF-8AE1-1F0C5657A323.jpg Blog - Madeira Island Paradise - Make it stand out I did however walk the street of the painted doors and thoroughly enjoyed the creative and colorful doors, some of which I have shared here above. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7fb1a776-ba18-4dee-b3e7-137bb2150d41/IMG_8571.JPG Blog - Madeira Island Paradise - Make it stand out There was yellow tape here too, but we ducked under it because the sight of the surf crashing here, was such a beautiful sight. Fortunately, no one got swept out into the ocean and we’ve lived to tell the tale. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/524a5324-b4f0-40d9-adfa-a6f0089eb301/IMG_8250.JPG Blog - Madeira Island Paradise - Make it stand out I stayed in a nice resort in Funchal, close to the heart of the town full of charming cafes. Not that there was any shortage of stuff to do around the resort either. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/95265245-7da0-47df-83a7-3a62c2dfb3fb/IMG_8355.JPG Blog - Madeira Island Paradise - Make it stand out This is a farmers’ market that is supposed to be a burst of color and energy. Unfortunately, it was closed on the day I arrived. Another thing to be added to the next visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b64be00f-0af1-4f88-8a60-e4de30f0c714/IMG_8533.JPG Blog - Madeira Island Paradise - Make it stand out These are tidal pools that were created by volcanic activity. On a good day people come out here to swim but today the surf was too high and warnings for people not to go into the pools. While I did see people walking in their bathing suits with towels around their necks, I didn’t actually see anyone in these pools by which we ate our lunch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1c9b9413-0a66-49d9-b643-8d95e503e55f/IMG_8597.JPG Blog - Madeira Island Paradise - Make it stand out This beautiful waterfall comes out of the cliff and pours right into the Atlantic Ocean. So much of this drive reminded me of driving the Pacific Coast Highway and substituting the Atlantic for the Pacific. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ed08e355-0a29-4bbe-9cb2-e83fbbd8b2d3/IMG_8634.JPG Blog - Madeira Island Paradise - Make it stand out We saved the best for the last. On the top of one of the highest cliffs in the world 589 meters high walking on the glass skywalk. The view as seen from the top. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bc5295ca-56dd-4292-b0e2-1f2796d67c5a/IMG_8491.JPG Blog - Madeira Island Paradise - Make it stand out The next day I set off to explore the island and enjoy the contrasts of all the island had to offer from the forests to the frothing ocean and waterfalls trickling down the hillsides. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/algarve monthly 0.5 2023-11-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7d2cadf5-d2d8-4d57-be3e-0cb63225ea69/IMG_7636.JPG Blog - The Fabled Algarve Portugal - Make it stand out We drove up to the lookout that gives you a beautiful view of the ocean and Lagos in the far distance and a vista of green. As we drove through the beautiful forests, we were fortunate to see harvested cork trees for the first time. Did you know that Portugal supplies 50% of the cork in the world and it takes 30plus years to get the first harvest from the tree. Oranges and Grapes grew along the sides of the roads that we traversed. We were amused to learn that the oranges are harvested and juiced in Portugal and then the juice is shipped to Spain for bottling where it’s stamped as Made in Spain before being shipped worldwide. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e064cb4d-d279-49e9-8c48-ce533b17fd5c/IMG_7488.jpg Blog - The Fabled Algarve Portugal - Make it stand out Lagos, that magical fairy tale like town in the Algarve. Even though it’s November and off season we still saw a fair number of people enjoying the ambiance. We spent the day wandering, exploring the promenade, the town, sampling the food and wine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1699467168933-8VH7PQZWVA92CROXYN9M/IMG_7528.JPG Blog - The Fabled Algarve Portugal - Make it stand out The next morning, we set out to explore more of the picturesque towns of the Algarve. First stop Sagres and the Cape St. Vincent, the Southwestern most point of Portugal and continental Europe. Henry the navigator established a school for navigators here in the old fort. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking. We were lucky that the sun shone brightly and there were not too many people around thanks it being a bank holiday. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ebf30766-9588-43cf-8b38-71fb1f0f4a49/IMG_7595.JPG Blog - The Fabled Algarve Portugal - Make it stand out For a complete change of pace, we headed inland towards the beautiful woodsy town of Monchique. The town center is picturesque filled with cute cafes, quirky statues and colorful murals. The town is known for its honey, thermal springs and sparkling clear water that rumor has it is better than any bottled mineral water you can buy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/00abd9ed-1139-4d1b-8f7a-90712ac544fe/IMG_7715.JPG Blog - The Fabled Algarve Portugal - Make it stand out After tantalizing glimpses of the castle from the distance we made our way to it and the cathedral that stands right by it. Silves is a town that seems to get into the Christmas spirit early and we could already see decorations on the streets announcing Christmas. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bd77d4f4-7781-4e7b-8372-f4b6a6eb2e6d/IMG_7740.JPG Blog - The Fabled Algarve Portugal - Make it stand out Our final destination in the Algarve was the historical town of Silves. Dominated by the Moorish castle. In a country dominated by yellow and white the red brick structure serves a striking note. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/50c7be06-f5d2-4be1-8393-9c21f539bc7c/IMG_7728.JPG Blog - The Fabled Algarve Portugal - Make it stand out Once ruled by the Moors, Silves still has areas that preserve the culture of thos times. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b13b5225-07e8-4435-aff2-fb364e43283e/IMG_7443.JPG Blog - The Fabled Algarve Portugal - Make it stand out Albufeira, the party town of the Algarve. When I look at scenes like this it reminds me how similar the French Riviera, the Italian Riviera and even the Greek Riviera look with their picturesque seaside villages. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/72fe86c5-b96b-4dec-a928-9d315c48e9eb/IMG_7237.JPG Blog - The Fabled Algarve Portugal - Make it stand out It was a no brainer that we had to sample the abundant sea food in this region, Portuguese style accompanied by delicious local wines. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f97ba9e3-547f-4891-9f45-6d7358aa914b/IMG_7521.JPG Blog - The Fabled Algarve Portugal - Make it stand out This lighthouse situated on the tip of Cape St. Vincent was first established in the 1800s guarding one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. It was an essential landfall for sailors returning from Africa and the Americas. Due to it being a holiday the entire complex was closed, and we could only wander the outside and look at it from a distance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e96febf1-e4d5-437a-bf53-51554e642cbd/IMG_7363.jpg Blog - The Fabled Algarve Portugal - Make it stand out The Benagil cave. I missed the money shot because, a. it was cloudy and overcast, b. my seat, the movement of the boat and the position of the other people on the boat did not let me line up my shot well and c. I could kick myself and make all kinds of excuses but this time I just failed as a photographer. Regardless of pictures we had a fabulous experience as we rocked across the water as if riding a wild bronco. We got to wind in and out of various caves and grottoes, had seals swimming next to our boat even as we held on tight as we rose and fell with the waves. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1699467271433-U2RUL0SUVVINE6AGSN9X/IMG_7552.jpg Blog - The Fabled Algarve Portugal - Make it stand out Just a little distance from the Cap well before the town of Sagres, is this beach one of the most popular surfing spots in Portugal and Europe. Just as surfers were busy in the water, parasailers were aloft in the sky spreading their colorful sails over the beautiful blue ocean. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1941db8a-6b36-4271-9eee-dccf5a11ac51/IMG_7264.JPG Blog - The Fabled Algarve Portugal - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/23e750d1-544c-4621-9ad3-9ecdac4dddfd/IMG_7706.JPG Blog - The Fabled Algarve Portugal - Make it stand out While I haven’t met a stranger that I can’t friend and have the good fortune to chat easily with people along the way some friends are lifelong protectors and companions. Such is my knight here who consented to a photo with me. Lisbon is calling, so it’s time to say Goodbye to the beautiful Algarve with dreams and hopes of a return perhaps in May or September which are the better, less crowded times to visit. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/evora-portugal monthly 0.5 2023-11-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a77c63b8-3081-49d3-a839-0f3c24dd7e3c/IMG_7069.jpg Blog - Evora Portugal - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3abfdd54-2434-4388-9257-df8da4863dc6/IMG_7063.JPG Blog - Evora Portugal - Make it stand out Navigating a new direction, we decided to head straight for the chapel of bones. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/52849618-809b-4657-bed1-38c9628a9de5/IMG_7010.jpg Blog - Evora Portugal - Make it stand out We strolled along the narrow cobblestoned streets in search of lunch and shelter from the rain. Can you imagine a shop just selling sardines? actually they did have salmon and other canned fish, but this colorful shop just called us to step in. Mmm perhaps it was the hunger rumbling in our stomachs that might have something to do with it too. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2aaf53db-07ed-4b2a-93ad-7cd2b3cac7d3/IMG_7028.JPG Blog - Evora Portugal - Make it stand out The rain was playing hide and seek with us all day but when it decided that it needed to dump some significant water on us, tired and damp we decided to retire for the evening. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1e4fce82-fec5-48e4-ae82-7050c8fe182f/IMG_7130.jpg Blog - Evora Portugal - Make it stand out After touring the next door church, we headed into the macabre chapel of the bones. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7d5d5769-205d-456e-937f-94ef572e7a8a/IMG_6995.JPG Blog - Evora Portugal - Make it stand out After being turned away from two restaurants that had been highly recommended because they were too full of people enjoying their food and disinclined to move fast because of the rain, we ended up at this delightful restaurant and enjoyed the local food. Over lunch we met a couple who were on their first group tour, and we had a delightful lunch discussing pros and cons of group travel versus independent travel. One of the great perks of travel, making new friends everywhere you go. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bce928fc-362e-4eb1-80ee-3d5af18c9a7b/IMG_7051.jpg Blog - Evora Portugal - Make it stand out On the way we crossed the Portas Da Moura fountain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2955a999-8416-46a8-8efd-4be9401c89a7/IMG_6985.JPG Blog - Evora Portugal - Make it stand out The beautiful interior features a baroque style with paintings lining the walls. After wandering and enjoying all there was to see we sat down in one of the pews to see if we could wait out the rain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8971161b-9816-457a-86b8-c6299d7d8875/IMG_7193.JPG Blog - Evora Portugal - Make it stand out After crossing a host of peacocks resting on their butts in the garden we haded towards the medieval walls that surround the old city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7d5a15d6-32a3-4bb3-ad62-246e042c8803/IMG_7040.JPG Blog - Evora Portugal - Make it stand out Waking up to the most gorgeous sunrise we decided to get our butts in gear and complete the rest of our itinerary before we needed to leave for the train station. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/95fa8532-9385-4c9f-8f7e-71e1dcc3f892/IMG_6949.JPG Blog - Evora Portugal - Make it stand out Our first stop was the cathedral that stood at the highest point in the town and only a quick 3-minute walk from our hotel. We had scoffed a bit at the three minutes that the reception in our historical hotel had promised us but this time it was true. First built in the thirteenth century after the city was recaptured from the Moors, this world heritage church is the heart of the medieval city. As we walked the cloisters and grabbed a few pictures we saw three ladies seated on a bench, a part of a tour group. I was reminded how often I find a seat closest to the attraction the guide is extolling about even as the rest of the group strolls and climbs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f0004d54-560a-493b-96c9-1efaffd48af2/IMG_6912.JPG Blog - Evora Portugal - Make it stand out We arrived in Lisbon to spectacular sunset, a wonderful omen to our next adventure. A night to refresh and recover, an amazing dinner, a total change of pace and we were ready to head to Evora. The train journey with us heavily loaded with our luggage, trying to herd moving luggage in the carriage every time the train rocked and curved, playing musical seats to keep a hold of said luggage had us in splits of laughter. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f3460538-7933-4f5e-b1b6-20f14f8d0b57/IMG_6945.JPG Blog - Evora Portugal - Make it stand out But time was running out as we made our way to the central square where we took a load of our feet and enjoyed coffee and a treat even as we people watched and enjoyed the sunshine. But our train was calling and soon we were chugging along quaint Portuguese towns and beautiful landscapes on our way to the Algarve. Since I travel solo, I often do group tours and even when I am on my own, I set up a guide or a day tour. It’s been fun traveling with a friend with no agenda, armed with the tourist information and just wandering around on a voyage of discovery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c4f76531-008c-4cd6-9d60-1d6313910323/IMG_6990.JPG Blog - Evora Portugal - Make it stand out Evora, the heart of the Alentejo region of Portugal with its narrow winding lanes, striking monuments fabulous food is an enchanting place to spend a couple of days. After checking into our hotel, dropping our luggage, we set off to wander and explore despite the threatening rain which at times was a sprinkle and at others was a full-blown downpour. Since it was Sunday, many shops and restaurants were closed which bothered us not a whit in our wandering. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/47bdde92-4c0c-4566-9b12-3a57da3177aa/FullSizeRender.jpg Blog - Evora Portugal - Make it stand out This Roman temple to Diana was built during the reign of Augustus Ceaser and dates back to the first century in the center of what is believed to have been the forum at that time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5b71dc01-1c29-4dc3-82ac-caec96d4c0af/IMG_7182.JPG Blog - Evora Portugal - Make it stand out Emerging, we made our way to the nearby park and the royal castle. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/marrakech monthly 0.5 2023-12-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e2c6c370-ed79-4b33-b73f-70fe20311f28/IMG_6708.JPG Blog - Marrakech - Make it stand out While damage from the recent earthquake is not in your face visible in Marrakesh, there are some locations that are closed due to damage, and we saw scaffolding around a couple of buildings while walking in the Medina. The largest impact was felt in the villages and towns deep in the Atlas Mountains where there was a pretty significant death toll. Reading the news is alarming and yet tucked away here in the beauty and peace, the rest of the world seems far away, and I am happy that we came and did not postpone or cancel. This has been an incredible trip, more so in how Monica’s friends have welcomed me and made me a part of their tribe making this so much more than a usual wandering veena adventure. Alas all good things must come to an end and some of us are homeward bound and others like me are ready for their next adventure. Stay tuned. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ed3c2dec-812f-48ae-96bd-b405db041923/IMG_6572.JPG Blog - Marrakech - Make it stand out Located in the Middle Atlas, the Ouzoud falls is a popular hiking destination outside of Marrakech. The falls are 110 meters high and one of the highest waterfalls in Africa. The hike to the bottom which features a boat tour was tough. The return was even tougher since there were 600 steps to come back up to where our transport was to pick us up. God bless Sami who arranged a mule for me as I despaired at my ability to get back to the top and eventually home. In retrospect, the jury is still out whether the cure was worse than the disease and I can certainly laugh about the memories but let me tell you at the time it was no laughing matter and for me one of the toughest things I’ve done during my recent travels. Thank you for the masseuse who came home and massaged away a lot of the aches and pains. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6ec3cae3-f5cf-429a-9abd-af7cfb9afe74/IMG_1359.JPG Blog - Marrakech - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f412db59-e1b1-4411-9c70-946b92ab6101/IMG_6728.JPG Blog - Marrakech - Make it stand out The Taj Mahal is a wonder of the world and yet when I see this beauty and color, I feel that this palace may be a close rival. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8ca392ba-9187-43a3-926a-c5df27eaba9d/IMG_6743.JPG Blog - Marrakech - Make it stand out Eating in Morocco is a gastronomic adventure. Thank you, Sherene, for all the hard work in planning every part of everyday but most particularly the dinners, reservations and then herding us all like cats to make it to places on time. In addition, to all the wonderful restaurants and variety of food, we enjoyed the most amazing home cooked meals served by the chef at the Riad. We definitely ate really well on this trip. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ed954352-ef75-4f75-98f4-3438bab82711/IMG_6686.JPG Blog - Marrakech - Make it stand out Every courtyard is different and appealing in its own way housing the various sections that make up a palace. I wish I had been able to spend a full day just absorbing and enjoying all this beauty. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8aa5fb08-15ad-42ac-99ca-856e68c30fda/IMG_6497.JPG Blog - Marrakech - Make it stand out In the lobby of the Yves Saint Laurent Museum next door, that houses a collection of Yves Saint Laurent’s work in the form of photos, videos, sketches, garments and accessories. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e390970f-d2b3-4595-a7c1-f141565d186b/IMG_6888.JPG Blog - Marrakech - Make it stand out A visit to Morocco would be incomplete without experiencing the Hamam. We did it in a private spa but since you need to be nude in the bath, be prepared to get up close and personal with the group who is participating in the services with you. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ef324b2b-b404-4178-9fee-cf8c1ea30e80/IMG_6279.JPG Blog - Marrakech - Make it stand out Welcome to Morocco and the incredibly beautiful riad where we to spend the next 6 days. In Morocco guests are welcomed with a cup of mint green tea. The higher the tea pot is raised when pouring the tea is a strong indication of how welcome you are. While we felt very welcomed on arrival it was fun to see the kettle being raised higher as we bonded with the staff of the Riad where we were staying. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fb623f7e-f430-4a81-9751-aa53e28a10ba/IMG_6706.JPG Blog - Marrakech - Make it stand out The Bahia Palace, a Moorish palace so reminiscent of the Alhambra Palace is a visual feast of color, texture and design. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2782507d-0b2c-4d4e-8ca4-d3f6ac03e098/IMG_6304.JPG Blog - Marrakech - Make it stand out The souks are full of narrow labyrinthine alleys and courtyards. What fun it was to explore and gain an education at the same time. Spices, meat, snacks, colors used to paint the walls, clothes, shoes, bags and a whole lot more. The girls had a ball exploring and shopping their hearts out. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c7543af4-1ffa-4664-a6c1-908226e1b059/IMG_6485.JPG Blog - Marrakech - Make it stand out Jardin Majorelle is a botanical garden and museum designed by Jacques Majorelle and eventually restored by Yves Saint. Laurent and his partner Pierre Berge. The grounds are a visual delight with beautiful plants and vibrant colors and the Berber Museum. They actually lived in the grounds, but the Yves Saint Laurent house is closed off and covered by foliage, so the only way to get a good picture of it is with a drone which none of us had. We did enjoy the garden and the Berber Museum. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bda7607d-b053-4c80-b73c-3482eed59ad6/IMG_6526.JPG Blog - Marrakech - Make it stand out Wandering in the souks is an adventure, you never know what you’re going to find around the next corner. Heads up, most people in the souk want cash but there is an abundance of money changers who offer pretty decent rates of exchange. We changed some initial money on arrival at the airport, the rate wasn’t the best but also not terribly bad and then we did the rest as needed at the money changers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/50dd2d08-1666-4477-a88f-c952855021ce/IMG_6317.JPG Blog - Marrakech - Make it stand out As the girls were dropping into various stores, I spotted a chair and asked if I could sit. One of the things I found is that most shop keepers were very accommodating readily offering a chair while sometimes even standing outside their shop themselves. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c57c1ef4-5786-4384-8db9-5907438dba4c/IMG_6785.JPG Blog - Marrakech - Make it stand out Clearly a visit to the desert, camel riding and some adventure on ATVs is a must. We did not stay the night in the desert but definitely enjoyed watching the sun set. Tonight’s dress code was Kaftans in deference to being in the desert, so we all had to change. It was quite fun to watch the gyrations under the Kaftan as we added and removed clothing, so we were picture perfect. . https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/099dd310-56a4-4b18-84da-bcdd382f33f9/IMG_6295.JPG Blog - Marrakech - Make it stand out The Riad was like a mini palace complete with pool, its own hamaam and beautiful courtyards and rooms. Sami born in Morocco spoke fluent Arabic and became our facilitator in all things Moroccan. Soon we were enjoying delicious home cooked meals, freshly baked biscuits and learning our way around the best the city has to offer. Thank you, Sami, for all the love and caring. I feel I have gained a sister and a daughter at the same time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3bee0d47-7464-4e19-b4ba-889b24f4618f/IMG_0744.JPG Blog - Marrakech - Make it stand out Kelsie the face that inspired an offer of a million camels plus one goat. One of the shop keepers at the carpet store was in full Berber attire and first asked for a picture with Kelsie and then made the offer. When she was hesitant, he upped his offer to add one goat. Thank God, Kelsie declined that generous offer so we could have a ball exploring more Marrakech. Imagine this fun picture might never have happened. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f4e94caf-7006-41dd-b417-d16b04b0384c/IMG_6697.JPG Blog - Marrakech - Make it stand out The courtyard that housed the harem boasted of bright jewel tones, I suppose to display the beautiful women who lived in seclusion awaiting the Sultan’s pleasure at their best. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7bcdf26e-c80f-4cbc-8aaa-71509b3e6aa1/IMG_6701.JPG Blog - Marrakech - Make it stand out The courtyards boast fountains amidst colorful tiled courtyards. Unfortunately, none of the fountains were running during our visit. As I write this blog, I am enjoying the splash of the water in the fountain behind me in the riad. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/spring-in-belgium monthly 0.5 2023-10-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3243631d-308a-4d59-bc6b-06aac1fdf634/IMG_4132.jpg Blog - Spring in Belgium - Make it stand out After a relaxed lunch while I waited for my timed entry to visit the altar piece, I decided to take a canal boat tour to see Ghent from the water. These Flemish cities gained their importance thanks to their proximity to the North Sea and the canals that brought goods up to the city center. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e586be9e-42c1-415b-bc48-3c1d7f308625/IMG_5674.JPG Blog - Spring in Belgium - Make it stand out Any tale of Belgium would be incomplete without chocolates to add sugar and spice to the tale. Some of the chocolates that are suggestively designed to look like parts of the human anatomy might bring a blush to some people’s faces but in reality, buyers are pretty blase while shopping for so many pieces of P’s and so many pieces of B’s. Bachelorette parties in this part of the world must be fun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e1e08f9c-7bd5-4037-a125-eddeed702273/IMG_3952.JPG Blog - Spring in Belgium - Make it stand out The Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp is like an art gallery with various famous works of art to be found notable amongst which are four paintings by Peter Paul Rubens. There is so much to see and admire and appreciate in this church which is like a museum and art gallery rolled into one but one of the things that attracted me for the beauty of the wood and carving and the subject matter is this pulpit which features carvings of women representing the lady Mary from the four corners of the world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7c3df374-09f1-454b-9086-5739cfd99d8a/IMG_4332.JPG Blog - Spring in Belgium - Make it stand out Under St. Bavo’s cathedral included in my ticket was a visit to the crypt. I ditched the VR glasses that I found uncomfortable and just walked through the entire crypt appreciating the beauty with my own eyes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/29d0bbf1-75ac-411d-a9c4-4809a75ec44a/IMG_3986.jpg Blog - Spring in Belgium - Make it stand out I had recently read a fictional story that centered around the controversy whether Mary upon the completion of her life on earth ascended to heaven or died as a human and was interred in a grave. Clearly Peter Paul Rubens aspired to the popular church theory and painted Mary’s ascension of heaven, a painting that can be found in the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/75f11c6a-df19-4126-8a3a-05a00b48601d/IMG_5635.JPG Blog - Spring in Belgium - Make it stand out Minnewater Lake called the lake of love thanks to a tragic romance that ended here as well as a fabled home to water nymphs is consider a romantic hotspot and an Instagram able location. Unfortunately, our guide on this trip was not great and soon lost her group along the way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bb71e45a-7267-4bc5-89d5-465cde544acc/IMG_4013.JPG Blog - Spring in Belgium - Make it stand out Hidden between two busy Antwerp streets and close to the Cathedral, this is a small easily overlooked street that harks back to the 15 and 16th century. Originally one of the poorest neighborhoods in the city its quiet courtyards now boast of expensive antique stores and even a restaurant. Imagine that the poorest of the poor got to enjoy the beautiful sound of the church Carillion which can be clearly heard here versus some of the richer neighborhoods. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/01e255b8-194b-4fd7-85a4-42b9da58315a/IMG_5648.JPG Blog - Spring in Belgium - Make it stand out Béguinage with its white facades and quiet gardens dreaming in the sunshine was on the home of the order of the beguines, emancipated lay women who led a pious and celibate life. Today its home to nuns of the order of St. Benedicts and single women from Bruges. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b2f8adc7-d5c0-4417-bec2-55d8a458a7ce/IMG_3889.jpg Blog - Spring in Belgium - Make it stand out Het Steen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9238cf41-238d-4d44-8519-d5ea43e3c78b/IMG_4099.JPG Blog - Spring in Belgium - Make it stand out So, what do you ask is impressive or important or historical about this building? Why nothing I answer. This building has a name painted on it in Hindi Devanagari script. Translated into English it means coming and going. I would love to know the story of who lives there and why they named it such but alas that remains a mystery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/19fd0b02-b499-452c-bde5-018fdbefd98a/IMG_5679.JPG Blog - Spring in Belgium - Make it stand out Considered the Venice of the North Bruges is laced with a network of canals that wind their way throughout the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/48680b41-d8a4-4a6d-a679-6bfecae4df0d/IMG_5727.JPG Blog - Spring in Belgium - Make it stand out The main Square or the Markt is considered the beating heart of the city of Bruges. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7794103f-b0ab-4a27-b377-e2cb7faa00bf/IMG_4088.jpg Blog - Spring in Belgium - Make it stand out Graffiti Alley which apparently is whitewashed every two years if I remember correctly giving artists a new canvas. Interestingly quirky and different. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/81b5dee2-ddd5-4c9e-ad2b-eb0f5f46e35b/IMG_3943.JPG Blog - Spring in Belgium - Make it stand out Antwerp is an interesting contrast of old and new and of course as we all know famous for its diamonds. No diamonds for me alas and other than some lace and embroidered sachets for lingerie drawers and chocolates, I appreciated and enjoyed the quirky and fun shops that brought a smile to my face. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6b0d0292-bc7a-40c2-b0c4-ea99521999cd/IMG_5792.JPG Blog - Spring in Belgium - Make it stand out So, when we entered the town of Bruges, we crossed this bridge which became my landmark. I am glad that I dropped a pin to the location where the group was to meet in the evening because I definitely missed a turn somewhere and ended up far from the bridge which ultimately became my beacon from afar along with my Google maps. So there ends my tale of Belgium. Brussels, I leave you for a future visit. I now have a patchwork of places all across Europe that I will have to hop, skip, and jump to visit someday. Let’s pray for peace in this increasingly dangerous world so that we can continue to appreciate the new and the different. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/03e91379-c4d2-4a8d-b1d8-c48fa0e38de9/IMG_4317.JPG Blog - Spring in Belgium - Make it stand out Gravensteen once the castle of the counts of Flanders but later repurposed as a prison, a mint and even a cotton factory. Still looks impressive both from land and water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/94e377a7-54c7-4a6b-9d07-0c5821bc80b7/IMG_4183.JPG Blog - Spring in Belgium - Make it stand out For our next port of call we docked in Ghent but had a choice of spending the day in Ghent or visiting Bruges. I decided on the included visit to Ghent and booked the day trip to Bruges from Amsterdam post cruise. It was a beautiful sunny cool day, and I had an absolute ball exploring the beautiful city of Ghent and most particularly got to visit the Altarpiece, the Adoration of the Lamb that can be seen for the price of an entrance fee and a prebooked ticket at St. Bavo’s cathedral. Ghent is an imminently walkable and a cyclable city. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/kalimera-greece monthly 0.5 2023-10-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d30c33a4-3b50-47ea-93b2-6f472bc37a13/IMG_5887.JPG Blog - Kalinichta Greece - Make it stand out Inside the tome you can get a feel for the immense size of the structure most particularly the dome which is considered one of the largest in the world of its kind. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a3e95e95-22c6-493d-912c-b76c17d42160/IMG_6116.JPG Blog - Kalinichta Greece - Make it stand out This used to the old royal palace and is now the parliament with the tomb of the unknown soldier and a constant guard patrolling the front. The last time I was in Athens, we stayed in a hotel almost across from this building. While Greece was already a part of the EU there were tensions regarding the devaluing of the currency. Since our hotel was directly across, we were warned to leave the immediate area. While we missed the riots and the bullets that pierced the glass windows of the hotel’s foyer, we ended up having to be dropped off at a distance since there was a curfew imposed and walking through a park where discontents were milling around burning stuff in the trash cans. Certainly, this time we did not have any violent events and yet memories from so many years ago surfaced. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a2851f62-fbe9-4f79-aafc-1532c25efcc5/IMG_6161.JPG Blog - Kalinichta Greece - Make it stand out After resting our tired feet during the driving city tour, we got to the museum. I had of course visited here on my earlier trip, but I was amazed to see how many people were here and let me tell you tour guides have no qualms about pushing ahead of you and are rude to boot. Isn’t it weird what things come to mind when you are surrounded by so much history. There are a lot of statues of maidens since this was a sanctuary of Athena and she had many handmaidens who donated a statue when they left their service in the temple. I was looking at the level of detail on these statues and appreciating how each one has their hair done just so. So, the museum is tilted just so that you are aligned with the top of the Acropolis. As we walked around the archeological finds, we found pieces that were identified as replicas with a blue sticker indicating that the original is housed in the British Museum. I understand the British plan to repatriate some of these statues someday. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a2e85f87-2b22-43c4-86bb-acbc7246d928/IMG_5918.JPG Blog - Kalinichta Greece - Make it stand out Mycenae the fabled city of Agamemnon and Atreus is considered to have been founded in 5000 to 4000 BC and is reputed to be the foundation of the development of ancient Greek civilization. The accomplishments of the Mycenaean civilization in art, architecture, and technology, inspired European cultures. Besides the archeological marvels that we visited on this day we stopped for lunch at what I would classify a tourist stop popular with tour buses. The place was one of the best organized operations that has been my privilege to visit, and the baklava was the best baklava that I have tasted in the Balkans, throughout Greece and Turkey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a21634c6-fab2-44c9-8db9-e820ec09a743/IMG_6039.JPG Blog - Kalinichta Greece - Make it stand out We had an early morning slot at the Acropolis and were well in time. I was hoping that I could take the elevator to the top but as it turned out they said that they were waiting on the inspection of the elevator and that would take another half hour, so much for time slots huh! Anyhow I suppose it’s a good thing the elevator wasn’t working otherwise I would have missed the stops along the way to the top. I am so grateful to have made it here since I had a broken foot the last time I was here having slipped and fallen down steps in our hotel in Santorini. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2ca85620-7e12-4670-9421-3b7a4bd6f594/IMG_6022.JPG Blog - Kalinichta Greece - Make it stand out We wrapped up our day in Athens. Checked in at our hotels, a short nap and refreshed we headed for the popular Monastiraki neighborhood for dinner. We walked by what was described to us as the most Instagram able store front in Athens as well as an amazing view of the Acropolis dominating the skyline. That night for dinner we were accompanied by three young local Greeks who chatted with us and exchanged stories about their lives even as we satisfied their curiosity about living in America which is their dream to visit one day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8dfe9ab6-d8ba-4c0e-bb89-46d8128b69c6/IMG_6027.JPG Blog - Kalinichta Greece - Make it stand out This was a whimsical capture. In India most popular tourist spots used to have these vendors wandering around selling chanas. I remember their cries of “Chana Garam” as they promoted their wares. No, I didn’t buy any nuts, we had just eaten dinner and the vendor did not try any promotional tactics, and yet it left a smile on my face. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ecb4a0e5-4156-4caf-91da-fca91917dca7/IMG_6140.JPG Blog - Kalinichta Greece - Make it stand out As we took the city tour, we passed many impressive facades and buildings. This one with its neoclassical architecture and the paintings stood out. It is part of the University of Athens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b31c03e3-9d2a-4eab-a747-43316f047ab4/IMG_4111.jpg Blog - Kalinichta Greece - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b25a995e-194e-49ae-b612-b7b990a3cf56/IMG_5925.JPG Blog - Kalinichta Greece - Make it stand out The Lion Gate is the main entrance to the Bronze age citadel of Mycenae. The gate is the sole surviving example of Mycenaean sculpture as well as the largest surviving sculpture in the prehistoric Aegean. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3cfe4cb5-7993-4828-a150-4cdb7b5e122d/IMG_6106.JPG Blog - Kalinichta Greece - Make it stand out The Olympic Stadium in Athens. There was an event happening and we could not get too close since the sightline was blocked with trucks and barriers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1f7d463d-470f-4106-80f3-0fe48a428fdb/IMG_6113.JPG Blog - Kalinichta Greece - Make it stand out Lord Byron was an English poet though much beloved of Greece. He traveled extensively in Europe and ultimately joined the Greek War of Independence. He is honored by a statue here in Athens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/55b108d1-572c-461f-9a60-33984639ffae/IMG_6020.JPG Blog - Kalinichta Greece - Make it stand out Monastiraki, Plaka are popular areas and full of crowds, taverns, cafes, shops. Even as we held onto our purses and dodged people there was an exhilarating sense of freedom being one of the crowds that milled around enjoying the ambiance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3b5e3004-c551-4f71-8822-5d82a46ac209/IMG_6167.JPG Blog - Kalinichta Greece - Make it stand out This statue in the museum so appropriately measures my mood as I say Goodbye to my Greek adventure. Sofia has been an amazing tour manager and guide and friend whom I hope to welcome her to Southern California someday. Our bus driver Lampros was always there with a smile to lend a helping hand or holding out a chilled bottle of water as we approached the coach after a sightseeing adventure. Goodbye until we meet again. This has been a great travel year and I have more adventures to come. I pray for peace even as the world continues to become a more dangerous place to wander. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d3e63091-f364-4c64-ae7d-ba71679a9c19/IMG_5881.JPG Blog - Kalinichta Greece - Make it stand out The Treasury of Atreus of the tomb of Agamemnon is the largest beehive tomb constructed before the Roman era and is still considered one with the largest corbelled dome, see next picture. Little is known of who might have been buried in this tomb, but it is hypothesized that it may have been intended for a ruler of Mycenae. The tomb was first excavated in the 19th century by Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin who removed the marble sculptures and facades to England hereby coining the name Elgin Marbles that were displayed in the British Museum. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/timeless-greece monthly 0.5 2023-10-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9725ae0a-5ac0-4ddb-bbaa-9b72f0e79dd2/IMG_5539.JPG Blog - Timeless Greece - Make it stand out One of the things I was not prepared for is the legacy of the Venetians on the landscapes of modern-day Greece. During their rule they constructed a series of robust fortresses and castles to protect the coast from attacks by the Ottomans. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8f4e79a0-a4b8-44ac-a119-fc8aee1cec8a/IMG_5651.JPG Blog - Timeless Greece - Make it stand out Another spectacular sunset heralded the oncoming evening as we settled in for dinner in the hotel dining room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a60b85aa-46a7-4995-b8de-f7817b853976/IMG_5869.JPG Blog - Timeless Greece - Make it stand out In the morning before departing, we took a short boat ride around the harbor and got a close-up view of the Venetian fortress in the middle of the bay that our guide described as Alcatraz. The words to the ancient TV show Gilligan’s Island about a 3-hour ride were beating a refrain in my brain. I know, I know I am aging myself and everyone looked at me strangely as I chuckled and only half the people, I was with even got the reference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/19f56c71-f365-4cb4-abed-d66dbbe06656/IMG_5816.JPG Blog - Timeless Greece - Make it stand out There was no dearth of sunsets and sunrises each one more spectacular than the last. People were sitting all along the bay sipping aperitifs munching on delicious sea food appetizers. I enjoy sea food, but my palate is a bit limited still though I am expanding it all the time. So, as I expressed some hesitancy about our menu for the menu one of my traveling companions said, don’t worry I’ll help you finish it. As it turned out I’m glad that I tried some new things and added to my repertoire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2239ea62-839a-4939-b71e-16c70e253a5a/IMG_5614.JPG Blog - Timeless Greece - Make it stand out In the days of old before cell phones your friends and neighbors just dropped in to say hello. Greek hospitality required that some form of food and drink be offered to the visitors. Housewives prepared and stored what is termed as spoon treats, fruit that was cooking in syrup and bottled and kept ready to greet visitors when they showed up. We were expected at the farm of our hostess a renowned beekeeper in the local region and yet she greeted us with traditional spoon treats and water and juice. I had been practicing my hello and thank you, so I wished her parents a polite “Kalimera”. Her mom was so excited at the thought that I might speak Greek, but I had to disabuse her with the scarcity of my vocabulary even as the folks in my group teased me about being a show-off. Not a showoff just being polite. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e536a880-d93e-4055-926a-97ed6ab44696/IMG_3602.jpg Blog - Timeless Greece - Make it stand out Delphi Photo courtesy Maya and Max https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b245cc09-68e0-475b-8fa2-12c2154a4823/IMG_5753.JPG Blog - Timeless Greece - Make it stand out I first saw these headless statues in Caesarea in Israel. At the time it was not clear to me that the ancient romans built their statues this way and replaced the heads and faces of their top generals and statesmen as they were replaced. Subsequently I saw them in Sicily and then again here in Greece. It’s so exciting when history and the stories all tally as you travel to different parts of the world. Those Romans sure were smart and probably the original architects of reuse and sustainability. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/60888d4f-29e7-45cb-8eef-64eaeacf7f5f/IMG_5746.JPG Blog - Timeless Greece - Make it stand out Nike the Goddess of Victory whose statue holds pride of place in the next-door museum which now holds most of the statuary that has been recovered from the archeological site. The museum has some priceless artifacts that have been found at the next-door sanctuary including the famous Hermes of Praxiteles, a statue of Apollo and the statuary that made up the sides of the temple of Zeus. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1adeb0a9-6a7c-47a1-93f6-0b525cd07a23/IMG_5708.JPG Blog - Timeless Greece - Make it stand out I find it fascinating that even today some of the customs and rituals incorporate the ancient games and where it all began. The Olympic flame is kindled here using the sun and ancient technology to light the flame. The flame is then carried by a Greek athlete to Athens where it is used to light the cauldron at the Olympic Stadium in Athens and the torch is then carried by an athlete of the host country on the first step of its journey to the lighting of the cauldron and the inauguration of the games in the host country. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bd4214cc-4388-4256-8bf3-b1a800153cff/IMG_5717.JPG Blog - Timeless Greece - Make it stand out The ancient Olympic Stadium. There is only this simple open field where the competitions were held, and a winner declared. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1b30c10d-150b-4463-8263-326f8dbc9568/IMG_5968.JPG Blog - Timeless Greece - Make it stand out We still have the archeological site of Mycenae that has significance in Homer’s works and of course a wrap up in Athens which is our final destination in Greece. But let’s pause at the Corinth Canal which is another engineering miracle that connects the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/81adf45c-74f5-4b92-adfc-a3e632bf684a/IMG_5680.JPG Blog - Timeless Greece - Make it stand out Olympia, the sanctuary of Zeus and the site of the ancient Olympic Games, the stadium here was supposedly created by Hercules and the games were a form of athletic competition and ritual sacrifices to Zeus. The Ancient Olympic Games date back to 700 to 800 BC. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/689be98b-8d2f-4d23-a503-ad43725c9906/IMG_5596.JPG Blog - Timeless Greece - Make it stand out The Rio Antirrio Bridge is the longest multi-span cable stayed bridge and is considered an engineering marvel. It provides access to and from the Peloponnese peninsula where previously one had to use ferries to cross. We had been seeing this for some time, first when we had approached our night stop at Nafpaktos and then as we crossed it on departing and heading towards Olympia. This fisherman as you can see wasn’t exactly happy when a group of exciting chattering tourists showed up with cameras and cell phones chasing his fish away. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/15bf0ecd-c84a-434f-a7a2-a9b73ff7b699/IMG_5712.JPG Blog - Timeless Greece - Make it stand out The Echo, a post where the winner was announced. The sound here was amplified and carried across the entire sanctuary. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2874e01e-6f4c-4a00-98ac-b6da0c577a3f/IMG_5762.JPG Blog - Timeless Greece - Make it stand out After a morning spent walking all over the archeological site and the museum of Olympia we were in for a treat as members of our group got ready to be sou chefs and prepare some of the fabulous Greek appetizers and salads that we had been enjoying through our travels so far. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/the-many-faces-of-greece monthly 0.5 2023-09-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/978f4fe4-c76c-4480-9011-697ef899b8f6/IMG_5483.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Greece - Make it stand out Then we were heading out again towards the town of Preveza where we made a quick stop to visit the archeological site before heading to the quaint town for lunch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6f9a6437-6a69-4c65-bce0-5c745dcce841/IMG_5525.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Greece - Make it stand out We made landfall at our home for the next two nights; Nafpaktos. Our hotel was right on the beach, so while I wasn’t hungry for dinner, I stepped out to enjoy a walk and then a sit down with a hot cup of tea and a tranquil evening enjoying the lights to relax after an interesting day, dreaming of what adventures still lie ahead on this wonderful journey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dce4c598-ffce-4e0a-9eb2-ba57ea396850/IMG_5182.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Greece - Make it stand out As we left Vergina and headed for Kalambaka, my excitement was mounting. Meteora was one of the highlights that I had been looking forward to visiting ever since I had seen pictures of the monasteries on the top of mountains. The first sight as we drove into town heading towards our hotel just continued to build on the excitement. Dinner that night was at a tavern nestled at the foot of these columns with a wonderful view of the town spread out below. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/20eb2e08-15fd-4f08-a1a5-9f45fff441b5/IMG_5129.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Greece - Make it stand out Hades’ kidnapping Persephone From Thessaloniki we headed to Vergina to visit the Royal Macedonian tombs. Imagine the excitement of the archeologist who discovered this intact burial mound full of gold, silver, precious paintings, dogs, armor, that were buried with King Phillip the II of Macedonia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0250e37c-041f-419f-bce9-cbe08a7aa513/IMG_5443.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Greece - Make it stand out On the day we were supposed to leave Corfu, the seamen went on strike and there were no ferries operating. However, we had a schedule to keep so our enterprising tour manager found alternatives to have us stealthily leave Corfu in a charter fishing boat. We left our hotel at Oh dark hundred and were driven an hour and a half to a small obscure port at some distance from the main port on Corfu. Here we boarded the fishing boat and made our way to the mainland, again another obscure port. It’s pretty interesting when the boat doesn’t really tie up to the shore and you embark and disembark with one of the seamen holding the ropes to keep the boat at the shore. This was definitely an adventure that bears recording. While the hotel did give us coffee and bread and fruit before we left, we stopped at the quaint fishing village of Parga for a second breakfast and coffee and to stretch our legs and kill time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/afb3dbb3-7b45-405d-8d72-07943941291d/IMG_5226.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Greece - Make it stand out Originally the monks settled in this area in the caverns nestled in the rocks. It wasn’t until the 14th century that the monasteries were built. It is mindboggling to imagine how these vast buildings with icons and art were created since access to these mountain tops was by removable ladders or ropes. It was only after 1920 that steps were carved into the rock face to allow access. At one we also saw a cable car though tourist access is not allowed by cable car, these are used to deliver supplies to the monks. Of the original 24 only 6 monasteries survive today, and all are inhabited. Visitors are welcome though a strict dress code is necessary. Dresses for women below the knees with sleeves and pants for men. It was interesting to see women wearing pants with scarves tied around their waist to make it appear like a dress. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dc044b37-09ad-43a8-ab2e-ed86e0f3fa1f/IMG_5141.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Greece - Make it stand out The armor and shield of the King which was buried in the burial chamber with the embalmed body. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/51240fdf-c1f3-40a5-9628-cf94f4aa15f9/IMG_5364-EFFECTS.jpg Blog - The Many Faces of Greece - Make it stand out Sunset over the Ionian, the narrow strip of land in the middle of the water is the runway. Since my room faced in this direction, I got to watch airplanes come in to land and take off far into the night. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c8bd217d-e5aa-4eee-9313-d02f12ed959a/IMG_5378.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Greece - Make it stand out This is a Ficus tree like none I’ve seen before, so I had to make a record of it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/65d6142c-e6f9-4200-907b-3ab42a06c151/IMG_5339.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Greece - Make it stand out After our visit to the monasteries, it was time for a quick lunch in the town square and then a short ride to the ferry boat that would take us to the island of Corfu. On approach to dock in Corfu the old town and the Venetian fort are spread out in front of the boat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bb37d866-da32-4fea-9143-ef9f0a46e466/IMG_5353.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Greece - Make it stand out On our way to our hotel, we stopped at this lookout to see these two islands, I believe one is called Mouse Island and was a leper colony at one point. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6c5c43ef-5664-495b-8fd7-15375bbee195/IMG_5212.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Greece - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/edb524f7-555a-43df-8923-e24cec03d591/IMG_5402.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Greece - Make it stand out While we wandered down the Esplanade and the main promenade of the old town, I had the most fun visiting all these quaint shops, tasting, trying and smelling all manner of goods. Corfu is a very musically inclined island. Coincidentally my taxi driver in Athens was from Corfu and he was telling me how everyone either sings or plays an instrument and while he wasn’t good enough to be invited to be a part of his town’s group his sisters were both very talented. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/78d42e94-2632-4b05-bbff-8ec0b8606d1f/IMG_5508.JPG Blog - The Many Faces of Greece - Make it stand out Since we were still a bit early for lunch, we took a quick guided tour of the old town and wandered along these cobblestone streets full of taverns and cafes including one called Wakanda. Our lunch stop was cute, the cafe had a host of musical instruments including an old-fashioned gramophone that actually worked. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/magical-greece monthly 0.5 2023-09-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f322c4e9-a200-4282-9216-c3cea4b867f8/IMG_4885.JPG Blog - Magical Greece - Make it stand out While I did not wander in old town Rhodes as was my original plan, I did manage to take a mini-bus tour of some highlights on the island. This beautiful, secluded bay was a photo stop on the drive. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c7d4396d-15db-4979-a369-2f2da8da3fd2/IMG_5059.JPG Blog - Magical Greece - Make it stand out Alexander the Great mounted on his black horse Bucephalus whom he tamed and trained from childhood with all his weaponry ready to conquer Asia Minor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/af71f773-a444-4033-81d5-ae78765acd30/IMG_4869.JPG Blog - Magical Greece - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1a5e07b3-f22c-4ab8-91ac-cdcbc512708e/IMG_4941.JPG Blog - Magical Greece - Make it stand out Promptly next morning we were on the go exploring the city of Pellas, once the capital of Macedonia and birthplace of Phillip II and Alexander the Great. I have been fascinated with Alexander, the Great and recently had a chance to visit North Macedonia. It was quite interesting to get an opposing view of how the Greeks view the North Macedonians as upstarts only looking for a way to get access to the beaches and sea routes to the Mediterranean. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8a547521-69c4-4eef-baf0-10ecc48b11ee/IMG_4963.JPG Blog - Magical Greece - Make it stand out I grew up on the Greek legends of the Gods, the Iliad and Odyssey. Here in Greece these legends come alive. According to legend Helen was visiting her cousins here when she was abducted or ran away with Paris triggering the Trojan War. As I wandered through the architectural site, listening to our tour manager, I was imagining these sites populated with real live people living their life, eating, drinking, loving, fighting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f5567a49-e7b7-414d-9e80-a8e21bcc72bd/IMG_4855.JPG Blog - Magical Greece - Make it stand out The city walls of Rhodes. Unfortunately, I did not make it to all the buildings and palaces associated with the knights. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/96aa61a4-c5f7-4be8-a38f-223415d59aa5/IMG_5071.JPG Blog - Magical Greece - Make it stand out Homes are built right within the city walls which runs right through the center of the town. The rotunda here was built during the Roman rule and sits right in the middle of the bustling busy city. If only the walls could talk what stories they would tell of all the people who came before. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/97f8a918-a83e-4cd0-a950-741552b360a0/IMG_4975.JPG Blog - Magical Greece - Make it stand out We stopped for lunch in Edessa the city of waterfalls at a wonderful restaurant overlooking this waterfall. Thanks to the recent rains the water was gushing pretty strongly, and we got lovely views as we strolled along the paths after lunch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a50d64f7-5bae-4e59-b997-a1ed50e01573/IMG_5045.JPG Blog - Magical Greece - Make it stand out Thessaloniki is a large vibrant city, originally founded by Cassander, husband to Thessalonike, daughter of Phillip the II and sister to Alexander the Great. This region has always been a hub with its access to trade routes and has been ruled by the Ottomans, the Romans and who knows who else who came through before reverting back to Greek control. The white tower is a symbol of Thessaloniki. It was once bloody from all the executions that were held here until in an attempt to create a better connection with the locals it was whitewashed and referred to as the White Tower ever after. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1710b197-a4ea-42a7-a4e9-e5240c22451c/IMG_5009.jpg Blog - Magical Greece - Make it stand out Paul the Apostle visited the city on his missionary journeys and sowed the seeds of Christianity and potentially the New Testament. Then Thessaloniki acquired its own patron saint St. Demetrious who was put to death by Galerius the then Roman emperor in the region. This church, Hagia Demetrious of the Basilica of St. Demetrious is dedicated to him. Originally our scheduled called for a morning visit but since it was Sunday, we snuck in and visited on Saturday evening. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/681cafbd-0501-4d7b-ab00-aec43b7809ab/IMG_5084.JPG Blog - Magical Greece - Make it stand out The ancient city walls are still pretty intact despite the wars fought here in this region. As we walked around, the bathrooms were closed but a few cafes were open. I walked into the cafe where several people from the group were enjoying coffee. The lady who was manning the counter made every person purchase their own coffee if they wanted to use the facilities. None of this part of the group nonsense. It was a good thing since the coffee was delicious. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ffc4d813-8571-4113-a5a4-5fcbe8c9f159/IMG_4903.JPG Blog - Magical Greece - Make it stand out Since I ended up resting a lot in my room, I did enjoy the spectacular sunrises and sunsets over the water as viewed from my bed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2b0baaee-9d49-48e6-a1fa-0baa6771f3b5/IMG_4913-PANO.jpg Blog - Magical Greece - Make it stand out After a few days spent resting in Rhodes, I made my way to Thessaloniki where I met up with the group of people who would be my traveling companions for the next 12 days wandering across Greece getting a good flavor of all that the country has to offer. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/ireland-the-road-well-traveled monthly 0.5 2023-09-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d0a8c6d2-5efd-484c-9074-1eba02b3de9b/IMG_4263.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ The Road Well Traveled - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/814b1500-15bb-4b05-9c9f-6d9feb2ea3a8/IMG_4194.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ The Road Well Traveled - Make it stand out On to Foynes, once the glorious epicenter of the dream to get ships airborne to make the journey across the Atlantic to New York City. We got to tour the early Pan American Clipper that cost an obscene amount of money to fly in complete with kitchens and beds. Foynes airport was also where Irish coffee was first invented in an attempt to keep passengers happy while waiting. Needless to say, we got to learn how to make it the right way and then sample it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dae932ac-bd1b-45ee-8d27-925f1f7a3599/IMG_3827.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ The Road Well Traveled - Make it stand out The last time had visited Ireland from Scotland, so we did the whisky tasting in Scotland. This time I made it to Jamiesons for a whisky tour and a tasting. In an ironic twist, the lady who gave us the tour was from Mexico with a strong Mexican accent and we met one of the brew makers who was from the United States. What indeed are the odds? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4ee5342e-2052-4485-9127-966af5c64ea4/IMG_3871.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ The Road Well Traveled - Make it stand out The rock of Cashel and the Irish guide with his lovely Irish accent and vast knowledge on this historical site as we walked around completely made up for any disappointment people might have had. It is mind bogglind to recall how old this structure is how well weathered it is despite a lack of preservation effort for a long time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b931c528-e28f-48e2-8f1b-cd461dde0680/IMG_4276.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ The Road Well Traveled - Make it stand out Another brooding day as we stood on the ramparts of the Cliffs of Moher. Mother Nature could not seem to make up her mind whether to send rain or shine, so we hurried our way to the top of the outlook for pictures before the heavens wept. I couldn’t help but recall the glorious day that I had visited the Devil’s causeway. Both wonderful experiences. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/40b9eca1-2aa2-4cfc-9e02-018c3013f1fc/IMG_4723.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ The Road Well Traveled - Make it stand out Several years ago, I had seen a similar statue of sleeping Jesus in Capernaum, Israel. I saw this again here in Christ Church when I snuck in here to eat my lunch and enjoy the garden. Apparently, there are a few of them around the world titled homeless Jesus. Goodbye to Ireland. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and hope that my travels bring me back again for another adventure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/161123a7-94fa-4b0f-847f-d9fd1aa0d9f5/IMG_4123.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ The Road Well Traveled - Make it stand out On the plus side the sun wasn’t glaring in your eyes as you tried to capture pictures. I am always reminded when I visit sites like this that I too live in a beautiful part of the work and the drive along the Pacific Coast is just as spectacular. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7d3c4e50-5d40-4f48-b56b-0cb12ebd912f/IMG_4104.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ The Road Well Traveled - Make it stand out While I and most people focus on the beautiful Atlantic Ocean and Islands that make up the landscape. The land side also has a very interesting architecture and history. Forts and fairy houses and a way of life and history that is preserved for posterity. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f7e9912c-6011-4ed9-9200-39e3c28706bb/IMG_4599.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ The Road Well Traveled - Make it stand out The Book of Kells itself is in a dark room open to a page which I believe is changed every so often but most impressive is the museum that precedes the actual area where the book is displayed that goes into the history and process. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3e7f400f-d9e2-4c27-a361-cdaff6cd7338/IMG_4142.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ The Road Well Traveled - Make it stand out While we tried more traditional Irish fare all throughout our trip, there is nothing like fresh fish and chips. Couples were lucky to share this huge plate that I ended up with all to myself. Fortunately, another couple from our group came and sat next to me and helped me out. Otherwise, I suppose the seagulls would have been very noisily appreciative. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/04a9ed7f-a679-445a-9b5e-66e4796083ee/IMG_4631.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ The Road Well Traveled - Make it stand out Last time I had not been able to make it to Trinity College or the Book of Kells. This time I stood in awe in the Long Library and gazed at the splendor of Gaia hanging from the roof books and statues gracing the gallery and Brian Boru’s harp bringing up the rear. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2b307d03-1095-4f66-849c-d6570cb92465/IMG_4102.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ The Road Well Traveled - Make it stand out The weather had been lovely and sunny all along until the day we were to drive the Dingle Peninsula. Even through the forecast showed clear, the sun was quite capricious. The views are breathtaking, hats off to the drivers who do this frequently especially in the face of tourists coming the wrong way. I happened to be sitting in front of the coach that day and did catch a few pithy Irish cuss words. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/465c00c5-2103-49e4-9152-be29f6a2961c/IMG_3531.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ The Road Well Traveled - Make it stand out No other part of the world does tea and scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam quite like Britain and Ireland. Back in the land of elevenses and getting a scone with my tea. I have to admit though that these were giant scones and no one in our group actually managed to finish one. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/ireland-off-the-beaten-path monthly 0.5 2023-09-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e6c38c4b-ce61-4143-80d8-ffcfc6fe78d7/IMG_4762.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out Every Person is connected (The EPIC Museum). It was all about genealogy and the Irish diaspora. Quite an interesting tour. Considering that I have no Irish roots, I still enjoyed the tour. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6e7433ef-6d66-436c-90e8-ccdda690bc4e/IMG_3746.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out All around this area there are murals and while we did not linger around the murals, this one that was visible from where Strongbow and his princess sit enthroned caught my eye and I couldn’t resist capturing it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6e9378a6-9d2f-4453-b05b-430ff0afd9c3/IMG_4237.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out As we crossed the golf course, Maureen laughingly told us about the Irish version of a hole in one. Even though we were trundling along at a good clip I managed to get a picture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/841677e3-52eb-44af-9515-b29202c6c6a1/IMG_4415.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out In Sligo, last time I had seen William Butler Yeats grave from the distance through the windows of a coach. Well, it wasn’t much better this time, but we did get to attend a poetry reading from Yeats works. The gentleman who did the reading was very passionate about Ireland’s poet laureate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c3cf7fb9-81f3-4eea-b348-e9fdf813a8c5/IMG_3645.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out We got an education on Irish horseracing and breeding horses at the Irish stud. The grounds are beautiful, and the horses are definitely pampered since they fetch a mindboggling amount of money for their services. We walked through the paddocks and visited the horses as well as the foals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cdd64873-23b2-40ab-a4eb-dd6f5be0b885/IMG_3607.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out Only in Ireland. Apparently, they actually have a fairy map that children can get and then follow through the grounds. What a fun way to keep traditions and stories alive. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f20e7dbe-0fee-4f56-a6ea-dad71782024e/IMG_3730.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out Of course, we had to do some touristy things as well. As we completed our walking tour of the Waterford triangle and heard the stories about the Vikings as we got to see this Viking carved long sword that is carved from a single tree trunk complete with roots. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0b33705f-9ef0-43ab-a828-89b5792c32ec/IMG_3789.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out Back in Cobh again. This time, I skipped the cathedral and the Titanic Museum and instead just wandered through the town, enjoying the fishing boats at anchor as people sat at the benches with their lunch enjoying the sunny afternoon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/de529e1e-2542-403c-b912-2c72a2570a98/IMG_4399.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out Table Mountain in the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c2afb521-6147-4a59-9dfc-41bfb675d0e7/IMG_4462.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out Swans a plenty in the Shannon River as we cruised down the river drinking tea and enjoying freshly baked scones and listening to one of the best crooners that I’ve heard in sometime. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2eb6fa17-3cc6-43b3-87a4-4068cde58c80/IMG_4328.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out I think the Irish are born with melody. This busker on a street corner in Galway was entertaining his audience using his hands and feet and fun catchy music. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f5599a20-bed2-4201-ab1b-35070af07de3/IMG_3933.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out We were welcomed into the home of a dairy farmer and his wife as they fed us a light meal and proceeded to enlighten us on how they milk 250 cows in about 2 hours using modern techniques. A lot of laughter and many stories later we bid them goodbye and took off on the road again. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/582f54bc-e40b-4c64-9b3f-6b42769edd04/IMG_4629.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out Trinity College and the book of Kells had been on my list for some time, but I had not made it there the first time around. As it turned out they had just hung this giant globe called Gaia in the library so not only did I get to visit the Trinity College, Library and the Book of Kells but I also got to see this globe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c31e03f4-2d5a-4688-8810-697808e4f0a4/IMG_4135.JPG Blog - Ireland ~ Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out One of the highlights of this trip was the Dingle Peninsula and the spectacular views which by the way reminds me so much of driving the Pacific Coast Highway back home. What is complete unique is the sheep coming running down the road being chased by the shepherd in his four wheels and the sheepdog. Not a sight I would get to see back home. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/the-dog-days-of-summer monthly 0.5 2023-09-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/24559cec-6e7f-44fb-9de1-d1e2a59b4b1c/IMG_3256.JPG Blog - The Dog Days of Summer - Make it stand out Shark fin rock from the railway track. My fellow wanderer was right. This was the perfect shot. The path to the cove looked rough and treacherous and even though I spied people down there I decided not to take the chance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f21fceae-f066-4de6-8bbe-7059125f0af5/A7C0A898-BA9C-4C42-A433-DF0D4F47260B.jpg Blog - The Dog Days of Summer - Make it stand out Family pizza night, outdoors enjoying the perfect evening near the beach in California. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f7f5a250-58ba-4418-8600-979daa3a9347/IMG_3323.JPG Blog - The Dog Days of Summer - Make it stand out The Sawdust Festival has a little bit of everything for everyone. Some crafts, beautiful art, glassware, glassblowing exhibitions, jewelry and fun, food and music. This is a non-juried show, showcasing Laguna Beach artists exclusively. Next door Art Affair opens its doors to artists outside of Orange County. Photography was forbidden on most of the exhibits but nevertheless some fun and interesting stuff was to be had. The cooling breezes were somewhat absent, so though we had fun and met some interesting people we moved on to brave the busy Los Angeles freeways to make it back to the sweltering heat of Studio City. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/eca0caba-b186-414c-9d49-ceb76bcb66b8/IMG_3447.jpg Blog - The Dog Days of Summer - Make it stand out This year I got to find a summer social activity for my book club. What better place than the Getty Museum which provides options to whet all appetites. When the afternoon includes a family concert in the garden, it’s like a cherry on top. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1570293d-8117-4340-85f3-0b1593d5a8ce/IMG_3324.JPG Blog - The Dog Days of Summer - Make it stand out Laguna Beach, California has more than the Laguna Art Festival and the pageant of the arts. I decided to go back for one more romp in Laguna Beach to enjoy the cool ocean breezes and more festivals with my friend @ofeliapedrochearanda. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/92fd4f16-adcd-4379-95e0-ce98f5cbceeb/IMG_3329.JPG Blog - The Dog Days of Summer - Make it stand out Summer is the best time to drive along Highway One and enjoy the little beach towns, beautiful scenery, pastries, so even though I had already done road tripping with friends decided to venture for one last hurrah along this so scenic part of California. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/57908e62-92b1-40b5-92bd-6c0a74441807/IMG_3237.JPG Blog - The Dog Days of Summer - Make it stand out Natural Bridges State Beach was a popular spot, crowded with many people wandering at the viewpoint taking pictures. Again, a wonderful example of nature’s sculpting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3556b227-40e3-4476-bdaf-7b6006ed0fcf/IMG_3276.JPG Blog - The Dog Days of Summer - Make it stand out This time my road trip took me beyond Monterey towards Santa Cruz before angling inwards to head for a visit with my aunt in Mountain View, California. As I parked at the pullout for Shark Fin rock, I asked a fellow wanderer how difficult the path was to get to the cove. He suggested that I only head a little way towards a railway track, and I could get the shot I wanted. I was ambitious so instead of climbing down to the cove I climbed a little way up the headland to get this gorgeous shot of another rock feature forming thanks the ocean waves hitting the shore. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/74725966-a1e9-40ee-befa-392566b1af53/IMG_3331.JPG Blog - The Dog Days of Summer - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1acd2987-e658-4898-8331-bd7a87615b7a/IMG_3472.jpg Blog - The Dog Days of Summer - Make it stand out Grandbabies are like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, sunshine to the soul. Long summer evenings full of fun and frolic and dancing to the music of Bluey. These are all the memories that are close to my heart as I bid August and Summer goodbye and set off on my next adventure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0b647ce5-7605-4db2-8031-c50a049a11e4/IMG_3463.JPG Blog - The Dog Days of Summer - Make it stand out To finish a wonderful evening of food, music, viewing of Rembrandt’s laughing man portrait and Van Gogh’s Irises, this spectacular sunset was the perfect finishing touch. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/on-the-california-mission-trail monthly 0.5 2023-08-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bc6f1eb9-1d7e-4146-b268-5b6616debee1/IMG_2942.JPG Blog - On the Mission Trail - Make it stand out A quick walk to shake off the stiffness from the drive and enjoy the beautiful day and the sparkling blue of the ocean and off I went. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/05dff3e3-117c-4ecb-bd0e-06894c68d5dd/IMG_2834.JPG Blog - On the Mission Trail - Make it stand out On this beautiful summer day, I made my first stop at Serra Cross Park in Ventura. I had visited the mission previously but not the park high up on a hill overlooking the mission and the Pacific Ocean where Father Serra once planted a wooden cross that stands even today. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/96c10d94-d151-499f-b1aa-c69f9a37e951/IMG_2874.JPG Blog - On the Mission Trail - Make it stand out Growing up in India once a part of the British Empire and of course the Portuguese towns of Goa, Daman and Diu, I was familiar with the empire building of these two countries. Of course, I knew that Christopher Columbus had been funded by Queen Isabella of Spain and that he ended up in the Americas instead of India but a Spanish Empire that spanned the globe? This map on the wall of a mission museum room shows you how far and how wide the Spaniards traveled. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a9b50eab-29ba-44b4-b457-2dbc35bceaa6/IMG_2860.JPG Blog - On the Mission Trail - Make it stand out I drove past much visited Santa Barbara and the queen of missions that I have visited many a time previously and followed navigation to exit off the 101 and make my way through the Los Padres National Forest and the Lake Cachuma recreation area to arrive at the Mission Santa Ines. I was in Solvang last year but never realized that the Mission is right there next to the town, sandwiched between the town of Solvang and the Chumash Indian casino. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/534c45a1-e507-44ae-ad3b-0b6f5ceb5be3/IMG_2912.JPG Blog - On the Mission Trail - Make it stand out Not far from the Santa Ines mission is La Purisima, which is a part of the California State Parks system. I know that the missions were originally established a day’s journey apart but now with our superior horsepower it only takes between 30 minutes to 45 minutes on a good day between most missions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9f175401-4f20-4943-8f58-626c591eec4b/IMG_2921.jpg Blog - On the Mission Trail - Make it stand out While this mission is unique in its salmon-colored walls and a slightly different architecture, the beautiful simple chapel is very similar to others that I have seen and visited. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/494a3030-5d20-4b92-a0f7-a047239b69af/IMG_3109.JPG Blog - On the Mission Trail - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/917f93af-78e7-4459-9849-1ebca7d79140/IMG_2949.JPG Blog - On the Mission Trail - Make it stand out About 8 miles past Paso Robles the famous wine growing region of Central California is the beautiful Mission San Miguel Arcangel. Since it is right off the freeway exit on the 101 it’s hard to miss but nevertheless you need to watch where to make a left to park outside the mission walls. According to the hours posted on the entrance the mission should have been open, but the gift shop was locked tight and except for a gardener no one was there to help. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5a11e38b-0da3-4bc0-aae3-7618ca51afef/IMG_3103.JPG Blog - On the Mission Trail - Make it stand out Since I started my solo wandering journeys in 2021, I have been slowly but surely visiting these missions as opportunity presents itself. On my recent visit to the Salinas Valley to work in John Steinbeck’s footsteps I was able to visit the ones in Central California. This brings me to a grand total of 19 out of the 21. 3 more to go in Northern California, San Francisco and beyond. I’ll have to incorporate these into another interesting itinerary because I do need to complete my goal of visiting them all. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/921b5bf3-47a3-4572-9499-6c266eeb8374/IMG_2963.JPG Blog - On the Mission Trail - Make it stand out After a quick wander around the areas that were open to visit, I decided to move on to the next stop on my itinerary. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2616c317-7077-4093-b941-127afc7f3147/IMG_2932.JPG Blog - On the Mission Trail - Make it stand out Lunchtime seems to have been and gone if my growling stomach was any indicator. I decided that the town of Pismo Beach and the Splash Cafe which were only 12 minutes out of my way according to my trusty navigation would be a good option. This stop would allow me to handle my hunger pangs and also give me an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful day beachside. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to score primo parking as someone was pulling out and after a brief walk settled on an open-air patio restaurant for a delicious plate of fish and chips. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f1123644-8c22-4d44-b7ba-01206d775c45/IMG_3095.JPG Blog - On the Mission Trail - Make it stand out My last stop for the day was the Soledad Mission but again the gate was padlocked and protected behind cameras. Since it was not that far from Salinas, I came back the next day when I made my trip to visit the locations around here that John Steinbeck had once visited and written about. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/26c29910-dafa-416f-bdfd-ae4101e06407/IMG_2893.JPG Blog - On the Mission Trail - Make it stand out One of the striking things about most of the Mission architecture are the beautiful tranquil gardens and the structure. Now after reading about the writings of Elias Castillo, it all sheds a much more sinister light but nevertheless it’s hard not to admire the beauty that survives. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0c7a7f2c-ac39-413f-bea8-2338ff2192dd/IMG_2908.JPG Blog - On the Mission Trail - Make it stand out Unlike the formal gardens of the other missions, I found a much more rustic look and feel with native Californian vegetation. Interestingly this is a poison Ivy tree that guards the path from the parking lot to the mission. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/29198980-95e2-43cc-9346-9d5792bb4acc/IMG_3106.JPG Blog - On the Mission Trail - Make it stand out Like a lot of missions that I have visited the chapel was austere. Located in a very rural area, surrounded by fields and farm workers, there were not many people around the actual mission except for the young lady manning the gift shop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0155f20a-f311-49fb-8952-0ab2a73db0b1/IMG_2977.JPG Blog - On the Mission Trail - Make it stand out The day was waning, and I was doomed to disappointment since my long drive through back roads and the military base of Fort Legget brought me to the Jolon mission which was enclosed behind closed gates with signs that said Restricted Property. The land around here was once owned by Randolph Hearst and is now home to a military base. Since I was not going to commit a federal crime by crossing the fence, I had to content myself with pictures from the distance and call it a day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a34c7150-47ee-47e9-b022-1bbfe474d406/IMG_2844.JPG Blog - On the Mission Trail - Make it stand out The view from the top of the park is outstanding. I really did pick the perfect day to enjoy the view and set the tone for my sojourn on the Mission Trail. I had to marshal every ounce of discipline I possessed to continue my day’s agenda and not stop every few miles to enjoy the view. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/walking-in-john-steinbecks-footsteps monthly 0.5 2023-08-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8219adf1-fe88-4474-9b63-e7a9dcaaecc8/IMG_3161.JPG Blog - Walking in John Steinbeck’s Footsteps - Make it stand out People, birds, children all scrambled over the rocks or picnicked. Finding a bench, I sat and enjoyed the evening ambiance taking in all the activity around me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/14032cde-4241-4eef-9301-5a875935da7a/IMG_3122.JPG Blog - Walking in John Steinbeck’s Footsteps - Make it stand out After lunch I headed to Soledad with a desire to visit some of the wineries and farms that John had worked at and visited during the writing of many of his books. Key were some of the conversations with the migrant farm workers who traveled like gypsies across the state in search of work. As I came out of the driveway of Wrath wines headed back towards Monterey and Salinas, I came across this ruined cabin dreaming in the shade. If only it could talk, what tales might it tell. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ee5b1253-dfc0-4372-bfc2-59bda519f7a8/IMG_3007.JPG Blog - Walking in John Steinbeck’s Footsteps - Make it stand out On my way home or at least my home away from home, I stopped for dinner at Tarpy’s Bar and Grill an excellent restaurant located in a rustic stone hewn building. So, where did this place figure in John Steinbeck’s life? Unknown. However, given that it is on the main thoroughfare between Salinas and Monterey that John regularly traversed it’s possible he stopped here for dinner one night. At least I like to imagine he did. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/96d42e17-90ab-470b-a80b-c2a202b9947c/IMG_3024.JPG Blog - Walking in John Steinbeck’s Footsteps - Make it stand out Armed with a map and a possible itinerary, I started my morning in downtown Salinas. The Steinbeck Center was planned to be my first stop of the day, but I arrived before it had opened and while there was some excitement between the local police and a squatter. So, I parked by car and walked down Main Street to appreciate and enjoy the Art Deco character of the town and walk past gems like 201 Main Street that was featured in East of Eden before making my way to the center which opened at 10:00AM. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/84c16e1f-90af-4d5d-94ac-fdf1eac3349a/IMG_3164.JPG Blog - Walking in John Steinbeck’s Footsteps - Make it stand out Needing to relax my jangling nerves I made my way to Lovers Point Park close to where John originally lived with his first wife. Story goes that he had a shed on his property and every morning he would take his sharpened pencils and foolscap and get locked into the shed so he could focus on his writing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/258a3f57-9181-4063-b1aa-1dde72d62099/IMG_3125.JPG Blog - Walking in John Steinbeck’s Footsteps - Make it stand out Along the way I shared the road with farm trucks and tractors and drove by green fields stretching as far as the eye could see. Workers were gathered in different parts picking, watering and doing other tasks that are necessary to bring home a bountiful harvest. Spreckles the company town which housed the workers who worked in the Spreckles Sugar factory was on my way as I crisscrossed across Country Road G17. If I understand correctly, John worked in the sugar mill during the early stages of his career. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f755a44b-eb60-4e0d-a235-bf7f43b94d0e/IMG_3130.JPG Blog - Walking in John Steinbeck’s Footsteps - Make it stand out In Monterey I decided to brave the road to Jack’s Peak Park. Brave is the correct term because the road was one of the narrowest, most winding ones that I have driven and that after I almost went the wrong way when I incorrectly interpreted the correct turn from the roundabout. Who said roundabouts are safer than traffic lights? I kept my eyes open, and fingers crossed as I drove along a road that definitely could not accommodate two cars only to get to the top to find it padlocked. There were the most amazing views of the ocean and Monterey but of course I couldn’t stop to take pictures until I found a relatively safe layby to get some quick shots. I am glad that I could not hear any of the comments that the drivers who passed me by made. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/15e8d8b7-7d4b-45fb-9788-e8681d2cb9d1/IMG_3127.JPG Blog - Walking in John Steinbeck’s Footsteps - Make it stand out Heading towards Monterey, I took the exit for Corral de Tierra Road in search of Castle Rock Park where John had played with his sisters and school friends. These rock formations sparked his imagination, and he wove stories about Camelot and knights and ladies here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1a312f69-bade-4cc9-b843-c854f68b551f/IMG_3090.JPG Blog - Walking in John Steinbeck’s Footsteps - Make it stand out After a quick orientation from one of the ladies at the front desk, I watched a short film about John Steinbeck’s life and aspirations. After watching the movie that provided the right background and frame of mind, I wandered through the museum which provides a chronological timeline of John’s life and books using a sensory multi-media approach. Things were made more real for me when I chatted with some of the ladies at Steinbeck house who talked about how John’s mother who gave him his love of reading was not happy when her son decided to quit Stanford and write stories for a living. It’s the stories and local color that just add to the experience of traveling. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4f7a7f13-8cbf-47bc-9902-bd71eaac5bcd/IMG_3045.JPG Blog - Walking in John Steinbeck’s Footsteps - Make it stand out Amongst other things the museum has an actual Model T Ford and the modified camper that John used in his Travels with Charley. While I enjoyed wandering around the museum, my favorite corner was this replica of John’s bedroom and his desk where he is credited with writing some his early stories. One of the things that came clear both from the film and John’s bedroom was his love for Arthurian legends. In fact, he spent some time before he died in England and Wales visiting some of these sites. Hmm might be another itinerary for a wanderer. I visited my 90-year-old aunt after this jaunt in Salinas who told me that she’s waiting for me to write a book about my travels. Perhaps I will find inspiration from this visit and fulfill all these dreams that everyone else has on my behalf. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2c0941ea-05eb-4795-be83-2160ecb8ba5e/IMG_3135.JPG Blog - Walking in John Steinbeck’s Footsteps - Make it stand out On my way to the old Fisherman’s wharf, I made my way to the Marina and wandered around a bit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dc9b68b3-b9f0-405a-9834-6f0bf1eab008/IMG_3172.JPG Blog - Walking in John Steinbeck’s Footsteps - Make it stand out I had the addresses of the homes that John lived in in Pacific Grove and Monterey. One of them which was an original adobe is now part of a pedestrian only university area, converted into an admissions office. This property close to the ocean still exists but is almost completely enclosed with a privacy fence and greenery. It is actually lived in at the moment. By the way the deer crossing signs are not just signs, I actually had to stop to let a deer cross the road strolling towards the ocean. What are the odds? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/419e3d77-e2f2-4b67-8f68-72d2a3d024fa/IMG_2991.jpg Blog - Walking in John Steinbeck’s Footsteps - Make it stand out As I looked for places to spend two nights in Salinas, armed with a tip that said that River Road was the place to stay in while wandering in Salinas, I discovered Chateau Coralini, coincidentally a Victorian home off Hwy 68. This was a completely self-service location at the intersection of Hwy 68 and Country Road 17. Not precisely in Salinas nor in Monterey but with great access to all the places I wanted to visit and most importantly it was pretty affordable as well. It is an old building with no elevators and bedrooms all on the upper floor, so you do have to carry your stuff up a steepish staircase. After a previous trip with no elevator access, I was prepared and took the necessities in a small shoulder bag that I took to my room leaving the bulk of my stuff in the car. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0648b64d-da56-41ed-9cc4-f7a57c6dfcfa/IMG_3072.JPG Blog - Walking in John Steinbeck’s Footsteps - Make it stand out Along the way to the Steinbeck house, I drove by the Amtrak station where no doubt John took a train at some point and finally made my way to lunch at Steinbeck house. In the front of the house, I met an interesting local lady who was waiting for a friend. She made a joke about how she wasn’t trolling for John’s and before we knew it, we were chatting like old friends. She pointed me to the nearby Cemetery where John was buried but while I did drive there it turned out to be a bit of a bust because I didn’t find the Steinbeck family plat and it was way too hot to wander around graves. Lunch was a delicious salad and a special iced tea that was a favorite of the Steinbecks. I was seated in what was the parlor and the volunteer who served me told me that the two pictures of John’s parents had originally been placed on different walls but John’s sister who had still been alive had told them that the picture of her father had to be looking at her mother because that’s how it was in their day and also because her father always looked at her mother just so. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/54f7cd7f-16b8-447b-a1ee-cbfeb43b897b/IMG_3060.JPG Blog - Walking in John Steinbeck’s Footsteps - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/in-search-of-victorians monthly 0.5 2023-08-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fb146506-ab16-4e12-ba9c-e21545fdd006/IMG_2626.JPG Blog - Victorian Mansions in Los Angeles - Make it stand out The Lincoln Avenue Methodist Church was built in 1897 in Pasadena and moved in 1981. It is an example of Gothic and Queen Anne. Early parishioners of this church were founders of Pasadena and Caltech. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/15a05538-cb57-4ad9-b25d-5e34b71355af/IMG_2621.JPG Blog - Victorian Mansions in Los Angeles - Make it stand out The Shaw House, a French influenced cottage built in 1883 in Lincoln Heights and moved in 1971. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/06ec9f0a-a901-47a5-9ea9-e028e394faf0/IMG_2737.jpg Blog - Victorian Mansions in Los Angeles - Make it stand out Stimson House is an elaborate 30 room “castle” of millionaire lumberman Thomas Stimson built in 1891 in the West Adams area of the historic district of Los Angeles. There are many more Victorians in Pasadena, Eaglerock, and Glendale that I never got to visit this go around but I hope that I’ve shared a glimpse of the history of Southern California and an understanding that not all the wealth was concentrated in Northern California or the East Coast of the United States. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ff543359-4de0-44fa-a9af-65f872fbf7bd/IMG_2711.JPG Blog - Victorian Mansions in Los Angeles - Make it stand out Phillips House, one of the most celebrated houses on Caroll Street built in 1887 for hardware merchant Aaron Phillips. I simply parked my car at this address and walked the entire street, enthralled. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d91a26d6-6dd5-4ffc-8f00-9ade3eabb8be/IMG_2615.JPG Blog - Victorian Mansions in Los Angeles - Make it stand out The Perry Mansion was built in 1876 in Boyle Heights and moved to the Heritage Square Museum in 1975. Commissioned by William Perry who helped shape Los Angeles into a metropolitan city. He was known for bringing gas lamps to the city and was President of the Los Angeles Water Company and on the board of Farmers and Merchants Bank. This mansion is open for tours led by docents clad in period costumes. Unfortunately, my visit to the museum was pretty impromptu and the tour was sold out, so I only got to wander around outside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/809da04d-f26f-4ce1-8e15-d51a7960d0d8/IMG_2685.JPG Blog - Victorian Mansions in Los Angeles - Make it stand out I saw several people drive up and walk around appreciating the homes and taking pictures. There was a house that was holding a yard sale and the two young ladies who were sitting out there were gracious enough to chat and let me take pictures of them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b0cec001-e7db-4f04-9f34-49b34f89482c/IMG_2701.JPG Blog - Victorian Mansions in Los Angeles - Make it stand out The silhouette of downtown Los Angeles was visible from street corners and I’m sure from many a home with windows facing the right direction. Homes ranged from impeccably restored, beautifully maintained to ones with sagging roofs and shabby yards. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/42f456f5-6b64-4e29-aa2b-4b4a515f11c5/IMG_2693.JPG Blog - Victorian Mansions in Los Angeles - Make it stand out Caroll Ave in Echo Park has the highest concentration of Victorians. Almost all of these homes are occupied and some such as this one seems to be divided into multiple apartments. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/81519dcc-f559-439f-9182-ced79691acbd/IMG_2689.JPG Blog - Victorian Mansions in Los Angeles - Make it stand out When I first started wandering in Los Angeles, I had visited Echo Park with its swan paddle boats and beautiful views of downtown Los Angeles. Little did I know of the bounty to be found less than a mile from the park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8584ecee-51b4-4f82-b5b2-d21ea6e114e4/IMG_2620.JPG Blog - Victorian Mansions in Los Angeles - Make it stand out Hale House was built in 1887 in Highland Park and moved here in 1970. This is an example of a middle-class family home equipped with both electricity and a full bathroom. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7c0ebfc9-27f8-44fa-9b0a-07601645db5b/IMG_2675.jpg Blog - Victorian Mansions in Los Angeles - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/17d5f349-36eb-4e28-9170-762ee9593aee/IMG_2725.jpg Blog - Victorian Mansions in Los Angeles - Make it stand out Wright Mooers House built in 1894 is located in the South Bonnie Brae Historic District and is on the National Registry of Historic Places. Guarded behind a fence, and foliage one can only get a glimpse of this multi-colored wonder from across the street. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/26b54336-2d18-4464-9dce-e18bdd01147c/IMG_2637.JPG Blog - Victorian Mansions in Los Angeles - Make it stand out The Octagon House built in 1893 in Pasadena and moved to the Heritage square in 1986. It is one of only five known Octagon houses built in the 19th century in California and the only one in more or less its original condition. The house was built by Gilbert Longfellow who also owned an almost identical Octagon house in Maine. His grandson Walter Hastings lived most of his life in this house and arranged to have it moved to the Heritage Square when he was ready to move out. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/japanese-gardens monthly 0.5 2023-08-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/776fa0da-fe0d-4c3c-b661-0c46c7456349/IMG_2450.JPG Blog - Japanese Gardens - Make it stand out In the words of Lafcadio Hearn, “A Japanese Garden is at once a picture and a poem; perhaps even more a poem than a picture.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c336488d-0fe3-4cf7-b73c-bc8c2f5cb618/IMG_2475.JPG Blog - Japanese Gardens - Make it stand out With reclaimed, recycled water being used for the water features this area has become a haven for the local birds. I was oh so tempted to join these birds in cooling off as I walked on a scorching hot day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/407ec446-a5d7-4557-9196-d7559d48aaaa/IMG_2519.JPG Blog - Japanese Gardens - Make it stand out Waterfalls peek out through the green and brown. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/85ae1fbf-b51e-4a63-8e86-ea71ccb3f6e9/IMG_2506.JPG Blog - Japanese Gardens - Make it stand out One of the goals of a Japanese Garden is to create beauty through the balance of human and nature. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e5864684-4039-4458-aec3-a9293e7e6e3d/IMG_9330.JPG Blog - Japanese Gardens - Make it stand out I was on the search of a Japanese tea ceremony when I stumbled upon the Whispering Pines tea house in Glendale. I never did get to attend a tea ceremony, but I did enjoy this haven of tranquility in the busy city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2981b26e-ca72-480e-b982-043ea7b85510/IMG_2513.JPG Blog - Japanese Gardens - Make it stand out Most of the structures on the property were off limits but they dotted the landscape. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/eca4f201-33fc-44fc-9bcf-af33eb1de036/IMG_5744.jpg Blog - Japanese Gardens - Make it stand out Japanese Garden, Huntington Gardens https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/31f4cfa8-c0fd-4772-85f7-43ab205b681d/IMG_2487.JPG Blog - Japanese Gardens - Make it stand out Many bridges crisscross around the water that flows around the entire property. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3e53d641-9a57-4fc9-a2f2-362c55baef66/IMG_9693.JPG Blog - Japanese Gardens - Make it stand out Next on my list were the ethnic neighborhoods in Los Angeles which took me to Little Tokyo and this little Japanese Garden hidden in plain sight in the middle of downtown LA. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f5951516-446a-4875-a5d2-cbd61ab555b6/IMG_2507.JPG Blog - Japanese Gardens - Make it stand out OMG! Is that a heron? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0c52ea08-842b-4b48-a4bd-d869f6eae05c/IMG_6497+%282%29.jpg Blog - Japanese Gardens - Make it stand out This trip to the Japanese gardens reminds me that I haven’t visited the Descanso Gardens for some time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b749c17a-1178-48a6-8bc4-1a88be5c3444/IMG_2441.JPG Blog - Japanese Gardens - Make it stand out The Van Nuys Japanese garden was closed for the longest time. I didn’t know it was open until a friend of mine suggested it for our evening walk. As it turned out it is only a few days a week and that too from 9:00 to 3:00 with a break for lunch. If the hours suit a visit is definitely worth it. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/laguna-beach-summer-nights monthly 0.5 2023-07-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/19d809da-b7d0-43ad-a3c6-be842d21c014/IMG_2568.JPG Blog - A Summer Tradition Laguna Beach, California - Make it stand out In the center of the booths is a dedicated area sponsored by Bank of America that invites you to let the inner artist in you lose. @MonicaKapur working on her masterpiece using pencils. We all brought home a souvenir from the #MadeAtFOA for her home displays. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/97ba3b73-14f9-497d-9df8-df7926594774/IMG_2533.JPG Blog - A Summer Tradition Laguna Beach, California - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/12b8dcfd-8d50-4e14-8aa8-efea90863220/IMG_2539.JPG Blog - A Summer Tradition Laguna Beach, California - Make it stand out The festival opens at 4:00 and we got there just in time to score a fabulous parking space and be some of the first few to enter. This allowed us to stroll at our own pace, stopping and chatting with some of the artists and in general admiring whatever caught our eye. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/57dee8d7-6637-4248-a1fd-eb2db9b51dd3/IMG_2554.JPG Blog - A Summer Tradition Laguna Beach, California - Make it stand out Watercolors of scenes in Sienna and Florence. Had to stop and chat with the artist on her inspiration and travels. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b023393c-6981-4438-ab99-8859b73335b1/IMG_2567.JPG Blog - A Summer Tradition Laguna Beach, California - Make it stand out There are 100 hundred artists featured here exhibiting all the different forms of art including digital photography, jewelry, oils, watercolors, sculptures etc. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2347c0e6-2e67-490c-8cca-04ff1d3a06ee/IMG_2606.JPG Blog - A Summer Tradition Laguna Beach, California - Make it stand out So long, farewell until the next time. Art is a personal choice, but the Pageant of the Arts is definitely something in a totally different class. I was mesmerized the first time I went and honestly, I haven’t lost the fascination so many years later. Others might think once is enough. Getting home was another story with the busy 405 freeway being closed in several places for road construction forcing us onto surface streets and adding a significant amount of time to our commute. Don’t they say there’s a serpent in every Eden. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4fd3f9cf-fd43-4374-af65-6757823d9ffa/IMG_2565.JPG Blog - A Summer Tradition Laguna Beach, California - Make it stand out Very colorful and totally caught my eye even from a distance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/aa10e838-124b-4623-8cdf-056a9ca0209d/IMG_2562.JPG Blog - A Summer Tradition Laguna Beach, California - Make it stand out Art has so many forms and mediums and it’s an education to stroll through and appreciate all that it encompasses keeping in mind all the artists represented here are local award-winning artists. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5915a48d-cfaf-4b70-b18f-199f73485a4f/IMG_2559.JPG Blog - A Summer Tradition Laguna Beach, California - Make it stand out i absolutely loved this work but the artist was busy and even though I made myself a note to go back that way and chat with the artist, I just never did. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ba852e48-8426-44c7-96b7-51ed3fc698b0/IMG_2563.JPG Blog - A Summer Tradition Laguna Beach, California - Make it stand out As the evening shadows began to lengthen it was time to head over to the entrance of the Irvine bowl where the pageant is presented under the stars. This year’s theme is, “ART COLONY: IN THE COMPANY OF ARTISTS”. Believe it or not it’s the 90th anniversary of the first presentation of living pictures under the stars. Each night famous works of art are recreated with real people posing in elaborate sets to the sound of the superb orchestra, strobe lights and the voice of the commentator telling you the story behind each piece. it’s the ultimate light and sound show which holds its audience spell bound as lights light up pieces along the hillsides flanking the auditorium. This year in a first for me the show included performance art in the form of props and dancing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/06bbed2a-332c-4b56-b330-eff10032763e/IMG_2576.JPG Blog - A Summer Tradition Laguna Beach, California - Make it stand out On select evenings there are musical events, so of course we chose to go on an evening where we could attend jazz performed by @Rayfuller the weeper and his ensemble and the wonderfully talented Ties who accompanied the ensemble with her voice. By the end of the evening, we along with the rest of the audience were dancing and clapping and in general having a great time. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/tripping-along-the-pacific-coast monthly 0.5 2023-07-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/025e1102-3850-494f-9ad0-4bcaea0d3cf6/IMG_2207.jpg Blog - The Ultimate Roadtrip ~ Wandering, Wine and Friendship - Make it stand out Celebratory champagne, excuse me sparkling wine with an accompanying cheese plate was a wonderful way to kick off our sipping adventure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3db325f8-c671-4c81-9ba7-22e88f723bcb/IMG_2362.JPG Blog - The Ultimate Roadtrip ~ Wandering, Wine and Friendship - Make it stand out All good things come to an end and so did our beautiful sojourn. We decided to take the shortest and most direct route back home, but I guess we had one last burst of spontaneity left in us as we pulled into the beautiful Harris Ranch resort for lunch and a bit of a wander and a last glance into their cute shop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5f6c839f-6b69-4f36-a19e-fcaf17d3a241/IMG_2100.JPG Blog - The Ultimate Roadtrip ~ Wandering, Wine and Friendship - Make it stand out Another beautiful landmark is the McWay falls is what is known as a tidefall, only one of two in California. When the tide is flowing in the right direction, the fall flows directly into the ocean and otherwise it drops into the cove. Many people had the same idea as us and the parking lot where the hiking path starts was full. It’s a short ten-minute walk mostly flat along the creek to the overlook. The actual overlook was closed off, but people just walked as far as they could and stopped to take pictures and selfies. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d6d7ee1f-5eef-41ec-b27b-2d3abba5fbd2/IMG_2317.JPG Blog - The Ultimate Roadtrip ~ Wandering, Wine and Friendship - Make it stand out I did manage a few minutes to check out downtown Napa and go look for the gondolas that I had read about. I didn’t find the gondolas, but I did find people picnicking in the park, ducks swimming in the river and folks on paddles and kayaks enjoying their fourth of July holiday. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a999acbc-6632-471a-8a56-7c17e7f97ab0/IMG_2265.JPG Blog - The Ultimate Roadtrip ~ Wandering, Wine and Friendship - Make it stand out Our last wine tasting experience of the day was at the beautiful Beringer winery with all its stained glass and wrap around verandah. We felt quite the Southern belles as we relaxed and sipped our wine in the beautiful surroundings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1688927608089-TI9GF5GTJK8YUIL9NKV7/IMG_2192.JPG Blog - The Ultimate Roadtrip ~ Wandering, Wine and Friendship - Make it stand out Napa, with its beautiful sea of vineyards stretching for miles, wineries that rival the beauty of European houses was a sight for sore eyes. After a good night’s sleep we were raring to embark on the sipping side of our adventure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0de6fb9e-b5d5-430f-8cfa-2f57a0ff3020/IMG_2003.JPG Blog - The Ultimate Roadtrip ~ Wandering, Wine and Friendship - Make it stand out Growing up in nearby Pacific Grove, Steinbeck wrote stories spiced with tales of the cannery workers and roughnecks that he met and came to know in and around Monterey. Cannery Row, one of Steinbeck’s best and most widely read fictional work immortalized this Monterey neighborhood full of fish packing plants, bordellos and flop houses and made it one of the most famous streets in America. Today it’s an upscale promenade featuring touristy shops and top-notch sea food restaurants where in fact we had dinner. Steinbeck’s statue holds pride of place welcoming you to the area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/39390449-afab-49ee-8b2f-49ef09a35cd8/IMG_2068.JPG Blog - The Ultimate Roadtrip ~ Wandering, Wine and Friendship - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cfbc0ab1-540a-4a41-9b4d-edad87eb91e8/IMG_2144.JPG Blog - The Ultimate Roadtrip ~ Wandering, Wine and Friendship - Make it stand out I don’t know if we were following the crowd, or they were following us, but it was pretty crowded when we arrive at Nepenthe our lunch time spot with its beautiful views. The view was not as obliging since the morning fog that had dissipated was back and all we could see was a sea of white except for the beautiful flowers adding a touch of color along the path. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7a293a14-0674-4eff-a725-0c764fecd181/IMG_2329.JPG Blog - The Ultimate Roadtrip ~ Wandering, Wine and Friendship - Make it stand out Despite the drinking and eating we had one last meal in us which we got to enjoy in the beautiful ambiance of the RH Yountville. Many thanks to @Ushrani’s friend for her suggestions of places to eat and wineries to taste. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/965d1c86-082e-4d54-abbc-fe28f16e5bcb/IMG_2242.JPG Blog - The Ultimate Roadtrip ~ Wandering, Wine and Friendship - Make it stand out Lunch at the Long Meadow Ranch gave us a beautiful respite in our wine tasting day. Even more amazing though was relaxing under the inviting shade of trees amidst a bower of flowers. Here we met a delightful lady who was enjoying the shade with her book and got to talking with her. She happened to be a native of the area and shared tales of the fires and boyfriends and a malady called O.L.D. that seemed to make her more forgetful. Well, here’s hoping she doesn’t forget us as I fully plan to look her up the next time, I’m in town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1688927425979-OKLXOORRD3SN9CK5OQH5/IMG_2150.JPG Blog - The Ultimate Roadtrip ~ Wandering, Wine and Friendship - Make it stand out The magnificent Bixby Bridge with its reinforced arches welcomes visitors to Big Sur. With its graceful arch, stunning views of the ocean, it is one of the most photographed landmarks in California. Clearly it would be sacrilege not to stop and make our own nod to its beauty and take our pictures here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8fca9aef-c49f-4bbd-a3be-5975cc9f7cab/IMG_2054.JPG Blog - The Ultimate Roadtrip ~ Wandering, Wine and Friendship - Make it stand out With the temperatures rising to the Nineties and 100s most of California was baking but here at the cost, the fog was heavy, drifting in across the ocean and over the mountains giving the landscape an ethereal quality. Despite the steady traffic on the highway, we had plenty of opportunities to pull over and admire and photograph the view. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/502eb3e4-8da9-4c04-b4c8-513d63c826b8/IMG_2164-EDIT+%281%29.jpg Blog - The Ultimate Roadtrip ~ Wandering, Wine and Friendship - Make it stand out The Seventeen Mile Drive in Carmel was not on our original plan but we incorporated it into our day taking advantage of the fact that we had to do the roundtrip between Big Sur and Monterey. If you are thinking that this is a short interlude, let me assure you that in order to do it justice you need at least 90 minutes, ideally two hours as you drive a path between the pebble beach golf course and the coastline. Unexpectedly the US Women’s Open was on when we got there, and many roads were closed with diversions. We finally executed a U turn out of the traffic and headed back out since we still had miles to go before we could sleep that night. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ec04896f-ac57-461d-b727-9e1711e02f88/IMG_2238.JPG Blog - The Ultimate Roadtrip ~ Wandering, Wine and Friendship - Make it stand out For a brief moment we had considered the Napa Wine Train but opted to do our own driving and choosing. It was kind of fun though to see it pass us by and wave to the people enjoying their wine and their adventure. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/road-tripping-along-the-pacific-coast-highway monthly 0.5 2023-07-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/652a6a2d-7f30-47a4-bd0a-01c1c918a6f7/IMG_2032.JPG Blog - “Road Trippin” ~ Wandering with Friends - Make it stand out Los Angeles was sweltering in the high nineties as we enjoyed the beautiful cool ocean breezes and watched the clouds flirting with the moon over cocktails and a delicious dinner in Monterey’s Cannery Row. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fc71f979-8e6c-419c-9ade-30df4d2c65ad/IMG_1972.JPG Blog - “Road Trippin” ~ Wandering with Friends - Make it stand out We arrived in Carmel too late to visit the Mission which had closed for the day, but we did manage to wander around and get some pictures of the exterior. I’ll have to save this one for my Mission Exploration which I still plan to complete. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/475b692a-bbee-4127-9cbc-c4a40f36a33d/CC22ECFC-97D6-4A4E-AE85-DFC3010F3116.jpg Blog - “Road Trippin” ~ Wandering with Friends - Make it stand out Plans were made, itineraries were mapped, hotels booked and even some dinner reservations made and then twas the night before D’Day or should I call it T’Day. Where would be the fun without a few curves along the way, but finally we were all in the car, on our way armed with breakfast sandwiches and enough snacks and drinks to keep us afloat for the next four days. Not to complain but there was no traffic, and we made our first lunch stop before the lunch menu kicked in. But even with the morning haze, sitting on the sand watching the beach yoga, and people setting up their umbrellas on the beach we indulged in a second breakfast. As the unwinding began, we commented on how this is the life, the sun (not so much), the sea (well the ocean but who’s complaining) and the sand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a04c7d96-524b-49a9-8577-3ff79f285dde/IMG_1487.JPG Blog - “Road Trippin” ~ Wandering with Friends - Make it stand out Lompoc California, once the flower seed capital of the world (or at least I imagine America) had a lot more to offer than the murals we arrived in search of. This mural is of 11 painted garage doors each door featuring a flower that the town was famous for. There were other murals that depicted life in the town a long time ago featuring horse drawn carriages and milk carts driven by horses and mules, disasters at sea and one of our favorites featuring the local wineries fitting in so well with the theme of our trip. Might be interesting to make it back for the annual flower festival. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c47abb11-f3f3-4da2-bbf3-8ad3390375fc/IMG_1858.JPG Blog - “Road Trippin” ~ Wandering with Friends - Make it stand out The beauty of the indoor pool with its Venetian glass and gold inlay that sparkles in the sunlight is breathtaking. Imagine throwing a party for your girlfriends in here as one of the Hearst heirs did recently or just simply having an opportunity to swim in here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b0607017-8cfe-4e8f-8c30-f19924801f18/IMG_1584.JPG Blog - “Road Trippin” ~ Wandering with Friends - Make it stand out I don’t know what it says for my powers of observation that I did not even notice the cow until I accidentally captured it while taking a picture of this cute fountain in the front lawn. Then I stood by amused as my friends tried to capture that perfect picture posed next to the cow. I’d love to know how many cow pictures my friends @Malachana and @Ushrani have in their cameras. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/23ff34bc-e7ee-4de5-bae7-63aa031a1876/IMG_1510.JPG Blog - “Road Trippin” ~ Wandering with Friends - Make it stand out After a quick refreshing bio break, we parked by the centennial square and began to explore this cute town with its flower motif crosswalks and Victorian homes, art galleries and craft shops. What a delightful stop this turned out to be. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/442f44d8-3717-44d2-a510-75357736f229/IMG_1553.JPG Blog - “Road Trippin” ~ Wandering with Friends - Make it stand out While the murals were numerous, including one very realistic one featuring dinosaurs. A gentleman stepped out of his shop and suggested a pose that made it appear as though T-Rex was going to bite of my head that I captured for my grandson. But let us not forget the Chumash Indians who once populated this area before their way of living was disrupted by the Spanish and other settlers in California. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6f647f81-a950-4ce4-b092-6a76c4563a3b/IMG_1786.JPG Blog - “Road Trippin” ~ Wandering with Friends - Make it stand out Regaled with stories of the famous parties and guests that Mr. Hearst entertained here with his mistress we walked around enjoying the beauty of the architectural marvels that have been sourced from churches and palaces in Europe. Hearst Castle definitely rivals and perhaps surpasses many a castle that I have toured during my wandering. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fe698345-21d4-4446-80c5-6ad55a137884/IMG_1917.JPG Blog - “Road Trippin” ~ Wandering with Friends - Make it stand out Highway One is still closed about 15 miles down the road from Hearst Castle, fortunately we had factored this into our plans and made our way back to Cambria for lunch in the beautiful garden like atmosphere of Robins before heading inland and crossing over towards Carmel and Monterey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d842465f-f410-4a18-af70-93a660b1e1fe/IMG_1734.JPG Blog - “Road Trippin” ~ Wandering with Friends - Make it stand out All of us have visited Hearst Castle before, but interestingly none of us could recall if it was 25 or 30 years ago. Clearly much has changed in the interim, there’s now a nice visitor’s center, gift shop and organized timed departures to the castle itself. Since there are 160 steps, to the Grand Ballrooms and Pools tour, I had booked the ADR accessible trip that skips the steps. What a wonderful happenstance this turned out to be since they limit these tours to 4 people so it in effect became a private tour for the three of us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5177caf7-a0e7-451d-8245-16fd63e0b376/IMG_1665.JPG Blog - “Road Trippin” ~ Wandering with Friends - Make it stand out By now evening was approaching as we got to our night stop in Cambria. The Fireside Inn is a place that we’ve stayed at before, a beautiful property located right across the street from the boardwalk and the ocean. A great place to stroll, enjoy a fabulous dinner and park ourselves for the night. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2c5420af-d2cc-405e-bc12-0a9fdb23ad0d/IMG_1725.JPG Blog - “Road Trippin” ~ Wandering with Friends - Make it stand out Imagine being a guest here and taking a morning or an afternoon or even an evening swim. Alas, swimming was not on our to do list this morning, but it does beg the question, if we had some accidentally been beamed into Greece for a few minutes. Listening with half an ear to our guide as he shared stories about the guests and Mr. Hearst’s requirements during the construction process, I strolled through the area, capturing pictures of the beautiful facades and gardens and the distant blue of the Pacific Ocean. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d095217c-a0df-443a-ad94-8c52f7db9dbe/IMG_1766.JPG Blog - “Road Trippin” ~ Wandering with Friends - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7b1537ea-e45a-44c9-abe6-a7abd29a7033/IMG_1577.JPG Blog - “Road Trippin” ~ Wandering with Friends - Make it stand out As the day began heating up, we wound our way towards San Luis Obispo and the quirky Madonna Inn ablaze with beautiful flowers. Along with wandering around the property clicking photos we stopped in the cafe for a refreshing drink and a snack. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/happy-birthday-hollywood monthly 0.5 2023-07-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a5d911b7-37a9-4a6b-9e99-178f185e7934/IMG_1438.JPG Blog - Hollywood Turns One Hundred - Make it stand out I thoroughly enjoyed not just my walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame but my own walk down memory lane this morning. Once upon a time, in a galaxy far far away, I served my time in tinsel town working at several of the movie studios. As I walked along Hollywood Blvd, I recalled fond memories of a time when I had my brush with Harrison Ford during the filming of Clear and Present Danger at Paramount Pictures. First of all, let me tell you I am terrible at face name recognition, and I am even worse at recognizing actors etc. When we crossed paths, I thought he looked familiar and in my friendly way I said hello. To his credit he paused a moment probably blinked and said hello in return. It was later that my appalled friend who was with me told me who he was. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bdf7ba66-723d-4c00-97c4-5f3650ea2833/IMG_1060.JPG Blog - Hollywood Turns One Hundred - Make it stand out Another Hollywood landmark is the Capital Records building that looks like an old-fashioned record player, located at Hollywood and Vine near the Pantages Theater. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a2d26904-6e5b-4f06-afef-5c81551df69a/IMG_1182.JPG Blog - Hollywood Turns One Hundred - Make it stand out Another local icon that just celebrated its centennial birthday is the Hollywood Bowl. Summer concerts at the bowl particularly the LA Philharmonic with fireworks are my jam. The Hollywood sign in the distance is just the cherry on top and not the reason why people go to the bowl of course. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0bdb849b-29d4-4714-a2a9-de373e84de8d/IMG_1372-EDIT.jpg Blog - Hollywood Turns One Hundred - Make it stand out Rest assured you don’t have to do the hike to take some fabulous pictures of the iconic sign. Just walk from your parked car through the gates and up onto the bridge for some wonderful views of the sign, a panorama of Hollwood and the reservoir. It was pretty empty on the weekday morning that I came up here. Just a handful of tourists taking pictures but a lot of what appeared to be locals hiking or walking with baby carriages. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8960e17a-143c-4b33-b40b-b01cf28484a8/IMG_1426.JPG Blog - Hollywood Turns One Hundred - Make it stand out An actor knows they have made it in Hollywood when they are awarded the iconic star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Of course, here you can stop and admire the who’s who of Hollywood, but Ryan Seacrest, TV and radio host’s star caught my eye as I recalled the recent news flash that he is going to move on to host the Wheel of Fortune in 2024. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6d682f30-37c7-4e6d-8214-b4f2e08d02e5/IMG_1446.JPG Blog - Hollywood Turns One Hundred - Make it stand out How could I play tourist and not visit the Mann’s Chinese Theater and Hollywood Boulevard and its walk of fame celebrating Hollywood Royalty. Did you know that the origin of the footprints and handprints in front of the Mann’s Chinese Theater was an accident when Grauman supposedly stepped into the wet concrete and then signed his name with a nail. After that this became a feature and regular ceremonies were performed to immortalize the actors of the times. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bc3b1b47-8a2d-48f4-838c-182d9e7ddb1e/IMG_1436.JPG Blog - Hollywood Turns One Hundred - Make it stand out While a lot of Hollywood is celebrating its centennial birthday, Madame Tussaud’s is a new but popular cornerstone on Hollywod Boulevard. Happy Birthday Hollywood! I know that I won’t be around for the next centenary, but I am confident that one of descendants will inherit my wanderlust and hopefully write a post about your 200th birthday. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2a4d7b40-689e-4901-9517-c7f01506931a/IMG_1127.JPG Blog - Hollywood Turns One Hundred - Make it stand out For more close-up views and easier access but a more crowded spot try the Lake Hollywood Dog Park. I found a lot of tourists and perhaps some locals with their dogs here even on a weekday morning. I ended up parking down the street a bit and walking up a steep road about 500 feet or so to the dog park. There is another park a bit further up which you can also walk to or if you’re lucky you can score parking between the two parks for an easier time. Here it is much more commercialized, vendors selling drinks and fruit cups do brisk business and I even saw some people picnicking out of the back of their trucks and SUVs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c954d46d-1745-453b-aba2-ddb11831b47b/IMG_1421.jpg Blog - Hollywood Turns One Hundred - Make it stand out Tourists flock to see the famous Hollywood Boulevard to see the heart of Hollywood and the walk of fame. It is very easy to incorporate a photo opportunity against the Hollywood sign in this visit by visiting the lookout terraces at the Hollywood and Highland outdoor shopping center. If you’re not taking the metro, it is very convenient and safe to park in the Loews Hollywood hotel and take the escalators up to the dining and shopping complex or step out onto Hollywood Blvd. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0f18cba4-a4d1-468b-ae90-8c5a685886ae/IMG_1128.jpg Blog - Hollywood Turns One Hundred - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1858511f-aa56-4635-847f-96c3e64eb129/IMG_1369.JPG Blog - Hollywood Turns One Hundred - Make it stand out One of the less busy but most beautiful viewpoints (at least in my opinion) is the Hollywood reservoir and Mulholland dam area. Work on the dam was begun in August of 1923 so this area is also coming on its own hundredth birthday. Getting here takes some navigating along narrow streets lined with beautiful homes but when you make it here there is parking and a 3.5-mile hiking trail. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/871d914a-7ebb-42b9-85aa-6193418629ed/IMG_1139.JPG Blog - Hollywood Turns One Hundred - Make it stand out I exited on Cahuenga Blvd off the 101 freeway and followed the directions to 6381 - 6399 Weidlake Drive. When your navigation tells you that have arrived just drive a little further to the trailhead parking. The narrow winding roads that you take to get here have some beautiful homes with colorful bougainvillea and other flowers. There was a point where there was a few parked cars and a postman on his rounds coming from the opposite direction and one of us had to reverse so we could pass each other. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a7cf04b7-9106-4c99-a099-8e005c51bf71/IMG_7806.jpg Blog - Hollywood Turns One Hundred - Make it stand out The Griffith Park Observatory is worth a visit all on its own and not just for the distant view of the Hollywood sign. There is a hiking trail that goes from here to the back of the sign, but my understanding is that it is steep and definitely not my cup of tea so needless to say I did not brave the trail and cannot tell you much more about it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f3b56e62-7b20-4985-ab08-aa0479fd37e0/IMG_1071.jpg Blog - Hollywood Turns One Hundred - Make it stand out Amoeba Music one of the world’s largest independently owned music outlets in the world has moved from its location on Sunset to Hollywood Boulevard. If you are into Music and/or still like vinyl and other medium long forgotten this is the place to go to buy or sell. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/a-summerday-in-southern-california monthly 0.5 2023-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7e7ad1bb-b91a-42ae-8f63-99e60688dacc/IMG_0934.JPG Blog - A Summer Day in Southern California - Make it stand out A sea of color greeted me as I walked along. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6f23ee8f-d07a-46ca-9d40-fc1e85d5162b/IMG_0899.JPG Blog - A Summer Day in Southern California - Make it stand out Paths lined with shady trees interspersed with a burst of beautiful color urged me to walk on and look around the corner to see the next new and shiny that I could discover. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2cf27761-6028-49f3-8ae7-6ac577be2416/IMG_0995.JPG Blog - A Summer Day in Southern California - Make it stand out I stopped to absorb the tranquility and beauty of this scene that seemed to be something from another world. Who says one has to get on an airplane and travel hundreds of thousands of miles to find beauty and adventure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1b32efcc-ffbe-43fe-a943-913258766478/IMG_0999.JPG Blog - A Summer Day in Southern California - Make it stand out The winged messenger Mercury looks ready to fly on his next mission even as it’s time for Wandering Veena to bid goodbye to this most perfect summer afternoon and head home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ef16ef90-5589-4992-bb55-b7d660040d09/IMG_0908.JPG Blog - A Summer Day in Southern California - Make it stand out Pinch! Am I truly back home in Southern California and not wandering some exotic place in Europe? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/26655330-a7cd-4789-9244-d7b81026683a/IMG_0968.JPG Blog - A Summer Day in Southern California - Make it stand out Summer is a time for concerts in the local parks and live music at the Huntington Chinese Garden. Definitely worth taking the time to enjoy both. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bff29e0c-96aa-4fe5-bee4-82eedbc56448/IMG_0930.JPG Blog - A Summer Day in Southern California - Make it stand out The tearoom was open though I was not lucky enough to score a reservation or even catch a cancellation. Yes! I tried. So, I contented myself with wandering through the rose garden enjoying the color and variety of all that was in bloom. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/642be5f2-8063-4d9c-a55a-10312003f00b/IMG_0893.JPG Blog - A Summer Day in Southern California - Make it stand out Summer flowers were blooming with butterflies sipping nectar though nary a butterfly could I catch with my camera. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fef25caf-3528-46bb-acfc-8c891bb81b9b/IMG_0992+%282%29.JPG Blog - A Summer Day in Southern California - Make it stand out Here too the lotus flowers were in bloom and people were walking around enjoying the Wednesday live music and the overall ambiance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0a8392a3-e69f-411e-b2fa-8513a7e298a0/IMG_0890.JPG Blog - A Summer Day in Southern California - Make it stand out Neptune, God of the sea and water holding his trident as though blessing or perhaps enjoying the perfumed air. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3aa558f7-f7a8-464e-b08d-7e699369e498/IMG_0962.JPG Blog - A Summer Day in Southern California - Make it stand out A visit to the Huntington for me is always incomplete without a peek into the Chinese Garden. There’s always something new to see and admire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/562fdc15-a8e2-4089-a369-6bf3dcc3c338/IMG_0876.jpg Blog - A Summer Day in Southern California - Make it stand out The color spread and beautiful feature in the local news had people flocking to the garden even in the middle of the week. For the first time in all the years that I have been coming here I had to park in a pathway far from the normal parking area. Lo and behold I discovered this gate with its intriguing possibilities and hidden pathway beckoning me on a voyage of discovery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dfccb2bb-8646-49b6-af90-079bc341752b/IMG_0919%281%29.JPG Blog - A Summer Day in Southern California - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/quirky-vibrant-picturesque-poland monthly 0.5 2023-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7ab3b5bd-77c8-4c6b-bd1f-b98811ea8d74/IMG_9647.JPG Blog - Quirky, Vibrant, Picturesque Poland - Make it stand out Culinary adventure in Poland would not be complete without a taste of Polish beer. We had award winning beer in Gdansk, actually got to visit the brewery and crack a barrel. No! I did not taste that one. But this famous microbrewery in Wroclaw is the in place that tourists should go, so we did. A toast to Poland, hold tight there’s a lot more to come. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f2d28b88-f017-4b46-acba-ce0070479f2c/IMG_0501.JPG Blog - Quirky, Vibrant, Picturesque Poland - Make it stand out Wilanow Palace, summer residence of kings is a treasure both indoors and out. Fountains and flowers foster a welcome feeling of tranquility after being on the move for so long. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/48427420-04cb-4f02-916d-9e94717a5a6a/IMG_9951.JPG Blog - Quirky, Vibrant, Picturesque Poland - Make it stand out Polish Gingerbread is famous worldwide. It originated here in Torun back in the 1300s and is considered one of the famous and important foods of Poland. Of course, nothing beats pierogies but nevertheless gingerbread from Torun has been gifted to dignitaries and other important visitors to Poland from time immemorial. Oh, and let’s not forget St. Martin’s croissants in Poznan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/25216092-d9b8-4fd1-a663-c1e6d2726d5b/IMG_0144.jpg Blog - Quirky, Vibrant, Picturesque Poland - Make it stand out Like so much of Poland this street too was damaged and restored but interestingly while the rest of the town was restored using new materials this particular street was restored using reconstructed materials. It gives us an interesting glimpse into how people lived in this once prosperous city of Gdansk in these terrace houses, sitting on the stoops gossiping with their neighbors. Don’t miss the gargoyle headed rain gutters. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/974e4d92-251e-4a93-b452-7f7f66a47395/IMG_9760.JPG Blog - Quirky, Vibrant, Picturesque Poland - Make it stand out Cathedral Island or Ostro Tumski is a little island that exists as it did in medieval times. They actually still have lamplighters who walk the streets lighting the lamps. Unfortunately, we were not able to go back at twilight to watch this phenomenon, but we did still enjoy walking around this area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7e7f8e0f-2a46-4181-8de9-f9b68346cca2/IMG_9684.JPG Blog - Quirky, Vibrant, Picturesque Poland - Make it stand out This panoramic painting is marvelous. The battle scenes look so real and the light circles around as each phase lights up in conjunction with the commentary. There were a lot of teenagers, school children who were there in a group. It was so interesting to see them take panoramic pictures once the audience had moved along from one spot to the next. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9785b273-0dc6-4e99-84d9-cd87840fef0f/IMG_9863.JPG Blog - Quirky, Vibrant, Picturesque Poland - Make it stand out The Gniezno doors are a pair of bronze doors made in 1175, decorated with 18 bas-relief scenes from the life of St. Adalbert whose remains were purchased for their weight in gold and enshrined in the cathedral. They are considered the most important example of Romanesque art in Poland. We got here fairly early in the morning and had to wait for a church official to come open the doors that led us into a small enclosure where we could stand and view the doors and listen to an explanation of each of the reliefs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d1caab0a-77b4-4627-b6e3-bf0f4016ea54/IMG_9166.jpg Blog - Quirky, Vibrant, Picturesque Poland - Make it stand out For me it all began in Krakow. For months I had been running (Umm walking) along Wawel hill and into the main square of Krakow. Nothing could have prepared me for the reality even on a soggy afternoon. Tired and footsore from visiting the salt mine, the uphill trek to the top of the hill seemed insurmountable especially at the pace our local guide wanted to maintain. I wanted to cry out and ask her to slow down and smell the roses, “let us enjoy the views from the top”. But it wasn’t to be even if she spent little or no time in the castle and an hour plus in the cathedral. This lady was on a time clock. Tired and grumpy I was ready to just take a taxi back to my hotel, but I am glad I was persuaded otherwise. I ended up at a delightful restaurant in the market square, inside of course because it was too wet to enjoy the outdoor ambiance for one of the best meals on this trip. Plus of course I got to rejuvenate and resuscitate and have a delightful conversation with a gentleman who was seated at a table next to mine and who happened to be from Southern California of all places. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2e84b13c-689c-4136-9b98-5bb182d008ff/IMG_9576.JPG Blog - Quirky, Vibrant, Picturesque Poland - Make it stand out So, I had been hearing about the gnomes or some people call them dwarves of Poland. I couldn’t wait to discover them but did not really know what to expect. I was excited to go on our walk through the town and look for these little people hidden in plain sight all over the town. While waiting for our guide I wandered across the street from our hotel and was so excited to see these stone figures, didn’t quite look like dwarves but who was I too judge. We did find gnomes of course walking with our guide, but I had a good laugh at my foolishness. Do things like this happen to you? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/39305929-67f3-483b-83d4-a306722dedb7/IMG_0022.JPG Blog - Quirky, Vibrant, Picturesque Poland - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8ee7d160-a801-4e32-8266-e87b9845512f/IMG_9064.JPG Blog - Quirky, Vibrant, Picturesque Poland - Make it stand out Even deep down 350 ft or more below the ground in the tunnels of the Wieliczka Salt Mine, the miners exhibited their artistic flair. As you descend almost 800 steps deep into the three levels of the tunnels open to visitors you traverse tunnels carved with all manner of scenes. Most particularly thrilling is the third level with is beautiful chapel where scenes from the bible including the last supper are carved along the walls as are salt chandeliers and a beautiful altar. It’s good to be reminded that this mine was providing table salt almost continuously till 2007. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/26b07171-6bbc-4193-a4c1-58a64cf7e703/IMG_9358.JPG Blog - Quirky, Vibrant, Picturesque Poland - Make it stand out Did Gaudi have a vacation home in the high Tatra Mountains? Doesn’t this interesting looking house look like it might be something Gaudi would design and build? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/afa5ef06-d496-4f99-85dd-47f10208eb11/IMG_9705.JPG Blog - Quirky, Vibrant, Picturesque Poland - Make it stand out The Pavilion of Four Domes was created for the Century Fair in the early 1900s and is now used as an audiovisual technology center where they make movies and shows. Our guide told us that he was going to take us to a marvel off the beaten path for a quick photo stop and voila here we are. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/poland-rich-in-history-resilient-in-spirit monthly 0.5 2023-06-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3e6b4b98-5db8-42a1-bf0c-77c242e83285/IMG_0122.JPG Blog - Poland ~ Rich in History, Resilient in Spirit - Make it stand out German U boats sailed across the Baltic Sea and fired he first shots here at the port of Gdansk or Danzig as it was then called to set off World War II. Within a month the Germans controlled Poland. Standing at this spot, gazing at the memorial, watching patrol boats in the water, listening to the passionate words of our local expert, I could almost visualize the events unfold. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2ec86d66-15c2-4008-80cc-827d03611d7d/IMG_0461.JPG Blog - Poland ~ Rich in History, Resilient in Spirit - Make it stand out Wilanów Palace, summer residence of the kings of Poland mercifully survived through the partitions of Poland and the war. With its beautiful gardens and decorated rooms and artifacts its definitely worth a visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2df8369a-6889-47b2-8294-6865dc80d8aa/IMG_9634.JPG Blog - Poland ~ Rich in History, Resilient in Spirit - Make it stand out These mischievous gnomes engaged in various activities can be found all over Wroclaw. It became quite the game to find them as we walked along. We found a tribute to the USA and France in a statue of liberty gnome, a famous guitar player in the square who is responsible for an annual summer concert and of course my favorite holding up an ice-cream cone even as he’s enjoying his own as if to say:” wanna be my friend”? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/581820e9-fe33-43be-bb7a-b4f8fe6b8ee3/IMG_9983.JPG Blog - Poland ~ Rich in History, Resilient in Spirit - Make it stand out Not as mischievous as the gnomes but Torun had its own signature figures sitting in windows and wall apertures. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7695d5f5-c9d9-4299-9477-14d310cb962e/IMG_9892.JPG Blog - Poland ~ Rich in History, Resilient in Spirit - Make it stand out Torun famous for its location on the Vitula River and birthplace of Copernicus was another delightful stop with its bustling old town, fountains, and Leaning tower. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a225cc1c-1df1-41aa-aafa-781a4df7da1a/IMG_9014.jpg Blog - Poland ~ Rich in History, Resilient in Spirit - Make it stand out Krakow preserved in its 7th century splendor boasts the largest medieval market square in Europe. The Nazi’s conquered the city without a shot fired and then used it as a base of their operations in this region. Despite their scorch the earth policy as they fled Poland at the end of the war, they left Krakow untouched. Fortunately, while the communist rule was harsh it also left the city unscathed for the most part. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/566f1444-b7ee-45bd-bffb-ca0dfa00a42d/IMG_9210.JPG Blog - Poland ~ Rich in History, Resilient in Spirit - Make it stand out After a damp day wandering on Wawel hill and Krakow market square and experiencing all that Krakow had to offer we ventured forth towards the high Tatra mountains and the town of Zakopane. With its beautiful green hills, chalets, ski slopes and beautifully carved churches, it was like being in a different country altogether. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/328327e3-3740-49cf-8b49-302d336b0056/IMG_0603.JPG Blog - Poland ~ Rich in History, Resilient in Spirit - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5511312a-2fd8-4432-bd48-0aa79e8b553d/IMG_0704.JPG Blog - Poland ~ Rich in History, Resilient in Spirit - Make it stand out Piłsudski Square (once Victory Square) with the tomb of the unknown soldier and the eternal flame was the scene of the first papal open air mass after Pope John Paul II became pope. In the background, is the controversial Palace of Culture once the tallest building in Europe built by Stalin and still considered an eyesore by most Poles along with the new skyline which our guide jokingly called the Manhattan of Warsaw. As you see the McDonald’s sign in the background, the words of our guide echo in my ears. She said that for many of the Poles, upon the fall of the Berlin wall, McDonalds, blue jeans and coco cola were symbols of freedom. This visit left an indelible impression on me. I left with admiration for the Polish people who have survived so much adversity with their spirit and faith strong. People who put out a helping hand when their neighbor needed it. Many families absorbed Ukrainian families into their own family and helped them get on their own feet quickly. Please watch out for more Poland as I dive into some of the cities and sights in more depth. As they say in Polish “do zobaczenia” or see you later. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e0666064-1385-4c22-83b4-ab670254546d/IMG_9140.jpg Blog - Poland ~ Rich in History, Resilient in Spirit - Make it stand out While walls and bricks were left untouched, Krakow did not escape the impact of the Nazi rule. Ghetto Heroes Square and the empty chair memorial marks the impact of the Nazi Holocaust on the Jewish citizens of the city. Forced from their homes, 17000 Jewish people were crammed into the 320 buildings located here in what came to be known as the Krakow Ghetto. To think that space was allocated on the basis of 4 heads to a window counting basements and attics, you can imagine the type of overcrowding and squalor that people had to deal with but that too was perhaps better than the death camps that were their eventual destination. As I stood here in the gloom and drizzle, I swear I felt the stones speak in the silence that surrounded us. Of all that I saw and heard about this topic during my time in Poland, I found this memorial the most poignant and haunting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/faeb887d-6974-4f16-9be8-1b9f882eb45e/IMG_0088.JPG Blog - Poland ~ Rich in History, Resilient in Spirit - Make it stand out The solidarity movement in opposition to Communism began here at the Gdansk shipyard. This Monument of the fallen shipyard workers commemorates the 42 people who died for their convictions. Between the solidarity movement and the sermons of Pope John Paul the II who urged the Polish people not to be afraid, and perhaps certain politics the iron curtain was brought down, and Communism retreated from much of Europe. The Polish people attribute Pope John Paul II’s words to hold strong and be courageous as the main reason that they were the first Eastern Bloc country throw off the yoke of communism to be quickly followed by the fall of the Berlin Wall and the iron curtain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0ddcc104-1dba-4c70-a0d4-c99ea404bc93/IMG_0213.JPG Blog - Poland ~ Rich in History, Resilient in Spirit - Make it stand out After World War II and the decimation of most of its Jewish population, Poland is now predominantly Catholic. Any story on Poland would be remiss without including the church. While we visited many churches during the visit to Poland, the Oliwa Cathedral with its one-of-a-kind organ and the concerto that we attended there stands out in my memory. As the organist plays, the angels blow their trumpets, and play their harps and the birds sing. As one of the ladies in our group said so aptly “Wow! that was quite a trip”. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1fb954e9-f57f-414b-9856-b287f0413a25/IMG_9609.JPG Blog - Poland ~ Rich in History, Resilient in Spirit - Make it stand out Perhaps it was putting the solemnity of visiting Auschwitz in the rear-view mirror or perhaps it truly was the whimsical, artistic and bright spirit of the city of Wroclaw that made me fall in love and wish that I could have spent more time enjoying all that it has to offer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5b7e9475-33b3-4df4-a0cc-2e95be3f670b/IMG_0370.JPG Blog - Poland ~ Rich in History, Resilient in Spirit - Make it stand out The red brick facade of the medieval Malbork Castle on the banks of the river Nogat has been lovingly restored. Originally built as a fortress by the knights of the Teutonic order, it is the largest brick castle in Europe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8242772b-deeb-4608-b9c0-ae20e0c131f2/IMG_0255.JPG Blog - Poland ~ Rich in History, Resilient in Spirit - Make it stand out The Baltic Sea and the seaside resort of Sopot with its wooden pier the longest wooden pier in Europe made me feel like I had been beamed back home to Santa Monica in Southern California. The only incongruous note was the swans swimming in the water. I don’t believe I’ve seen them in Santa Monica. Pinch! I guess I’m still in Poland. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/bavarian-rhapsody monthly 0.5 2023-06-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4d41333c-ee74-4f47-8931-407901f96a45/IMG_8673.jpg Blog - Bavarian Rhapsody - Make it stand out I did make time to stop at the beautiful church of St. James (St. Jakobskirche) to see the Altarpiece of the Blood carved by Tilman Riemenschneider. The carving is exquisite, with three panels depicting the last supper on the center pane, the entry into Jerusalem on the left panel and the betrayal of Judas on the right. The true treasure in this altarpiece of course is a drop of the blood of Christ encased in a quartz crystal held aloft by two carved angels. Another treasure in this church is the High Altar by Friedrich Herlin, also known as the Twelve Apostles Altar, located in the nave. Entry to the church and to view this altar is free but you do have to pay to visit the Altarpiece of the Blood. No wonder that this church with its beautiful and rare treasures, is on the pilgrimage route to St. James Church in Santiago de Compostela in Spain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/424edc1a-ad68-4da3-b03d-136fb35414e7/Hansel+and+Gretel.jpg Blog - Bavarian Rhapsody - Make it stand out This whitewash and paint technique is practiced all over the town and while the buildings primarily subscribe to the biblical theme there is also an area that has fairy tales painted on the facades instead. This particular house if you look closely depicts the story of Hansel and Gretel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4413c49d-fdba-4d2e-8e2f-9d0749721798/IMG_8774.JPG Blog - Bavarian Rhapsody - Make it stand out The Siegestor or Triumphal Arch was originally dedicated to the glory of the Bavarian army commissioned by Ludwig I. After sustaining heavy damage in World War II, it was demolished. Subsequently it was restored as a reminder to peace and inscribed with the words, “Dem Sieg geweiht, vom Krieg zerstört, zum Frieden mahnend," (Dedicated to victory, destroyed by war, urging peace). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/29a21342-1214-4bd3-91fc-166a64d36caa/IMG_8692.JPG Blog - Bavarian Rhapsody - Make it stand out Rothenburg ob der Tauber one of the best-preserved medieval towns enclosed within a completely intact city wall. It is possible to climb up to the wall walk and walk the walls for gorgeous views. However, when I looked at the stairs, I decided to save myself from a possible fall and passed on that delight. Armed with a map that laid out the must-see parts of the town, I walked through the quaint streets all the way to the Burggarten and the viewpoint from there where you can see the entire town. After enjoying the gardens and the views and tasting the local delicacy called a Schneeballen, I ended up back in the town center for some window shopping and wandering before heading back to the bus stop for the 3-hour return trip to Munich. Next time I’m renting a car and really wandering at my own pace rather than the forced march of a day tour. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3dfcc865-d631-41e2-8893-0415ccb1a831/IMG_8600.JPG Blog - Bavarian Rhapsody - Make it stand out Perched on the upper deck of a double-decker tourist bus I loved the beautiful views out of the window and all the quaint towns and villages that we passed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/332a3285-4bd2-4f2b-9d99-b2456b99601e/IMG_8822.JPG Blog - Bavarian Rhapsody - Make it stand out The Marienplatz is the heart of the city of Munich. Tourists flock here at the hours of 11 and 12 and 5 (in the Summer) to see the spectacle of the Glockenspiel which chimes and reenacts two stories from the 16th century at those hours. After two intense days of traveling outside the city, it felt good to sit and enjoy the sunshine and watch the people and the spectacle. I made it here at 11 and stayed for the next round at 12 before wandering off around this area browsing and content. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ea99d527-cd21-4084-b961-a0dfc1523028/IMG_8384.JPG Blog - Bavarian Rhapsody - Make it stand out While the Passion Play will not be staged again till 2030, the town of Oberammergau is still worth a visit to visit the Passion Play Museum in the foyer of the theater where the performance is staged and to wander through the quaint town’s year-round Christmas Market and picturesque streets with painted facades. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bde4cea0-451e-4dc2-bb15-128043a9f249/IMG_8773.JPG Blog - Bavarian Rhapsody - Make it stand out The Walking Man Sculpture created by Jonathon Borosky. You know the world is really small when you realize that this sculpture was actually created in Los Angeles, shipped to Munich in parts and assembled to stand here in front of the Munich Re business center. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bcd17a6d-ebb1-4fb1-8f65-bf0753b8667a/IMG_8766.jpg Blog - Bavarian Rhapsody - Make it stand out Beer and Oktoberfest are such an integral part of Munich that I would be remiss if beer did not feature in my Munich story. I don’t drink beer which I might have expressed in other posts, but I did plan to visit a Bier Garten because that’s what you do in Germany especially Munich. Given that May dawned cooler than normal and a bit rainy to boot, the Bier Garten’s were not open yet. I found the Hofbrau more of a cafeteria and did not order beer nor did I find the rowdy crowd that I was expected. This might have been because I visited during lunch and not in the evening. On this visit, my closest encounter to the beer scene were these fields of hops along the road on our way back from Rothenburg. At least I got the story about how beer is made and how it became popular because the drinking water was so bad and that the local beers have no preservatives. As we bid Munich goodbye, let’s raise a stein, to family and more wandering and a wish to return to Germany and Munich sooner rather than later. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/74d0177b-6890-46b6-b1f3-4983cbaf74ce/IMG_8455.JPG Blog - Bavarian Rhapsody - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8f89058e-af20-4961-83d4-6f75a91e1291/IMG_8925.jpg Blog - Bavarian Rhapsody - Make it stand out Frauenkirche with its signature Devil’s footprint is round the corner from the Marienplatz. There are a few different stories regarding the Devil’s footprint, but my favorite is the one where the architect was able to get funds to complete the church from the Devil and outwit him on the bargain. Hence the stamping in anger which left the footprint in the entrance of the church. When I walked in, a lady had her foot in the footprint as though she was trying it on for size. Since I never saw her again, I don’t know if there were any repercussions from her daring. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/47d470a7-07c3-41e5-9cfe-3acfda335ca2/IMG_8792.JPG Blog - Bavarian Rhapsody - Make it stand out Munich has green spaces and fountains all over and of course the famous English Garten which was a public garden created to win the people’s goodwill. I was so tired after my two days of wandering far and afield of Munich that I spent my last day close to the city center enjoying people watching while basking in the sun. Consequently, I had to give up some my plans for exploring the city itself including a visit to the BMW museum which I am told is quite worth the visit. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/bavarianfairytales monthly 0.5 2023-06-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/aabd5258-3b45-45b1-ae50-0dd0d18cce10/IMG_8483.jpg Blog - Bavarian Fairytale Castles - Make it stand out Even though we were in May the days were cool and overcast with occasional showers of rain. We left promptly at 8:30 per schedule and as we drove out of the city, our guide pointed us to the left side of the bus and told us that we should be seeing Nymphenburg Castle, King Ludwig’s birthplace. Unfortunately, the fog was particularly thick and while I was seated on the correct side of the bus for the viewing there wasn’t much to see. Now that I have discovered family here, I’ll just have to make my way back and visit the castle another time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cd7bcbb9-e2a6-4dff-986a-ecdd9b592a2d/IMG_8409.JPG Blog - Bavarian Fairytale Castles - Make it stand out As we drove, we saw beautiful vistas along the side of the road. Villages with red tiled roofs, ponds, rivers, churches, snow covered peaks in the distance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/42b66662-690d-4988-8897-7fe4cf499bb0/IMG_8343.JPG Blog - Bavarian Fairytale Castles - Make it stand out After a short rest over coffee and a snack we set off again through Bavaria towards Schloss Linderhof another castle refurbished and improved upon by King Ludwig. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/01583e8e-4556-4022-b4a1-e18870f36c6f/IMG_8229.JPG Blog - Bavarian Fairytale Castles - Make it stand out We had been seeing vistas of Neuschwanstein on the approach to the parking, but it wasn’t until we were parked and disembarking from the bus that we caught this beautiful vista of Hohenshwangau, the castle where King Ludwig spent much of his formative years. Given that my primary objective today was to visit Neuschwanstein, I was happy to admire this castle from a distance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/42e55668-8e90-42f7-a89a-6531a59416aa/IMG_8418.JPG Blog - Bavarian Fairytale Castles - Make it stand out I was pretty tired and ready to call it a day content to take a few photos from the distance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1cb44bd3-3fa1-470f-aa89-279250ecb689/IMG_8550.JPG Blog - Bavarian Fairytale Castles - Make it stand out Towns and villages sprung up along the road like pictures in a beautiful picture book. Many roofs sported solar panels to take advantage of natural energy for heating and lighting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c6a49166-5ed7-4ecc-8240-caef6198b767/IMG_8284+%281%29.JPG Blog - Bavarian Fairytale Castles - Make it stand out “Every fairy tale has a bloody lining. Everyone has teeth and claws.” ― Alice Hoffman. By the time I boarded the bus to depart this stop I definitely felt this adage. We entered the castle from this inner courtyard after having our backpacks and bags checked, collected our English audio guides and got ready to begin when the first scale fell off my dazzled eyes. I found myself in a tower climbing a spiral staircase that seemed to go up and up and up. Huffing and puffing and holding on to the railing (thank God! there was one) for dear life wishing for Rapunzel to let down her hair and whisk me up but she wasn’t biting today. Then my whole being lit up when I saw an elevator. Unfortunately, it needed to be reserved in advance and could only be used by one person at a time and was certainly not available for the likes of me. Oh, and I also did not have an option to exit this level and head downwards, so up I went. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4e3c4718-a4f0-4dbd-8113-c4eb6a5d22f6/IMG_8220.jpg Blog - Bavarian Fairytale Castles - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/13fd007f-e55c-4a0a-9942-86af0492afee/IMG_8420.JPG Blog - Bavarian Fairytale Castles - Make it stand out Based on encouragement from a group of strangers that I had just met that day and I would most likely never see again, I braved the path to the castle proper and looked upon these gardens modeled after the gardens of Versailles. The interior of the schloss in my opinion was a bit gaudy and overdone and though the gardens had their share of marble and gilt, they were beautiful, and I am glad that I walked the distance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a31b0cd0-4494-4761-b3bf-6b024aef9523/IMG_8260.JPG Blog - Bavarian Fairytale Castles - Make it stand out On the plus side the final level had an open-air balcony that had the most amazing views. Made up for all the pain and agony that I was doomed to suffer over the next few days, almost! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/263fb195-5228-47da-8901-d98ab6ace01b/IMG_8554.JPG Blog - Bavarian Fairytale Castles - Make it stand out Harburg Castle was the final castle that I got to visit in Bavaria. A well-preserved Medieval Castle that stands up on a hill. We walked through the various gates that lead into the inner bailey that is guarded by a real live portcullis. I did not make the same mistake as I had at Neuschwanstein. I let the group climb the stairs and do the tour of the inside of the castle and walk along the wall walk. Instead, I walked around the bailey, enjoyed the views and got a nice cup of Capuchino and appreciated the beauty of the day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/efb0c755-293c-4414-b88d-80b91775f692/IMG_8313.JPG Blog - Bavarian Fairytale Castles - Make it stand out Herrenchiemsee is a palace in the middle of a lake built by King Ludwig that was modeled after Versailles, but I left it for the next time I come back. We passed fields alive with the yellow of the canola flowers brightening the countryside. Yellow was the color on this trip starting from the Balkans and extending throughout my travels. Mustard flowers bloom like this in the fields of North India where I’m from. Gave me a few pangs of homesickness, it did. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/76dbd047-ecb8-48d9-b2ca-7e87220554a8/IMG_8295.jpg Blog - Bavarian Fairytale Castles - Make it stand out The first sight of the fairy tale castle wreathed in mist up on a hilltop took my breath away. All those fairy tales that I had read as a child seem to come alive as I made my way closer. I had done my research and took the shuttle from the parking lot to save me what was advertised as a 40-minute steep walk. What my research hadn’t told me was that it was still a 15-minute walk from the shuttle stop to the castle which did not include the walk to the Marian Bridge which offers wonderful views. I did not take my hiking sticks, big mistake but nevertheless persevered both up to the Marian Bridge and down to the castle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/67d6bd0e-8ea4-452a-9896-1a18414c0719/IMG_8321.JPG Blog - Bavarian Fairytale Castles - Make it stand out In Bavaria many towns and villages still follow the traditions of Mayday and raise a Maypole. As we drove through the countryside, we spotted many of them decorated with symbols that showcased what the village or area had to offer. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/picturesque-albania monthly 0.5 2023-05-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e3e4fe2a-191b-44f0-adc7-e7310c7c44d3/IMG_8077.JPG Blog - Picturesque Albania - Make it stand out A beautiful villa on the outskirts of Tirana. No doubt once the home of someone important in the communist party but now a fancy restaurant where we had our farewell dinner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1d90b6f2-83f5-4baa-9b33-0da746b65c71/IMG_8093.JPG Blog - Picturesque Albania - Make it stand out This park commemorates the past and provides hope for the future. In the far distance are concrete pillars from a cell in a notorious labor camp, whereas in the foreground is a bunker. Thousands of these were scattered all over Tirana and in fact one of the large ones has been turned into a museum. This fragment of the Berlin Wall symbolizes freedom and hope for a brighter future which seems very evident as you walk the streets and see cars and bicycles and traffic signals that function better than ours here in the US. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/735a37db-4e07-4f06-8707-2cca01c2cca4/IMG_8110.JPG Blog - Picturesque Albania - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/30edeacb-722c-40c3-b3e3-bf4c264894f6/IMG_7903.JPG Blog - Picturesque Albania - Make it stand out While she may have been born in next door Macedonia, Albania honors its famous daughter. Not only does she have pride in place in the museum, but the Tirana airport is named for her with a statue of hers in the nearby square. She certainly recognized herself as Albanian even though the communist government did not give her permission to return home during their strict regime. “My Albanian people are always in my heart. I pray very much to our Lord that His peace may come to our hearts, in our families and in all the world.” - Mother Teresa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fb09386d-2bd9-432b-b96c-92efae68b727/IMG_8008.JPG Blog - Picturesque Albania - Make it stand out This ferocious cat was up in a tree right above where I was resting my feet. As it turned out she was one scared kitty since she couldn’t figure out how to climb down from her perch. No amount of coaxing would bring her down. Soon we had a few local shop keepers get into the action, one of them fetched a ladder and tried to get her down. By now she was too frightened to take the chance so since we had a lunch to attend and a local folkloric show to attend, we left her in the care of the locals and went on our way. All in a day’s travel experiences. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/84bfdbd7-3c2a-41b1-951a-048c3eff5806/IMG_7929.JPG Blog - Picturesque Albania - Make it stand out Modern shops, restaurants and these shady pedestrian areas are to be found all over the city with cafes and music. Our group was visiting the Bunkart Museum but a couple of us had no interest in going into a dark place and seeing all manner of nasty spying devices etc. so we snuck away and got a cup of coffee in this little nook while we waited for the group to finish. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/325de8d5-8f08-4483-ab72-fd54c9b16650/IMG_7751.JPG Blog - Picturesque Albania - Make it stand out Ohrid and Macedonia in our rear-view mirror we made our way towards Tirana. Bunkers began to crop up on the hillsides and we heard the tales of how these bunkers were built all over the country. We would see many more once we arrived in Tirana. On the road, we stopped for a quick bio break. The area was teeming with a lot of young people potentially from 16 to 18 or so in age. As we waited in line at the women’s restroom it was interesting to see that the teenagers had cornered a couple of bathrooms and were taking turns without actually going through the line. We raised our eyebrows but shrugged it off as a local idiosyncrasy. Then Mimi, our Albanian tour manager in training arrived and gave the girls a strong talking to about how tourists should be treated in their country. It was funny to see the sheepish expressions and chagrin on those young girls faces. You never know what lies around the corner when you are traveling to faraway places. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/acc3e736-37fd-4eb0-9823-b2819f5b6ffa/IMG_7917.JPG Blog - Picturesque Albania - Make it stand out The iconic poster outside the National Historical Museum in Tirana which depicts the heroes of the working class. It makes quite the impact when you approach the entrance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1ecbd985-e74a-460e-b2ef-31ea885db0df/IMG_8088.JPG Blog - Picturesque Albania - Make it stand out The castle at Kruje, photo credit to @VickyFassio. Some of us decided that we did not want to make the climb up to the castle, so we decided to spend our time shopping in the bazaar that was located at the foot of the castle and then got some cappuccinos and lattes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/96d962ae-0edd-4a57-a43f-971a27830a05/IMG_7885.JPG Blog - Picturesque Albania - Make it stand out The Remembrance Day symbolism of the poppy started with a poem written by a World War I brigade surgeon who was struck by the sight of the red flowers growing on a ravaged battlefield. He wrote a poem; “In Flanders Field,” in which he channeled the voice of the fallen soldiers buried under those hardy poppies. Subsequently the poppies were adopted as a symbol of remembrance for lives lost during the war. This memorial on the road to Tirana commemorates the fallen in World War II. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a7c12b2d-7eb1-4848-9f03-5753d83d2d85/IMG_7857.JPG Blog - Picturesque Albania - Make it stand out Did you know that Albanian Pizza is almost better than Italian Pizza, depending on taste, might even be better. We did not have time for an elaborate lunch but settled for some delicious salads with a promise of Pizza for dinner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9115bd1a-36ae-4aaa-9e0e-a0b9124b500a/IMG_8085.JPG Blog - Picturesque Albania - Make it stand out Farewell to the Balkans. Farewell to Nikola one of the best tour managers that I have traveled with. Farewell to our wonderful group who bonded and became a family. Vicky Fassio and I first met on the Gate1 Solo Group during the pandemic as we played travel games to satisfy our love of travel, what a pleasure it was to meet in person in Bucharest and then spend 13 days traveling together. What are the odds? Goodluck to Mimi our tour manager in training who is no doubt successfully leading her own group now. An absolutely wonderful trip traveling through 4 countries who’ve seen some dark times but are now embracing the future in such a positive way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7755c62e-057e-4956-87fe-b65bfc9077b3/IMG_7895.JPG Blog - Picturesque Albania - Make it stand out The silhouette of the modern Tirana. Churches, Mosques, shopping centers and skyscrapers. The country is rebuilding and there is a general sense of wellbeing and optimism. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0363a213-ef78-44da-b3fe-e7208c3a5856/IMG_7852.JPG Blog - Picturesque Albania - Make it stand out Inside the Fortress in Elbasan. We arrived close to lunch time. After having duly admired the architectural Roman ruins just outside the fortress we made our way inside the fortress. Here there is an entire town and way of life that thrives inside the walls including the remains of the Roman Road. Oranges perfumed the air as we made our way across the town finally stopping for lunch at a delightful restaurant built right into the city walls. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/96fa957d-426e-4144-9e8e-69f0e81f92c3/IMG_7973.JPG Blog - Picturesque Albania - Make it stand out The bazaar was magical and full of all manner of interesting and fun things. Since it was our last day in the Balkans, I think almost everyone of us bought something here. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/mighty-macedonia monthly 0.5 2023-05-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a53b7816-afaa-40bd-b986-5f7e95d21c85/IMG_7510.JPG Blog - Mighty Macedonia - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7388d39d-2848-4ae4-97cc-3e4fbda8f8a2/IMG_7109.JPG Blog - Mighty Macedonia - Make it stand out Jews had been welcomed and settled in Skopje and other parts of Macedonia during the Ottoman rule when they were welcomed by the then sultan. During WWII, just a touch over 7000 jews were rounded up and sent to the death camps at Treblinka. Macedonia has been unique in attempting to restore property and funds to heirless Jews. A Jewish Holocaust Museum has also been created in what was once the Jewish Quarter. Today only a handful of Jews remain in Macedonia from what was once a thriving community that went back to the Ottoman Empire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3993e20b-1ef6-4d08-a6c9-fb03b37f5546/IMG_7512.JPG Blog - Mighty Macedonia - Make it stand out The Monastery of St. Naum is a Byzantine church located on the top of the hill in the most beautiful grounds. Between the boats, the restaurants on the lake, the church on the hill with peacocks dancing in full plumage the total visit was a delight and way too short. This area is only 29 KM from Ohrid and it is possible to visit via boat which might have been a fabulous trip. We got to walk all the way from the entrance to the church, see the inside of the church and the views from the top of the hill before walking through the beautiful landscape. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3b925f5d-3a2a-4348-af97-e1e56d5d9a79/IMG_7519.JPG Blog - Mighty Macedonia - Make it stand out Our day wasn’t over, and Lake Ohrid had more delights to offer us. We made our way high up to the old city walls and a surviving city gate. We entered through the city gate and made our way downhill to visit ruins of an ancient amphitheater, the church of St. Sophia, and a workshop that makes handmade paper and has one of two remaining Gutenberg Presses in the world before shopping for some local pearl jewelry and grabbing a snack and a drink in a local waterfront cafe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bdf43695-1111-4a6f-bf0e-fa9af304b82c/IMG_7405.JPG Blog - Mighty Macedonia - Make it stand out For once I was seated on the right side of the bus for gorgeous views as we made our way to the picturesque Bay of Bones. The site is a reconstruction of an archeological find of a prehistoric settlement that dates back to 1200 to 700 B.C. The car parking is just off the road, and you have to head downhill towards the platform on the water that hold the replica of the reconstructed village as well as a museum. I felt like my head was on a swivel as I tried to manage the steep slope, my hiking sticks and the beautiful views and my phone so I could take pictures. The water is crystal clear. Actually, the lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Europe and the scenery is absolutely outstanding on the drive all along the lake towards the Monastery of Naum which was our next destination. An absolute not to be missed excursion in this part of the world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1596410e-b1cf-4441-9676-7c8b321ddc49/IMG_7638.JPG Blog - Mighty Macedonia - Make it stand out The Church of St John most likely built in 1400 before the Ottomans ruled Macedonia. While we had the chance to visit St. Sophia and the Monastery at Naum this is one church that we got to admire from afar as we sailed along the lake. This area is often referred to as Jerusalem as there are 365 churches in Ohrid, one for every day of the year. No fortunately we did not visit any other churches. Sometimes there is too much of a good thing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ee054846-43c8-4e28-adc6-0e505ce64971/IMG_7130.JPG Blog - Mighty Macedonia - Make it stand out Alexander the Great. The history that I studied said that he was Macedonia but apparently Greek wants to claim him as their own. Regardless the Macedonians might have to live with the country being referred to as North Macedonia instead of Macedonia they definitely were not going to give up these statues and their claim to the great Alexander who is living up to his adage of “I would rather live a short life of glory than one of obscurity”. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/df090f85-d125-4e74-810f-0ac57d833831/IMG_7243.JPG Blog - Mighty Macedonia - Make it stand out Even the skies wept as we departed Skopje and made our way towards the beautiful Lake Ohrid. On the way we were scheduled to tour an archeological site but other than 2 brave souls most of the group chose to remain in the bus and out of the rain and wet. I suppose at some stage, one does get saturated with historical sites and archeological facts and when it is wet and slippery outside safety was a good option. I will say that a bus full of people arrived while we were comfortable seated in ours and all the people got out and made their way to the ruins including a paraplegic in a wheelchair being managed by a family member. We happily made our way to a winery tour, wine tasting and a delicious lunch as the sun started coming out. From here we took country roads through towns and villages that are a mix of beautiful homes financed by Macedonians living abroad which are locked up and empty but for the time when these folks come home to vacation and apple orchards. At one point we stopped and bought a crate of apples for about $2 and we couldn’t finish all the apples. Along the way we were stopped by policemen who were trying to help a Turkish tour bus two of whose passengers had misplaced their passports. With cries of American Tourists, our tour manager and bus driver managed to wave off the policemen so we could be on our way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dcf77d02-7e58-4f16-8816-436a74d4cdc7/IMG_7346.JPG Blog - Mighty Macedonia - Make it stand out We arrived at our hotel in Lake Ohrid to witness a beautiful sunset before the group got ready to walk along the lake shore and go to dinner. I was tired from all the traveling all day and not very hungry, so I happily skipped dinner and spent the evening relaxing in my room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dfbd58df-5002-4d18-839e-8fb7b3ad9865/IMG_7041.JPG Blog - Mighty Macedonia - Make it stand out The city of Skopje is dominated by an ancient fortress whose outer walls and ramparts are somewhat intact. Fortunately for us we did not have to walk up the hill. Our bus dropped us off at the top and we got to spend some time walking the ramparts and enjoying the superb views of the city such as the Skopje arena that is used for football and concerts pictured here. On the flip side, we did have to walk from this point through the older part of the city, the Turkish bazaar, through to the newer part of the city and across the Victory Arch all the way to visit the Mother Teresa Memorial house that celebrates the other famous person who was born here. The city was once ruled by the Ottomans and is now approximately 70% Christian and 30% Moslem. The Mustafa Pasha Mosque was first built during the Ottoman period but is still used as a practicing mosque. Turkey sent funds to restore this in 2011. After a quick visit here, which included a visit to the inside we walked to the Church of the Holy Ascension in the old city. This church was once disguised to look like an ordinary house to escape detection first from the Ottomans and then from the Communists. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6b44fc4d-d9f9-4f76-8aa5-e9d52fe732ce/IMG_7067.JPG Blog - Mighty Macedonia - Make it stand out The old town Bazaar which was organized into specific areas by merchandise like fabric, gold, tchotchkes, and food. Thanks to our Tour Manager Nikola we tasted the most amazing local sweets. Most of us were salivating and remembering them for days after. We stepped in and out of the shops except I ran afoul of one of the shop owners when I stepped in not realizing that she was finishing mopping her shop floor and it was still wet. Despite my oh so profuse apologies she was not a happy camper especially since I did not buy anything either having been in pursuit of a better picture without the reflection from the glass showcase. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ac8c9817-d97d-4644-9eda-d3f2dfbab78c/IMG_7119.JPG Blog - Mighty Macedonia - Make it stand out The Eye Bridge is a modern suspension bridge that connects the old town of Skopje to the new part of the city. While we actually crossed the stone bridge which is parallel to this one the scenic beauty made quite the impact. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9c4e6cf3-25a1-443b-b8d7-bd2ae1c54b2e/IMG_7616.JPG Blog - Mighty Macedonia - Make it stand out I am so grateful for all the opportunities that I have had and for all the places in the world that I have seen and experienced. Yet, as I stared at this man soaring over the lake, I wished I had the courage to try this. Not today but who knows what tomorrow holds for me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ccb262c5-5f6e-4a2c-8419-efe2854602fa/IMG_7625.JPG Blog - Mighty Macedonia - Make it stand out Yes! this is a picture of the town of Lake Ohrid from the water. Being on the waterfront or on the water makes you feel like you could be on the Italian Rivera or Greece. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4a22d2a2-5c04-4945-bd73-bb129a959b53/IMG_7145.JPG Blog - Mighty Macedonia - Make it stand out Mother Tereas, the patron saint of Calcutta where I grew up was actually Albanian, born in Skopje. I had been looking forward to visiting the Mother Teresa Memorial House in Skopje. The original house where she was born was destroyed in an earthquake and the current memorial museum is in a new house built on the same site. The museum contains pictures, journals, and certificates plus some mementoes of her life in Calcutta. I am still to visit Albania where she is celebrated as well since she is of Albanian descent even though her parents were living in Macedonia. Many Albanians have settled in Macedonia as I was to find out one morning at breakfast while we were in Ohrid. I ended up sharing a table with two sharply dressed ladies who turned out to be government representatives attending a retreat. I was intrigued that one of the ladies was originally Albanian living in Macedonia and serving in the Macedonian House of Representatives. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/majestic-balkans-bulgaria monthly 0.5 2023-05-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b3172618-1540-4535-9470-643ff205f431/IMG_6707.JPG Blog - Magnificent Bulgaria More Balkans - Make it stand out As we made our way from St. Nicholas to the mighty Alexandra Nevsky cathedral, we walked through statues erected to commemorate different historical events in Bulgarian history. Also blooming in this field of flowers are Japanese Sakura trees presented by Japan to Bulgaria. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/83530be8-b444-4f44-9dfc-82277958a7c6/IMG_6807.JPG Blog - Magnificent Bulgaria More Balkans - Make it stand out set amidst the breathtaking Rila Mountains is the largest of the Eastern Orthodox monasteries, dedicated to St. John of Rila. The complex is still in use as an active monastery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/780b1e19-064e-48e1-95fb-3f40a620e7ca/IMG_6716.JPG Blog - Magnificent Bulgaria More Balkans - Make it stand out The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is one of the ten largest of Eastern Orthodox Churches in the World and the largest in the Balkans. It can hold 5000 people inside and since we visited on a Sunday while the service was still ongoing, we got to see it pretty full to capacity. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4f818ec4-373d-48dd-b9b4-b97857c1971c/IMG_6828.JPG Blog - Magnificent Bulgaria More Balkans - Make it stand out Beautiful colorful murals decorate the church both outside and inside telling biblical tales and celebrating saints. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/804d2843-d55f-4d0b-83d5-2c1530b58144/IMG_6873.JPG Blog - Magnificent Bulgaria More Balkans - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e1bd12d7-d5b7-4997-a2ce-fbbb9f9c322e/IMG_6871.JPG Blog - Magnificent Bulgaria More Balkans - Make it stand out The river flows by it bringing with it the icy cold snow melt from the mountains still covered with a dusting of snow. There are fountains inside the monastery complex which bring the same water for drinking, but our guide warned us that the water is pure and safe to drink but so cold that we could not drink it without getting sick from it. Go figure! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/013ddced-13f1-4536-b6e2-842be0a872a2/IMG_6525.JPG Blog - Magnificent Bulgaria More Balkans - Make it stand out This whimsical cartoon on the side of a building in the old town full of restaurants, bars and shops brought a smile to my face and memories of my grandchildren to mind. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a8033f6c-4132-4362-9bb9-7dd6c3be3eda/IMG_6633.JPG Blog - Magnificent Bulgaria More Balkans - Make it stand out Remains of the Roman road that once ran through what is now Sofia. It always gives me goosebumps when I close my eyes and imagine Roman legions marching down these paths once upon a time. Ahh! the timelessness of history. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f86def94-a795-4702-b430-c741b02b80f4/IMG_6528.JPG Blog - Magnificent Bulgaria More Balkans - Make it stand out Bulgaria was like a complex but refreshing drink. This whole trip was eye opening in so many ways. Stay tuned as we continue to travel along the footsteps of the great in these magnificent Balkans. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/216c00ea-34f1-4f6c-bbcc-e629c4fe94de/IMG_6312.jpg Blog - Magnificent Bulgaria More Balkans - Make it stand out Beautiful vistas appeared through our coach windows as we journeyed from Bucharest through the mountains all be it the weather was cloudy with occasional bursts of rain. Our first stop of the morning was the quaint town of Veliko Tarnovo, once the ancient capital of the country. Despite the rain, we walked through the quaint town, window-shopping, resisting all calls for beer, and enjoying the ambiance as we headed towards the Tsarevets Hill and the Medieval Fortress that dominates the town which we viewed only from a scenic outlook. We then stopped at the nearby ancient church where we were treated to the sounds of an evangelical choir. As the pure sound rose into the gray afternoon, we were enchanted and transported to another universe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/12c8989e-562f-4cdc-85bb-ecbeef206ed7/IMG_6502.JPG Blog - Magnificent Bulgaria More Balkans - Make it stand out While the weather remained tricky, Spring really was in the air as we walked along the cobblestoned streets perfumed with the sight and smell of the flowers growing in arbors and gardens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4bbdb221-d665-46fb-8bb6-478607415270/IMG_6616.JPG Blog - Magnificent Bulgaria More Balkans - Make it stand out The city of Sofia has its own changing of the guards. Nothing as elaborate as what you are used to seeing at Buckingham Palace and of course nowhere near as crowded. Sofia is an interesting city. From a vantage point we could see the roofs of a mosque, church and a synagogue all in close proximity. On the town square there was an initiative to recycle plastic and overall, the city with snowcapped mountains in the distance and a mix of old and new architecture and not to be missed excavated ruins and beautiful fountains sparking in the sunlight was captivating. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e3e68e44-1543-4c43-914b-76b157105ece/IMG_6418.JPG Blog - Magnificent Bulgaria More Balkans - Make it stand out There were beautifully decorated Easter Eggs in the park which gave us glimpses of everyday life outside of the history. Interestingly enough we walked by the pride of local cuisine, McDonalds with its signage in local language, a billboard that depicted a beautiful ballerina advertising this wondrous local fare. That’s right Dorothy! you are not in Kansas anymore. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7c4fc060-cde3-46ed-a267-027eab0df098/IMG_6638.jpg Blog - Magnificent Bulgaria More Balkans - Make it stand out While we saw many beautiful buildings, fountains, its these moments that remind us that while this country has come a long way it still has a ways to go. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/82b21da8-7ee5-4c82-81f2-d2fa7724f1c6/IMG_6481.JPG Blog - Magnificent Bulgaria More Balkans - Make it stand out Plovdiv is steeped in history, which we got well acquainted with; listening to our passionate local expert as we walked the old town and visited some of the key sites. I don’t know if it was a school holiday but there were a lot of school children milling around and visiting the sights. I think it is so fantastic that they start building the passion for history in the young. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e067af56-8df5-4942-8a2d-e3cefd411d35/IMG_6383.JPG Blog - Magnificent Bulgaria More Balkans - Make it stand out As we drove into the city of Plovdiv, the sun was making a valiant attempt to chase away the rain. We sure were in for a treat as we were greeted by this double rainbow. Definitely a wonderful omen for our first night in this wonderful country. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/eb91214a-c9b8-4c95-a73c-6e23b965ae1e/IMG_6696.JPG Blog - Magnificent Bulgaria More Balkans - Make it stand out St Nicholas Church was closed to visitors due to the fact that services were underway. Surrounded by a beautiful garden, blooming with flowers we contented ourselves with pictures of the beautiful outside with its domes and minarets. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/majestic-balkans-romania monthly 0.5 2023-05-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5cc40e51-79ba-4c20-97f6-d329784519c6/IMG_6226.JPG Blog - Majestic Balkans Romania - Make it stand out No, this is not the Champs Elysee in Paris. It is the victory arch in the capital city of Bucharest built to commemorate Romania’s victory in the first world war. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8d597df1-5b22-4305-866f-c4e133bbaab0/IMG_6245.JPG Blog - Majestic Balkans Romania - Make it stand out Handmade in Romania, @myromanianstore. We walked by this shop several times and then my friend really wanted to drop in and so we did one night after dinner. A pleasure to visit and Nikki actually bought a pair of earrings that she proudly wore the next day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e1466f80-b8d3-422a-894b-c2b24b501d93/IMG_6210.JPG Blog - Majestic Balkans Romania - Make it stand out While we saw many abandoned buildings along the way, this one really helped us understand the corruption and lack of funds that plague this country. This building has been sawn in half and left abandoned not far from the spectacular Senate palace. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/247bc3df-6d54-4aae-8b84-78d0b230ac65/IMG_5994.JPG Blog - Majestic Balkans Romania - Make it stand out The interior is rich with paintings, stained glass and other accoutrements. Each sitting room is lavishly furnished, just like this one which is decorated in an Eastern style. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/77466564-f90c-4720-9846-d10548cb259e/IMG_6054.JPG Blog - Majestic Balkans Romania - Make it stand out Victory Square, the scene of the uprising when the people united to overthrow the corrupt government and take back control. This memorial stands in the square facing the balcony where Ceaușescu gave his fateful speech and then ordered his army to open fire into the square when the people revolted against him and his regime. While in Bucharest, we had the opportunity to meet a man who was a part of and survived this uprising. He was a teenager, old before his time as he and his group stood for freedom, and he held the dying body of his best friend who had been shot to death. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1c44f29b-87a6-451a-8c8b-a7a7e4a932b5/IMG_5812+%281%29.JPG Blog - Majestic Balkans Romania - Make it stand out The beautiful Athenee Palace Hotel where we stayed in Bucharest with it’s own beautiful chandeliers and ornate lobby. Could not imagine that Romania is a poor country when you are in a bubble like this. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c0f6e38a-4345-4ba9-88b1-b0b021f743d8/IMG_5855.JPG Blog - Majestic Balkans Romania - Make it stand out The Sinaia Monastery was named after the local ruler visited Mount Sinai in Israel and wanted to recreate the experience here. The monastery consists of two courtyards with two key buildings: one is called the old church which dates back to 1695 and the Great Church which was built in 1846. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7b5a588f-fbaf-4af3-854d-59f63ed32d27/IMG_5890.JPG Blog - Majestic Balkans Romania - Make it stand out Inside the great church are fully restored icons that depict scenes from the Bible as well as pictures of saints, etc. All along the wall are beautiful carved wooden pews that are used for older parishioners since the majority of the worshippers stand during the service. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/34e2ddf4-a262-4168-84ae-c2485f5c9d91/IMG_6105.jpg Blog - Majestic Balkans Romania - Make it stand out The beautiful Romanian Senate building which is made to look like a palace with beautiful richly decorated interiors. With its 22000 square feet of carpet that was specially woven for the building and 2800 chandeliers that decorate the various halls and chambers of the building, it is indeed a wonder to tour. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b588c900-8357-48fe-ad33-be69967f2677/IMG_6034.JPG Blog - Majestic Balkans Romania - Make it stand out The arts have always been important to preserve in communist countries. The beautiful opera house in front of our hotel. I personally did not go inside though others in our group did. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b82404dd-7109-4f35-8ee4-c9ccaf8238e1/IMG_6007.JPG Blog - Majestic Balkans Romania - Make it stand out The winter won’t release its grip and still lingers as evidenced by the snow at the peaks of the Carpathian Mountains. Until you see some of the condition close up, you can almost forget that this is a poor country that is still digging its way out of the devastating impact that communism and socialism left on the country. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3bd43012-3928-434d-b4b0-b6312efd928b/IMG_6010.JPG Blog - Majestic Balkans Romania - Make it stand out Peles Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b07711c3-4243-4720-abf3-3734e7c269b2/IMG_5963.JPG Blog - Majestic Balkans Romania - Make it stand out Inside the castle is a marvel of different styles, rich furnishings, stained glass, weapons and carved wood. Consisting of 170 rooms all of which are decorated to the nines, it’s a rare treat to walk through the castle. We entered via a sweeping red carpeted staircase to this room called the Hall of Honor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a0716fd6-34fc-4158-a286-3e394b8c5ced/IMG_5939.JPG Blog - Majestic Balkans Romania - Make it stand out While we did not journey to Transylvania and visit Bran Castle or Dracula’s castle as it is more popularly referred to, we did visit Peles Castle a neo-renaissance castle located in the Carpathian Mountains near Sinaia. It is said that King Carol I fell in love with the mountain scenery and built this as his Summer Palace. It is referred to as a Castle because in the words of our guide try saying Peles Palace 20 times real fast and you’ll see why they chose to call it a castle versus a palace. I fell in love with this romantic courtyard that we had to cross to enter the castle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/803da4fb-3c9e-4ea3-9f9c-a667bcb6de66/IMG_5863.JPG Blog - Majestic Balkans Romania - Make it stand out The old church was restored in 2016 and is now open to visitors. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/tulip-time-river-cruise monthly 0.5 2023-04-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f523a625-e077-4cf2-a03e-530f24540116/IMG_4365.JPG Blog - Tulip Time River Cruise - Make it stand out We ended our walking tour at St. Bavo’s cathedral where the Easter Service was about to begin. I had last attended Easter Service in church when I was studying in school in Kolkata, so I decided to get a load of my feet and attend the Service. While the service was lovely, I forgot all about the sit, stand, stand that is a part of the service. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1a1b3b4d-ece5-4567-be99-4f0bed3a08ff/IMG_5756.JPG Blog - Tulip Time River Cruise - Make it stand out Of course, my other reason to absolutely make it to Bruges was the opportunity to see Michael Angelo’s Madonna of Bruges. This is one of only two works by Michael Angelo that can be found outside of Italy, the other being in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg. Having been stolen twice and relocated it has now returned to its original home thanks to the monument men depicted in the famous movie of that name to be displayed in all its glory in the beautiful church of our lady in Bruges. The church is open to all but you do need to pay a special fee to view this but it is well worth the price of entry to walk through a veritable gallery of treasures. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/280e5216-d97e-486a-a591-e305d5ef1577/IMG_4513.JPG Blog - Tulip Time River Cruise - Make it stand out This year the cold has held on a little longer than usual and we had a few windy days with some rain in a week that is touted to be the peak week for tulips. Fortunately, we got to visit the windmills before the tulips because it was indeed wet and windy when we made it there. A silver lining to this of course is that we saw the wheels moving and got a whole different flavor of what Kinderdijk is like. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/30036222-a563-4fd5-a81d-15eaa1afdd75/IMG_4347.JPG Blog - Tulip Time River Cruise - Make it stand out One of the highlights of the trip to St. Bavos for me was a visit to view the famous altarpiece, the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb painted by Hubert and Jan Van Eyck. The altarpiece has been relocated and stolen multiple times during its lifetime, even spending some time in the Louvre. Most recently I read “The Omega Factor” by author Steve Berry which features the Ghent Altarpiece and the clues hidden in the painting that are the central theme of that story. So, I paid the toll and made my way to the self-guided tour of the altarpiece. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/20402931-0264-43e4-89ef-5293d0bb5ad6/IMG_5679.JPG Blog - Tulip Time River Cruise - Make it stand out While I had to make a choice between Ghent and Bruges on the cruise, I managed to arrange a day trip from Amsterdam. A three-hour drive made it a long day but again I am glad that I made the effort. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5395bc34-8ac4-4f30-ad7d-0fb168807a18/IMG_4463.JPG Blog - Tulip Time River Cruise - Make it stand out The Dutch and their ancestors have been working to reclaim land from the North Sea for thousands of years. Dikes and Terpens were built to hold back the waters. As a child I remember reading the story of the little Dutch Boy, the hero of Haarlem who had saved his village from flooding by plugging the dike with his fingers. Despite all the reading the dikes were not at all what I imagined as we viewed a lot of them during our time in the Netherlands and I even got to walk on one. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f774fe22-b52a-4c11-8cae-cd1166905680/IMG_5562.JPG Blog - Tulip Time River Cruise - Make it stand out Giethoorn is a charming village about three hours outside of Amsterdam. I had originally booked a day trip to the Hague, Rotterdam and Delft but when I was informed that the trip needed to be cancelled because of a marathon in the area, I decided to make this day trip and thoroughly enjoyed exploring this area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/956bb23f-798f-4ca2-a8aa-eae793e5de7e/IMG_3889.JPG Blog - Tulip Time River Cruise - Make it stand out Our first port of call was Antwerp. We walked off the ship and stopped at Het Steen and the statue of the Lange Wapper who is a Flemish folkloric character, a bit of a trickster getting people drunk on beer, etc. We spent half a day exploring the city of Antwerp, walking with a local expert through the major sites before being left to our own devices so we could walk around and soak in the atmosphere as well as experience the Flemish fare of frites with mayonnaise and waffles. These are not French fries my fellow Americans, in the words of our local expert the French do not know who to make fries or frites quite like the Belgians do. I’m not sure which are better, but I will say that I definitely enjoyed what I sampled here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/580495fd-e769-4a24-808c-4458de1a1e24/IMG_4664.JPG Blog - Tulip Time River Cruise - Make it stand out Enkhuizen, once a thriving fishing village and now a maritime museum which preserves a way of life for visitors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bff930fb-0712-4087-88f0-879f8a8b87f5/IMG_4790.JPG Blog - Tulip Time River Cruise - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0a9ed5ee-5fde-4292-8d20-09f0238c925b/IMG_5772.JPG Blog - Tulip Time River Cruise - Make it stand out My last opportunity to try Belgian waffles. This place absolutely deserved the title of best Belgian Waffle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/11f1422e-a74e-434e-b36d-9b56c41c50b5/IMG_5802.JPG Blog - Tulip Time River Cruise - Make it stand out Goodbye to Amsterdam. A last glimpse at tulips blooming in pots at the entrance to the departure gates at Schiphol airport. What a trip, but I have miles to go before I go back home but I promise I will share more of my experiences at each of the specific places soon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3cb9bcd0-703e-4845-bc48-4048dd68c56b/IMG_4057.JPG Blog - Tulip Time River Cruise - Make it stand out From Amsterdam to Antwerp and back to Amsterdam, the river itself is not the most beautiful being mostly industrial but I found a group of kindred spirits and we became bosom friends as we enjoyed the onboard activities as well as the offshore excursions. The team on the Monarch Queen, Danny our activities director, Martin our cruise director and the reception and hotel staff were outstanding. Please stay tuned I think the forecast is for more river cruising in my future. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/99fa8159-1c30-44b4-81cb-ec06a3d19820/IMG_4262.JPG Blog - Tulip Time River Cruise - Make it stand out The next day was Easter Sunday and some of us were headed to Ghent and others to Bruges. It was an absolutely gorgeous day for us to walk around and enjoy the beauty of Ghent and the warm sunshine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/08c417ea-7d76-46ee-aa20-df3408f07349/IMG_5122.JPG Blog - Tulip Time River Cruise - Make it stand out Windmills have always played a large part in how I and I imagine several folks think of the Netherlands. We got to visit several windmills in several towns, after all they were used to pump the waters to reclaim fertile land. This pastoral scene with a statue of Rembrandt sketching it is so quintessentially how I once imagined the Netherlands, so I am glad that we got to visit this site once we were back in Amsterdam. As we got off the coach, we glimpsed a stork nest with a stork actually sitting in the nest. Apparently, the parents nurture their young and ready them to fly to Egypt for the Summer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c721cc43-8342-4ffc-867d-0538a881fd91/IMG_5329.JPG Blog - Tulip Time River Cruise - Make it stand out Four glorious days exploring Amsterdam and areas around it post the cruise. First stop was the Rijksmuseum where I spent some time as well as in the museum square. Unfortunately, I was not able to score tickets to the Vermeer exhibit, but I spent a wonderful afternoon exploring the Rijksmuseum where I stopped to admire the Nightwatch painted by Rembrandt, dolls houses and Van Gogh’s self-portrait amongst other notable artists and works. These pots of blooming tulips in the fountain in front of the museum make such an impact. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/gozoandmdina monthly 0.5 2023-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f29448b8-a5a8-4d3e-b057-d5435dd941ba/IMG_0490+%281%29.JPG Blog - Gozo & Mdina, Malta - Make it stand out Farewell to Malta. It was a wonderful trip. 6 days were just enough to get a taste. I would love to be back to spend a longer time exploring more of what these islands have to offer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/850f2352-9599-45b8-a062-c51dde8e1094/IMG_0410.JPG Blog - Gozo & Mdina, Malta - Make it stand out Mdina, the fortified city in the Northern part of Malta served as the capital from antiquity to the Middle Ages. No cars other than a few emergency vehicles and horse drawn carriages are allowed in the city which has a total population of 300 people earning it the title of Silent City. The Knights of the order of St. John coveted the harbor and therefore moved the capital to Valletta leaving Mdina somewhat abandoned. Now it consists of shops and restaurants and of course the requisite cathedrals. Once you cross the drawbridge and enter the city, it’s like stepping back in time. Horse and carriage rides are usually available, and I so wanted to do one but as it turned out there were no carriages available when we arrived in the early evening. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6b2a0535-dec3-4aaf-9f4a-5789f14bd962/IMG_0104.JPG Blog - Gozo & Mdina, Malta - Make it stand out The famous Blue Lagoon or the tiny island of Comino, ideal for day trips to sunbathe and swim is visible from different vista points on Gozo as well as from the ferry as you make the crossing. Malta also has a famous Blue Grotto that is only accessible by boat but like it’s famous cousin on Capri, a visit here is also subject to the vagaries of the winds and tides. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4112afd2-9a92-4f63-851d-deb79a67a4f6/IMG_0424.JPG Blog - Gozo & Mdina, Malta - Make it stand out The houses were adorned with fancy examples of the famous Maltese shutters and the doors were painted colors with door knockers that had significance in a bygone age. . https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/43677f5d-5185-4665-8edd-401e7fb6ef03/IMG_0456-EFFECTS.jpg Blog - Gozo & Mdina, Malta - Make it stand out The sunset was spectacular indeed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8fff623c-17d0-4813-aaa5-1e844542a9f5/IMG_9898.jpg Blog - Gozo & Mdina, Malta - Make it stand out We did not stay in Valletta proper but on the other side of the harbor at Sliema. On our way from Sliema to the Gozo Ferry terminal we crossed many thriving communities catering to tourists. St. Julian is one such one that looked like a lot of fun to stay at, also it offers more beachy options. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bbd7e6d4-c93e-44d5-a40a-f53ccbdfa521/IMG_0045.JPG Blog - Gozo & Mdina, Malta - Make it stand out The Ggantija Megalithic temples date back to 4000 B.C. Declared a UNESCO world heritage site it consists of a museum where recovered artifacts are displayed and then the actual remains where you can walk through with a guide to learn all about a culture that existed a long time ago. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e35cdfe6-7227-4229-a586-5a1cf984586f/IMG_0443.JPG Blog - Gozo & Mdina, Malta - Make it stand out Since we were going to have our farewell dinner here in the silent city, we arrived just as the sun was setting and it seemed as if we had the entire town to ourselves and to a couple doing a wedding shoot who were in the way of an attractive alley that everyone in our group wanted to film. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/99642134-2aac-4bb7-bdec-0cafb117bb18/IMG_0069.JPG Blog - Gozo & Mdina, Malta - Make it stand out Having visited the temple and driving down the narrowest street where the bus we were in barely cleared the two sides of the street we parked and walked through the town strolling down narrow streets bustling with tourists, viewing the unique decorations outside the house. As we crossed a small bakery, the owner was bringing out a batch of hot pastizzis, which are similar to puff pastry bites. He had ones filled with peas which were absolutely delicious. They can be filled with meat, cheese, etc. These are a local treat that you must absolutely try. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9795827d-a1f3-4285-b9fa-9dac993c7192/IMG_9980.JPG Blog - Gozo & Mdina, Malta - Make it stand out Gozo Harbor https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/77369ceb-a595-40d6-b367-eb3f7d65bddc/IMG_9998.JPG Blog - Gozo & Mdina, Malta - Make it stand out We are constantly reminded about UNESCO world heritage sites and things but I had never actually scene a stamp that stated that a particular location was a UNESCO site until we visited the Ġgantija Megalithic temples. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ccab4862-6b4a-42bd-92e0-d389e54e97ce/IMG_0081.JPG Blog - Gozo & Mdina, Malta - Make it stand out The views around the island are incredible. The knights had created satellite forts to provide an early warning and defense system when invaders were sighted. You can see these dotted along the way to the Gozo ferry. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/malta monthly 0.5 2023-04-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c1d35355-6720-4aed-ae30-e11fa8e168a5/IMG_9815.jpg Blog - Valletta ~ The Knights of Malta - Make it stand out The city is Baroque in character with elements of Mannerist, Neo-Classical and Modern architecture. With its narrow winding streets leading down to the harbor, the city is one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world and the smallest capital in the EU. The beautiful city has been named the Cultural Capital of Europe and also frequently referred to as an open-air museum. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/43269f91-a89d-4206-8b2d-5ddd7d227292/IMG_9653.JPG Blog - Valletta ~ The Knights of Malta - Make it stand out Near the City Gate entrance into Valletta is this statue of Malta kneeling down to Christ the King affirming that Malta was transformed into a might nation by an order of religious knights. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/88e787b9-435b-4e97-8a7e-21933c5d6bc2/IMG_9725.jpg Blog - Valletta ~ The Knights of Malta - Make it stand out The St. John’s co-cathedral is pretty austere and reminiscent of a fortress on the outside a stark contrast from the interior that was designed to awe and compete with Rome. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fcc35c04-c4cb-4a55-b96d-cd2fbde34807/IMG_9771.jpg Blog - Valletta ~ The Knights of Malta - Make it stand out The flooring consists of tombstones. Each one intricately painted and designed. No wonder Mr. Berry used it in his book as the basis of clues that would solve a mystery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e72d3bce-97f9-40c6-81bc-e18ad73ee0c9/IMG_9854.JPG Blog - Valletta ~ The Knights of Malta - Make it stand out The Fort of St. Elmo was attacked and defended by the knights and the townspeople. They were able to repel a far larger force than they commanded turning an easy victory into defeat for the enemy. Eventually they were defeated but managed to rise up and repel the enemy with the help of the British who then ruled here. This sculpture is dedicated to the knights who lost their lives here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f2c24dd4-827d-4062-8e47-9f244f4839e3/IMG_0348.JPG Blog - Valletta ~ The Knights of Malta - Make it stand out The Order of St. John was at its core a hospitaller order formed to provide care for the sick, poor or injured pilgrims returning from the holy land. They subsequently became a religious and military order who provided care and defense for the pilgrims. When they were removed from their home in Rhodes, they were granted the island Kingdom of Malta where they established their rule. As a part of the defense of their kingdom they designed several forts This fort contains the hospital and ingenious lift that was designed to swiftly move the injured from the dock to the hospital. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/96f7ecd8-8bf4-403a-b136-c47e4859c68e/IMG_9670.JPG Blog - Valletta ~ The Knights of Malta - Make it stand out As you enter through the City Gate of Valletta, the famous Maltese shutters grace the buildings in the main square. We were to see these in many colors and designs throughout our time on the island. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6d0ed296-8886-4158-b9b3-d177931b0037/IMG_9767.jpg Blog - Valletta ~ The Knights of Malta - Make it stand out You walk in through a very plain curtained doorway, and all your senses wake up and dance for attention as you stare slack jawed at the explosion of color, gilt and beauty that surrounds you. You need at least two visits to take it all in and do justice to the beauty and grandeur. A Maltese couple who was traveling with us, had visited before, visited with the group and then went back and visited again. Did the masters of the order achieve their goal to surpass the churches of Rome? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/512757eb-67fe-4c09-9bd5-b5aaa29473ed/IMG_9804.JPG Blog - Valletta ~ The Knights of Malta - Make it stand out The Grand master’s palace was closed due to some renovations, so we missed seeing that but instead we enjoyed these young children playing in the moment. Some things are so similar no matter what part of the world you are in. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8ac81a37-fe6c-42b9-85e5-d3822b705dc2/IMG_9652.JPG Blog - Valletta ~ The Knights of Malta - Make it stand out The Independence Monument stands at the entrance of the Mall Gardens, modeled in bronze by Maltese sculptor John Bonnici to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Malta’s independence from the British. This is the first of the many impressive sculptures that we were to see in the city of Valletta. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/19140f06-9a94-4a70-9cf1-becd3ed55583/IMG_9671.JPG Blog - Valletta ~ The Knights of Malta - Make it stand out The Cheese Grater builder. It is a government building, but the defensive windows are so reminiscent of a cheese grater. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d8ed5617-6912-4a44-b611-1812e473ccae/IMG_9699.jpg Blog - Valletta ~ The Knights of Malta - Make it stand out The Upper Barrakka Gardens are a public park open to all at the highest part of Valletta distinguished by the beautiful arches that provide a breathtaking view of the Grand Harbor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5347bd22-7f39-4703-b1de-59eb39fe5f41/IMG_9632.JPG Blog - Valletta ~ The Knights of Malta - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c74d1ae2-4f17-4615-82b9-bfa6476dfe20/IMG_9716.jpg Blog - Valletta ~ The Knights of Malta - Make it stand out From the Upper tier of the gardens, you have a clear view of the saluting battery, the grand harbor and the other populated forts around Valletta. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/505bcaec-0b30-48fe-aec2-95ce150094fc/IMG_0302.jpg Blog - Valletta ~ The Knights of Malta - Make it stand out Valletta has more boats than people, since many people use a boat as an address to take advantage of favorable taxation laws. Sailing around the harbor reminds you of being in Venice with its various domes, weathered buildings, sparkling water and boats bobbing at anchor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/992efe04-11d5-4c6b-babf-490d5236bbae/IMG_0239.JPG Blog - Valletta ~ The Knights of Malta - Make it stand out No this is not the famous Calypso Cave, but caves are riddled in the limestone rock that forms the base of the island including a famous Blue Grotto that you can only visit by boat and that too when the wind and tides are just right. Since I had missed the famous Blue Grotto in Capri, I decided to see if the winds and tides would be more favorable here, but it wasn’t to be. The hotel concierge was happy to sell me a ticket but when I walked along to the waterfront the tour operator advised me not to waste my money because the conditions would not allow entrance to the grotto. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/california-roaming monthly 0.5 2023-04-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/098d210a-42f1-4cd3-93f8-e992aafd35fa/IMG_3614.JPG Blog - California Roaming - Make it stand out The cherry on top of a gorgeous day was a stop at the Riverside Misson Inn and Spa. We’ll reserve the Spa for a revisit when I can actually enjoy the facilities but for today, we toured the property and had a nice drink and appetizers. Known as the President’s hotel since apparently the Nixons got married here and the Reagans might have honeymooned here too it’s a gorgeous meld of different architectures and rare antiques. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/562e9adb-4b79-4df9-8297-0679df798942/IMG_3595.JPG Blog - California Roaming - Make it stand out Snowcapped peaks have become a more frequent sign since the cold and rain arrived. The sight of the Hollywood sign against snow was a once in a lifetime picture that was touted all over social media. In the foothills of the San Bernadino mountains with the sun shining and trees still devoid of buds the sight was breathtaking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9f8448a6-6995-4fcd-bec5-aaa06bc6cffd/IMG_3535.jpg Blog - California Roaming - Make it stand out Oak Glen is home to apple orchards and the best apple pie. Even though this is not apple picking season, many people were out here enjoying the sun and the various family style attractions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f1c8f747-d52f-4994-8c1f-b85d06bc590f/IMG_3601.JPG Blog - California Roaming - Make it stand out Since the Cabazon outlets were not too far, we decided to make a detour and spend some time shopping. I am not much of a shopper, so I found a nice spot in the sun and relaxed my eyes. To my chagrin I found that I had actually dozed off not that’s a big surprise after a big lunch and a huge slice of the most delicious apple pie. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2ba66514-b520-4188-8656-6d493b3c95ec/IMG_3680.JPG Blog - California Roaming - Make it stand out Wishing that we had more time, we still made time to explore the various wings. I was in search of the spiral staircase which I had seen pictures of. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9e6c2cc0-56e3-4314-8a8e-a296b89c1507/IMG_3546.JPG Blog - California Roaming - Make it stand out Peacocks and peahens were strutting around like they owned the area. Perhaps they do. Anyhow not a sight I expected to see in the San Bernadino mountains of Southern California. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/52ded287-e44c-47ad-90fb-36b41b3ef681/IMG_3608.JPG Blog - California Roaming - Make it stand out The Nanjing Bell; an imperial temple bell from China. It is considered to be the oldest bell in Christendom dating back to the Boxer revolution in China. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/517fdfc0-6d2a-4996-8441-dfffe38c956f/IMG_3655.JPG Blog - California Roaming - Make it stand out From a quaint adobe boarding house in 1876 the inn has now grown to 238 luxurious rooms and suites and is part of the luxury historic hotel collection in the United States. US Presidents, Hollywood royalty and many noted notables have stayed here. Boasting a variety of architectural styles with antiques and precious items scattered around it, it’s definitely worth a visit. In fact, I plan to go back during Christmas time for the famous festival of lights. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ecde6e3b-ab49-4bc6-b8ce-b472ea5c6ce9/IMG_3580.JPG Blog - California Roaming - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/152619d0-e63c-44fb-9075-dcc960f23489/IMG_3665.JPG Blog - California Roaming - Make it stand out Fountains and flowers made for nice picture spots, and we got a few group photos together. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/087d1402-60cf-45d2-bc82-8b1a97262351/IMG_3661.JPG Blog - California Roaming - Make it stand out Ah hah! finally found the spiral staircase. It looks so gorgeous with a bust of Abraham Lincoln at the top level. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ce0c9888-8454-443d-999b-96454262e52a/IMG_3686.JPG Blog - California Roaming - Make it stand out The entrance and the bells probably liberated from a nearby mission give the entrance so much character especially at night. The joy of discovery and exploration is the same whether it’s within an hours drive from home or a 15-hour flight to another part of the world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3fd4f183-12d3-4883-ae91-a8c99db57c2d/IMG_3669.JPG Blog - California Roaming - Make it stand out There’s a chapel, which was closed for a private event and fountains and pools and whimsical architecture and flowers everywhere. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/the-dawn-coast-of-europe monthly 0.5 2023-03-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5327dfe2-d0b0-43eb-a62f-5a4f4af1aa1a/IMG_9445.JPG Blog - The Dawn Coast of Europe ~ Taormina Sicily - Make it stand out Shop windows full of Sicilian Tchotchkes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f6ef0cae-edc5-438c-a7e3-7672d0671349/IMG_9529.JPG Blog - The Dawn Coast of Europe ~ Taormina Sicily - Make it stand out Once we were done with the Greek Theater, we had the rest of the day to explore at our leisure. I just wandered aimlessly dropping into shops that looked interesting, taking pictures and in general getting lost in the streets and alleys. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1aa42528-5703-4a7c-b4a2-3d98f812228f/IMG_9487.JPG Blog - The Dawn Coast of Europe ~ Taormina Sicily - Make it stand out Dug out of the rock of Mount Taurus in the 3rd Century B.C. the Greek Theater in Taormina, was built to accommodate thousands of seated spectators. Built to emphasize the natural scenery particularly the sight of Mt. Etna rising in the background the theater has perfect acoustics and is still used for concerts and such. Of course, thanks to the clouds thar were still hovering we had to make do with pictures on our guide’s phone of what it looks like with the volcano in the background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f7f5a5b8-e377-4b6a-8769-bf76773231eb/IMG_9323.JPG Blog - The Dawn Coast of Europe ~ Taormina Sicily - Make it stand out Villas and restaurants clinging to the hillside offering an opportunity to dine in the clouds. As it happened these clouds were water bearing clouds and we had ourselves a nice touch of rain as we waved goodbye to Sicily. Ah well! what’s travel without a bit of adventure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8fe51aa2-a5fd-4ebc-8758-3037618a5292/IMG_9556.JPG Blog - The Dawn Coast of Europe ~ Taormina Sicily - Make it stand out The requisite cathedral and clock tower and a wonderful lookout to enjoy the sights of the town of Giardini Naxos spread out below. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2f8bbf15-7331-4b14-804c-8d4f531e46e5/IMG_9533.JPG Blog - The Dawn Coast of Europe ~ Taormina Sicily - Make it stand out Boutique hotels with inviting facades to tempt you to venture in. Shops selling the essence of the flowers and custom scents for the home and the person. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dc83e496-5da4-4d36-a901-0fa1d34eba58/IMG_9324.JPG Blog - The Dawn Coast of Europe ~ Taormina Sicily - Make it stand out High above the town of Taormina, we stopped at a vista point to gawk at the views and take some photos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5eaede44-c949-46a6-8fde-cda9df8037d2/IMG_9541.JPG Blog - The Dawn Coast of Europe ~ Taormina Sicily - Make it stand out Narrow winding lanes, antique buildings, flowers, and surprises around many corners. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9b8ffa30-d981-4711-a93d-aad08dfa18c6/IMG_9552.JPG Blog - The Dawn Coast of Europe ~ Taormina Sicily - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0271ac60-1557-4580-8d81-259154a1ea16/IMG_9510.JPG Blog - The Dawn Coast of Europe ~ Taormina Sicily - Make it stand out I was feeling well rested this morning particularly as Mount Etna had been such a bust so I made my way up the stairs along the side of the theater to the upper level for these fantastic views. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/20524a80-8f03-487f-9b4d-23bebaab0d1f/IMG_9578.JPG Blog - The Dawn Coast of Europe ~ Taormina Sicily - Make it stand out A farewell dinner in a real live Palacio with wandering rights in the grounds and the dining room as we sampled drinks and appetizers. Arrivederci Sicily, hello Malta. I hope to make it back someday as I chart a zig zag path across some of my favorite places in the world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ddcf1ba7-8165-4bf9-991e-262593882228/IMG_9581.JPG Blog - The Dawn Coast of Europe ~ Taormina Sicily - Make it stand out Our last night in Sicily was truly spectacularly special making it hard to say goodbye. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/281cc823-92a9-4ade-b393-108d501f8501/IMG_1641+%281%29.jpg Blog - The Dawn Coast of Europe ~ Taormina Sicily - Make it stand out As we made our way to Mount Etna, the rain was at times heavy and at times tapering off but there was nothing to see out of the windows of the coach. Our poor guide did her best trying to romanticize the rain and fog. We arrived at the viewpoint and disembarked shivering into the cold morning to head into the gift shop and use the facilities. We drank a hot cup of coffee to warm up, and entertained ourselves, taking pictures of the picture post cards since that was going to be our only view of Mount Etna. Fortunately, the rain eased up some as we got ready to leave and we were able to scramble up and walk into the crater. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cbf25745-4162-4c95-8daa-cfa4b24348ce/IMG_9508.JPG Blog - The Dawn Coast of Europe ~ Taormina Sicily - Make it stand out Considered one of the largest and most celebrated ruin in Sicily, this theater is built to stun and awe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ad8098bb-2ba4-49b6-a14c-e563c72d583c/IMG_9536.JPG Blog - The Dawn Coast of Europe ~ Taormina Sicily - Make it stand out Chocolate, pasta and other interesting food items to bring back for friends and family and to experiment in your kitchens once you’re back home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3e4d0813-fc37-447f-a836-d5002578d05d/IMG_9567.jpg Blog - The Dawn Coast of Europe ~ Taormina Sicily - Make it stand out Fortunately, the weather improved as we made our way to the beautiful town of Taormina; "Were a man to spend only one day in Sicily and ask, “What must one see?” I would answer him without hesitation, “Taormina” It is only a landscape, but a landscape where you find everything on earth that seems made to seduce the eyes, the mind and the imagination.” - Guy de Maupassant. So, if there was any disconnect still left between the TV show White Lotus after traveling along the coastline it finally all came together here. This is the beautiful Sicily that I had envisioned and wish I had more time to spend here. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/seatoshiningsea-sicily monthly 0.5 2023-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0ce64ec3-0c81-4eb4-ac2e-f81442f885b2/IMG_9028.JPG Blog - From Sea to Shining Sea ~ Sicily - Make it stand out Controlled burns. We saw many of these along our way. Apparently, the sun gets so hot out here that it automatically ignites the dry vegetation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2cc16ada-e534-434c-a6a0-1429d9862f97/IMG_9009.jpg Blog - From Sea to Shining Sea ~ Sicily - Make it stand out Marsala is at the Western most tip of the island and famous for its sweetish Marsala wine made popular by the British. Apparently, Trapani is a good place to stay the night when you’re in Sicily though we did not make it there or stay a night there. Perhaps next time. We did stop at a winery in Marsala for a wine tour and some wine tasting accompanied by a snack of cheese, nuts and pasta to soak up the alcohol. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e2bfce97-9059-439f-b45c-fb6fc599f8cc/IMG_9073.JPG Blog - From Sea to Shining Sea ~ Sicily - Make it stand out Salt was once a precious commodity and exported from here to as far away as Norway. The coastline in this region of Marsala is called the Salt Road and is characterized by a picturesque landscape of shallow ponds and white pyramids of salt. Our route did not include a visit, but we did get a chance to stop at a scenic overlook and get to take some pictures from afar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7bb29f84-9a99-410b-91fa-b7bc1ac91182/IMG_9111.JPG Blog - From Sea to Shining Sea ~ Sicily - Make it stand out The soil is rich with volcanic ash and all manner of fruit, nuts, grapes and olives are cultivated along the hillsides. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6ae2c15c-0bed-48b0-9072-573bc1dcfd45/IMG_9087.JPG Blog - From Sea to Shining Sea ~ Sicily - Make it stand out Mature date palms bursting with fruit. Reminded me of my time at an Oasis in Abu Dabu where one of the farmers whisked up a tall palm tree to cut down fresh dates for us to taste. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1b975908-881c-4fb7-ba9b-a4983eaa0e8d/IMG_9082.JPG Blog - From Sea to Shining Sea ~ Sicily - Make it stand out The hilltop town of Erice. I was reminded of the many picturesque hill towns in France, Spain, Italy and amazed at how similar and yet how unique each one is. In addition to a castle and cathedral and the usual shops and cafes Erice has the most outstanding sea views. I was feeling lazy after my wine tasting and pasta when we got here so chose not to wander the labyrinth of steep streets. Instead, I found a nice viewpoint and settled myself in the shade to enjoy a couple of hours of people watching and dozing in the sun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a54c3e1f-7ae7-4448-984b-ed412f2930cb/IMG_9251.jpg Blog - From Sea to Shining Sea ~ Sicily - Make it stand out The town of Cefalu is dominated by a monumental rock known as the promontory of Hercules with a temple to Diana built on top of it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e172ac14-40d0-4dff-b40f-c01b4d8bd5db/IMG_9198.JPG Blog - From Sea to Shining Sea ~ Sicily - Make it stand out An artist’s paradise: the many shades of blue that you can find in the waters around the island. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/96b847ac-e837-4eef-9c89-2bd4c0ea2ea1/IMG_9299.jpg Blog - From Sea to Shining Sea ~ Sicily - Make it stand out The straits of Messina. You can see how close the Italian mainland is from Sicily. Originally, I had wanted to take the train on the ferry across the straits of Messina but was dissuaded by people who have done it and did not think it worth the time. This whole area abounds with myths and legends. According to Homer this strait was guarded by Scylla and Charybdis two sea monsters who guarded the narrow strait and created hazards for sailors. Today the waters looked calm and clear. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/311279ae-7132-46d4-9f90-2dc342eec45c/IMG_9164.JPG Blog - From Sea to Shining Sea ~ Sicily - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e1682287-715b-48d9-84ad-d87dcaefc43e/IMG_9227.JPG Blog - From Sea to Shining Sea ~ Sicily - Make it stand out Not far from the main square was this other church. The three friends chatting on the bench brought back nostalgic memories of my two friends who were my frequent travel companions pre-covid. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/283bd16d-04eb-41af-9bec-4e53fb44b78f/IMG_8998.JPG Blog - From Sea to Shining Sea ~ Sicily - Make it stand out Having been on many a winery tour before I decided to wander on my own through the property. I loved the sense of timelessness and the touch of color from the bougainvillea and other plants and flowers dotted around the courtyard and terraces. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f8144362-6c1b-4f79-b50f-a092ad8cd033/IMG_9216.JPG Blog - From Sea to Shining Sea ~ Sicily - Make it stand out The center of the town is dominated by a massive cathedral built much in the style of the Norman Cathedral of Monreale. The Normal ruler, Ruggero found salvation in Cefalu after a bad storm at sea and raised the cathedral in thanks. While several people in our group ventured inside, I was still satiated from our visit to Monreale and chose not to go inside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/61d05037-3663-446f-8f60-a1238b9d4156/IMG_9448.JPG Blog - From Sea to Shining Sea ~ Sicily - Make it stand out After a long and thoroughly satisfying day we finally made it to our hotel on the Taormina coast. Our day wasn’t done yet. A quick freshening up and we were ready for our next adventure: a traditional Sicilian cooking lesson and dinner in the clouds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3850d071-5768-4188-a916-dfc388aaaec2/IMG_9200.JPG Blog - From Sea to Shining Sea ~ Sicily - Make it stand out As we walked from the bus park to the town of Cefalu we spotted this lone man, sunbathing in the rocks with an awesome view of sea and sand. This is what I would call an unplugged vacation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d9073c7d-ff83-4a5e-bc25-ecccce23f30c/IMG_9180.jpg Blog - From Sea to Shining Sea ~ Sicily - Make it stand out Probably one of my most favorite of all the Sicilian seaside towns and villages; Cefalu. If there is a next time for me to Sicily, I’d like to stay here a few days and enjoy the sun, sea and atmosphere. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/palermo-ataleoftwochurches monthly 0.5 2023-03-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/06440268-0548-4fb8-b791-e726747331b7/IMG_8902.JPG Blog - A Tale of Two Churches Palermo, Sicily - Make it stand out The inside is relatively plain more so when you come here after visiting the cathedral at Monreale. There is a pinhole that sheds light on the Zodiac that is etched on the floor. Unfortunately, there was so much foot traffic that it was impossible to get a good picture of this marvel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/01b6172b-61a8-4355-bb37-61f9a32c7bd1/IMG_8937.JPG Blog - A Tale of Two Churches Palermo, Sicily - Make it stand out All that walking definitely justified the delicious Sicilian Pizza that I had for lunch. Pizza is such a ubiquitous food and yet the taste and flavor is so unique to every place that you taste one. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b6aef0b9-6739-4f11-9ad9-8ee82352a698/IMG_8813.JPG Blog - A Tale of Two Churches Palermo, Sicily - Make it stand out Part of the original feud between WIlliam and Bishop of Palermo was the bishop’s refusal to let William’s father be buried in Cefalu cathedral. So, William made a statement in more ways than one. First by building this beautiful cathedral and secondly by making it the site of all royal Norman burials. Both he and his father are buried right here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/948d7029-6a9c-4660-8cf7-799e9e41941f/IMG_8826.JPG Blog - A Tale of Two Churches Palermo, Sicily - Make it stand out Tt’s hard to absorb all there is to see and admire and listen to the history and architectural detail at the same time. Our guide was telling us how pre-covid the groups could sit in pews while they looked around and she gave all the facts but post covid the pews are closed off and people start to fidget while standing when their feet and eyes are itching to move around and explore. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/79a1953f-54fc-44c1-a57e-cc7490c624df/IMG_9147.JPG Blog - A Tale of Two Churches Palermo, Sicily - Make it stand out Any conversation about Palermo would definitely be incomplete without mentioning the Sicilian Mafia that dominated this region. The Monumento Strage di Capaci which we drove by and did not stop at is dedicated to all those who fell in the fight against the Mafia - judges, police officers, journalists and political activists. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b21b5950-eda4-414a-b5f7-68d4a45d07f6/IMG_8847.JPG Blog - A Tale of Two Churches Palermo, Sicily - Make it stand out We left early morning from Palermo to beat the crowds of people who visit the cathedral of Monreale on any given day. From the bus park there are 84 steps that take visitors to the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele where the entrance to the cathedral is located. For a modest price of 2 Euro one can take one of the taxis that wait here to skip the stairs. Guess which option I took? Statues of the Virgin Mary to whom the church is dedicated, and the fountain of the triton grace the square. Coffee shops, souvenir shops abound though most people from what I can see are here for the visit to the cathedral. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/247cb51d-547d-4bd4-996d-94bc8ba8aa27/IMG_8877.jpg Blog - A Tale of Two Churches Palermo, Sicily - Make it stand out Many of the original city walls survive along with the gates. Since vehicular traffic is supposedly not allowed down the street where the Palermo Cathedral is located, we entered on foot through one of the surviving gates. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c299db47-351d-4300-856a-455e0cd4be23/IMG_8831.jpg Blog - A Tale of Two Churches Palermo, Sicily - Make it stand out The inside is shocking in scale, built in a classic Byzantine style from the Middle Ages with a Greek cross and two side aisles. Visitors are dazzled by the Byzantine style floors, Corinthian columns and intricate carved wood ceiling. Gold, silver, enamel and marble mosaics depict scenes from the Old and the New Testament. There are a total of 68000 square feet of jaw dropping mosaics, the overall effect of which is created by putting gold leaf between glass pieces. While we travel to marvel at wonders around the world, sometimes one can find some of these right in your backyard like a replica of this ceiling in the old courthouse in Santa Barbara. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6affe52f-82e3-43f4-8b64-adb767bf9702/IMG_8896.JPG Blog - A Tale of Two Churches Palermo, Sicily - Make it stand out The altar dedicated to the patron saint of Palermo, Saint Rosalia who is credited with ending the plague here in Sicily. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/decb02df-a8dc-4d79-8d53-62c443d42303/IMG_8832.jpg Blog - A Tale of Two Churches Palermo, Sicily - Make it stand out The highlight, in the vault of the central apse, is a huge mosaic of Christ Pantocrater glowing like the sun. At 60 feet tall, it’s the largest pantocrater in Europe. It depicts a long-haired Christ in glory raising his right hand in a two fingered Byzantine-style blessing. Below him are images of the Virgin Mary enthroned with child and a row of saints. The side apses have scenes from the lives of Saint Peter and Paul. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7f88500a-cdf4-477b-aad0-b6ae876b279c/IMG_8753.JPG Blog - A Tale of Two Churches Palermo, Sicily - Make it stand out Monreale Cathedral is the world’s most famous Norman cathedral and one of the architectural marvels of the Middle Ages. There’s a saying in Palermo: “He who visits Palermo without visiting Monreale arrives as a donkey and leaves an ass.” Founded by William II as a political and artistic statement designed to assert royal authority over the then Bishop of Palermo who was William’s great rival. The fortress-like facade is not terribly remarkable and gives no hint of the wonders inside designed and executed by Arab, Norman and Byzantine architects and artisans. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f92f0abb-99c3-4f92-b758-67cbdc254760/IMG_8871.JPG Blog - A Tale of Two Churches Palermo, Sicily - Make it stand out We left Monreale and headed for Palermo city to admire Palermo Cathedral that had been built by the Bishop of Palermo at the same time as Monreale was being created by William the II. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/48c691a9-cb76-4429-b980-b5e4cbe5ebbb/IMG_8869.jpg Blog - A Tale of Two Churches Palermo, Sicily - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/356c7081-2e51-4ecd-95fa-83f9818e7b0e/IMG_8885.JPG Blog - A Tale of Two Churches Palermo, Sicily - Make it stand out As we walked past the royal palace, we passed many buildings along the street that are going through a revival. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4a57649e-14ee-461a-b4ad-28532d0513b4/IMG_8894.JPG Blog - A Tale of Two Churches Palermo, Sicily - Make it stand out The intricate entrance portal has two Corinthian columns on each side and twisting arches above. At the top is a Byzantine style mosaic enclosed by a marble frame. The precious wooden doors are made of walnut, with 28 panels of finely carved decorations. It is said that both William and the Bishop had heart attacks when they each got to view what the other had created. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/675d674c-9c1b-468f-bad4-915f91c7e91d/IMG_8893.JPG Blog - A Tale of Two Churches Palermo, Sicily - Make it stand out The wedding cake facade of the Palermo Cathedral. The Palermo Cathedral is a mix of Arab, Norman styles and has inscriptions from the Koran. It is speculated that these inscriptions were from components that were liberated from a mosque. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/sicilysarcheologicalwonders monthly 0.5 2023-03-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a370c3c0-3fd7-46ce-8dd3-f9e733f38f10/IMG_8481.JPG Blog - Sicily’s Archeological Wonders - Make it stand out The city looks like something out of a fairy tale with its church spires and beautiful colorful houses sprawled all over the hillside. Thanks to my overall grumpiness today, I made my way to an early check in and a cold shower in the tiniest shower cubicle I have seen, instead of walking through the winding cobblestoned streets of the town. Some days one just reaches a limit and it’s smart to recognize it and work through it so you can be restored for what’s to come. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e6d2b13f-6129-42a4-8cb1-76a2ba249200/IMG_8613.JPG Blog - Sicily’s Archeological Wonders - Make it stand out Icarus, proud son of Dedalus flew too close to the sun and lost his wings plunging down to the earth. Apparently that spot was here in Sicily and a statue commemorates his fall. What a way to connect my childhood readings to archeological discoveries and wonders. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b85a3f91-9b2c-4351-a198-dd21d87a193a/IMG_8392.JPG Blog - Sicily’s Archeological Wonders - Make it stand out First built in the 5th century BC, rebuilt in the 3rd Century BC and renovated yet again in the Roman period, the Greek theater is reputed to be one of the most beautiful locations in the world. As the local guide talked about the various plays and performances, she mentioned some of the Greek tragedies and satires performed here, one of which was Lysistrata. I could well visualize the performance having had the good fortune to score a performance of this satire at the outdoor theater in the beautiful Getty Villa in Malibu last summer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/17781e63-2af9-4cbe-accb-3840a7fce515/IMG_8579.JPG Blog - Sicily’s Archeological Wonders - Make it stand out Stone pillars and miniature temples began to appear in the distance as we headed towards the famous Valley of the Temples. This comprises a large area on the South side of the ancient city of Agrigento where 7 monumental Greek temples in the Doric style were constructed in the 6th and 5th centuries BC. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f80a7e76-25fd-4a62-b510-ba4f389f057e/IMG_8558.JPG Blog - Sicily’s Archeological Wonders - Make it stand out The temple of Hercules, with its fallen pillars. Originally destroyed by the Carthaginians, rebuilt by the Romans and destroyed again by an earthquake. This vast complex like no other brings alive Sicilian history, Greek myths and the various people that came, conquered, settled and left pieces of their culture, art and religion. Of course, this visit brought alive the burning desire to visit Tunisia which is reputed to be ancient Carthage. Hopefully someday soon. Leaving the wonderful archeological history of Sicily, we headed towards Palermo and the valley of gold to enjoy a few nights in one location as we explored gorgeous churches, wine yards, olive groves, beautiful mountain towns and the fantastic coastline. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a891aede-7f8d-4b28-983a-43a1e459d1a4/IMG_8415.JPG Blog - Sicily’s Archeological Wonders - Make it stand out So, I plonked myself at the nearest sidewalk cafe under the nice shady umbrella and waved goodbye to my fellow intrepid travelers. The ice-cold granita and the people watching did much to restore my spirits before I had to brave the sun and heat to continue our onward journey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7093fffe-dc98-4259-b54f-eedaeddccf8f/IMG_8630.JPG Blog - Sicily’s Archeological Wonders - Make it stand out The temple of Concordia which owes its preservation due to being used as a Christian church during the 5th century AD. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/24704d92-c945-44b6-a0d4-5a62835f730f/IMG_8604.JPG Blog - Sicily’s Archeological Wonders - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5a7d63d1-51f5-4e58-950b-14384bf16b7e/IMG_8376.JPG Blog - Sicily’s Archeological Wonders - Make it stand out The ear of Dionysus, first stop on the archeological trail in the district of Siracusa. There is some debate whether this is a naturally occurring cave or manufactured by Dionysus. There are dark tales of political prisoners imprisoned and tortured here and how the king used the resonance to listen to plots or plans and/or to relish in the cries of anguish. Regardless of its use in the past, there is no question of the acoustics as our group tested and tried them out. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/96b67daf-68e9-47d5-a5cf-20eb468b9677/IMG_8609.jpg Blog - Sicily’s Archeological Wonders - Make it stand out Did you know that they kept these statues headless on purpose? Since it takes a lot longer to build an entire new statue, in ancient times they made these statues headless and placed the head of whomever was the current ruler or conqueror du jour. Talk about recycling and reuse. Apparently, it existed long before we were born. I have seen headless statues like this before. Most recently at Caesarea in Israel. At the time we were led to believe that the heads were not found when they excavated the statues. Now I know better. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a4347d88-ebc0-4c7b-8285-bd8a3a8867ac/IMG_8585.JPG Blog - Sicily’s Archeological Wonders - Make it stand out The Temple of Hera. Now excavated and partially restored, it is considered one of the largest and best-preserved ancient Greek buildings outside of Greece itself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7db73489-a543-468b-bed3-a18367b3a6d7/IMG_8414.JPG Blog - Sicily’s Archeological Wonders - Make it stand out I had had enough despite the wonderful refreshing freshly squeezed orange juice our tour director had scored for us at the archeological site and decided that I did not want wander through the winding streets, gawking at the ruins, interesting shops or sidewalk cafes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ce89daa3-c871-4459-8c4e-c32ebab565a7/IMG_8418.JPG Blog - Sicily’s Archeological Wonders - Make it stand out “Eureka”, nope not the street in Studio City, California nor the restaurant in Woodland Hills California. The town of Ortygia, Sicily is well known for this famous cry of discovery made by Archimedes as he ran naked through the streets. In fact, a statue of Archimedes sits at the entrance to the town to commemorate his contribution to science and being an inspiration to such notables as Newton, and Leonardo Da Vinci. As we walked past, the sun was beating down and it was hot as hades and humid to boot. I was not a happy camper, and it must have rubbed off on how I viewed this city. Not my favorite at all. Plus, our tour guide kept talking about the Sirocco. Isn’t that something that happens in a desert? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/77c794d8-157e-4079-8631-7b2f3468aef3/IMG_8507.JPG Blog - Sicily’s Archeological Wonders - Make it stand out Much restored by the evening I made my way towards a nice glass of wine and a wonderful dinner of Sicilian flavors. The cathedral was all lit up as we made our way back to the hotel and I was able to capture this beautiful sight. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cb5d7fa6-8c41-41b1-b41e-a4337c543b8f/IMG_8502.JPG Blog - Sicily’s Archeological Wonders - Make it stand out Leaving Ortygia in our rear view, we continued our drive through the beautiful Sicilian countryside towards our nighttime stop of Ragusa. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/welcome-to-sicily monthly 0.5 2023-03-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/739271eb-c50d-4cd9-bffa-465a448482d9/IMG_8170.JPG Blog - Welcome To Catania Gateway to Sicily - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5c12f449-7757-451b-8ac6-5527b130bdf5/IMG_8308.JPG Blog - Welcome To Catania Gateway to Sicily - Make it stand out These are little kiosks that exist all over the city where you can buy a quick espresso or water or a juice and sit down on a nearby bench and refresh yourself. Catania might have seemed gritty and unwelcoming at first but in the three days that I spent here, it grew on me. For White Lotus fans it’s a far cry from what you see in that popular TV series but it’s definitely worth spending a day or so to give you a good flavor of all of Sicily. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b632379d-77be-4c37-b5d5-9c965574e353/IMG_8234.JPG Blog - Welcome To Catania Gateway to Sicily - Make it stand out I have to tell you all that I hate grocery shopping. Not that there weren’t grocery delivery options before Covid but since I started getting my groceries delivered, I never went back to grocery shopping again. Yet here I am happily wandering in fish, meat and vegetable markets all around the world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b97ef7f7-0c24-4f3b-8703-a6dda9ab697f/IMG_8146.JPG Blog - Welcome To Catania Gateway to Sicily - Make it stand out Perhaps grab a freshly squeezed juice from the many carts and shops that dot the city. When I first saw this cart, I tempted but skeptical about the safety of street juice. Fortunately, I soon lost my inhibitions and enjoyed some of the most fantastic juices and granitas during my time in Sicily. It is so tempting to say country when referring to this region but even though Sicilians feel like they are their own country, politically they are a part of Italy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/08eacad4-2e45-4bdd-908e-b13b43923327/IMG_8263.JPG Blog - Welcome To Catania Gateway to Sicily - Make it stand out Fortunately, I did get a chance to walk around inside the following day and admire the lovely interior. Many churches in Sicily seem to celebrate the virgin Mary and I found one of the most beautiful statues of Mother Mary with the baby Jesus here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6243eef8-c94c-4026-b6a5-e7785a6a1e94/IMG_8130.JPG Blog - Welcome To Catania Gateway to Sicily - Make it stand out I was looking for the Teatro Bellini when I came across this square. I know I was close to the theater, but I don’t think I ever did locate the theater. This is a city to get lost in as you wander the various twisting and turning streets and stop on a bench in one of the piazzas to take a load off your feet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2ff0a01d-5f95-4386-a2fa-7f486f837ae5/IMG_8223.JPG Blog - Welcome To Catania Gateway to Sicily - Make it stand out Many of the fish sellers called out greetings and tried to entice me to buy their wares as I wandered through the market, taking pictures and absorbing the activity. I’m not sure if this particular seller was trying to startle me or entice me to buy but since he ended up posing, I had to take a picture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8e14523c-db5f-4eda-bcf0-c40c0cceb028/IMG_8254.jpg Blog - Welcome To Catania Gateway to Sicily - Make it stand out It seems like every square in the city is built around a church. Each one with a beautiful facade. The Catterdrale di Sant’Agata dominates the central or elephant square as it is known. Dedicated to Saint Agata, it is a beautiful church both outside and inside. When I first walked up there was a baptism and the church was closed to tourists. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d5d6f882-4c9c-4775-913f-8c402da5e473/IMG_8232.JPG Blog - Welcome To Catania Gateway to Sicily - Make it stand out On the upper terrace overlooking the activity are restaurants doing a brisk business selling coffee and juice and tasty tidbits. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/12402edc-bbce-477d-b028-7a385ba62cd8/IMG_8285.JPG Blog - Welcome To Catania Gateway to Sicily - Make it stand out Definitely an enterprising man. I was never sure if he was actually selling stuff right from his bike or transporting it to a shop nearby. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/86f681c8-2968-424c-a26e-ae3c67f85574/IMG_8217.jpg Blog - Welcome To Catania Gateway to Sicily - Make it stand out After the pitying look from the day before when I thought the fish market should be open at all hours, I made it to Le Pescheria early in the morning the next day. I took a taxi from the hotel that dropped me off at a park near the entrance to the market and gave me an opportunity to browse not just the market but some of the locals sitting and enjoying their first cup of coffee. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cefd5cc0-fd2d-4260-81bd-cb4a7abb69d2/IMG_8297.JPG Blog - Welcome To Catania Gateway to Sicily - Make it stand out Catania was founded in 729 BC by the Greeks. There are ruins some in the process of being excavated all over the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/99e07d75-c069-494e-af0f-1b75d4666d37/IMG_8177.JPG Blog - Welcome To Catania Gateway to Sicily - Make it stand out The Elephant is a symbol of the city from ancient times. The elephant was said to possess magic and be able to forecast the eruptions of Mount Etna. I also heard a version of the story that the elephant was the source of the original Greek mythological stories of cyclops. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fb746059-a9d0-43ff-a975-ce83c18e9953/IMG_8270.JPG Blog - Welcome To Catania Gateway to Sicily - Make it stand out Bougainville perfumes the air and brings a bright burst of color to the lighter colored buildings in the square. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/chinese-new-year-in-los-angeles-california monthly 0.5 2023-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3ba9b639-bcb2-4ec6-98c4-52092515b748/IMG_3203.JPG Blog - Chinese New Year in Los Angeles, California - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8ed6215c-4d92-43fb-a1f5-c6623f04223b/IMG_3214.JPG Blog - Chinese New Year in Los Angeles, California - Make it stand out My timing was spot on, and I arrived just as the lion dancers were getting ready to perform. The dragon dancers were also present and ready to perform showing off the dragon twisting this way and that to the delight of the audience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/14b61b0f-28ae-494a-9f5f-185df6599d86/IMG_3209.JPG Blog - Chinese New Year in Los Angeles, California - Make it stand out A quick explanation and introduction to the lion dancers and traditions. While these dances can be performed for any auspicious occasion including weddings and birthdays, they are traditionally performed at the New Year Festival. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f4cc19db-bbbe-49af-9046-ab01fffb4158/IMG_3284.JPG Blog - Chinese New Year in Los Angeles, California - Make it stand out This green had a demonstration of Tai Chi, the fan and sword dances. Most of the performers here were of mixed age and I was both envious and encouraged to try my feet and body to this. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/12c454d3-745a-4213-8ce8-0dbaf08154de/IMG_3334.JPG Blog - Chinese New Year in Los Angeles, California - Make it stand out Of course, I did things backwards as I walked the exit, there was a photo booth and people taking pictures of these signs proclaiming the New Year. Outside the bookstore was a book signing of books about each of the Chinese Zodiac signs with both the author and the illustrator present. I of course had to buy one for my five-year-old grandson. As luck would have it they were out of both the Rabbit as well as his birth sign book, so I settled on the Dragon’s story. All little boys love dragons, right? A wonderful day enjoying the sunshine and the beautiful flowers that are announcing that spring is sprung and enjoying the festivities associated with the Chinese New Year and Lamp festival. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/99868207-f296-4119-a200-e544945f119f/IMG_3316.JPG Blog - Chinese New Year in Los Angeles, California - Make it stand out There were flower arrangements and short performances in the Chinese Gardens and food trucks galore. I snuck into the open Children’s Garden and watched these children escape from all the noise and mayhem to enjoy a few moments in the sun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6791b141-f659-4799-9365-6dec5b5a244b/IMG_3251.JPG Blog - Chinese New Year in Los Angeles, California - Make it stand out And then they asked for 5 children volunteers to come to the dancers for a special five on five interactions. Before you could say Jack Robinson, the green was full of children and their parents all vying for the opportunity. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5e4702f7-e506-4963-b431-06ea6bdee298/IMG_3231.JPG Blog - Chinese New Year in Los Angeles, California - Make it stand out Many of the audience was equipped with the traditional red envelopes that they stuffed into the dancer’s mouth to show their appreciation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/30408beb-0aee-42d7-91b3-841ed37f4100/IMG_3266.JPG Blog - Chinese New Year in Los Angeles, California - Make it stand out A calligraphy table was set up to allow people to practice forming the traditional letters. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2f03de9a-ceb5-4954-b906-2705c5844604/IMG_3221.JPG Blog - Chinese New Year in Los Angeles, California - Make it stand out And they were off. Prancing and showing off for the audience and making their way to the children seated on the ground and letting the children pet them. What an awesome sight it was. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e1717262-e46e-4a5f-9380-7680e25f5bdd/img-3292.jpg Blog - Chinese New Year in Los Angeles, California - Make it stand out Oh, these drums sounded fantastic. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/iceland-the-golden-circle monthly 0.5 2023-02-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b758b740-3510-45a3-b269-8644f08f73fd/IMG_7600.JPG Blog - Iceland ~ The Golden Circle - Make it stand out A trip to Iceland wouldn’t be complete without sampling the famous Blue Lagoon. The whole place runs like clockwork as thousands of tourists make their way here for a soak. I’m told, there are times when the water is so full of people that there isn’t a lot of room to move but fortunately the water was not overcrowded when I was there. One of the downsides of being completely solo is the sense of isolation in a place like this where you wish you had at least one person you knew. Nevertheless, I enjoyed my soak and felt like a new person especially after I slathered on the freebee cream liberally over my arms and legs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5c44d245-fc09-4919-a4a5-56876f776c50/IMG_7948.jpg Blog - Iceland ~ The Golden Circle - Make it stand out As it turned out, we first visited the Faxi waterfall which the locals classify as small. It’s a wide river, single tier waterfall classified as a mini Gullfoss. We pulled into a parking lot that let us view it from above and then walked down to the falls while our guide drove our minibus and met us at the lower parking. Since we were the only people there, we were able to walk right up to the edge of the waterfall and enjoy the beauty in close proximity. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/11bf6bfb-af6a-4d9f-9239-c9de1beda042/IMG_7999.JPG Blog - Iceland ~ The Golden Circle - Make it stand out We saw Icelandic horses grazing in the many areas around the road that we traveled along with sheep and cows. A highlight for our group was a visit to a farm that raises these horses. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b23d5155-97e5-4e98-95b8-f2b94350f884/IMG_8066.jpg Blog - Iceland ~ The Golden Circle - Make it stand out It is fascinating to understand that the ridge here marks the boundary between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. When standing in this Pingvellir National Park, you can stand on two continents at once if you spread your legs 7Km wide. In fact, it’s the only place on earth where you can stand on dry land between two continental plates. Take it all in as you behold the unique landscape made up of picturesque rock formations and numerous bodies of water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6d829fa1-590f-4302-97b6-079c72ca19ed/IMG_8098.JPG Blog - Iceland ~ The Golden Circle - Make it stand out Homeward bound we crossed valleys with steam rising from the ground and white pipes snaking through the landscape capturing the steam and bringing it to Reykjavik to provide running hot water for its residents. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/469d0f1d-185b-488e-bd76-256e024b2a7d/IMG_7985.jpg Blog - Iceland ~ The Golden Circle - Make it stand out All the waterfalls that we had seen so far in Iceland had hardly prepared us for the immensity and magnitude of the Gullfoss waterfall. A two-tier waterfall with a surge of up to 140 cubic meters of water per second. As you see the visitors milling around in the above parking lot and gift shop and walking the pathways to take pictures and view the falls it is hard to imagine that if not for Tómasdóttir there might have been a hydroelectric plant here. On the lower level there is a picture and a plaque recognizing Tómasdóttir’s contribution to the preservation of the falls, so visitors should stop and say a quick thank you to Sigríður Tómasdóttir for the beauty that you behold. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/625a28de-c96c-4ff6-881c-e727b20a4609/IMG_8062.JPG Blog - Iceland ~ The Golden Circle - Make it stand out The Pingvallavatn lake in Golden Circle is the largest in Iceland. It covers an area of 85 Km, slightly bigger than Manhattan. It is a popular fishing destination due to its Arctic Charr. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ec32ef97-6b68-4a4d-9f6b-0214b59c1b35/IMG_8035.jpg Blog - Iceland ~ The Golden Circle - Make it stand out Just west of Gullfoss is Haukadalur, a geothermal valley, home to hot springs and geysers. This area reminded me so much of Yellowstone National Park in the US with its share of bubbling, steaming mud pots and water holes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2c7267f6-977c-46f8-a847-18952ba589a1/IMG_8060.JPG Blog - Iceland ~ The Golden Circle - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0582e256-cac9-41f1-bac1-8fe4285a940d/IMG_8046.jpg Blog - Iceland ~ The Golden Circle - Make it stand out Pingvellir National Park has remarkable geological and historical significance. It is considered the birthplace of democracy since the world’s oldest existing parliament first met here. The open-air gathering occurred in 930 AD and the site continued to be used as a meeting place until 1798. In fact, the park got its name from these parliamentary meetings, since Þingvellir translates to parliamentary plains. Iceland’s fascinating geology is on full display here with the exposed tectonic gap between the Eurasian and the North American continents. With this fascinating landscape it is no wonder that Game of Thrones used this as a film location in the popular series. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/51d6ec2a-bbe2-4e64-8908-2e37cdbaa6ed/IMG_7954.jpg Blog - Iceland ~ The Golden Circle - Make it stand out There were no salmon fisherman amongst us and nor was there fishing time built into our itinerary, but we got and education into the fish ladder that is built next to the Faxi falls and the fisherman that are attracted to it for guaranteed fishing results. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3a02d47e-f0da-4c65-9800-ca04265e9054/IMG_8115.jpg Blog - Iceland ~ The Golden Circle - Make it stand out While the night was supposed to be a good candidate for the Northern Lights, I was leaving too early to be able to view them. The driver was joking that perhaps I’d be lucky to catch them from the windows of the aircraft. Well, the Northern Lights did not happen, but I did get to experience a spectacular sunset on my drive to the airport. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d99fddad-1253-4a1d-907d-65abb4a82a0c/IMG_8026.jpg Blog - Iceland ~ The Golden Circle - Make it stand out Geysir, sometimes called The Great Geysir, is the source of the English language word geyser. The name comes from the Icelandic verb geysa, meaning “to gush”. So, all of the famous gushing eruptions around the world that we know as geysers have Iceland’s Great Geysir to thank for their name. Geysir was active for thousands of years but doesn’t erupt too often these days. Strokkur is the gushing geyser currently which gushes more frequently and more predictably than Old Faithful at Yosemite. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4f74aa59-5bba-46cc-88f7-775e2a3639f6/IMG_8102.JPG Blog - Iceland ~ The Golden Circle - Make it stand out We paused for a quick moment to admire the scenic beauty on display and snap some quick photos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/eca17510-1fc9-4247-85d4-d8b10087a507/IMG_8040.JPG Blog - Iceland ~ The Golden Circle - Make it stand out “Bubble bubble toil and trouble” is a misquoted line from Macbeth but it seems so appropriate as you walk past bubbling mud pots and steaming pools in the ground. All in all, with the earth opening up and exhaling all around you, you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled to the edge of the earth, or into another world entirely. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/waterfalls-glaciers-and-black-sand-beaches-of-iceland monthly 0.5 2023-02-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/42867adc-6d47-4614-be05-03b878e9193b/IMG_7723.JPG Blog - Waterfalls, Glaciers and Black Sand Beaches of Iceland - Make it stand out The Solheimajokull glacier or the “Home of the Sun” is an outlet glacier of the fourth largest and southernmost ice cap in Iceland, the Myrdalsjokull Glacier. The glacial tongue is wedged between the Katla and Eyjafjallajokull volcanoes and flows down a steep valley, dropping from a height of 1300 to 100 meters. Solheimajokull is characterized by deep, meandering crevasses, rugged ice ridges and formations painted with vivid tones of milky white, turquoise and volcanic black. This is a popular stopping point for tourists since it is easily accessible, and its ice walls are ideal for climbing with ice picks. In the parking lot and along the walking path we saw many of these serious climbers attired suitably for their exploration of the ice caves and ice walks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/11dc9f97-af20-43b1-9fa7-2ceeaa6deca3/IMG_7638.JPG Blog - Waterfalls, Glaciers and Black Sand Beaches of Iceland - Make it stand out Did you know that all the hot water in Reykjavik is natural, piped from these naturally occurring geysers and thermal vents that dot the landscape. No water heaters, just open the tap and voila hot water on tap. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a01f9010-9b06-4e5b-b1fd-f78b5e0f6d18/IMG_7795.JPG Blog - Waterfalls, Glaciers and Black Sand Beaches of Iceland - Make it stand out The famous jagged basalt columns form caves that are part of the beach. I had recently visited Giant’s Causeway in Ireland, so it was quite interesting to see similar rock formations here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5d3a5605-e9ad-4d3b-9a08-316288e28bd5/IMG_7760.JPG Blog - Waterfalls, Glaciers and Black Sand Beaches of Iceland - Make it stand out As we drove along, impressive rock formations reminded me of dragons and other fantastical creatures. For Game of Thrones fans many of these sights featured as locations in the series. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1675450219192-GBIR39ILX8H6QJDURZRT/IMG_7821.JPG Blog - Waterfalls, Glaciers and Black Sand Beaches of Iceland - Make it stand out From a high point in the town of Vik as well as from the beach itself you can see these famous black sand and hexagonal rock formations and basalt columns out in the sea (Reynisdrangar). Standing on the beach, looking out at the ocean, it’s hard to believe that you are standing at the top of the world and across the water there is nothing between you and Antartica at the bottom of the world. Real life geography. Due to this phenomenon, there are sneaker waves that can sweep the unwary into the water never to be seen again. There are signs all along the beach about being careful and never to turn one’s back to the water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/35e2665a-47e0-4394-88dc-ebc0271095a0/IMG_7907.JPG Blog - Waterfalls, Glaciers and Black Sand Beaches of Iceland - Make it stand out Our final stop for the day, the Seljalandsfoss. This waterfall has a path behind it that allows people to walk behind the waterfall. We had bypassed this in the distance in the morning since our guide warned us that he likes to make this the last stop of the day so people who walk behind the waterfall and get wet from the spray are not shivering in their wet clothes all day. A satisfying day indeed as we headed back to the town and planned a stop for a taste Reykjavik’s famous ice cream. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/097d616c-ed27-4b20-99f6-8bc65396df4d/IMG_7714.JPG Blog - Waterfalls, Glaciers and Black Sand Beaches of Iceland - Make it stand out Tragically as with all glaciers in Iceland, this glacier is shrinking at an alarming rate and has become known as “The Shrinking Glacier.” We did not go to the diamond glacier, with its sparkling ice floes but I was pretty fascinated by the grey blue color of these ice floes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/38bec0c6-2f40-4062-b1c9-fd0b5467ec19/IMG_7669.JPG Blog - Waterfalls, Glaciers and Black Sand Beaches of Iceland - Make it stand out Our first stop was the Eyjafjallajökull volcano. This is the volcano that erupted in 2010 bringing all air traffic across the Atlantic to a halt. We stopped at the farm across the road from the volcano where there is a large board showing pictures of the eruption. As we gazed at this now peaceful landscape, I couldn’t help but remember my nephew’s wedding during that time. We were scheduled to fly from the USA to London for the wedding and then make it onwards to Turkey and Greece. All flights were grounded, and it seemed unlikely that we would make it to London but since flights were operating from Los Angeles to Istanbul our custom designed tour operator was not inclined to let us cancel without any penalties. In those days we rarely purchased travel insurance. Fortunately, our flights were the first flights to depart from Los Angeles, London bound, and we made the wedding as well as the vacation to follow except I did fall and break my foot in Santorini. Today as I gazed upon the innocuous looking glacier and volcano, I was reminded of all that angst and tension which fortunately had ended as well as could be for us. Perhaps I need to plan another trip to Greece. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7fa77e76-c788-42a1-b3f9-097bcb5a5fd6/IMG_7803.JPG Blog - Waterfalls, Glaciers and Black Sand Beaches of Iceland - Make it stand out Reyniskirkja Church is a traditional typical church in Iceland. This particular church sits high on a hill and is a gathering point for the local population in the event of a volcanic eruption that could cause a tsunami or giant flood. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b927a8a2-8eae-4c3a-ae45-db634a041ebd/IMG_7627.JPG Blog - Waterfalls, Glaciers and Black Sand Beaches of Iceland - Make it stand out I had already been to the Blue Lagoon and was feeling quite energized for my South Island tour. My voucher stated that I had an 8:30AM Pickup at the hotel but the concierge told me that this tour did not come inside to get the passengers so I should wait outside the lobby. There were four other passengers waiting for the same tour, a honeymoon couple and two lady friends. Of course, the driver was late, and we got an opportunity to connect as we stood shivering in the cold. After a few phone calls to the travel agency, the driver arrived, and we set off driving along the most interesting rock formations. The volcanic nature of the island is hard to miss as are the sheep, cows and horses grazing along the side of the highway or the geysers of steam rising from the ground. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b01a6afe-b1b9-48ae-b357-ffabb3073676/IMG_7654.JPG Blog - Waterfalls, Glaciers and Black Sand Beaches of Iceland - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9db99741-942a-4022-beba-6c0418cba10e/IMG_7687.JPG Blog - Waterfalls, Glaciers and Black Sand Beaches of Iceland - Make it stand out The magnificent and so very popular Skogafoss waterfall. Due to its height and force it is considered one of the most impressive waterfalls in this part of the world. People were milling around doing pictures against the backdrop of the impressive free fall of water. Yet other people were climbing along the side of the waterfall for a view from the top. There are tales of buried treasure in the waters, but we were not lucky to either stumble upon the treasure nor view one of the fabulous rainbows that this site is known for. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/871be9ba-03ab-4d38-91ae-2813ee09ce71/IMG_7858.JPG Blog - Waterfalls, Glaciers and Black Sand Beaches of Iceland - Make it stand out This was a bridge that had been swept away. The scenery on our drive was compelling and breathtaking and allowed my imagination to take flight as I dreamed off stories that I could make up for my grandchildren. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8cce5a08-8160-4270-85dd-e1db7a96f557/IMG_7869.JPG Blog - Waterfalls, Glaciers and Black Sand Beaches of Iceland - Make it stand out There was some explanation about these naturally occurring homes that are built into the landscape that I can’t recall but I had to make sure to include a picture. Perhaps someone can help remind me of the story. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/593e7acc-e8cb-4f2a-8d09-8ba871a3ed85/IMG_7887.JPG Blog - Waterfalls, Glaciers and Black Sand Beaches of Iceland - Make it stand out Even though it was mid-September, the ice melt formed runnels of water and small waterfalls all along the mountains. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/the-great-wall-of-los-angeles monthly 0.5 2023-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/234cdc5f-0b51-48c8-98e9-3263f7e0441f/IMG_1117.JPG Blog - The Great Wall of Los Angeles - Make it stand out The Doughboys, women’s role in the war, Charlie Chaplin and Thomas Edison. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e78672f8-306a-463c-a9e9-861b0d1b7835/IMG_1135.JPG Blog - The Great Wall of Los Angeles - Make it stand out Civil Rights movement, Gay Rights, Indian Assimilation, Asians gaining property and citizenship. I understand there’s a plan to continue this mural with additional panels but I don’t know the timing of this. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1ec7b553-f350-429d-9e8e-07020e0a2a71/IMG_1106.JPG Blog - The Great Wall of Los Angeles - Make it stand out The Mexican war of Independence leaving California a part of the United States of America and then the discovery of gold in Sutter’s mill leading to the gold rush and a host of people flocked to this part of the world. The Chinese built the railroads and then were massacred in the largest mass lynching in history. Orange groves gave birth to the California Citrus industry, Suffragettes and women’s rights movement, the red car. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b50edad3-3172-421b-87be-d2f49e844549/IMG_1134.JPG Blog - The Great Wall of Los Angeles - Make it stand out McCarthyism, the birth of Rock N Roll, Civil Rights movement. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f3f11ba3-22b4-44fc-a18f-238bd7f6bc09/IMG_1096.jpg Blog - The Great Wall of Los Angeles - Make it stand out Dinosaurs once roamed the world, and it’s never truer than when you are driving some of the curving canyons in Southern California and looking at the rock formations which speak to the dreamer in you or at least they do to me. The local flora, fauna, and simple way of living of the Chumash Indians who were the original inhabitants of this land. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/564b09c0-c68c-4e00-b643-7ed386f0f56d/IMG_1014.JPG Blog - The Great Wall of Los Angeles - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9588f906-2543-460b-a49b-53f1dd5fc377/IMG_1123.JPG Blog - The Great Wall of Los Angeles - Make it stand out Broken promises, land treaties and land grab, the California dustbowl, the internment of Japanese Americans. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9a44869c-371d-46d4-bc93-7bdc9ca4f707/IMG_1111.JPG Blog - The Great Wall of Los Angeles - Make it stand out The Civil movement was alive and well and the world was teetering towards a World War. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a4af3148-d8e1-487c-865b-8ca1ba6e4bda/IMG_1093.jpg Blog - The Great Wall of Los Angeles - Make it stand out The animal spirits make way to the Portola Expedition and the discovery of California by the Spanish and the legend of Queen Califa that I shared with you after visiting the Queen Califa Park in San Diego. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/59eb5d4d-9a13-46eb-894e-0208193b06ab/IMG_1098.JPG Blog - The Great Wall of Los Angeles - Make it stand out Mexican rule in California that led to the establishment of the missions and the birth of the Californios completely changing the way of life here. I have as you all know been on a mission to visit of the 21 California missions established during this period, many of which are still functioning churches even today. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/middle-of-the-world-quito-ecuador monthly 0.5 2023-01-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3194daa3-fd43-4ac3-8d30-3e98ae53ce34/IMG_2629.JPG Blog - Middle Of the World Quito, Ecuador - Make it stand out Our first stop of the morning came at the Basilica del Voto Nacional. It is a neo gothic roman catholic church, the largest of its kind in Latin America started in 1892. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/70be649c-d452-4e0d-879b-4797c6c95dc5/IMG_2704.JPG Blog - Middle Of the World Quito, Ecuador - Make it stand out After an eventful trip where we traveled from the coastal region of Guayaquil, the highlands of Cuenca and Riobamba traversing cloud forests and verdant hills and lakes to make our way to the Amazon Rainforest we traveled back up to the highlands of Quito and the middle of the earth for our farewell to Ecuador. Chocolate is definitely a big export and yes you can buy it on Amazon, but nothing beats those chocolate bars that you carry back in your luggage as gifts for friends and family and your own personal stash. Who knows perhaps I too will become one of those people making my second, third or fourth trip to Ecuador but for now so long, farewell. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/39c23966-6117-4bf9-b469-3cbe7167a957/IMG_2563.JPG Blog - Middle Of the World Quito, Ecuador - Make it stand out As we drove into Quito, the highest elevation that we crossed was 13,400 feet where you could definitely feel the thinness of the air. As the coach came to a stop at the viewpoint, we could see the Atacazco volcano. Many of the group scrambled out of the coach including yours truly to get some pictures. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/04b87dc8-8884-4915-97b3-2a7a89a7944d/IMG_2734.jpg Blog - Middle Of the World Quito, Ecuador - Make it stand out You do have the option to take the elevator or steps. Let me tell you, that elevator is one of the slowest elevators possible. There is a sign inside the elevator that warns visitors not to hit the button after the doors have closed. Just when we were wondering if it was even moving the doors opened and we were at the top, so hang on tight. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3e32e590-7244-430d-86fe-914a68179b5b/IMG_0469+%282%29.jpg Blog - Middle Of the World Quito, Ecuador - Make it stand out There is a myth about balancing an egg on the equinox when a special gravitational balance occurs. The equator provides that gravitational balance so voila eggs can be balanced. Just one more fun thing to try as you’re wandering around the visitor center and sipping coffee where the foam is designed to look like the monument. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/168186aa-1758-46d3-996e-78c46d2a2239/IMG_2590.JPG Blog - Middle Of the World Quito, Ecuador - Make it stand out Some shopping at the local artisan’s market near our hotel and a good night’s sleep fortified ourselves for a day of adventure wandering through the city center and then the highlight visit to the middle of the earth monument. While we did get eggs, toast and all kinds of rolls and croissants for breakfast, it’s when you see ceviche in the breakfast buffet that you’re reminded that you’re in a different country. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ea6111cd-f6b1-40e1-9d1b-ca62a2161032/IMG_0418+%282%29.jpg Blog - Middle Of the World Quito, Ecuador - Make it stand out In the middle of the historic center sits the Basilica and convent of San Francisco in San Francisco square. I need to do more research regarding the significance of San Francisco in this part of the world because there is a square of that name in multiple cities in Ecuador. This is the oldest and most significant religious site in Ecuador and the structure itself is the largest architectural complex within the historic centers of all of South America. San Francisco is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of the city of Quito. Buskers are playing tunes and all manner of people are walking around the square and enjoying the party like atmosphere. There was a lot of concern about safety and definitely as we began our walk through the historic center our guide warned us to keep our belongings close but fortunately our group had no incidents at all. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/051bb6ad-1584-460f-a239-7fd39b8f36f0/IMG_2681.jpg Blog - Middle Of the World Quito, Ecuador - Make it stand out El Panencillo is the hilltop from where this beautiful angel figure watches over the city. As we walked through the historic center and explored the various churches and squares, she kept a benign eye on us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7467442d-acfd-4114-8d3e-b2b5c7d32ee0/IMG_2742.JPG Blog - Middle Of the World Quito, Ecuador - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6fb24502-922f-4ba4-a0bb-506a5a73a7eb/IMG_2583.JPG Blog - Middle Of the World Quito, Ecuador - Make it stand out Quito itself is built in a linear, terraced fashion with colorful houses dotted along the slopes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/36e98648-4640-4275-bc11-a9e32bb60934/IMG_2617.JPG Blog - Middle Of the World Quito, Ecuador - Make it stand out This massive church has turtles and iguanas protruding from the church instead of gargoyles. We did not climb up to the viewpoint which can be accessed via elevator and some risky planks but enjoyed walking around, taking pictures and some of the group ventured inside as well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bc44f550-f296-4a8f-925a-d2e8d0c0e1ea/9AAA9BA1-0E6D-45E2-A522-2698657D9A71.jpg Blog - Middle Of the World Quito, Ecuador - Make it stand out Then the moment we’d all been waiting for. Our guide made us pull out our cell phones and activate the compass app so we could see the coach approaching zero latitude. After a bit of chaos as everyone tried to get their cell phones and apps working, success and most of the group were able to bring up their compass and participate in the countdown to the magical 0 0 0. The coach actually came to a stop at that point and those who had their app working took a picture of their phone screens and shared it with the ones who needed it. For those of you who read my New Year’s post you know that 2022 was an exciting year of the zeros for wandering Veena since I had made it to Greenwich and the Prime Meridian and Zero Longitude early in the year and now making it to Zero latitude. Don’t worry, there’s still a lot of the world to cover but I’m working on it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a7169a8e-3166-4d21-b830-9c2cae1e7e85/IMG_2732.JPG Blog - Middle Of the World Quito, Ecuador - Make it stand out And then we were in the parking lot of the Middle of the Earth visitor center and walking to the line that marks the equator. We were able to stand straddling both hemispheres and had fun with all the various photo poses that were suggested. Of course, we climbed to the top of the monument and not only enjoyed the views from the top but also were able to see the line stretching from West to East. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/ecuadoryoutakemybreathaway monthly 0.5 2023-01-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/51f1bd21-303c-4fdf-9bba-6863946045a9/IMG_2204.JPG Blog - Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Ecuador you Take my Breath Away - Make it stand out Our first official stop of the day was the Devil’s Cauldron waterfall but this twin waterfall outside of Banos came first and since the sun was shining and we were doing well on time, we made a stop here. There was a cage that allowed people to cross from side of the mountain to the other as well as ziplines. For a whopping $2 we got to do a roundtrip over the top of the waterfalls. Our tour leader emphasized how this was a special stop for our group but interestingly enough a friend of mine who made this trip a few weeks before me also stopped at this location. Their guide also gave them the same spiel about them being special, etc. etc. It’s a great stop they should just make it a part of the itinerary so everyone can enjoy it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/057650e5-fe04-43ae-a9e7-a5e15938037c/IMG_2164.JPG Blog - Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Ecuador you Take my Breath Away - Make it stand out Clearly Edward Scissorhands visited Ecuador at some point if this topiary is evidence of that visit. It needed some maintenance but was an interesting blend of fantasy and real-life characters and evidently a park enjoyed by locals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3d53eb24-b2ad-4cb4-8eae-58287f2b8602/IMG_2194.JPG Blog - Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Ecuador you Take my Breath Away - Make it stand out What are the odds? a car show on the side of the road with people milling around enjoying the cars and the local cuisine. These cameos that came up as we made our way towards the rainforest kept the drive interesting. One of the challenges on long drives in Ecuador more than any other country that I’ve visited is the availability of rest rooms along our drive. We stopped at many gas stations that had limited amenities. We got used to jumping off the coach, grabbing toilet paper of the roll our tour leader had in his hand as we made our way to the facilities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4d75dbe8-d3df-4d68-bc3a-8049d135c63a/IMG_2239.JPG Blog - Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Ecuador you Take my Breath Away - Make it stand out The Devil’s Cauldron was a just a few miles down the road. As we walked along the path, it was interesting to note that we were actually walking above the fall and for the first time I got to view the neck of the waterfall where the flowing water is forced through a constricted path before cascading down in a powerful rush. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fe1fd8da-dbfe-4e62-b7f9-b84a9a45f63b/IMG_2343.JPG Blog - Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Ecuador you Take my Breath Away - Make it stand out As we continued heading towards our night stop by the Napo River we stopped at a tribal village and got to appreciate how the women in the community are bringing in revenue through crafts like pottery and weaving and got to experience some of the native food and drink. I passed on the worm like creatures which were spitted and cooked in front of us though a lot of people enjoyed them along with the local liquor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1fc83121-ce60-4d48-8fd2-6ac4cd039bd2/IMG_2552.JPG Blog - Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Ecuador you Take my Breath Away - Make it stand out Lunch and a nature hike to enjoy local flora and fauna on our way out of the Napo River basin and towards Quito and the center of the earth. Cloud covered mountains, bright flowers, birdsong in the air, no wonder people keep coming back again and again. It really is nature unplugged. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ceecf933-f036-4474-9c7e-60623608ecf9/IMG_0042.jpg Blog - Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Ecuador you Take my Breath Away - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/afa53e6b-87af-4de1-a348-6f9be0bf5c9e/IMG_2243.JPG Blog - Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Ecuador you Take my Breath Away - Make it stand out Heading further down the path brought us to the point where we stood next to the powerful gush of water watching it arrow down below us into frothing pools. People did climb all the way down to the bottom after crossing a swaying bridge, but I refrained because I was afraid of slipping on the wet steps leading to the bottom most viewing platform. As we made our way back up towards the entrance, many of our group was busy watching the World Cup but those of not sport inclined tasted some of the fruit and food that was available in the little stalls near the parking lot. I got to relive some more childhood memories and had a glass of freshly squeezed sugar cane juice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e9cf5fdb-617b-457a-9a0c-1e639916ad38/IMG_2441.JPG Blog - Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Ecuador you Take my Breath Away - Make it stand out While the entire trip was fantastic, this stop was the highlight of the entire visit outside of the visit to the center of the earth for me. This was an opportunity to totally unplug, relax, enjoy the beautiful ambiance, not to miss the massage in an open-air hut over the river to the accompaniment of birdsong. For the active amongst us there were jungle hikes, visits to butterflies, animal sanctuaries and chocolate making. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/53a2c046-f2ec-41fd-888d-55c2f0b3e022/IMG_2427.JPG Blog - Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Ecuador you Take my Breath Away - Make it stand out And of course, an opportunity to be Amazon princess for the day. The women in the group that went on the jungle hike came back with woven crowns they shared with those of us who did not go out to the hike so we could pretend and enjoy their rewards. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0c35ba27-5266-4abe-acf2-073956ed52c0/IMG_2451.JPG Blog - Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Ecuador you Take my Breath Away - Make it stand out Then we were on the river and got into the motorized canoes that would take us to our resort. Apparently, it was a feast day and there was a flotilla of boats that accompanied us decked with flowers and music blasting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3c777184-7ce6-43f2-80f7-0e7e5975b7d2/IMG_1981.JPG Blog - Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Ecuador you Take my Breath Away - Make it stand out We saw a lot of food stalls especially pigs being roasted whole all along the way. We even got to make a stop at a local food court to watch them cooking some of the local delicacies fresh. Many in our group tried some of the food, fruit, ice cream and local snacks. Our guide from time to time introduced us to some of the local delicacies. The country is so poor that many of these are delicacies for the locals that they can enjoy once or even maybe twice a week depending on the earning power and yet we often felt most of these fruits and foods were so economical when compared to what we pay here in the United States. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/lush-and-beautiful-ecuador monthly 0.5 2023-01-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/10ac419f-9f2c-4267-9358-dd7454279238/IMG_2144.JPG Blog - Lush and lovely Ecuador - Make it stand out We closed the day at Riobamba at approximately 10,200 ft above sea level. Many of us had headaches and shortness of breath at this location. The property we stayed at here was beautiful and we had a beautiful view of the Chimborazo volcano in the evening. Peacocks roamed freely in the central courtyard. As I came out of my room in the morning to put out my suitcase for pickup, this peacock was perched right outside my room on the steps leading to the central courtyard. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bf60bfb0-ebd4-45ec-b025-c929f1ac6bf3/IMG_1934.JPG Blog - Lush and lovely Ecuador - Make it stand out Cuenca at a comfortable 8000 ft above sea level is a beautiful city with a very European flair. We ate the best pizza here that I have had in a place that was very reminiscent of an upscale European square. Many ex-pats have settled here, and we heard about the pros and cons from our guide. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6750c6f2-cfb9-42b2-bb8a-5e063b941d60/IMG_1459.jpg Blog - Lush and lovely Ecuador - Make it stand out We landed in Guayaquil in the coastal lowlands of the country. Here, weather is typically hot and humid and despite all the Christmas decorations and beautifully decorated nativities, the weather was definitely on the warm side. Guayaquil gets its name from a native couple Guayas and Quil of the Huancavilca tribe who ruled this area before the Spaniards came in search of El Dorado. Captured and threatened by the Spaniards they decided to kill themselves rather than surrender, their bodes falling into the Guayas River giving rise to the origins of the name of the city that has flourished in the area. We spent an enjoyable afternoon wandering by the river, taking a cable car ride to see the view and watched the sun set over the river gilding the city in gold and orange. For some reason Guayaquil has a lot of metal statues scattered around the city but mostly in the city center. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f37f606a-938d-4b66-b61f-719c35facede/IMG_1557.JPG Blog - Lush and lovely Ecuador - Make it stand out Fresh seafood abounds in the coastlands. As we made our way out of the city in the morning, we saw these fishermen selling their catch of blue crab on the side of the highway. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/758d8c2c-76d0-4064-abd5-32e4f5637f59/IMG_1783.JPG Blog - Lush and lovely Ecuador - Make it stand out Did you know that Ecuador exports most of the world’s Valentine’s Day roses? We did not get to visit a rose farm because according to our guide they are already harvesting roses in preparation for Valentine’s Day. Instead, we visited an orchid Farm. The green houses used to cultivate and grow orchids simulate a natural environment with multiple varieties of orchids mixed in with jungle creepers. Trader Joes is a local store here in the US which sells orchids. When we entered the shop, many of us were amused to see the orchids tagged with prices that we pay at Trader Joes in the US even as the gentleman who was explaining the orchid growing process was telling us how we could buy and ship the flowers home for a much lower price than we would expect to pay back home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4c885faa-308b-4eaa-bc2f-3b919f1260a1/IMG_2076.JPG Blog - Lush and lovely Ecuador - Make it stand out Ingapirca, the most well-preserved Inca ruins in Ecuador. The most significant building is the pyramid of the sun that you can see in the distance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e99bad85-a2e5-4dfc-9de6-b9be7ff97b30/IMG_1340.JPG Blog - Lush and lovely Ecuador - Make it stand out On the river front known as the Malecon stands the monument of La Rotonda which commemorates the meeting between Simon Bolivar and San Martin which took place on July 26, 1822, during the struggle of Ecuador for independence from Spain. Many school children were relaxing on the steps of the monument as we strolled the river side. My grandson’s favorite character at the moment is Spiderman. I was happy to pay the spiderman selling lollipops for a picture to send my grandson. On our walk along this area, we passed a Jurassic Park, and other children’s entertainments before arriving in the city square and finishing our walk in the Iguana Park before crossing the road for a quick peek into the cathedral. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/68c2abe0-6c21-4dee-aca5-4535443f6c7d/IMG_1840.JPG Blog - Lush and lovely Ecuador - Make it stand out We crossed lush green mountains with clouds hovering around them. Villages and lone homes dotted the hillside. People are poor and they lead a hard life here like this older couple burdened with the greens that they had harvested and carried on their back to their home to possibly feed their livestock. Despite any poverty, people were friendly and welcoming. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/82f18061-c529-4e4c-a46f-e5971be66b8b/IMG_1902.JPG Blog - Lush and lovely Ecuador - Make it stand out The Flower Square in Cuenca city center. Full of color. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a9d13b99-3dda-427e-839f-b07a79a1d7d1/IMG_2148.jpg Blog - Lush and lovely Ecuador - Make it stand out The breakfast buffet with its whimsical breads shaped like some of the coastal creature’s indigent to the country. Still to come the Amazon rainforest, volcanoes, and back to the highlands and the center of the earth. Stay tuned for more Ecuador. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dd637977-3201-46e6-a38b-12549ce51417/IMG_1802.JPG Blog - Lush and lovely Ecuador - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f19edbf7-38c6-4728-933d-d5887eb341cf/IMG_1877.JPG Blog - Lush and lovely Ecuador - Make it stand out We walked through markets teeming with fresh fruit. Many people in our group went crazy to recognize and taste fruits from all over the world. I was also amused to see women sitting peeling onions and them bagging peeled onions to sell. As we walked through the meat, fish, vegetables and fruit aisles, I was amused how growing up we never dreamed of visiting these markets and yet it’s a highlight that is included in any travel that I do now. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/01b3f359-fb39-4964-801e-382b90028100/IMG_1601.JPG Blog - Lush and lovely Ecuador - Make it stand out Our first stop for the day was a cacao farm. Chocolate and cacao are one the largest exports along with flowers and various fruits. Along the drive we had passed banana fields, pineapple and sugarcane fields. It reminded me so much of the drives in Costa Rica; green, lush and beautiful. At the Cacao farm we got to taste the cacao plant and also see the process of harvesting and drying the seeds. Fruits, flowers and herbs grow side by side with the cacao plants so that they take on some of the scent and taste of these plants. Mango trees were abundant, and the fruit lay on the ground tempting us to just pick it up and eat. Brought back childhood memories of climbing the trees and liberating the fruit for that fresh just ripened taste. We were here to be educated about cacao and chocolate and so we wrapped up our visit with a chocolate tasting and an opportunity to buy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2424d04e-536c-4a62-a7da-7b9a92234ec2/IMG_2080.JPG Blog - Lush and lovely Ecuador - Make it stand out our first and only sighting of Alpacas. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fd32202f-176e-4a1c-a830-633fd73cedee/IMG_2116.JPG Blog - Lush and lovely Ecuador - Make it stand out Many young people leave the country and head to Europe and the USA in search of jobs. They send money home to their families to construct homes like those that they see in the countries that they are living in. They leave behind children for their parents, cousins and siblings to raise so that they can work hard and send money home not only for the upkeep of the family but also to construct permanent homes for when they return. I jokingly referred to this house as “White House in The Rain” glimpsed out of the coach windows as we drove through a town. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/santa-barbara-california monthly 0.5 2023-01-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3f5dd110-c3cb-417a-bcd2-68392affd8eb/IMG_1208.JPG Blog - Santa Barbara, California - Make it stand out And onto the Queen of the Missions. The Santa Barbara Mission is the only mission which has a double story structure. We wandered around outside the mission and grabbed some coffee from a food truck advertising the best coffee in the area before heading out and onward on our mission of exploration for the day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7a47d839-1d69-4c67-b39f-6ffcb4eb5a03/IMG_1129.JPG Blog - Santa Barbara, California - Make it stand out The iconic Mural Room is a Courthouse highlight, reflecting Santa Barbara’s rich past and roots in Chumash, Spanish, Mexican, and immigrant cultures. Originally the County Supervisors’ Assembly Room, it is now used for weddings, civic and social events. Vice President Kamala Harris was married here. The courthouse itself is a working courthouse with cases being tried here. We had a chance encounter with a juror as we were wandering around and she shared how interesting it is to be in this courthouse. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/29232548-cac6-49be-ba60-201a0660d0dc/IMG_1212.JPG Blog - Santa Barbara, California - Make it stand out From the courthouse we made our way to the area where the Presidio still stands. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/86fa2c64-6875-4b17-a9e6-073304ca7ac9/IMG_1226.JPG Blog - Santa Barbara, California - Make it stand out Next stop around the corner was Pistachio House. Even though it was right behind Ablitt House there was no throughfare. With the beautiful simulated tiled rugs this is another fascinating piece of architecture and is a popular Air B&B destination that can be rented by a large enough party. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0c681cc8-048f-4e96-abdd-1113f0ea4a1d/IMG_1245.JPG Blog - Santa Barbara, California - Make it stand out The building was locked. Clearly our planning was a bit lax, as we did not have the means to get in. The patio with its beautiful, tiled fountains and whimsical lanterns. We still have to visit El Zapato and the Hotel California so perhaps next time we’ll do some advance planning and see if we can set up appointments to actually wander and view the inside of these properties. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ef04c9a6-faf5-48a0-8c39-940c1e0a647a/IMG_1104.JPG Blog - Santa Barbara, California - Make it stand out Santa Barbara County Courthouse https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/def80e3b-d607-4f16-9f33-28790fc2aadd/IMG_1144.JPG Blog - Santa Barbara, California - Make it stand out I had my hiking sticks with me since I had been having a few issues with my knees but as it turned out since this is a federal building still an active courthouse, I could not take them in with me and had to leave them in my car. When I got back, a docent led tour was just starting so it was quite fun to listen to the history of this beautiful place that goes back to when California was still a fledging state and a part of Mexico. Barely visible in the distance is the local version of the bridge of sighs that allows prisoners to be led from the county jail into the courthouse for trial. The beautiful green in the center is used by the locals as a recreation spot. We arrived in time to watch a group doing Yoga here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9cc5c365-fbbf-4651-9990-5b09c18e0271/IMG_1222.JPG Blog - Santa Barbara, California - Make it stand out Ablitt House sitting on a 20X20 square lot near State Street. Google maps seems to end in the middle of a dead end, but it turns out we just needed to cross a hotel parking lot. The building has a distinctive tiled roof and bougainvillea around the tall white walls. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/52d63b14-2986-46c5-9fc4-606081cf87e0/IMG_1121.JPG Blog - Santa Barbara, California - Make it stand out In the Mural Room, the ceiling is a copy of the one from the Cathedral of Monreale in Palermo, Sicily where I had been recently. Still need to write up that trip for the blog. Artist Smeraldi used a paint with a copper zinc alloy to simulate gold leaf. Between the windows are depictions of the local economy – mineral wealth, ranching (‘stock’), and agriculture. Above the windows are stylized versions of major historical influences, the coat of arms of Spain, the emblem of the Order of St. Francis (founders of the California Missions), the California Bear Flag, and the coat of arms of Mexico. In the middle are elements of the Great Seal of the United States. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1ca4e36e-dbb3-4bbc-9583-4c5291b7391d/IMG_1136.JPG Blog - Santa Barbara, California - Make it stand out On the fourth floor which can be reached by steps or elevator, is the Tower Clock. The walls are painted with the progression of time telling devices starting with sun dials etc. We timed it such that we were able to see the mechanism in action and also hear the bells above the courthouse ring. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/037cc07f-3de9-408d-9ec6-0073b810b0b4/IMG_1165.JPG Blog - Santa Barbara, California - Make it stand out There is an elevator but for maximum impact climb the richly decorated staircase that takes you from the first-floor lobby to the second floor and the mural room. Although some of the tiles are of Spanish design, most with distinctive Moorish-Islamic geometric patterns, are from a Tunisian company. The ceiling, painted by artist John Smeraldi, is a fine example of Mudejar (moo-DAY-har) style, identified by its geometric designs. The ceiling was inspired by a 14th Century synagogue in Toledo, Spain, and is made of wood planks suspended by cables from the concrete roof above. The eight-pointed star appears in spiritual traditions from many different cultures. It began to appear in Islamic art in the Middle ages, referred to as the “seal of the prophets.” This large lantern was inspired by the lanterns aboard old Spanish galleons. Called "faroles,” the lanterns were traditionally donated to churches following a successful voyage to the "New World.” The Courthouse lantern, which is more than ten feet tall, has a mechanism in the attic to lower it for maintenance. This is the largest of many custom lanterns throughout the Courthouse. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c570e487-95bf-40b6-940d-fef239e4428c/IMG_1160.jpg Blog - Santa Barbara, California - Make it stand out Asymmetry is a prominent feature of Moorish architecture. These arches are an iconic example. Artist Smeraldi painted the angels in flight above the main arch to resemble Byzantine angels. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/813ccc7c-fbd2-4158-aa89-f8a52fe049c1/IMG_1236.JPG Blog - Santa Barbara, California - Make it stand out Our last architectural stop for the day was El Andaluz. We might truly have been in Spain as we wandered around the building admiring the patio and beautiful tiled arches of the bottom floor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/99963a37-f84a-4b17-8547-7835c02cac5a/IMG_1273.JPG Blog - Santa Barbara, California - Make it stand out The best way to finish a day in Santa Barbara. We stopped at the beautiful Miramar Resort and hotel and ate beachside and soaked in the atmosphere of the sun and the sand. What a perfect day, close to home and full of adventure. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/happy-new-year monthly 0.5 2022-12-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/46416819-8ee0-4818-82e5-1f86700fbd5c/IMG_5934.JPG Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out My dream trip finally came to fruition and what a trip it was. I refreshed old connections and made new lifetime connections on this trip. Here at the Western Wall. While I’m not Jewish, I stuffed my prayer note in a crack, shed a few tears full of emotion at being here and constantly pinched myself to confirm that I am awake and not dreaming. Yes! my arm was black and blue, but it faded all to soon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fa1fe5ce-14bc-43a0-839d-f52a3400a304/IMG_5249.JPG Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out I took my children to England for the first time when they were 4 and 7. We spent a jam packed 7 days exploring a combination of history and adventure. That first time we took a boat from Westminster Pier and sailed down the Thames to Greenwich to visit the museum and observatory. This time around we took the Tube and actually traveled on the new Victoria line thanks to my cousins to make our way here. What a difference the years make. I definitely did not remember the distance that we walked and am sure that I did not huff and puff up the hill but nevertheless we made it. What a gorgeous day and beautiful sights of London from the top of the hill but more than that, I achieved my goal of standing on the Prime Meridian. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/626c913a-8a43-4f31-a3f2-f0cd6bac6e22/IMG_9771.JPG Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out St. John’s co-cathedral in Malta, described as an explosion of Baroque. It is one of the most decorated and most gorgeous churches that I have seen, and I saw some truly memorable ones this summer after believing that I had seen them all before. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/34827a4f-c974-437b-ada8-4b2f45a2880c/IMG_3952.jpg Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out 2022 kicked off right with the new year and a trip to Dubai and Abu Dabi to visit the World Expo 2022. The one thing I discovered is that Dubai is always a good idea since the city reinvents itself every few years and is always fresh and new. The Burj Kalifa I believe is still the tallest building in the world so after a trip to the top, I visited for a nighttime view of the dancing fountains and beautiful lights and delicious dinner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6e6e6a49-9d98-46fd-af5f-7e1e4673a452/IMG_4386.JPG Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out It was however my first-time visiting Abu Dhabi which I really enjoyed despite the covid testing that was still a part of the travel journey. I grew up in India, so I thought I was prepared for my visit to the Grand Mosque. Think again. Luckily, I had a full sleeved sweatshirt that did the cover up trick on my chiffon sleeves. Thankfully I was able to shed it after the mosque visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c7231d0b-8bf1-444c-932b-c96cbdd7674a/IMG_1208.JPG Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out Starting in 2021 I’ve been on the Mission Trail, exploring the California missions. I have visited most of them except for a few in central California but closer to home, the Queen of the Missions in Santa Barbara. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3f6c6568-f78a-4ff6-a890-ba9be49782a3/IMG_6878.JPG Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out Petra, my Seventh wonder. I’m not one to count but as we approached Petra our guide was counting off the 7 wonders of the modern world and I realized that I had hit a milestone. I can’t believe that I’ve visited them all. I loved Jordan which is a lot more than Petra but Wowzah. Petra is definitely unforgettable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3fef6825-1a2f-45a2-938c-4e37b420ab6f/IMG_2742.JPG Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out And then blessed to be in Quito and visit the Equator. 2022 the year of Zero longitude and latitude. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ac05365c-bc6c-46d2-9d14-c1ad030938f0/Dilan-9+%282%29.jpg Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out And then we had a new baby in the family. A baby brother for Shaan. Another grandbaby for wandering Veena. Welcome baby Dilan What a joy you are. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7a535c4f-b4d7-42d8-9587-f9159967ef9f/IMG_5918.jpg Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out She said “Yes”. Welcoming a new daughter to the family. My cup overflows. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3b918efc-2238-4159-8b60-e46b7bb6224f/IMG_5045+%281%29.JPG Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out I live in Southern California and sail boats like this are a familiar sight on the ocean and marinas close to home. This picture however is taken in Tel Aviv. One of the joys of traveling, some things are new and different while others stay constant. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1672260420096-S1LC019YYM12SNWX1NIN/IMG_2440.JPG Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out Sipping cocktails at the Amazon Rain Forest enjoying the sun setting over the river. What a finale to my travels in 2022. Wish you and me many new sunrises and sunsets in different parts of the globe. Peace and good health to all and a wonderful year of love, hope and joy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a5a343e7-8e2c-425e-997c-fb8342277f53/IMG_2239.JPG Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out Another dream realized. The Military Tattoo at Edinburgh. After two years of darkness the show was back with a bang and what a show. I truly enjoyed my entire journey through England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall seeing new sites and revisiting others, but this evening was the absolute highlight. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e482b152-ed4c-4b3a-ac40-17a381909a57/IMG_8347.JPG Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out Not all my travels were international. A quick trip to Seattle to see the tulip fields in the Skagit Valley near Seattle in Washington State. I plan to finally make it to the Keukenhof to see the tulips this spring. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8ceb6de4-94f7-493d-88b4-f76ff044be68/IMG_4208.JPG Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/35024c75-5fc8-4b9f-8f1f-3bc2a3e444a3/IMG_0218.JPG Blog - Happy New Year - Make it stand out A weekend trip to see family in San Diego gave me the opportunity for some off the beaten track wandering there. The Barrio Logan with its beautiful colorful murals and illuminating stories. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/traveling-through-norway monthly 0.5 2022-12-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c177c72d-2b8e-4a80-b598-f617de8746a5/IMG_6693.JPG Blog - Norway ~ Beyond the Scenic Beauty - Make it stand out Sheep, scooters, hikers were sights that I was used to seeing but the first antique car on these roads took me by surprise, but this is a common sight around Geiranger fjord. After dinner one evening we got to visit the basement of our hotel that was home to a collection of cars in pristine condition. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/109f58ae-9550-4890-a1f3-f4dd35067d99/IMG_6896.JPG Blog - Norway ~ Beyond the Scenic Beauty - Make it stand out The Flam railway is described as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world. A trip to Norway would be incomplete without taking this ride that takes you almost vertically from sea level at the Sognefjord to Myrdal station at 867 meters above sea level. The scenery is spectacular, and I was seated as recommended by a friend on the right side facing forward for the best views though in all fairness there are views on both sides of the train. We passed fairy tale villages, foaming waterfalls and even stopped at one for a photo stop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/da923afc-ea9b-44b6-82e8-490697a89701/IMG_6569.JPG Blog - Norway ~ Beyond the Scenic Beauty - Make it stand out Trolls are a big part of Norwegian tales and myths to the extent that there are actual signposts for troll crossing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0a74a282-b0ee-43ad-8731-0898867278e7/IMG_6250.JPG Blog - Norway ~ Beyond the Scenic Beauty - Make it stand out This medieval wooden stave church in Lom dates back to 1158 and still functions as the local parish church. Out of more than 1100 such churches that once existed only 28 have survived intact. They are built of wood from the local trees hence the name Stave. The Norse Jarls created these churches to help bridge their people from the Norse Gods to the Christian Gods and as such the churches are fascinating in the detail inside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8df1e207-0d28-4e01-a3d9-fd8205b7038c/IMG_6249.JPG Blog - Norway ~ Beyond the Scenic Beauty - Make it stand out When we arrived at the church there was a baptismal service that was finishing up. As we waited for our tour inside the church, we got to meet locals in their traditional finery and a lot of babies. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f98a89fa-ed83-4800-913c-cac50ed542b9/IMG_6192.jpg Blog - Norway ~ Beyond the Scenic Beauty - Make it stand out A novel and intriguing signpost asking visitors to drive down to the crossroads to make their way to the turn. Since the town was not one that we were scheduled to stop at or even drive through I never found out how one crossed the fjord to get to it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f8861f65-b3f4-4ad6-aee6-3eb37df67fb7/IMG_7475.JPG Blog - Norway ~ Beyond the Scenic Beauty - Make it stand out Oslo, the capital where we got to do a drive around and a walk around some of the noted milestones in the city. The most impressive was the Vigeland Sculpture Park with its disturbing sculptures set amongst beautiful flowers. The one thing that struck me here was that all the fountains were turned off. Despite all the beautiful green country that we had just driven through, apparently the city was conserving water due to the lower than usual rainfall recorded for that year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/83562472-28fe-435b-b6cb-883ad3e2ec5e/IMG_6648.jpg Blog - Norway ~ Beyond the Scenic Beauty - Make it stand out While the traditional turf or sod roof is not needed to insulate and warm the Norwegian homes, we saw many along our route. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/be7d70b0-27f9-4b3a-b124-50c82f04ee00/IMG_7166.JPG Blog - Norway ~ Beyond the Scenic Beauty - Make it stand out Edvard Grieg has a beautifully preserved home just outside of Bergen. He is a celebrated pianist and famous for the music he composed for Peer Gynt. He incorporated the folk music of Norway into his compositions, and we were looking forward to not only visiting his well-preserved home but also to a concert in the attached conservatory. Alas there was no recital on the day of our visit, but we did get to walk around and enjoy the beautiful property. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e2b73b87-4f45-4930-abc6-713df7707d3c/IMG_6167.JPG Blog - Norway ~ Beyond the Scenic Beauty - Make it stand out Did this bridge get washed away with the spate of water coming down from the mountains? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dee0996b-c118-4f1f-9a9e-0196d9d0ce08/IMG_6835.JPG Blog - Norway ~ Beyond the Scenic Beauty - Make it stand out Without question we tasted some of the best salmon and halibut while in Scandanavia and it was interesting to see these fish farms scattered along the fjord. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f1f0a9bb-7410-47ee-aeef-4d334d3434c0/IMG_7351.JPG Blog - Norway ~ Beyond the Scenic Beauty - Make it stand out Other than cows and sheep we really did not see any moose or reindeer or other animals in the wild. This restroom stop at a local mall was the closed we came to seeing these animals in a simulation of their natural habitat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/72cf3000-2d0c-464f-8a23-1ca032fd5ac3/IMG_6411.JPG Blog - Norway ~ Beyond the Scenic Beauty - Make it stand out Roads were winding and twisting and turning. Definitely need a skilled driver to navigate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e20d990f-2f96-49b3-ad91-58cf678b20fa/IMG_6949.JPG Blog - Norway ~ Beyond the Scenic Beauty - Make it stand out Apple orchards and picturesque fishing villages nestled in the mountains are so easy on the eye. We stopped at one that has been run by generations of the same family to taste apple cider and cake and shop in their roadside store. Like many countries, Norway also faces the dilemma where the younger generation is not content to live in these places far from cities and continue the family legacy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5973c159-98df-4221-815c-1a4269ee2f2c/IMG_6943.JPG Blog - Norway ~ Beyond the Scenic Beauty - Make it stand out It’s told that rubbing the nose of the troll brings you good luck and we saw all manner and all sizes of trolls, and I have quite the troll album, but this couple was my favorite. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f6a7b036-62cb-47c1-8621-a5c076f45077/IMG_7126.JPG Blog - Norway ~ Beyond the Scenic Beauty - Make it stand out Bergen, a large city the second largest in Norway with small town charm. We spent two days here exploring all that the city had to offer. Notably there were two Indian restaurants within close proximity of our hotel. My roommate was the first who told me of one. I very politely let her know that I was not craving Indian food and preferred to explore local foods when I travel. The next day as I was coming back from riding the funicular and exploring the beautiful views of the city I was tantalized by the smell of naan and Indian spices in the air. So, I gave in and had one of the best Indian meals in Bergen, Oslo and made new friends and added a follower to my travel blog. Apparently, it rains 360 out of 365 days in Bergen but we brought the sunshine with us and enjoyed two of the most gorgeous days it’s possible to enjoy. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/majestic-mountains-and-sparkling-fjords monthly 0.5 2022-12-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8b40bcd9-e007-44b1-a4bd-a585f15bd57d/IMG_6239.JPG Blog - Breathtaking Norway - Make it stand out So many beautiful waterfalls. We stopped here in the town of Lom to visit one of the 28 surviving Stave Churches in Norway. The sun was sparkling as we grabbed lunch and admired this beauty gushing along the side of the bakery where we got the most delicious sandwiches. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c1fa5bbc-a301-451b-8d4e-098c5a852c12/IMG_6428.JPG Blog - Breathtaking Norway - Make it stand out Even the mighty waterfalls start from trickles coming down the mountains. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1223f247-1854-4ca6-bab8-8eee2cb17e61/IMG_6350.JPG Blog - Breathtaking Norway - Make it stand out Gieranger Fjord with a cruise ship at anchor. This was the same view though much closer that I had from my hotel window here in Gieranger. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2b32536a-258a-42c4-a04b-6f657133e242/IMG_6762.JPG Blog - Breathtaking Norway - Make it stand out We took the ferry from Gieranger to take us towards Flam and a ride on the Flam railroad. More waterfalls along the way. There are so many beautiful and varied waterfalls, a few of which we could climb behind and view the town through the lens of the falling water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d0580e6d-7952-4b50-a7b4-2b0a4ed460cd/IMG_6827.JPG Blog - Breathtaking Norway - Make it stand out Beautiful Fjaerland! A picture that speaks 1000 words. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/74f456d5-0309-4497-aec9-31cce796c928/IMG_6799.JPG Blog - Breathtaking Norway - Make it stand out The Boya Glacier which does not have too much ice from this view though we would shortly visit the national Glacier Museum at the foot of Jostedalsbreen, to see a film that really shows you why this area is the largest icecap in continental Europe. Besides the natural beauty of course we caught some wonderful glimpses of the culture and people but one of the most universal and intriguing warnings that I saw here at a little coffee shop struck with me. “WARNING WE DO NOT HAVE WIFI. TALK TO EACH OTHER…. PRETEND ITS 1995”. A reminder of a happier time when 4 people sitting at a table together did not all have their heads buried in their own cell phones with nary a conversation between them. Needless to say, much of the group had a nice conversation over coffee and cake. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4931ad9f-035a-4a41-9e04-06a82e50bfa9/IMG_6607.JPG Blog - Breathtaking Norway - Make it stand out Above the tree line driving on the Eagles Road. The road is a winding marvel that really takes skills to drive. Thank God for our expert driver. Then the road opens up and you have a wonderful view of glacier melt lakes and soaring mountains. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/afd90674-1527-4cc8-a1b4-054d8caf31cf/IMG_6465.JPG Blog - Breathtaking Norway - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c4cd6cdb-fe94-4f03-a902-2b6edef7eec2/IMG_6535.JPG Blog - Breathtaking Norway - Make it stand out Innfjorden. From small trickles to might roaring falls we saw them all. I’m trying to refrain from being obnoxious and inundating people with +++ pictures that they’ll curse me for. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6f8fe23f-55f6-4e9f-adf5-d8eead7fd152/IMG_7331.JPG Blog - Breathtaking Norway - Make it stand out Heading towards the final stop on our wonderful Norwegian itinerary we crossed the Hardanger Plateau, an extremely cold barren prairie like area, definitely above the tree line. The wind was whistling, and we watched in disbelief as the temperatures plummeted down to 4 degrees centigrade. I who am not a soup person was grateful for the hot hearty soup that was offered at lunchtime. Not too many people live this area. It consists mostly of ski resorts and weekend homes. This drive was also a sad reminder that our trip to beautiful Scandanavia was winding down. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/314bd2a1-e89c-4c6b-9fd0-2a070110bf07/IMG_6772.JPG Blog - Breathtaking Norway - Make it stand out Picture post card town of Byrkjelo. Is Switzerland still the most beautiful country in the world? I don’t know. In my book Norway really gives it a run for its money. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1b4aab8c-d70c-474a-bb0b-a01ade41a4eb/IMG_6986.JPG Blog - Breathtaking Norway - Make it stand out Picnic and swim anyone? Nah! Definitely too cold for a swim for the likes of me from sunny California, though we did see people with swimming and hiking equipment from time to time along our way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3231f5e2-b53a-4053-8e01-48a832e8f716/IMG_6496.JPG Blog - Breathtaking Norway - Make it stand out Valldal, where there is a scenic lookout and a walking path built across the top of the waterfall to allow visitors to enjoy the power and majesty of some of these mighty waterfalls. Local farmers leave little baskets of local berries and other finger fruits for visitors to enjoy on the honor system. For a couple of euro, we got to enjoy the tasty fruit as we boarded our coach. What a fabulous flourish. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1858b32e-9283-4e64-8fe3-89301c45dc87/IMG_6216.JPG Blog - Breathtaking Norway - Make it stand out Our first scenic photo stop was here in Vaga. The morning was coolish, but the sun was out and sparkling as we all piled out of the coach to try to capture this view through the lens of our cameras. One of the bonuses of the unusual weather patterns in Europe this year was the gorgeous sunshine and warm weather we enjoyed during this entire trip. Rain was really very little and very far between. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/756fb836-281a-4ec9-aa6a-faadfbf2f20f/IMG_6423.JPG Blog - Breathtaking Norway - Make it stand out As I walked in the freezing cold of the afternoon, definitely not dressed for the temperature I was fascinated with this view of the sky and lake which would have been one except for the mountains creating a natural break. People were enjoying the snow and yet others were walking around and enjoying the views from all angles. I guess most people had the same idea we did about making sure we caught this gorgeous summit while the sun was still shining. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1744e7ac-4ffe-4981-a89f-c34b86b440f8/IMG_6750.JPG Blog - Breathtaking Norway - Make it stand out The Norwegians are passionate about their environment and use tunnels and ferries to preserve the pristine beauty of these fjords. I don’t know how they time it, but you drive up and the ferry boat is pulling in. No waiting and no fuss, no muss just using the ferry as a road where you need to. Even if one had to wait, this breathtaking beauty and clean air would make it all so worth it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8be6dd50-842e-47ea-bfd7-9db6d146f93f/IMG_9705.jpg Blog - Breathtaking Norway - Make it stand out The Flam Railway train actually makes a short stop here for passengers to disembark and take a picture. Unfortunately, the sun was right in our eyes and in the camera lens for that perfect picture, but I hope this picture gives you at least a flavor for the magnificent sight that a whole train stops for a photo stop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/20e5454f-b8e4-451d-9586-34eeebbb4743/IMG_6417.JPG Blog - Breathtaking Norway - Make it stand out We were to stay the night at the beautiful Geiranger Fjord but stopped at the ice covered peak of the Dalsnibba mountain for the highest possible fjord view and a scary sky walk. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/travelingthroughsweden monthly 0.5 2022-12-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6688c9fa-6ba6-40ae-b7da-825bbcfc528b/IMG_5889.JPG Blog - Sweden ~ Beyond Stockholm - Make it stand out Next stop Uppsala, a charming university town and the Uppsala Cathedral. While the cathedral is extremely imposing, directly across the front entrance is this large green cupola which is one of seven ancient anatomical theaters in the world, lit up by natural sunlight and a scene for gruesome public dissections The building however was fenced off due to construction and/or repair work that was happening and not accessible. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/324d9960-a51b-41fa-9a0a-74132c3fc8d9/IMG_5985.JPG Blog - Sweden ~ Beyond Stockholm - Make it stand out Carl and Karin Larsson are credited with being the creators of Swedish style. Until this visit, I was not familiar with Carl Larsson’s paintings but have become a fan after visiting his home and seeing his work. The gardens and river around the house are scenes right out of his paintings. Reminds me of a visit I had made many years ago to Giverny, home to Claude Monet. The house is preserved just like it was in Carl and Karin’s lifetime. But the walls and even the doors are canvasses for Carl’s art. Portraits of his children through various ages and activities, tell the story of family life in the Larsson home. Visitors are not allowed to take pictures in the house, but it is so worth a visit. Karin was an artist in her own right, though she gave up painting after she and Carl met and married. She is credited with the Swedish textiles that she wove while Carl painted. A quick stop at the local church where they are buried, a bit late to be able to go inside and see the painting inside though. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a9a33296-7cc7-4ccf-905f-b8641aadc7c3/IMG_5932.JPG Blog - Sweden ~ Beyond Stockholm - Make it stand out The town is charming full of blooming flowers, a large number of bridges and a host of cafes and shops as is fitting for a university town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ee3b922d-3343-4123-b880-b21f33a00173/IMG_6046.JPG Blog - Sweden ~ Beyond Stockholm - Make it stand out You can’t leave Sweden without a souvenir of a Dala horse which is a symbol of Sweden originating as a toy for children. Yes! I did buy one for my grandson. I also bought socks decorated with the horses for a couple of my friends and me. Several types of Dala horses are made, with distinguishing features common to the locality of the site where they are produced, though the style pictured here is more widespread than others. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/83a978c9-bb64-43fd-9d75-8ceff80b260f/IMG_5975.JPG Blog - Sweden ~ Beyond Stockholm - Make it stand out As we drove past these little communities nestled along bodies of water, I imagined the long houses and communities established by Viking jarls that were home to the seafaring men during the winter months and their women and children all year round. Clearly these are seafaring people still since almost every home had a boat moored to the front of their homes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/245b45be-a5e5-47ed-8b87-9b9a793b0c67/IMG_5936.JPG Blog - Sweden ~ Beyond Stockholm - Make it stand out The church of course with its distinctive spires is so tall that it dominates the skyline of the town wherever you go. Scandanavia is a biker’s haven with bikes being one of the major modes of transportation, then in a university town, enough said. Just don’t get in the way of a bike on his bike path, you will leave to regret it. I did! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/421a4963-620b-41a0-9ec0-56b0e5cb31c7/IMG_6048.JPG Blog - Sweden ~ Beyond Stockholm - Make it stand out A Viking long boat that was used by preachers to preach can be found in Dala where we stopped. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/33cef29c-b668-4067-bd3d-61bc93dd0a16/IMG_5863.JPG Blog - Sweden ~ Beyond Stockholm - Make it stand out Sigtuna, a small-town home to one of the oldest churches in Scandanavia. It was a coffee and restroom stop with a short time to explore and check out the rune stones, the ruins of St. Olof’s church and the current thriving St. Mary’s church. Built in 1000 AD this is considered the oldest church in Scandanavia. We were to hear many stories about how Christianity came to these lands and how the kings and jarls helped their people bridge between their old gods to the new gods. It was a clear, cold and sunny morning with our breath frosting the air as we walked through the ruins of this beautiful church dreaming in the sunshine. We walked past the priest’s house and the rose garden still with some color over to the intact St. Mary’s Church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d16e4b68-6fc0-47b2-bf77-7d3ce650b80a/IMG_6028.JPG Blog - Sweden ~ Beyond Stockholm - Make it stand out Falun’s copper mines produced as much as two thirds of Europe’s copper which made the kingdom and town very wealthy. Many of Sweden’s wars were funded by these riches. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1bf9a634-5dcc-4e0a-8282-106a84c0aa76/IMG_6067.JPG Blog - Sweden ~ Beyond Stockholm - Make it stand out Vasaloppet or the Vasa Race is an annual long-distance cross-country ski race held on the first Sunday in March. The race was inspired by the journey of King Gustav Vasa when he was fleeing from the soldiers of Christian II at the beginning of the Swedish war of liberation. It is the oldest cross country ski race with the highest number of participants having first started in 1922. This is the starting point of the race where we stopped for a quick photo stop on our way towards the Norwegian border. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0f1dc627-541c-4a75-9641-ba0cbcd6c3e2/IMG_5891.JPG Blog - Sweden ~ Beyond Stockholm - Make it stand out Slap bang in the middle of a quiet university town and across from university buildings stands this magnificent cathedral. Originally built to outshine the Trondheim Cathedral in Norway, it is the largest cathedral in Scandanavia, Sweden’s coronation church for three centuries. It is still very much in use today as we found out when we walked inside to find the church full of children of all ages milling around their parents. Apparently, they had just wrapped up some type of a children’s program. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8ffed2c5-215e-4953-ad9d-7465ad584d23/IMG_5902.JPG Blog - Sweden ~ Beyond Stockholm - Make it stand out The inside is absolutely gorgeous and heavily decorated. Another church on this visit that I was happy to tour and admire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e8def48b-c8fb-449e-b6f1-3a8039f2f88d/IMG_5867.JPG Blog - Sweden ~ Beyond Stockholm - Make it stand out This could have been a scene anywhere in the world but as it happens it’s a park in Sigtuna across from the churches. I cut across the park in search of what one of my group travelers called the best coffee and came across this young man enjoying his morning under the watchful eye of his mama. I stopped to say a quick hello and exchange smiles reminded of my own beautiful grandchildren back home in LA engaging in similar activities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5aad0265-586b-43da-b8f9-465ec0a96fbd/IMG_5860.JPG Blog - Sweden ~ Beyond Stockholm - Make it stand out MariaKyrkan or St. Mary’s Church was built in 1255 AD. It’s a beautiful brick church with clean, simple lines. It is one of the few churches of its time to survive intact through the Protestant reformation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7852d9fb-e36a-46a5-84ec-21432535379a/IMG_6023.JPG Blog - Sweden ~ Beyond Stockholm - Make it stand out As it turns out Falun was far from the small town that I had imagined originally. Thanks to the copper deposits in the area, dating back to the fourteenth century it was once a thriving marketplace for traders. That night we went out to a farm to table dinner, where I selected an absolutely delicious completely vegetarian meal. It truly was all about the bread at this restaurant where they use the bread to decorate as well as place mats as well as an accompaniment to the meal. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/stockholm monthly 0.5 2022-12-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cb187b01-5582-4e6a-bf0f-81a099af869b/IMG_5762.JPG Blog - Stockholm - Make it stand out The Golden Hall named for the decorative mosaics that tell the story of Sweden made up of more than 18 million tiles. The Nobel Prizes are awarded here in this salon. The room is stunning. It really needs to be seen to be appreciated since I don’t believe the picture really does it justice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cbb9e30f-0e42-4af2-bff1-fb8f3f02a0b6/IMG_5766.JPG Blog - Stockholm - Make it stand out This is the portion of the mosaic that talks about America represented by the native Americans and the statue of liberty. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2d58638c-7fae-458f-ac20-cbaf0fd0d79a/IMG_5815.JPG Blog - Stockholm - Make it stand out It takes a guided walking tour to find unique and interesting items like this rune stone that I totally missed on my last visit. We would see more rune stones when we were in Sigtuna and Uppsala. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/17c3ebcb-0c86-41d8-bc18-5bf60688f7f5/IMG_5696.jpg Blog - Stockholm - Make it stand out The central square with the Grand Hotel with its distinctive red shutters visible in the background. This area is also called Norrmalm since 1635. In the 1950s to 1960s many of the older buildings were torn down to give way to more modern and newer construction. Enough of the older structures remain in a variety of styles such as Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque to make exploring this neighborhood an interesting exercise, Among the many places of interest found here are the Stockholm Central Station, House of Culture, National Museum of Fine Arts, Royal Swedish Opera House, and more. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3ec67474-c611-46db-95f7-9f84c81657e7/IMG_5724.JPG Blog - Stockholm - Make it stand out The Blue Hall, which is not blue hosts the banquet for the Nobel Prize winners after the award ceremony. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5b637179-8ac1-4bd3-8962-5d085a0fa15d/IMG_5657.JPG Blog - Stockholm - Make it stand out Such a beautiful city spread across fourteen islands. It’s fun to explore both on land and water. We stayed mainly in the central part of Stockholm though we did go to dinner at an outer island which necessitated an hour plus ferry ride which allowed us a nice glimpse of some of the outer spread islands. Unlike Copenhagen the view from my hotel room was a bit mundane but there was a splendid view from the window next to the elevator on our floor. As I rifled through the numerous pictures I took, I realized that I had never pulled my phone out to take a picture from that window, Cie le vie. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4470542b-36e3-4127-a44e-a949b79cab8b/IMG_5791.JPG Blog - Stockholm - Make it stand out A visit to Sweden would be incomplete without a nod to its most famous icon that has taken the world by storm. Oh! and I did try the Swedish meatballs on this trip. No not at Ikea at a restaurant recommended by our guide. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/60a2ba65-ab7b-4d2f-a815-9510b8fb3cfa/IMG_5732.JPG Blog - Stockholm - Make it stand out The impressive council chamber. In days of old the jarl took his key people, and they sat under the inverted hull of their longboat to make collective decisions. The same concept is applied here with this beautiful ceiling dominating the richly appointed council chamber. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9c85a16b-ba22-46bb-bc0e-6e11a64959fb/IMG_5812.jpg Blog - Stockholm - Make it stand out The narrow winding cobblestones and buildings in various colors give the area its unique look and feel. I can’t remember now but the guide referred to this area as “Hell”. though it looks more like paradise. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c18d04a8-3d43-4544-ad8b-fd2682e64782/IMG_5819.JPG Blog - Stockholm - Make it stand out Stortorget ("Grand Square") an artistic and shopping hub sits at the highest point of Stockholm. Before my first visit to Stockholm, I was under the impression that this area was Gamla Stan. Yes! it is but it’s only a part of an entire old city, though it is the grandest of the squares that make up the old city. Lined with cafes, home to the Nobel Prize Museum, an ancient drinking fountain in the center and benches for people to just sit and absorb the view. No wonder it is always full of people coming and going. This time around it started raining as we got to this point in our guided tour. I took the rain as an excuse the desert the group and tour and find a cafe to stay dry over a cup of coffee and fika. Fortunately, it was a momentary cloud burst and I got to wander and enjoy it soon. I happily spent my morning wandering through all the twisted turning cobble stone lanes and shops before grabbing lunch and heading to my hotel for a well-deserved nap. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2d764d3a-893b-4bde-ae46-4d3b15f05974/IMG_5803.jpg Blog - Stockholm - Make it stand out This time around we had a guided visit with a local and very knowledgeable guide as we approached this entrance towards Gamla Stan. Gamla Stan, home to the Nobel Museum, Stockholm Cathedral and the Royal Palace of course is a must visit when you are in Stockholm. With its winding streets, interesting shops, and cafes it might even be the area in Stockholm that you spend most of your time in. I know I did both during my first visit and this one. I did visit the ABBA museum on my last visit and while I was given the fun fact that ABBA once lived right here in this area, I did not get to see which house was theirs, but you might do more research and if you’re interest swing on by. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/72526372-d3f2-4932-a134-7bb6f263d064/IMG_5805.JPG Blog - Stockholm - Make it stand out The historic Riddarholm Church dates back all the way to the 13th century and is known for being the final resting place of many Swedish Royal family members. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9e7d1150-c2c9-4ed5-afbf-fba67bfaa79a/IMG_5718.JPG Blog - Stockholm - Make it stand out Stockholm City Hall was designed by architect Ragnar Östberg and is built from eight million bricks. The 106-meter-tall tower has three crowns, which is the Swedish national coat of arms, at its apex. Given the importance and beauty of this building I am not sure why we didn’t visit it on my first visit, but I am thankful for this do over to make up the loss. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6c9e9a2b-165e-453c-8059-fb1e48321517/IMG_5821.JPG Blog - Stockholm - Make it stand out The Nobel Prize Museum is located in Stortorget and definitely worth a visit. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/tilbage-i-danmark monthly 0.5 2022-11-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a37016fc-5997-4879-91fb-c0293f8f19b7/IMG_5620.JPG Blog - Tilbage i Danmark and Sverige - Make it stand out Today there were no convenient cities for us to explore and wander as we took a break on the long drive. Instead, we stopped at a rest area where we got to enjoy something hot with traditional fika. Fika was to become my new mid-morning thing replacing the scones that I had enjoyed in the United Kingdom. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/35dfa59e-cb8b-4dc5-8dda-f55e997a54a0/IMG_5322.JPG Blog - Tilbage i Danmark and Sverige - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a226a953-9eaf-45d1-863f-3acae5d1b63a/IMG_5329.JPG Blog - Tilbage i Danmark and Sverige - Make it stand out The English Church in the Churchill Parken and the view of the area around it taken from the Gefion fountain. It’s such a tranquil spot to visit. There wasn’t enough time to go inside the church, but I truly enjoyed wandering outside and people watching. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bfb9d018-cda0-4256-bb3f-0d26f92b3e5f/IMG_5503.JPG Blog - Tilbage i Danmark and Sverige - Make it stand out Gustav Adolf Square with the statue of the golden king Gustavus II who led Sweden to victory in the thirty years war. Apparently, the finger pointing downwards is an indication of his decree that the city was to be built here. This is one of the main squares in the city, across from the canal with government buildings lining the square. This was our starting point of a walking tour that would give us a wonderful flavor of the town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2cd20d11-b82f-4ffd-a6f0-038b1a991631/IMG_5426.JPG Blog - Tilbage i Danmark and Sverige - Make it stand out Reffen the largest international street food venue or as the Americans would say it food court in the Nordics. On my first visit to Copenhagen, we saw it from the hop on hop off cruise but did not get a chance to visit so I determined to make a visit happen this time around. We arrived on an evening that had been threatening rain which fortunately held off. After wandering through the venue and exploring all manner of cuisines available I settle on some exotic African cuisine. I know! I know! but I felt like I would get a lot of Scandinavian food elsewhere during our trip. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b05c0a40-cbc3-492b-b566-40251046ed90/IMG_5335.JPG Blog - Tilbage i Danmark and Sverige - Make it stand out The Little Mermaid from Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tale is a must visit when you are in Copenhagen. I remember the first time I visited my friend, and I were looking for something a bit more substantial and were surprised at how tiny it really is. Also given the position of the sun at our visit we never got good pictures. It’s still not substantial but I was able to get a better picture this time around, plus it was cleaned up when it was returned after being loaned out. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a9cedd89-72fd-45c5-9c28-418c282b7e26/IMG_5555.JPG Blog - Tilbage i Danmark and Sverige - Make it stand out Skansen Kronan, a former fortress which is now a popular conference and wedding venue. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7838f51d-f1a2-4afa-b785-adbb07d38ec8/IMG_5382.JPG Blog - Tilbage i Danmark and Sverige - Make it stand out The Round Tower (Rundetaarn) is the first observatory established in Copenhagen by King Christian the IV in 1642 and is the oldest functioning observatory in Europe today. It has a 210-meter-long spiral ramp that goes to the top. Peter the Great of Russia rode his horse up to the top with his wife Catherine the Great following in a carriage. Others have ridden a car to the top and it is still accessible to the public with fantastic views from the top both of the city and the night skies. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/24462a94-2214-42cb-a163-461ed323d37e/IMG_5356.JPG Blog - Tilbage i Danmark and Sverige - Make it stand out Bikes abound in this city and have the right of way. I remember the first time I was here I almost got mown down by bikes because I had inadvertently wandered into the bike path. It’s mindboggling to see the sheer number of bikes with baby carries and in general rushing along during rush hour and it’s all brought home to you when you see this host of bikes parked outside the metro station. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4f2499eb-1885-4170-839f-313cec8bc392/IMG_5388.JPG Blog - Tilbage i Danmark and Sverige - Make it stand out The main shopping square in Copenhagen. We wandered past bakeries full of enticing cakes and pastries in their window and all manner of shops. I always get a kick out of this square because I am a Steve Berry fan, and his character Cotton Malone owns an antique book shop around here. I have been here twice and both times I have looked for an antique bookstore here, but I have to conclude that the bookstore must indeed be fiction. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/453539ff-ca6a-4533-9a20-5ae4e93a54b2/IMG_5476.JPG Blog - Tilbage i Danmark and Sverige - Make it stand out After a wonderful two-day sojourn in Copenhagen, we set off crossing the Oresund bridge that is half above water and half below the water towards Sweden. We bypassed Malmo which I had visited on my last visit and headed straight for Gothenburg. We got in too early to check in so deposited our luggage and headed off to find some lunch and get started on seeing the city. Towards the left of our hotel was the cultural hub of the city; Gotaplatsen with its so very impressive statue of Poseidon in front of the Gothenburg Museum of art. The Concert Hall, the city theater and the City Library are all located right here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/77d442e5-1fb3-4af2-a673-19be50eb67a9/IMG_5366.jpg Blog - Tilbage i Danmark and Sverige - Make it stand out Inside the church of our lady the main cathedral in the center of Copenhagen. This church is located at the original site first established in the 12th centuries but since then has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times. The most current version is a neo classic style with Baroque and Gothic elements from earlier versions incorporated into the interior. The interior is impressive with and yet soothing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5cac0f4f-7a28-40d6-8fb2-abc69c2a08d5/IMG_5616.jpg Blog - Tilbage i Danmark and Sverige - Make it stand out We drove along lakes and spotted ruins of along the side of the road. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/548a1e50-91e3-4486-ad87-b1b2200d2091/IMG_5425.JPG Blog - Tilbage i Danmark and Sverige - Make it stand out Beer anyone? What a colorful contrast to the Irish, Scottish and English pubs that I had recently visited. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/40f5cf88-10bd-496b-b1b5-a54f714e532d/IMG_5565.JPG Blog - Tilbage i Danmark and Sverige - Make it stand out Haga, the oldest and most charming neighborhood in the city of Gothenburg, is home to cafes, shops and pedestrian only cobbled streets. Today instead of the usual midmorning tea break we were changing things up and doing an afternoon tea to sample the local specialty opera cake accompanied by hot coffee. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/71b979c2-5ee4-4287-b82d-38db5881d4aa/IMG_5281.JPG Blog - Tilbage i Danmark and Sverige - Make it stand out Since I had visited Copenhagen previously, I was pretty lazy about exploring Copenhagen this time around and skipped a few places that the group visited, electing to stay in the hotel. As compensation I had the most fantastic view of the city from my hotel window. The church on the right with the spirals is an old wooden church that I was fascinated with the last time I was here. I have a whole host of pictures from different angles from that visit. Imagine my pleasure to see it right outside my window and be able to see it every time I entered and left my room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/16e15442-934c-4bb5-a9ad-c7dace44b36b/IMG_5598.JPG Blog - Tilbage i Danmark and Sverige - Make it stand out After one night in Gothenburg, we were on our way to Stockholm with the sun still painting the sky and fluffy clouds in shades of pink. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/a-walk-in-the-garden monthly 0.5 2022-11-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/050d6727-0aaa-46bf-b8f5-aa48672222f1/IMG_0889.JPG Blog - Saturday Afternoon Walk - Make it stand out Neither one of us were super interested in the Desert Garden so we entered through the Palm Garden and headed towards the Jungle Garden. The sun peeping through the trees created beautiful patterns of light and shade making us feel like we were walking through a green gallery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/91b53e89-423a-41e4-b300-e567acb3ca7f/IMG_0940.JPG Blog - Saturday Afternoon Walk - Make it stand out Arriving at the Tea House that was brought piece by piece from Japan and assembled here. Everything was set up and waiting for a tea ceremony to begin though there are currently no tea ceremonies being held. Hopefully someday soon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d08a01eb-e536-4fd2-aa28-653cbe6a1bfd/IMG_0910.JPG Blog - Saturday Afternoon Walk - Make it stand out Of course, this is no ordinary garden so little bits of statuary tucked amongst the green make it even more so like walking in a natural art gallery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7efd8b8f-ef9a-4902-8acf-dda441d43252/IMG_0904.JPG Blog - Saturday Afternoon Walk - Make it stand out Our path brought us to the end of the lily ponds and Koi fish making colorful patterns in the water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/084787ad-0e7c-444f-913e-f8f80a64e855/IMG_0960.JPG Blog - Saturday Afternoon Walk - Make it stand out From the Japanese Garden, the path meandered towards the Chines Garden. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0e015455-3733-4d38-a9f3-a818a6467c47/IMG_0922.JPG Blog - Saturday Afternoon Walk - Make it stand out And stopped to admire the spectacular Bonsai in the Bonsai courtyard. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d5bdc3ed-6d42-4a1c-9dad-1ddcd2de099c/IMG_0897.JPG Blog - Saturday Afternoon Walk - Make it stand out Pools and waterfalls in our path really led to the feeling that we were on an exotic jungle adventure far from the madding crowd of this urban sprawl we call Los Angeles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/37374808-57e1-47f7-9590-4fe3dc27a406/IMG_0926.JPG Blog - Saturday Afternoon Walk - Make it stand out Our original plan was to walk to the Australian Gardens thinking that there might be some blooming plants considering its spring in Australia but when decision time came, we turned towards the path that led to the Japanese Garden. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/de11971e-7fac-49fa-8c93-f691b2d988b2/IMG_0885.JPG Blog - Saturday Afternoon Walk - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4167d4a9-fb35-4c05-bd7a-b8e17b5ae0c4/IMG_0973.JPG Blog - Saturday Afternoon Walk - Make it stand out The Chinese Garden is my absolute favorite of all the beautiful gardens here at the Huntington Library. There’s always something new to discover and admire. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b0cfd2de-d5bb-42ce-9df0-f40611321a72/IMG_9191.JPG Blog - Saturday Afternoon Walk - Make it stand out After grabbing a bite to eat at the Jade Cafe we reluctantly decided to head home. I couldn’t help comparing this area towards the Springtime visit a few months ago. The one constant is that these flowers will bloom again next year, and God Willing I will be here to see them again. A successful afternoon, good exercise, beautiful surroundings and wonderful conversation. What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/devon-and-cornwall monthly 0.5 2022-11-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d9ddda9c-177e-4717-a19b-204d2570548b/IMG_4879.JPG Blog - England, so much more than London - Make it stand out Picturesque and quaint, the English countryside is made up of small villages and farms and all manner of growing things. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/47a5c6c8-639d-404b-b306-63cff0720100/IMG_4826.JPG Blog - England, so much more than London - Make it stand out Bath and the Pulteney Bridge, a fine example of Georgian architecture, designed by Robert Adam. It is one of only four bridges in the world that has shops across both sides of its span. The city of Bath, first populated by the Romans thanks to the local hot springs grew into prominence in the 19th century as the fashionable retreat for the English high society who retreated here to take the waters, enjoy a more liberal and relaxed lifestyle, presided over the oh so fashionable Beau Brummel and the location for many a regency romance. Not much has changed here since my first visit back in 2007, I compared the pictures from then to now and some of them are identical. I felt that time had stood still in the last fifteen years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ffdc7a98-0773-4248-9e56-72d3d11f659a/IMG_5225.JPG Blog - England, so much more than London - Make it stand out It was a beautiful day and the views from the top were gorgeous. I don’t think I have seen such bright sunshine in all the times I’ve been to London. Goodbye to London, Great Britain, Scotland and Ireland. Until we meet again. Goodbye to a wonderful group of new friends, until we meet again. The best group ever! This has been an epic trip and I saw and did so much. The Edinburgh Tattoo which had been a long-held dream, the isle of Skye the subject so many romantic fantasies, the Orkney Islands, Ireland so rich with history, beautiful scenery and friendly people. I can’t believe I’m already thinking of what I missed and what I want to repeat but for now I’m going to rest and dream and be grateful for all the bounties that I have received. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/935d3ef1-e52e-4a7e-a571-ae8186a36bc0/IMG_4842.JPG Blog - England, so much more than London - Make it stand out The famous Pump Room. No lemonade and ratafia but still a popular place for a meal or teatime. This is one of the few places in England where they don’t serve scones with your tea but have their own specialty cakes instead. I enjoyed my tea and cake to the sound of soothing classical melodies skillfully played on the piano. In a curved window overlooking the baths is a fountain that brings the waters from the baths here for patrons to taste and enjoy. Despite my better judgement but at the urging of my server I sampled the waters. I’m not sure what benefit if any I received but there were definitely no ill effects. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1002ee0e-fa9b-48c7-b141-4c995033bdf2/IMG_5042.jpg Blog - England, so much more than London - Make it stand out With the sun rising we crossed over to the village of Looie on the Cornish coast. The little town was full of locals enjoying the weather and we finally got to sample the best Cornish pasties on this trip. I don’t remember where I first tasted them, but these did not live up to my memories of what I had tasted before. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cdfa73db-d0bb-493b-a58a-5677ec82ded7/IMG_4820.JPG Blog - England, so much more than London - Make it stand out The Bath Abbey fell into disrepair when Henry the VIII dissolved the monasteries and priories to usurp their wealth and establish the church of England. However, when the town gained fame during the Georgian period, the abbey was restored by the then Bishop of Wells and Bath. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d10dbc85-e946-468d-ad2b-7d2b054a5e26/IMG_4801.JPG Blog - England, so much more than London - Make it stand out The Roman Baths were first established in 60 AD. Subsequently the city fell into ruin and was revived multiple times during the passage of time all the way to the 19th century when it became a thriving spa town, a popular destination for the English aristocracy. It is now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Great Spa Town in Europe. Despite reading about the benefits of the baths and all those regency romances that talked about taking the waters I don’t think I’ve seen anyone in these waters; not sure I blame them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ea00e865-8228-4c88-a0dc-ad6e748478af/IMG_4992.JPG Blog - England, so much more than London - Make it stand out The granite tors and hollows that are liberally sprinkled along the moor with their very own legends. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bbe99aab-bced-40bd-bed9-e6bb046148f3/IMG_5040.JPG Blog - England, so much more than London - Make it stand out A lot of kids playing along the water, this young boy was trying to catch crabs near the bridge. He seems to have made a head start on this project. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/68acfd90-7cfe-4c17-b358-282dc7e2770a/IMG_5247.JPG Blog - England, so much more than London - Make it stand out In London, I had grandiose plans to recreate an original trip that I did with my children when I first brought them here but while my spirit was strong my flesh was weak. I was content to spend a few days just lazing with family, catching up on news, doing laundry and enjoying a few home cooked meals. The only thing that I managed to achieve was a visit to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich to straddle the zero longitude. To get here we took the underground that included a ride on the new Elizabeth line and then a walk through the royal park so I could huff and puff up the steep hill to the observatory. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/538ba1b7-15fd-4ad8-acbc-f1fddd410004/IMG_5063.jpg Blog - England, so much more than London - Make it stand out Plymouth and the marker for the spot where the pilgrim fathers set sail for the new world. We too took our own boat trip retracing some of the steps of that voyage though ours was short and brought us back too soon. When I get the chance, I think I am going to close the loop and head to Massachusetts and visit Plymouth rock where they made landfall and established the United States of America. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2f81c57d-2a03-4fd3-b803-129779857724/IMG_4884.JPG Blog - England, so much more than London - Make it stand out The beautiful and oh so gothic Wells Cathedral presided over by that same Bishop of Bath and Wells. We made a quick stop here at the church to admire the beautiful gothic architecture and take a bio break. Exploration of the town was not in our itinerary since we were headed to a cheddar cheese tasting. We did however get to gawk at the beautiful wedding party with a military groom that streamed out of the cathedral during our short visit here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b80fbf06-6d2f-4798-9957-d430bef50a8a/IMG_4916.JPG Blog - England, so much more than London - Make it stand out Did you know that Cheddar Cheese was invented in this small town in England? As we well know it has now traveled worldwide, but the town of Cobh Cheddar is still around, and you can stop for a spot of Cheddar cheese tasting and buying. Apparently, the Cheddar Gorge is a beautiful scenic destination which we did not actually see thanks to the narrow roads and limited time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/993cd3ff-973b-4810-9aed-14c49665df6a/IMG_4979.JPG Blog - England, so much more than London - Make it stand out We stopped at these beautiful fairy bridges rich with myths and legends before stopping for the most wonderful ice-cream. I restricted myself to just one to not appear like a glutton and then found that I was in the minority as the folks discussed the different flavors they had tasted. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ed3a0201-58db-417c-bc0a-cb00711a03b7/IMG_5148.JPG Blog - England, so much more than London - Make it stand out It was a forbidding skyscape that welcomed us to the Salisbury Plain as we stopped at Stonehenge. This mysterious dance of stones that leads to so many questions about how these large rocks were lifted and moved and placed just so in the middle of a barren landscape. No answers to questions that have plagued many smarter than I, but the sun was shining brightly as we departed on our way to London. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/af0a2ad9-9f22-4bec-ba15-92ca8af463d5/IMG_4976.JPG Blog - England, so much more than London - Make it stand out The next day found us up early on a gloomy morning exploring Dartmoor. With mist rising above the ground, all the tales that you’ve heard and read definitely seemed to have a grain of truth. Was that the hound of Baskervilles racing through the mist foraging for human souls? Cows and sheep grazed along the roads and had right of way across the roads that we traversed. Our guide famous in these parts as Dartmoor’s Daughter told us how she couldn’t wait to leave this beauty behind for bright city lights but now that she has found her way back, she has a new and better appreciation of all that this area has to offer and spends her time showing visitors the beauty and history of this area. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/back-in-the-uk monthly 0.5 2022-11-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ea26e66a-2a12-4b99-aaa2-c69d799e9c43/IMG_4699.JPG Blog - Y Mers ~ the Welsh Marches - Make it stand out Cardiff fortunately was all blue skies and beautiful by the time we arrived. We were now on the Welsh side of the marches and soon to explore Cardiff Castle which is exquisite inside. Again, despite all that I have seen on my travels this is one of the most decorated and exquisite castles that I have had the good fortune to see. Lord Bute used a lot of his fortune from coal to lavishly decorate this one-of-a-kind manor house where he and his family spent a few months if that of the year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a38901e3-2e83-4950-88d9-a93ad7987dda/IMG_4547.JPG Blog - Y Mers ~ the Welsh Marches - Make it stand out Our nighttime stop was the walled city of Chester and the most haunted hotel in England or at least on our tour. As we drove into the city, we talked about the most eligible Duke of Westminster the biggest landowner in these parts. After a quick orientation walk, we were left on our own devices to explore the town. Despite the early morning start it was like I got a second wind and a host of energy that propelled me to explore this charming what I would call a market town and even walk the city walls which are beautifully preserved. After checking in and freshening up we took the bar in the hotel by storm and the ladies in the group all got fruity frou frou martinis. Loud and joyful we all braved our haunted rooms and survived the night without any ghostly encounters. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5df45318-dcda-4980-bb68-0649dfd269f5/IMG_4632.JPG Blog - Y Mers ~ the Welsh Marches - Make it stand out The following morning was a bit gloomy and overcast as we approached our first stop at Ludlow Castle. Ludlow actually was an interesting town with its cathedral which was hosting a wedding and closed to visitors and a flea market selling all manner of glass, porcelain and silverware. I know many people from a group enjoyed dipping into the shops and finding some interesting items to purchase. I did not pay the fee to enter Ludlow Castle but walked along the outside and admired the green. Ludlow Castle is where Prince Arthur and Princess Katherine enjoyed their honeymoon after which she declared herself a virgin so she could marry Henry and become Queen of England, the first of Henry’s wives. The rain that had been threatening all morning started to come down hard, but fortunately we were ready to move on and head towards Cardiff our next stop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f2270367-3dc9-4b96-8db1-c97338dc6445/IMG_4725.JPG Blog - Y Mers ~ the Welsh Marches - Make it stand out Inside the manor house is an ostentatious display of wealth, marble and stained glass. This particular room is the Oriental room with Arabic frescoes and vases. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5f913271-d351-487e-b0aa-b422e171c994/IMG_4751.JPG Blog - Y Mers ~ the Welsh Marches - Make it stand out The library with this fresco depicting Moses and figures representing the languages; Greek, Assyrian, Hebrew and Celtic. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/12927837-42e8-4cc8-8797-b5b2beb87875/IMG_4678.JPG Blog - Y Mers ~ the Welsh Marches - Make it stand out With the traveling and wandering during the day, I had missed lunch, but we had an evening plan to attend a Welsh Cultural show and dinner, so I decided to look for an ice cream to tide me over till dinner. Ice-cream is never a bad choice but as it happens the cultural show was the first this group had put up since the pandemic and was not the best entertainment, and the food itself left a lot to be desired. I’m never going to forget the childhood maxim that if you arrive hungry chances are that you’ll leave hungry. That night for the first time I broke into my stash of protein bars for subsistence. Fortunately breakfast the next morning was all that could be desired before we continued on our journey through the English countryside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3ba0e193-62ce-4d9b-8051-57d64c7d0a36/IMG_4720.JPG Blog - Y Mers ~ the Welsh Marches - Make it stand out The children’s nursery with its painted fairy tales across the top. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/137d0353-c695-498f-86db-95fd51895498/IMG_4462.JPG Blog - Y Mers ~ the Welsh Marches - Make it stand out Our first stop, the town with the longest name in the United Kingdom if not the world. Most of the alphabet and a few extras make up this name and we dutifully wandered to the train station and photographed everywhere we found the name for our picture albums. There were a lot of people milling around here in front of the general store which also boasted a translation of the name. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/73c3420c-3f7a-448d-bf0a-168e913f5016/IMG_4482.JPG Blog - Y Mers ~ the Welsh Marches - Make it stand out The Welsh Marches as I had read and imagined were not the beautiful seaside towns and blue ocean that we drove along but soon we came upon the crenellated walls and enclosed towns closer to my vision of this part of the world. The walled city of Comyn and its red double decker sightseeing buses brought home that we were definitely back in England again and time was marching quickly towards the end of our wonderful journey. We did have some time yet, so I determined to enjoy the beautiful English countryside that we still were to enjoy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c123e87e-1a95-4dc5-936a-4bb678eec1ab/IMG_4689.jpg Blog - Y Mers ~ the Welsh Marches - Make it stand out Tradition has it that in Wales a man who comes courting must first carve a love spoon to show his beloved’s father that he loves his bride true and that he can support her through hard work and skill. I thought it might be interesting to purchase one as a souvenir but changed my mind when I looked at the price tag. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ae1e94a3-8470-4cef-bf82-bd4b7c3bcb71/IMG_4524.JPG Blog - Y Mers ~ the Welsh Marches - Make it stand out The imposing Chester Cathedral. I abstained from going inside even though on this trip I have been amazed by the beautiful interiors. Despite feeling not another church I have to say there are still churches to see and goggle over. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9ca3aec9-1aae-40ae-a7df-30ae5b4931e3/IMG_4560.JPG Blog - Y Mers ~ the Welsh Marches - Make it stand out The Grosvenor Hotel held pride of place on the main street with its quintessentially dapper English doorman who was a very nice person and happily posed for a picture for me. I also walked by Boodles and Hoby’s all well-known names of shops for aristocracy from the Regency tales that I cut my romantic teeth on. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/33f4459d-a57b-4e5d-9ed3-94e3ae307e33/IMG_4534.JPG Blog - Y Mers ~ the Welsh Marches - Make it stand out The horse races were on and in general there were a lot of people walking the town giving it a wonderful tempo. I tried to close my eyes and imagine people in the Middle Ages milling around enjoying the weather and shops. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cd8850e1-4291-4992-8710-309a7244eb3d/IMG_4692.JPG Blog - Y Mers ~ the Welsh Marches - Make it stand out Cardiff Keep the garrison for the soldiers stationed here to protect the English from the marauding Welsh. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/ag-inichadh-bhaile-tha-cliath monthly 0.5 2022-10-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/152b2ebb-e37f-4a9a-aca3-e4cc6658c109/IMG_4193.JPG Blog - Ag Iniúchadh Bhaile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out In a city which is dominated by Georgian and Victorian architecture, this building in Italianate style was built by the Lever brothers who created and marketed a soap called Sunlight Soap, hence the name of the building Sunlight Chambers. The building is marked by the distinctive faience panels that depict the history of soap production is the oldest structure in the riverside area. It was the blue panels that caught my eye amongst a host of other architectural marvels the city has to offer, and it was only later that I learned its history or even realized that panels depict the process of soap production in that era. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/839cc8af-b916-4f77-8a66-7b2bcfac7e7b/IMG_4326.jpg Blog - Ag Iniúchadh Bhaile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out Before the bridge there used to be a rickety old ferry where you took your life in your hand every time you used it. Known as the Wellington, Metal, Triangle or Iron Bridge and now officially the Liffey Bridge, it was the first pedestrian bridge to be established across the river Liffey. A toll of ha ’penny was established the same fee as the ferry and interestingly this toll was paid to the ferry owner for an initial period of time to compensate him for losing his livelihood. The bridge is also known as the Ha ’penny Bridge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f0e5598f-11e5-4987-9a07-ef7eb5408cfd/IMG_4359.JPG Blog - Ag Iniúchadh Bhaile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out St. Patrick’s Cathedral is also an Anglican church belonging to the Church of Ireland and the second major church that dominates the city. Constructed in 1191 through 1270 it is a medieval church built to look like a cross when viewed from above. Surprisingly the two churches have a most cordial relationship with their own distinctive history, competing with each other to see who can attract more tourists than the other. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4033e740-ba53-4e90-a7af-7964ac384eff/IMG_4418.JPG Blog - Ag Iniúchadh Bhaile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/77635ffe-02ba-4ad6-a4b5-f7671e3fb0a6/IMG_4344.JPG Blog - Ag Iniúchadh Bhaile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out There are sculptures and statues all around the city perhaps a lot of them far more famous than this one. Situated close to the entrance of Trinity college and the famous book of Kells there’s something about this one that suggested Irishness and called to me more so than other statues. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/830919ea-e5fc-495d-8696-999a06b10806/IMG_4231.JPG Blog - Ag Iniúchadh Bhaile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out Sipping Irish whisky samples and enjoying a superb dinner we enjoyed a performance of music, song and dance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8faedd17-6db7-42d6-b57a-53852abbfc64/IMG_4303.JPG Blog - Ag Iniúchadh Bhaile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out The Papal Cross in Phoenix Park is a simple white 116-foot-high cross made of steel. It was erected to mark the papal visit of Pope John Paul II and marks the location where he delivered a sermon to more than 1.2 million people. It has just never been taken down and now despite some protests by some citizens is a permanent addition to the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a8e15d13-2ce9-4578-a44c-56566ae93f2c/IMG_4450.JPG Blog - Ag Iniúchadh Bhaile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out We headed out to the ferry terminal super early with packed breakfasts in hand. Along the way we passed this bridge in the shape of a harp that I had heard about. The Samuel Becket Bridge is a cable stayed swing bridge. the shape of the spar and its cables evokes an image of a harp lying on its outer edge. Since the harp is the national symbol for Ireland it was only fitting that this was our last major sight in Ireland. Goodbye Ireland. I hope to return some day and explore some of what I missed and revisit what I thoroughly enjoyed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3ed370dd-0bde-403f-87a8-af81356c5e4c/IMG_4279.JPG Blog - Ag Iniúchadh Bhaile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out Whether you drink beer or not another must in Dublin is the Guiness Storehouse. I believe the guys in our group would have been happy to go straight there when we arrived, but we ended up waiting until the next morning for our official visit and tour. I have to admit that it is a very interesting tour and worth your time. Mind you I haven’t been converted into a beer drinker but the beer that I tasted on the tasting floor was not bad at all. At which point I abandoned the slow walk and took the elevator to the Gravity Bar with its complimentary pint and 360-degree view of the city. It’s a perfect place to walk around take pictures and then sit back and relax as people enjoy their complimentary beer. I got mine just so I could use it as a prop and interestingly enough was able to loan it to other folks who wanted a prop but got no takers to drink it that morning. Too early I think which was great for the tour without too many people but too early to enjoy drinking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4b4a7bee-9aa0-49ca-acb0-c480046c6a04/IMG_4227.JPG Blog - Ag Iniúchadh Bhaile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out Taylors has the longest thatch roof in all of Ireland. It is a tourist attraction and every night they welcome all manner of groups to watch a top-notch performance headlined by famous artistes who have returned to their country to share their Gaelic roots with people like us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/35c50e84-43c0-43cd-b739-315adce2938c/IMG_4354.JPG Blog - Ag Iniúchadh Bhaile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out Christ Church Cathedral more formally known as the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity might have started off as a catholic church but is now part of the church of Ireland and is the elder of the two cathedrals in Dublin. Founded in the early 11th century under the Viking Kings and rebuilt in stone by the Normans it was ultimately extensively renovated and rebuilt in the 19th century giving it its current form and structure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d6dedf29-5623-4949-b4bb-3955b8160e5d/IMG_4387.JPG Blog - Ag Iniúchadh Bhaile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out Then came this one surrounded by crowds of people across the street from where he once lived. Oscar Wilde who might not be the most famous of all the poets and writers associated with the city but this statue with the poet lounging on a rock wearing a distinctive green coat is a popular attraction in the park. The statue’s crass nickname – ‘The Fag on the Crag’ – is made all the more offensive when considering the fact that the writer’s early death is believed to have been caused by illness and injuries sustained while imprisoned for homosexuality. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/04a84e16-9b55-454b-a6fb-38d0da4fad00/IMG_4414.JPG Blog - Ag Iniúchadh Bhaile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out A trip to Dublin would be incomplete without a visit to the famous Temple Bar area full of pubs, people and music. For me it was a hard choice because I also wanted to visit the famous Book of Kells at the Trinity College but only had time for one of the two. I decided to go with Temple Bar because while I have not seen the book of Kells, I have seen many illuminated manuscripts and old universities. Hopefully I made the right choice. I definitely enjoyed my drink and listening to rousing Irish music as I sat in the patio of the famous Temple Bar and watched the crowds of people walking by. I can assure you that place was happening as much in the middle of the day as it is at night. Music in the pubs starts at 10:00AM and continues till closing. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/ar-aghaidh-go-baile-tha-cliath monthly 0.5 2022-11-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d02d636b-ddad-48ee-904b-ae6eeff48940/IMG_4177.JPG Blog - Ar aghaidh go Baile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out Kilkenny Castle originally built in 1260 was destroyed in the many wars and successions that followed. In 1930 the family that owned the castle turned it over to the people of Kilkenny whereupon the castle was completely restored and now serves as a major tourist attraction in the area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fe1e8791-37c5-4aae-9cf9-4ca3739b1fac/IMG_3973.JPG Blog - Ar aghaidh go Baile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out The stone itself is located at the top of the castle and is not easy to access. There are about a hundred plus steps but given how crowded it typically it is the progress is slow and you can get to the top without huffing and puffing. The actual kissing experience is also uncomfortable and difficult. You have to be helped to lean over on your back and hang and get your lips to the stone. Kissing that stone where so many lips have touched, ew! let alone all these new fears of Covid? I think I have enough eloquence, so I decided that this endeavor was a hard pass for me but loved the stories and squabbles of the couples that made it there. Someone failed to click at that strategic moment, another took the picture with the wrong camera. It was a wonderful stop regardless of everyone’s activities. For those like me who are not interested in kissing the stone, not to worry, there’s a lot to see and explore in the castle grounds plus there’s always the cafe for a snack and people watching. If you have kissed the stone, pray do tell how it’s changed you? are you more articulate and eloquent now? won any great arguments? love to hear from you. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/28e4dfe6-1264-4eab-892f-3a2ac858bcf9/IMG_4168.JPG Blog - Ar aghaidh go Baile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out Every Irish town has a main street like this that is full of pubs, restaurants and shops. It is fun to wander down the street to get a feel for the town and wonder at the similarities and marvel at the differences. Each county has its own colors and flags and it’s fun as you travel to see this reflected in the flags that fly over businesses and the colors of doors etc. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0e6ebe4c-51a2-441f-8fcf-abea9f2a9a98/IMG_4025.JPG Blog - Ar aghaidh go Baile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out The English Market sells locally produced foods including fresh fish, meats, fruit, vegetables, eggs, artisan cheeses and breads. Food stalls are also sometimes erected on city streets for visitors to sample, taste and buy. I would have loved to explore more of what Cork has to offer but a short evening just wasn’t enough. Another destination for my next trip to Ireland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7cee11c7-5164-4369-a084-83de4dc23e13/IMG_4043.JPG Blog - Ar aghaidh go Baile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out On the route from Cork to Cobh there are small fishing villages and colorful boats but what I found the most intriguing is this tower that has been lovingly restored and now serves as a home for someone. What a wonderful idea to live in a place of history right on the beach. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5802e277-f381-45b4-b5b3-743c246566ae/IMG_4243_Moment.jpg Blog - Ar aghaidh go Baile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out Dublin our final stop on our Irish tour. No, we didn’t go straight to the Guinnes Storehouse though I’m sure a lot of folks in our group would have been happy to. As the capital and largest city in the country, Dublin is a lot more than the Guinness factory experience, so we’ll take our time exploring the city and seeing it through wandering Veena’s eyes next week. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1a44c020-fc24-49f7-9773-19baa8d138e3/IMG_4083.JPG Blog - Ar aghaidh go Baile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out After leaving the Cobh Heritage center we had time to wander to the boardwalk and the colorful main street. On the boardwalk I saw a couple dressed in period costume and a group of cameramen. Either a TV show or movie filming in progress. I found a seat near a food truck selling snacks and got myself an ice cream which I enjoyed as much as the chat with an Australian woman traveling solo in Ireland in search of her Irish ancestors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/00937781-c974-456e-82ab-63f2c162f126/IMG_4167.JPG Blog - Ar aghaidh go Baile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out After our hurling lesson we got into the town for a lunch stop and a bit of wander. We parked close to this local parish church, with it’s interesting looking front garden. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c8b10e3f-d976-4274-8c9f-c609ab365bf2/IMG_3964.JPG Blog - Ar aghaidh go Baile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out People talk about the gloom of Irish weather, but we were blessed with more sunshine than rain. So it was on a bright sunshiny morning that we set off towards Blarney and arrived in time to beat the other tourist buses to enjoy the beautiful gardens and of course make our way to kiss the stone of eloquence. The usual mid-morning tea and scone was just an added bonus. I’m told that typically there’s barely room to move when heading up to the top of the castle towards the stone, but since most of the tour buses were not there yet, we got to explore the castle and its environs in relative peace. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d36461ea-3e3e-465f-bf9c-46cec0a93401/IMG_4183.JPG Blog - Ar aghaidh go Baile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out Shortly after we began the wander, the threatening sky opened up and we were treated to a rain shower. I found shelter in this pub and finally got to enjoy a pub lunch. I skipped the pint and drank a coca cola instead but definitely enjoyed my fish and chips. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/275e3dd1-9fc5-49f5-86ff-008602cc06ac/IMG_4157_Moment.jpg Blog - Ar aghaidh go Baile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out After an all too short a stop and fortified by a full Irish breakfast we stopped for an introduction to the Irish national sport of Hurling in Kilkenny. A quick introduction in a smelly locker room and we were on the field for a practical taste. Apparently in this part of the country, they start learning from baby hood and in fact the most popular christening gift is a hurling stick sized for babies. I debated getting one for my grandchild but then decided that perhaps it might be too dangerous and toy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6df586ab-2779-480e-ab90-053f0fb92a31/IMG_4034.JPG Blog - Ar aghaidh go Baile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out Cork the second largest city in Ireland and a major port to boot was our resting place for the night. Founded in the 6th century originally as a monastic settlement by Saint Finbarr it was later urbanized in 915 when Viking settlers founded a trading port here. A symbiotic relationship developed between the monastery and the Vikings which allowed the city to grow in size and importance. For much of the Middle Ages, Cork was a walled city, an outpost of Old English culture in the midst of a predominantly hostile Gaelic countryside and paid “Black Rent” to keep the hostiles from attacking the city. With its colorful streets and bustling shops and pubs I loved the city and wished we could have spent more time exploring here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/024390fa-a6b4-4929-9c8c-17cb2c5019ca/IMG_4099.JPG Blog - Ar aghaidh go Baile Átha Cliath - Make it stand out If your ancestors were Irish, the chance are that they left Ireland from the port of Cobh or Queenstown as it was once known. The story of mass emigration from Ireland is told in The Queenstown Story a gripping exhibition housed in the Old Victorian Train Station through which huge numbers of emigrants passed. From 1815 t 1970 more than 3 million people boarded ships here heading for new lives in North America. Outside the Heritage Center overlooking the harbor is this statue of Annie Moore and her two brothers. Annie was the first emigrant to be processed through Ellis Island in the US when it first opened in 1892. I have not seen this, but it is said that there is a similar statue of Annie at Ellis Island. Cobh was the last port of call for the Titanic before it met its end. The tragic voyages of the Titanic and the Lusitania are both remembered here. One of the highlights of the visit is that you get a ticket in the name of a real person who traveled through here. You can follow the exhibits and read about your person. Fortunately, Nellie Cashman who’s name I got survived the ill-fated sinking of the Titantic and made it to the United States. She became an entrepreneur and a mining enthusiast ultimately owning mines and being one of a handful of women inducted to the mining hall of fame. It was a lively discussion on the way back to Cork as the group compared notes about their person. What a wonderful way to get involved with the exhibit. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/ag-tiomint-finne-mrchuaird-chiarrai monthly 0.5 2022-11-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0e087c5f-7125-4712-9f3e-c8f7c0d786fb/IMG_3841.JPG Blog - ag tiomáint fáinne Mórchuaird Chiarraí - Make it stand out The Butler Arms and its famous restaurant named after their esteemed guest Charlie Chaplin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3c2d332f-5e4f-4a9f-b6a4-f28ce4cdfe27/IMG_3858.JPG Blog - ag tiomáint fáinne Mórchuaird Chiarraí - Make it stand out Being in a big coach driving along the hair pin turns of the road doesn’t always allow you to stop when you want to so when you make a vista stop you make the most of it. This stop is at Coomatloukane. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/262e5515-f251-487b-b85c-1d361f3bc0c7/IMG_3898.JPG Blog - ag tiomáint fáinne Mórchuaird Chiarraí - Make it stand out Sneem, the Irish town name, "An tSnaidhm", means "The Knot" in English. One explanation of the name is that a knot-like swirling is said to take place where the Sneem river meets the currents of Kenmare Bay in the estuary just below the village. A less common explanation is that Sneem is the knot in the scenic Ring of Kerry. Sneem village comprises of two squares, North and South. A bridge in the middle of the village acts as a knot between the two squares. This was a sizeable town and our late afternoon stopping place. While we had skipped lunch the tea and scones from the morning were still holding me over, so I decided to indulge in what I was told was the best ice-cream in Ireland instead. This was of course after walking over the bridge and appreciating all that the town has to offer including some excellent shopping. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7c8e92d4-ab26-406a-9533-241608bf4dbf/IMG_3742.JPG Blog - ag tiomáint fáinne Mórchuaird Chiarraí - Make it stand out Nestled along the edge of Lough Leane in the Killarney National Park is Ross Castle a 15th-century tower house and keep, ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan O’Donoghue. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c4ee5afc-412c-417d-a024-d53b1e58dfaa/IMG_4152.JPG Blog - ag tiomáint fáinne Mórchuaird Chiarraí - Make it stand out In addition to the shamrock and the Celtic harp, Bridgid’s cross is a national symbol of Ireland. Often woven from straw or rushes it’s believed to bring the blessings and protection of the saint. There was a mystic selling these at one of our stops along the Ring. Darryl our coach driver purchased one and hung it in the coach to keep us safe and blessed through the rest of our trip. Being born in India I am familiar with folk lore and superstitions. I loved adding to my treasure trove with the folk tales and legends across this journey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/01f54ef0-d4c1-4298-b086-38260b77e4e4/IMG_3833.JPG Blog - ag tiomáint fáinne Mórchuaird Chiarraí - Make it stand out Waterville (An Coireán) is a small coastal village located between the Atlantic Ocean and Lough Currane. Renowned for its angling and golf course and of course as the destination beloved of the famous Charlie Chaplin this coastal town offers beautiful vistas and activities for visitors who come to stay. We stopped for a spot of tea and scones at a lovely cafe facing the water and walked along the shore a bit to get a feel for the town though we did not get to see the famous golf course. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d6a479ba-8732-4a09-83b0-06121759ba89/IMG_3816.JPG Blog - ag tiomáint fáinne Mórchuaird Chiarraí - Make it stand out Glanbehy or Glenbeigh is a town surrounded by a horseshoe of hills and the Seefin mountains. It includes Rossbeigh beach and Coomasahran Lake and a number of important rock sites. Several Fianna legends center around this area and Rossbeigh beach is reputed to be the site where two Fianna rode their white horse to the everlasting land. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/19067bf2-4d64-4d65-a6fb-1434e5d8fc10/IMG_3782.JPG Blog - ag tiomáint fáinne Mórchuaird Chiarraí - Make it stand out Since its founding in 1856, Sewell’s is the longest standing family-owned pharmacy in the country. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1d395cf4-d4eb-4d51-99b0-469556ac77b7/IMG_3773_Moment.jpg Blog - ag tiomáint fáinne Mórchuaird Chiarraí - Make it stand out The sound of the bagpipes that we had enjoyed in Scotland gave way to the fiddle and the harp as we enjoyed an evening of song, dance and music with Gaelic Roots. We had an interesting discussion in the differences in the dancing between Scotland and Ireland though all I can say is that we enjoyed both evenings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b0f30ae6-ed5c-491c-84d1-abcaf1d0df4d/IMG_3850.JPG Blog - ag tiomáint fáinne Mórchuaird Chiarraí - Make it stand out In Irish Mythology these stones referred to as the Eightercua stones mark the burial spot of Scéine, the wife of the Milesian bard-magician Amergin who is said to have died at sea just prior to them invading Ireland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/920be5a2-b786-4964-a66a-1438f9142803/IMG_3852.JPG Blog - ag tiomáint fáinne Mórchuaird Chiarraí - Make it stand out Doire Fhíonáin or Derrynane is known as the oak wood of Fíonán’ Fíonán is a small village on the shores of the Derrynane Bay. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/06460b2e-a3d7-49a5-a722-d88c07ed3c60/IMG_3823.JPG Blog - ag tiomáint fáinne Mórchuaird Chiarraí - Make it stand out If you’re feeling adventurous, the Ring of Kerry cycling route is one of Ireland’s most famous with these converted train tracks forming a part of the cycling track. One of my friends is a biking enthusiast and she recently did a trip in the US where she rode converted train tracks over a weeklong period. Perhaps one day she will venture to Ireland and cycle the Ring of Kerry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e9b0c3fd-7ac6-423a-ba6b-9d621f7f6987/IMG_3952.JPG Blog - ag tiomáint fáinne Mórchuaird Chiarraí - Make it stand out A special treat was in store was before dinner. A visit to the pub for a drink and a traditional story and music hour. The bartender was very patient and even though I don’t drink beer I quite enjoyed learning how to pour (build) that perfect Guiness. Since I gave away my beer, I made more friends at the pub that afternoon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c8e7588f-f699-4484-8b2a-626e016df206/IMG_3872.JPG Blog - ag tiomáint fáinne Mórchuaird Chiarraí - Make it stand out Coomatloukane another breath-taking vista along our drive. At each of our stops there were local vendors selling homemade crafts and small souvenirs to the bus and carloads of tourists. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/85d6b106-747f-40b8-b041-15a8caa83793/IMG_3727.JPG Blog - ag tiomáint fáinne Mórchuaird Chiarraí - Make it stand out As we took the jaunting car ride through the Killarney National Park, our jarvey talked about the native red deer and with the softly falling rain it would be a stroke of good luck to see them. Clearly, we were lucky that afternoon since we got a glimpse of a family of deer with babies. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/filte-go-hirinn monthly 0.5 2022-10-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/78438612-d110-43f6-864a-c6b8ffd1748a/IMG_3529.JPG Blog - Fáilte go hÉirinn - Make it stand out It was Sunday morning, and you could feel the laid-back happy vibes of people who wandered towards the weekend market selling cheeses and other interesting foods and souvenirs. It was still early, and the pubs and restaurants were in the process of opening. It was amazing how quickly the little outdoor sitting filled as places opened. We found a little place and enjoyed an absolutely fabulous lunch on a sun filled, flower bedecked patio. I was in search of the perfect souvenir; a claddagh ring but I’m glad that I decided to wait and find something not quite as touristy and as it turned out not even a claddagh ring but a trinity pendant. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/aee1e28b-d48f-4527-a5bb-d337ce6bdf37/IMG_3357.JPG Blog - Fáilte go hÉirinn - Make it stand out Pubs are such a large part of the culture of the country with many of them going back hundreds of years. One of the guys in our group stated his goal of sampling a beer in every pub that we came across. Not sure that he achieved it, but I know he and his wife sure had fun trying. I am not a beer drinker but was game to try a traditional Pub lunch at this really old pub. The pandemic has changed so many things for a lot of these smaller business owners and while of course the pub was open food was not to be had. Don’t worry I found an excellent lunch spot out in the sun and had a delightful lunch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/685e2a4d-cbf9-4569-a930-1f009f821f3c/IMG_3550.JPG Blog - Fáilte go hÉirinn - Make it stand out As we approached the city of Limerick, which was to be our home tonight, we discussed what a limerick is and were challenged to write one to describe this trip to Ireland. The writing of the limericks exposed that our group was not only witty but also had a naughty and creative bend of mind. The laughter that echoed through the miles as each submission was read aloud during the course of our next day’s journey. The famous Treaty Stone is a limestone block that commemorates the treaty of Limerick that was signed in 1691 to end the war between King William’s supporters and Jacobite supporters for James the II. This is a popular tourist stopping place on the banks of the Shannon River with King John’s castle in the background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1b0f6c68-cf93-4f36-b3ca-4ce932a43ed8/IMG_3457.JPG Blog - Fáilte go hÉirinn - Make it stand out Cong famous for the movie “The Quiet Man” Stradling the borders of County Galway and County Mayo is the fairytale village of Cong going back to 1111; though there are tales that it might have been inhabited earlier. With a population of 900 people, it’s a small sleepy village that makes the perfect weekend getaway. Hollywood has also left its mark here with the making of the Quiet Man with John Wayne. In addition to a museum dedicated to the movie there are many sights associated with the movie. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c81e47f0-c156-4256-a67c-b9de9d87bac1/IMG_3443.JPG Blog - Fáilte go hÉirinn - Make it stand out Cong ~ The Monk’s Fishing Hole In addition to the Quiet Man fame, Cong is home to Ashford Castle and Cong Abbey. There are medieval stone walls still standing in the center of the village with their intricate stonework and curious carvings. The entire area is riddled with streams and bridges with the Monk’s Fishing Hole as another spot where the local monks could fish though a hole in the ground. I could have stayed longer at this beautiful location but when you’re on tour you are slave to a schedule and needs must move on, but I have recorded it as a possible weekend stop for when I come back to Ireland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7edc7015-a756-4fba-bf5d-3dbf944af209/IMG_3748.JPG Blog - Fáilte go hÉirinn - Make it stand out Killarney with its jaunting carts, and beautiful small town bustling vibes was one of my favorite towns in Ireland. The highlight of my visit here was a visit to a pub where I learned how to pour, or do they call it build? a Guiness. So many experiences culinary and cultural that are such a wonderful part of travel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ccb3525e-3c46-4734-8702-4f4a62805eae/IMG_3399.JPG Blog - Fáilte go hÉirinn - Make it stand out From Donegal we made our way to the beautiful property belonging to Belleek Potteries before we made nightfall in Sligo Bay. The property is located in the quaint village of Belleek on the banks of the river Erne. After the tour and a brief browse in the gift shop I made my way outside to sit in the beautiful sunshine and enjoy the view. A young Irishwoman had the same idea and soon we got to talking and discussing what we had seen so far and where we were going and some not to be missed things based on our itinerary that I could recall at the time. What a delightful interlude. I feel that travel is as much meeting local people as it is seeing and doing things. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f2adeb7a-0d38-4ea6-8f48-cf5d77f14f86/IMG_3535.jpg Blog - Fáilte go hÉirinn - Make it stand out Standing at the late 16th century Spanish Arch and looking out to the vast Atlantic Ocean, it’s not hard to imagine Galway in its medieval heyday. Once a small fishing village, Galway grew in strength in the 13th century to become a prosperous walled town ruled by 14 merchant families, known as the Tribes of Galway. The old city walls are now incorporated into a modern shopping center at Eyre Square, Kirwan’s Lane thrums with a bustling atmosphere and St Nicholas’s Church, completed in 1320, is where Christopher Columbus is said to have worshipped in 1477. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/78e6ffd0-213f-41b1-92a7-e5f33780040e/IMG_3666.JPG Blog - Fáilte go hÉirinn - Make it stand out We were on approach to Killarney which was going to our stopping place for 2 nights as we drove the Ring of Kerry and explored other facets of Irish culture. We stopped at this viewpoint to soak in this beautiful scenery which is so quintessentially Irish. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/16f0cc99-8a54-44db-a4be-7e64ffff442c/IMG_3582.JPG Blog - Fáilte go hÉirinn - Make it stand out As we drove to our medieval banquet at Knappoque Castle, I couldn’t resist snapping this picture labeled Duck’s Inn to create the illusion that visiting ducks might need a night’s stopping place in addition to other visitors. Absolutely loved these whimsical touches. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1664939816491-MMDZLY9LS03AOXRX3A6R/IMG_3632.JPG Blog - Fáilte go hÉirinn - Make it stand out Finally in Adare, Clare County we came across the traditional thatched cottages that are so reminiscent of what I imagined homes in Ireland were like. These cottages actually are all businesses, shops and restaurants. I had the best coffee and homemade chocolates at one of the shops here. I bought some thinking I would take them back as a taste of Ireland but alas! none survived the journey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2f5f0508-9a0c-43b9-a45d-fdc1d99445ef/IMG_3591.JPG Blog - Fáilte go hÉirinn - Make it stand out Knappogue Castle is a tower house built in 1467 and expanded in the 19th century. It is now open to tourists for tours and at night they have a medieval banquet where the main room is set up with a high table for royalty and then tables for the rank and file. We were treated to traditional Irish entertainment and some role playing by folks from the two groups who were the guests at the banquet that night. The best fun was the drive home at night with dance music blaring in the coach and dancing in the aisle. I guess I will never listen to Dancing Queen again without fond memories of this night. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d6845b50-a60c-4a63-a59c-1debb0e04003/IMG_3479.jpg Blog - Fáilte go hÉirinn - Make it stand out The Browne Doorway was the former entrance to the Browne house of 1627. It was removed from its original location in 1905 to form a freestanding feature in Eyre Square. The monument doorway is a reminder of the great architecture in the days of Galway’s civic opulence between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. The Renaissance doorway displays fine carved detailing to include the coats of arms of the two families united by marriage which is a typical feature found in medieval and late medieval contexts. After a brief introduction we wandered out towards the narrow streets lined with pubs and shops all the way to the river and the Spanish Arch stopping to sample food and drink along the way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ef2ae844-9469-42d1-ae72-5eb234e58822/IMG_3363.JPG Blog - Fáilte go hÉirinn - Make it stand out The Diamond, Donegal County Donegal was the home of the once-mighty Clan Dálaigh, or the O’Donnell dynasty, one of the richest and most powerful native Irish ruling families. We did not explore all that Donegal has to offer though we did stop for a few hours in the town for a bit of an explore and lunch. Dominating the town is the local gathering place or town square known as the Diamond. In the square is a distinctive Obelisk known as the Four Masters Memorial. It was erected to commemorate the four monks (Michael O'Clery, Peregrine O'Clery, Peregrine Duigan and Fearfeasa O'Mulconroy) from the Franciscan friary in Donegal Town who compiled Irish medieval history all the way from ancient times to the reign of Hugh O’Neill. This history is referred to as the Annals of the Four Masters, i.e., the 4 monks. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/across-the-irish-sea-to-northern-ireland monthly 0.5 2022-09-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2b3f26ff-3cbb-4b25-9974-83341ce5313c/IMG_3239.JPG Blog - Across the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland - Make it stand out The Walls of Derry is one of the most iconic spots in Londonderry. After all, these walls made the city known as the only walled city in Ireland that survived through time. These diamond-shaped defensive walls were built in the 1610s to protect the city from the English and Scottish colonists. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6f1da92e-c6cc-4b39-851d-e84d20d65111/IMG_3331.JPG Blog - Across the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland - Make it stand out As you can see the architecture has changed significantly as we’ve moved from England to Scotland and now to Ireland. While these homes did not have the traditional thatched roof it was clear that we were not in Scotland anymore. To the sound of Irish melodies, clapping to the words of the Irish Rover we made our way across the beautiful Irish towns and villages. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/606383a6-dd1c-4b1c-a11d-2aea753596ee/IMG_3150.JPG Blog - Across the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland - Make it stand out According to legend, these basalt columns are the remains of a causeway created by Finn MacCool so he could fight the Scottish giant Benandonner. Unfortunately each giant released or was tricked into believing that the other was larger and this would be an unwinnable fight, they destroyed the causeway. While we did not visit the Scottish Island of Staffa where the causeway led, apparently there are similar identical basalt columns which is possibly what gave rise to the legend. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7c7240d2-b089-4dcf-a0ce-f08d2a1682b3/IMG_3242.JPG Blog - Across the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland - Make it stand out Now one can walk the walls and look down upon the city from a high vantage point. I was a bit concerned that they might be steep but in the end it was a nice walk with a history lesson from a wonderful guide. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2757b39e-4a2e-4d1b-8786-9e0424afe4ad/IMG_3317.jpg Blog - Across the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland - Make it stand out The Peace Bridge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/30be12e2-f46b-44f3-a3aa-54cc58ee0000/IMG_3201.JPG Blog - Across the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland - Make it stand out My first Irish pub on Irish soil. It was a Friday night and there was live entertainment planned so after dinner I settled myself with a drink and a few friends from our group to enjoy the entertainment. Alas the day had been long and the entertainment destined to start late so we finished our drinks and headed up to bed. While we enjoyed the beautiful sunshine during the day, this weather was unseasonably warm for this time of year so the warm nights without air-conditioning and fans were not as pleasant. Ah well! lets chalk that down to being a part of the travel experience and soldier on. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7b8cde99-aff0-4344-8d4a-4bbd5e8050d2/IMG_3301.JPG Blog - Across the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland - Make it stand out The Guildhall is a beautiful neo-gothic style building located just outside the city walls and near the Peace Bridge. Originally built in 1887 by the Honourable Irish Society, the Guildhall is embellished with a beautiful stained glass window, a grand staircase, the main hall organ, and a corridor which altogether adds up to the building’s alluring charm. It’s free to visit the inside and definitely worth a visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8e1c5959-ad13-4b9e-90ac-53fc1d3606d2/IMG_3256.JPG Blog - Across the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland - Make it stand out The Apprentice Boys of Derry is a protestant fraternal society. Every year they march twice a year through Derry to commemorate the Shutting of the Gates in December and the Relief of Londonderry in August. As it turned out we happened to be visiting on the second Saturday in August and watched them assemble as we walked along the walls and then watched the parade from a distance. At one time, these events were fraught with violence but now it’s a peaceful parade that we got to watch from a distance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2e97e2dc-f5c4-47fb-a3c0-e420ff48f49c/IMG_3135%281%29.JPG Blog - Across the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland - Make it stand out We couldn’t have asked for a better day from a weather perspective and clearly that was reflected in the number of people swarming the area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6f2497d2-adea-457e-9f6f-2b6c1f833d7b/IMG_3175.JPG Blog - Across the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland - Make it stand out After an uneventful ferry crossing, we drove along the gorgeous coastline of Antrim and made our way to the Giant’s Causeway which the Irish consider the Eighth wonder of the World; declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986. The rocks have fanciful shapes like this one looking like a camel with a large hump. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3b61364f-4b4c-4143-82f0-e51cff21e8da/IMG_3226.JPG Blog - Across the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland - Make it stand out The message which says “You are now entering Free Derry” was painted by a local activist in 1969 during the early phases of “the Troubles.” Beside the wall is a memorial for the victims of the Irish Hunger Strike. The Bogside Murals in this neighborhood mark Bloody Saturday and consist of a series of 12 paintings championing civil rights. These serve both as a tourist attraction as well as a stark reminder of Northern Ireland’s difficult past. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/below-the-wind-and-above-the-water-the-orkney-islands monthly 0.5 2022-09-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/abe90816-7aee-41e0-a056-7674c304aebe/IMG_2524.JPG Blog - Below the Wind and Above the Water ~ The Orkney Islands - Make it stand out We started out from John O Groats which is the most Northerly point of hte British Isles. John was Dutchman who moved to this part of the world with his brothers from Holland and started the first ferry from the Scotland mainland to the Orkney Islands. The Octagonal house is a landmark in the region, designed to give each brother equality and prevent a quarrel for precedence. I don’t know that we all can design homes that mimic this but definitely this house is a lesson as well as a landmark. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9f1f2ed3-7104-4e2a-94ad-4fd9875faadc/IMG_2689.JPG Blog - Below the Wind and Above the Water ~ The Orkney Islands - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/49c54d43-c4a6-4bb8-829d-26d9e75c09c6/IMG_2733.JPG Blog - Below the Wind and Above the Water ~ The Orkney Islands - Make it stand out AS you enter the church you are dazzled by the high ceilings, stained glass windows and the parquet floors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/03ee5a2c-3277-4fdd-9bb5-e9930cf76170/IMG_2592.JPG Blog - Below the Wind and Above the Water ~ The Orkney Islands - Make it stand out The Italian Chapel is a highly ornate Catholic chapel built by Italian prisoners of war from limited materials that the prisoners had at their disposal while they were constructing the Churchill Barriers. It comprises of two Nissen huts joined end-to-end. The interior was then covered by plasterboard and the altar rail was constructed from concrete left over from the work from the barrier. It is a remarkable piece of art and worship. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2a8bde5c-345b-45e2-bb52-7c4fd9474b57/IMG_2736.JPG Blog - Below the Wind and Above the Water ~ The Orkney Islands - Make it stand out Another glimpse of the interior. I know I keep saying I want to spend as much time in drinking coffee at a sidewalk café and people watch and not visit more churches and museums but I just keep coming across unique and splendid ones that call me in and I can’t resist sharing. What a day. I know we lucked out with the weather and I might have been telling a different story if the day had turned out dark and gloomy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1171b8c9-d7d0-4a0a-a102-26a8f51c3e85/IMG_2518.jpg Blog - Below the Wind and Above the Water ~ The Orkney Islands - Make it stand out Of course you have to take a picture under this signpost indicating the different major landmarks of the world and how far they are from this spot. This was originally established by a photography company as a way of making company but eventually was made publicly accessible and free to all. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/27ccf565-2904-4926-946a-3346d1377d43/IMG_2711.JPG Blog - Below the Wind and Above the Water ~ The Orkney Islands - Make it stand out The swans on this loch fit in well with the overall atmosphere that had been generated while driving around the islands. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6aa0c427-993b-490c-abaf-423c12ce6b0a/IMG_2750.JPG Blog - Below the Wind and Above the Water ~ The Orkney Islands - Make it stand out St Magnus Cathedral dominates the skyline of Kirkwall the major town of this island chain and one of the most northerly cathedrals in the United Kingdom. It is still an active parish church but the interior is a fine example of Romanesque architecture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d0c4ca0f-1c7b-4f89-ae03-6cd55a7eb085/IMG_2574.JPG Blog - Below the Wind and Above the Water ~ The Orkney Islands - Make it stand out I knew we were going to take the ferry across but I was puzzled at how we would traverse between the various islands or if we would stay on one island but as it turns out the Churchill Barriers erected during World War II serve the vital role of connecting most of the major islands in this chain. Born from a time of conflict but now serving as vital links between island communities, these remarkable structures have become as iconic as many of Orkney’s more ancient landmarks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4f00fc99-0789-4548-b32c-b0db193a0818/IMG_2676.JPG Blog - Below the Wind and Above the Water ~ The Orkney Islands - Make it stand out Skara Brae, one of the most perfectly preserved Stone Age villages in Europe. Carbon dating established that the settlement was inhabited from about 3200 to 2200 BC. What I found particularly moving about the settlement is the path that takes you from the visitor center. There are stone markers on the path with a world event and a date inscribed on it. As you walk down the path it suddenly dawns on you that you are walking backwards in time and into history until you reach the year 2000 BC. What a perfect way to set the mood and get one ready to explore the settlement. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9d5681ac-81dc-4d92-ba74-ca786b5eb584/IMG_2653.JPG Blog - Below the Wind and Above the Water ~ The Orkney Islands - Make it stand out The Ring of Brodgar is a set of ritual monuments built over 5000 years ago. It consists of a massive stone circle that according to one historian looks like a group of druids. It’s easy to see why Orkney’s Neolithic inhabitants might have set up a ceremonial circle on this spot – surrounded by hills and lochs, the site has a truly spectacular setting. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/a-ghidhealtachd-scotland monthly 0.5 2022-09-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fd5e71b3-52ce-4cf8-98aa-605fe35f2c15/IMG_2418.JPG Blog - A' Ghàidhealtachd ~ Scotland - Make it stand out Before we got to our ferry on Loch Ness we stopped for a quick visit to see Hielan coos which is a Scottish breed of cattle that originated in the Scottish Highlands and has long horns and a shaggy coat. They are are a hardy breed and able to withstand the intemperate conditions in the region. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f1b6c916-9ef1-4fac-9238-89a297184efe/IMG_2307.jpg Blog - A' Ghàidhealtachd ~ Scotland - Make it stand out Before actually traveling in Scotland I did not realize how mighty some of the rivers that cross Scotland really are. From St. Andrews we crossed the River Tay and headed towards the Grampian mountains and Blair Atholl. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f1b5d536-b6a8-4812-abf9-39536d557aff/IMG_2889.jpg Blog - A' Ghàidhealtachd ~ Scotland - Make it stand out The Old Sligachan bridge built by Thomas Telford between 1810 and 1818. While it is not longer in use having been replaced by a newer bridge the stories about eternal youth or beauty abound in this area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/83ff5840-5fb4-420d-bd4c-1991885e4acb/IMG_2767.JPG Blog - A' Ghàidhealtachd ~ Scotland - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3da1de95-af32-4ea4-8bc5-c3d4f4edb37b/IMG_2511.jpg Blog - A' Ghàidhealtachd ~ Scotland - Make it stand out Teen brother and sister piper duo who not only entertained us during the ceildh at the Old Smiddy Inn in Wick but also piped us out at the end as we left the pub. We felt a part of the culture and traditions of the land as we enjoyed an evening of songs, stories, jokes and music in the pub. It’s wonderful to see the younger generation embrace their heritage so that it will continue to endure into the future. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b8013dd4-7e51-4901-bcc3-15acfb7bbeff/IMG_3059%281%29.jpg Blog - A' Ghàidhealtachd ~ Scotland - Make it stand out We spent a final night in Glasgow in preparation of an early morning Irish Ferry but we did have the time for a delightful dinner at the Red Onion and visit and chat with owner chef John Quigley. Of course we had to make the time to walk through the city and stop by to see the iconic statue of the Duke of Wellington crowned with an inverted traffic cone. Scotland has been a wonderful chapter in my Summer travels this year. Amongst all these incredible experiences, the Orkney Islands was the highlight. I have skipped over them in this epic journey through Scotland to bring them to you on their own before we truly leave Scotland for Ireland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8657443a-4f06-4e89-890f-0704a91edc48/IMG_2988.jpg Blog - A' Ghàidhealtachd ~ Scotland - Make it stand out The sunshine did make a return and we had a magical visit at the beautiful Lock Lomond where we toasted our Scottish visit in whisky. We were making our way to our last night in Scotland in Glasgow so we would be in place to catch our early morning ferry to Ireland. What an unforgettable dream trip this has been. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dc0b7d1b-46ce-4758-9b8f-4d02c0a39d85/IMG_2321.jpg Blog - A' Ghàidhealtachd ~ Scotland - Make it stand out Blair Castle so impressively preserved both inside and outside. While a walk through the castle was interesting, the best moment came when a young man in his kilt came to stand outside the castle and played the pipes. The haunting sound of the pipes endorses why the English considered them a weapon and banned the playing of the pipes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e4184e90-0a78-4bc3-ba6d-830df9968554/IMG_2489.JPG Blog - A' Ghàidhealtachd ~ Scotland - Make it stand out Of course we were in Scotland and while history and castle and pipers were all wonderful things, a visit can’t be complete without visiting a distillery and seeing how they make Scotland’s national drink. The highlight of this visit was of course the tasting though we did get a lot of facts and figures on what makes the best whisky. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f4f03781-0041-40e8-a143-fc12eabb24bf/IMG_2432.JPG Blog - A' Ghàidhealtachd ~ Scotland - Make it stand out Urquhart Castle sits on the banks of Loch Ness in the middle of the Great Glen. This castle was repeatedly captured and recaptured, rebuilt several times. We were content to look upon it from our Loch Ness Ferry since it was not on our itinerary to visit here. As we sipped highland hot chocolate (Hot Chocolate laced with Whisky) to keep the cold out, we stood outside on the ferry and admired the castle and commiserated at Nessie’s non appearance. I guess the hot chocolate did not have enough oomph to bring Nessie to the surface. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1a6ef4fb-35e0-4d73-b8f7-79e91181430d/IMG_2371.jpg Blog - A' Ghàidhealtachd ~ Scotland - Make it stand out Culloden Moor that bloody field where 1500 Scots were massacred by the English army led by the Duke of Cumberland, outnumbered, outgunned, in a battle that lasted only 40 minutes. The Visitors center has a fantastic but gruesome surround sound video experience that reenacts the battle. It’s hard not to flinch as the guns fire and men fall. After that the walk along the moor was pretty solemn and reflective. As we drove away from the epic battlefield we discussed the tactics that gave Cumberland the victory and changed the Scottish way of life forever. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0114fd02-11fa-4b21-93dd-f9effeba14cc/IMG_2909.jpg Blog - A' Ghàidhealtachd ~ Scotland - Make it stand out Eilean Donan Castle is located on a island situated at a point where three great sea lochs meet and is surrounded by majestic scenery. First inhabited in the 6th century the castle was fortified in the mid 13th century to stand guard over the lands of Kintail. Since then at least four different versions of the castle have been built and rebuilt as the feudal history of Scotland unfolded through the centuries. It is considered on the most visited castles in the Scottish Highlands. We visited a vista point where we took photographs but did not go inside since we had a date with Ben Nevis and the WWII memorial. Unfortunately the beautiful sunshine was temporarily overtaken by clouds and while we had a wonderful stop at the memorial Ben Nevis was elusive. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d4b14110-5395-4356-9564-76a0fcbcb353/IMG_2270.jpg Blog - A' Ghàidhealtachd ~ Scotland - Make it stand out Our first stop upon leaving Edinburgh was the legendary St. Andrews Links. I’m not a golfer but even I got chills standing at the location where golf was first invented way back in the 15th century. Did you know that this course was originally 22 holes? but in 1794 they decided to merge the front 4 and back 4 and made it 18 holes which is how golf is now played. In 1457 King James the II banned the game because young men preferred golf to archery but fortunately for golfers everywhere James the IV lifted the bank in 1502 since he too was a fan. St, Andrews of course also has a university where the love story of Kate Middleton and her prince charming is still a conversation piece. We stopped by and visited the coffee shop where they are purported to have met during their college days. Of course it’s a bit confusing because almost every coffee shop in the area has some story regarding their courtship. I’m guessing these stories will only get more fervent now that they are the Duke and Duchess of Wales and heir apparent to the throne of England. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a745fa3f-a704-4681-896a-bf411b5f5025/IMG_2872.jpg Blog - A' Ghàidhealtachd ~ Scotland - Make it stand out We drove through some of the most spectacular scenery along Loch Carron and through Glen Carron before reaching the land bridge that would take us across to the magical island of Skye. We had been blessed with really good weather and sunshine but it was somewhat fitting that we crossed over to Skye in misting rain. We talked about the story of young Flora MacDonald and how she helped rescue Bonnie Prince Charlie who fled in disguise after his defeat at Culloden through the Isle of Skye. Thanks to the mist and cloud the Old Man of Storr did not make an appearance but we did get to view the breathtaking Mealt falls at Kilt Rock and listen to the music of the wind. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bf81d16f-3293-4779-83fe-cd0de71279ab/IMG_2964.jpg Blog - A' Ghàidhealtachd ~ Scotland - Make it stand out Glencoe Valley, the site of the ghastly massacre where all the members of clan MacDonald of Glencoe (men, women and children) were killed by order of King William the III. The Glen is sometimes referred to as the Weeping Glen and even today the beautiful site seems to cry out against the atrocity. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ea67d816-9521-49db-86d5-9712eef21d24/IMG_2781.jpg Blog - A' Ghàidhealtachd ~ Scotland - Make it stand out The Wee Hoose on the Loch was a great story to get us going the next morning after enjoying the most fantastic freshly baked scone and strong tea on the shores of Lock Shin in Lairg. The story goes that it was built by Jock Broon, a poacher who was gifted the land by a local laird in exchange for that perfect whisky recipe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/be729010-8133-427e-99df-e371771b5572/IMG_2393.jpg Blog - A' Ghàidhealtachd ~ Scotland - Make it stand out Inverness dominated by the Inverness castle is a charming town on the River Ness. Soon the solemn mood of the group changed to conversation about Nessie and whether she would grace us with a visit when we sailed on Loch Ness on the morrow. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/edinburgh-scotland-a-gothic-fairytale monthly 0.5 2022-09-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6ef8ef46-8ce4-4d29-857e-21f51bafac13/IMG_1920.JPG Blog - Edinburgh Scotland ~ A Gothic Fairytale - Make it stand out Gretna Green, the elopement capital of the U.K. Since Scotland’s laws were more liberal than England, couples who wanted to marry but were denied parental permission eloped across the border to get married over the anvil at Gretna Green. As we crossed the border into Scotland talking about the Pam American crash over Lockerbie our first stop in Scotland was Gretna Green. It’s still a popular destination for weddings and we saw a couple of weddings being performed. Overall though it was fun to stop here and check a box, though I found this place quite touristy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fe36de7c-8a8c-4649-a266-c2df9bb53961/IMG_2005.JPG Blog - Edinburgh Scotland ~ A Gothic Fairytale - Make it stand out The blue door on this block of apartments is the front door to what once used to be Sir Alexander Graham Bell’s home. As they say, Scotland might be a small nation when compared to others but it’s contributions are mighty. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bcabba54-a143-4631-a77b-07371be7518f/IMG_2066.JPG Blog - Edinburgh Scotland ~ A Gothic Fairytale - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/148f9e85-6cf5-4964-84c1-294f07da21fc/IMG_2080.jpg Blog - Edinburgh Scotland ~ A Gothic Fairytale - Make it stand out Edinburgh was crowded. The Grass Market area where we stayed pictured here was full of people and street performers. After two years, the city was full of people drinking dancing and in the mood to enjoy themselves. I was here to attend the Edinburgh Tattoo a long held dream and my sense of anticipation began to mount as I too became infected by the general excitement that permeated the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f747c019-eaef-4c10-b363-05a79369262e/IMG_2170.JPG Blog - Edinburgh Scotland ~ A Gothic Fairytale - Make it stand out The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is an annual series of military tattoos performed by the British Armed Forces, Commonwealth and other international Military Bands. The festival returned to Edinburgh once more this year after a two year hiatus and was titled “Voices”. As we took our seats for the night performance, the view of the castle lit up with torches, silhouetted against the setting sun, the sound of the bagpipes as the Scottish marching bands opened the evening. You have to be there to experience it. Words can’t describe the experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0aa2b919-8058-4bdc-ae95-ee250fab5c9f/IMG_2101.JPG Blog - Edinburgh Scotland ~ A Gothic Fairytale - Make it stand out The Palace of Holyrood House stands at the end of the Royal Mile and is the Queen’s official residence in Scotland. It is associated with historic figures like Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie. The palace is open to visitors and is staged as a residence. We wandered through the throne room, the bedroom of Mary Queen of Scots, the dining room and other notable rooms. The gardens were blooming in the warm prolonged summer the UK has been experiencing and while it is not possible to walk through all the gardens they were still a pleasure to view. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a9533c9d-edd5-47e8-b693-b313c815b4cd/IMG_2050%281%29.JPG Blog - Edinburgh Scotland ~ A Gothic Fairytale - Make it stand out The Royal Palace was once home to Mary Queen of Scots where she gave birth to her son James the VI who united the crowns of Scotland and England. The Crown Room is home to the crown, scepter and sword of state which was first used at Mary’s coronation in 1543. The iconic Stone of Destiny used for centuries to inaugurate Scottish monarchs is also on display here. No photographs are allowed inside. Our guide gave us an interesting story of how the English stole the Stone of Destiny and then some Scottish students on a drunken dare stole it back and brought half of it back to Scotland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/829dea78-ece0-407a-8343-0935d9a26607/IMG_2064.JPG Blog - Edinburgh Scotland ~ A Gothic Fairytale - Make it stand out Edinburgh Castle is one of the oldest fortified palaces in Europe. When you climb Castle Hill you walk in the footsteps of Kings and Queens, soldiers and chiefs. Parts of the castle are still in military use but the Royal Palace and the Great Hall are open to visitors. I had been here before a long time ago and places like this don’t change but I kept feeling that the entire experience was completely different from what I recalled. Thank God, Holyrood Palace was like I remembered. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/66eeccbb-309e-404b-a8b3-17b2fb9006cc/IMG_1984.JPG Blog - Edinburgh Scotland ~ A Gothic Fairytale - Make it stand out Haggis that Scottish delicacy that needs to be tried at least once. I had tried it on an earlier visit and decided that it wasn’t for me. Considering that it had been many years, people change, I have expanded my palate in the past few years and I was persuaded to try it again. This time it looked quite different from what I recalled and the verdict is that it is not bad but not something that I would order if I had a choice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e4ebca86-89fa-4b98-a2f9-c2c7c245918c/IMG_2234.JPG Blog - Edinburgh Scotland ~ A Gothic Fairytale - Make it stand out The entire performance was spectacular, I hardly felt the cold wind that whistled through me as I sat glued in my seat. One of the reasons for my visit to Edinburgh this year was for the Tattoo but even in my wildest imagination I could not have imagined what I saw. IT was a world class performance full of light, music, pomp and ended with a spectacular display of fireworks. May I have the opportunity to return and once more experience this phenomena. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c5f61c0c-4fd4-40be-95b0-6ea976835807/IMG_2092.jpg Blog - Edinburgh Scotland ~ A Gothic Fairytale - Make it stand out The Burns monument dedicated to Robert Burns the national poet of Scotland is located on Calton Hill which also gives you a birds eye view of Holyrood House Palace. Robert Burns wrote the words to Auld Lang Syne which the entire world sings to bid goodbye to the old year and welcome in the new year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/321ad152-73f9-42f9-836e-de5febb03e94/IMG_2026.JPG Blog - Edinburgh Scotland ~ A Gothic Fairytale - Make it stand out Edinburgh of course is home to more than palaces and the royal mile. While we did not visit the pub we heard the tale of Bobby Greyfriars, a Skye Terrier who was so faithful to his master that he spent 14 years guarding his master’s grave. He is buried in the nearby church and a statue of the dog was commemorated to recognize his loyalty. People visit the pub to celebrate the life and story of Greyfriars Bobby though from what I’m given to understand the food is average. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/84ec6204-f1a8-4b4d-ae93-eaa26439fb47/IMG_2160.JPG Blog - Edinburgh Scotland ~ A Gothic Fairytale - Make it stand out The Scotsman all set up for our group banquet prior to attending the Tattoo. The Royal Mile was closed to vehicular traffic given the crowds in attendance for both the Fringe festival and the Tattoo so we had a delightful dinner here b before we made our way to find our seats for the tattoo. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/step-into-the-past-york-england monthly 0.5 2022-09-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/009a0784-c014-4ac3-8886-d0fa362b3f20/IMG_1731.JPG Blog - Step Into The Past ~ York, England - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b9beaa69-0234-4dc2-9ba5-f046c8517a5a/IMG_1612.JPG Blog - Step Into The Past ~ York, England - Make it stand out The Shambles, UK’s most historic and picturesque streets was the model used by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling for Diagon Alley and even today boasts of “The Shop That Must Not Be Named” complete with it’s parking for broomsticks on the outside. This street is so old that it was apparently mentioned in the Doomsday book while the overhanging timber-framed houses that still stand today are a remarkable reminder of the city’s past. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ac54ccdc-6d58-48b9-9ed7-6304d520fc78/IMG_1647.JPG Blog - Step Into The Past ~ York, England - Make it stand out Outside the York Minister. Even if you feel you can’t do another church you must do this one. It is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture. This cathedral stands on its own. I have included some of my favorites here but there is so much to admire that I might do a separate post on the interior. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e7c8875a-51d8-4c5d-8ef7-43b2db336b78/IMG_1750.JPG Blog - Step Into The Past ~ York, England - Make it stand out One of top ten things to do in York according to the Great Britain travel site is enjoy a traditional high tea. It might not have been super traditional but I had the best tea and scone especially since this was my first scone with clotted cream and jam on this trip to England. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/04159556-1208-41d9-8f40-cf2595e6916d/IMG_1747.JPG Blog - Step Into The Past ~ York, England - Make it stand out On my way out I stopped by Little Shambles with it’s street market selling all types of goods. Thank God! I’ve been traveling a long time and have learned to resist buying things. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bf53be24-2831-4e9e-8f82-2bad7a117440/IMG_1696.jpg Blog - Step Into The Past ~ York, England - Make it stand out The Organ. I was fortunate to be in the beautiful Quire with its divine acoustics when the bells rang. I can only imagine what it would be like when the organ is played. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9d661729-7d5c-4a56-813b-c34223fe765b/IMG_1600.jpg Blog - Step Into The Past ~ York, England - Make it stand out Clifford’s Tower built to subdue the rebellious north by William the Contqueror has been a royal mint, a medieval stronghold and a civil war garrison. In 1190 one of the worst anti Semitic massacres of the Middle Ages took place here when the local Jewish community was trapped here by a violent mob and either committed suicide or were murdered by the mob. The tower is newly renovated making it safe for people to walk around and obtain unrivalled views of the city. Despite it being exactly opposite my hotel, it was a hard pass after an afternoon spent wandering the Minister and other parts of the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/45ceb362-3ff5-419a-a605-1d736f4a5915/IMG_1604.JPG Blog - Step Into The Past ~ York, England - Make it stand out I have seen this concept with umbrellas in many places recently. I think its kinda cute especially when you see a medieval skyline. While this picture does not show the view of the church tower there is one depending on the exact angle. I am bouncing on my feet looking forward to Gretna Green and Edinburgh on the morrow. Stay tuned….. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/77b5d215-768e-4eff-b146-6e711990b74c/IMG_1610.JPG Blog - Step Into The Past ~ York, England - Make it stand out This sagging timber house dates back to the early 1500s. It was bought by the then mayor Sir Thomas Herbert in 1557 and then subsequently became a gin shop. In fact it is currently being renovated to house a Gin shop again. Next door is a pub called the Golden Fleece which is reputed to be haunted. In fact they regularly conduct ghost tours here if you are into that sort of thing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d398571a-42b0-4024-8de4-7d8ac5d072fc/IMG_1757.JPG Blog - Step Into The Past ~ York, England - Make it stand out A button shop! who would’ve thought. I couldn’t resist stepping in and looking at all the myriad possibilities? Almost made me want to take up sewing so I could buy some. Hmmm! some times shopping is hard to resist. Now I have buttons in search of an outfit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3133eb0d-4b1f-4bdd-8c25-2b88831fd3f8/IMG_1699.JPG Blog - Step Into The Past ~ York, England - Make it stand out The Chapter House. I just sat here and filled my eyes and my soul with the beauty that this picture barely does justice to. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a8e7c9d6-c3eb-431a-ba13-a78093a49b35/IMG_1615.jpg Blog - Step Into The Past ~ York, England - Make it stand out This shrine is dedicated to Margaret Clitherow also known as the Pearl of York who was pressed to death on the charge of harboring catholic priests. She was canonized in 1970 as a saint by Pope Paul the VI. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/a-midsummer-nights-dream monthly 0.5 2022-08-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7782e62c-5366-451e-84b7-b069717231df/IMG_1535.JPG Blog - A Midsummer Nights Dream - Make it stand out The backdoor exit from the house that leads into the garden and ultimately the gift shop and exit. The house is beautifully staged showcasing what it must have been to have lived and grown up here in Shakespeare’s time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0b99a879-fbd1-4ee1-b669-583a7e3be641/IMG_1879.JPG Blog - A Midsummer Nights Dream - Make it stand out The hillsides were alive with flowers nodding their heads and swaying in the breeze. I began to understand the inspiration of the lake poets and felt that given a bit of time I might be able to spout some verse too. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/676d788a-3c07-49a6-92ac-c5f0c7658ccb/IMG_1531.JPG Blog - A Midsummer Nights Dream - Make it stand out As I wondered inside the museum part of the birthplace, this first edition book of Shakespeare’s work preserved under glass open to one of my favorite plays ~ The Tempest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3b9aec51-f5f6-4b68-9d10-507388281dba/IMG_1872.JPG Blog - A Midsummer Nights Dream - Make it stand out Even as a heatwave has Britain sweltering and folks complaining about yellow fields and lack of rain this area was still lush and green and a dream to look upon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/05ad223b-5396-450b-9347-487982328f0b/IMG_1530.JPG Blog - A Midsummer Nights Dream - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8e6fcc77-5523-452b-865f-a04f1ec28e54/IMG_1844.JPG Blog - A Midsummer Nights Dream - Make it stand out Beatrix Potter of the Peter Rabbit fame also made her home here in the lakes and in fact after her death has gifted much of her property to the British Trust which makes it available for visitors like us to continue to enjoy this beauty. While Peter Rabbit is not super popular amongst American children like my grandchildren today I did stop into the store to pick up a few gifts for them as a memento of my visit here. I fondly remember my childhood which did consist of Beatrix Potter and Enid Blyton. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5699022f-70d3-4011-8027-396d19ec2670/IMG_1539.JPG Blog - A Midsummer Nights Dream - Make it stand out Imagine my surprise to see a bust of Rabindranath Tagore the Bengali poet and Indian Bard holding pride of place in the garden. It turns out that the great Indian poet had written a poem for the Tercentenary of Shakespeare’s death which was immortalized on an ivory tablet at the Shakespeare Center Library in Calcutta India. When this tablet was seen by the Indian High Commissioner to London Dr. LM Singhvi, he conceived the idea of a permanent monument to Tagore that could be enjoyed by the people of the Indian sub continent who come to Stratford on Avon. Thus the bust came to find a home in the birthplace garden to be viewed and enjoyed by wandering Veena just as was intended. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fb86d221-d338-4229-a9c1-0d1990353ea4/IMG_1858.JPG Blog - A Midsummer Nights Dream - Make it stand out After visiting the grave we walked along the little village street enjoying the beauty and ambiance even as we tasted gingerbread, mint cakes and other treats with our morning tea. Morning tea became quite the habit on this trip where we tasted our way through some of the sweet local baked codes in every region that we stopped at. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/49a4e644-5bbb-4018-8ccf-69d8f7263aee/IMG_1910.JPG Blog - A Midsummer Nights Dream - Make it stand out As we left Grasmere on our way towards Scotland there was an accident on the motorway that necessitated us taking narrow roads and lanes and riding along the lake seeing the locals enjoying all that this area has to offer from a recreation viewpoint. Apparently there is an air force base around here because we saw fighter jets doing maneuvers in the sky. Reminds me a bit about driving to San Diego from Los Angeles and passing Camp Pendleton and seeing similar exercises and training. What a beautiful part of England this is. Perhaps someday my steps will lead me back to enjoy this beauty but for now the road is calling and we are heading to York onward to Scotland and the Edinburgh Tattoo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0f17b2c9-bb64-420a-9dca-a86d708fb554/IMG_1560.jpg Blog - A Midsummer Nights Dream - Make it stand out Our hotel the Swans Nest was right on banks of the River Avon where the Stratford eye was visible as was the area where one can rent boats to kayak or paddle down the river and enjoy the cool summer breezes during this heatwave that has England in its grip. This Shakespeare bridge is somewhat different than the Shakespeare bridge in Los Angeles that was featured in one of my posts some time back. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9e4ca6e7-91b4-4df1-98d6-7731db56f601/IMG_1849.JPG Blog - A Midsummer Nights Dream - Make it stand out The next day, off we were again, this time in search of a “A host of golden daffodils beside the lake, beneath the trees, fluttering and dancing in the breeze”. Yes we were headed to Grasmere and the beautiful Lake district to visit the grave of the most famous of the Lakes poets William Wordsworth. I couldn’t help but reflect my love for poetry that was inspired in middle school by poets like William Wordsworth, William Blake and Sir Walter Scott. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/09844f98-481a-4661-8d6c-42d448bb5cb8/IMG_1577.JPG Blog - A Midsummer Nights Dream - Make it stand out After a delightful evening spent at the Blue Boar Pub we called it a day. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/a-stop-at-oxford monthly 0.5 2022-08-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c319bab5-4995-4577-b447-771bca7875fc/IMG_1432.JPG Blog - The Steeples and Spires of Oxford - Make it stand out The Bridge of Sighs the original of which is in Venice. Interesting the bridge in Cambridge spans the River Cam and its an interesting experience to pass under it on a punt which stimulates the experience in Venice on a gondola. This one spanned a quiet street with a few students walking the street. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0302b6a9-4720-4be7-83bd-6ce7b9871889/IMG_1502.JPG Blog - The Steeples and Spires of Oxford - Make it stand out Across from the Ashmolean is the Randolph hotel which sparkles with the gleam of crystal, heraldic flags and beautiful drawing rooms serving as a welcome retreat for locals and travelers alike. I decided to take a few minutes to use the facilities, wander through the lobby and lower public rooms with a brief stop to order a refreshing lemonade to be enjoyed in one of the public salons. What a great way to end my brief sojourn here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/41c4dbf4-c604-4e85-8785-cb527d14e9cf/IMG_1438.jpg Blog - The Steeples and Spires of Oxford - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ad1b280f-cc50-485b-9390-7bd6a3a4b874/IMG_1460.JPG Blog - The Steeples and Spires of Oxford - Make it stand out The Museum of Oxford is a great spot to visit if you are interested in learning about the history of the university and this region. The displays include original artefacts, treasures from Oxford colleges and period room reconstructions, from prehistoric times onwards. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1e9950b8-c1e3-498a-8c01-0b6ef667913b/IMG_1476.jpg Blog - The Steeples and Spires of Oxford - Make it stand out Carfax Tower is considered to be the center of the city standing at the cross roads serving as a prominent landmark looking out over the city. These roads lead to shops, restaurants, museums, churches and colleges all that makes up a university town. Tourists were a part of the crowd walking about as were double decker sightseeing buses. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5dcb152d-b4ce-4bec-afb8-9ba09fa1ef1b/IMG_1462.jpg Blog - The Steeples and Spires of Oxford - Make it stand out Christ Church, one of the largest and wealthiest of colleges at the university of Oxford. It’s grounds cover a lot of significant buildings including the Tom Tower designed by Sir Christopher Wren. I was at the wrong entrance to be able to pay my admission and walk in the grounds themselves but I managed to peek in and feast my eyes before walking back along the high street towards the Ashmolean which was our meeting point for departure. Given it’s stature here it will come as no surprise that notable alumni include 13 British primer ministers, royalty such as King Edward VII, King William II of Netherlands, and writers, philosophers and inventors. Lewis Carroll of the Alice in Wonderland fame, William Penn founder of Pennsylvania in the US, Robert Hooke, Albert Einstein, W.H. Auden, John Locke, to name a few. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f1f00bef-53f7-414e-810c-b003ca6c039f/IMG_1423.jpg Blog - The Steeples and Spires of Oxford - Make it stand out There are 39 colleges and six permanent private halls which are autonomous self governing corporations within the university. We walked past a few f these colleges that serve as houses of residence and teaching forums for undergraduates. As I walked along these streets I couldn’t help but compare my trip to Cambridge university both the similarities and the differences the major difference of course being that I saw Cambridge through the eyes of my nephew who is an alumni. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f7fd7489-be02-4968-bb1d-bdc523ad5d2a/IMG_1436.jpg Blog - The Steeples and Spires of Oxford - Make it stand out The Radcliffe camera became a part of the Bodleian Library as the original set of books that formed the basis of the library collection expanded and overflowed to the more than 12 million that it currently houses. There was a lot of construction in this area including the main building that houses the library even while the library itself was open during this remodel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b10d60fa-19bc-4517-91a2-9aa3d0505cc8/IMG_1494.JPG Blog - The Steeples and Spires of Oxford - Make it stand out This war memorial comprised of a cross decorated with a fleur-de-lys bid us welcome and goodbye. It might be the right time of the year but I was enthralled by all the flowers that bloomed on street corners, and front yards that made me smile with their flash of color as we sped by on our way to our next destination. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b1177256-d267-4104-a3f2-cbbee8b518c6/IMG_1412.JPG Blog - The Steeples and Spires of Oxford - Make it stand out We started our walk outside the Ashmolean museum where we were dropped off from our coach. The Ashmolean is an impressive museum full of art and culture first established in 1683. Admission is free to the public but alas today we did not have the time to enter the rooms, inhale the history and step through the ages with other visitors here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d987d378-5a1f-4f89-a573-6dd43dd15827/IMG_1417.JPG Blog - The Steeples and Spires of Oxford - Make it stand out Our first stop was at the Martyrs’ Memorial which commemorates the burning at the stake of three prominent protestant martyrs: Thomas Cramer Archbishop of Canterbury, Nicholas Ridley Bishop of London and Hugh Latimer Bishop of Worcester under the catholic rule of bloody Queen Mary. It gave us a quiet moment to reflect on the bloody religious history as Catholicism gave way to the church of England and briefly with Mary’s reign an attempt to re-establish the Catholic faith. Alas so many wars fought and so many lives lost in the name of religion. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/santa-monica monthly 0.5 2022-08-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/806ba1b4-e49f-4469-980c-270fdf9e3d8b/IMG_1074.JPG Blog - Santa Monica ~ More Than a Beach - Make it stand out The lone sailboat seems to be surrounded by sea gulls that look almost like bats. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/493d3760-c4ef-464d-9bfc-00cd7544964f/IMG_1039%281%29.JPG Blog - Santa Monica ~ More Than a Beach - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c7489281-a644-4eff-8c42-927575a2bae6/IMG_9884.JPG Blog - Santa Monica ~ More Than a Beach - Make it stand out Dagwood Pizza, home of the rainbow pizza. I did not have Pizza on this particular day but on a prior expedition to Santa Monica I stopped to check this out in anticipation of a shared experience with my grandson. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dc7f9dd0-5820-409c-9bcb-fac7179644da/IMG_1080.JPG Blog - Santa Monica ~ More Than a Beach - Make it stand out As I was back wandering in the mall looking for my car, I popped my head in to check out this so interesting shop. Another place that I think my grandson would enjoy. I’ve really enjoyed this Summer of exploration of places in and around me where the old has become new and I found a lot of interesting stuff that I never knew about before. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/623af1f4-a7d0-42d1-816a-ab6c9a872994/IMG_1078.JPG Blog - Santa Monica ~ More Than a Beach - Make it stand out Of course, I decided to take a short cut to my car and then despite the pictures that I took of my parking spot I got lost. I ended up walking back into the mall to try and find the entrance that I had originally exited from. Clearly this short cut was a bust, but I suppose this experience did teach me not to skimp on steps. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/243685c2-011f-4a5c-afb7-08e45ead2025/IMG_1057.JPG Blog - Santa Monica ~ More Than a Beach - Make it stand out The pier with its concessions, arcade and fun activities seemed to be a lot more crowded. Clearly people are tired off the gloom and doom of the never ending Covid and have decided to break out and enjoy the sunshine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e9c545f7-ac28-4b76-aac0-5c14dba7db4d/IMG_9871.JPG Blog - Santa Monica ~ More Than a Beach - Make it stand out The Funnel Mill with its large selection of teas and its siphon coffee brewing machine. A small tucked away coffee and tea shop in Santa Monica. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ee4eb708-3523-43d3-8896-769179413b9c/IMG_1068.JPG Blog - Santa Monica ~ More Than a Beach - Make it stand out Since I had just been in Dana Point recently, I decided to hop over to the pier and see what the beach scene looked like. It’s Summer and there are definitely a lot of people enjoying the sun and the sand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9f606c5f-458f-4944-a867-da0f9127f327/IMG_1077.JPG Blog - Santa Monica ~ More Than a Beach - Make it stand out Time to head back and find my car parked in the beautiful parking structure for the mall that itself appears to be a work of art. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d6c4b622-8239-4b48-bf1e-263ff0818fb2/IMG_1049.JPG Blog - Santa Monica ~ More Than a Beach - Make it stand out I was a little early, so I headed to the Third Street Promenade which is equal parts shopping haven and street performer stage. The promenade consists of three open air, car-free blocks that are anchored by the upscale Santa Monica Place. There's excitement around every corner as street performers, tourists, locals, diners, movie goers, and more flock to the area. Lo and behold I was just crossing the street but who should I find but my friend who also happened to be early heading towards me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c9789264-5fdd-4a0e-a8b4-a0b19e63100b/IMG_1052.JPG Blog - Santa Monica ~ More Than a Beach - Make it stand out So, we turned around and walked back to True Food Kitchen a favorite destination for lunch where we enjoy splitting our meals and sharing. Looks like a lot of food but we did every bite of this justice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8cb5d669-a77d-4770-b429-9ec775c5d8cb/IMG_9877.JPG Blog - Santa Monica ~ More Than a Beach - Make it stand out Another spot of excitement in Santa Monica is Coco the delivery robot. You can find these robots fast tracking down the street delivering Pizza instead of the usual pizza boy. I first saw these robots in Dubai at the expo earlier this year, so it was kind of fun and exciting to see them in daily use in a local neighborhood. The world continues to shrink. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/42797635-4256-4b60-a8f1-361dd41a9639/IMG_1071.JPG Blog - Santa Monica ~ More Than a Beach - Make it stand out Starbucks is there front and center right next to the pier and the bike rental shop doing a brisk business. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/a-can-of-green-paint-a-new-obsession monthly 0.5 2022-08-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/843a3355-abfd-41f0-b224-d2551a2fb72a/IMG_1035.JPG Blog - Utility Boxes ~ A New Display of Public Art - Make it stand out Welcome to Sherman Oaks on the corner of Mulholland and Beverly Glen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0dea9faf-c505-46de-8472-450577ecf905/IMG_0015.JPG Blog - Utility Boxes ~ A New Display of Public Art - Make it stand out At the corner of Riverside and Van Nuys right by a Gas Station. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b9e274d1-b206-44f7-8e86-e99398206d3f/IMG_1032.JPG Blog - Utility Boxes ~ A New Display of Public Art - Make it stand out Vibrant colors change the grey utility box but also add color to drab corners. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b1072faf-8ce3-46a6-b949-33e5d0398ee8/IMG_9887.JPG Blog - Utility Boxes ~ A New Display of Public Art - Make it stand out These paintings serve as outdoor studios reaching a wide audience, provide free advertising and a canvas for artists to express their artistic vision while receiving a modest payment for the work that they do. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fa098f90-b7b4-443c-b84b-41bbe4829b5f/IMG_0635.JPG Blog - Utility Boxes ~ A New Display of Public Art - Make it stand out Certain neighborhoods have a theme going with boxes painted by the same or a variety of artists. Studio City/Valley Village has an Olympic theme going. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7fc3e8b7-4316-44f4-8373-ad3339b3d69f/IMG_9893.JPG Blog - Utility Boxes ~ A New Display of Public Art - Make it stand out At the corner of Ventura Boulevard outside the super Ralphs. What a canvas for artists to display their vision and creativity. The city council does have final right of approval and some rules to keep these family friendly and graffiti proof. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/11aaad00-8421-4fbd-a1a4-96643cfa3d21/IMG_1566+%282%29.jpg Blog - Utility Boxes ~ A New Display of Public Art - Make it stand out And the beach city of Dana Point would feature beach and ship related themes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9619220d-45ab-4a15-ba0d-a780089bdb7b/IMG_0017.JPG Blog - Utility Boxes ~ A New Display of Public Art - Make it stand out Ventura Boulevard from the corner of Laurel Canyon has an entertainment theme going as a nod to the many entertainment businesses that find a home here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/45382061-3ea3-4744-b042-05b160501a73/IMG_0516%281%29.JPG Blog - Utility Boxes ~ A New Display of Public Art - Make it stand out A warm welcome to this public art gallery. I hope you enjoy these spots of color along your local drive as much as I have. I know there are people who believe that painting these is offensive to the civic authorities who picked grey for a reason but I for one am definitely enjoying the visual feast and the sense of surprise and wonder. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/70190b30-5e43-407a-8879-d3ecc91d2d9c/IMG_9901.jpg Blog - Utility Boxes ~ A New Display of Public Art - Make it stand out Given the themed nature of the utility boxes, it’s no surprise that downtown Los Angeles Chinatown would feature dragons. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bc31b488-53f4-4da9-830e-43e24b77ffd5/IMG_0684.jpg Blog - Utility Boxes ~ A New Display of Public Art - Make it stand out The variety of the talent and concepts are varied, I always smile when I pass this one with its reminder of a favorite children’s fantasy illustration. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/xin-chao-los-angeles monthly 0.5 2022-07-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/84c0358e-f093-4861-9904-63b8db703afc/IMG_1240.JPG Blog - Xin Chao Los Angeles - Make it stand out A colorful Altar is located on the second floor where people come to worship. I saw a mother with her small children lighting incense and praying with bowed head here when I visited. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/86c5d1b2-9ff3-4ff7-9572-7660fc1ddeb5/IMG_1235.JPG Blog - Xin Chao Los Angeles - Make it stand out Asian Garden Mall is one of the great landmarks of Little Saigon and is known as Phuớc Lộc Thọ in Vietnamese. Grand archways tower above the two-story shopping complex serving as a canopy to the beautiful white Buddha statues in the front. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d22a54d6-5331-42d5-86ae-08f1b0fd27d2/IMG_1232.JPG Blog - Xin Chao Los Angeles - Make it stand out The Asian Garden Mall is the largest majority Vietnamese-owned and operated mall in America, and a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/00a48034-20a4-4810-a43f-ee3cbcb8eebc/IMG_1265.JPG Blog - Xin Chao Los Angeles - Make it stand out T&K Food Market is the Vietnamese version of Costco. Dominating the back of a shopping complex with beautiful sculptures, fountains and pagoda roofs this complex is definitely worth a visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/01d7757f-0012-4160-9c20-f187f1f275fa/IMG_1260.JPG Blog - Xin Chao Los Angeles - Make it stand out These Vietnamese neighborhoods with their distinctive roofs and lettering stretch all along Bolsa Avenue in Westminster and Garden Grove definitely gave me the feeling of having taken a flight outside of the US and arrived in an exotic Asian country. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cac96ee0-95b7-4c51-b996-f453d9f3c82f/IMG_1219.JPG Blog - Xin Chao Los Angeles - Make it stand out The colorful features of the Cao Dai Temple form a “visual theology” representing the complex belief system, which combines Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism with elements of Catholicism (Jesus Christ is recognized as an important religious leader) and Spiritism. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/32301cc7-9486-48d1-844a-0aa9016b2450/IMG_1225.JPG Blog - Xin Chao Los Angeles - Make it stand out The Cao Dai California Temple in Garden Grove was built by the Orange County congregation of Caodaists, which numbers about 25,000 people. It is one of only four in the United States to be purposefully built following the sacred architectural blueprint of the Mother Church in Tay Ninh, Vietnam. It is located in a residential neighborhood not far from the shops on Bolsa. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3bf8b334-595c-4daa-b1c3-fb1b0b485d24/IMG_1269.JPG Blog - Xin Chao Los Angeles - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6ed43f9a-36d3-4f61-bab5-fda6136a057a/IMG_1217.JPG Blog - Xin Chao Los Angeles - Make it stand out There are two towers on either side of the entry, which features five concentric steps that lead to the main door. A rather fierce and demonic human figure of evil, Ông Ác, is to the left of those who enter, while a more benevolent human figure of good, Ông Thiện, is on the other side. The left side also has images of the moon, while right side has images of the sun. Two stylized characters at the front of the temple spell out the name of the Supreme God—Cao Đài, the “highest power.” A large, curved balcony extends out above the entry area, and an emblem of the left eye is also seen above this balcony. A sculpted image of the Maitreya Buddha riding on a tiger sits atop the whole structure, signaling the final era of three great world eras, one that will end in the time of the dragon and flower, when the virtuous will be rewarded and given salvation. The tiger is a reference to the year Caodaism was founded, the year of the tiger. Unfortunately, the front door was locked, and I was not able to get inside the temple though I’ve read about it. Perhaps another time when I am in that area I will try to visit and see inside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2eac2885-2c0b-440a-9912-b05b98f015ec/IMG_1243.JPG Blog - Xin Chao Los Angeles - Make it stand out Another altar on the other side. Did not seem as elaborate as the first but I found it interesting that there were many different types of Buddhas even some standing guard at the entrance to jewelry stores. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f82b0bc1-aefc-45a3-b60f-087b522c05af/IMG_1245.JPG Blog - Xin Chao Los Angeles - Make it stand out Boutiques, featuring both children and women’s clothing, Jewelry stores and a food court all seemed to do a thriving business on this weekday afternoon when I visited. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/a-step-back-in-time-los-rios monthly 0.5 2022-07-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/eb79e0e3-4932-4aca-ada1-b7ad9c4edca1/IMG_0779.JPG Blog - A Step Back in Time ~ Los Rios, California - Make it stand out The Cottage House Gallery another very interesting place with outdoor and indoor art, fountains and just fun stuff. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/53464b19-fc9e-4e9b-8c2b-d8f6ca83ad37/IMG_0686%281%29.JPG Blog - A Step Back in Time ~ Los Rios, California - Make it stand out The San Juan Capistrano train station with its ivy-covered structures sets the tone for the San Juan Capistrano old town. This is a pedestrian only area full of cafes, bars and souvenir shops surrounding the mission. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1f86a470-6f8c-4506-8e6c-65c9bc5f7548/IMG_0704.JPG Blog - A Step Back in Time ~ Los Rios, California - Make it stand out Around the train tracks are various railway themed restaurants with cute names like On the Tracks, Tootsie Roll and Paddington. Do stop at the Paddington and order the soup of the day ~ Whisky with ice chips. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5c6e1d9f-333d-402b-ace7-cc69c33f8e6e/IMG_0748.JPG Blog - A Step Back in Time ~ Los Rios, California - Make it stand out The timeless feel of the town as you stroll by some of these homes which are apparently lived in or step into a museum or shop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/971cb69f-fbb9-4a6f-94dd-379fb6f8b695/IMG_0743.JPG Blog - A Step Back in Time ~ Los Rios, California - Make it stand out It was a hot summer day, so we decided to cool off with some long cold icy drinks and appetizers to tide us over till we decided what we wanted for our main meal of the day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4d1aae68-4d5b-496d-8041-ac44e3bf41e8/IMG_0722%281%29.JPG Blog - A Step Back in Time ~ Los Rios, California - Make it stand out The town of Los Rios clearly was built around the Mission which is a quick walk around the corner. We walked up to the Mission and took a quick peek but did not go in since I’ve been there and done that before. I’ve been to the Mission as I just said and browsed in the shops right across the street and yet never discovered Los Rios or realized that the train comes right here. Strangely myopic of me but then I guess at the time I did not have the same thirst for adventure and wandering as I do now. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1228b3d6-18ad-4ac0-86a7-e6adf5902f2b/IMG_0775.JPG Blog - A Step Back in Time ~ Los Rios, California - Make it stand out The Tea House dedicated to English Tea. I have been on an obsession with tea lately, but this place was full. I found that they have special seasonal events that are tied to the seasons, and I am determined to go back if I get the opportunity. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/95837ebd-d53b-4db9-b337-7e0cac92a351/IMG_0783.JPG Blog - A Step Back in Time ~ Los Rios, California - Make it stand out This garden which is visible from the Cottage House has almost an Asian Zen feel about it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5734af22-43ac-4318-9ed7-fe42e492fbed/IMG_0692%281%29.jpg Blog - A Step Back in Time ~ Los Rios, California - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cad0b440-f58c-40c0-ad72-dddeae9e2655/IMG_0693%281%29.jpg Blog - A Step Back in Time ~ Los Rios, California - Make it stand out The focal point of this area is the Plaza with its signpost guiding people to what the neighborhood has to offer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5f2f3943-3ff0-43ce-a9c3-9fd2e11bf783/IMG_0761%281%29.JPG Blog - A Step Back in Time ~ Los Rios, California - Make it stand out The Ramos House Cafe located in a structure dating from 1881 is a great stop for brunch when you are visiting here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dd14b899-dc9a-45d5-9d8b-fa20085944ac/IMG_0769.JPG Blog - A Step Back in Time ~ Los Rios, California - Make it stand out Las Catrina’s has an eclectic collection of clothes and tchotchkes, definitely deserves a stop and a browse and even a buy or two if you’re looking for something different. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9de8ab0b-f25b-4f62-9095-8585cee7aeb2/IMG_0688%281%29.JPG Blog - A Step Back in Time ~ Los Rios, California - Make it stand out Right across from the train station is the Bird House Garden. I can just imagine riding the Amtrak and peeking out to see some of these novelties go by. Though in full disclosure I have taken the train to San Diego and never noticed till today what I could have been discovering outside the train window. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/ni-hao-ma-los-angeles monthly 0.5 2022-07-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/849fc91c-78b6-4573-a3f0-bc72d2f9a9c9/IMG_9925.JPG Blog - Ni Hao Ma Los Angeles - Make it stand out Colorful shops selling all manner of Chinese goods and foods in addition to the variety of Chinese restaurants that did a brisk business. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0a8597c7-fbd7-4b69-9721-af36d526484e/IMG_9981.JPG Blog - Ni Hao Ma Los Angeles - Make it stand out The Teo Chew Assocation is one of the Chinatown family associations in Chinatown originally founded to provide social, and political support to newly arrived immigrants. In addition to civic support many of them provided spiritual support building and maintain beautiful temples. Temple of Guan Yu (Guan the Elder), at the gateway to Chinatown which is maintained by the Teo Chew Association. It is open to visitors but is primarily staffed by people who speak little or no English. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e95db7b0-eab1-48f7-890b-23846d9d6485/IMG_9920.JPG Blog - Ni Hao Ma Los Angeles - Make it stand out The lucky Chinese bamboo and other plants for your home and garden. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dde3efa6-44b1-4ba6-9877-b3cb6faabd33/IMG_9968.JPG Blog - Ni Hao Ma Los Angeles - Make it stand out Within the main plaza of what was known as new Chinatown. Shops and restaurants abound along with ways and means to keep children entertained. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3aa5a3f7-2204-480d-9766-22f2e096cf7e/IMG_9963.JPG Blog - Ni Hao Ma Los Angeles - Make it stand out Dragon chasing pearl mural originally painted by Tyrun Wong in 1941 and restored by Fu Ding Cheng in 1984. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/069331c3-bb0b-4cca-9b48-1e42aced03c3/IMG_9956.JPG Blog - Ni Hao Ma Los Angeles - Make it stand out The main plaza. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f90bf9bd-93de-4668-969f-738424443983/IMG_9953.JPG Blog - Ni Hao Ma Los Angeles - Make it stand out Statue of Bruce Lee that holds pride of place in the plaza. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d18abfe8-6028-425a-9273-0c37885702da/IMG_8557.jpg Blog - Ni Hao Ma Los Angeles - Make it stand out A favorite moment in time captured through the lens of my camera. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bf7dc981-0e5d-4fb7-9475-ff3fa3f66683/IMG_9973.JPG Blog - Ni Hao Ma Los Angeles - Make it stand out The East Gate to the main plaza and the statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of the republic of China. The gate and the statue were sponsored by a gentleman called Y.C. Hong the first Chinese American to pass the bar. This Central Plaza was used as film set and many movies were filmed here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f3c2c800-ce34-4a44-84de-ca94ecb2aebb/IMG_9915.JPG Blog - Ni Hao Ma Los Angeles - Make it stand out The pavements are lined with all manner of stalls almost like a farmer’s market selling all manner or plants, fruits, vegetables and other goods. I am not sure if this is true for every day of the week but on a Sunday this area had a lot of foot traffic and people busily shopping. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bfc1020b-19fc-418b-9429-d26a0d08aab9/IMG_9899.jpg Blog - Ni Hao Ma Los Angeles - Make it stand out Twin Dragon Gateway that welcomes visitors to Chinatown Los Angeles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6597427d-e6ea-4790-b683-da2f848da830/IMG_9962.JPG Blog - Ni Hao Ma Los Angeles - Make it stand out I was told to look for a wishing well which I did not find but I did find this little tranquil pond with its statue of Buddha dreaming in the shade. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ffbc6221-b3e5-4613-b42c-e8ed54dab165/IMG_9945.JPG Blog - Ni Hao Ma Los Angeles - Make it stand out Beautiful tile murals on a wall outside an abandoned building along Broadway as you walk from the Dragon Gate towards the Central Plaza. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/45be2dd1-025d-4328-b5d0-5bc253b3cc1f/IMG_9989.JPG Blog - Ni Hao Ma Los Angeles - Make it stand out By 2000 or so many Chinese people had left the downtown location and established themselves in Monterey Park and gradually to other areas in the San Gabriel valley. The San Gabriel Valley hosts not just Chinese but other Asian residents as well. I made a drive out there and while there are clearly strip malls that host a variety of shops and restaurants, some of them even boasting pagoda roofs but there is no consolidated town that one can refer to as Chinatown or Asia town here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fd027225-e2dd-4cd5-a938-bcb741c641aa/IMG_0009.JPG Blog - Ni Hao Ma Los Angeles - Make it stand out In my pursuit of Chinese culture, I did have a delightful lunch in Chinatown but most importantly drove all the way to Arcadia for a taste of Chinese tea drunk in the traditional style. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0c7dfc26-57c9-4196-bae6-49d460836911/IMG_5762+Copy.jpg Blog - Ni Hao Ma Los Angeles - Make it stand out Liu Fang Yuan 流芳園, or the Garden of Flowing Fragrance, is one of the finest classical-style Chinese gardens outside of China. Filled with Chinese plants and framed by exquisite architecture, the landscape is enriched with references to literature and art. Inspired by the gardens in Suzhou, and located inside the Huntington Library this is one of my favorite spots in Los Angeles. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/wine-tasting-in-temecula-california monthly 0.5 2022-07-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/55265e3f-c528-467a-b0e1-4f4d0588b157/IMG_0346.JPG Blog - Wine Tasting in Temecula, California - Make it stand out Tuscany Italy? No. Temecula, Californa. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/53b90e4b-2331-4640-8923-11a0edd2d4b4/IMG_0421.JPG Blog - Wine Tasting in Temecula, California - Make it stand out Even though we were pretty much wined out we make our last stop of the day @wilsoncreek where we tasted their specialty almond champagne. Here we strolled around the property which was very crowded at this time of the late afternoon and dipped our toes into their very extensive gift shop, leaving us time for a spot of olive oil tasting, a quick nap and an evening spent in the casino. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ff295c73-79f7-4025-ab61-52827f20ac36/IMG_0386.JPG Blog - Wine Tasting in Temecula, California - Make it stand out Our next stop was the beautiful @Miramonte where we had a VIP private sommelier led wine tasting. I walked around in between taking pictures and met the most delightful family who were visiting for the day. The parents were from nearby Riverside with their daughter, son-in-law and daughter’s mom-in-law. I took some pictures of their family group and after a nice chat walked back to our private cabana. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2111d10c-9268-494f-963b-2ba051a70f3c/IMG_0351.JPG Blog - Wine Tasting in Temecula, California - Make it stand out Our first stop of the morning was @Thornton Wineries with their beautiful herb garden and bright spot of color. I have to say all the wineries are so beautiful with flowers, lavender and herbs that welcome people. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e3dd9ac0-93fd-495a-ac5e-4d95d0fbae0c/IMG_0437.JPG Blog - Wine Tasting in Temecula, California - Make it stand out It turned out that the weekend wasn’t quite over even as I headed for home and followed navigation across the various freeways. I had to do a double take, perhaps even a triple take as this scene emerged along the side of the road. Was I in a Star Trek episode where Scotty had beamed me into an alternate universe? As it turns out I was neither dreaming nor a victim of technology. I happened to be crossing the Chino hills where there is a beautiful traditional Hindu temple called the Swami Narayan Temple. My moniker is wandering Veena, of course, I got off at the next exit and detoured my way to the temple complex and walked (drove) around the huge complex. What a great way to end a perfect weekend; living up to the motto of a true wanderer who’s prepared to detour and adjust based on what might come around the corner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5e3c860b-2e60-4011-a51e-d93799168940/IMG_0358.JPG Blog - Wine Tasting in Temecula, California - Make it stand out Wine tasting done right. We were seated at a table on the patio as we decided which flights we wanted to taste. Of course, we all picked different ones and then had fun doing some cross tasting. Since most of the wineries here in Temecula or at least the ones we visited all had attached restaurants we noshed along with sipping our wine. Between a little bit of food, a lot of water we got to layer the stomach well during the day and enjoy all the different wines that we got to taste. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a139cb2a-610f-484e-afab-9bc83fac24d9/IMG_0095.JPG Blog - Wine Tasting in Temecula, California - Make it stand out Here we spent a delightful afternoon noshing and tasting some fabulous wines. Raja got to enjoy some water and snacks with us as well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4fb48206-a60e-4a29-a354-de5f1c4bf194/IMG_0274.JPG Blog - Wine Tasting in Temecula, California - Make it stand out Couldn’t leave Temecula without a quick stop in Olde town Temecula with its delightfully quaint shops and restaurants. It was quite busy with cars coming and going but I was lucky to have someone pulling out in front of me and safely parked I wandered as far as my legs could take me. Given that it was almost the end of the day it wasn’t far, but I managed to get some steps in while I browsed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/702e1830-58e4-49ce-9e95-8441862f48da/IMG_0310.JPG Blog - Wine Tasting in Temecula, California - Make it stand out The quaint Temecula Olive Oil Company who has a wide selection of flavored olive oils. No reservations required for the olive oil tasting and you can leave with a nice collection of gifts for your cooking minded friends. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f9ee98c9-6eb4-4851-86c3-4b3957b0dbc5/IMG_0362.JPG Blog - Wine Tasting in Temecula, California - Make it stand out The weather was perfect. A pleasant breeze keeping things cool and comfortable. Accompanied by @rajatheyorkie who has his own Instagram page, we visited all dog friendly wineries picked by @monicakapur. A side benefit was outdoor wine tastings that let us truly enjoy the wonderful weather and company as we made our relaxed way through the day. @Abstraktdj was kind enough to drop his mom at the front door and park the car since many of the parking spots were far from the entrance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6466ec3b-2933-4cdd-9c06-b9f57f4b89cc/IMG_0318.JPG Blog - Wine Tasting in Temecula, California - Make it stand out We stayed at the Pechanga Resort with its selection of restaurants and casino. We had grandiose plans of spending a couple of hours at the tables as a family but as it turned out the sun and wine took its toll and other than a little time desultorily playing slots while waiting for our dinner table, we did not gamble much at all. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/san-diego monthly 0.5 2022-07-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b1deaddb-24f4-4aba-9664-275e625abb7f/IMG_0252.JPG Blog - San Diego Slightly Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out The one other thing that I haven’t seen for a while a children’s reading area with little step stools for little feet and little hands to reach up. You’re right, I couldn’t resist and walked out with some books for my grandchildren. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/84b8bb99-087f-407c-bfaa-28f28528719c/IMG_0142.JPG Blog - San Diego Slightly Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out From my car, the convention center with the painted walls evocative of San Diego. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d82ad85c-b943-4f66-84d6-7b76a3f743a0/IMG_0217.JPG Blog - San Diego Slightly Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out Located right below the San Diego Coronado Bridge in Barrio Logan is an approximately 8-acre park which is the home of to the country’s largest collection of outdoor murals as well as sculptures and earthworks. Because of the magnitude and historical significance this park was designated as an official historic site by the San Diego Historical Site Board in 1980. This area is predominantly Chicano or Mexican American and Mexican-migrant and many of the murals speak to the cultural identity of these people. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fe40669b-f1ba-4a29-9582-b33acdcfb0e3/IMG_0092.JPG Blog - San Diego Slightly Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out In the middle of the plaza is a golden egg-shaped fountain, which represents both Califia's magical reign over the sea and the birth-death-transformation cycle that serves as a recurring theme in Saint Phalle's works. I met my cousin, her son and grandchildren at the park. We gave our imagination free rein as we walked in the heat of a California summer afternoon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b42046a7-4108-4b72-9e1c-eb7e679e340c/IMG_0141.JPG Blog - San Diego Slightly Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out I stayed in the Gas Lamp quarter with its myriad of eclectic restaurants but since I had been visiting family in Escondido did not eat here. Driven by a story in my neighborhood I have been obsessed with tracking down some of the beautiful art on the utility boxes in my local area. Of course, I couldn’t resist taking a quick picture of this utility box in the gas lamp quarter to add to my collection of utility boxes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4ca0d7a7-8bb7-4eaf-b3b7-e4a48d52e575/IMG_0154.JPG Blog - San Diego Slightly Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out The unconditional surrender statue is located right next to the USS Midway, an aircraft carrier that is now permanently located in San Diego. It commemorates a photo of J-Day that appeared in Life Magazine of a young US sailor dipping and kissing a nurse in Times Square on the day WWII ended. There are similar statues located in Sarasota Florida, Hawaii, etc. Couples come out here to replicate the pose. I asked one such couple of they would take a photograph of me. The cheeky man said he would be happy to but in deference to his wife he would pass on replicating the pose. No worries there. I wasn’t interested in exchanging spit with a stranger either. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/919a6eb6-2b93-40f8-9235-e55694c9760a/IMG_0241.JPG Blog - San Diego Slightly Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out Abandoning my plan to head over the bridge into Coronado, I made my way back into downtown San Diego to University Avenue and Verbatim Books. My love for books is well known and I have long mourned the loss of brick and mortar even as I now read exclusively on my kindle. But a bookstore like this is catnip. From the interestingly different signage and entrance it’s like entering another world. One catered for readers with comfortable inviting nooks and bookshelves scattered across. Definitely my idea of heaven on earth. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bea3d2a2-d002-4ef1-bc27-b5184730ab8c/IMG_0184.JPG Blog - San Diego Slightly Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out Instead, I made my way to the Barrio Logan. Based on its richly vibrant and authentic concentrations of art, culture and creativity, Barrio Logan has been designated as one of 14 California Cultural Districts, which showcase some of the unique artistic identities that drive California’s culture similar to Balboa Park and Oceanside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/589b49bf-56a2-4a5f-84ec-cc37c6db1f76/IMG_0148.JPG Blog - San Diego Slightly Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out Besides visiting the floating museum, you should definitely go say Hi to Bob Hope once you’ve posed with the kissing sailor. Starting in 1943 Bob Hope spent fifty plus years entertaining soldiers, sailors and military at various battlefronts all over the world particularly at Christmas time. These visits are fondly remembered by the service men he entertained. This National Salute to Bob Hope memorializes his history. Cast in bronze featuring sixteen larger than life size figures facing Bob in a 48-diameter circular plaza this memorial represents a typical road show with Bob entertaining troops near the front. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d71f36cc-7e03-4155-b90e-7f6d959800dd/IMG_0171.JPG Blog - San Diego Slightly Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out The Del Coronado bridge from the Seaport Village. I had every intention of making my way to Coronado Island and visiting the Del Coronado hotel but had to pass on that as time was fleeting and I had a bunch of interesting must do places. We’ll save that for the next visit to San Diego. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ea448cb7-9882-4c85-9943-6f9965f2c799/IMG_0069.JPG Blog - San Diego Slightly Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out While visiting my cousin in Escondido, I stopped at the Queen Califia’s Magical Circle. This is the only American sculpture garden and last major international project created by Franco-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle. Inspired by California’s mythic, historic and cultural roots which go way beyond the Spanish occupation of California, the garden bears the brilliant, unique mosaic ornamentation that is an unmistakable part of Saint Phalle's later work. The artist was inspired by reading of this legend in Assembling California, a book by Pulitzer Prize winner John McPhee. The imposing mosaic sculpture of Queen Califia standing on the back of a five-legged eagle commands the center of the garden. Eight large totemic sculptures surround Queen Califia. They are covered with symbols and forms freely drawn from Native American, Pre-Columbian, and Mexican art as well as the artist's own fantastic imagery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a88e46b8-6e15-44e7-8135-2f3cfa368a3b/IMG_0257.JPG Blog - San Diego Slightly Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/739bf742-032c-498d-9911-a2074108488c/IMG_0162.JPG Blog - San Diego Slightly Off the Beaten Path - Make it stand out Okay I know this is not off the beaten path but who could resist this sailboat moving fast across the bay as I stood there seeing fishermen getting set up. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/off-the-beaten-path-in-los-angeles monthly 0.5 2022-06-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f2b58d6c-b98f-48ae-8f7b-e6d2f4aa4a59/IMG_9518.jpg Blog - Shakespeare in Los Angeles? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dc77de14-8651-4ae3-ad33-233df88142d4/IMG_9749.JPG Blog - Shakespeare in Los Angeles? - Make it stand out As you gaze up at the beautiful homes dotting the hillside of one of the oldest neighborhoods in Los Angeles you are reminded that while Los Angeles may seem like a relatively new city it in fact has many pockets of historic neighborhoods. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5a208591-984d-47c2-a9d9-0ddb8b9bda6f/IMG_9507.jpg Blog - Shakespeare in Los Angeles? - Make it stand out While I didn’t see anybody dropping off or picking up books these turrets offer an eclectic selection of books for the casual browser. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a01dcd32-3de6-436b-8cc1-a5d7bf2b9129/IMG_9522.JPG Blog - Shakespeare in Los Angeles? - Make it stand out The entire hillside is dotted with homes with a dry creek that runs below the bridge. There is a staircase that takes you from the bridge to the Shakespeare Garden that is a wild and overgrown spot below the bridge. I personally did no brave this feat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/03701365-e813-4ff1-972f-b95857129123/IMG_9524.jpg Blog - Shakespeare in Los Angeles? - Make it stand out The bridge is something of an architectural oddity in that it looks like nothing else around it, which really makes it stand out. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/191ed3fa-6188-43c9-ac9a-136da8e28a54/IMG_9536.JPG Blog - Shakespeare in Los Angeles? - Make it stand out As I left the neighborhood around the bridge and headed towards home, I saw the top of this interesting building which made me follow my eyes and turn down a street where I found another cultural monument. The John Marshall High School which seems to still be a functioning high school originally established in 1931. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0a0f9ad7-c6eb-46db-b3de-dc6aed0a5136/IMG_9515.JPG Blog - Shakespeare in Los Angeles? - Make it stand out The bridge runs 260 feet long with a quartet of Gothic-style steepled towers at each end. It’s also quite narrow — about 30 feet including the half-sized sidewalks lining each side of the road. Fortunately, I was alone and did not need to adjust to walking single file across the narrow sidewalk. While the neighborhoods on either side of the bridge were dreaming in the afternoon sunshine, the bridge itself saw a steady stream of cars that crossed it in both directions during the time that I spent out there. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a120cad5-0629-480d-ab1a-f76654f863d6/IMG_9744.JPG Blog - Shakespeare in Los Angeles? - Make it stand out Along Sunset Avenue, I found the entrance to these stairs that are a part of a hidden network of stairs that riddle this neighborhood, a left-over relic from when people had to come down to Sunset Ave from their homes up in the hills to catch a cable car. This particular staircase has been painted in colors of the rainbow and hearts by artist Corrinne Carrey in 2013. At the crossing of Sunset and Micheltorena this is known as the Micheltorena Stairs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7f99d460-8184-4380-b279-1d80d79bdcfb/IMG_9500.JPG Blog - Shakespeare in Los Angeles? - Make it stand out While I had originally made my way to this neighborhood because my cousin had told me about the Shakespeare bridge, I decided to wander a bit through the interesting streets and absorb a little bit more about this eclectic neighborhood. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/711d3ea9-6f51-47fc-b160-2c186a6fe3ff/IMG_9751.JPG Blog - Shakespeare in Los Angeles? - Make it stand out I found my way to Sunset Avenue, which is full of street art, interesting coffee shops, farmers market style shops and some well-known restaurants. Definitely a street where I need to spend more time browsing and sampling. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/exploring-los-angeles-the-mosaic-tile-house monthly 0.5 2022-06-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b9aed199-1850-42b9-97e7-c42c9f1e65d2/IMG_9847.JPG Blog - Colorfully Eclectic in Los Angeles - Make it stand out Aside from artists, at least one of them also has a very green thumb as evidenced by the fruit and vegetables growing in the front yard, apparently enough to live off what they can grow. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/73b6e784-2c5a-42f2-bfca-c8baf3fd750f/IMG_9814.JPG Blog - Colorfully Eclectic in Los Angeles - Make it stand out Cheri’s studio, I think. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f7a55b57-afc5-487a-b977-170e76a8b457/IMG_9783%281%29.JPG Blog - Colorfully Eclectic in Los Angeles - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f09d515e-10a8-4c73-a153-0b0a746c2d8b/IMG_9809%281%29.JPG Blog - Colorfully Eclectic in Los Angeles - Make it stand out Story strips, beautiful metallic sculptures and colored glass inset tiles line the side porch which leads to the studio. The studios were not open to visitors, but you could peek in to see the workspace that sparks the artist in these two so very talented individuals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/67f102c3-02ac-4c2e-afe9-f88b45ebebd5/IMG_9788%281%29.JPG Blog - Colorfully Eclectic in Los Angeles - Make it stand out This bright yellow tiled path running along the right side of the house called to me. Might not be the yellow brick road but it comes close with its irresistible allure. It’s as you walk along and look at the combination of wise sayings, inspirational quotes, every day household items and colorful tiles that the full impact of what you’ve come to see starts to sink in. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c81b0dae-d6d2-4c50-99f2-754cdf7114f0/IMG_9799%281%29.JPG Blog - Colorfully Eclectic in Los Angeles - Make it stand out Gonzalo’s studio https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f1e6f582-a337-4cf8-bfeb-8f197490cb4a/IMG_9821.JPG Blog - Colorfully Eclectic in Los Angeles - Make it stand out The left side yard with its bottle insets. Keep in mind this is an ongoing project so you might return in six months to a year and find new things and more stories. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/94205e6f-b9d9-49bf-abb2-6ededb9d7c0d/IMG_9839.JPG Blog - Colorfully Eclectic in Los Angeles - Make it stand out A glimpse at the kitchen and breakfast nook from the gift shop. Gonzalo assures me that this is a working kitchen where Cheri cooks once in a while when they are home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/11115b24-0ecd-485c-9113-6262a5b17a28/IMG_9849.JPG Blog - Colorfully Eclectic in Los Angeles - Make it stand out The first glimpse of the house and gardens is almost overwhelming. Take a deep breath and take it all in. Collect the handout from the docent at the front gate which guides you to not to be missed specifics. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/31232b72-0f39-4762-8e79-24f662409589/IMG_9828.JPG Blog - Colorfully Eclectic in Los Angeles - Make it stand out Every artistic angle has been maximized and dipped in the theme including some of these branches that create an arbor leading to the front. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9ae003a6-4e51-4d87-bfb5-245df73f3883/IMG_9850.JPG Blog - Colorfully Eclectic in Los Angeles - Make it stand out The bench just inside the gate. It’s a good place to catch a breath and try to absorb all that you’ve just seen. I am not sure about living in such an explosion of color for myself, but it definitely seems to work for Cheri and Gonzalo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6de61270-d8e8-40e4-bc71-da9ca49b91f8/IMG_9808%281%29.JPG Blog - Colorfully Eclectic in Los Angeles - Make it stand out Definitely a scene out of the mad hatter’s tea party. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/edac2f55-b745-480f-8897-6263ae78cac9/IMG_9822.JPG Blog - Colorfully Eclectic in Los Angeles - Make it stand out A path full of life’s lessons and promises that people read aloud to each other as they admire the work that has gone into this creation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f142e1e0-e9d5-4dd4-80b5-9a924703f342/IMG_9793%281%29.JPG Blog - Colorfully Eclectic in Los Angeles - Make it stand out The side yard is an explosion of color complete with whimsical benches, glass insets and a peek into both Cheri and Gonzalo’s studios which were closed to the public at least while I was there. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c919a191-4c94-4113-a2b1-77ff0243fe05/IMG_9855.JPG Blog - Colorfully Eclectic in Los Angeles - Make it stand out Miss Teen California showed up complete with crown and friend to wander and pose for some photographs amongst which she obliged wandering Veena as well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8bf01e2f-f3a8-449d-86f0-d399b763089b/IMG_9818.JPG Blog - Colorfully Eclectic in Los Angeles - Make it stand out The front porch, no rocking chairs but everything else that a couple might need to spend an evening enjoying the evening breeze. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d485a0ad-ef75-41b8-b291-3c9c04ac3c2f/IMG_9807.JPG Blog - Colorfully Eclectic in Los Angeles - Make it stand out These glass insets are very clever. Gonzalo was wandering around and showed us a trick on how to take a picture without needing to use selfie mode or hiding your face behind your phone. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/konichiwa-los-angeles monthly 0.5 2022-06-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3db4a97a-e9f3-4329-bf39-01ce5a378c8c/IMG_9708.JPG Blog - Konichiwa Los Angeles - Make it stand out Fun and whimsical. I really got into the atmosphere and behaved like a tourist on tour. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8da47856-78d1-48b3-b9db-d859cdfdf392/IMG_9679.JPG Blog - Konichiwa Los Angeles - Make it stand out Inside Nijiya, definitely not my neighborhood Ralphs. The shelves were filled with sushi and sashimi grab and go, the wine shelves featured Sake and other interesting foods and drinks dominated the aisles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/71b4edfc-ecb0-4d44-81f1-1fdc9fc75b9e/IMG_9725.JPG Blog - Konichiwa Los Angeles - Make it stand out I had contacted the Japanese Community center hoping to participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, but they are currently not offering this to the public. Instead, I found myself at the @Chado tearoom next to the Japanese American Museum where I indulged in a delightful pot of flowering Lychee tea and an afternoon tea service in their outside patio surrounded by beautiful fountains. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/890bba47-0e93-4c96-a244-7f3c9b6b41df/IMG_9703.JPG Blog - Konichiwa Los Angeles - Make it stand out Street vendors were doing a thriving business. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fe63216a-00a2-4a3c-ad46-b6e97edd16b4/IMG_9709.jpg Blog - Konichiwa Los Angeles - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/150dc8c0-775b-404e-951f-02b627872a6f/IMG_9338.JPG Blog - Konichiwa Los Angeles - Make it stand out Not in Little Tokyo but in my quest to participate in a Japanese Tea Ceremony I found this Japanese Tea house in Glendale. Alas, they too are no longer doing a Japanese tea ceremony so while the small garden was a haven of tranquility the tea house was closed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7e75470e-a17b-43b8-b6eb-a37f508066ad/IMG_9693.JPG Blog - Konichiwa Los Angeles - Make it stand out While I did not get to see anything inside the community center which seemed deserted, I did manage to get a glimpse of the James Irvine Japanese Garden which is a part of the community center. Unfortunately, it was closed due to a wedding so I could only see it from the outside of the plaza that overlooks the garden. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6f6fd51c-d3aa-40cc-ad73-7179f0097412/IMG_9671.JPG Blog - Konichiwa Los Angeles - Make it stand out The restaurants were full of people enjoying the culinary delights on offer. Almost every restaurant had a long line of people or a sign for people to sign up and leave their name as they wandered around browsing and shopping while waiting for a table. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4104e87c-8c9a-4dda-bd70-a198c1b41fa6/IMG_9724.JPG Blog - Konichiwa Los Angeles - Make it stand out Not only did it look inviting, but it also tasted delicious so much so that I actually bought some to bring home for later. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ce5b6807-c047-46d2-91a8-9b08045de796/IMG_9711.JPG Blog - Konichiwa Los Angeles - Make it stand out I walked over to the Japanese American Museum as well as the Geffen Contemporary art museum which had a long line of people waiting to go in, so I passed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/51bb1c0a-b037-4616-9023-e2fd9a362af7/IMG_9702.jpg Blog - Konichiwa Los Angeles - Make it stand out I walked across from the Village Plaza towards the Japanese Community Center. The wide courtyard offers this artistic sculpture in the center against a backdrop of downtown LA. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d25b7329-07d9-4b30-9cd4-3c2e45b8c938/IMG_9686.JPG Blog - Konichiwa Los Angeles - Make it stand out It’s like entering a whole new world where the cross walks have Japanese fans painted on them and street signs feature a hello kitty type look. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e6d501a2-035d-463c-b3eb-5644469e0da9/IMG_9669.JPG Blog - Konichiwa Los Angeles - Make it stand out Right outside the Nijiya Japanese Supermarket is a sitting area complete with beautiful artistic fountain and benches. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/65f528fd-ebed-4631-ac5c-57a01b58158e/IMG_9657.JPG Blog - Konichiwa Los Angeles - Make it stand out This young man was trying to drum up a business writing your name in Kanji script and giving you an explanation of what your name means. I chatted with him but did not take the plunge. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/viva-la-mexico monthly 0.5 2022-06-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b4584502-a29f-45a1-81cc-2a874e80da95/IMG_9439.JPG Blog - Viva La Mexico Los Angeles, California - Make it stand out Enjoy an authentic Mexican meal at one of these restaurants that line the street. There were lines of people waiting for a table at some popular places. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0e2a3059-35af-45d0-9c1f-3c54db275bef/IMG_9460.JPG Blog - Viva La Mexico Los Angeles, California - Make it stand out Commemorating this area, the first Olvera Street cross was carved by Mrs. Florence Walker in 1929 to honor the city’s 148th birthday. Over time, this was replaced by this current wooden cross carved by Mr. Jackie Hadnot which was installed on April 15th, 2017, during the Blessing of the Animals celebration. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e3e1474b-9e3e-49dd-82fa-bca2f93dc0ce/IMG_9480.JPG Blog - Viva La Mexico Los Angeles, California - Make it stand out El Pueblo de Los Angeles State Historical Park and Monument. This area was full of people enjoying the weather. Musicians were playing and people were dancing in joy and abandon. What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday in Los Angeles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b133318d-8890-4869-8aa1-db69cb837687/IMG_9441.JPG Blog - Viva La Mexico Los Angeles, California - Make it stand out The Avila Adobe built in 1818 by Fancisco Avila is the oldest standing residence in the city of Los Angles located in this historic paseo listed as a Los Angeles Historic cultural monument. This was one of the settlement’s first houses to share street frontage in the Pueblo de Los Angeles of Spanish colonial Alta California. While I understand some maintenance improvements have been made over time it’s impressive to walk through the fully staged house and see how people lived at that time. The tour is free and also has free rest rooms at the end of the courtyard. The walls of the Avila Adobe are 2.5–3 feet thick and are built from sun-baked adobe bricks. The original ceilings were 15 feet high and supported by beams of cottonwood which was available along the banks of the Los Angeles River. Tar was brought from the La Brea Tar pits to be used as a part of the exterior building material and to seal the then flat roof. The flooring was hard as concrete compacted earth which was swept several times a day to keep the surface smooth and free from loose soil. Timeless history at its best. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/977edad6-2592-4b98-92b4-416b05a19547/IMG_9469.JPG Blog - Viva La Mexico Los Angeles, California - Make it stand out The Museum of Social Justice is home to diverse public programs and education initiatives that showcase the history of Los Angeles and social change from the perspective of poor, minorities and other marginalized groups. This is a beautiful mural depicting the Blessing of the animals at Easter. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/493c8fd2-c6c1-400d-b219-925f2ed94c8b/IMG_9436.jpg Blog - Viva La Mexico Los Angeles, California - Make it stand out Pelanconi House ~ The oldest surviving brick house in Los Angeles https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/439f6457-43b3-4a76-b3b9-0b6413cb4c3e/IMG_9434.JPG Blog - Viva La Mexico Los Angeles, California - Make it stand out I wonder if this fountain now dry, at one time provided water to the people who lived in this area. Today it serves as a wonderful focal point for the shops in the area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ed925a43-9856-4fa5-836c-d7474a68629b/IMG_9497.JPG Blog - Viva La Mexico Los Angeles, California - Make it stand out This beautiful colorful patio called to me with its proximity to the central plaza and the sound of music that filled the air. Of course, with my luck I managed to find the one place that served neither margaritas nor Mexican coke. The taco was excellent, and the beer was cold though alas I don’t drink beer so had to settle for water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/087df656-53d6-4cc3-a6b6-110d44a16926/IMG_9466.JPG Blog - Viva La Mexico Los Angeles, California - Make it stand out Antonio Aguilar Park brings a nice touch of green to downtown Los Angeles with its colorful murals and statue dedicated to Antonio Aguilar. The gate to enter the park was locked. I’m guessing since this is the one area where I found homeless people wandering. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1259b2dd-03e1-44aa-9a2d-e7ea6e90be83/IMG_9422.JPG Blog - Viva La Mexico Los Angeles, California - Make it stand out The view of Olivera Street from the corner of Alameda and Cesar Chavez silhouettes the modern downtown of Los Angeles dominating the historical heart where it all began. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fbaf9c17-e5b2-4eb9-8290-b80b95a00f90/IMG_9426.JPG Blog - Viva La Mexico Los Angeles, California - Make it stand out The city of Los Angeles Street sign. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f3528369-96a2-40f4-98a6-55547148b6c0/IMG_9489.JPG Blog - Viva La Mexico Los Angeles, California - Make it stand out La Plaza United Methodist Church is an active church with beautiful stained-glass windows inside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/30e09a58-f3f1-4d0b-a777-627122109cad/IMG_9485.JPG Blog - Viva La Mexico Los Angeles, California - Make it stand out our Lady Queen of Angels Church directly across from the Plaza is the oldest catholic church in Los Angeles having been first established as a chapel in 1784. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a3bfce41-56ed-487d-ad8e-b3279de6dd54/IMG_9459.JPG Blog - Viva La Mexico Los Angeles, California - Make it stand out Come shop for a pinata for your child’s birthday party. Find all manner of clothes, toys, shoes, purses and household decoration items as you browse through the shops. No different from browsing for souvenirs when you travel. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/xbl2yg6zp93e3uprj76x3rzi7ilfhz monthly 0.5 2022-05-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c4e0c193-5701-4631-96c5-6d33b556b0d6/IMG_9256.JPG Blog - Oaklawn Manor ~ Pasadena Showcase House of Design - Make it stand out There are many design touches as you wander through the downstairs. I love reading and am a sucker for window seats, so this was one of my favorite rooms in the house with its built-in bookshelves and inviting window seat overlooking the back garden. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/be012693-5749-4d9c-b32a-5daac08ba365/IMG_9251.JPG Blog - Oaklawn Manor ~ Pasadena Showcase House of Design - Make it stand out Now for a touch of the orient, more orchids and a wall screen set against the bright green of the plants with the windows bringing in the beautiful outside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9849e3b3-2f7e-4eda-bc14-ede92aef62d4/IMG_9313.jpg Blog - Oaklawn Manor ~ Pasadena Showcase House of Design - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9fa83c65-38e0-4066-bc9c-6c62e39084cd/IMG_9286.JPG Blog - Oaklawn Manor ~ Pasadena Showcase House of Design - Make it stand out But if you’re looking to ramp up the entertainment factor then this pool house is definitely the right ticket. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/871c8b90-4910-4ad3-9e1c-3687a38b617c/IMG_9294.JPG Blog - Oaklawn Manor ~ Pasadena Showcase House of Design - Make it stand out Au naturel! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0b1da853-8f99-400a-bd7f-5aee8e7633ee/IMG_9258.JPG Blog - Oaklawn Manor ~ Pasadena Showcase House of Design - Make it stand out Upon entering the house, an original stained-glass window suite featuring St. George and the dragon dominates at the top of the staircase. A round table below the light fixture is ideal for placing a large bouquet of flowers setting the tone for the rest of the tour which features a host of sitting areas downstairs and four large bedroom suites upstairs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e8e54566-9e0e-467b-8b51-a8ee22938032/IMG_9248.JPG Blog - Oaklawn Manor ~ Pasadena Showcase House of Design - Make it stand out I have a similar set of Chinese panels which are inset in dark wood. I loved how these panels have been re-imagined with the orchids. I would love to look into potentially re-framing mine and changing where they are hung in my house today. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/46626249-c3a4-40fb-8f6d-cb698e3e07c8/IMG_9277.JPG Blog - Oaklawn Manor ~ Pasadena Showcase House of Design - Make it stand out What every modern household needs, a modern gourmet kitchen complete, with build in Pizza oven and breakfast nook to enjoy your morning coffee or zoom with friends and colleagues. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/39c5c955-75d5-4477-80e2-7da79a86f1cd/IMG_9247.JPG Blog - Oaklawn Manor ~ Pasadena Showcase House of Design - Make it stand out Bult in shelves in this room were used to display books and pictures. For me I really liked how the old and new was blended so skillfully. Every room in the house featured fresh flowers and plants which was such a wonderful touch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/964280f6-e7a5-4095-b3e6-eb62b313cf56/IMG_9269.JPG Blog - Oaklawn Manor ~ Pasadena Showcase House of Design - Make it stand out Take a few steps and you’re transported into a totally different world with these bright colors and oh so European touches. Imagine you are touring a summer palace in some exotic destination in a faraway place around the world. The adjoining bathroom was also beautifully restored with hand painted ceiling, beautiful, tiled floor and wallpaper. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1f42c17b-3592-4036-abd5-2c48ab422da1/IMG_9275.JPG Blog - Oaklawn Manor ~ Pasadena Showcase House of Design - Make it stand out with a nice finish to the open laundry room with the washer and dryer hidden inside this beautiful cabinet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5cd0f977-af78-4692-b226-575962890e5d/IMG_9305.JPG Blog - Oaklawn Manor ~ Pasadena Showcase House of Design - Make it stand out As we wrapped up our day and headed towards the front this quote came to mind: “A house is a machine for living in. The home is a treasure chest for living.” - Le Corbusier. What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Came home recharged and rejuvenated, ready to start a new week. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ad30773f-2c49-4e73-87ac-cedf4d1eb46c/IMG_9272.JPG Blog - Oaklawn Manor ~ Pasadena Showcase House of Design - Make it stand out The beautiful chandeliers and the hand painted ceiling accented by wooden beams transport you once again into a baroque mansion in Europe. This room looks like its lovingly restored to a long-ago period where a large gathering could sit for dinner and be served from the adjoining butler’s pantry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8c5a2c99-f72d-4790-b121-bf87dcd01961/IMG_9267.JPG Blog - Oaklawn Manor ~ Pasadena Showcase House of Design - Make it stand out For the modern woman with the shoe fetish, this is definitely a selling point. A shoe closet to match with the beautiful closets for all her baubles and clothes to match. While the rest of the master bedroom with its plush fur like throws and color scheme was not to my taste the soft velvet finish on the walls definitely gave it a very soft touch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/86b9c855-4d85-421b-99ee-cbb292d4eceb/IMG_9281.JPG Blog - Oaklawn Manor ~ Pasadena Showcase House of Design - Make it stand out Step outside to the beautiful blue pool surrounded by colorful flowers blooming in floor pots and small statuary to add a touch of whimsy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d569e67c-e0cf-42f4-a8bd-7039ae4e5144/IMG_9295.JPG Blog - Oaklawn Manor ~ Pasadena Showcase House of Design - Make it stand out An imposing back entrance complete with some statuary. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8b58e56c-c1cd-4d90-8b4b-9567e022b881/IMG_9255.JPG Blog - Oaklawn Manor ~ Pasadena Showcase House of Design - Make it stand out I understand that much of the art on display is original and sourced specifically for the house. Imagine finding the perfect sofa table that blends with your style and placing your favorite paintings and/or other art on it. No need for handymen to come help you put the right nails in the walls and measure everything precisely. This venture is a great way to get simple practical ideas that can be implemented in your own homes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b0b4359c-93be-4d02-b63b-afc63ee47fe8/IMG_9292.JPG Blog - Oaklawn Manor ~ Pasadena Showcase House of Design - Make it stand out Now this is an area built for relaxing with the soothing sound of the water, the colorful touches of flowers and Koi Fish swimming in this little pond. Enjoy a cozy afternoon with a cup of tea or a cocktail, perhaps entertain a few friends. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/e-hoomau-maua-kealoha monthly 0.5 2022-05-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/031a4e02-a658-4604-9dd1-ee09e44618f1/IMG_5376+%282%29.jpg Blog - E Hoomau Maua Kealoha - Make it stand out The first thing I heard when I landed was about the weather and how quickly it changes and how many rainbows abounded in the sky. Rainbows however proved to be quite elusive during my three days here. That afternoon after completing our drive around the island, the heavens finally heard my pleas, and the sky was painted with this beauty. Alas no pot of gold but I was extremely happy to have achieved my goal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b5e71759-1193-4575-9957-850f5425ba61/IMG_5457+%282%29.jpg Blog - E Hoomau Maua Kealoha - Make it stand out A trip to Oahu would be incomplete without a stop at Waikiki Beach. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/89767d99-4cfc-46be-bb89-6519e3563eb9/IMG_5311.jpg Blog - E Hoomau Maua Kealoha - Make it stand out Spectacular sunset! what a wonderful omen for the rest of my trip here on Oahu. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/259dd86a-ab95-43a4-be63-7b2cbf2cd7b0/IMG_5476.jpg Blog - E Hoomau Maua Kealoha - Make it stand out Despite the strict regulations at the time for the state of Hawaii, visitors and locals were having a great time enjoying the sun, sand and water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/77c0082e-7fdd-4ea7-881e-30cd0a957df2/IMG_5333%281%29.jpg Blog - E Hoomau Maua Kealoha - Make it stand out The next day we did the scenic drive around the island. Our first stop was at the Halona Blowhole where we watched the spray. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cc66a8c0-8ea4-4e0c-83ed-2ec7d51734b2/FullSizeRender%2812%29.jpg Blog - E Hoomau Maua Kealoha - Make it stand out The Makapu’u lookout point with a great view of the Manana rock shaped like a conic China man’s hat. While we were ascending the steps an older woman took a tumble. It was in the days when fears of COVID were still strong and both the old lady and my nephew who instinctively reached out to give her a hand hesitated for a moment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0836977f-a615-46be-9c24-20d167779918/IMG_5447+%282%29.jpg Blog - E Hoomau Maua Kealoha - Make it stand out I had tasted the Hawaiin delicacy on Kona, but I was told that Leonards Bakery was the place for Malasadas. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f3f94abf-1c88-4ddb-97b0-61212f8a4238/IMG_5354+%282%29.jpg Blog - E Hoomau Maua Kealoha - Make it stand out “A hui hou” - Aloha! until we meet again. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8d8fc630-c5ce-4edc-b6ce-d4d50575a58e/07E13114-221A-4794-A8BA-6206EBE06182.JPG Blog - E Hoomau Maua Kealoha - Make it stand out Lookout point overlooking Honolulu. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c32985c3-9ab4-4219-89a1-0caaa5d5e6a5/IMG_5341.jpg Blog - E Hoomau Maua Kealoha - Make it stand out The Haloma beach was right next to the scenic overlook parking. The crystal-clear waters were so inviting but we had places to see and miles to go before we could make a beach stop that morning. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/san-jose-missions-and-more monthly 0.5 2022-05-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bfb31958-7ab3-40ce-aa59-2eef6383c710/IMG_8035.JPG Blog - San Jose California ~ Missions and More - Make it stand out The bell marker for the El Camino Real is located inside a beautiful maintained green quad lined with flowers right outside the church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2665ab9f-494c-4537-9e67-9f65d497dfaf/IMG_8036.JPG Blog - San Jose California ~ Missions and More - Make it stand out The interior of the church is cool and soothing. I saw many students and parents wander in and take a pew for a few seconds to take in the peaceful atmosphere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c218173b-11cc-4b1d-ae64-2042fa605f0a/IMG_8022.JPG Blog - San Jose California ~ Missions and More - Make it stand out My first stop was Santa Cruz California. I ignored all the signs for the board walk and other interesting places and headed straight for the mission. This is a cute beach town area that I’ve promised myself to come back and wander through. I would also like to see the inside of the church that looks beautiful from the pictures that I have seen. My luck was really out on this day because despite a sign that said that the mission church was open and accessible through the gift shop, the gift shop was closed. I had to content myself wandering around the square and enjoying the two churches and some beautiful homes as well as a restored dormitory which is the only surviving building from the original mission complex. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8b375aee-6476-4b9b-9d7d-2cc297726bef/IMG_8157.JPG Blog - San Jose California ~ Missions and More - Make it stand out To finish off my morning, I wandered through the so very quaint town of San Juan Bautista that grew up around the mission. I was reminded of the quaint pastoral and seaside towns that are so characteristic of California. Fortified by a delicious margarita and fabulous Mexican lunch eaten in a garden atmosphere I headed to my car and the boring drive back home to Southern California. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0e7aef26-6715-457e-b2c5-a4e7c8efef69/IMG_8092.JPG Blog - San Jose California ~ Missions and More - Make it stand out My last stop for that day was the Mission San Jose founded on June 11, 1797. It was originally established East of its current location then quickly moved due to the hostility of the local native tribes. After suffering decline, neglect and earthquakes most of this mission was in ruins before restoration efforts have reconstructed many of the original structures. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0985fc19-bafe-4b61-a9fd-193671eaef20/IMG_8050.JPG Blog - San Jose California ~ Missions and More - Make it stand out The best part of this location is the beautiful green belt that seems like the heart of the campus. Students leaned against trees, relaxing or reading, squirrels chattered as they raced through the lawn and flower beds. One became my companion on the bench where I parked myself to inhale this beauty and the conduct some business via my smart phone. As I sat there half dreaming in the sunshine, I wondered what those Franciscan priests would think if they could time travel to today? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/deea38fb-4135-4c7d-ac24-0d2df1443fc9/IMG_8034.JPG Blog - San Jose California ~ Missions and More - Make it stand out Mission Santa Clara de Asis The mission, which was the eighth in California, was founded on January 12, 1777, by the Franciscan order. Named for Saint Clare of Assisi, an early companion of St. Francis of Assisi, this was the first California mission to be named in honor of a woman. This is the only mission located on the grounds of a university campus, the university having been built around the mission. Although ruined and rebuilt six times, today it functions as the university chapel for Santa Clara University. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7fdd4758-9160-4243-bcce-c104a9e4e7ed/IMG_8013.JPG Blog - San Jose California ~ Missions and More - Make it stand out Santa Cruz - Mission and Church https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f08e1955-54d3-4f06-a868-b2b834093a7b/IMG_8026.JPG Blog - San Jose California ~ Missions and More - Make it stand out My next stop took me to Santa Clara where the trail ended inside the University Campus. The El Camino Real and the Mission Church has been encompassed inside the grounds of the university. What a beautiful location! This stop made up for all that I missed earlier and restored my resolve and confidence as I wandered around along with students and visiting parents. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/be9dc25d-796d-4e5a-aafe-83c8dbb64bdc/IMG_8125.JPG Blog - San Jose California ~ Missions and More - Make it stand out This section right below the mission marks the San Andreas fault line that straddles the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. A friend told me that to make sure I climbed down the steps to make my way down. I imagined a hole in the earth, but a local park ranger soon set me right. Though she warned me that the walls are warped from the effect. While I took the requisite picture, I did not see any waving or warping. It’s a bit hard to imagine that this dirt track is part of the formidable San Andreas Fault and also the only section of the El Camino Real that remains in its original state. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/da1c10b0-7e0b-45c5-a311-5ca0718fd4d1/IMG_8128.JPG Blog - San Jose California ~ Missions and More - Make it stand out on my drive back to Southern California I stopped at the town of San Juan Bautista to visit the mission there. The 15th and largest of the 21 missions established in California, this is known as the Mission of Music and dedicated to John the Baptist. Despite being located right on the San Andreas fault the mission suffered little damage during the 1906 earthquake and serves as the religious center for the local population. I arrived on Sunday morning and church services were taking place in the large outdoor garden. This complex is large and well preserved, and I got to wander through the mission complex as well as the quaint town that surrounds it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c1ae8ddc-44f0-4e3b-8777-8005687d5dc5/IMG_8081.JPG Blog - San Jose California ~ Missions and More - Make it stand out The mission chapel is still used for prayer services. The richly decorated interior follows the descriptions in the historic inventories of the 1830s. The crystal chandeliers are copies of period pieces similar to ones listed in the old church inventories. Two of the original statues have been placed on the two side altars. The original baptismal font of hammered copper on a turned wood base has been returned to the church, as has the bell wheel used by the Ohlones during the sacred parts of the Mass. The altar and choir railings were copied from an original piece found in the museum during the reconstruction. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f35a2745-0417-4bd3-808e-a0b92e194621/IMG_8083.JPG Blog - San Jose California ~ Missions and More - Make it stand out The Mission cemetery (camp Santo), where a great number of Mission pioneers are buried, is situated to the side of the church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c83658b0-ebec-4a41-ba1d-220fff6bc446/IMG_8126.JPG Blog - San Jose California ~ Missions and More - Make it stand out The original and only unpaved section of the El Camino Real can be found just below the mission church. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/california-dreaming-in-mexico monthly 0.5 2022-05-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/99ff4215-a87f-4649-ac62-7f228d7f1138/IMG_8814.JPG Blog - California Dreaming Baja Sur Mexico - Make it stand out Interesting rock formations and esoteric names is a part of the boat ride. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7747c466-5ec4-42db-9228-217050b121c1/IMG_8899.JPG Blog - California Dreaming Baja Sur Mexico - Make it stand out A determined pelican striving to catch the fish being thrown out from a passing boat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/25b5eba0-f6bb-42ba-856e-cc7ab17054d7/IMG_8702.jpg Blog - California Dreaming Baja Sur Mexico - Make it stand out Now Los Cabos is a tourist town full of resorts and hotels. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7e39751a-353c-411a-8acf-8dc43f8bcbdc/IMG_8693.JPG Blog - California Dreaming Baja Sur Mexico - Make it stand out The town square in San Jose is dominated by the Mission of San Jose del Cabo Anuiti, the southernmost of the Jesuit missions established during Mexico’s colonial period in Baja California. The original mission dated back to April 8, 1730. Unfortunately, nothing remains of this thanks to native uprisings and fire. The current version was rebuilt in 1940. Having just come from Israel and walking the Via Dolorosa I was intrigued to see that the walls are decorated with the stations of the cross. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/71844edc-1013-411d-90d4-1cd7b24d20d6/IMG_8855.JPG Blog - California Dreaming Baja Sur Mexico - Make it stand out Lands’ end. The rock formation that marks the end of the North American continent. From this point the Pacific Ocean goes in many directions including Hawaii and Polynesia and potentially even Australia. At this point the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean and our boat sailed around to enter the waters of the Pacific Ocean for a brief time before turning around and making the return journey to the harbor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c289a04d-0e2b-4a14-a876-5b5786c60888/IMG_8765.JPG Blog - California Dreaming Baja Sur Mexico - Make it stand out Most of the beaches interestingly enough are not safe for swimming due to the way the ocean shelf drops steeply and the water tides of the Pacific Ocean. The safe beaches are along the Sea of Cortez also sometimes known as the Gulf of Mexico. This is one of the more popular beaches near the Los Cabos Marina that can only be approached from the water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3a689a2b-1dbb-4aa4-a13f-8410b405960f/IMG_8790.JPG Blog - California Dreaming Baja Sur Mexico - Make it stand out The water in the Sea of Cortez is so clear that you can see the fish swimming close to the surface. Of course, the boat crews also throw pieces of tortilla into the water to encourage the fish to swarm close to their boat for the tourists to see and photograph. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/47d1de51-d1b9-4629-a38f-05a509e870c4/IMG_8844.JPG Blog - California Dreaming Baja Sur Mexico - Make it stand out The rock formations along this short 2-hour cruise have been eroded by a combination of water and wind and form interesting shapes. The famous arch or El Arco which connects the Pacific to the Sea of Cortez is one of the landmarks of the coast. Further erosion may someday completely destroy this formation but for now it’s the place to photograph and be photographed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ed60f3b5-3a37-4c95-a24f-7cd1580729fc/IMG_8856.JPG Blog - California Dreaming Baja Sur Mexico - Make it stand out A small rock protruding out of the water after the land mass which is the final land marker. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/254a91ff-e8d6-43fe-8a56-2a87a5fa13b2/IMG_8914.JPG Blog - California Dreaming Baja Sur Mexico - Make it stand out A day wandering in a Mexican city would be incomplete without tasting Tequila. I did not know that tequila is aged in barrels similar to wine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9807b591-c045-4f89-b553-0c7e81f1cf88/IMG_8917.JPG Blog - California Dreaming Baja Sur Mexico - Make it stand out A lot of the group that I was with did not chose to taste so we actually got to taste a lot more that the three that we had paid for. What a fun experience learning how to actually sip and savor the different types of tequila. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fa035d21-5a86-4667-8076-a6f2198c1bfe/IMG_8834.jpg Blog - California Dreaming Baja Sur Mexico - Make it stand out El Arco https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3f1f382a-5e6f-4784-9781-d192b4152dde/IMG_8927.JPG Blog - California Dreaming Baja Sur Mexico - Make it stand out The tourist harbor near the marina full of restaurants and shops. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1992533f-b00d-47a1-a572-291cee237c93/IMG_8691.JPG Blog - California Dreaming Baja Sur Mexico - Make it stand out The other building of note in the main square in San Jose is the Palacio Municipal which was established in 1730. The Spanish explorer Hernan Cortez came to California in search of the fabled land of the Amazons full of women, gold and pearls. Los Cabos was originally settled by these early Spaniards because of fresh water and proximity to the pearl beds of La Paz. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0005cfa8-fe16-49e3-8f24-392ee92dde37/IMG_8985.JPG Blog - California Dreaming Baja Sur Mexico - Make it stand out An opportunity to rest and rejuvenate at the resort after a day spent wandering before gearing up for the big fat Indian wedding to follow. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7c9e30e2-6697-414e-904a-252e8973c348/IMG_8832.JPG Blog - California Dreaming Baja Sur Mexico - Make it stand out The Window to the Pacific is an arch that is in the process of being formed. You can see the water foaming as the water from the Pacific Ocean mingles with the water from the Sea of Cortez. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/the-emerald-city-seattle monthly 0.5 2022-04-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b6cdcbdc-3b16-4c57-a21c-72b72f6c0509/IMG_8482.JPG Blog - The Emerald City ~ Seattle - Make it stand out Amongst the special mentions is my favorite fish seller who was featured as a testimonial to teamwork and trust in one of the most widely read business books of its time. They were still putting their fish out, but they obliged me with a demonstration yelling Los Angeles. I missed the fish that appears alive and scares the bystanders, since I missed the refresher on what to watch for when visiting Pike Place Market. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/40eeb1fa-daf8-441c-b2a9-719122e1493c/IMG_8512.JPG Blog - The Emerald City ~ Seattle - Make it stand out The Chihuly Glass and Garden exhibit features eight galleries, and 3 drawing walls which offer a collection of Chihuly’s amazing work, demonstrating how he pushed the boundaries of glass as an art medium in concept, execution and presentation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4f65c9f0-acdc-4855-8428-f48793c383bc/IMG_8534.JPG Blog - The Emerald City ~ Seattle - Make it stand out Seattle Space Needle viewed from the Chihuly glass house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bd35fa05-b0a9-44d1-a1eb-ca7dee8219ba/IMG_8525.JPG Blog - The Emerald City ~ Seattle - Make it stand out The piece de resistance and centerpiece of this exhibit is the Glass House, a 40-foot-tall glass and steel structure in the center of the space. Suspended inside is beautiful sculpture in reds, yellows, oranges and amber. This is reputed to be one of Chihuly’s largest suspended sculptures. The Glass House brings in the incredible views of the sculpture gardens outside as well as the space needle next door. I am sure that the changes in light and shadow as the day wears on is an incredible experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/30fc506f-f77e-496b-a177-a7c191c1b35e/IMG_8550.JPG Blog - The Emerald City ~ Seattle - Make it stand out With daffodils, and iridescent balls and beautiful glass shapes definitely present a beautiful picture here. Each flower bed is different, featuring different colors, glass and natural elements. Incredible! a trip to Seattle would be worth it to just explore this and the Tacoma Glass Museum which I did not make on this trip but have promised to go back to visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9de38a6b-2caf-40c8-9a59-d3ac50a2a052/IMG_8459.JPG Blog - The Emerald City ~ Seattle - Make it stand out The Seattle area was inhabited by Native Americans for at least 4000 years before the first permanent European settler arrived. This 50-foot totem pole dominates the end of the Pike Place market facing the Bay across from the first Starbucks store. This area looked like it was being used by several homeless people and seemed a bit run down. I was told to be careful wandering here after dark. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7e99ce1c-4589-4e87-b916-b8300bdc2f3d/IMG_8524.JPG Blog - The Emerald City ~ Seattle - Make it stand out From Pike Place I took an uber to the Chihuly Glass and Garden and wandered through the exhibition halls. Imagine having these on your coffee table? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6d314177-b81b-400a-a2ae-13e93b8bb8c2/IMG_8453.JPG Blog - The Emerald City ~ Seattle - Make it stand out This giant Ferris wheel dominates Pier 57 and the view of the port of Seattle. Not only is it the tallest Ferris wheel on the West Coast but it might even be the tallest in North America. It dominated the narrow slice of the bay that I could see from my hotel room in between the tall buildings of downtown Seattle. I left my curtains open at night so I could watch the light display of changing colors during the night. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/46e54c21-51bc-4b8e-97b9-024b7e3fb43e/IMG_8487.JPG Blog - The Emerald City ~ Seattle - Make it stand out Though I did make the time to stop and listen to these performers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9b2c5518-103f-47cf-a4d4-9d99c2447f64/IMG_8580.JPG Blog - The Emerald City ~ Seattle - Make it stand out To finish my day in downtown Seattle, a quick stop at the Amazon headquarters campus to see the three large spherical glass conservatories. I was not able to go in since it is open to the public only on certain weekends and require reservations but such an incredible display. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/eaad31c3-14b8-409c-84a6-4e6b30381eec/IMG_8540.JPG Blog - The Emerald City ~ Seattle - Make it stand out The gardens are unlike any gardens you’ve seen before or will see again. Glass sculptures are nestled in a natural environment of leaves, flowers and wood and change with the changing seasons and blooming times of the natural elements of the garden. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c238d5ee-634f-49a2-99e8-50221397afaf/IMG_8584.JPG Blog - The Emerald City ~ Seattle - Make it stand out To finish up the trip, some wine tasting and a family lunch with my niece and her family in Woodside, Washinton. A short and sweet sojourn and now I’m kicking myself for how long it’s been between trips and a promise to come back and visit soon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/30a0aceb-6dfa-439c-9211-862ae3d26044/8EB86459-B5AE-4A02-8E5A-F95C10B1682B.jpg Blog - The Emerald City ~ Seattle - Make it stand out And stop at the first Starbuck store for a cup of coffee. I actually stood in line for the pleasure of this experience. While this is the first Starbucks it was actually relocated from its original location here and interestingly enough serves only coffee no eats. Yes, I did miss out on some of the local bakeries which one must try but how much can one person eat and drink at one time? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/97abfcd1-198c-401d-8f3b-6fa7c2693e2a/IMG_8491.JPG Blog - The Emerald City ~ Seattle - Make it stand out Early Saturday morning found me at the Pike Place market before the hordes of tourists and locals descended. I got to wander through the market, my coffee cup in hand as I admired the tulips for sale that I had watched freshly picked at the tulip fields the day before. Fish, fruit, art and other items of interest that can be found at a farmers’ market were in the process of being displayed still as I made my way through the market to find the very first Starbucks store which gave birth to a worldwide coffee culture. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/a-tray-of-jewels monthly 0.5 2022-04-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0ba80b38-dc27-4da1-8795-7d38f1746220/IMG_8405.JPG Blog - A Tray of Jewels - Make it stand out So, Tulips apparently can be grown in a field only once every three years. At least one of those years the field is left fallow with no crop. This year we had to walk for tulips fields which were away from where we parked. I found these interesting sights on our walk. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c628f09a-61f5-492c-841a-09ea1b2cf3d5/IMG_8419.JPG Blog - A Tray of Jewels - Make it stand out A sea of reds and pinks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b1810d40-0d38-4691-a2fe-7ba5ad75ab53/IMG_8272.JPG Blog - A Tray of Jewels - Make it stand out The Roozen Garde where we made our stop has beautiful fields full of the various colors and at various stages of the blooming cycle so that people can enjoy the beauty throughout the tulip festival which lasts through the end of the month of April. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c18d07a6-7cc1-4d3f-9ad3-d9fe0f4ccba6/IMG_8252.JPG Blog - A Tray of Jewels - Make it stand out And drove into Spring. The daffodils and tulips swayed in the cool breeze, a splash of beautiful color. Everyone’s cameras were out as we oohed and aahed at the sea of color. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/70dc0075-a9c7-4475-a1ba-04cbe92b9779/IMG_8427.JPG Blog - A Tray of Jewels - Make it stand out Men and women were harvesting the tulips and preparing bunches that were then loaded on a truck and driven away. These are the tulips I saw for sale the next day when I visited the Pike Place Market in Seattle. An incredible experience that I thoroughly enjoyed, and I did not need to get my passport stamped to travel here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/934cb1f3-c1a0-4174-bc19-5a0464d2221b/IMG_8232.JPG Blog - A Tray of Jewels - Make it stand out We left Seattle early in the morning to make the drive to the Skagit Valley. On the way we stopped to admire this Big Cedar Stump that remains as evidence of the giant trees that once forested this area. Over 20 feet in diameter and 200 feet tall, this huge Western Red Cedar was believed to have been 1000 years old. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/037823ca-ff52-4ec2-a7ee-0319ab03928d/IMG_8309.JPG Blog - A Tray of Jewels - Make it stand out There were just so many beautiful colors and such a variety that it was hard to pick a favorite but at the end these sunset colors were amongst my favorites but then the pinks, the purples, the mixed colors. Each variety and color were carefully labeled so that you could identify it in a catalog should you want to order bulbs which are ready in the fall. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ea80a141-b141-41ea-9f38-17c14aa2ae29/IMG_8383.JPG Blog - A Tray of Jewels - Make it stand out After enjoying the beauty of Roozen Garde, we made our way to the town of La Conner for lunch outside in the beautiful sunshine at a restaurant with a view of the rainbow bridge. After lunch we wandered around the town and peeked into antique stores and other novelty stores and stopped for delicious ice cream. La Conner ice cream treats you really well. A lady in front of me ordered 2 scoops of 2 different flavors and was given what looked like a bouquet of ice cream scoops in a cone. Her face was a study! Forewarned I got just the one scoop in a cup which seemed like about 3 or 4 scoops at most ice cream shops. A definite treat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/41b95f2c-7a47-4c33-9e61-3b80e367df41/IMG_8321.JPG Blog - A Tray of Jewels - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/new-orleans-the-big-easy monthly 0.5 2022-04-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/309b24a2-54be-4a90-951f-c2afc43e51bd/IMG_7836.JPG Blog - New Orleans - The Big Easy - Make it stand out On my way from the airport to my hotel my uber driver told me the story of Marie Laveau the original Voodoo priestess. Alas while one of my friends had suggested a voodoo tour, I was not able to accomplish this though I did visit the cemetery where Marie Laveau was buried. Then to my horror I heard this story about how some of these old cemeteries are like crematoriums where the hot weather naturally takes care of the bodies allowing more bodies to be buried on top of the old. Shudder! what a gruesome tale, no wonder they talk about haunting and ghosts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d0ab1dfb-4c90-44eb-bff5-042e303ac363/IMG_7771.JPG Blog - New Orleans - The Big Easy - Make it stand out The beautiful garden district with its beautiful homes and architectural styles reminds you of a bygone age when visitors used the hitches in front of some of these homes to tie their horses. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/79e61058-4179-421d-ade5-c444b7c8c4c9/IMG_7578_065.jpg Blog - New Orleans - The Big Easy - Make it stand out With the two locations outside the city in my rear-view mirror I was free to focus the rest of my time and energies on the city. Off to the French Quarter and Bourbon Street. Even though it was a weekday I was fortunately to come across this group entertaining the tourists in the walking only area. What I also enjoyed on this walk were other street performers but most importantly young aspiring musicians practicing their skills on buckets and boxes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ec978ee2-ba40-4e8b-ba40-94f6ba8d9225/IMG_7876.JPG Blog - New Orleans - The Big Easy - Make it stand out Food especially hot food and pepper is such an intrinsic part of the city that of course I had to seek out the pepper tasting. Now I am not into hot peppers, but I have plenty of friends who are so this one’s for them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5c275dce-54da-4347-b600-d486ab6c36c1/IMG_7932.JPG Blog - New Orleans - The Big Easy - Make it stand out One can’t come to New Orleans and not visit some of the jazz clubs on Frenchman’s Street. I visited during the night but since it was a weeknight it was not as hopping as it would be on a weekend. For good measure I went back and walked through the daytime as well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/36e1f766-0d39-4010-a8a3-c6b3cdcff467/1D1FE08B-A083-46F3-9671-ECAB16C99E13.jpg Blog - New Orleans - The Big Easy - Make it stand out First stop was to visit an antebellum plantation along river road and take a step back into the past when cotton and sugar cane was king and there were more millionaires in New Orleans than any other American city. The Oak Alley Plantation was built in 1839 fronted by a quarter mile drive of 28 Oak trees all 250 years old. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2343767e-978d-4179-bef3-fb2168fa7858/IMG_7907.JPG Blog - New Orleans - The Big Easy - Make it stand out Jackson Square New Orleans https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0ab50e37-bfd2-44b5-8661-0bc09b89297d/IMG_7875.JPG Blog - New Orleans - The Big Easy - Make it stand out Even though I had thought I did not want to come to New Orleans during Mardi Gras because of the crowds I missed the crowds and enjoyed the glimpses of the masks and beads that are such a big part of this event. Thanks to a tour guide on the Hop On Hop Off bus I learned a lot about Kings and Queens and courts and other things to do with Mardi Gras outside of the noisy parades that we see on television. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cd74c478-3dfb-4d32-86f5-6e9c201d2aa5/IMG_7450.JPG Blog - New Orleans - The Big Easy - Make it stand out Shopping ranged from high end antique stores and art galleries https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6b940f11-9b47-444d-b9c1-30fefa0e4d83/IMG_7955.JPG Blog - New Orleans - The Big Easy - Make it stand out The stone bridge over the bayou epitomizes the genteel South. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1dd85e46-282f-484a-a5af-f616610f64b7/IMG_7730.JPG Blog - New Orleans - The Big Easy - Make it stand out Of course, a trip to New Orleans would not be complete without visiting the mighty Mississippi. After all it was the crescent that made New Orleans an attractive stopping place first for the French and then for the British. Clearly, I need to go back since I barely scratched the surface of this intriguing city that has so much to offer. Still not sure that I want to brave Mardi Gras so instead I am going to time my next visit with the Jazz Festivals when the city is alive with the sound of trumpets. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c330a41f-efed-407d-97ef-e09c7506b065/IMG_7545.JPG Blog - New Orleans - The Big Easy - Make it stand out Next step was a swamp tour, where we took an airboat tour of the bayous and canals chasing alligators and other wildlife in the swamps. I had never ridden on an airboat before which proved to be a nice adventure in itself. While we mostly saw alligators, we were fortunate to see a few birds who’s names I don’t know and an owl up in a tree with its eyes wide open even though it was daylight. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7cb948e9-00b4-43d1-8aeb-b4939fad86fe/A89834B8-2924-44CE-811B-7459BF9DB9D9.jpg Blog - New Orleans - The Big Easy - Make it stand out Beignets at Cafe Du Mond with Chicory coffee, Pecans, Barbeque Shrimps, Jambalaya, crawfish, Muffulettas I tried them all. I wish I had more days to taste some of the creole favorites that I was not able to get to. I was amazed at people walking around with their drinks in the French quarter almost like it was a giant cruise ship. I joined them as I tasted hurricanes, Pimm’s cup but missed out on the mint juleps. Oh My God! I have to go back to New Orleans to spend more time exploring the food. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/53aaa264-2011-418a-9653-72fbb5e04ef8/IMG_7912.JPG Blog - New Orleans - The Big Easy - Make it stand out To the French Market where one could taste and buy their way through the entire length. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/524747d2-5b2f-4b48-acfd-e1af75aebd6b/IMG_7960.jpg Blog - New Orleans - The Big Easy - Make it stand out The Sculpture Garden offers a very eclectic display but this memorial to Katrina caught my eye and my heart with its poignant message. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/walking-through-the-pages-of-the-bible monthly 0.5 2022-04-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/95de4f60-715e-45f7-b6ad-90a98331653b/IMG_5447.JPG Blog - The Land of The Bible - Make it stand out From the top of Mount Precipice, we could see Mount Tabor which is referred to as the Mount of Transfiguration. The story goes that Jesus went up the mountain with three of his disciples Peter, James and John to pray. There he began to glow with a radiance. This is where he was first referred to as the son of God. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/575d2a82-78cd-4610-bcfd-34c5a1758410/IMG_5760.JPG Blog - The Land of The Bible - Make it stand out We should have been able to see the Sea of Galilee from the Mount of Beatitudes but due to the early morning timing and a bit of fog it wasn’t until we got here to Capernaum that we had our first glimpse of the Galilee. As we gazed out at the calm waters and looked at the scenery around here including the Golan Heights in the distance it’s not hard to give your imagination free rein to imagine Jesus, sailing along these waters and stopping to greet fishermen. One can only imagine the miracle of the fishes and loaves along these shores to provide food for the hungry masses. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7eee6aa9-f1b3-4b72-af0e-bccdd6778a9e/IMG_5407.jpg Blog - The Land of The Bible - Make it stand out After an interesting drive with hairpin curves and traffic jams, we finally made our way into Mary’s house where she received the visit from the angel Gabriel. People come to pay their respects here and pray before heading upstairs to the church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/87561885-0325-435c-a0af-6a7447422cfd/IMG_5690.JPG Blog - The Land of The Bible - Make it stand out Capernaum or the town of Jesus as it is referred to. Located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, this was a popular stopping place for Jesus especially since Peter and two of his other disciples are reputed to have lived here. The house of Peter has been transformed into a very modern looking church through the original remains can still be viewed here. This is a great site to stop at because it also has the remains of two Jewish Temples as well as myriad jars and tools that were used during the biblical times on a day to day basis. Many miracles from the bible are supposed to have taken place here, healing the sick, turning water into wine, etc. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7d5ef6ea-9b84-4931-980f-f9edb9618c2e/IMG_5986.JPG Blog - The Land of The Bible - Make it stand out The journey along the Via Dolorosa ends at the church of the Holy Sepulcher. In the church are the final stations of the cross where Jesus’, clothes were taken in the room with the blue dome, and then he climbed up to where he was nailed to the cross which is the spot right on top of the church. The original church was founded by the Empress Helena mother to Constantine the Great after he found Christianity. Subsequently the church fell into disrepair and this current shape was a gift of Queen Melisende. Ownership of the church is shared between the Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox and Catholics. The Coptic, Syriac and Ethiopian communities have rights to use certain areas. You can see the differences between the various areas and chapels as you tour the church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/71eb1efe-0fb2-4bbf-8b79-2c3629faa5ac/IMG_5751.JPG Blog - The Land of The Bible - Make it stand out Then onto the Yigal Allon Museum which houses the ancient boat excavated from the Galilee. This boat is reminiscent of the boats used in the biblical times and again you can imagine Jesus and his disciples sailing along the Galilee in these boats as they traveled preaching to the masses. We stepped out of the backdoor to overlook the Sea of Galilee and saw people sailing along the waters and while the boats were different it’s easy to imagine people leading a similar life hundred, or thousands of years ago. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6ca98e82-b2e2-48e7-b6a3-72303bf9e37f/IMG_5416.JPG Blog - The Land of The Bible - Make it stand out The church is dedicated to Mary. The walls are decorated with large pictures donated from the various countries around the world depicting in their local crafts their vision of the Annunciation. This is a beautiful church with such a strong sense of peace as people walk around awestruck looking at all the paintings and art. It is one of the few churches that is dedicated to the Madonna. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2552a4b5-a72b-417c-bbdf-2b682a433712/IMG_6001.JPG Blog - The Land of The Bible - Make it stand out The Armenian side of the burial cave where it is believed the head rested. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b9fd5abf-702b-4e75-b070-9a0866a3d1e3/IMG_5445.JPG Blog - The Land of The Bible - Make it stand out Then on to the nearby Mount of Precipice where the people of Nazareth rejected Jesus as the Messiah and threw him from the mountain top, but Jesus was able to transform to mist and walk away. There was a church group visiting and having discourse with their priest as we walked around and looked at the fertile Jezreel valley and the area that had served as Jesus’ earthly ministry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b51d038c-1fae-4bfc-8af7-adc17ea1b97f/IMG_5966.JPG Blog - The Land of The Bible - Make it stand out While we did not visit Bethlehem and countless other Christian sites that are located in these lands, we did of course visit Jerusalem and walk along the Via Dolorosa tracing Jesus Christ’s journey carrying the cross to the Rock of Golgotha. Each of the stops that are mentioned in the bible are labeled as the stations of the cross and pilgrims stop at each station and relive the occurrence. We did not visit the stations that are located in the Muslim quarter where the sentencing happened, and the journey began. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f771d0e8-6676-48a7-b6bf-1fb7900ecb91/IMG_5671.JPG Blog - The Land of The Bible - Make it stand out The chapel at the Mount of the Beatitudes where Jesus preached the sermon on the mount. The path to the chapel is lined with stones inscribed with the Beatitudes. One of the gentlemen in our group had started to talk about Monty Python and all the way to the chapel we were laughing at his dialogs on the short walk from the parking lot to the church. Not a very reverent attitude but we did have fun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9874a401-96c8-4f4f-ae60-34ff1b4cf617/IMG_6385.JPG Blog - The Land of The Bible - Make it stand out Before Jesus began his ministry, He was baptized by John the Baptist. This baptismal site is currently located within Jordan, but we did get to visit it and the river Jordan. When the pope made his landmark trip to this part of the world, he visited here and there is a little mosaic to commemorate that visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a5e2f8e2-3801-4494-9087-0d08cdff8f6a/IMG_6020.JPG Blog - The Land of The Bible - Make it stand out Inside the church. This trip has been one of the top travel experiences in my life. Every aspect met and exceeded my expectations. Did I ever imagine as a child reading the bible stories as a part of my secular upbringing that I would someday visit some of the sites from these stories? I am grateful to be able to smell, hear, see and feel the world of my books in technicolor. A bonus indeed for a child with a vivid imagination and a love of reading. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1b0ec1bc-4017-4655-850c-b97ddd617df6/IMG_5401.jpg Blog - The Land of The Bible - Make it stand out Bethlehem and the Church of the Annunciation with its beautifully carved door. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/68009959-5f44-450b-bbb8-dc3b265dce32/IMG_6004.JPG Blog - The Land of The Bible - Make it stand out The entrance to the burial cave, the inside is very narrow and only 2 -3 people can stand in there at a time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/85f47686-b8c2-44dd-9c62-f34268143052/IMG_5968.JPG Blog - The Land of The Bible - Make it stand out We walked the Via Dolorosa and stopped at each of the stations to relive the story of that station: where Jesus first beheld his mother, where Simon shared the burden and carried the cross a little way, where the local women shed tears for his plight. Regardless of your religious affiliation it’s hard not to get caught up in the emotion of the story of this journey. This is the spot where Jesus stumbled and fell and left a handprint. There is a similar story about the handprint of Guru Nanak that is now located in Pakistan, while I have not visited that site, I did place my hand here in the handprint. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/33b3f1b4-384d-4db8-9938-acf3a865d338/IMG_5994.JPG Blog - The Land of The Bible - Make it stand out Inside the church are more stations. Here the body was removed and given to his mother and laid on this stone called the stone of Anointing where the body was prepared for burial. People kneel and cross the stone in reverence. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/the-road-to-jerusalem monthly 0.5 2022-04-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/69ba17c8-9404-46f2-b57e-3f9d94333b3d/IMG_5256.JPG Blog - Walking In The Footprints of Ancient Civilizations - Make it stand out Roman and Byzantine statuary at Caesaria. It’s interesting that all of this statuary was found headless. Wonder what happened to the heads and why? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d8cc0f33-f812-40e0-8b26-041e5c0fa633/IMG_5698.jpg Blog - Walking In The Footprints of Ancient Civilizations - Make it stand out Capernaum also known as the town of Jesus was an important stopping point for Jesus during his ministry since Peter lived here. Many miracles are attributed to this area on the Galilee such as the water to wine, fishes and loaves to feed the congregation etc. We will explore the landmarks from the bible separately. These are the remains of the Jewish temple at this location. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/26b0661c-8f60-4055-9d7d-694f838c682d/IMG_5332.jpg Blog - Walking In The Footprints of Ancient Civilizations - Make it stand out The Romans as was further emphasized during this trip were great builders and none better known than Herod. Want to establish a port city in Caesarea. What to do about the water necessary for people to live there? No problem, Let’s build an aqueduct and voila we have water. This aqueduct is extremely well-preserved running along the Mediterranean Sea bringing water to Caesarea. I’m not sure what Herod would think about using this as the site for a romantic picnic or the people enjoying the sun, sand and water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/25e3f0a3-808f-4d91-852a-6e614fdec62e/IMG_5775.JPG Blog - Walking In The Footprints of Ancient Civilizations - Make it stand out The Roman Baths and the ritual of bathing that was so important consisting of the Frigidarium, Tepidarium and Caldarium. The Romans were great engineers and used fire and steam to heat the baths that were very innovative when you think about the fact that these existed 2000 years ago. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/84a3a97c-252e-4c17-ab36-2e34315efa51/IMG_5594.JPG Blog - Walking In The Footprints of Ancient Civilizations - Make it stand out Acre or Akko which was a crusader and templar stronghold. I’m a history buff and I got chills as we walked through this beautifully well-preserved castle and walked through the underground tunnels thinking about the life and times of the crusades. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4d573689-0201-4714-a94a-bc8ad8fc2712/IMG_6473.jpg Blog - Walking In The Footprints of Ancient Civilizations - Make it stand out Hadrian’s arch marks the entrance to the ancient city of Jerash in Jordan, one of the best-preserved roman ruins in Jerash. This arch was built as a victory arch to celebrate a visit from the Roman emperor Hadrian to this site. As I stood there listening to our guide Wail, my mind was wandering imagining Roman centurions standing to attention as the mayor of the city presented the keys to the city to the emperor. Trivia question: Did you know that the ancient city of Amman was once called Philadelphia and this gate was also once referred to as the Philadelphia gate? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b6725ac2-5001-49aa-a0ce-5200c80552f6/IMG_6920.JPG Blog - Walking In The Footprints of Ancient Civilizations - Make it stand out Most of Petra, the treasury and the various caves and tombs are a legacy of the Nabateans who ran a thriving society here in this part of Jordan. The Romans too left their mark here in the pink hills of Petra, an almost fully preserved theater carved out of the rocks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3682e773-e151-404c-8b30-36a4a0fa9936/6CB6C8C0-EA44-4055-9AC3-68A2392420FC.jpg Blog - Walking In The Footprints of Ancient Civilizations - Make it stand out Masada that tragic tale of all the Zionists on the top of the mountain who killed themselves rather than becoming slaves and prisoners to the Romans. There are still signs of the Roman camps that surrounded the walled city high on the hill. The wall the Romans built to prevent the people from being able to escape or seek help from outside and the remains of the cutting-edge water storage cisterns that ensured water in this desert for the citizens. Temples and palaces, granaries and baths have been found here. The museum holds many of the vessels and coins found at this location. The scrolls have been moved to the museum in Jerusalem with the other Dead Sea scrolls found in this area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b38ea804-6dc4-47e8-bc14-cf7ef1d6378a/IMG_5328.jpg Blog - Walking In The Footprints of Ancient Civilizations - Make it stand out We walked across the moat and into the entry way of the remains of a crusader castle at this site. Of course, being an avid reader of that time in history, I could imagine horses rearing, arrows flying from the arrow slits and hot oil and stones coming down from the crenelations on the heads of the invaders. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4a36cbf2-db88-4f4c-8173-099bda6b07a4/IMG_5719.JPG Blog - Walking In The Footprints of Ancient Civilizations - Make it stand out Since I’m Indian and Peacocks are an important motif in India it was interesting to note that there were peacock motifs in various places that we saw in Israel and Jordan. It turns out that peacocks were an important symbol to Romans representing good and evil, death and resurrection. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/24b46237-7371-42c7-9460-e8ee8080be1c/IMG_7222.jpg Blog - Walking In The Footprints of Ancient Civilizations - Make it stand out Qusair Amra a desert castle built by the Umayyad Caliphs served as a hunting lodge and pleasure palace. Inside the walls and ceilings are decorated with figurative motifs that depict scenes from the times. We drove almost an hour and a half along a rutted highway to visit this castle. While we enjoyed learning the history of this pleasure palace and the naughty caliphs and drinking the Bedouin tea which is such an important Jordanian ritual, we absolutely did not enjoy having to use the squatting toilets that were available here. At the end the jury’s still out whether it was worth making a three-hour drive for this excursion. This was a trip of a lifetime, and all the history was catnip to the history buff in me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a0202547-1832-44ff-a4d3-ec4c97728a09/IMG_5290.JPG Blog - Walking In The Footprints of Ancient Civilizations - Make it stand out Regardless of religion most people know the story of Jesus Christ being condemned to being nailed to the cross and that Pontius Pilate the then prefect of Rome was the person responsible. History has left us proof that Pontius Pilate indeed existed at the right time in history to have played this unforgettable role. I had goosebumps reading this dedication despite the bright and sunny day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1ad4b245-af3e-41b6-a125-53b297c03987/IMG_5792.JPG Blog - Walking In The Footprints of Ancient Civilizations - Make it stand out Bet She’an is another excavation of Roman remains. Many of the theaters and amphitheaters survived in very good condition. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5e5108ed-1f84-4134-9ada-c8945bc9d1ec/IMG_6496.JPG Blog - Walking In The Footprints of Ancient Civilizations - Make it stand out Under an overcast sky we walked through the well-preserved ancient city. We explored the theater, the temples of Zeus, the nymphaeum, and walked along the cardo. We walked to the beautiful haunting strains of bagpipes being played expertly in the theatre. What got to me was how day to day life in this region is twined around these ruins. Sheep grazed on the hillsides, modern houses could be seen through the pillars and rocks. Archaeologists believe that the rest of this ancient city is located under the thriving modern city. To cap off this day, imagine my surprise as we headed towards the exit to hear voices in Bengali. I surprised them by saying hello and a few words in their language having exhausted the sum total of what I recall of this language that I grew up with. This group was visiting from Bangladesh, and we shared a few laughs about how we are so far from our own homes and countries. I love this part of the travel experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6170f6bc-a641-462e-b51e-8750fe06b826/IMG_5608.JPG Blog - Walking In The Footprints of Ancient Civilizations - Make it stand out The knights from many different countries who had their own feuds despite the fact that they were united in a common cause to win the holy land for the Christians by order of the pope. They all had tunnels that led from their quarters to the sea that prevented them from running into each other even as they had an escape in case they needed it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f7ee788a-8cde-40da-8c8d-133b704bc65f/IMG_5294.JPG Blog - Walking In The Footprints of Ancient Civilizations - Make it stand out Remains of Herod’s Palace on the shores of the Mediterranean. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0db2aa4d-aea8-4681-aeaa-566c2bd316e8/IMG_5277.JPG Blog - Walking In The Footprints of Ancient Civilizations - Make it stand out The theater at Caesaria. Concerts are still held here. Clearly entertainment was as big a business in those times as it is today since we found so many intact theaters and hippodromes throughout both Israel and Jordan. The workmanship has endured through the centuries such that many of them could be used as outdoor entertainment facilities in today’s modern times. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1f6b991a-9b06-4564-8992-f1ac607042bf/IMG_6617.jpg Blog - Walking In The Footprints of Ancient Civilizations - Make it stand out Mount Nebo where Moses got his first sight of the promised land which he was not allowed to enter, once in the city of Moab (biblical times) now in Jordan. The Brazen Serpent sculpture and view towards the Promised Land–Dead Sea and Jerusalem. On a clear day, this point provides a panorama of the West Bank across the Jordan River Valley, Jericho is usually visible and sometimes Jerusalem. Of course, this was not a clear day. One of the few rainy, gloomy days during our visit with a cold wind whistling right under our jackets. I don’t think I warmed up that day until after a delightful lunch at Ferial’s (more on Ferial’s story in my Jordan post) restaurant. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/the-dead-sea monthly 0.5 2022-10-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5ac0d2d9-35be-4904-a0b4-5213acc9d8d7/IMG_6738.JPG Blog - Beautiful Timeless Jordan - Make it stand out Simple pleasures, stopping by the wayside to gambol with the lambs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b7c4de29-b969-46a4-86fc-63d06b81d62f/IMG_6626.JPG Blog - Beautiful Timeless Jordan - Make it stand out The Byzantine chapel on the top of the hill has beautiful mosaics that this region is famous for. Many of these mosaics give us insights into the lives of the people who once thrived here. This particular mosaic has special significance outside of the wonderful well-preserved detail. According to a friend, the figure at the bottom left depicts the Hindu God Lord Krishna. Did these regions have trade with India during that period? it is certainly possible. These mosaics definitely give us glimpses of life and culture during the biblical times. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/26e5da4c-700d-4367-8797-aee8edcbc4e4/IMG_6713.JPG Blog - Beautiful Timeless Jordan - Make it stand out Cold, damp and tired from walking through the town of Madaba we made our way to the Food Basket for a taste of Madaba. Ferial who looks far from the grandmother that she is was our host to an absolutely phenomenal meal of local delicacies. Trying to preserve her ancestral family home, Ferial converted it into a restaurant which is patronized by high-ranking diplomats and ordinary people like us. She was telling us how she had recently had a visit from the secret service to vet her restaurant for an important high-ranking visitor. No, she said she didn’t know or at least she wasn’t sharing with us. Not only does Ferial have an all women crew in her kitchen but when she needs it, she has a network of local women she can reach out to help her prepare local dishes. We admired Ferial for all that she has achieved in her part of the world both in empowering women and creating a lasting legacy. Since this was once a home and is still decorated with family pictures and other memorabilia, we felt welcomed like family and enjoyed the ambiance of enjoying both the food and conversation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1abb1a77-ab4b-458e-a2f2-07c0b03068b7/IMG_7267.jpg Blog - Beautiful Timeless Jordan - Make it stand out One of the fun sides of travel is a taste of street food eaten like locals. This was our opportunity to try one of the best Shawarma from a little shop with a long line of locals finished off by what we were told is the best Kunafeh (dessert) to be found in Amman. Since these were not formal restaurants, we joined the locals in finding a place to park our backsides on the steps and sidewalk and enjoy our meal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3556f7ac-a1c7-46ff-a4c2-c75409ce6b8c/IMG_6597.JPG Blog - Beautiful Timeless Jordan - Make it stand out A cold windy blustery morning found us at Mount Nebo. Pope John Paul II visited the summit of Mount Nebo where he planted an olive tree next to the Byzantine chapel on the hill and looked out at the same view of the promised land that Moses had once looked upon. History has it that this is the point where Moses had his first and last glimpse of the promised land since he was forbidden entry. We did not visit the burial site, but it is my understanding that Moses is buried near here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7aee8a29-432a-43cb-a167-61174923f884/IMG_6727.JPG Blog - Beautiful Timeless Jordan - Make it stand out Almost every day in Jordan, Wail gave us little tokens, some of which we brought home with us and some of which we demolished during our trip. One of the more fun tokens were these Jordanian head scarves that turned us into Bedouin sheikhs and sheikhas. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4ef61989-9ac5-4322-8a23-4049d84e0f2f/IMG_6931.JPG Blog - Beautiful Timeless Jordan - Make it stand out Those beautiful Kohel ringed eyes of this young Bedouin girl who we met along the way in Petra. She and her brother posed for us and with us. Bright girl, when we tried to give her money in thanks she refused. Instead, she suggested that we could buy something from her. So, we found ourselves with two beautiful handmade necklaces made of camel hair and bone as souvenirs. We stopped at one of the shops where one of the Bedouin men tried to convince us of the benefits of Kohel and convince one of us to be his model for a live demonstration. Alas! to his disappointment none of us took him up on his offer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1fe316cf-e762-4ee5-a955-e90cff4718ad/IMG_7110.JPG Blog - Beautiful Timeless Jordan - Make it stand out The Nabateans had figured out how to safely get caravans across the desert and knew the locations where to find water. Did they perhaps leave signposts like these to supplement stars and other means of navigation they used? These timeless signs carved on the local rocks are an ancient messaging system that give us modern traveler insights into the stories they told. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4f45237f-67d1-477b-9c62-a86c0e7b2f7d/IMG_7345.JPG Blog - Beautiful Timeless Jordan - Make it stand out As a wrap up, we had a scheduled wine tasting to taste local wines. I did not know before our visit that Jordan cultivates wine. We got to visit Jordan River’s wine cellar located in a modern mall. Even though it seemed we couldn’t eat another bit there was room for a last Lebanese dinner eaten family style as we bid a warm goodbye to this beautiful country and our wonderful host Wail. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f21ac7e8-0d0b-48b0-b8f5-30a2ac4f5027/IMG_7175.JPG Blog - Beautiful Timeless Jordan - Make it stand out No! we are not in outer space. This is a luxury camp for star gazers out in the deserts of Wadi Rum. Though this landscape is definitely reminiscent of what we imagine Mars might look like since The Martian starring Matt Damon was filmed on location here in Wadi Rum. I might be dating myself, but I was personally excited to visit these desert lands so beloved of T.E. Lawrence or Lawrence of Arabia. In fact, we saw a sand carving of Lawrence of Arabia outside a desert camp where we stopped for tea. He didn’t exactly look like Peter O’Toole! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/64e1e010-1400-42c6-8431-2b9b00663ea1/IMG_7248.JPG Blog - Beautiful Timeless Jordan - Make it stand out The King Abdullah Mosque in Amman. I’m not sure if it was a designated stop but our plans got changed around and we found ourselves on the street outside. First, we wanted restrooms, then we wanted to visit a Mosque. Both goals accomplished. While the predominant population in Jordan is Muslim it was interesting to find a beautiful ancient church across the street such that if you looked at the right angle you could see the entrance to the Mosque framed with the cross from the steeple of the church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e0c6285b-9a1b-4626-a1a5-f46e9cb5bea7/IMG_6411.JPG Blog - Beautiful Timeless Jordan - Make it stand out Our first stop in Jordan was a resort on the Dead Sea. We had already visited the Dead Sea on the Israeli side having dipped our toes and floated in the salty water; the Dead Sea on the Jordanian side seemed a lot more robust and ringed with resorts. Here at the beautiful Kempinski resort, we managed to make spa time and used the upscale spa facilities and warm piped water from the Dead Sea to rejuvenate our tired bodies to get ready for exploring all that Jordan has to offer. One forgets that this land was one big vast land mass during biblical times and that the Jordan River was a part of Jesus’s ministry. Moses led the Jews from the Red Sea across these lands to ultimately find the promised land. Even though he was barred from setting foot there, Mount Nebo where Moses got his first sight of the promised land, the site where John the Baptist once baptized his followers as well as Jesus Christ are all here on this side of the border in Jordan. The Jordan River in fact serves as the river border between Israel and Jordan with Jerusalem only an hour plus driving distance from the border. I might sound like I keep harping on food, but food and wine was such an integral part of this discovery experience that it’s hard not to fixate a bit about all the wonderfully curated meals that we enjoyed. Here too at the Dead Sea, we got to taste the many flavors of Jordan and as a special treat we had a wonderful Lebanese dinner catered by chef Abu Elias who came out of his kitchen to say hello and graciously accept our compliments. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/616bca36-debc-4b24-9768-01d7b7fae604/IMG_6664.JPG Blog - Beautiful Timeless Jordan - Make it stand out The visit to this region would be incomplete if we did not visit the local school to see how these mosaics are made. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/090e380c-40ce-468e-aa3d-aaff7825efbc/IMG_6843.JPG Blog - Beautiful Timeless Jordan - Make it stand out Petra, walking through the narrow twists and turns of the Siq heading first towards the treasury and then onwards to the royal tombs and the monastery. Petra deserves its own post and will definitely get one. I did not realize it until it actually happened that with this visit, I have now had the privilege of visiting all seven wonders of the modern world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/86e72d90-e6da-4a57-9918-18d373ff9e0a/IMG_7151.JPG Blog - Beautiful Timeless Jordan - Make it stand out After a couple of hours riding in a 4X4 across the desert sands we stopped at a Bedouin tent for a spot of Bedouin tea and a chat with some of the locals. Bedouin tea is freely offered to visitors without any questions asked. Flavored with sage and honey we enjoyed it at many locations throughout Jordan. After a stop here to give our driver a rest and chat with some of the locals, admire a likeness of the ruler and T.E. Lawrence carved on the rocks outside we made our way towards the desert camp where we were slated to have a Zarb the traditional Bedouin meal that is cooked in a three-tiered tray buried under the desert sands. Then it was siesta time as we made our long drive towards Amman for the final few days of our time in this beautiful country. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7c6d4a1b-98ef-42e5-bbab-73673d0499c8/IMG_6508.JPG Blog - Beautiful Timeless Jordan - Make it stand out The Roman Empire was vast and it really brings things to home as you travel how far and wide their reach was. There are numerous Roman ruins to be found all over Jordan. Most significant of these is Jerash that beautiful well preserved Roman City guarded by Hadrian’s Gate or Philadelphia gate. Interesting that ancient Amman was once known as Philadelphia. The modern lands blend effortlessly with the ancient such that there is a sense of timelessness here. Shepherds tend their flocks on the hillsides much as one would imagine they have done since time immemorial. White buildings rise above the ruins and in fact particularly here in Jerash this modern city is built over the remains of the ancient city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fa24277c-5fc9-4183-abf2-7d0c6bc85dfd/IMG_6982.jpg Blog - Beautiful Timeless Jordan - Make it stand out Every meal that we enjoyed throughout our visit was beautifully curated and a delight. One of the most fun evenings on our trip was a hands-on experience in learning how to make some of these delicacies. Under the guidance and gentle critique of experienced chefs and the sound of laughter we got to chopping and stirring and seasoning, to actually produce a delicious meal. At the end we were also given these tried and tested recipes to bring home with us. What an absolutely wonderful souvenir to bring home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/51a9dacc-78e8-44d8-b944-29420bb79dcb/IMG_7325.JPG Blog - Beautiful Timeless Jordan - Make it stand out Amman has its own share of Roman ruins with an almost intact amphitheater and of course the citadel on the hill. Not only does this location offer a wonderful view of the city but it appears to be used as a park by the locals. We found children flying kites here and families enjoying the beautiful afternoon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/44211b7b-69fb-4b93-bccc-fa8474eea7e6/IMG_6472.JPG Blog - Beautiful Timeless Jordan - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/jerusalem monthly 0.5 2022-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/35c07560-9d50-4e33-8bcd-7f6f499aa17d/IMG_6346.JPG Blog - Three Religions - One Jerusalem - Make it stand out We finished up our afternoon at the bustling Machene Yehuda market where we mingled with locals shopping for the coming sabbath, sampled and tasted our way through the market. An absolutely delightful excursion which definitely helped to shake the somber mood of the morning. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a4731929-113f-4caf-bf8b-8e0454ea4871/IMG_6236.JPG Blog - Three Religions - One Jerusalem - Make it stand out Then through the dark holocaust museum which records the history of the atrocities during that dark period. It wasn’t just people who paid the price, one hundred million books were destroyed by the Nazis throughout Europe in just twelve years, according to the calculations of one library historian. This section memorializes the most devastating literary holocaust of all time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c6445d16-1f9d-45ee-9298-d9b85a8c37c6/IMG_5967.JPG Blog - Three Religions - One Jerusalem - Make it stand out After visiting the Western Wall and touring the tunnels we made our way to the Via Dolorosa or the way of Sorrow that marks the stations of the cross where Jesus Christ once carried the cross on his way to the Rock of Golgotha. This path has been transformed into a labyrinth of narrow alleys flanked by shops and markers depicting the events of the journey that are talked about in the bible stories. We had of course transitioned smoothly from the Jewish quarter into the Christian quarter bypassing the path towards the Muslim quarter and the Dome of the Rock. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3a5f7d2d-0344-43d3-a52f-14ae97f6fb3d/IMG_6223.JPG Blog - Three Religions - One Jerusalem - Make it stand out The moving walk through the children’s memorial where each light represents a child lost during this terrible time accompanied by a recitation of the names of the children who have been identified. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1ff923c4-2fbd-4f60-b9f3-8c6419619022/IMG_6363.JPG Blog - Three Religions - One Jerusalem - Make it stand out Our last night in Jerusalem, as we searched for the location of the restaurant where we were to have our farewell dinner, we walked past this whimsical street art. Jerusalem, the culmination of a long-held dream. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/388b57b7-8bff-4683-8dd0-1f7d493cde00/IMG_5910.JPG Blog - Three Religions - One Jerusalem - Make it stand out One of Jerusalem’s most recognizable landmarks the “Dome of the Rock “is a Mosque that is built on the Temple Mount. It is the earliest archeologically attested religious structure to be built by a Muslim ruler. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/983295ba-90df-4326-b66c-7369b2f287cf/EE93E936-9164-4F9F-A6AC-068E825F3F9B.jpg Blog - Three Religions - One Jerusalem - Make it stand out We parked in a modern underground parking garage and took an elevator to the level that would take us to the Jaffa Gate which is where we entered the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2bc2ea69-eab6-4e44-b3ba-a3a8aa4e707c/IMG_6218.JPG Blog - Three Religions - One Jerusalem - Make it stand out For our last day here, we ventured away from the old city to pay our respects to Jewish history; Yad Vashem, the memorial to the Holocaust. Starting of at this beautiful shady spot which honors the people who helped the survivors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/61a8828d-f752-47b2-bcb5-2f8ca1f52780/IMG_5898.JPG Blog - Three Religions - One Jerusalem - Make it stand out The Golden Menorah stands in a square encased in bullet proof glass. A replica used in the temple, it weighs about 43 grams and is made of 24 carat gold. We first passed this square on our way to the Western Wall in the early morning when shops were just opening and only a few people wandered in this area. Later in the afternoon, we walked through the square bathed in sunlight full of people sitting around enjoying coffee and snacks, sitting around enjoying the sunshine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d2ec69c7-39c7-4d79-a894-59749cffe54d/IMG_6282.jpg Blog - Three Religions - One Jerusalem - Make it stand out Inside the shrine of the book, standing at the entrance to where some of the Dead Sea Scrolls owned by the Israeli government are displayed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7a768e98-84c6-41f3-ba5c-063582faf7f2/IMG_5868.JPG Blog - Three Religions - One Jerusalem - Make it stand out History oozes from every pore of the city. There are paintings and mosaics that help you visualize what these busy marketplaces would have looked like in their day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/162435da-4dd7-44b1-9a30-37245f48b968/IMG_5881.JPG Blog - Three Religions - One Jerusalem - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9da22607-d570-4772-9b91-3d6aa0be191b/IMG_5907.JPG Blog - Three Religions - One Jerusalem - Make it stand out Continuing on our way to the Western Wall the black domes of the Al Aqsa Mosque rise up against the sky. The Al Aksa Mosque is believed to the third holiest Islamic site in the world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3067638e-93a7-4797-80aa-9dcfe73d28e6/IMG_6004.JPG Blog - Three Religions - One Jerusalem - Make it stand out Inside the Holy Sepulcher, standing outside the site of Jesus’s empty tomb also known as the Aedicula. I will spend more time on the church and the stations of the cross when we explore the biblical stories that are such an integral part of this region. The church as have many places in this ancient city has gone through several transformations depending on who ruled at the time. Queen Melisande (of Armenian descent) finally gave it the shape that it currently holds. Today the control of the church is shared amongst several Christian denominations: Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Armenian Apostolic and to a lesser degree Coptic Orthodox and Ethiopian Orthodox. It was this history and to some extent Queen Melisande’s link to Armenians that answered the question of why there is an Armenian Quarter in the city. Like many things there is a long and varied history around this as well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/64504967-bd92-42da-bb78-5e28b48e54a5/IMG_5942.JPG Blog - Three Religions - One Jerusalem - Make it stand out This is the portion of the wall that is not open to the general public. It’s an area where ancient Torah’s are stored. I decided not to accompany the rest of my group on a complete tour of the tunnels. Instead, I made my way to the enclosed women’s prayer area which overlooks this part of the wall. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/173f0c54-756c-4a74-aeb4-c0f582de794b/IMG_6060.jpg Blog - Three Religions - One Jerusalem - Make it stand out We wrapped up our day in the old city with the spectacular illuminated light and sound show at the Tower of David after one of the best curated Kosher dinners at the Eucalyptus Restaurant. Considering that we had some really amazing meals throughout this trip I’d highly recommend a meal here if you get a chance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7b85e727-bdc6-4916-aeaa-5d30400612d6/IMG_5976.JPG Blog - Three Religions - One Jerusalem - Make it stand out As the day wore on many of the shuttered shops opened and we were stopped by the shop keepers wanting us to step into their shops and find that unforgettable souvenir to take home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a5a3d7b4-911f-40fb-8499-e05651b8eb19/IMG_5960.JPG Blog - Three Religions - One Jerusalem - Make it stand out Breakfast was a long time ago and all that walking had brought on an appetite, so an introduction to the Jerusalem bagels was quite welcome. Sprinkled with salt and Zatar they tasted sublime. Once introduced I managed to find them at our breakfast buffet in the hotel and for the rest of my breakfasts in Jerusalem, I enjoyed them toasted with Zatar lebni. Mmm mmmm so good! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/87049e7a-3d7e-4d31-bf55-29d2130d9d86/IMG_5948.JPG Blog - Three Religions - One Jerusalem - Make it stand out The Western Wall's holiness in Judaism is a result of its proximity to the Temple Mount. It is also referred to as the “Wailing Wall” due to the fact it is the site where Jews mourn the loss of the Temple. The cracks in the wall are stuffed with prayer notes left there by the people who come to pray. It’s hard not to get caught up in the general emotion and fervor when you approach the wall and stuff your own prayer note into the nearest crack. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/on-the-way-to-jerusalem monthly 0.5 2022-03-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6fe0d279-f4cf-455b-9908-5eef503da134/IMG_5452.JPG Blog - The Road to Jerusalem - Make it stand out The Jezreel Valley spread out in front of us while we were at Mount Precipice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/10aead14-a57f-47a1-b0d2-e8192525e8f9/IMG_5729.jpg Blog - The Road to Jerusalem - Make it stand out Kibbutzim are going through a transformation in Israel. Some are extremely successful and continue to operate and others that are not as financially successful are finding other ways to succeed. We got to visit one and get a tour and chat with some of the locals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e1adde08-3fa6-431a-8594-8dbd699d914b/IMG_5489.JPG Blog - The Road to Jerusalem - Make it stand out We spent two nights in Haifa on our way to Jerusalem. We ventured out to explore this beautiful country and immerse ourselves in the Discovery experience. The Baha’i Temple and gardens in Haifa are a holy site for the followers of the Baha’i faith. Extending from the summit of Mount Carmel, this magnificent garden features 19 terraces and its centerpiece, the gold-domed Shrine of the Bab, the center of knowledge and tomb of the leader of the Baha’i faith. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/53af542a-4941-4956-a508-1e60da91b535/IMG_5629.JPG Blog - The Road to Jerusalem - Make it stand out Acre or Akko as it is now called used to be a crusader stronghold in the Holy Land. Not only did the Hospitallers and Knights Templar build a strong fortified castle, but they also controlled the harbor and collected taxes from anyone who used it. The Rock in the center is guarded by a chain that used to be lowered only after the payment of the proper harbor tax. Some of the who’s who, who came through this port are Julius Caeser, Mark Antony, Marco Polo, Richard the Lionheart, Francis of Assisi. We did not take a harbor cruise, but we did have lunch at a beautiful harbor side restaurant. Yes! unfortunately it was cloudy with a touch of rain which in no way took anything away from our overall experience here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/942fccac-525c-438d-a293-1799d0e9bc02/IMG_5482.JPG Blog - The Road to Jerusalem - Make it stand out We arrived in Haifa on Friday evening in time for Shabat. Since the Jews are not allowed to operate any electronics or machinery, one elevator in the hotel is deemed a Shabat elevator. This means that it goes up and down, stopping at every floor with no need to press any buttons. In addition, there were two elaborate buffets, one that was totally kosher for Shabat and one that was for all visitors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a281d059-7edb-4b44-a5b7-1c7b146a6a0c/IMG_5769.JPG Blog - The Road to Jerusalem - Make it stand out At the Yigal Allon Museum. We went to see the boat recovered from the Sea of Galilee that is referred to as the Jesus Boat. While that was intriguing in itself what I really appreciated was some of this art on the outside inspired by local students and artists of all the different faiths and cultures that reside in Israel today. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3fb85397-28b4-4b1c-a379-9b67511d931b/IMG_5765.JPG Blog - The Road to Jerusalem - Make it stand out This bench brought to mind the colorful benches in the Gaudi Park Guell in Barcelona. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6e64646b-8a70-4846-b11d-fe3f4301d853/IMG_5806.JPG Blog - The Road to Jerusalem - Make it stand out It was windy, and hazy with the evening fast approaching and we had been all day on the road stopping at various points as we stopped at this lookout point for our first true glimpse of the fabled golden city of Jerusalem. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a9b72234-8ced-4de5-abb8-7467271bdc3f/IMG_5367.JPG Blog - The Road to Jerusalem - Make it stand out A homemade spread using recipes from their ancestors was all part of a delightful wine tasting experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4e0afefa-9f29-4ff9-b3b6-9d86915de65b/IMG_5510.JPG Blog - The Road to Jerusalem - Make it stand out The Mediterranean at the border of Israel and Lebanon with an Israeli gunboat on patrol in the distance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0757457f-8fd9-41f1-9361-d8af337a29bc/IMG_5525.JPG Blog - The Road to Jerusalem - Make it stand out The Rosh Hanikra Grottoes are carved by water erosion into the mountains in Northern Israel. As we approached this tourist attraction, we could see the barbed wire electrified fences that mark Israel’s border with Lebanon. After taking a cable car down to the entrance we walked amongst the various grottos to appreciate the power and beauty of the sea where it meets the rock. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/604e7d32-3197-466a-94e9-a8d28e19c3df/IMG_5372.JPG Blog - The Road to Jerusalem - Make it stand out Israeli wine has been produced since biblical times. Given the nature of the various rulers who came and went the wine production business went through some ups and downs as well. Today, it’s a thriving industry and Israel produces about 10 million bottles per year. We got to visit the Somek Estate winery in the Zichron Ya’akov area for an unbelievable experience. The family vineyard has been cultivated since 1882 and is run by a husband-and-wife team. We also got to meet their delightful daughter who came over to practice her English with us when she got back from school. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f5c25b5e-f2c7-4ead-8da6-b2896259d232/IMG_5715.JPG Blog - The Road to Jerusalem - Make it stand out The first sighting of the Sea of Galilee. We had hoped for our first sighting from the Mount of the Beatitudes where Jesus preached his first sermon but as it turned out that the morning was overcast and hazy and it wasn’t until later that we caught our first glimpse. In the distance the hazy mountains are the famous Golan Heights. Again, we did not actually take to the water in a boat but from the back of the Yigal Allon Museum we could see a couple of boats on the water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6c5e3cf3-b354-4b36-875b-3cf4078afddc/D0FE44AE-1DDE-46FB-99B0-2D4BE1E1311C.jpg Blog - The Road to Jerusalem - Make it stand out The vibrant bustling souk winds itself through the center of town. This bazaar, hundreds of years old, offers a little bit of everything from fresh fish, fruit, vegetables, spices, and souvenirs. We chatted and laughed our way through some of the food sellers where it would have been fun to taste but we had a date with a restaurant in the harbor for a meal of fresh seafood and the typical dips and bread that came up a meal in this part of the world. As you can see we had quite the treat in store for us. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/tel-aviv-the-start-of-the-trip-a-lifetime monthly 0.5 2022-03-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e4c69150-cefe-470c-b1a5-8fed984a0c28/IMG_5219.JPG Blog - Tel Aviv ~ The Start of The Trip of a Lifetime - Make it stand out The Bauhaus architecture style which was brought to the city by the Germans giving it the name of white city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cce7b26e-f423-4218-8a7e-4b6e7e15836e/IMG_5020.JPG Blog - Tel Aviv ~ The Start of The Trip of a Lifetime - Make it stand out The narrow side streets leading away from the market are full of cafes and eateries with locals enjoying the weather and the tasty delights. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d32b5b0e-b9e2-47c7-8785-f359a886b3e1/IMG_5165.JPG Blog - Tel Aviv ~ The Start of The Trip of a Lifetime - Make it stand out The Saraya Building, which was once the Ottoman governor’s palace, only has key parts still standing. The rest you have to imagine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4255d445-a00d-4a04-995c-59cb49d8fec2/IMG_5199.JPG Blog - Tel Aviv ~ The Start of The Trip of a Lifetime - Make it stand out Sarona Market is Tel Aviv’s latest culinary center, offering a sharp contrast to Tel Aviv’s traditional food markets, such as the Carmel market. The market is all about ‘culinary excellence’ and houses around 100 businesses, from local producers of spices, cheeses, meats, and other goods, to imported delicacies and specialties from around the world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d151f2c4-f9a2-47d3-b4b5-fb7062572298/IMG_5141.JPG Blog - Tel Aviv ~ The Start of The Trip of a Lifetime - Make it stand out The vibrant artists quarter in Jaffa strolling through which is like strolling through an art gallery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/04507567-534c-4b55-a2ce-ffd6980d1514/IMG_5113.JPG Blog - Tel Aviv ~ The Start of The Trip of a Lifetime - Make it stand out The gate of faith in Abrasha Park which tells the tales of Jacob’s dream, the binding of Isaac and the capture of Jericho. This sculpture from Galilee stone was done by the sculptor Daniel Kafri of Jerusalem. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6dd89751-e415-459f-bfd9-7e18231def91/IMG_5119.JPG Blog - Tel Aviv ~ The Start of The Trip of a Lifetime - Make it stand out A few minutes walking brought us to this site which marks the location of the Canaanite Jaffa from the 19th century B.C. There was a group of teenagers on a school trip that we came across during our walk in Jaffa. I got to enjoy an interesting conversation with some of the girls, I am reassured to find that teenagers all around the world are more alike than one would imagine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/57c0d453-a4cf-4b1c-9294-e84f154dd0f5/IMG_5010.JPG Blog - Tel Aviv ~ The Start of The Trip of a Lifetime - Make it stand out A short walk took me to Carmel Market, the local fruit, and vegetable market. Here one can browse for inexpensive souvenirs, taste local culinary delights as one wanders inspecting exotic fruit and cheese. I stopped at a little stall selling what is best falafel and hummus for a quick taste. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/61c936f4-83b0-4a4c-a0e7-4cf82a6b1bfa/IMG_5082.JPG Blog - Tel Aviv ~ The Start of The Trip of a Lifetime - Make it stand out The next morning started with an exploration of the old port of Jaffa. Our first stop was at Andromeda’s rocks where Andromeda was bound as a sacrifice to the sea god Poseidon. Fortunately, she was rescued by brave Perseus who killed the sea monster and married her. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9419d4de-49d2-42b4-906f-8c5eb10d27d9/IMG_5184.JPG Blog - Tel Aviv ~ The Start of The Trip of a Lifetime - Make it stand out After a morning spent in the old city of Jaffa, we headed for lunch in modern Tel Aviv and to get a feel for the vibrant energy around food and shopping. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/20b48d32-cf55-4de3-9934-8c9d44bfae02/IMG_5049.JPG Blog - Tel Aviv ~ The Start of The Trip of a Lifetime - Make it stand out A short Gett ride took me to the Old Port with its slightly more sophisticated eateries and shops. Sail boats were out in full force even as fishermen lingered with their fishing rods and bikers and all manner of people were out and about enjoying the beautiful afternoon sunshine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8aa1e978-238f-410a-bf2c-f82f0cf8c40e/IMG_5202.JPG Blog - Tel Aviv ~ The Start of The Trip of a Lifetime - Make it stand out As we walked across the square, we noticed this group of men praying together. Orthodox Jews pray three times a day. For the mid-day prayers, one person can gather other people to help participate and form the necessary minyan or group of ten. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e6989071-50fd-4e93-9ae9-6b7c1d7e1b99/IMG_5151.JPG Blog - Tel Aviv ~ The Start of The Trip of a Lifetime - Make it stand out The Jaffa Clock Tower stands in the middle of the street at the entrance of Jaffa. Made of limestone it commemorates the Israelis killed in the battle for the town in 1948. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c980f5c1-bbe8-47b5-a9e0-8174cce41fef/IMG_5088.JPG Blog - Tel Aviv ~ The Start of The Trip of a Lifetime - Make it stand out Inside St. Peter’s church in Jaffa. The beautiful altar piece describes the visitation of the angel who explains to Peter that any food provided by the Lord is pure and fit to eat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8595258c-4ada-472f-8d8c-67318c8d133a/6D6D4CA8-56DE-47CB-A0B1-9EDDC72187D3.jpg Blog - Tel Aviv ~ The Start of The Trip of a Lifetime - Make it stand out To round off our time in Tel Aviv we ended up at a wonderful restaurant with a family style meal of cold and hot appetizers and main courses that we all got to sample. Our food was accompanied by a local wine. Tonight, set the stage for the gastronomic delights that would be a part of our journey through this amazing country. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d81bfa76-71ad-4521-b8ea-106d92c32c89/IMG_5074.jpg Blog - Tel Aviv ~ The Start of The Trip of a Lifetime - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4f1fb376-7238-47e4-ab25-3bcd22379057/IMG_4993.JPG Blog - Tel Aviv ~ The Start of The Trip of a Lifetime - Make it stand out My first stop was the Neve Tzedek neighborhood very close to my hotel. This was the first outpost of the Jewish settlers when they moved away from the ancient port city of Jaffa. Neve Tzedek is a quaint neighborhood full of narrow streets and houses going through renovations and make overs. Cafes and interesting shops line the streets encouraging wandering and browsing. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/the-grand-mosque-abu-dhabi monthly 0.5 2022-03-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d5391a9d-63ea-4e98-a70b-e372db83f166/IMG_4414.JPG Blog - The Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out As you make your way to the visitors exit, a chance to browse and buy some souvenirs of your visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fec751e4-3c1a-4752-b2ff-25c4233af136/IMG_4389.JPG Blog - The Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out Also made of white marble these internal walls feature traditional Islamic designs with unique floral additions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b177daa3-2726-45e5-8b55-91cace7dc144/IMG_4337.JPG Blog - The Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out Surprisingly you transition into a modern underground mall which has all the familiar names such as Starbucks and McDonalds to Americans as well as shops selling all manner of goods. Apparently since the Mosque is completely free to visitors this is a way to recoup some funds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5779955e-a9a6-4485-9b26-52615d72d608/IMG_4345.jpg Blog - The Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out The keyhole entrance hinting at what’s to come. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8900b57a-5b68-468e-858a-bed44d14c054/IMG_4368.JPG Blog - The Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out As you walk towards the prayer halls you traverse these arcades with white marble columns, inlaid with precious and semi-precious stones such as lapis lazuli, red agate, amethyst, abalone shell and nacre. Their overall design is inspired by date palms. This inlay technique is similar to that used in the Taj Mahal in India hence the comparison of the two. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9fd65fdd-49b6-4ff2-ab0b-e37eed6cbdd8/IMG_4404.JPG Blog - The Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out The Prayer Hall; again, one of the largest in the world with its array of chandeliers. The floor is covered with a priceless single hand knotted carpet. The largest in the world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d627ed8b-f751-44bf-8c7a-6ec95af11e69/IMG_4408.JPG Blog - The Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out Glass domes cover the ladies and gents’ ablution facilities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5a1bc29a-1e74-47da-934d-25e257af63c4/IMG_4339.JPG Blog - The Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out As you transition security and walk along the tolerance path you come up the escalator and emerge into the sunshine and see the beautiful building gleaming in the sunshine. Pictures are controlled with specific designated spots for visitors to stop and take pictures. First stop the rectangular pools tiled in different shades of blue, which reflect the mosque’s magnificent arcades and columns. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/050a18d0-419e-4e81-b4a5-fd0922743244/IMG_4397.JPG Blog - The Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out The inside of the domes features traditional Moroccan artwork which has been made from reinforced plaster Encircling the inside of the domes are verses from the Holy Quran. The chandelier is the largest ever in a mosque made of 12 tons of steel with brass and 24 carat gold. Made in German, the chandeliers have Swarovski crystals installed in all of them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b969f9fb-b03b-4e71-9ef0-4115bf85eb6d/IMG_4423.JPG Blog - The Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out A large glass dome marks the visitors entrance and the escalator that takes you one floor down towards security and the ticket booths. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/eb6bc01b-2050-42bd-a23f-cc8070ff67c5/IMG_4365.JPG Blog - The Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out The Mosque is made up of 82 domes of various sizes and 4 minarets. As you enter you are in the courtyard which is made of beautiful marble and colorful mosaics. The edges adorned using different types of flowers that grow in the Middle East such as Tulip, Lily and Iris. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/581d924b-ba61-483b-a8df-c887def5b76d/IMG_4394.JPG Blog - The Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out As you stop to admire the Mehrab from afar and appreciate the beautiful chandeliers that grace the ceilings. This was probably one of my most favorite sites to stand and admire and take pictures. The chandelier and Mehrab from the inside, beautiful blue chandeliers overhead and the exquisite work around me. Truly spectacular. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1fb3c218-69e5-42c2-a0ca-e45b168f1a50/IMG_4420.JPG Blog - The Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/abu-dhabi monthly 0.5 2022-02-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f0ad32ad-6af7-4825-a867-2d3934487ec6/IMG_4517.JPG Blog - Splendid Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out The Founder’s Memorial is a permanent national tribute dedicated to commemorating the life, legacy and values of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE. The center piece of the Founder’s Memorial is the Constellation. Housed in a 30m-high pavilion, The Constellation contains 1,327 geometric shapes suspended on 1,110 cables to create a series of evolving personal encounters with Sheikh Zayed’s image. By night, the suspended shapes shine like stars, a reminder of Sheikh Zayed’s role as a guiding light for the UAE and its people. This celestial display evokes the timelessness of Sheikh Zayed’s vision, which continues to guide the UAE along the path to progress and prosperity. The Constellation is one of the largest art installations of its kind in the world and is unique in its use of abstract portraiture on this scale. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7ed07e19-0084-4ec1-a327-b9efaef06b40/IMG_4473.jpg Blog - Splendid Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out Since all this bounty would not exist without oil, here in the heart of the city is a nod to the first oil well drilled. Abu Dabhi is the wealthiest Emirate with the bulk of the oil. It was Sheikh Zayed who had the vision to bring his neighbors together, share the wealth and create the United Arab Emirates. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b19caa05-6cc7-44fc-9586-161ccf982b1f/IMG_4430.JPG Blog - Splendid Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out With eighty-two white marbled domes, the Grand Mosque Sheikh Al Zayed is one of the largest mosques in the world. Fifty thousand devotees can pray at one time in this beautiful house of God. Constructed of marble with precious stone and gold and crowned with beautiful chandeliers artisans from around the world collaborated to create this beauty. Since there really is a lot to share and visit, I will do a separate walk through the beauty and architecture of this attraction. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d83105eb-877d-4bee-b4a1-2dd1453601dd/IMG_4629.JPG Blog - Splendid Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out The Louvre Abu Dhabi is a unique collaboration between France and UAE. At the price tag of $500 million the UAE will be able to use the Louvre name for a number of years as well as on the payment of an additional $750million have the Louvre curate a collection from the Louvre and other French museums for display here in Abu Dhabi. The architecture with its metal domes covering individual buildings (galleries) on an island is unique. I think the architecture is almost more awesome that the art itself and deserves a deeper look. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7cf8949a-760a-464e-8f82-0e05dbf5ed26/IMG_4440.JPG Blog - Splendid Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out The All Glass Leaning Tower of Abu Dhabi. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/60d6fdff-484f-4db4-babf-fad0bdf82d5c/IMG_4245.JPG Blog - Splendid Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out Brick and mortar replaced tents and desert palaces were built and the majlis under the awning shifted to richly appointed rooms. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bc740dac-d3fd-41a8-8539-92e7cb1172fc/IMG_4500.JPG Blog - Splendid Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out The most lavish of them all; the Emirati Palace Hotel. The lush opulent architecture hints at the lavish splendor of the rooms to be found. Alas you must have a room reservation or restaurant reservation to visit. I considered trying to visit there for an afternoon high tea but then passed on that for a superb massage at my hotel. I am pretty sure that I made a good trade. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a516b01e-297a-44f4-a7f2-dff076331995/IMG_4530.JPG Blog - Splendid Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out Water has an endless fascination for these desert states. These beautiful fountains in the heart of the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a247874c-7fc2-4186-b737-a7dab59cbf28/IMG_4621.JPG Blog - Splendid Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out Living close to the sea, the Emirati’s were fishermen and pearl divers before they discovered oil. A visit to the UAE would be incomplete without a nod to the traditional boats. This one is moored just outside the Louvre and provides interesting glimpses as you walk between the galleries. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/90fcc3e3-87e0-4125-b4dc-06b4a6e68e71/IMG_4238.JPG Blog - Splendid Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3ebc2554-820d-4af8-ad54-10f1681ff1f1/IMG_4482.JPG Blog - Splendid Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out The beautiful Corniche where sun, sand and sea collide to form a beautiful destination with restaurants and hotels. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c487864d-89d7-4c21-bc8b-d33ab88dac99/IMG_4338.JPG Blog - Splendid Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out As you clear security and get ready to visit the mosque itself, you’ll be walking the Tolerance path getting you in the right framework. Anecdotally tolerance is one of the abiding values of Sheikh Zayed which will account for the first synagogue in the Arab world being built right here in Abu Dhabi. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e42f08f5-1920-4998-ae5a-2d2d86a5848c/IMG_4248.JPG Blog - Splendid Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out As we made our way from Dubai towards Abu Dhabi, we stopped at the Al Ain Desert Museum and Oasis. At the Oasis we got to see a man climb up a palm tree to harvest dates in less time than it would take one of us to say Jack Robbins. Before liquid gold was found under the desert sands, the Emiratis were nomads who lived under the tents as they wandered from oasis to oasis. A typical leader’s tent set up for an evening majlis. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7daffe5a-6258-4013-b1e0-da44a749f0f2/IMG_4612.JPG Blog - Splendid Abu Dhabi - Make it stand out As you head towards the exit you’ll come across this life-like tree structure reaching out toward the sky, created by Giuseppe Penone. One of the first contemporary works commissioned for the Louvre Abu Dhabi. This bronze structure is a cast of a wild cherry tree, chosen from close to Penone’s own home near Turin. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/live-simply-care-deeply-speak-kindly-ronald-reagan monthly 0.5 2022-02-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f8095e8d-31c8-45bf-9779-f4d209fe7196/IMG_3329.jpg Blog - Live simply, care deeply, speak kindly ~ Ronald Reagan - Make it stand out The FBI exhibit takes us from Al Capone to Al Qaida and shows us behind the scenes look at the FBI. It’s fun to explore the exhibit and perhaps try your hand at the firing range and other interactive parts of the exhibit. This exhibit runs till the end of February. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/39593ed5-a3a0-4594-b320-d3155e9c446d/IMG_3326.JPG Blog - Live simply, care deeply, speak kindly ~ Ronald Reagan - Make it stand out President Reagan was a strong advocate for freedom and during his lifetime brokered the fall of the iron curtain and the fall of the Berlin Wall a piece of which is memorialized here at the library. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/87822a36-7ce1-43a4-a330-0a2b5aaf92fd/IMG_3357.jpg Blog - Live simply, care deeply, speak kindly ~ Ronald Reagan - Make it stand out A replica of the oval office and the resolute desk from his tenure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4b63d206-2346-417e-a0b8-c61569c4f433/IMG_3369.JPG Blog - Live simply, care deeply, speak kindly ~ Ronald Reagan - Make it stand out The Christmas tree exhibit featured 23 beautifully decorated trees represented the various countries that the president and first lady visited during their term in office. I chose this one to showcase because I had just visited Costa Rica and also because I really loved the colorful and distinctive decoration. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6e1e2e2d-a36e-4436-8b91-a1dcdc2d1ead/IMG_3363.JPG Blog - Live simply, care deeply, speak kindly ~ Ronald Reagan - Make it stand out Air Force One pavilion. Visitors have the opportunity to walk through this floating white house and see how business was conducted. As we walked through the back of the plane where the press corps usually travel, the guide told us that President Reagan decided that the Press Corp should pay for the privilege of riding on Airforce One. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/99653125-71f9-4d9a-919d-7aadf5cd8793/IMG_3395.JPG Blog - Live simply, care deeply, speak kindly ~ Ronald Reagan - Make it stand out Marine One https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/88d83a53-2d1d-4772-96c9-8dae4acf2aab/IMG_3344.JPG Blog - Live simply, care deeply, speak kindly ~ Ronald Reagan - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/91fbfdef-f0f5-4d38-9845-d671c36be839/IMG_3323.JPG Blog - Live simply, care deeply, speak kindly ~ Ronald Reagan - Make it stand out At the entrance to the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/74bb4a9e-c0b5-4654-a2da-d26801e444be/IMG_3398.jpg Blog - Live simply, care deeply, speak kindly ~ Ronald Reagan - Make it stand out Peace through Strength was President Reagan’s motto. He built and modernized the US military even as he brokered peace and the fall of communism. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/be2e7c79-7d3b-4bf3-bea3-abacddb08659/IMG_4936.jpg Blog - Live simply, care deeply, speak kindly ~ Ronald Reagan - Make it stand out This little church on Coldwater Canyon in Studio City which started it all. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/eb86bd18-bd1f-4858-83ea-4d1ccb125821/IMG_3340.JPG Blog - Live simply, care deeply, speak kindly ~ Ronald Reagan - Make it stand out At the entrance of the library, graced by the seal of the President of the United States in front of a portrait of the great man himself. He left office with a 68% approval rating and won his second term by a landslide a 97.8% sweep of the electoral college votes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3f6b17ab-beb4-48c0-ae37-50b9b7c4f73a/IMG_3361.jpg Blog - Live simply, care deeply, speak kindly ~ Ronald Reagan - Make it stand out A bronze of President Reagan riding his horse, a happy place for him. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/connecting-minds-creating-the-future-dubai-expo-2020 monthly 0.5 2022-01-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cd38ebe5-cc7d-4104-81bb-3a1e8004e260/IMG_3517.JPG Blog - A One-of-a-Kind Experience ~ Dubai Expo 2020 - Make it stand out Little areas for visitors to get a load off their feet, grab a bite from the food trucks or just play. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fc63c37f-cfbe-4a2c-ba9e-91072f73408a/IMG_3521.JPG Blog - A One-of-a-Kind Experience ~ Dubai Expo 2020 - Make it stand out The Baden-Württemberg House is a timber hybrid building that stands for the innovative strength of Baden-Württemberg, but also for the importance of sustainability in the region. The large staircase in front of the pavilion forms an abstract “flower meadow” creating an accommodating atmosphere with seating options and messages to be discovered. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/33ac3bbb-7204-43fb-b3cf-0a7b252c59dc/IMG_3471.JPG Blog - A One-of-a-Kind Experience ~ Dubai Expo 2020 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/470caeeb-7e7d-4db1-8bf9-59830269f479/IMG_3605.JPG Blog - A One-of-a-Kind Experience ~ Dubai Expo 2020 - Make it stand out Alif the Mobility Pavilion sets the tone for the sub-theme of its name. It’s definitely a cool place to visit and goggle at what the future holds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0ef4f1ce-dcc5-4192-83bd-f548a542b3fc/IMG_3478.jpg Blog - A One-of-a-Kind Experience ~ Dubai Expo 2020 - Make it stand out The Czech spring makes water out of air bringing the desert to life. Incredible. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ec17f4cc-7890-4cd0-bb51-a417b8f251f3/IMG_3530.JPG Blog - A One-of-a-Kind Experience ~ Dubai Expo 2020 - Make it stand out The enclosure of the pavilion was inspired by a fishing net. The intent is that the flowing nature of the shell is catching future opportunities for a new Iraq in a global development context. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b8cf4da3-871c-4a5b-af1c-dbf774d54f0b/IMG_3615.JPG Blog - A One-of-a-Kind Experience ~ Dubai Expo 2020 - Make it stand out What else would you go for but Belgian Waffles in the Belgian Pavilion. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/738b0be5-1341-46a4-8233-a213bd7d0092/IMG_3625.JPG Blog - A One-of-a-Kind Experience ~ Dubai Expo 2020 - Make it stand out There had been unseasonal rain in Dubai and while shopping and food was open the actual exhibit itself had to be closed due to water damage when I visited. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/193009f8-3260-40c5-9e42-eeaf69c277d5/IMG_3673.JPG Blog - A One-of-a-Kind Experience ~ Dubai Expo 2020 - Make it stand out Food is a key part of any wandering around the world. The Dubai Expo certainly did not lack in this area. From food courts celebrating food to restaurants located in the country pavilions, there were gastronomical delights to delight various palates and purses. I was particularly struck with America’s contribution to the gastronomical stage. Trust me it was quite popular and no, I did not indulge in pizza. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c010c9b5-787d-472b-9e8d-d12ef7f5466b/IMG_3542.JPG Blog - A One-of-a-Kind Experience ~ Dubai Expo 2020 - Make it stand out Commemorative benches and calligraphy to mark the occasion. There is a passport that is issued at the Expo, and you can collect stamps from every country pavilion that you visit. I barely scratched the surface. One of the challenges is that while I was aware of the smart queues that are kind of front of the line passes, many countries and pavilions that I wanted to explore could not be scheduled on the days that I could visit, and the lines were too long for me to make the effort to stand in line for entrance with the limited time I had at the Expo. I am happy I made the effort to make my way there despite the fears of omicron. My eyes are opened to possibilities and no doubt we’ll see some of these innovations become a part of the world we live in as the world turns. To really do it justice and experience and explore everything one needs to stay near the expo grounds and spend a month or so exploring. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a5ac36d9-5c71-4dee-8bc7-132bead24b09/IMG_3659.JPG Blog - A One-of-a-Kind Experience ~ Dubai Expo 2020 - Make it stand out A bird’s eye view of the Expo from the Garden in the Sky observation tower. It provides a view of the giant Al Wasl Dome, a 360 degrees projection dome connecting the three thematic districts Sustainability, Mobility, and Opportunity. It has been referred to as the beating heart of the Expo and will continue to provide entertainment for visitors even after the Expo is done. Imagine embarking on a journey where you can visit 192 different countries, and explore their history, culture, and food in a single location using your feet and perhaps a golf cart or two as you cross borders. Imagine a spirit of global cooperation where all these countries connect with a single goal to innovate a better future with autonomous vehicles, robotics, augmented reality and space explorations to benefit the globe and the world we live in. Imagine robots going down the streets taking food orders and making food deliveries. Time travelers, experience this reality in Dubai at the Expo 2020. Take a quick tour with me as we wander through what I saw and did while at the Expo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/da8205a4-3eab-4f72-a51f-240ede8f27a2/IMG_3476.JPG Blog - A One-of-a-Kind Experience ~ Dubai Expo 2020 - Make it stand out Several hotels including mine ran a free shuttle which took us to the Expo grounds about an hour’s shuttle ride from central Dubai. We entered from the Sustainability gate. Vaccination cards were checked at the entrance, alternatively a current PCR test was required for non-vaccinated visitors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9a469edf-b042-4c59-b293-a47544054500/IMG_3683.JPG Blog - A One-of-a-Kind Experience ~ Dubai Expo 2020 - Make it stand out The Indian Pavilion celebrates India’s many innovations in space, wellness, industry and cultural diversity but I was particularly struck by this entire section on the handicrafts of Kashmir. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/49d1314b-7591-4f22-8ca2-d7e20e33f368/IMG_3540.JPG Blog - A One-of-a-Kind Experience ~ Dubai Expo 2020 - Make it stand out In much the same way as the Crystal Palace was the centerpiece for the first expo held in London, the Al Wasl Dome and Plaza is the centerpiece for the first world exp held in this part of the world. The name Al Wasl means ‘connection’ in Arabic, and hence, Al Wasl Plaza has been designed to work as the central core of the entire Expo 2020 site, connecting the three Thematic Districts, and providing a focal point for visitors throughout the six-month event. The Plaza has been designed to form a grand ‘urban room’, a meeting place that creates a shaded microclimate unlike anywhere else in Dubai. The plaza, which is topped by a unique and iconic dome, has been designed by US-based firm, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture. The raw steel for the trellis was sourced from the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland, and the steel was shaped into its flowing curves by companies from Belgium, Germany and Spain before being molded into its intricate latticing in Italy, a true example of global cooperation. I did not get the memo that this should be my starting point, so I turned left from the gate and explored the Mobility district first. and then zig zagged my way a bit, taking golf cart taxis and people movers to get me from place to place and conserving some of my energies. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b59bcd96-fc96-4002-8dc2-ea4c6c9423f3/IMG_3515.JPG Blog - A One-of-a-Kind Experience ~ Dubai Expo 2020 - Make it stand out UK’s contribution to Expo 2020 is a wooden sculptural structure that uses advanced machine learning algorithms to transform the input of visitors into collective poems that are displayed on the blocks on the structure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b4a62266-1299-42f0-8436-32616e877812/IMG_3670.JPG Blog - A One-of-a-Kind Experience ~ Dubai Expo 2020 - Make it stand out From an ancient heritage to a sustainable future, Cambodia is still on my bucket list. Someday! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f96a46da-1935-4e90-84c2-32f1e4407dd5/IMG_3495.JPG Blog - A One-of-a-Kind Experience ~ Dubai Expo 2020 - Make it stand out The U.S.A. Pavilion celebrates the American spirit of creativity and invention that has driven America to create the future we live in today: “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of the Future”. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/63a3b2be-ee62-48f7-b7f5-961ea62399fe/IMG_3662.JPG Blog - A One-of-a-Kind Experience ~ Dubai Expo 2020 - Make it stand out The Korea pavilion is huge and stands out not just because of its size but also because of the 1597 spinning cubes. “Spinning expresses Korea’s dynamism. In our world, everything alive spins — galaxies spin and even our DNA spins.” in the words of one of the architects of the pavilion. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/flower-fantasy-dubai-miracle-gardens monthly 0.5 2022-01-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/de37d2a5-e2ad-4b49-b0a7-337718b4614f/IMG_4016.JPG Blog - Flower Fantasy - Dubai Miracle Gardens - Make it stand out Definitely stepped through the rabbit hole just in time to join Alice and her friends for a tea party in wonderland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dbf8b281-85cf-4f6b-b417-ccc83b0087e8/IMG_4039.JPG Blog - Flower Fantasy - Dubai Miracle Gardens - Make it stand out Sleeping Beauty’s fairy tale castle perhaps it’s the Disney castle. Anyhow the path is strewn with flowers instead of being blocked by thorns. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/667562b2-f911-4875-8fc3-0ad1316baba4/IMG_4077.JPG Blog - Flower Fantasy - Dubai Miracle Gardens - Make it stand out Wow! Kangaroos have made their way here to roost under the umbrella covered walk way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0fd04f9c-45d2-4e29-9b60-5606c4356bc8/IMG_4081.JPG Blog - Flower Fantasy - Dubai Miracle Gardens - Make it stand out A giant butterfly, a cross between a topiary and a flower sculpture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0c211736-888f-4397-bcb8-355211f64452/IMG_4008.JPG Blog - Flower Fantasy - Dubai Miracle Gardens - Make it stand out The giant floral clock with houses built around it. For me this was the snow white and the seven dwarfs even though there were Smurfs instead of dwarfs and I guess it’s intended to be a Smurf village. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1642714772498-LKBQ9Q1E9DW1PP5FBWNT/IMG_4001.JPG Blog - Flower Fantasy - Dubai Miracle Gardens - Make it stand out Near another entrance to the garden. Is that a toothbrush holder? ready for a palate cleanser? As I’m aging and perhaps after the drought of 2020, I find that I have a better appreciation of just being out and about and alive to enjoy the beauty around me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2603aeb3-2f11-466b-bc38-4364e32a5184/IMG_4027.JPG Blog - Flower Fantasy - Dubai Miracle Gardens - Make it stand out Luxury accommodations. peacocks were dancing with flower bedecked tails displayed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2c49aff6-bf11-4b4b-9093-2e5fb9626300/IMG_4056.JPG Blog - Flower Fantasy - Dubai Miracle Gardens - Make it stand out Teddy bears, twirling princesses, unicorns, and flowering palm trees in the background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/52a151f0-47b9-408f-a9e8-d02b95dfb9f7/IMG_4063.JPG Blog - Flower Fantasy - Dubai Miracle Gardens - Make it stand out For a book lover like me this display spoke to me. I let my imagination have free rein as though I was stepping into the pages of some of my favorite childhood fantasies as I walked through the garden. My spin on the floral sculptures is possibly completely different from what the architect might have intended but it’s my spin that I’m sharing with you. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ebe1615e-975a-49e9-aca6-7e7559b946ea/IMG_4085.JPG Blog - Flower Fantasy - Dubai Miracle Gardens - Make it stand out Bringing in a jungle theme with elephants bathing in a pool lined with flowers and playfully spraying water through their trunks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a9574bf2-3987-48db-9488-f6fcf51ce431/IMG_4051.JPG Blog - Flower Fantasy - Dubai Miracle Gardens - Make it stand out A Floating Lady. Not sure what she’s supposed to represent but could be sleeping beauty floating in the air or Snow White in her poisoned sleep or just simply a floating lady… https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bf11c182-f9c4-4a62-ad9f-adc4f44ba003/IMG_4006.JPG Blog - Flower Fantasy - Dubai Miracle Gardens - Make it stand out The Emirates A380 sculpture is the largest flower sculpture in the world and has a Guinness world record to its credit. The floral theme is almost 260 feet long and displays 5 million flowers at the peak of the blooming season. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0180e790-5a05-4e72-bed9-8fead4c601d9/IMG_4055.JPG Blog - Flower Fantasy - Dubai Miracle Gardens - Make it stand out A genie leaning against the castle ready to grant three wishes. The first of course being this beautiful flower filled oasis in the midst of the desert. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1642715198654-LL2WPZTM7B97BHSGDIP4/IMG_4092.JPG Blog - Flower Fantasy - Dubai Miracle Gardens - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/dubai-city-of-glitz-and-glamor monthly 0.5 2022-01-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/54e50a5c-6c5e-429b-8f08-9ce6c4084f88/IMG_3659.JPG Blog - Dubai City of Glitz and Glamor - Make it stand out A birds eye view from the garden in the sky which is a revolving observation platform. My favorite at the expo was this oasis of water fountains in the center where children frolicked in the water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/725091e6-af1c-4a0a-8c9a-3656e738a1c2/26269111.jpg Blog - Dubai City of Glitz and Glamor - Make it stand out At the Top Of Burj Khalifa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/750a9070-6b32-4e43-b610-b9e5f3461a57/IMG_4065.JPG Blog - Dubai City of Glitz and Glamor - Make it stand out The Dubai Miracle Garden opens every season at the onset of cool weather. With more than 150 million flowers in bloom this destination is a whimsical, fragrant treat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/235cdc8d-35fb-46b9-b2a8-f56c04749c32/IMG_3898.JPG Blog - Dubai City of Glitz and Glamor - Make it stand out A traditional Emirati meal that I was surprised to learn is heavily influenced by Indian food since the main course was a biryani that uses Basmati rice from India. We enjoyed lunch and conversation with an Emirati lady who was our host for the afternoon. Of course, we were reminded that 65% of the population of Dubai is composed of Indians and Pakistanis, Urdu is one of the top 3 languages spoken here and 99% of all food and vegetables are imported here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/97c2520f-eff5-4310-b645-b752702aad3d/IMG_3872.JPG Blog - Dubai City of Glitz and Glamor - Make it stand out The gold souq with it’s dazzling array of jewelry where our group spent several happy hours looking for unique pieces. Gold ornaments originated in India and most of the shops in the souq are run by Indian shop keepers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a8cc397f-3a63-483e-a903-727a4aa0b166/IMG_3825.JPG Blog - Dubai City of Glitz and Glamor - Make it stand out The journey to old Dubai or Dubai Deira began for me in an Abra or water taxi that our group used to cross the creek. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0086db2a-ae4e-4388-8106-76e4ac7a965a/IMG_3859.jpg Blog - Dubai City of Glitz and Glamor - Make it stand out Transformation. In their attempt to sell their wares in the fabric souq the shop keepers urge you to try their wares and do a great job of demonstrating. How can you resist the purchase when you are transformed in a matter of moments into something beautiful and alluring not to say there wasn’t beauty to start with. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/27cef2b3-e31c-4fd1-8500-39b58091a442/IMG_3860.JPG Blog - Dubai City of Glitz and Glamor - Make it stand out As though crossing the creek was a rite of passage we moved from the new and modern into a maze of alleys and traditional souqs. Starting at the spice market, we got an education on the various spices and their use, plus some tasting of camel milk chocolates and saffron spiced tea. We also got to see frankincense, one of the gifts the magi brought when they came to see the Christ child in the manger. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1947809f-5961-45ab-b5ae-0b349b8c6e8a/IMG_3953.jpg Blog - Dubai City of Glitz and Glamor - Make it stand out Dinner at The Time Out Market at the Dubai Mall with it’s balcony overlooking the phenomenal Dubai Fountain show. The outstanding laser and light show that we were treated to was apparently a lingering effect of the New Year’s show but no complaints from us as we sat and enjoyed multiple performances while enjoying our dinner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f2712051-3c64-4375-8757-0d1536460c85/IMG_4191.JPG Blog - Dubai City of Glitz and Glamor - Make it stand out Shop and taste your way around the world at the Global Village where the statue of liberty sits cheek by jowl with a double decker London bus, the Eiffel tower and the Colosseum. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bfd0870e-6c0a-4dd2-b85c-6dc9f07295ab/IMG_3580.JPG Blog - Dubai City of Glitz and Glamor - Make it stand out Around the world at the World Expo 2020 at Dubai. Each country who has hosted a world expo can be found on the big top. Travel around all the world expos at the speed of a spin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/87f0bc02-2af6-4e9b-8978-6b6dfed9c295/IMG_3818.JPG Blog - Dubai City of Glitz and Glamor - Make it stand out Dubbed as one of the most advanced buildings in the world, this curvaceous structure by Killa designs has taken inspiration from the construction techniques of the aviation industry using joint-free stainless steel and fiberglass panels to create a smooth elliptical shape. The eye-catching oval is inscribed with Arabic calligraphy. I was once presented a paper weight with an inscription and a quote which sits on my desk and very much resembles this building. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4878ba91-dd83-4856-9747-7bf7b1627785/IMG_3865.JPG Blog - Dubai City of Glitz and Glamor - Make it stand out Camel milk gelato? actually it tastes pretty good. I love doing gelato for lunch when I’m on a trip and I was happy to keep my tradition today. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/26e5ed35-ebd9-491c-a606-faebfcfa73f1/IMG_3716.JPG Blog - Dubai City of Glitz and Glamor - Make it stand out In 2001, there was nothing off the coast of Dubai but warm, shallow gulf water. Then Nakheel, a local real estate conglomerate, dredged 3 billion cubic feet of sand from the seafloor and used GPS precision to shape it a 17-fronded palm tree. Seven million tons of mountain rock was piled around the island to form a crescent-shaped breakwater seven miles long, designed to protect the newborn island from waves and storms. The Palm Islands are artificial islands that add hundreds of miles of coastline to Dubai. Each frond of the palm is home to oceanfront villas, hotels, stores and condominiums that offer varying levels of privacy at different price points to a host of investors and residents. The aerial tramway cuts across the trunk of the palm ending at the magnificent Atlantis hotel. The hotel is not open to casual visitors at this time so we did not go inside though I do have fond memories of the Chihuly sculpture in the entryway. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d2c93d62-9631-46a9-a17a-4c969d3168db/IMG_3993.jpg Blog - Dubai City of Glitz and Glamor - Make it stand out The Dubai Frame glitters in the sunlight as though made from gold. Dubbed the largest picture frame in the world at 492-feet-high and 344-feet-wide, the gold structure opened in January 2018, offering visitors 360-degree views from the glass-bottomed bridge that spans the top of the frame. In the north of the city, Old Dubai is a maze of alleyways, lively souks and centuries-old fortresses. To the south, the Downtown Dubai skyline looks to have been plucked straight from the script for “Blade Runner.” Perfectly positioned between the two, the Dubai Frame in Zabeel Park captures that juxtaposition, presenting scenes of the “old” from one side, and the “new” from the other. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/wild-wild-west monthly 0.5 2022-01-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e2ab0303-c615-4f40-82b0-d96de529982b/IMG_9774.jpg Blog - The American Wild West - Make it stand out I had been hoping to catch me a glimpse of some cowboys herding cattle. While we saw a lot of cattle grazing along the way, we didn’t really see very many cowboys riding on horses. A modern ranch glimpsed as we were driving along the road. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2c93bc42-977e-4de5-ba6d-1c7376e53003/IMG_9988+%282%29.jpg Blog - The American Wild West - Make it stand out We got to see cattle, elk, turkeys, moose. I’ll have to do a separate post on all the animals we were privileged to see on this journey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a48e2e38-8c41-49a5-af8b-3e8b8fc192cc/IMG_9968+%282%29.jpg Blog - The American Wild West - Make it stand out A street corner in Rapid City South Dakota. The street corners have lovely metal sculptures of American presidents and famous Native American chieftains. This one particularly caught my eye because of the tenderness between the old grandmother and young girl. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/59dba462-913a-48a2-8b13-d4b52ac635ba/IMG_9915.jpg Blog - The American Wild West - Make it stand out The historic hotel, shops, casinos and events bring alive the wild west in this corner of South Dakota. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a90ab7f4-19a4-4929-a7e6-a3e5da366a79/IMG_9864+%282%29.jpg Blog - The American Wild West - Make it stand out Who hasn’t heard about the Sundance film festival? the independent modern film festival that seeks out and promotes talent for the motion picture industry. This location close to Devil’s Tower is the true Sundance where the braves performed the coming-of-age sun dances. My mind was churning with vision quests and tepees with smoke and other accoutrements that these brave young boys experienced as they transitioned from boys to men. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2ba4b505-56eb-4272-aa1d-d01f280dc036/IMG_9751+%282%29.jpg Blog - The American Wild West - Make it stand out Buffalo Bill Center in Cody https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1060f02c-74e4-4331-a4c9-2422950cd0c6/IMG_9738.jpg Blog - The American Wild West - Make it stand out Cody, Wyoming, the Buffalo Bill Center and the wonderful museums located here. Certainly, gave me an opportunity to refresh my memory on characters such as Buffalo Bill, Calamity Jane and also the fabulous native American museum which brings alive the stories of the native Americans along with some of their arts and crafts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1233dfb7-b8df-47b6-96bc-7e8d52fbb84b/IMG_9929+%282%29.jpg Blog - The American Wild West - Make it stand out Deadwood, South Dakota is one of the best-preserved western towns today. The Cemetry located up on the hill is a who’s who of names made famous through movies and books. The town is dedicated the poker hand that Wild Bill Hickock was holding when he had his last gun battle. We did an interesting school bus tour of the town and the cemetery with a guy who should have been a standup comedian. No topic was sacred, and he had us in splits as we traversed through the town of Deadwood. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9e166167-b949-41ca-b07b-a837a27bde9e/IMG_0038+%282%29.jpg Blog - The American Wild West - Make it stand out Amongst other things we got to experience a chuck wagon dinner with country western singers. Once a quick grace was said we chowed down on burgers and steaks and had ourselves a jolly good time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ca33d40f-da84-4622-ab21-c1120cfc3e63/IMG_9679.jpg Blog - The American Wild West - Make it stand out At this rest stop on the trail I knew I had left California far behind. For some reason this life like replica of an American Indian made me think of the series of books “Indian in a cupboard”. I have to confess I don’t remember the stories themselves and have made a promise to go back and reread these books again. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4d4134d7-df46-4221-b75c-64c289688e02/IMG_9886+%282%29.jpg Blog - The American Wild West - Make it stand out We stayed the night in Spearfish Canyon and enjoyed menu items such as venison and bison at dinner. The lobby of the hotel that we stayed at was decorated in a very Western motif. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/14cdde92-581d-46fe-aaba-be83035e98b9/IMG_9816+%282%29.jpg Blog - The American Wild West - Make it stand out Part of our trip included a night at a dude ranch in Ucross and a trail ride int the morning before we set off. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e8f88b4e-7c1d-452e-a4ed-88f883078a90/IMG_9794+%283%29.jpg Blog - The American Wild West - Make it stand out The battle of Bighorn or Custer’s last stand or the battle of the greasy grass. Can you imagine the Indian tribes gathering here, angry about the broken promises of the US Government and fearful of changing their way of life. Even as I relived scenes from some of the movies I’ve seen or books I’ve read, my imagination was fired with the native Americans who owned this land, hunted buffalo and rode free with their families. The American Wild West might not be so lawless anymore and fast draw might be left for Hollywood, but I truly enjoyed traveling along these parts of the country that I had never visited before and letting my imagination take flight. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9787f7ae-0a9d-4eec-bae2-98d1a51fbbe9/IMG_0032+%282%29.jpg Blog - The American Wild West - Make it stand out These are the hills and waters where gold was discovered. Gold that created greed such that the United States of America broke the treaty that they had signed with the native American Tribes of the region. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3869c26f-7332-42ed-b85f-5ad74347c525/IMG_9809+%282%29.jpg Blog - The American Wild West - Make it stand out After a gourmet dinner we were treated to smores, singalongs and a fire brought the night alive and fired the imagination. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/the-california-mission-story monthly 0.5 2021-12-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b45b1dab-9ae8-41b8-b22e-ff722514a4a8/IMG_7711.jpg Blog - The California Mission Trail ~ Part 1 - Make it stand out There was a market in the parking lot and preparation for an event in the grounds surrounding the vineyard. I enjoyed my time exploring the neighborhood and restaurants that are all architected in the mission motif and theme. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632773562129-VQXLI4BYDPO277R4OJCG/IMG_7726.jpg Blog - The California Mission Trail ~ Part 1 - Make it stand out San Gabriel Arcangel Once the most prosperous of the California missions, it now stands quietly and all but forgotten off a remnant of Route 66 east of Los Angeles. This fortress-like mission boasted a 170-acre vineyard, the largest in the mission chain. Its campanario holds six bells, the oldest cast in 1795. It is currently under renovation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632773701748-FXIVEMEID6K4T4UHATUO/IMG_7295.jpg Blog - The California Mission Trail ~ Part 1 - Make it stand out The altar inside the church is grand, beautifully gilded. A marriage service had just concluded when I visited. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632773088812-7GLIRG44AI0HZ122BMCF/IMG_8851.jpg Blog - The California Mission Trail ~ Part 1 - Make it stand out Still focused on painted and carved wooden frescoes the church as Mission San Luis Rey is beautiful and still an active working church in the community. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632774594913-OSBF6PTMBL687SMYW50I/IMG_7298.jpg Blog - The California Mission Trail ~ Part 1 - Make it stand out Bob Hope’s grave inside the mission grounds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632773636813-RPAR408A42U9GNTNEBE0/IMG_7289.jpg Blog - The California Mission Trail ~ Part 1 - Make it stand out Closer to home the Mission San Fernando. From the outside it seems the simplest of the missions that I visited this past Summer, but the inside was a revelation. Carefully tended buildings and grounds include a convent, winery, gardens, and colonnade with 20 arches. Actor Bob Hope and other L.A. notables are buried in the cemetery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/be709b19-1fb6-4fe2-98b7-45b2c2a11712/IMG_7202.jpg Blog - The California Mission Trail ~ Part 1 - Make it stand out Ventura Mission. A hand-built masonry aqueduct brought water seven miles from the Ventura River to “The Mission by the Sea.” At its most prosperous, this small mission had a herd of more than 41,000 livestock. While the neighborhood around is deteriorating, and the inside was closed when I got there the mission itself is one of the most beautiful from the outside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632774710358-AVNKO0UNKMH9Q1YV7ABH/IMG_8912.jpg Blog - The California Mission Trail ~ Part 1 - Make it stand out The missions are characterized by traditional Spanish architecture consists of central courtyards and plants both imported from Europe as well as the indigenous plants local to this area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f732f606-dc90-4f98-8d67-50d027788526/IMG_8907.jpg Blog - The California Mission Trail ~ Part 1 - Make it stand out Church at Mission San Diego is still open for services. We visited on a Sunday and managed to get in between the first and second morning mass. As you travel along the coast, the church itself evolves from simple wood carvings to more ornate gold and silver altars reminiscent of churches in Spain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632769825909-PL73WXE8IZM0MAM4ZQN5/IMG_8903.jpg Blog - The California Mission Trail ~ Part 1 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c38d765a-cbf0-4699-b82c-e06d9d89adb7/IMG_7227.jpg Blog - The California Mission Trail ~ Part 1 - Make it stand out The El Camino Real started as a dirt foot and horse path between the missions. A commonly held "fact" is that the missions were built one day's walk from each other. A few are that close together, but most aren't. The Franciscan friars and the Spanish soldiers who first traversed this highway marked the road by carving crosses in large trees. Today, The El Camino Real bells mark the route of the mission trail. The idea of marking the highway started with Miss Anna Pitcher in 1892 and was eventually made a reality by Mrs. A.S.C. Forbes of the California Federation of Women's Clubs beginning in 1906. Today, the California Department of Transportation maintains the bells. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632774448193-ZTYFR7SVY47TUEILPKD5/IMG_8867.jpg Blog - The California Mission Trail ~ Part 1 - Make it stand out The Gardens at San Luis Rey in Oceanside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632773015886-AH8YGHI1FCYDMVE0RKYP/IMG_8880.jpg Blog - The California Mission Trail ~ Part 1 - Make it stand out Known as “King of the Missions,” San Luis Rey is set within a six-acre central square and marked by an octagonal dome atop the building. A massive lavandería, or open-air laundry, is now an ornate sunken garden where people come for bridal photo shoots. California’s first pepper tree, planted in 1830, grows in the mission’s plaza. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632775707693-XWSV3Y0DY6ZEGR7TOFKN/IMG_8904.jpg Blog - The California Mission Trail ~ Part 1 - Make it stand out San Diego occupies a unique place in California’s history, as the site of the first of the California missions as well as one of the four Spanish presidios. Chosen for its excellent harbor, San Diego provided a ready gateway for the Spanish in their attempt to colonize this part of the Americas. The mission, which was originally built adjacent to the Presidio, was moved 6 miles in 1774, to free the padres from the unsavory influence of the soldiers. In 1776, the mission was attacked by hundreds of Indians who were angered by the Spaniards growing influence. Three of the Spaniards were killed, but the Indians were driven off by the better armed defenders. The soldiers stationed at the Presidio slept through the attack. At its peak in 1824, the mission had 1,829 neophytes, and a herd of more than 9,000 cattle, and 19,000 sheep. In addition, it produced wheat, barley, corn, beans, peas, and lentils. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632774237183-W6V2FQWUYGMPKKAPEVYZ/IMG_2817.jpg Blog - The California Mission Trail ~ Part 1 - Make it stand out The domes are becoming more prominent, the parish is richer, the church is starting to include precious metals for the altar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632774188442-XJG4ZUPLFPCL3O8LH1EM/IMG_2822.jpg Blog - The California Mission Trail ~ Part 1 - Make it stand out Every March, town of San Juan Capistrano welcomes the return of the migrating swallows that spend most of the year here at the mission before flying the 6000 miles to winter in Argentina. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/happy-holidays monthly 0.5 2021-12-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4ffe8a0e-6732-4313-8f13-96f9587fd360/IMG_3252.jpg Blog - Happy Holidays! - Make it stand out Not quite the skating rink at the famed Rockefeller center but Kids Space in Pasadena had set up a sock skating rink as a part of their winter celebration event for kids. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4f04b77d-e054-405c-9c23-c2d25744762f/IMG_1612.jpg Blog - Happy Holidays! - Make it stand out The Grove was ready for the holiday season all the way back in November when I visited on a sunshiny warm day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/acf11a8c-a60d-456b-b054-922ad5a8d4b7/IMG_3134.jpg Blog - Happy Holidays! - Make it stand out Just a regular street in Glendale, blocked off to through traffic with a beautifully decorated tree and some chairs and tables for people to bring coffee or a lunch and enjoy the ambiance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5488d2e9-534c-4aa5-95e3-27313796f314/IMG_3236.jpg Blog - Happy Holidays! - Make it stand out Santa’s village complete with a post office, Santa’s house, Reindeer train and workshops. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/939006f3-38a8-4a67-b703-bdba921c2432/IMG_3182.jpg Blog - Happy Holidays! - Make it stand out Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive all dressed up for the season. On a clear cold December night, we wandered enjoying the shop windows, the lights and the whimsical displays in the middle of the street. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/44a4ed88-3a4b-46d3-aa62-51f7397b64e2/IMG_3104.jpg Blog - Happy Holidays! - Make it stand out Beautiful and bright, the American in Glendale. The fountain danced to the music of the Christmas carols as people wandered shopping, lunching and enjoying the sunshine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7e88d3a5-2690-4bd9-a10f-22b6170ffcda/IMG_3147.jpg Blog - Happy Holidays! - Make it stand out Beverly Hills Park all dressed up for Christmas. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c24d9227-37c6-4d12-a1b5-f71fca8b58c3/IMG_3238.jpg Blog - Happy Holidays! - Make it stand out Let it snow! Let it snow! The Westfield Century City had a beautiful display in the center of the mall complete with Santa’s village, Reindeer Express and Snowflakes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fb158e48-2e73-4a25-b20c-ce71bb27c4ed/IMG_3149.jpg Blog - Happy Holidays! - Make it stand out Auld Land Syne. Happy Holidays, Peace on earth, Good Health and may this tough time pass soon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d3beb85f-ddbf-4b9c-9ead-0c24a94310f5/IMG_3217.jpg Blog - Happy Holidays! - Make it stand out Rodeo Drive, California. Traditional and beautiful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bfbaa198-ed20-4c54-807c-02324c24ecd9/IMG_3245.jpg Blog - Happy Holidays! - Make it stand out Santa waiting in his sleigh for the children to stop by with their wish list and to take pictures with him. I could imagine a young red headed Dennis telling Santa how he’s been really, really nice it’s just been his red hair that’s gotten him into trouble. My grandson Shaan after much reflection sat on Santa’s lap and asked for Dodger tickets. I love that confidence and the ask. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7b871bb0-0bbc-4357-a8db-b464e41d92a8/IMG_3202.jpg Blog - Happy Holidays! - Make it stand out Beautiful Light Display and changing shopping windows kept passersby enthralled. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c7c241ba-4e7e-4ab3-82cc-75b0e504851a/IMG_3190.jpg Blog - Happy Holidays! - Make it stand out New York 5th Avenue is famous for its holiday windows but the shops on Rodeo Drive can certainly hold their own. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/47cde3c9-4b1b-444f-b2bc-4a9e348107b2/IMG_3157.jpg Blog - Happy Holidays! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/surf-and-sand-hasta-la-vista-costa-rica monthly 0.5 2021-12-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cab9cd97-2a27-4dfe-b6e8-2efa64968cb6/IMG_2871.jpg Blog - Surf and Sand ~ Hasta La Vista Costa Rica - Make it stand out As I chatted with the masseuse telling her that I was happy at all the wild life we saw but missed the abundance that I expected when she pointed out and this Iguana was striding majestically along the grassy verge close to where the massage stations for the resort were set up. Only in Costa Rica! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/99423282-6777-4bac-87ca-665725520770/IMG_2813.jpg Blog - Surf and Sand ~ Hasta La Vista Costa Rica - Make it stand out Holding my complimentary welcome drink voucher, I found a table at the very edge of the resort property separated from the beach by a low wall. I had a ball people watching and soaking in the atmosphere in the best position to enjoy the spectacular sunset that followed. Several members of our group stopped by my table at various intervals through the evening for a chat, a drink or a snack. What a great way to relax and unwind after a long day traveling. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/94912043-9674-4d3b-9358-778ba0727a15/IMG_2867.jpg Blog - Surf and Sand ~ Hasta La Vista Costa Rica - Make it stand out Then came this beautiful squirrel chattering furiously and quickly climbing up the tree along the path to get out of my way. I had just finished telling the masseuse that while we had seen many different species of animals some of them had been far and away in trees. She did invite me to come visit her and take pictures of the howler monkeys who haunted her backyard but due to lack of time I had to decline her generous invitation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/64fa30fe-42f3-4cb0-bb74-799446bf8ae2/IMG_2844.jpg Blog - Surf and Sand ~ Hasta La Vista Costa Rica - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9bb0fe4f-fc42-4ade-b41b-4cb3197adbfb/IMG_2786.jpg Blog - Surf and Sand ~ Hasta La Vista Costa Rica - Make it stand out As we drove across the country, we made a pit stop at a local bakery and found these scarlet macaws in the trees. The first one was a bit high a guy with a sophisticated camera commiserated with me about my iPhone 13. While that picture did not come out the best mostly because there was a wall between me and the tree but this other macaw was just waiting for me to walk up and take his picture. My iPhone camera did just fine, thank you very much. We were here during what is called the transition time where the weather is moving towards the dry. We were also incredibly lucky to have almost no rain at all during our visit. We were told by one of the locals that if we truly want to see abundant wild life then we need to brave the rain and come in September. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4a6540c0-7653-4ef6-a687-b638e095ca6f/IMG_2998.jpg Blog - Surf and Sand ~ Hasta La Vista Costa Rica - Make it stand out The National Park houses the national monument which celebrates Costa Rica’s victory over William Walker and the Filibusters. In the park near the statue was this evolution of man statue that I found quite fascinating and different. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/697c2461-7b62-41e2-b169-411106bc4094/imagejpeg_0.jpg Blog - Surf and Sand ~ Hasta La Vista Costa Rica - Make it stand out Horse riding on the beach? this family seems to be having a great time, splashing in the shallows and looking at the incredible views. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e0cb2024-74b1-4260-9dc1-2951188d926e/IMG_2877.jpg Blog - Surf and Sand ~ Hasta La Vista Costa Rica - Make it stand out I was tempted by the massage tables set up on the beach but chose instead to use the massage offered by the resort which was also outdoors in sight of the surf and sand but slightly more private. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e9380e73-9629-442e-97f8-80fca5c19659/IMG_2832.jpg Blog - Surf and Sand ~ Hasta La Vista Costa Rica - Make it stand out There was a group that was taking a surfing lesson. They carried their surf boards into the water, boys and girls and then they practiced riding the waves into the shore. It was almost mesmerizing to see how each one fared and celebrating with the ones that were able to stand on the surf board and fly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/752fd674-2c19-4a0c-9f22-73cf2f325aa4/IMG_2941.jpg Blog - Surf and Sand ~ Hasta La Vista Costa Rica - Make it stand out Driving back along the ocean heading into San Jose for our final evening we saw the locals enjoying their casual accommodations and barbeques on the beach. The local farmers brought their produce and sold them from roadside stalls. They had refrigeration units where they cooled fruit and I got to enjoy fresh coconut water. My companion had never tasted fresh coconut water before; I might have a new convert. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4e0e92bc-e69e-42fc-bc3e-bb06b52c5228/IMG_2976.jpg Blog - Surf and Sand ~ Hasta La Vista Costa Rica - Make it stand out The wings of Angel, exhibit in a park in San Jose. In the background is the open-air amphitheater where locals come to perform and showcase their talents. It’s been an incredible 12 days in Costa Rica. Sorry to have to say Good bye but all good things must come to an end. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dd4acbc0-809a-42f0-8746-f01664013aff/IMG_2834.jpg Blog - Surf and Sand ~ Hasta La Vista Costa Rica - Make it stand out Birds were twittering, monkeys were chattering and there were hawkers trying to sell all manner of goods to the people on the beach and the people like us seated close to the beachfront. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a7b40c31-89e9-460f-b447-6819e55aead0/IMG_2958.jpg Blog - Surf and Sand ~ Hasta La Vista Costa Rica - Make it stand out In San Jose we did a walking tour to explore what the city has to offer. The fabulous Teatro Nacionales that was first opened in 1897. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8e55098a-288d-4b7c-b67b-9c4e49723eef/IMG_2970.jpg Blog - Surf and Sand ~ Hasta La Vista Costa Rica - Make it stand out The Gold Museum with the beautiful gold ornaments and pre-Columbian artifacts. The most moving thing I found here is the film made by the local indigenous people that talks about protecting and nurturing the environment. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/adrenaline-coffee-beer-cloud-forest-costa-rica monthly 0.5 2021-12-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c2fef64e-3164-4df5-80d1-1412ab98a685/IMG_2643.jpg Blog - In The Cloud Forest Monteverde,Costa Rica - Make it stand out Microbrews are becoming very popular in Costa Rica particularly with the younger crowd. Fresh water in the mountain is a key ingredient in this region that makes good beer. Teamed with the farms and a farm to table dining option it’s a win: win. I am not a beer drinker but decided that I wanted to be better educated. The owner offered me a specialty beer that he insisted was very light and refreshing. I took one sip and confirmed that beer is just the drink for for me. We had a few tense moments when I interrupted our good host when he talked about India being a colony of the British letting him know that India has been independent since 1947. However he forgave me for not liking beer and brought me a delicious glass of Sangria to accompany my delicious meal while the rest of my companions tasted the beer offerings and drank my share as well as their own. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b140a9cb-b517-4baa-9b7b-237b8da79da9/IMG_2603.jpg Blog - In The Cloud Forest Monteverde,Costa Rica - Make it stand out Homes are primarily made with tin roofs and white washed painted walls or all tin. Set amongst the abundant natural vegetation, the outside of many homes is painted with colorful murals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9c5382b6-d037-4e30-abc2-984fc7b6fec9/IMG_2579.jpg Blog - In The Cloud Forest Monteverde,Costa Rica - Make it stand out On our way through the winding mountain roads we had to cross the “Oh My God” bridge. The bridge is narrow with barely inches to spare on either side of the coach. The driver had to align it just so to fit so we could cross. It doesn’t help that the approach road is winding and a lot of manipulation is needed to align the coach correctly. The highlight of this was when the driver found trees obstructing the road. To our amusement, he pulled out a ladder and machete and proceed to cut down what needed to be removed in order for him to adjust his coach fort he crossing. “Oh My God”!! I totally understand how the bridge got it’s name. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1ab9de49-234c-4516-b407-44d173ae8925/IMG_2743.jpg Blog - In The Cloud Forest Monteverde,Costa Rica - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/54fb678a-ebef-4257-b8e8-1ce7f0020622/IMG_2749.jpg Blog - In The Cloud Forest Monteverde,Costa Rica - Make it stand out Our first view of the Gulf of Nicoya and the Pacific Ocean as we headed out from Monteverde to our beach resort for our final few days in the country. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ffa5055a-1b61-4a65-953f-0cd56635eef8/IMG_2729.jpg Blog - In The Cloud Forest Monteverde,Costa Rica - Make it stand out I’m not sure if it was the weather, or the clouds or just because but the sunsets were absolutely spectacular. I walked a little way along the path to see if I could get past the trees but this is the best I could capture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d91d5abb-0430-4935-8c5b-c46b0c911425/IMG_2688.jpg Blog - In The Cloud Forest Monteverde,Costa Rica - Make it stand out This region is famous for it’s coffee amongst other crops and we got to visit and tour a coffee farm where we learned how a seed grows into a cup of coffee. We visited the farm and got to see goats, chickens and pigs who supply some of the natural manure to fertilize the coffee plants which are shaded by the banana trees. For coffee pickers who get paid by the basket, speed and quality are both key elements. We got to experience this and failed miserably on both counts but we certainly had fun and got some nice pictures for our friends and family back home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/268e3db1-8cb3-44f8-a434-c0e24c0a7c7d/IMG_2710.jpg Blog - In The Cloud Forest Monteverde,Costa Rica - Make it stand out The goat bridge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a8013b20-d1f8-417d-8d3f-d1d7589eabbd/IMG_2572.jpg Blog - In The Cloud Forest Monteverde,Costa Rica - Make it stand out We made our lunch stop in the small picturesque town of Tilaran. As we wandered around the town square I noticed the lending library where people can exchange books. How enterprising! No wonder the country has one of the highest literacy rates in Central America. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8ecf0c43-7bf4-421a-8765-b3547bd7b571/IMG_2770.jpg Blog - In The Cloud Forest Monteverde,Costa Rica - Make it stand out Rivers and streams crisscross the vista. While we Americans all used bottled water we were assured that the water is pure and we can drink straight out of the tap. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/arenal-volcano-costa-rica monthly 0.5 2021-11-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6c74eea9-c2c9-4312-9125-4220312be9e6/IMG_9067+%282%29.jpg Blog - Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3b334924-cac4-4aac-ba87-fe05a63ae89e/IMG_2539.jpg Blog - Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica - Make it stand out We saw a lot of these white faced Coatimundi on our drive out of Arenal along the side of the road. This one came to investigate a little closer at the ranger station which was a starting point for our nature hike in the local area. Next stop Monteverde and the cloud forest of Costa Rica and the adventure of crossing the narrow bridge which our coach driver referred to as Oh My God bridge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e1d79f7a-97f8-43a7-960c-040d2b388f47/IMG_2166.jpg Blog - Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica - Make it stand out As we left San Jose early AM on our way to Arenal, our first stop was at the artisan town of Sarchi best known for its beautiful wooden elaborately painted ox-carts. A national symbol of Costa Rica, the ox carts played a key role in the country’s history. Starting in the 1800s the rural roads were rough and ox carts were the sole means of transportation for coffee beans and other goods to nearby and far away markets and ports. A large oversize ox cart is a symbol of the town of Sarchi and holds pride of place in the town square. Homes are painted with the beautiful decorations as are lamp posts, bridges. It’s quite a pleasure to drive through the town. Of course, this is a key stop for beautiful local souvenirs. We dutifully stopped and enriched the local economy in our small way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bfefdafe-e347-42eb-bb57-85673010940d/IMG_2297.jpg Blog - Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica - Make it stand out Here is Costa Rica, the word “soda” does not mean a carbonated drink of mixer as it does to most of us particularly the ones who live in the USA. Here it refers to a restaurant. Speaking about language we had several Spanish speakers amongst the group; one from Mexico and a couple from Argentina. It was interesting to me how words between the various American regions are different or have different meanings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/490e1a5d-bc1b-4379-88a8-9456e14330ef/E2AFFD98-49EE-44F3-9D8A-67AC532B7DED.jpg Blog - Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica - Make it stand out A lot of emerald basilisks in this area, this time the female of the species. A true Jesus Christ moment as the lizard jumped off the branch that it was resting on into the water as we approached and scampered away walking on water. They are fast and I just managed to film the jump and water landing before it disappeared from sight. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ccc6efe8-1030-4611-9a2f-3ebfab08cbf9/IMG_2470.JPG Blog - Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica - Make it stand out Given all the pineapple history floating in my head, it was inevitable that I ordered a Pina colada as my cocktail of choice that evening on my return to the hotel. I decided on a small snack to go with my drink. Apparently, the meaning of an appetizer in the United States of America is very different from an appetizer here in Costa Rica. A group of ten or more people couldn’t have done full justice to this, so needless to say I barely made a dent in the plate. My drink was delicious and went a long way to soothing all the tiredness out of a long day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/31ddee14-0bb5-4393-aa5a-19b71a6c782e/IMG_2456.jpg Blog - Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica - Make it stand out While I was trying to watch the drifting clouds over the volcano hoping for a glimpse of the top of the volcano without needing to sacrifice something major this beautiful colored bird came to visit with me awhile. Alas he was not interested in my nachos but he tarried a while with me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7c2bc4c8-d0e9-440d-b642-121c7cf835c6/IMG_2416.jpg Blog - Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica - Make it stand out Costa Rica is so green and different regions grow different crops but pineapples are a big cash crop here. Pineapple fields spread as far as the eye can see. Do you know how to pick the best pineapple when shopping in a grocery store? One of the many tips that we picked up from our tour direction. Close your eyes, stab out and pick up the one your hands land on. That’s how simple it is. All features have already developed when the fruit is picked. Who’d have guessed? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6b65fa71-4dc5-4d31-b7d3-8471ac9dd9ff/IMG_2361.JPG Blog - Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica - Make it stand out This howler monkey has clearly done a lot of jumping and playing around because it is clearly exhausted and enjoying a well deserved nap in the trees. Actually the entire family of monkeys were spread out in the trees with their tail wrapped around the branch to keep them secure in their perch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/58ef649d-6802-46b0-9a3a-362fb73937ea/IMG_2346.jpg Blog - Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica - Make it stand out This local fisherman added a nice element to our trip especially when he offered his catch of the day that he ad snared using a lure and a rope. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5eb09369-223f-48fc-982b-04fd49688250/IMG_2218.jpg Blog - Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica - Make it stand out Next stop was the town of Alfaro Ruiz with it’s beautiful church, and gardens blooming with flowers. Couples walk through these arches on their way to the church to celebrate their marriage. Locals say that it gives them that final chance to contemplate on their relationship and the solemnity of entering into a marriage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7a66e4ac-fb75-400e-acd0-6f0730f5ed39/IMG_2400.jpg Blog - Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica - Make it stand out An excursion to the wetlands and the Cano Negro wild life refuge took us to the nearby border of Nicaragua. No fuss, no muss, no barbed wire just a little stone planted on the banks of the river. We might have even crossed over into Nicaragua as we backed out boat to return to our starting point. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/13d9d8df-84b0-43e0-8e06-1df739e359d2/IMG_2366.jpg Blog - Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica - Make it stand out Vampire bats take refuge on the underside of this tree. They were fluttering at the danger of human species approaching their resting space. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4cf37c27-c206-4036-b249-36f9594f5f37/IMG_2244.jpg Blog - Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica - Make it stand out Bright beautiful Costa Rica, Multi-colored homes, often with bright colorful murals painted along the front and sides, walls bubbling with color and happiness. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e4611bfa-ed7b-485f-b0af-b356f5f1e079/IMG_2296.jpg Blog - Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica - Make it stand out A stop in the town of Fortuna at the base of the volcano on our way to our hotel for the night. This bakery looks like the best fortune to a bunch of hungry travelers, doesn’t it. The town got its name because of its good fortune in escaping any and all lava from the volcanic eruption which flowed in the opposite direction to where the town is located. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/16cc5069-a898-4647-a709-2fe981a0493c/IMG_2387.jpg Blog - Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica - Make it stand out Our first sighting of a Cormorant perched on this branch by the water fishing for it’s food. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/tortuguero-costa-rica-wild-remote-and-amazing monthly 0.5 2021-11-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/227ff408-410a-43f8-9a66-1f2219c45cd7/IMG_1796.jpg Blog - Tortuguero, Costa Rica Wild, Remote and Amazing - Make it stand out As we drove from San Jose to where we were to catch a boat to take us through the canals to Tortuguero, we crossed miles of banana plantations which is one of the main crops in this region. Each banana plant is covered in plastic bags to ensure that the ripening fruit gets an equal distribution of heat. Every week workers visit and tie a ribbon to the top of the bag to count off the week. This allows them to know precisely the right time to harvest the bananas which are harvested in teams of three. The entire process of growing the plants, to harvesting, packing and shipping employs many workers who are provided all living facilities to entice them to stay and work here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/092a039c-f75f-4d6a-af78-3e0dec4ee819/IMG_1876.jpg Blog - Tortuguero, Costa Rica Wild, Remote and Amazing - Make it stand out We stayed in these cabins that were nestled amongst the rainforest with concrete paths connecting us to the central core of the resort. This truly is a location to unplug with no televisions, no air conditioning just ceiling fans revolving lazily, and limited wi-fi. This was definitely the closest I’ve come to nature in a long time and also to close encounters of the natural kind. I stepped out one morning in my flip flops heading for lunch only to see a snake slithering away out of my path. Yikes! I absolutely did not need that. One of the members of the group was visited by spider monkeys hanging out on their porch. Our tour director told us to make sure that we always had our cameras with us when we left our rooms because you never knew what you might find when you left your room. So so true! At night I was lulled to sleep to the noises of jungle around me and perhaps work up in fear a couple of times a night imagining a jaguar hanging out outside my window. No we did not encounter Jaguars but we did see a lot of other flora and fauna indigent to this area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7163b9de-12d3-438d-96a0-5ba0227e3d27/IMG_2109.jpg Blog - Tortuguero, Costa Rica Wild, Remote and Amazing - Make it stand out There were so many plants and flowers but this one with its big rounded leaves struck with me. Being in the rainforest where it can rain at any time, these are called the poor man’s umbrella. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cfa877b6-1fbc-4405-9ca6-6185d3b4a2dc/IMG_2094.jpg Blog - Tortuguero, Costa Rica Wild, Remote and Amazing - Make it stand out Our first toucan sighting was at a rest stop on our way where we stopped for a spot of breakfast and a cup of coffee but then there were two that we spotted in the trees around our resort. We also saw a large variety of parrots but since we are heading to the Cloud Forest next and I’m told there are a large number of colorful birds I am going to wait before I post about these bright and colorful birds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1637467664368-RPBBV2ETD505S9UTPX0U/IMG_1939.jpg Blog - Tortuguero, Costa Rica Wild, Remote and Amazing - Make it stand out Ranger Station, Tortuguero, Costa Rica https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/705338b1-1b9d-4b7a-b0fc-796187e0f458/IMG_1897.jpg Blog - Tortuguero, Costa Rica Wild, Remote and Amazing - Make it stand out The black sandy beach on the shores of the Caribbean. Due to the proximity of the continental shelf and the steep drop off close to the shore, swimming in these waters is not safe. Though visitor dip their toes and in general enjoy walking on the beach and enjoying coconuts from the enterprising sellers who bring their carts with fresh coconuts right to you. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/26f765f7-248b-4cc1-8109-09144354553b/IMG_1849.jpg Blog - Tortuguero, Costa Rica Wild, Remote and Amazing - Make it stand out The Emerald Basilisk or the Jesus Christ Lizard as it’s called in this part of the world due to its ability to walk on water. Well camouflaged, it was only the eagle eyes of our boat captain and the green pointer of our guide that allowed us to finally see this guy. Fortunately he stayed still long enough for me to capture both him and his female who was not far. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0e541824-df91-4b0b-ba9b-bb9e6f3bb2be/IMG_1837.jpg Blog - Tortuguero, Costa Rica Wild, Remote and Amazing - Make it stand out The waters are infested with alligators and caiman. Our tour director was very careful to explain the differences but for the life of me I am lost but this big guy was sunning himself on a sand bar as we passed him by. Another fellow slithered into the water right before we could point, click and shoot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e4a4efce-16b3-463b-8323-0f84958c1577/IMG_1974.jpg Blog - Tortuguero, Costa Rica Wild, Remote and Amazing - Make it stand out Birds abounded in this area, herons, kingfishers, egrets and a host of others that our guides named but I have forgotten. I thought to create a collage of all the birds I saw but it became too crowded and I had a hard time picking just one. Then this one just insisted on being the model for this part of my post, shamelessly showing off his plumage, turning his head, this way and that. It was only fitting since it’s called the Anninga or snake bird and Anninga was the name of the lodge where we stayed. What a treat! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ebc7c5e9-0cea-4f01-8a94-78224bf16fb8/IMG_2022.jpg Blog - Tortuguero, Costa Rica Wild, Remote and Amazing - Make it stand out This iguana really moved around, he was at the resort swimming pool at one time and then I happed to capture him by the bar before he scampered into the forest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/76fb00d4-68ac-434a-8708-d1754bdb09eb/IMG_2045.jpg Blog - Tortuguero, Costa Rica Wild, Remote and Amazing - Make it stand out There are three types of monkeys in this area, the spider monkeys, the howlers that we could definitely hear all night and the white faced capuchin monkey. We spotted this tribe as we were heading towards San Jose frolicking in the trees and grounds and chattering at us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/41afa355-a6b0-4285-b7a6-0a96578fb59b/IMG_1722.jpg Blog - Tortuguero, Costa Rica Wild, Remote and Amazing - Make it stand out Another phenomenon that we crossed on our way towards Tortugero from San Jose was the convergence of the Sucio River with the Sarapiqui River. The Sucio River is called the dirty due to the brownish color of the water which is due to Sulphur deposits from the Irazu volcano. It’s been an incredible adventure so far. I can’t wait to explore more of this diverse country and share my wanderings with you. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/fcb9ec62-0c6c-4db0-bca9-789882e30446/IMG_1900.jpg Blog - Tortuguero, Costa Rica Wild, Remote and Amazing - Make it stand out Main Street Tortuguero Tortuguero is home to a small population, all of whom are engaged in the tourist trade in some fashion. While there are thirty or so lodges in this area, people in town also provide a bed and breakfast to visitors who show up. In addition there are bars, a grocery shop, a coffee shop with a state of the art espresso machine and souvenir shops galore. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/36df2a00-9de3-4369-b1bd-6e10a5902dae/ezgif-frame-013%5B1%5D.jpg Blog - Tortuguero, Costa Rica Wild, Remote and Amazing - Make it stand out Sloths are normally nocturnal animals but this guy decided to make his way from his branch down towards us as we sat in our boats patiently filming him. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/kolkata-1 monthly 0.5 2021-11-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/22b1af3b-b386-41ee-8a9c-ab8bc1911212/IMG_1463.JPG Blog - One More Look Back ~ Calcutta Memories - Make it stand out The Royal Calcutta Turf Club or the race course is one of the best horse racing grounds in India. Built by the British it’s a haven of tranquility in the center of the city. Of course, the grounds and stands were deserted but I could imagine the horses thundering by, people in the stands intently watching and cheering their horse along particularly on New Year’s Day which is a big race day in Calcutta. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ee5c056a-5dfa-42a1-afed-61905aff324a/IMG_1317.JPG Blog - One More Look Back ~ Calcutta Memories - Make it stand out Eden Gardens changed beyond my recognition into a sports complex to rival one anywhere in the world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c7d77780-a8a4-4d3c-8c28-3f4e006525ab/IMG_1022.jpg Blog - One More Look Back ~ Calcutta Memories - Make it stand out A nostalgic post about Calcutta would not be complete without a mention of the iconic yellow ambassador West Bengal Taxis. I don’t think there’s a taxi quite like this anywhere in the world. I did not get to ride one on this trip but…. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/2b954576-af7d-4562-ad6c-b626258d01f8/IMG_0887.jpg Blog - One More Look Back ~ Calcutta Memories - Make it stand out Carriage rides around the Maidan, and Victoria in a uniquely Indian way. A little different from the horse drawn carriage rides around Central Park, New York or Quebec City, Canada where I’ve been recently though I’m sure the experience and excitement is the same. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4e833a55-3c39-4ac3-ab37-a71d3f277cf6/IMG_1321.JPG Blog - One More Look Back ~ Calcutta Memories - Make it stand out Prinsep Ghat one of the most visited and photographed places in Kolkata on the banks of the River Hooghly under the looming cables of the Vidyasagar Setu. Even though it was a Monday afternoon we saw people strolling and enjoying the green. I recall grabbing ice creams and walking along the river front, stopping at the jetty and even taking a boat ride a time or two. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/618b6400-46df-44be-a272-638113c053d4/IMG_1145.jpg Blog - One More Look Back ~ Calcutta Memories - Make it stand out The Grand Hotel and the Grand Shopping arcade. There used to be a Singer sewing store where my mom enrolled me to learn some domestic arts. I think both the teacher and I were extremely relieved when that bit of torture ended for both of us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/9d345dc6-9d5a-4f38-9406-c8b80ffa113a/IMG_1312.JPG Blog - One More Look Back ~ Calcutta Memories - Make it stand out The dormer windows of Mangoe Lane. My parents had friends who had a business here and I recall visiting and playing on the terrace. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/5a59830d-75cb-475c-b3e0-ec9c47737b33/IMG_1175+%282%29.jpg Blog - One More Look Back ~ Calcutta Memories - Make it stand out New Market is no longer the bustling premier shopping destination for Calcutta. The various air-conditioned malls and arcades have completely replaced it. I stopped by Henry’s the Chinese shoe store where we bought our black patent leather store for school and other footwear. Sadly, it was closed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ce02ddbb-844b-49eb-994f-e9a0d9bff6bc/IMG_0884%281%29.jpg Blog - One More Look Back ~ Calcutta Memories - Make it stand out The white Lady in all her brilliance. What a wonderful sight to welcome me home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/87afbe1c-780a-4a07-a8bf-e7227bf030a1/IMG_0982.JPG Blog - One More Look Back ~ Calcutta Memories - Make it stand out It was an interesting sight to see people transporting their goods balanced on their head as they crossed the bridge on foot. It brought back memories of traffic jams on the bridge which were a frequent occurrence during our growing years. I recall an occasion where we had to abandon our taxi on the bridge and hire porters to haul our luggage in this same fashion in order to catch our train. Not sure what experience other folks from Calcutta reading this might have. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1fb5fd3c-0fd4-4e8f-8b1c-a5e412b90f87/IMG_1452.jpg Blog - One More Look Back ~ Calcutta Memories - Make it stand out Only in Calcutta are these old lifts still operating with doors that need to be closed manually and a liftman to operate the lift. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6194043a-c25c-44b5-be7a-9ba4811481a1/9EE40A65-4EB2-4E00-A18D-AE4C698E1BAB.jpg Blog - One More Look Back ~ Calcutta Memories - Make it stand out Breakfast at Flurys? How many of you remember the Junior Statesman and jam sessions at Trincas and/or Usha Uthup singing here? In addition, there used to be a big Oxford Book Store here that was another of my favorite haunts. Moulin Rouge with it’s the mirrored bathroom that was such a novelty to us young girls. Oh! Park Street, the same and yet different. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f17c511f-fbea-492b-be21-fcdbd98767f5/IMG_1084.JPG Blog - One More Look Back ~ Calcutta Memories - Make it stand out The Lalit Great Eastern Hotel. For some reason I remember it with a red exterior but clearly, it’s white. While it wasn’t the most popular spot during our school days, I do recall one night when my cousins and I are visited another cousin there and despite being all grown up and having children of our own at the time behaved like giggling hysterical school girls. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e2cb1e10-5e08-4111-a91e-3b8a5939d24a/IMG_1215.jpg Blog - One More Look Back ~ Calcutta Memories - Make it stand out The Birla planetarium in Calcutta is the largest planetarium in Asia and the second largest in the world. I remember the excitement and awe when we first visited as school girls and got to see the magic. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/sunday-afternoon-wandering monthly 0.5 2021-11-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/89fc7172-ebdd-4f1f-af00-0408096f7000/IMG_1637.jpg Blog - Sunday Afternoon Wandering - Make it stand out Retail appeared to be doing a brisk business at least if the crowds stepping in and out of stores were to be believed. We did our own share of aiding the economy during our afternoon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/7b4c2718-bf46-4ee1-b63a-680c22040966/IMG_1617.jpg Blog - Sunday Afternoon Wandering - Make it stand out First opened in 1934 the Farmers Market is a historic Los Angeles landmark. It is an area of food stalls, sit down eateries and produce markets located at the corner of Fairfax and Third street. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/40a1b1c0-74aa-4bd1-b076-85dda0e6a239/IMG_1642.jpg Blog - Sunday Afternoon Wandering - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bcfdfc0a-b8dc-4027-9460-fa45ea46aa01/IMG_1615.jpg Blog - Sunday Afternoon Wandering - Make it stand out A nod to the approaching Thanksgiving Holiday. Hard to believe that we are less than two weeks away from Thanksgiving. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/71bdaf46-41fc-4714-b416-d82a7838b1f8/IMG_1639.jpg Blog - Sunday Afternoon Wandering - Make it stand out A whimsical sculpture of kids enjoying a leisurely day in the sun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/dd1ab367-e034-4791-8acb-da3a66ed280f/IMG_1613.jpg Blog - Sunday Afternoon Wandering - Make it stand out And I thought all the bricks and mortar bookstores were gone. Clearly not here given the size of this Barnes and Noble. I had forgotten what it feels like to browse through books and magazines in an actual book store. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/a771725f-009e-4e94-b042-cb6f7808e1c0/IMG_1618.jpg Blog - Sunday Afternoon Wandering - Make it stand out Either people are over COVID fears or fatigued from wearing masks constantly. Definitely enjoying the weather and the outdoors but most importantly the sense of normality. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/b7f0bccc-4b7f-4bd1-94f6-98bae1ccbc92/IMG_1628.jpg Blog - Sunday Afternoon Wandering - Make it stand out Now this is a candy store! I think this one holds pride of place amongst all the colorful bazaars I’ve recently posted about, not in the chaos but definitely in the color and variety. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0ba8c9fc-ee7e-40dc-ab5f-d91bbc3c53f9/IMG_1611.jpg Blog - Sunday Afternoon Wandering - Make it stand out The Christmas countdown has begun and the Grove is definitely ready. It certainly doesn’t feel like winter. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/cefbeed5-f95d-4c5f-ae10-0b3aa2c276c2/IMG_1625.jpg Blog - Sunday Afternoon Wandering - Make it stand out #ElGranjeroCantina was serving a Christmas specials liquid menu along with their traditional Mexican tacos and burritos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6d75ceef-1a46-4c7f-a0c6-4bce93dcc3ca/IMG_1630.jpg Blog - Sunday Afternoon Wandering - Make it stand out Well if you’re tired from exploring and don’t want to find a table and have a drink or a bite to eat you can rest your feet and your shopping bags for a bit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/81a5f2a2-ed48-440e-8a81-da451687f443/IMG_5951.jpg Blog - Sunday Afternoon Wandering - Make it stand out #elgranjerocantina. We enjoyed the Christmas special Pomegranate margarita dressed up with it’s sprig of holly to get us into the holiday spirit. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/indian-bazaars monthly 0.5 2021-11-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1636473633775-5HDOLSVT8G9ZWAA5PJM8/IMG_0746%281%29.jpg Blog - Indian Bazaars - A Feast For The Senses - Make it stand out An evening out, no problem, you can get everything from hair ornaments, evening bags and sarees here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/11a8cbf4-21b7-4bdf-baf5-e8f015246d39/IMG_0749%281%29.jpg Blog - Indian Bazaars - A Feast For The Senses - Make it stand out Some jewelry to match, more choices in evening bags, gifts for friends back home, happily spend time browsing through these stalls in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk market. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ffc9f6a4-c3b8-4f26-b26c-261d2321f30c/IMG_0783.jpg Blog - Indian Bazaars - A Feast For The Senses - Make it stand out Aladdin’s cave. Perhaps you’ll be lucky to find a lamp you can rub and release a genie to grant you three wishes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3f165798-e5d6-4fad-a94c-86e0c28c980d/IMG_0748%281%29.jpg Blog - Indian Bazaars - A Feast For The Senses - Make it stand out Fancy skirts (Lenghas) anyone? These are richly decorated in gold and intricate embroidery more for weddings than every day wear. Wandering through the Lengha Lane in Chandi Chowk. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/04f66b34-ac2b-4499-9e9b-dad061b90df8/IMG_1281.JPG Blog - Indian Bazaars - A Feast For The Senses - Make it stand out Brass decorative items to be used for household decorations. Since this was just before Kali puja they are mostly vessels used for the prayer ceremonies on display here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/ffe18858-b92c-4036-9852-84c7575b0506/IMG_1167.jpg Blog - Indian Bazaars - A Feast For The Senses - Make it stand out Decorative flowers and home decorations made from Shola a traditional craft of Bengal. Shola is an aquatic herb which grows in the wild, in marshy waterlogged areas also referred to as Indian cork. Local artisans make intricate decorative objects from the soft, supple porous and light weight core of the Shola stem. This is a one of kind souvenir only available here in Bengal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/80c8401c-6ecd-4a33-b460-2b4ca4b537fb/IMG_1166.JPG Blog - Indian Bazaars - A Feast For The Senses - Make it stand out A Dry Fruit and Spice store all ready with gifts for the major festivals of the season. Quite a contrast to Trader Joes in the USA where many of us buy dry fruit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c8feed05-3efa-4aef-831a-ebe5c76dc4c6/IMG_0921.jpg Blog - Indian Bazaars - A Feast For The Senses - Make it stand out The wholesale Flower Market in Calcutta. Apparently there are more than marigolds that are traded and sold here but looking at the crowds I decided to play safe and not venture down further into that melee. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1baf0d18-603c-4e7b-b63e-f3c30a41df9b/IMG_1275.jpg Blog - Indian Bazaars - A Feast For The Senses - Make it stand out Another tradition in Bengal and other nearby states is the “gamcha” which literally translated means “wiping the body”. It’s a piece of woven cloth that can be used as a towel to dry off after a bath or to wipe sweat in the hot and humid climate. It’s pretty versatile and can also be worn as a covering. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/08e1b77a-581e-4408-a0c0-ce0822f22632/IMG_0750%281%29.jpg Blog - Indian Bazaars - A Feast For The Senses - Make it stand out A successful merchant is one who understands his market and stocks what sells. Clearly in today’s climate masks are an important accessory. A whole sale stationary store that has added a whole section of customizable masks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/0f3216fc-5aa7-48c4-abdf-f7717700239b/IMG_1162.jpg Blog - Indian Bazaars - A Feast For The Senses - Make it stand out Fruit sellers selling all manner of fresh exotic fruits. Living in one of the most fertile regions of the USA, we get all manner of tropical fruits so for the most part I don’t miss the fruits and vegetables of my childhood but then there are the more exotic fruits like “custard apples” also known as cherimoya which are not easily available. I was happy to see it was in season so we indulged at $2.50 a piece which was well worth it to revisit the flavors of my childhood. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/197b1e00-33fb-4e0c-af2b-6f0adbc1dce7/IMG_0778.jpg Blog - Indian Bazaars - A Feast For The Senses - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/kolkata monthly 0.5 2021-11-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/f915447d-82a5-4445-a9d7-490fb8f4722a/344BD646-94A1-4032-99EE-EA71F1052A02.jpg Blog - Kolkata - Wandering Down Memory Lane - Make it stand out Kumortuli or the potter’s quarters where artisans craft clay idols for worship. Since it was only a couple of days before Kali Puja the idols were predominantly of the Goddess Kali and but you could spot a few others along the way. I was particularly amused by the spider man hanging from the rooftop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/e479cc3e-0bf7-4cd3-9b39-82001b9d4253/IMG_1163.JPG Blog - Kolkata - Wandering Down Memory Lane - Make it stand out A quick stop at the New Market or Sir Stuart Hogg market a red gothic style building constructed in the late 1800s to serve the British residents of the city. As we walked up to the market I spotted these fruit sellers on the side street and was reminded of my mother who loved to stop here to buy fruit. I will share more pictures of the iconic gothic façade of the market in a later post but for today it’s the memories of the fruit and flowers that bloomed bright in my mind. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/75e28260-10a1-48dc-a8f3-8a3b5465cf7c/IMG_1464.JPG Blog - Kolkata - Wandering Down Memory Lane - Make it stand out Until we meet again, goodbye Kolkata. The iconic skyline that epitomizes the new (42 Chowringhee a luxury skyscraper aka The 42), the old (Victoria Memorial a legacy of the British) and all things in between. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/28d06b9d-eed4-4966-958d-0b05848f39f6/IMG_1108.JPG Blog - Kolkata - Wandering Down Memory Lane - Make it stand out At the mausoleum of Job Charnok, an administrator of the East India company who was originally credited with founding the city of Calcutta. However in 2003, the Calcutta high court repealed this and ruled that the city had no founder. Three villages on the banks of the River Hooghly : Kalikata, Gobindapur, and Sutanati were consolidated to form the city which became a major trading post for the British East India company. From the beautiful Victoria Memorial, the Howrah Station, churches, cathedrals, synagogues, hotels, shopping, government, Fort William, the British left a legacy that lives on in the city even today. This mausoleum is housed on the grounds of St. John’s Church one of the oldest churches in the city along with a monument to the Black Hole of Calcutta, a Rohilla War Monument and several other graves. The Black Hole of Calcutta is part of the city’s dark past when locals retaliated against the British and imprisoned military and civilians in a small room where many of them suffocated to death. The British built the monument after recapturing the city but the local government has moved it so it’s now tucked away in this location. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4ced87ed-916c-4d6a-b36c-6c593685d746/IMG_1205.JPG Blog - Kolkata - Wandering Down Memory Lane - Make it stand out St Paul’s Cathedral was founded in 1847 and continues to be an active church serving the Diocese of Kolkata. Designed in what is referred to as Indo-Gothic aka Gothic style designed to meet the climate of India. As a child we attended many a wedding reception or large party in the beautiful grounds surrounding the cathedral. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/c7241105-7166-43ad-93ef-e995982ac7bb/IMG_0943.JPG Blog - Kolkata - Wandering Down Memory Lane - Make it stand out Howrah Station: one of the oldest and busiest train stations in the world. Growing up in Kolkata all vacations began with taking a train from here. In my adult eyes its looks cleaner and more organized than I remember but just as busy with trains arriving and departing and floods of people traveling despite the pandemic. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/6a361ef1-8341-46ed-9296-96d51d2b7d96/IMG_1219.JPG Blog - Kolkata - Wandering Down Memory Lane - Make it stand out Mother House and the tomb of Mother Teresa. While much of the house was closed due to COVID, we were able to visit the tomb and pay our respects to this iconic nun who did so much for the poor in this city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/275982ff-0906-4069-8c5c-272f894fda4a/CE8CBE1A-9FD3-474E-9375-A65AAA74BD93.jpg Blog - Kolkata - Wandering Down Memory Lane - Make it stand out A trip down memory lane would not be complete without a quick flying visit to the school where I went from a 5 year old trembling little girl to a sixteen year old confident woman. Thank you to my niece Ramnik Sethi Basu who made this happen for me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8e4e81c3-b97f-44fd-8bc8-47b8fb65ba2a/IMG_1048.JPG Blog - Kolkata - Wandering Down Memory Lane - Make it stand out The General Post Office notable for it’s imposing high domed roof and tall Corinthian pillars. It was built on the site of the original Fort William. An alley beside the post office was the site of the guardhouse that housed the infamous 1756 Black Hole of Calcutta. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d22e6950-be7b-4545-b123-159e168e071f/IMG_1314.JPG Blog - Kolkata - Wandering Down Memory Lane - Make it stand out Esplanade Mansions originally designed as a residential building in the early 1900s is as stately as the public buildings like the Raj Bhavan, Great Eastern Hotel, High Court etc. that stand in the neighborhood. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/725d8032-d5d4-4293-af69-a251d2228e3f/IMG_1307.JPG Blog - Kolkata - Wandering Down Memory Lane - Make it stand out The now crumbling mansions of the Bengali elite heavily influenced by local British architecture of the time. Due to the fact that it was a Monday both the Tagore Mansion and Marble Palace were closed. Ah well! Need to leave something for next time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8ab7344b-a65c-4105-8fbd-d9b8a53fc449/007FA75A-8D8A-4672-990A-2AAE4B6B353E.jpg Blog - Kolkata - Wandering Down Memory Lane - Make it stand out Indian Coffee House in College Street has been a long time hang out and a renowned meeting place (Adda) for students, poets, artistes, literati and people from the world of art and culture. The coffee shop was not yet open but I still had things to do and places to see before I could call it a day so I skipped the coffee and took a picture of the café waiting for it’s patrons and moved on. College Street is also home to “Boi-para” or the largest and oldest book market particularly for text books of all grades and all subjects. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/d2b52046-3c96-48f7-a347-8bceba417e53/IMG_1096.JPG Blog - Kolkata - Wandering Down Memory Lane - Make it stand out The Calcutta High Court, the oldest high court in India established in 1862. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/bc08a5d7-6b61-4f94-89af-fdea17ff8312/IMG_1436.JPG Blog - Kolkata - Wandering Down Memory Lane - Make it stand out My home away from home as a child, The National Library. The library is still closed due to COVID but I walked around and reminisced about all the happy hours I spent here reading books some of which are no doubt rare editions. We lived walking distance from the library, so all the neighborhood children would also come here and run, walk and play all manner of outdoor games in the beautiful grounds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/8f8d4aab-e970-4751-aee1-8cf1610327ad/IMG_1009.JPG Blog - Kolkata - Wandering Down Memory Lane - Make it stand out The Magen David Synagogue is a beautiful Italian Renaissance building built in the late 1800s. Inside it has high ceilings and beautiful stained glass windows and continues to function as an active synagogue even today. Despite having grown up in Kolkata, it was the first time I visited this beautiful building along with my niece Ramnik Sethi Basu who was completely bowled over by the beauty and serenity. Outside the gates is a messy lane full of hawkers selling all manner of goods. When we left someone had dropped a backpack in the middle of the street which we had to have removed before driving out. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/3b530e35-4b8e-422b-8f16-db4911d60a8b/IMG_1055+%282%29.JPG Blog - Kolkata - Wandering Down Memory Lane - Make it stand out The iconic Writer’s Building was designed in 1777 by Thomas Lyon to serve as the principal administrative office of the East India Company has until 2013 continued to serve as the secretariat for the state government of West Bengal. The giant pediment at the center is crowned with the statue of Minerva. The terrace also contains several other statues, notable among them are four clusters christened, Justice, Commerce, Science and Agriculture with the respective Greek gods and goddesses of these disciplines (Zeus, Hermes, Athena and Demeter) flanked by a European and Indian practitioner of these vocations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/4200d1a9-2525-4b40-8d95-23fa83d2e52c/IMG_1137.JPG Blog - Kolkata - Wandering Down Memory Lane - Make it stand out Another childhood memory is weekend morning cartoons at Metro Cinema. Remember this is a time before television. The old movie theaters in Calcutta are gone replaced by markets selling all manner of goods but the sight of the Metro sign and the façade of the Grand Hotel brought back a host of happy childhood memories. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/incredible-delhi monthly 0.5 2021-10-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635224272687-M7ED4VUKDSOE9GPDI83T/IMG_0671.jpg Blog - Monuments, Markets and Skyscrapers too - Delhi, India - Make it stand out The Bahai Lotus temple where people of all faiths are welcome. The temple itself was still closed to the public but I managed to peek my face between a fence to catch this beautiful glimpse. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635402626922-9MH0G28TW43VGC9M58PM/IMG_0849.JPG Blog - Monuments, Markets and Skyscrapers too - Delhi, India - Make it stand out I wouldn’t be wandering in Delhi, India if it were not for the SAVI GROUP whose business brought me here at this time on this trip. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635224684007-8LVMT88FLMPNI4VAFXI6/IMG_0767%281%29.jpg Blog - Monuments, Markets and Skyscrapers too - Delhi, India - Make it stand out The Central Cottage Emporium located on Janpath provides a window to the rich heritage of textiles and handicrafts produced by local artisans from the various regions of India. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635336797487-92GTVLNT4NDYYJZSU5EQ/IMG_0737%25281%2529.jpg Blog - Monuments, Markets and Skyscrapers too - Delhi, India - Make it stand out The wholesale Spice Market where the wonderful smell of spices teases your nose. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635225171718-EFCKY95W4A0VWGKKQU5M/IMG_0603.jpg Blog - Monuments, Markets and Skyscrapers too - Delhi, India - Make it stand out Gurgaon Cyber City, a key hub for outsourcing in the world is full of household names and modern buildings that would be home anywhere in the world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635223944760-IQUO6Z0KR59IEX3L6AD3/IMG_0795.jpg Blog - Monuments, Markets and Skyscrapers too - Delhi, India - Make it stand out The impressive Raj Path or Kingsway is a broad thoroughfare which is the heart beat of political India with it’s impressive Secretariat, Parliament house and other important government buildings lining the street. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635223480763-5QHU4CZREANXO0DKWPKU/IMG_0656.jpg Blog - Monuments, Markets and Skyscrapers too - Delhi, India - Make it stand out There is a rectangular courtyard enclosed by cloisters, erected with the carved columns of 27 Hindu and Jain temples which were demolished by Qutub-ud-din-Aibak as recorded in his inscription on the main Eastern entrance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635225356395-MG6ZZCMWO83MMDYBM8F0/IMG_0705.jpg Blog - Monuments, Markets and Skyscrapers too - Delhi, India - Make it stand out Leaving the historic monuments behind we made our way to central Delhi, and the seat of political power in the city. The India Gate (formerly known as the All India War Memorial) is a war memorial located astride the Raj path on the Eastern edge of the ceremonial axis of New Delhi. It stands as a memorial to 90,000 soldiers of the British Indian army who died between 1914 and 1921 in he First World War. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the gate evokes the architectural style of the triumphal arch such as the Arch of Constantine, in Rome, or the Arc De Triomphe in Paris. Following the Bangladesh Liberation war in 1972, a structure consisting of a black marble plinth with a reversed rifle, capped by a war helmet and bounded by four eternal flames, was built beneath the archway. This structure, called Amar Jawan Jyoti (Flame of the Immortal Soldier), has since 1971 served as India's tomb of the unknown soldier. Unfortunately most of the area was closed off by police barriers and construction scaffolding. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635223194984-BK7P487Z0G3V767AW5HB/IMG_0645.jpg Blog - Monuments, Markets and Skyscrapers too - Delhi, India - Make it stand out Qutub Minar, a 237 foot victory tower in Delhi, India has the distinction of being the tallest brick tower in the world. It is also the oldest tower of it’s kind in the Indian sub-continent. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site it is one of the most visited attractions in Delhi as evidenced by the crowd of people wandering through the complex when I visited on a bright and beautiful Sunday morning. Constructed by Hindu laborers overseen by Muslim architects using local materials it is an example of the early fusion of Hindu Muslim styles. To my amusement an older gentleman approached me during my wandering and requested for a posed picture with his wife. Hmm first time that’s happened to me? Did I look mysteriously famous? Anyhow they were a nice couple visiting from Mumbai. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635224937986-9NE9KQKBDUSJUQUY0HFW/IMG_0774.jpg Blog - Monuments, Markets and Skyscrapers too - Delhi, India - Make it stand out Janpath Market is one of the most famous markets for tourists (both Indian and foreign) in New Delhi. The market essentially is a long line of boutique stores selling products which are hard to find in the malls and multi-chain stores of the city. The long line of boutiques is for budget travelers and shoppers, buyers of handicrafts and garments, curio and numerous Indian-style fast-food places. The street used to be lined with stalls and sellers but many have not returned post COVID and many stores remain closed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635222763116-ESIHMZUUYKZP38KWZ7K6/IMG_0717%281%29.jpg Blog - Monuments, Markets and Skyscrapers too - Delhi, India - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635223363017-BMFXBXAE4OS5FD9AAFH4/IMG_0637.jpg Blog - Monuments, Markets and Skyscrapers too - Delhi, India - Make it stand out While the tower itself is the most impressive part of the complex, the total enclosure is large and consists of many buildings most of which are in ruins. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635223807106-T6KBH7RF5WD4GG2484SC/IMG_0756%281%29.jpg Blog - Monuments, Markets and Skyscrapers too - Delhi, India - Make it stand out The Jama Masjid is one of the largest and most iconic mosques in Delhi. Built between 1650 and 1656 it served as the imperial mosque of the Mughal emperors until the demise of the empire in 1857. It remains in active use even today. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635224564790-KNACV31RJPRWF0FYX2FV/IMG_0727.jpg Blog - Monuments, Markets and Skyscrapers too - Delhi, India - Make it stand out Gurdwara Sis Ganj is one of nine historical Sikh Gurdwaras in Delhi. it marks the site where the ninth Sikh Guru was beheaded on the orders of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb on 11 November 1675. The Sikh regiment of the Indian army salute the SIS Ganj Gurudwara after saluting the president of India since 1979, the only instance of saluting twice in the Republic Day parade by a regiment of Indian army. As a child we came here to pay our respects every year when we were visiting my grandparents. Then this area became over crowded and almost impossible to visit so it was almost after 20 plus years that I found myself once again at the doors of this Gurdwara. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635223537688-LNJZ6VXPN1LQXL92DBDZ/IMG_0687.jpg Blog - Monuments, Markets and Skyscrapers too - Delhi, India - Make it stand out A red sandstone Taj Mahal? This was the first garden tomb designed in the Persian style with fountains and beautiful gardens and perhaps served as the inspiration for the beautiful marble tomb that was destined to become one of the wonders of the world. As a contrast to the pure white exterior dome, rest of the building is made up of red sandstone, with white and black marble and yellow sandstone detailing, to relieve the monotony. While the tomb has remained relatively intact throughout history the gardens and fountains have been destroyed and restored many times in their lifetime. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635224807800-FJJYFWG0YD905T4R6FZR/IMG_0765%25281%2529.jpg Blog - Monuments, Markets and Skyscrapers too - Delhi, India - Make it stand out Connaught Place is a major shopping, nightlife and tourist destination in Delhi. Designed by Lutyens it serves as a key financial, commercial and business destination. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/salt-lake-city monthly 0.5 2021-10-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635206280004-4CWRJREN89ZLPF49WJ7H/IMG_0484.jpg Blog - Homeward Bound - Salt Lake Pretty - Make it stand out After a short nap and quick shower I set off on my exploration of the city. My first stop of the day was the beautiful Cathedral of the Madeline. A catholic church with a Romanesque exterior and gothic interior. Some times it feels like Europe is closer than one might think as you travel the various cities within the United States. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635206342603-ZEON6BEB0JECW82TL8FN/IMG_0478.jpg Blog - Homeward Bound - Salt Lake Pretty - Make it stand out Colorful murals in bright colors painted in Byzantine, Spanish, Gothic and Modern styles decorate the church. The striking blue and starred ceiling signifies the vault of heaven. There is a large baptismal font at the back of the church with beautiful tiled in jeweled colors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635206640343-IERMTL7CFL0W0YXBFOI3/IMG_0521.jpg Blog - Homeward Bound - Salt Lake Pretty - Make it stand out The Utah State Capitol is one of the city’s most prominent landmarks. It has been home to the state government since it’s opening in 1916. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635206977871-7P0CR2J1VDRW3FO0Z3KT/IMG_0553.jpg Blog - Homeward Bound - Salt Lake Pretty - Make it stand out The Mormon temple and temple square was all behind scaffolding with the massive repair and construction work going on in that area. After some driving around the city, viewing the scaffoldings surrounding the construction areas we ended up at our last stop for the day, This Is The Place, a heritage park that marks the end of the Mormon Trail. Step back in time and learn about Utah in it’s early settlement stages through movies, statues, and buildings. I had wanted to visit the Red Butte Garden but the day was waning and the rain starting so I picked up food and called it a day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635207310762-2XH4YF680Q9WL8TMJ9PO/IMG_0534.jpg Blog - Homeward Bound - Salt Lake Pretty - Make it stand out For all my prior trips to the city I had never visited the lake itself so I made sure to add it to my itinerary this trip. The Great Salt Lake is the largest remnant of ancient Lake Bonneville left in the basin and the largest lake west of the Mississippi River and one of the saltiest bodies of water on Earth, more than four to eight times saltier than the ocean. The water level was very low and with the impending rain this area was quite deserted with the boats etc. all parked in their slips. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635206203918-2ID23DTHYKYVPZB3Z0XD/IMG_0466.jpg Blog - Homeward Bound - Salt Lake Pretty - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635206906910-89CJAEA80KOLA938WFRJ/IMG_0545.jpg Blog - Homeward Bound - Salt Lake Pretty - Make it stand out The Bingham Copper Mine was not on my itinerary but since it is located across from the Great Salt Lake we were able to incorporate it. Some fun facts: this area is the largest copper producer in the United States with the Bingham Copper Mine has produced more than any other mine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635206795558-LHKGPPHIASDCU7MHXTAT/IMG_0514%281%29.jpg Blog - Homeward Bound - Salt Lake Pretty - Make it stand out The view of the city from Capitol Hill. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635206707480-YIWWQ5MN8UQ91RUVVOH7/IMG_0504.jpg Blog - Homeward Bound - Salt Lake Pretty - Make it stand out I could almost believe I am somewhere in the Alps instead of Memory Grove Park on my drive around the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635207117766-P937QJUTRZ2FBT8DBYHB/IMG_0508.jpg Blog - Homeward Bound - Salt Lake Pretty - Make it stand out In search of fall colors and awesome views stopped at Ensign Downs Park. By the following morning the snow covered hills would reflect a lot more snow but I was content with this beautiful burst of sunshine and the beautiful views. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1635206400931-1FP8DNI60KGB5TW5F7BV/IMG_0476.jpg Blog - Homeward Bound - Salt Lake Pretty - Make it stand out The Organ which consists of 4,066 pipes stands in a gothic case designed to match the woodwork of the interior. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/mountain-monuments monthly 0.5 2021-10-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634879153621-YZUQISF31S0IRB10EFH2/imagejpeg_0.jpg Blog - Mountain Monuments Of The Black Hills - Make it stand out Korczak, story teller in stone was invited by Chief Henry Standing Bear to bring to life his vision for the giant carving of Crazy Horse. He arrived in the Black Hills on May 3, 1947. He worked on the project until his death on October 20, 1982, at age 74. "By carving Crazy Horse, if I can give back to the Indian some of his pride and create a means to keep alive his culture and heritage, my life will have been worthwhile." Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski decided to create a monument that captured Crazy Horse’s likeness based on the descriptions provided to honor the principles and values for which Native Americans stood and to honor all the indigenous people of North America. With Crazy Horse riding his steed out of the granite of the sacred Black Hills with his left hand gesturing forward in response to the derisive question asked by a Cavalry man, “Where are your lands now?” Crazy Horse replied, “My lands are where my dead lie buried.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634879306734-XP92RRBE4E6NCSKE71H3/IMG_0114.jpg Blog - Mountain Monuments Of The Black Hills - Make it stand out After the workers were done with the blasting for the day we got to go right up to the top and walk on the hand and take pictures up close and personal with the completed sculpture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634879099306-HCQSXY555JVM5X6H2VUC/IMG_0065+%282%29.jpg Blog - Mountain Monuments Of The Black Hills - Make it stand out While I know you’ve gotten pretty used to me saying I did not hike this or climb that; here I did hike the presidential trail and appreciate the carvings from the various angles and stops along the way. I will tell you that I definitely did not bargain for all the stairs but never the less I made it and lived to tell about it. Seriously it’s not the easiest but it’s not the most difficult hike either. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634879254375-L27A6PSN12IB48UPRBTW/IMG_0093+%282%29.jpg Blog - Mountain Monuments Of The Black Hills - Make it stand out Based on the size and scale Korczak knew that it would take years beyond his lifetime to finish the project. He created scale models and precise instructions to be followed after his passing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634879392962-HELHC32H400N7ZIYP2HN/IMG_0126.jpg Blog - Mountain Monuments Of The Black Hills - Make it stand out Work in progress. It will potentially be beyond our life time when this statue will be finished. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634878620531-A7U435H8MR8I1UMYMGGC/IMG_0053+%282%29.jpg Blog - Mountain Monuments Of The Black Hills - Make it stand out Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a colossal sculpture carved into the granite face of Mount Rushmore by scluptor Gutzon Borglum with the help of his son Lincoln Borglum. The sculpture features 60 foot heads of Presidents, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. The four presidents were chosen to represent the nation’s birth, growth, development and preservation. At the Avenue of Flags which features flags for each of the 56 states and territories flanking the walkway leading toward the mountain. Each state’s name and date of when they became part of the United States is commemorated here. I made some wonderful new friends on this trip who have become intertwined with wandering Veena’s memories. Friendships that I hope to continue long into the future way beyond this trip. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634878751942-EA3E69W5WADBOEXFYBAS/IMG_0055+%283%29.jpg Blog - Mountain Monuments Of The Black Hills - Make it stand out At the viewing terrace. I made it!. It’s been a long held dream to visit some of these monuments and national parks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634878465869-C6CAI1P0PNMYSNZA7RYP/IMG_0045+%283%29.jpg Blog - Mountain Monuments Of The Black Hills - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634879485092-G7GSRKZR1ZIHAR0V2GU1/IMG_0136.jpg Blog - Mountain Monuments Of The Black Hills - Make it stand out I came, I saw, I touched and I pointed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634878513791-VUFMZ8J4BWONHHSN2FPL/IMG_9847+%282%29.jpg Blog - Mountain Monuments Of The Black Hills - Make it stand out Devil’s Tower National Monument, in North Eastern Wyoming was the first national monument in the United States. There are as many legends about the mountain as there are Native American tribes but most of them feature a giant bear raking the side of the rising mountain to get to the top which explains the striations along the side of the mountain. The mountain is made of volcanic rock that geologists believe was formed by a column of lava that pushed up between sedimentary rock chunks and eventually hardened. The current striking appearance is a result of natural erosion. The rock stands 867 feet above the surrounding land and is almost a mile above sea level. Devil’s Tower was featured in the movie Close Encounters Of The Third Kind which is why it might seem familiar to movie going audiences around the world. The mountain has long been sacred to the local Native American tribes who still meet here to conduct ceremonies, rituals, and prayer. During these times the mountain is closed to tourists. You begin catching glimpses of the tower rising up as you get closer and closer until you get to the parking lot and the start of the hiking trail. I climbed up to the base of the mountain though I did not complete the rest of the hike. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634878549727-P6CHQZDG1J4W4QVN7KHT/IMG_9854+%282%29.jpg Blog - Mountain Monuments Of The Black Hills - Make it stand out Prayers in the wind. These are sacred prayers in the form of cloths or cloth bundles tied to the trees. Tourists are warned not to touch on the pain of incurring bad luck. Interestingly there are other countries including India that have similar traditions of tying wishes and prayers in the form of cloths or strings to trees or monuments. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634879537880-GQN56BWBD7FOWJOAXB3B/IMG_0144.jpg Blog - Mountain Monuments Of The Black Hills - Make it stand out An interesting gate depicting the flora and fauna typical of this area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634879205074-KKHGQ1MNUL3YTSBWFWZB/IMG_0103+%282%29.jpg Blog - Mountain Monuments Of The Black Hills - Make it stand out Crazy Horse Memorial is located in the heart of the beautiful Black Hills at an elevation of 6532 feet above sea level. Treaties had originally promised this land to the native Americans but were then reneged upon when gold was found in these mountains. As if to add insult to injury the mountain was then carved with the likenesses of white presidents. The native American’s response to this was - “ My fellow chiefs and I would like the white man to know that the red man has great heroes also” - Chief Henry Standing Bear. Crazy Horse or Tasunke Witco was born as a member of the Oglala Lakota on Rapid Creek about 40 miles northeast of Thunderhead Mt. (now Crazy Horse Mountain) in c. 1840. It was a time when cultures clashed, and land became an issue of deadly contention and traditional Native ways were threatened and oppressed. Crazy Horse responded by putting the needs of his people above his own, which would forever embed him and his legacy in American History. He was killed at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, by a soldier around midnight on September 5, 1877. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/overnight-on-the-amtrak monthly 0.5 2021-10-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634512812736-ESDP0DCP73T7094E3MJG/IMG_0450.jpg Blog - Overnight On The Amtrak - Make it stand out My seat came with meals in the diner car. As we pulled out of Denver station, the conductor came by to discuss dinner seating and to make a reservation for an available slot for dinner. The dining car is nice with table cloths, flowers, and a menu that offers a selection for three course meals including one glass of wine of cocktail, unlimited soft drinks and water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634512773856-RZ6K7GT2UCOZXJHPE7CA/IMG_0391.jpg Blog - Overnight On The Amtrak - Make it stand out Once the train finally arrived and we made our way to our accommodations, I was pleased to find this comfortable two seater with a nice picture window. It’s a comfortable space which I got to see transformed into a bed as the night came on. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634513293654-LSIETXP2BIF09NEOVIPC/IMG_0453.jpg Blog - Overnight On The Amtrak - Make it stand out When I came back from dinner my room had been serviced and the two chairs had been turned into a bed complete with a blanket and pillows. My jacket was hung up and my backpack was placed on what would pass for a night stand. The space is extremely well planned and the bed was comfortable though it was a pretty noisy train ride as I drifted off to sleep. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634523339986-6HDPYXB48KULFM6TETM8/IMG_0456.jpg Blog - Overnight On The Amtrak - Make it stand out While there wasn’t much to see out of the window as darkness descended, I woke up one time to find us stopped at a well lit station. These stops give passengers a chance to step off and stretch their legs or smoke a cigarette (if you are a smoker) but I for one definitely did not make use of the stops being tucked in cozily in my bed. Soon enough the night passed and while it still wasn’t light yet we pulled into Salt Lake City where my driver was waiting to take me to my hotel where I could start the last leg of my epic adventure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634513230206-IGIN5JVOKVCI49SLX0QF/IMG_0446.jpg Blog - Overnight On The Amtrak - Make it stand out An interesting dichotomy which showed us golden trees and snow on the mountain tops. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634512611893-SLRNM3Q2MU1QG1B53M09/IMG_0458.jpg Blog - Overnight On The Amtrak - Make it stand out Early morning arrival at Salt Lake City Union Station https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634512978823-0BT3N9O1YXVLPE1JNGQ1/IMG_0396.jpg Blog - Overnight On The Amtrak - Make it stand out Fall was in the air and the sun was slanting down towards the horizon as we passed mountains, valleys, streams and small towns. There were several tunnels during this early stretch including one that took ten minutes to traverse during which passengers were urged to stay in their seats. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634512689064-1FZO4HP1F27R8QFW2AIE/IMG_0386.jpg Blog - Overnight On The Amtrak - Make it stand out The Denver Union Station is definitely ready for Halloween both in the decorations at the entrance and within the station. Fortunately it’s very large with a hotel, restaurants, gift shops and even a bookshop on the premises, enough to keep waiting passengers engaged while waiting. The free shuttle to the 16th street mall also has a stop here and people without the encumbrance of luggage can definitely wander further afield while they keep an eye on their train status. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634512935690-XN6WWWT74NTOW3MW6HLG/IMG_0452.jpg Blog - Overnight On The Amtrak - Make it stand out The meals are served on nice disposable plates with the Amtrak logo. While the meal was ok this chocolate cake was actually pretty good. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634513101540-ESPAYRP35TWGGYAIWBDO/IMG_0445.jpg Blog - Overnight On The Amtrak - Make it stand out Thanks to all the clouds that seemed to gather above us the sunset was an artists rendition of beautiful golds and oranges. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/yellowstone-national-park monthly 0.5 2021-10-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634160464478-J0V0WHEM1XPNYFWW8B1V/IMG_9518+%282%29.jpg Blog - The Grand Daddy Of National Parks ~ Yellowstone - Make it stand out The Prismatic pool with it’s beautiful copper colored deposits changes faces with the sun and wind. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634161256336-UZ0QE9CWUGEMYF5D3ISE/IMG_9613+%282%29.jpg Blog - The Grand Daddy Of National Parks ~ Yellowstone - Make it stand out Gibbon Falls. Leaving the eerie seething, steaming, boiling landscape behind we embarked on the canyon drive and stopped at various points to goggle at the beauty of the waterfalls that abound along the path. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634161291616-5WI2VVWOLKBRGJT5IA3K/IMG_9625+%282%29.jpg Blog - The Grand Daddy Of National Parks ~ Yellowstone - Make it stand out Along the Yellowstone river in the lower falls region where the water chuckles and sparkles over the natural formation before it makes the big drop over the canyon at Artists Point. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634161215600-HWBWIHYXHS05KDH5KQG1/IMG_9590+%282%29.jpg Blog - The Grand Daddy Of National Parks ~ Yellowstone - Make it stand out Does it really feel as though this volcano is not going to erupt for hundreds of years? There’s almost an eerie beauty in this landscape. Best of all are the stories abut people leaving the designated walkways and wandering on the ground only to find their death lurking in the boiling waters or steaming land mass. Intellectually there are not that many deaths that have occurred here as another one of our party googled and informed us and each one of them is of course because some one broke the rules clearly signposted all over. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634161184038-2UNXDDSN0LC0LFNATB5G/IMG_9584+%282%29.jpg Blog - The Grand Daddy Of National Parks ~ Yellowstone - Make it stand out The painted pots with their smoking pitted surface makes one wonder if this is what the surface of Mars looks like? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634161075845-1LTNSXB4CEOX0QT0RDCS/IMG_9498+%282%29.jpg Blog - The Grand Daddy Of National Parks ~ Yellowstone - Make it stand out The lower geyser basin or West Thumb Loop that runs along the lake with it’s pools of bubbling and boiling pools. The water is so hot that you can actually see the boiling bubbles in some of the pools. One might imagine a spa with a chain of hot tubs only these are extremely injurious to your health should you step into one. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634229802793-X16OH7FNJG2EZLSCX06H/IMG_9630+%282%29.jpg Blog - The Grand Daddy Of National Parks ~ Yellowstone - Make it stand out Artist Point, the iconic view that symbolizes the beauty of Yellowstone Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634161816385-NIA2DY0IZQ76BLOYAC4T/IMG_9532.jpg Blog - The Grand Daddy Of National Parks ~ Yellowstone - Make it stand out While we saw a lot of bison later on most particularly when we made it to Custer State Park, the first bison sighting was quite exciting. As I mentioned earlier we saw an elk with a small family that was completely surrounded by people out of their cars busily taking close up photos. We joked that the slowest person would be the one that would be caught if the elk were to charge. On a different note, why are moose sightings said to be lucky? we were fortunate to catch a quick glimpse as we left the park but no pictures. We are now headed across Wyoming to South Dakota gawking at the landscape imaging Native American tribes thundering through these valleys on their horses with tales of greed and outlaws ringing in our ears and imagination. We are going to have an opportunity for a quick respite and change of palate at a dude ranch in Wyoming before plunging deep into cowboy and Indian territory. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634160414437-SH6V4DM9AAYWH3RYT721/IMG_9566+%282%29.jpg Blog - The Grand Daddy Of National Parks ~ Yellowstone - Make it stand out The reality far surpassed anything that I had read or seen about Old Faithful. I found the timing for the next outburst at my hotel and made my way past the visitor’s center to the viewing benches and walkway that surround this famous gusher and others around the area. Smoke drifted over the landscape and every few minutes the earth would spew small bursts of steam keeping the waiting crowd on tenterhooks with their cameras poised for that special shot. Then suddenly was there a sound? I don’t know but the geyser burst forth from the ground in a burst of bellowing stream that had people on their feet and camera’s clicking. The intensity was startling and the geyser just seemed to go on and on even as people reluctantly put down their cameras tired from their clicking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634161112557-1S8BMOOTFD89X6D7RYFS/IMG_9503+%283%29.jpg Blog - The Grand Daddy Of National Parks ~ Yellowstone - Make it stand out The Middle Geyser area with it’s steam and flowing water mimics the magma that is released after a volcanic eruption. A one way path curves around the various colored pools with their natural mineral deposits that is so definitely worth the walk. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634161139911-KHIJ4GXYDB2KVYQCW5YX/IMG_9523+%282%29.jpg Blog - The Grand Daddy Of National Parks ~ Yellowstone - Make it stand out There’s an opal pool also but this turquoise pool was exquisite. There was so much natural beauty that I kept snapping pictures. The hardest thing was to pick the ones to share with you. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634160300475-WQ3KUNOVJSU3W5B0NNBK/IMG_9452+%282%29.jpg Blog - The Grand Daddy Of National Parks ~ Yellowstone - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/the-mile-high-city monthly 0.5 2021-10-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1633838719516-RC01E75JONSZ1LJUELXA/IMG_0359.JPG Blog - The Mile High City - Make it stand out The D & F tower that features Night Lights Denver, a digital art projection on the tower. I had decided to go to 54 Thirty a roof top bar which ended up being closed due the high wind that had started to blow by the evening. Instead I found myself at the Peaks Lounge in the Hyatt Regency across the street that is actually higher than the roof top bar where I enjoyed watching the sun set and the city light up. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1633838514715-BOKBI1RKLT7X9YMK02C0/IMG_0293.jpg Blog - The Mile High City - Make it stand out A renovated 1914 beaux arts train station, Denver Union Station is downtown’s transportation, dining, shopping and entertainment hub. I visited it twice, once to check off the top 10 things to do in Denver and the second time to take an Amtrak train through the Rocky Mountains on the last leg of my epic journey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1633839460777-CYJCNJ6TUQWBJGS8V0OJ/IMG_0217.JPG Blog - The Mile High City - Make it stand out On to the 16th Street Mall which is a one mile pedestrian promenade in the heart of downtown Denver. Lined with flowers, public art, outdoor cafes and a wide variety of shopping options it is served by a free hybrid shuttle that stops at every street corner that bisects the mall making it convenient to rest your feet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1633838317531-GYSGI1Q9L91USJ4EFF38/IMG_0276.JPG Blog - The Mile High City - Make it stand out The City Council Building faces the State Capitol building across the Civic Center Park. Designed in a beaux-arts neoclassical style, the façade features two curved wings with ionic columns and a carillon tower topped with a golden eagle. It is a beautiful building which took 26 years and 39 architects to complete. In fact as I walked around the complex in search of the US Mint I heard the melodious ringing of the bells. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1633838356471-UBKLJY600FPQ14B60TJH/IMG_0288.JPG Blog - The Mile High City - Make it stand out The Lindsey Flannery Courthouse building provides a bold modern contrast to the State Capitol and City Council buildings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1633873491072-B0RPMVCVS3Y7VXT2SRVQ/IMG_0342.JPG Blog - The Mile High City - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1634005059897-NAURBDQNLK9N5TAI3ZOP/IMG_0277.jpg Blog - The Mile High City - Make it stand out “Feel Like what it’s like to be one mile high” - the 13th step of the Colorado State Capital is exactly 5,280 feet above sea level - one mile high. The step actually has a mile marker but when you are alone that is one thing that you can’t accomplish in a selfie, standing on the step and getting the mile marker below your feet. Unfortunately being Saturday the building was closed to visitors but I did enjoy exploring this exclusive Capital Hill neighborhood which is one of the oldest and yet vibrant neighborhoods in Denver. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1633839420624-YLE5AQCZ369LGYS8QW8K/IMG_0223.JPG Blog - The Mile High City - Make it stand out When your Uber driver gives you a restaurant recommendation and then your hotel front desk names the same restaurant it’s best to take the recommendation and visit. I did for some excellent tacos and margaritas and the atmosphere was definitely eclectic. Dare I say a welcome change from the beef and burgers that had been standard fare along the national parks trail. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1633838473819-TWIPUJS1YNJ8Q4Q4JFSB/IMG_0286.JPG Blog - The Mile High City - Make it stand out The United States Mint was created by Congress on April 2, 1792. President George Washington placed the Mint under the supervision of the Department of State. The Mint was made an independent agency in 1799, and under the Coinage Act of 1873 became a bureau of the Treasury Department. The bureau was named the United States Mint in 1984. The Mint manufactures and ships all U.S. coins for circulation to the Federal Reserve Banks and branches, which issue coins to the public and the business community through depository institutions. Being a Saturday this was another building that while usually open to visitors was closed. I have discovered that I don’t have a good sense of direction even following google maps since I ended up taking a circuitous route to the mint which as you can see I did finally locate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1633838672531-TLVU6FQ6BGKY0GOEY220/IMG_0332.JPG Blog - The Mile High City - Make it stand out The 40 foot high Blue Bear (officially named “I see what you mean” by local artist Lawrence Argent) in front of the Colorado Convention Center is one of the many public art sculptures around town. I hugged the bear and then had one of the groups of people taking pictures take one for me as well. No selfies here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1633838788281-9DAIGBG0QZGYQNSHTOIB/IMG_0319.JPG Blog - The Mile High City - Make it stand out At one of the street corners of the 16th Street Promenade was an open air market selling all manner of goods. This whimsical cow with it’s facts and figures about Denver is such a perfect representation of the whimsical nature of this city. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/the-grand-tetons monthly 0.5 2021-10-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1633575832193-1YH93KVGMX46KBX0Y4MP/IMG_9448+%282%29.jpg Blog - The Grand Tetons - At The Start Of My American Parks Odyssey - Make it stand out Huckleberries were on my mind so I indulged in a huckleberry margarita to accompany my lunch before we set off to explore Yellowstone with its geysers and waterfalls and other wonderous things. Please stand by for the post on Yellowstone, a dream come true for me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1633492305904-FB0W8YRN5CCS25PUEFJ7/IMG_9438+%282%29.jpg Blog - The Grand Tetons - At The Start Of My American Parks Odyssey - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1633494285866-HD7ZJIJLR4ETO6VCPLY6/IMG_9395+%282%29.jpg Blog - The Grand Tetons - At The Start Of My American Parks Odyssey - Make it stand out Early morning found us on the road to the Grand Tetons National Park. On the way we spotted some pronghorns and elk in the distance. It’s been a dry winter so far though there was definitely snow on the mountain peaks, but the snake river’s water level was low and rafting was out. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1633494272537-VOEHCFJ6VWKWAYCIIXTQ/IMG_9347.jpg Blog - The Grand Tetons - At The Start Of My American Parks Odyssey - Make it stand out Cowboys definitely dominate. The Veteran’s Monument in the center of the town square. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1633492346326-U9W3X5265OY8CDA76UC3/IMG_9349+%282%29.jpg Blog - The Grand Tetons - At The Start Of My American Parks Odyssey - Make it stand out Once I checked into my hotel I made my way to the town center to experience the legendary Elk Arches. Imagine my disappointment that they looked exactly like the arch I had walked under when I entered the airport terminal. I guess they’ve become quite the signature here in Jackson. The main square of course has them at the 4 corners of the park that is at the center of the downtown area. Not too many people were around at 4:00 P.M. when I found myself here. The downtown area is mostly shops, restaurants and art galleries. I browsed through some of the shops, took some pictures and settled for a scoop of homemade huckleberry ice-cream to take the edge of having missed my lunch but saving room for dinner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1633575665174-KMCWCFCGPT15FERJSHNY/IMG_9449+%282%29.jpg Blog - The Grand Tetons - At The Start Of My American Parks Odyssey - Make it stand out Jackson Lake and the Jackson lodge for a lunch stop. We’re at the tail end of the season and the restaurant was not open thanks to COVID but we were able to place to go orders and at the advice of the gentleman manning the lunch orders I took my lunch and found a place at the bar with it’s breath taking view of the mountains and beautifully embellished bar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1633494428488-NCQWQWN93FJUPIK889TP/IMG_9405+%281%29+%282%29.jpg Blog - The Grand Tetons - At The Start Of My American Parks Odyssey - Make it stand out Instead we made our way to this old wooden chapel built in the early 1900s. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1633494328862-D5BR81KDUIQDFIRJW1FI/IMG_9400+%282%29.jpg Blog - The Grand Tetons - At The Start Of My American Parks Odyssey - Make it stand out The Chapel Of the Transfiguration is known for its wide glass window behind the altar that brings in the view of the mountains for the worshippers. Imagine raising your eyes to heaven in prayer and seeing this beautiful vista. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1633492400078-2IRCME6HSZ11JNMT2M1M/IMG_9346+%282%29.jpg Blog - The Grand Tetons - At The Start Of My American Parks Odyssey - Make it stand out The Million Dollar Cowboy bar with it’s bar stools shaped like saddles and a reputation for attracting celebrities and offering a rollicking good time. Some of the folks from my group tour went later in the evening and said they could not get in because of the line that stretched out the door and along the sidewalk. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1633494362888-82F92BQW3EEX1D22M0EI/IMG_9421+%282%29.jpg Blog - The Grand Tetons - At The Start Of My American Parks Odyssey - Make it stand out Onward to Jenny Lake where we were blessed with beautiful sunshine and a placid lake surface that reflected the view of the mountains. Clearly we were not the only ones enjoying a beautiful morning at the lake. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1633574382101-NOWVD3VAL0WL4M5W8VH5/IMG_9329.jpg Blog - The Grand Tetons - At The Start Of My American Parks Odyssey - Make it stand out Right from the moment I landed at the Jackson Hole, Wyoming airport I knew I was in for an experience of a lifetime having left California far far behind. The soaring mountains, the antler arch, the bronze statues of cowboys and moose should give you a clue what I’m talking about. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/crystal-cathedral monthly 0.5 2021-10-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632945484760-4EGGAFM3EPJ62R5LAE1B/IMG_8989.jpg Blog - Crystal Cathedral - Make it stand out The five-floor, 53,056-square-foot Cultural Center is the capstone of the iconic Christ Cathedral campus. Designed by architect Richard Meier, who is known for his commission of the Getty Center in Los Angeles and the Jubilee Church in Rome, Italy, the design complements the existing architecture of the other unique and beautiful buildings on the campus. The Cultural Center’s lower level houses an indoor-outdoor reception area and the 298-seat Freed Performing Arts Theatre, which features surround sound electronics and a movable orchestra pit. The theatre is available for rentals and has hosted movie premieres, theatrical presentations, concerts and other special events. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632788218377-GQSO39EUGLB8A1K68FG8/IMG_8982.jpg Blog - Crystal Cathedral - Make it stand out This building houses the pastoral center I believe with the stained glass windows catching the eye. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632788243801-1THA7CN23AR1WPNOKKGM/IMG_8980.jpg Blog - Crystal Cathedral - Make it stand out Cathedral Memorial Gardens, the final resting place for Rev. Robert and Arvella Schuller, restaurateur Marie Callender, and pianist Roger Williams; https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632788172793-4LKCIUS31OYU7II4RQCC/IMG_8984.jpg Blog - Crystal Cathedral - Make it stand out An Orange County landmark, the Crean Tower is a 236 foot stainless steel mirrored spire over 18 stories tall. The 52 bell carillon consists of bells that range from six inches to nearly six feet forged in the Netherlands and had to be lifted in place by two cranes working in tandem. Below the tower is the Mary Hood Prayer Chapel, a circular structure set with 33 solid, multi-colored marble cylindrical columns, representing Jesus’ 33 years of life, and 12 white columns representing the 12 apostles. A bronze plaque on the floor seals a prayer capsule located beneath the altar that contains 33,000 unopened prayers received from around the globe, representing future generations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632945326432-DG1FWH3ZP6XITAJF0A7A/IMG_8994.jpg Blog - Crystal Cathedral - Make it stand out The Tower of Hope was the tallest building in Orange County when it opened, a distinction it held for more than 10 years. Named after New Hope Ministries, the building housed the very first 24-hour suicide prevention hotline (714-NEW-HOPE). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632788335139-81973NM5O6J92IOIFPDD/IMG_9005.jpg Blog - Crystal Cathedral - Make it stand out I have worked less than 15 minutes away from this destination for the last 15 years and yet never visited until now. As they say things happen when the time is right and this was the right time to visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632944016260-VLWEWPSO779M6L5NAPNX/IMG_8981.jpg Blog - Crystal Cathedral - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632788918244-9IKHEWWEH71EL5KDINY4/IMG_8999%281%29.jpg Blog - Crystal Cathedral - Make it stand out Composed of over 10,000 panes of glass glued together, the church was touted as "the largest glass building in the world" when it was completed in 1981. There was a service underway when I visited so I quietly snuck into a pew and gazed around in awe and sneaked in a few photos. The church houses the Hazel Wright Memorial Organ, one of the largest pipe organs in the world built by Fratelli Ruffati in Padova, Italy. I wonder what it would be like to attend a service here at sunset or sunrise? https://wanderingveena.com/blog/a-thousand-miles-on-the-pacific-crest-trail monthly 0.5 2021-10-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632766438055-HBQOTOYGNRRFG45620AY/IMG_5539%281%29.jpg Blog - A Thousand Miles On The Pacific Crest Trail - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632766925090-LYMAVAS6HJBCMTP3W056/IMG_8352.jpg Blog - A Thousand Miles On The Pacific Crest Trail - Make it stand out A sample of the art on the interior walls which gives us glimpses of the local wildlife. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632766757767-8F2BR2XK30ZFGVPLKQPY/IMG_5545%281%29.jpg Blog - A Thousand Miles On The Pacific Crest Trail - Make it stand out The Pacific Crest Trail cuts straight down through Aqua Dulce Canyon Road where the Sweetwater Bar and Grill is located. This little oasis on the trail provides a welcome rest stop for travelers on the trail with their wall of fame that hikers sign as they stop for some hearty fare and a source of fresh water to fill up their containers for the trail. We enjoyed our own lunch sitting at their outdoor patio table and conversations with the servers and some of the hikers who had stopped here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632766958393-B9MGVQ0I2KOLXSH0ZO7W/IMG_8314.jpg Blog - A Thousand Miles On The Pacific Crest Trail - Make it stand out The depiction of the legend of the Bridge Of Gods painted along the side of the bridge. Between the truck parked and the angle of the sun and where I was standing I just couldn’t get a clear picture but I was fascinated with the legend that I am sharing with you as well. Long before recorded history began, the Native American legend of the Bridge of the Gods says that the Great Spirit built a bridge of stone and placed a wise old woman as it’s guardian. There were three brothers who lived in peace until Squaw Mountain moved in between two of the brothers and caused a falling out that resulted in a battle which had the brothers throwing rocks and fire such that the bridge collapsed in the middle and fell into the river. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632767016367-TCDUJ7KHGJBHVFO1I47F/IMG_8316.jpg Blog - A Thousand Miles On The Pacific Crest Trail - Make it stand out The bridge of legend has been replaced by a modern steel truss cantilever bridge that spans the Columbia River Gorge. While it had not been Cheryl Strayed’s original intention to conclude her PCT pilgrimage at the Bridge of the Gods over the Columbia River, in the end she was drawn there. “Down, down, down I went on that last full day of hiking,” Cheryl wrote in her book “Wild” “I could feel the river pulling me like a great magnet below and to the north. I could feel myself coming to the end of things.” The bridge is located at the convergence of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail, three National Historic Trails, and the Pacific Crest Trail at the lowest point in the Pacific Crest Trail, “down, down” says Ms. Strayed in her book Wild. I personally did not get to walk across the river but was able to appreciate the view, take some pictures and conclude my own pilgrimage of the PCT, albeit not in the way of most people. I do have a yen to visit Crater Lake next and perhaps I will have an opportunity to wander that way if I can. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632766725575-521SFF2ZT1WL00WFKI6C/IMG_5548%281%29.jpg Blog - A Thousand Miles On The Pacific Crest Trail - Make it stand out From Vasquez Rocks we drove to the quaint town of Agua Dulce drowsing in the sun. I felt like I had been transported back in time as we pulled up at the café. A small grocery store and post office added to the quaint scene. Pre-COVID the locals will tell you about evenings enjoying live music and dancing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632766588370-F8TYSMRLR9LKAGWDX4U9/IMG_5537.jpg Blog - A Thousand Miles On The Pacific Crest Trail - Make it stand out Vasquez Rocks is a natural area park located in Northern Los Angeles County in California. It is known for it’s rock formations, the result of sedimentary layering and later seismic uplift. It’s a popular place for rock climbing, horse riding and wildlife watching. After the year plus lock down it was great to enjoy the outdoors and watch people doing the same when I visited in early April. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632766881472-S6S6DODTVXUZPO3JAT0V/IMG_8349.jpg Blog - A Thousand Miles On The Pacific Crest Trail - Make it stand out One of the most beautiful sections of the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail runs right past Timberline Lodge and along the western flank of Mt. Hood. Between the heatwave, little or no snow and fears of rising COVID numbers, the lodge was unexpectedly deserted but we managed to enjoy wandering around and admiring the wonderful atmosphere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632766675538-A4R8UOQT04U3555SZMP6/IMG_5515%281%29.jpg Blog - A Thousand Miles On The Pacific Crest Trail - Make it stand out This area with it’s Western-looking landscapes and proximity to Hollywood has been a popular filming location. The Park has a museum that gives you a very interesting perspective on local fauna and flora as well as the history of the native Americans that once lived here. However the museum also pays tribute to it’s claim to Hollywood fame through posters and quotes. Notable mentions: The Flintstones movie, Mel Brooks Blazing Saddles, The Invaders episode The Saucer and the Star Trek episode Arena amongst a host of others. The History channel shoots the popular reality TV show "Top Shot" in the hills and canyons on the north side of the valley and Reno 911 has filmed in locations off of Soledad Canyon Road. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632766826024-7O8669ASOIFCJ1PFTUNX/IMG_8354.jpg Blog - A Thousand Miles On The Pacific Crest Trail - Make it stand out A few months later I made my way to Portland Oregon for a few days wandering in the Pacific Northwest. Here I took the opportunity to drive up to Mount Hood and the Timberline Lodge. Unfortunately the recent fires in the area made the atmosphere a bit smoky and to my disappointment there wasn’t much snow either. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/saturday-night-at-the-getty-villa monthly 0.5 2021-09-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632688913969-F13QXD3448GP7FKEIU0E/IMG_9301.jpg Blog - Saturday Night Performance At The Getty Villa - Make it stand out In the company of good friends, laughing at the slapstick jokes and raunchy over the top unbelievable props it was a great way to spend an evening. Taking pictures during the performance was forbidden so I can’t share some of the interesting costumes and props with you all. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632689083807-DU2FY3IARXLEZRQSDSZ1/IMG_5622.jpg Blog - Saturday Night Performance At The Getty Villa - Make it stand out While we did not explore the inside of the villa on this Saturday evening I included some pictures of the beautiful villa and gardens that I visited a few months ago. This is the inner peristyle of the beautiful Roman Villa that was modeled after an actual villa in Italy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632690921876-X47C7PVFNHL4NRHXXOQG/IMG_5625.jpg Blog - Saturday Night Performance At The Getty Villa - Make it stand out The outer peristyle with beautiful statuary, shrubs and bushes and beautifully laid out walkways. The actors included puns and tongue in cheek jokes that referred to the antiquities inside the villa as well as local venues. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632688582937-REMK5VIK6P2LZEFRUZMB/IMG_5616.jpg Blog - Saturday Night Performance At The Getty Villa - Make it stand out We arrived early to give ourselves some social time to catch up as we ate our pre-ordered delicious meals on the terrace. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632689242683-7LAM4SW9VA6EGFJF815V/IMG_5672.jpg Blog - Saturday Night Performance At The Getty Villa - Make it stand out For the performance this theater was lined with padded seats set a comfortable space apart to provide some distance between the theater goers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632689042792-BGF1C89YHJICZ4CQ9FJ2/IMG_5634.jpg Blog - Saturday Night Performance At The Getty Villa - Make it stand out The comedy made many allusions to antiquities housed within the rooms in the villa earning quite a few laughs from the audience. I found a paper that referenced specific works of art in the museum that show cased some of what the actors tried to portray with props and costumes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632688485091-JFAUGV3BE4N8M4GAHVMD/IMG_5695.jpg Blog - Saturday Night Performance At The Getty Villa - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632689345969-A4QLGV47JZBYI54H0GU4/IMG_5645.jpg Blog - Saturday Night Performance At The Getty Villa - Make it stand out Intellectually we are aware that the ancient Romans and Greek had a different attitude to nudity as evidenced in statues and paintings from those times. I don’t think I quite reflected on it the same way until I attended this play. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632689137122-S8YCIK6UZQT9FDKOF470/IMG_5648.jpg Blog - Saturday Night Performance At The Getty Villa - Make it stand out The East Garden with its fountains and flowering plants. While the play itself is about Athens and Sparta this fountain would not have been out of place as a part of the setting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632689300188-A0J1ILGB4IVT7N4EEFDO/IMG_5669.jpg Blog - Saturday Night Performance At The Getty Villa - Make it stand out When I first visited and strolled around the exhibit rooms I did not realize that there are many pieces both statuary and vases that depict some of what the play tried to convey through buffoonery and over the top props. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/bon-jour-quebec-city monthly 0.5 2021-09-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632438517193-X9OC8BI8Z6O8KM1CR6P0/IMG_9208.jpg Blog - Bon Jour Quebec City - Make it stand out Chateau Frontenac https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632439325689-UFKNIHYNENFDLBJCNS68/IMG_9194.jpg Blog - Bon Jour Quebec City - Make it stand out The Ursuline Monastery of Quebec City was founded by a missionary group of Ursuline nuns in 1639. It is the oldest institution of learning for women in North America. Today, the monastery serves as the General Motherhouse of the Ursuline Sisters of the Canadian Union. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632438418907-X5HN0SADQVF68DJRU8FT/IMG_9190.jpg Blog - Bon Jour Quebec City - Make it stand out The walls that protected the original city now house a functioning quarter which is mostly thronged with tourists. Horse drawn carriages, sonorous church bells, winding cobblestone streets and ancient pitched roofs, built hundreds of years ago add to the charm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632440035045-4CSJG5PN6FROBU02XT3E/IMG_9156.jpg Blog - Bon Jour Quebec City - Make it stand out The Pont de Quebec is a road, rail and pedestrian bridge that spans the lower St. Lawrence River making it the longest cantilever bridge in the world. It has been operational since 1919. Since 1993 it has been owned by the Canadian National Railway being designated a National Historic Site in 1995. Being a three hour drive from Montreal it was a long day indeed. We were glad to get back to our hotel and after a quick meal in the hotel restaurant, headed straight to bed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632439812034-0A27O7FHN9YJM81B7IMF/IMG_9234.jpg Blog - Bon Jour Quebec City - Make it stand out The Port of Quebec is a deep water port that provides access to the great lakes. As we sailed by the Port of Quebec you can see the smoke like emissions from the high speed water spray that is used to spray the mettle and lower the Nickel emissions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632439450993-PO24NPKMJYWX3SRIOM81/IMG_9192.jpg Blog - Bon Jour Quebec City - Make it stand out Québec City includes the only walled city in North America. When you pass through one of the gate ways you are in the original old town (Vieux Québec or Old Québec) which was established 400 years ago. In contrast there is a bustling modern city outside the walls where most of the locals live. We drove through some parts of this as we made our way to the old city but did not have the time to stop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632439579441-22JLH1CDG2J43D6I6MMJ/IMG_9229.jpg Blog - Bon Jour Quebec City - Make it stand out We took a boat trip down the mighty St. Lawrence river to get a different flavor of Quebec. The I’lle d’Orleans bridge is a suspension bridge that connects Quebec city to the lle d’Orleans (Orleans Island) a popular weekend destination close to the city. In the distance one can see the Montmorency falls that are not as well known as the Niagara falls through in reality they actually are higher than the better known Niagara falls but don’t have any where close to the popularity or the volume of water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632439746079-2D1146EO7EY07Y3K53ZP/IMG_0575.jpg Blog - Bon Jour Quebec City - Make it stand out We did get a chance to visit the falls and make our way to a bridge overlooking these from the top by taking a cable car to the top. As we made our way to the top rainbows sparkled in the water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632439271857-YA4775PL62907P7O84LY/IMG_9181.jpg Blog - Bon Jour Quebec City - Make it stand out This gothic style fountain is crowned by Monument de la Foi to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Recollet missionaries in 1615. In the center of the historic Place D’ Armes with Quebec City hop on hop off buses and a single horse drawn carriage making the rounds around it. It was a Sunday and there are a lot of churches in this area so as we walked along the shops and cafes we could hear the melody of the church bells calling the faithful to prayer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632441645572-TBYAJNIUI77VDX8QSCHJ/IMG_9201.jpg Blog - Bon Jour Quebec City - Make it stand out At the base of the statue sat this Jazz player who entertained us, the rhythm making us tap our feet with many people spontaneously dancing to the music. I especially enjoyed his rendering of Que Sera Sera which brought back many happy childhood memories of my aunt singing it to us. I tend to get carried away when I’m on my wandering so it was very nice to sit in a rare burst of sunshine in what was otherwise a cloudy day, resting our feet and relaxing to the sound of the music. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632439993184-RH5921B87YD20YDENIVO/IMG_9207.jpg Blog - Bon Jour Quebec City - Make it stand out The buildings across the ferry terminal as we came to our dock. The wind was especially strong on the deck and I was glad to snuggle into my sweater and shawl even as chairs and tables flew across the deck. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/wandering-with-shaan monthly 0.5 2021-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632093896898-SQKJ7L3ML82UFTYCG86A/IMG_2257.jpg Blog - Wandering With Shaan - Make it stand out Like most boys of his age, Shaan is obsessed with trash cans and trash days. Wednesday afternoons are spent outside in the front yard inspecting the neighbor’s trash offerings and saying hello to the various trash trucks that come through the neighborhood. One afternoon Shaan and the driver had quite the conversation with lots of waving and smiling such that the poor guy forgot to pick up my son’s trash and had to come back for it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632093796194-WNX100HPD1ZAED04UUJ8/IMG_8762.jpg Blog - Wandering With Shaan - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632095698993-1LCB1941Y0OC6B1IU6GD/IMG_8774.jpg Blog - Wandering With Shaan - Make it stand out The La Brea tar pits and the mastodons are Shaan’s favorite. He really enjoys pressing the buttons and following the links. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632093668844-HYJHHAAVC60C3UJMBNV6/IMG_6846.jpg Blog - Wandering With Shaan - Make it stand out The moon bridge is definitely a temptation for an active three year old boy. Don’t worry! he’s not as unsupervised as it might appear, his mom is right there just outside the picture frame. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632093719207-0H3XCCSN9XHM7WAP4CKP/IMG_6843.jpg Blog - Wandering With Shaan - Make it stand out The colorful Koi fish in the Japanese garden are a definite attraction so we stopped her for a snack and to give Shaan time to enjoy the fish as they swam around. As it turned out it was time for the fish to have a meal as well and Shaan’s day was made when the park attendant let him feed the fish from his vantage point. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632093583153-UWOG5DIJZ8PSU5MOA5L0/IMG_4639.jpg Blog - Wandering With Shaan - Make it stand out For Shaan it’s all about the animals whether they are safari animals or North American species. Shaan’s stories and tales about the various things that interested him added to the flavor of my day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632093631545-9DCRAZGC33JET9WQNRYV/IMG_6826.jpg Blog - Wandering With Shaan - Make it stand out I’ve been to the Descanso gardens many times but the first time with Shaan I discovered new areas I had never before visited on my own. After playing in some of the children’s areas we made our way to the turtle pond where we sat and carefully coaxed the turtles out of the water so Shaan could pet one. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1632093969718-9060Q6L3P6BYUI6D693L/IMG_7934.jpg Blog - Wandering With Shaan - Make it stand out A well deserved scoop of ice cream to finish our adventure off right. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/canadian-getaway-montreal monthly 0.5 2021-09-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1631827331357-E32DMZEQIGW9LVEDSIS2/IMG_9028.jpg Blog - Canadian Getaway ~ Montreal - Make it stand out Starting with our home away from home the beautiful boutique hotel Mount Stephen in downtown Montreal, a wonderful birthday treat. Originally created as a home for Scottish born Lord George Stephen, the residence was converted into a private gentleman’s club in 1926. Converted to a hotel in 2006, the property embraces it’s past in the historic mansion at its forefront, and celebrates the present in a sleek contemporary tower where the guest rooms are located. With its opulent interior and beautiful stained glass windows walking through the historic mansion daily was such a wonderful feast for the senses and set the tone for our wandering in the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1631828433480-SIPB8SN33CBPE3YW57MH/IMG_9276.jpg Blog - Canadian Getaway ~ Montreal - Make it stand out Even though we didn’t make it to the underground mall we made a quick stop along Ste. Catherine Street at the Lululemon store before grabbing a bite to eat and grabbing our bags to head out to the airport. That quickly the weekend passed. There are many things in Montreal still on my list that I’d like to see and do but will need to save them until my wandering can bring me back here. Au Revoir for now Montreal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1631827913035-6RWMUCNFJ49CR31O3N7A/IMG_9107.jpg Blog - Canadian Getaway ~ Montreal - Make it stand out The mighty St. Lawrence River spanned by the cantilevered streel Jacques Cartier bridge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1631835119944-P37T48B4RSIKREHS6TNP/IMG_9275.jpg Blog - Canadian Getaway ~ Montreal - Make it stand out With limited time on Monday we decided to squeeze in a visit to the Mount Royal park and lookout and visit the iconic St. Joseph’s Oratory, the largest church in Canada with a domed roof reputed to be the largest dome in the world. Founded in 1904 by Saint André Bessette in his patron saint, Saint Joseph's honor, the Oratory was brought alive through the work and ingenuity of numerous architects and thousands of workers in a process spanning six decades. With its monumental scale, Renaissance Revival façade and contrasting Art Deco interior, the Oratory is recognizable not just in Montreal but around the world, attracting more than 2 million visitors and pilgrims to its steps each year. It was a toss up between the underground market and this but I’m glad that we made our way to Mount Royal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1631827384022-AIG34OYH8ONEE4A8S1SP/IMG_9037.jpg Blog - Canadian Getaway ~ Montreal - Make it stand out Wandering began with the Place D’ Armes the very heart of Vieux Montreal along with the old port. In the middle of the square is the statue of Paul de Chomedey, founder of Montreal surrounded by the iconic Notre Dame Basilica, The Bank of Montreal and Saint Sulpice Seminary. Starting from this central point we began our wandering through the narrow cobblestoned streets admiring Montreal’s historical landmarks. The streets are lined with tubs of beautiful colorful flowers which add a nice pop of color. I didn’t think we were too early but the streets were not crowded and what should have been the busy Place Jacques Cartier with its street vendors and restaurants was not super busy at all. We came back for a late lunch in this area after wandering around the port to enjoy a wonderful lunch amidst this beautiful ambiance. Montreal is a patron city of the arts with its graffiti art making a statement in various neighborhoods and buskers entertaining people in busy squares with music and song. We definitely enjoyed performances both here in Montreal and in Quebec City. Nothing is perfect and there is always a serpent in Eden and so it was as we witnessed a protest march along the Place D’Armes. I haven’t a clue what they were protesting and it was peaceful for sure but there’s always something people can be unhappy about. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1631832240225-7TGA26YQPPGD0HCVFCBQ/IMG_9125.jpg Blog - Canadian Getaway ~ Montreal - Make it stand out What a tragedy it would have been if we had not been able to visit the inside of this beautiful 900 plus year old church. We had been looking at the wrong link to buy tickets but fortunately we were able to navigate the complex booking system and secure tickets for the last entry of the day. Due to Covid regulations there is only a self guided visit of about an hour to goggle at the beauty. Built between 1824 and 1829, this masterpiece of gothic revival architecture stands as a testament to the importance of religion and art in the city. The basilica’s interior is a sight to behold, with its blue colors, shimmering gold-leaf ornamentation, intricate woodwork, religious paintings and colorful stained-glass windows designed by Québec artist, Jean-Baptiste Lagacé. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1631852839328-D3C7NQ27M5NX55N7KOBN/IMG_9104.jpg Blog - Canadian Getaway ~ Montreal - Make it stand out Montreal City View from Le Grand Rouge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1631827599143-VO5WKIDO8DXTUHNX3EDP/IMG_9095.jpg Blog - Canadian Getaway ~ Montreal - Make it stand out Looking upon the sights in Old Town from the vantage point of Le Grand Rouge the giant Ferris wheel at the port you might be fooled into believing that you’re in Europe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1631827803271-8X4F02ZRHIQDMFGMPMPA/IMG_9067.jpg Blog - Canadian Getaway ~ Montreal - Make it stand out As the afternoon wore on we could see more people but nothing close to what one might have expected pre-Covid. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1631828083382-8ADBI3FEUZFXZ426K3XQ/IMG_9024.jpg Blog - Canadian Getaway ~ Montreal - Make it stand out Friday night Ste Catherine Street is transformed into a pedestrian only street with street vendors doing brisk business and people partying on the street. There was a deejay playing salsa music and everyone who wasn’t actually dancing found their feet tapping to the beat. Our cab driver told us that anything you want to see and experience in Montreal can be done by walking the 11+ kilometers of this street. We didn’t quite walk the entire length but we did walk a few blocks for sure both at night and during the day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1631828117523-GGGTZ3BULSAG7LV4QWZP/IMG_0136.jpg Blog - Canadian Getaway ~ Montreal - Make it stand out My son went gaga over this Ford GT that was parked outside our hotel as we returned from our wandering in Old Town for some rest and recuperation before heading out for dinner. I think this is the fun of having a wandering companion because without him this might not even have been something I took note of or took a picture of or talked about. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1631828257593-UG7Z6VYO7U8QMM4MFRIY/IMG_9262.jpg Blog - Canadian Getaway ~ Montreal - Make it stand out We definitely indulged in gastronomic delights in this foodie city, I think despite the walking I gained a few pounds this weekend. With the number of people who thronged the lobby of our hotel waiting for a seat in The George a famous Montreal bar located in our hotel it would be foolish for us not to enjoy at least one meal in the very British forward restaurant and taste the amazing cocktails from the bar. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/weekend-in-san-diego monthly 0.5 2021-09-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630947798619-SP53JQ66OPZ0OG986BMA/IMG_8920.jpg Blog - Long Weekend In San Diego - Make it stand out This chapel located on the grounds is not a part of the mission’s history having been donated to the mission in 1970 along with the altar table and throne. The beautiful choir stalls date back to the 1400s and are decorated with whimsical animals, stylized plants and heraldic symbols. Amongst the visitors we saw nuns dressed in the traditional black robes that we are familiar with from our school years of schooling under similarly clad nuns. Both my cousin and I remarked that we were under the impression that the nuns now wore more secular clothing. The sight sent us back to our school years reminiscing about our school years spent under the eagle eyes and strict hand of the catholic nuns who ran our school. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630946607357-SKLSUHPFVSMS0IRMH2CQ/IMG_8864.jpg Blog - Long Weekend In San Diego - Make it stand out My next stop was the Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside where I was in time to enjoy the beautiful elegant church before it closed for the day. I strolled through the cemetery, saw the ruins of the barracks, the kiln and the lavanderia before wandering towards the beautiful gardens dreaming in the sun. It must have been the weekend for celebrating quinceaneras which is the coming of age ceremony for Mexican girls since there were several groups taking professional photographs in and around the Mission and it’s beautiful grounds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630948511728-KMDMHPCUJJDL6VK0AJUG/IMG_8949.jpg Blog - Long Weekend In San Diego - Make it stand out Cabrillo Point and the Point Loma lighthouse was not on the cards for us with the holiday crowds with a half hour drive time to make the five minutes to the parking lot. We opted to defer this spot for another day and turned around and drove out to the sunset cliffs overlook instead. Some thing about the word “No” seems to challenge young men of a certain age to defy it. Despite clear warning signs a trio of young men dared each other to jump off the cliffs into the water. We watched on as each one of them took the dare and made the jump one of them fully clothed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630946541598-TIM52M6L4YDZQIKVEW26/IMG_8842.jpg Blog - Long Weekend In San Diego - Make it stand out San Clemente Train Station, Beach and Pier. Saturday afternoon should have been a relatively uneventful drive from my home in Studio City to San Diego unfortunately it turned out to be anything but. It seemed like everyone making that drive south had the same idea in mind and traffic just crawled on the interstate 5. I reached San Clemente too late to make it to the Casa Romantica before it closed. Instead I made my way to the pier, was lucky enough to find parking right in front with minutes still in the meter. I was able to enjoy a quick walk, watch the Amtrak Coastal Express thunder past me, grab a cup of coffee and use of the necessary before heading out to my next destination. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630948241090-KK21DD6LR5GANV8WEZTF/IMG_8909.jpg Blog - Long Weekend In San Diego - Make it stand out Sunday morning with my cousin as a guide and companion, we started our weekend wandering at the Mission Basilica de Alcala, the first Franciscan mission established in what was then New Spain in 1769. Fortunately we arrived in between the English and Spanish Sunday services and were able to visit the church, gardens and surrounding chapels. In the front to the left of the church, an ongoing archaeological excavation begun in 1966 has yielded clothing, pottery, weapons and tools that are more than 175 years old. Many of the artifacts are displayed in the mission's museum, along with photos of Kumeyaay (local Indian tribe) elders and examples of the tribe's craftsmanship. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630946886607-94LGDG50UEXZ6JEE7HFU/IMG_8957.jpg Blog - Long Weekend In San Diego - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630946833679-AKMP25KTPG98HCVVHRCV/IMG_8936.jpg Blog - Long Weekend In San Diego - Make it stand out At the mission we read that the mission had first been housed in the Presidio so while the Presidio was not on our original plan we decided to make a quick stop on our way to Cabrillo Point which was our next destination. The Presidio Reál de San Diego, is the first permanent European structure in the state of California built by soldiers and priests arriving from New Spain. The site was constructed just above the settlement of Cosoy, where native people (today called the Kumeyaay) lived, probably seasonally for thousands of years due to the proximity to both bays and the San Diego River. The site was built as one of many fortifications along the California coast in an effort to establish settlement rights and keep Russian and British ships from setting up trade. Today instead of the San Diego river and local native settlements you can see a river of freeways and urban development as far as the eye can see. From the front you can see incredible views of the San Diego bay and the city of San Diego. The museum at this site was closed probably due to the federal holiday. However there was an intrepid group of exercise fanatics who were taking advantage of the beautiful breeze and wonderful location performing their routine to the sound of music. Perhaps in it’s heyday locals saw soldiers drilling right here in preparation for staying fit and ready for action. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630946649586-WX92COA96P3MT4XL93LC/IMG_8901.jpg Blog - Long Weekend In San Diego - Make it stand out The mission itself is slightly inland but I decided to backtrack to the ocean to check out the Oceanside Pier which at 1954 feet is the longest wooden pier in the western United States. This beach was full of families setting up barbeques and unpacking picnics as they relaxed and dug in ready to enjoy their evening on the beach and the spectacular sunset to follow. Since I was looking forward to family time and a wonderful dinner cooked by cousin I headed off towards Escondido and their home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630947158543-RWNHI9H57T50PWIPQIZ8/IMG_8968.jpg Blog - Long Weekend In San Diego - Make it stand out A quick stop at the city of Lemon Grove for a photo stop of this giant lemon and it’s sign claiming the best climate on our way home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630948139935-UQ3BH6A9W447RLBK1OFO/IMG_8969.jpg Blog - Long Weekend In San Diego - Make it stand out The Lemon Grove History Mural is located on the south wall of the town’s historic Sonka Brothers General Store. The mural depicts the five eras of Lemon Grove history from the Kumeyaay World to the modern city of Lemon Grove. Constructed in 1912, the Sonka Store is a Mission Revival building. Over the years it has housed a store, a post office, and a bakery. It has been a gathering place since the early days of Lemon Grove. For years it was the heart of the town. The sixty-five foot long mural was created in sections between 2005 and 2013. In 2014 the Lemon Grove Historical Society received a Governor’s Historic Preservation Award for the project. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630946787399-NKAOMPSAKW2NNDVA2AKE/IMG_8956.jpg Blog - Long Weekend In San Diego - Make it stand out After a quick stop in Little Italy for a delightful brunch we made our way to Old Town San Diego. By now the day was fleeting so a quick browse here and off we were homeward bound. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/the-fashion-capital-milan monthly 0.5 2021-09-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630623491427-TBS3CJGH5B6ETGV8VXLW/IMG_5922_Original%281%29.jpg Blog - Milan The Fashion Capital - Make it stand out The distinctive orange awnings of the Grand Hotel Tremezzo a luxury hotel on the lake that has been a destination for weddings of the rich and famous. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630623559671-7AO8P1FR3CZOQOH12LMJ/IMG_5985_Original.jpg Blog - Milan The Fashion Capital - Make it stand out Teatro La Scala, the world famous Opera House first opened in 1778 is in Milan. We were fortunate that there was a dress rehearsal underway when we visited and we were able to creep in quiet as mice and take a seat and observe goggle eyed around the beautiful wedding cake like tiered boxes surrounding the stage. We took the stairs to appreciate the poster of who’s who of famous operas featuring legendary performers. Imagine the tales these walls could tell you. I visualized elegant women clad in luxury fashions, shimmering jewels around their throat and ears, dangling a glass of champagne as they mingled with handsome tuxedo clad men during the intermissions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630622582090-4VODS1NE3VPCUYTIBW00/IMG_5876.jpg Blog - Milan The Fashion Capital - Make it stand out A statue of Vittorio Emanuele II the first king of a united Italy. This is in the far corner of the square from the Duomo. Now we all know and appreciate good Italian coffee but one morning walking towards this square I was amused to notice signs announcing the opening of the first Starbucks in Italy right here in Milan. Just another nod to the cosmopolitan vibe of the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630624196489-SOB3A6JMO9OQTAI8SX92/unsplash-image-ARRuuD_wvVw.jpg Blog - Milan The Fashion Capital - Make it stand out Sforza castle is a short walk from the railway station and worth a quick visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630624760467-L12M1MM8L3B50ZUMPDSU/IMG_5995_Original.jpg Blog - Milan The Fashion Capital - Make it stand out The cathedral houses one of the most important artifacts of Christianity: a nail from the true cross. The Holy Nail is lowered by a hoist to the ground so that it can be seen by the faithful and remains on the ground for 40 hours known as the Rite of the Nivola celebrated annually in September. At the end of the 40 hours the Nail is put back in its case, signaled to the Duomo visitors by a red light, switched on to indicate the position of the tabernacle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630623689135-XGGTVGIFDN2XFTKYLC75/IMG_5921.jpg Blog - Milan The Fashion Capital - Make it stand out Towards the middle of the lake is a village which has some historic significance in the local area and the church with it’s bell tower visible from the water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630623457852-SJ86X5DOYT2FCLNA9AA3/IMG_5956_Original_Original.jpg Blog - Milan The Fashion Capital - Make it stand out Bellagio was one of my favorite destinations on the lake where I would have loved to linger beyond a delicious meal and a quick tour of the island. On the way back we got on a ferry where we rode with the cars and buses and once across the lake made our way back to Milan by road rather than crossing the lake to Como. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630622897973-25ADKW8BDDMOY5G9U6LU/IMG_5875.jpg Blog - Milan The Fashion Capital - Make it stand out Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the beautiful glass covered 19th century arcade housing luxury shops and upscale dining establishments. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at a restaurant highly recommended by our hotel here but only browsed and window shopped through the plush luxury arcade. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630624356349-QHRVDSD1AO0VPVOGI8VN/IMG_5889_Original.jpg Blog - Milan The Fashion Capital - Make it stand out Lake Como is an easily accessible 51 miles from Milan and many local tour companies offer day trips. The city is dominated by the gothic Como Cathedral in much the same way as Milan is dominated by the Duomo. We strolled along the narrow streets filled with sidewalk cafes and shops where we got to enjoy our afternoon boost of gelato. We found seats at the lake side right across the ferry terminal as we waited for our ferry where we made the acquaintance of a host of Bangladeshi street sellers. When my brother in law spoke to the gentleman in Bengali the guy was thrilled. He must have sent out a bat signal and soon we had a host of these gentleman who came to chat us up and show off their wares at bargain basement prices. While we bought from these gentleman, so did many of the folks on our day tour. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630624402729-E7TW7YJMAIT5KJ9L2NZG/IMG_5915-EFFECTS_Original.jpg Blog - Milan The Fashion Capital - Make it stand out The lake is well known for it’s attractive villas that have been built here since Roman times. Many of these villas have beautiful gardens that benefit from the mild climate. The beautiful Villa Del Balbianello is famous for its elaborate terraced gardens and distinguished by the two towers that are all that remain of what was once a monastery. Many famous people have homes along the lake including such celebrities like George Clooney, Madonna, Richard Branson, etc. I was seated next to a guide with a small group whom she was provided a commentary as we looked on at the beautiful sights along the lake shore who pointed out landmarks and names which was quite interesting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630622567489-K4KQ3LXYK7DQ16LO10PX/IMG_5877.jpg Blog - Milan The Fashion Capital - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630622615538-T3U7AW1QH18EGPQYKW90/IMG_5970_Original.jpg Blog - Milan The Fashion Capital - Make it stand out The Last Supper by Leonard Da Vinci painted directly on the dry wall of the refectory of the Dominican convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie is a major attraction here in the city. Unfortunately due to its location and the nature of the paint used the painting deteriorated considerably over time. As if that was not enough, the monks decided to cut out a door to the kitchens right into the wall with the paining thus destroying a portion of the painting. Subsequently the door was bricked and several restoration attempts were made though you can still see the outline. Now the room is temperature and light controlled and the number of visitors are tightly controlled. Due to it’s popularity its best to get a front of the line access to visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630623365411-2AUYFNA4POCVZYMSJOJ6/IMG_5958_Original.jpg Blog - Milan The Fashion Capital - Make it stand out Needle, Thread and Knot sculpture in the center of the Piazzale Cadorna outside the Ferrovie Nord railway station is a nod to Milan as the mecca of fashion. The sculpture consists of a 19 meter tall steel needle with multicolored reinforced fiberglass thread that pops up in another point of the square with a knot at the end. According to the artists the needle pulling thread through fabric is a metaphor for a train going through a tunnel. The thread wrapped around a needle also "paraphrased" the city emblem of a snake coiled around a sword. According to the City of Milan, it is also meant as a tribute to Milan's influence in the fashion industry and the three thread colors represent the lines of the Milan Metro. This square itself is very bright and colorful and we enjoyed the trams threading their way on the surface even as the metro makes it way below the surface. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/self-realization-at-the-lake-shrine monthly 0.5 2021-08-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630272599335-XWEL49P0SUVMUZZBLIS7/IMG_8707.jpg Blog - Self Realization At The Lake Shrine - Make it stand out The windmill chapel was a busy spot with many people sitting on the outer deck on chairs wrapped up in the silence of their meditation practice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630294643191-RAERHFQNLNX5OU39ONST/IMG_8718.jpg Blog - Self Realization At The Lake Shrine - Make it stand out Plaques dedicated to various religions of the world are planted amongst the flowers signifying the message that all people, all faiths are welcome here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630273292378-450QNLJJNXKDCO6YXW0M/IMG_8734.jpg Blog - Self Realization At The Lake Shrine - Make it stand out The Lotus temple https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630272555252-XOBXI912ARZWK716ZFXO/IMG_8735.jpg Blog - Self Realization At The Lake Shrine - Make it stand out Another beautiful shrine, this one to Lord Buddha. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630272680169-G4UC7TH9LHRS0CNZDS19/IMG_8721.jpg Blog - Self Realization At The Lake Shrine - Make it stand out Across from the visitor center is a mysterious path leading to the sunken gardens which offer a cool shady spot under a living canopy for people to sit in quiet contemplation. It was already occupied when I made my way there so I retreated gracefully. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630293877024-BA46WVJQNZ47YDZ5GJBL/IMG_8741.jpg Blog - Self Realization At The Lake Shrine - Make it stand out The Mahatma Gandhi peace memorial which contains a portion of the Mahatma’s ashes brought from India and dedicated at the time of the opening of the shrine in 1950. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630272758894-Q8VA6JJ7Z0DZJYU25IMF/IMG_8692.jpg Blog - Self Realization At The Lake Shrine - Make it stand out These majestic swans gliding on the lake, indulging in play strike a beautiful note as you wander around the lake or find a seat and gaze at the water, flora and fauna along the path. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630272471263-JLBWJDA3PQCC5PI69KHI/IMG_8740.jpg Blog - Self Realization At The Lake Shrine - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630272519208-ZNYLXQ4QNMK1HWJ7DQJA/IMG_8694.jpg Blog - Self Realization At The Lake Shrine - Make it stand out This beautiful shrine dedicated to Lord Krishna with a quote from the Bhagvad Gita was a popular stopping place. Close your eyes and let your imagination fly and you can almost hear the musical notes of the flute and the tinkling laughter of Lord Krishna’s admirers in Vrindavan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1630293960363-U4RT7UYQERZWY3HVXMMT/IMG_8722.jpg Blog - Self Realization At The Lake Shrine - Make it stand out The back of the gift shop with it’s beautiful wrought iron stair case. There is no entrance to the gift shop which carries Indian specialties from here but it’s a beautiful spot never the less. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/the-anacapas monthly 0.5 2021-08-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629917409193-68CXP693MRLUS811I8PG/IMG_7110.jpg Blog - The Anacapas ~ A Natural Haven - Make it stand out The captain guided the ship to the landing dock even as I stood on the deck marveling at the beautiful color of the water and the caves that are riddled all through the island. I recalled the blow hole that I had photographed so recently on my visit to Oahu and lo and behold here was one right here in my backyard. The dock itself is pretty sparse with 187 steps stretching upwards that visitors have to climb to make it on the island itself. Imagine that and carrying all you need for the day or weekend as well as kayaks etc. if you want to go kayaking. Needless to say I chose to forgo the climb and remained on board the boat and contented myself with cruising and enjoying what was on offer from the boat itself. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629917720307-KXWP9QDQLQZ5ZPLQILJW/IMG_7146.jpg Blog - The Anacapas ~ A Natural Haven - Make it stand out There are so many pelicans who nest along these rocks and on the island that someone once wrote that it might be akin to the Hitchcock thriller called “The Birds”. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629918175668-0RPNCRI5445IK5LUYZY4/IMG_7193.jpg Blog - The Anacapas ~ A Natural Haven - Make it stand out The existence of oil rigs off the coast of California has been a continuous issue in Santa Barbara over decades and yet they continue to flourish and make a beacon for the home ward bound passengers on this ship. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629916916130-LSVPBM2YRK86VWB46D49/IMG_7106.jpg Blog - The Anacapas ~ A Natural Haven - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629932622631-1W8CUE9534L7Y4NQN1PR/IMG_7089.jpg Blog - The Anacapas ~ A Natural Haven - Make it stand out As I mentioned the whales were very bashful and we kept rushing from side of the boat to the other to catch a quick glimpse but all I was able to capture was the flip of its tail as it dove below the water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629917687348-AG06YAGOV3D7GVMV4WU9/IMG_7160.jpg Blog - The Anacapas ~ A Natural Haven - Make it stand out As you sail around the islets, you can see this rock formation called Keyhole rock which is still connected to the main land mass but is forming the arches that we saw at arch rock. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629932449507-1W6CR00P6N90H1TIACJH/IMG_7184.jpg Blog - The Anacapas ~ A Natural Haven - Make it stand out The dolphins were out in full force and served as our escorts with their cool acrobatics drawing many an ooh and aah from the passengers all through our cruise. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629917371031-N4VX71LBIGRYC64HR233/IMG_7124.jpg Blog - The Anacapas ~ A Natural Haven - Make it stand out As we sailed towards the East Island dock we were able to sight the lighthouse located at the highest point of the harbor. After several ship wrecks along this coast the lighthouse was put in place with a lighthouse crew in 1939. It still operates but in 1960 the lens was changed and the lighthouse itself automated so no crew lives on the island to man the lighthouse any more. The islands are formed as a result of volcanic activity under the ocean and then the constant waves further erode these to create these interesting looking rock formations that emerge from the water depending on how high the water level is at different times. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629923206690-4SOH3RCQ3A81GC17LAFT/IMG_7135.jpg Blog - The Anacapas ~ A Natural Haven - Make it stand out The caves and caverns that riddle the island are a favorite with kayakers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629917448298-IFC4Q8SAXGT09M19GYDV/IMG_7125.jpg Blog - The Anacapas ~ A Natural Haven - Make it stand out Arch rock home to seals and sea lions who were clustered all along this side of the island but very difficult to capture via an iPhone camera. When you look at the picture of keyhole rock described in this post you’ll get a feel for how these rocks too were at one time connected to the landmass but over time have separated and eroded into what you see today. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629917757710-VJW4UCHKCOOO8ZO1SIFI/IMG_7169.jpg Blog - The Anacapas ~ A Natural Haven - Make it stand out Frenchy’s cove is a naturally occurring beach with tide pools and birds located on the north side of West Anacapa and a popular landing spot for nature enthusiasts. Raymond “Frenchy” LeDreau built cabins here and resided at this location for almost three decades. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/heaven-on-earth-weekend-wandering monthly 0.5 2021-08-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629688351939-2U6VHQTUO6XPSOVEZES6/IMG_8647.jpg Blog - Heaven On Earth ~ Weekend Wandering - Make it stand out Our last stop of the day was the Rogers garden center with its wide selection of plants, patio décor and restaurant. We enjoyed our last bit of browsing for the day and stopped in at the restaurant for a small pick me up which was either coffee or a cocktail depending on who wanted what. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629688447465-CX1RD2NYT7C2ALF7UA8P/IMG_8643.jpg Blog - Heaven On Earth ~ Weekend Wandering - Make it stand out As we walked Marine Ave, we found this beautiful chapel in the midst of all the shops and eateries. Today we just wandered by and did not stop inside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629688231275-6IYC61ZJQV83261RWXFJ/IMG_8624.jpg Blog - Heaven On Earth ~ Weekend Wandering - Make it stand out “Because there’s nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it’s sent away.” - Sarah Kay A trip to Newport Beach would definitely be incomplete without feasting you eyes on the beauty and power of the ocean. Standing at an overlook right above the Corona Del Mar beach we admired the beautiful beach front properties that showcased architectural styles from different parts of the world and different periods of time and looked on people making the most of a Southern California summer day on the beach. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629688159929-8V6TUGFR3R3W3O4PW9NG/IMG_8594.jpg Blog - Heaven On Earth ~ Weekend Wandering - Make it stand out “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero No truer words could be spoken for someone like me who despite having a black thumb really enjoys the beauty of a garden. There are whimsical displays all around the garden like this inviting you to stop a minute, take a deep breath and blow out all your troubles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629688313108-RYT8DMQ4OMKBS4R370ZX/IMG_8644.jpg Blog - Heaven On Earth ~ Weekend Wandering - Make it stand out Despite diligently following the car navigation we missed the Balboa Island Ferry but fortunately ended up on Marine Ave, and a short bridge crossing that took us over to Balboa island. Thank you to the parking gods who opened up a spot in front of us close to where we wanted to be . After a much needed lunch at a delightful Italian restaurant we wandered along Marine Ave shopping for the cute, quaint and different. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629687827173-GXJA18YIP12UXTGE00W8/IMG_8638.jpg Blog - Heaven On Earth ~ Weekend Wandering - Make it stand out Sailboat in Newport Harbor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629687967989-ZQUHJJJUYOHF19A956KF/IMG_8557.jpg Blog - Heaven On Earth ~ Weekend Wandering - Make it stand out Saturday on our walk through the Chinese Garden we encountered this young man posing for a picture. He unfurled his fan and gave me a smile and a wave as I raised my phone to click a picture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629688505943-ZVCKLYKSFFOGEYHGWPDK/IMG_8653.jpg Blog - Heaven On Earth ~ Weekend Wandering - Make it stand out As we headed out we stopped to admire this unique plant which is a succulent but does not have any thorns. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629688270321-OQVCJ7V3OFQQN8ZF9S0C/IMG_8629.jpg Blog - Heaven On Earth ~ Weekend Wandering - Make it stand out Another mile further down on Ocean avenue to a lookout point overlooking the Newport harbor which looks pretty busy as you can see. This is where the annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade delights millions of viewers across the nation. As we found a bench to enjoy the sight, a friendly pigeon came to roost right next to us as if listening to our conversation. I’ve never seen such a friendly bird before. Hunger pangs were now making themselves felt so we reluctantly left these delightful views to find our way to Balboa island and lunch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629689582622-TM0YI24319WRSRBPIZ58/IMG_8601.jpg Blog - Heaven On Earth ~ Weekend Wandering - Make it stand out Enjoy the dazzling splashes of color, stop to admire special plants from all over the world in every corner of the garden. If you are an avid gardener, do grab their flowering calendar that tells you what to look out for on each trip. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629688019415-P8UVIKC6QGEY67921Z83/IMG_8576.jpg Blog - Heaven On Earth ~ Weekend Wandering - Make it stand out Sherman Gardens and Library in Newport Beach. The gardens showcase flowers and plants from all over the world. It’s very refreshing to wander though the paths and enjoy the bright splashes of color that make visitors feel welcomed. This table setting for 12 is a part of their silent auction and definitely invites visitors to want to win this meal for 12 in an idyllic setting. There’s also a bathtub in the garden with lotus flowers and waterlilies if you want to imagine an old fashioned bath in idyllic surroundings. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/portland-the-city-of-gardens-and-roses monthly 0.5 2021-08-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629394517610-HGDGK4067X4R17K9ER4B/IMG_8472.jpg Blog - Everything’s Coming Up Roses ~ More Portland Oregon - Make it stand out Covering an entire city block the garden was built by Suzhou artisans in an authentic Ming Dynasty style with it’s unique architecture and design. All things considered the garden is pretty small and I personally could not help compare it to my favorite Chinese Garden here in the Huntington, Pasadena, California. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629399296549-UBBGB8MMJ8QT9KN2QIR5/IMG_8369.jpg Blog - Everything’s Coming Up Roses ~ More Portland Oregon - Make it stand out While this was not on my original list of gardens to visit a local recommended it highly so I made my way there as dusk was deepening in the sky. This is a catholic sanctuary set both at the foot of and atop a 110 basalt cliff. On the top is an botanical garden with several trails that are marked by religious statuary that provide both hiking and an opportunity for contemplation. To me the crowning glory here was a glass enclosed meditation chamber tht extends out from the top of the cliff giving you breathtaking views of the city skyline towards the airport side. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629395306944-QB56W6U1UC0EO6TCNR8H/IMG_8320.jpg Blog - Everything’s Coming Up Roses ~ More Portland Oregon - Make it stand out An abundance of pears. So a funny story about a friend visiting Portland and seeing pear trees bursting with fruit such that fruit was falling to the ground. He couldn’t resist and reached over to pick up a few pears from the ground whereupon an orchard worker came over and asked him to pluck what he wanted from the trees instead. We talked about it but resisted the urge to pluck fruit at which point our guide took pity on us and took us to a fruit stand where we were able to legitimately buy cherries, apples, peaches, apricots, pears, plums and all manner of other local fruit and also do some hard cider tasting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629438548720-XGBGM4J9VQDUUB9H5BVT/IMG_8410%281%29.jpg Blog - Everything’s Coming Up Roses ~ More Portland Oregon - Make it stand out Color as far as the eye can see, beauty for the soul to feast on. Rose Garden, Portland, Oregon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629439057586-KNA6CCXBMP55QSK0MDKZ/IMG_8340.jpg Blog - Everything’s Coming Up Roses ~ More Portland Oregon - Make it stand out While there are beautiful parks and gardens both free and paid that abound in the city but thanks to the beautiful climate and avid gardeners you can see bursts of color surrounded by green every where you go. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629394731361-9HDJBE3L8BM8X0E0BXC0/IMG_8256.jpg Blog - Everything’s Coming Up Roses ~ More Portland Oregon - Make it stand out Color abounds everywhere you go whether it’s these hanging baskets in Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse square or on street corners and outside homes. Given more time I would have explored more of Washington Park with it’s Hoyt Arboretum and other natural delights but I still managed to cover a fair bit of ground despite the heat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629393915583-37YODAOGKFN7GG64X0X4/IMG_8430.jpg Blog - Everything’s Coming Up Roses ~ More Portland Oregon - Make it stand out I’ve already talked about the Rose Garden and it was certainly my favorite of all the gardens that I was privileged to visit during this trip. I can’t describe the feeling as you come down the steps and see the riot of color spread as far as your eye can see. My pictures just don’t do it justice. This garden has been in existence since 1917 as a public garden and remains free to the public. Here they experiment and test different varieties of roses. Modeled after the famous Pasadena Rose Parade locally here in Southern California, Portland has it’s own Rose Festival where they crown a queen and have a parade and other fun activities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629394078285-DYGKQR22JUYNP3Z77QJW/IMG_8463.jpg Blog - Everything’s Coming Up Roses ~ More Portland Oregon - Make it stand out “A Japanese garden is not only a place for the cultivation of trees and flowering shrubs, but one that provides secluded leisure, rest, repose, meditation, and sentimental pleasure.” - Professor Takuma Tono, Designer of the Portland Japanese Garden. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629395208842-A1PZWBDC6FB635I16GV2/IMG_8503.jpg Blog - Everything’s Coming Up Roses ~ More Portland Oregon - Make it stand out The authentic Chinese gates that once marked the entrance to Chinatown and this garden are all that remain of a once thriving Chinese community in the original Chinatown. Surrounded by tall buildings of downtown Portland, and what has become a seedy neighborhood the gardens offer an oasis of tranquility to visitors of which there were quite a few despite the growing heat of the day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629393980852-3N7PY4PZZ0170OGKMWM6/IMG_8442.jpg Blog - Everything’s Coming Up Roses ~ More Portland Oregon - Make it stand out Transitioning from all that glorious color I walked across the parking lot and up a flight of stairs to the entrance of the Japanese Garden. This beautiful water fountain starts to stage the visitor for the tranquility of the Japanese garden right here as you line up to buy your tickets. While there is a steep climb from here to the entrance of the gardens, you can request a shuttle that will drive you up the hill. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/three-hot-days-in-portland monthly 0.5 2021-08-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629086740684-LFLHDWO4OH5YQ4XZ0FX1/IMG_8202.jpg Blog - A Big City With A Small Town Soul ~ Portland Oregon - Make it stand out With temperatures expected to reach a 108 degrees, I decided to escape the city and spend a day at the coast. What a wonderful choice since despite warnings of fog and gloom we were treated to a beautiful sunshiny day with moderate temperatures. Our first stop was at the Ecola State Park where Lewis and Clark first came to trade for whale blubber from a beached whale. Fortunately we were not treated to such a gruesome sight instead we got beautiful views of canon beach and the abandoned Tillamook Rock Lighthouse. Thanks to the volcanic activity in the region, these igneous rocks that you see, rise from the water to paint a dramatic picture of the Pacific Ocean meeting the Oregon Coast with what appears to be an army of rocks. The most famous and most photographed of these rocks is Haystack Rock which we got to stop at as we drove on from Ecola Park and headed to the town of Canon Beach. Here we got to dip out toes in the cold water, admire the rock close up and eat lunch. We had an interesting discussion of the beach front properties and how these were once not regarded very highly but are now much sought after with soaring prices. We resumed our coastal drive along the 101 highway, yes the same 101 that I live right next to but this part of it is a scenic coastal drive along the Oregon coast. Some photo stops at scenic overlooks and another beach spot to give folks more sun and sand time before we headed back to town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629085375933-FUCU4NFGJJ09ABEV9Q4E/IMG_8420.jpg Blog - A Big City With A Small Town Soul ~ Portland Oregon - Make it stand out Even if you are not an outdoor person you need to stop in at the Portland Rose garden where over 10000 roses of 650 varieties grow. It’s a breathtaking sight when you walk in to see what appears to be a carpet of roses everywhere you look. As an added bonus the garden is free to the public and is open through out the daylight hours. I wish I had planned better and had more time to spend here. I could have just blissfully sat and had my fill of the sight and smell of these beautiful flowers. I did also make the time to visit the Japanese garden, Chinese garden and The Grotto, each offering something unique or being of special interest to me. Since it would be too much to include all the gardens here, I promise to share more about the gardens as well as the small slice of the food scene that I tasted in a separate post. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629087403261-1JR1JOPQA2OTEYQB8TL6/IMG_8347.jpg Blog - A Big City With A Small Town Soul ~ Portland Oregon - Make it stand out Our final stop for the day at the top of Mount Hood and Timberline Lodge which provides access to a plethora of hiking trails along Mount Head as well as a year round ski area. This year thanks to the heat there is very little snow here and when we got there the lodge was pretty deserted with the ski lifts not operating though there were some brave souls snow boarding on the patches of snow that were left. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629088763890-SNVNKVA1GBSFS2LPMFVH/IMG_8259.jpg Blog - A Big City With A Small Town Soul ~ Portland Oregon - Make it stand out Portland Downtown did not live up to the eclectic and vibrant vibe that I had expected partly due to the heat and partially due to fears of the delta virus. When I went to Portland Courthouse Square it was deserted, the food carts were all shuttered and just a few hardy souls lurked here outside the Starbucks. I did go across the street and go up to the bar at the Nines Hotel but the bar was full (definitely no worries of Delta there) and the roof top terraces closed due to the heat so instead I walked through some of streets around the area, ate at a bar top in a highly recommended restaurant, made some new friends and called it a day. I did visit Voodoo donuts but did not actually get a donut due to the long line, I also did the Portland Spirit boat trip on the Willamette River to try to stay out of the heat and visited Powell Books. Oh and I did get to ride a Portland Streetcar. I will share some of the iconic restaurants that I got to eat at such as the Tin Shed featured on food network, Higgins, Q Restaurant. Since I was flying out on Saturday I looked in on the Saturday market but time was fleeting and my flight was calling so I did not actually spend too much time browsing, tasting or buying. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629088616648-NXOFFN9PY53TUKAXE7TL/IMG_8536.jpg Blog - A Big City With A Small Town Soul ~ Portland Oregon - Make it stand out Portlandia is a sculpture by Raymond Kaskey located above the entrance of the Portland Building in downtown Portland, Oregon. It is the second-largest copper repoussé statue in the United States, after the Statue of Liberty. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629087522108-E23Q72NKENPXSAHK4B1N/IMG_8298.jpg Blog - A Big City With A Small Town Soul ~ Portland Oregon - Make it stand out For a change of scene and an itinerary near and dear to my heart the next day we once again headed out of the city but this time along the Columbia River towards Mount Hood. While we did not get a huge respite from the heat we did get to enjoy a very scenic and satisfying day. First stop the Multinomah Falls which at 620 Ft is the tallest waterfall in the state of Oregon and comes down in the middle of two basalt cliffs. A native American Legend has it that a young maiden princess, daughter of the chief sacrificed herself at this spot to save her people from the plague. When her father asked for proof that her spirit had been welcomed by the gods this waterfall began to come down the cliff and legend has it that it has constantly run since that day. We passed by the Bridal Veil falls, the horsetail and pony tail and some other really small falls that we could barely see and I definitely don’t recall the names of. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629087311082-VPKWJ2CW14AXEWXAY5Z8/IMG_8318.jpg Blog - A Big City With A Small Town Soul ~ Portland Oregon - Make it stand out Ever since I read “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed and how she was convinced that her life would change once she reached the Bridge Of Gods, I’ve wanted to visit here. This is the lowest point of the Pacific Crest Trail that passes through Oregon. We saw two hikers making their way to the bridge to cross over but did not get an opportunity to converse if they were just hiking locally or if they were doing the Pacific Crest Trail. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629088318465-TAGC0STJR24SB5O3D37H/IMG_8337.jpg Blog - A Big City With A Small Town Soul ~ Portland Oregon - Make it stand out Wine tasting along the Columbia River Gorge under a wine arbor of Pinot grapes. We ate lunch here as well as tasted a flight of 5 wines of which I actually liked 3. Oregon is an up and coming wine region, starting to gain fame for it’s Pinot Noir. Thanks to the climate and rich soil this region is abundant in fruit and we got to stop at a fruit stand and try cherries, donut peaches, plums and all manner of fruit. I did not manage to visit the Willamette Valley on this trip but I did get to taste other local wines at restaurants in town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1629089209341-KWNVP27OO7BSQNGZMYP5/IMG_8529.jpg Blog - A Big City With A Small Town Soul ~ Portland Oregon - Make it stand out While I did not get a chance to visit the South Waterfront, Mississippi Avenue, Hawthorne and some of the other eclectic neighborhoods that were recommended I did get to walk NW 23 and appreciate the color and life in the neighborhood. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/more-gardens-another-wonderful-weekend monthly 0.5 2021-08-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1628447900468-64VR8WW2SA3X83LWUPAF/IMG_8018.jpg Blog - Traveling The World A Garden At A Time - Make it stand out The reception courtyard with its ivy covered walls and array of plants. This area is actually closed to the public and I entered the gardens along the sides but I couldn’t resist stopping to take a picture of how beautiful and welcoming it looks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1628447405651-IYX5R9DJE0BMXOY7WSBG/IMG_7966.jpg Blog - Traveling The World A Garden At A Time - Make it stand out These arbors offer a nice touch of shade and a lovely spot for dreaming. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1628447126494-S8F8NSOOHZULKJE9YU1N/IMG_7963.jpg Blog - Traveling The World A Garden At A Time - Make it stand out There are three types of roses in the garden: bush, tree and climber but these arbors with their wonderful climbing roses provide a splash of color and the romance of walking under the trellises. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1628448162668-SOJOUQSJTCSFSJJRAQCX/IMG_7968.jpg Blog - Traveling The World A Garden At A Time - Make it stand out This waterfall in front of the entry gates is magnificent. It’s part of the French garden with its low lying hedges and flowers arranged in intricate shapes. I fear that my picture has really not done it justice especially with the the sunshine on the water which in this instance makes it look like greyish grass. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1628447744553-IC9SJDJPHMQN6TDR4VL7/IMG_7988.jpg Blog - Traveling The World A Garden At A Time - Make it stand out The Japanese garden is a tranquil haven with its beautiful pagoda surrounded by water features and a Koi pond encircled with bamboo and bridges. Such a wonderful spot to breathe and refresh your spirits. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1628448439905-CFCDC3Q15P8UJ7M7JRS3/IMG_8023.jpg Blog - Traveling The World A Garden At A Time - Make it stand out As I wrapped up my walk I stopped across the street at the beautiful Lakes for a bite to eat watching this beautiful man made water feature with its ducks and bridges. An absolutely fitting end to an afternoon stroll. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1628447465430-TY2WM5LYTTWZZ87QHODT/IMG_7986.jpg Blog - Traveling The World A Garden At A Time - Make it stand out The Italian garden with it’s “chain” fountain running through the garden. Love the effect of the sun on the water making the water droplets sparkle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1628447508524-TI8L8290HNWIYGMHQHXB/IMG_7979.jpg Blog - Traveling The World A Garden At A Time - Make it stand out The Mission Courtyard with murals of the 21 missions painted by local artists on the walls that form the courtyard. I actually believe my selfie taking skills are improving. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1628447667333-CCL6A8XB8T6L1FKHCV6P/IMG_7975.jpg Blog - Traveling The World A Garden At A Time - Make it stand out The courtyards traditionally had four walls surrounding a center fountain. I have already resolved to follow the mission trail one of these days and visit all the California missions but seeing these beautiful murals and the map of missions here solidified that desire. Stay tuned for the mission adventure coming soon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1628448233932-U782CPVR9MAOU0RUSJXC/IMG_8004.jpg Blog - Traveling The World A Garden At A Time - Make it stand out The water features all over the garden add a cool and refreshing note. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1628447977791-K28CLRRRKAZP85VM0J48/IMG_8011.jpg Blog - Traveling The World A Garden At A Time - Make it stand out The bandstand is at the center of the garden surrounded by a green space. I did not spend too much time here just walked around it a couple of times since I kind of took a zig zag path through the various gardens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1628447095545-R4LXJ70ZTN8WYXYZK98L/IMG_7960.jpg Blog - Traveling The World A Garden At A Time - Make it stand out I drove in parked, collected a map and started to walk towards the bandstand that is in the center. But I soon veered and started my garden walk at the rose garden. The rose garden is a perennial English garden carefully cultivated with 350 varieties of rose bushes of various colors that bloom between bushes and hedges of perennials that provide a wonderful foil. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/a-day-at-cambridge-university-england monthly 0.5 2021-08-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1628175631438-X694V184OE32Y1TO8KJ1/DSC00331.jpg Blog - A Day At Cambridge University, England - Make it stand out The famous narrow cobble stoned lane known as the Senate House passage that connects several colleges together. On my first trip to England lost in the annals of history I visited a tea shop near Westminster Abbey for the best tea and scones that it’s been my privilege to enjoy. Since then I’ve tried to recreate the experience and taste unsuccessfully since the old fashioned tea rooms have all but disappeared. But here in Cambridge I was able to come close to the experience with the most delightful scones and clotted cream. Let me assure you that experiences like this in the countryside at a small tea shop far surpasses the expensive and elaborate high tea experience in expensive hotels in the city of London and elsewhere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1628192965695-YSGY66VD89M2NV8EHXLR/DSC00334.jpg Blog - A Day At Cambridge University, England - Make it stand out Kings Chapel is a notable landmark and a hub for life on the campus. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1628116151759-PBKQ3Q0NW02J349RE6X8/DSC00342_Original.jpg Blog - A Day At Cambridge University, England - Make it stand out Sailing along we crossed the ivy colored walls of St. John’s college. One might be forgiven for thinking that we are at a grand castle in England or Europe rather than a university town as we look at this view. Poling these punt is a way for many students to earn some extra money here at the university. The experience is quite similar to riding a gondola along the Venice canals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1628175484419-U93K2JHEU9U6EET2TQGI/DSC00337.jpg Blog - A Day At Cambridge University, England - Make it stand out Wren Library was designed by Christopher Wren in 1676, completed in 1695. IT houses approximately 70,000 books printed before 1820. Libraries as many of you know are my happy places but alas we did not get a chance to go inside and gawk at all the treasures this particular library houses. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1628175531079-5FRO4ZJUSP677SVTQ4CO/DSC00348.jpg Blog - A Day At Cambridge University, England - Make it stand out Trinity College was founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII and is one of the largest and oldest colleges in Cambridge. The distinctive great court pictured here is reputed to the largest enclosed courtyard in Europe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1628116055989-YJ6STFVXG29UQJUWC2YQ/DSC00333.jpg Blog - A Day At Cambridge University, England - Make it stand out As we walked across the campus I imagined myself a student for a day here at one of the most prestigious universities in the world. It’s ranked as the 3rd best university in the world behind MIT and Oxford and tied with Stanford as per the 2021 published rankings. As we strolled along, I pictured Sir Isaac Newton discovering the theory of relativity while studying here. With knowledge comes a religious freedom amongst many other freedoms and the reformist movement (aka the puritans) had a strong foothold here. Sir Oliver Cromwell Lord Protector of England studied here as did some of the pilgrims who formed part of the group that departed English shores to found a brave new world an ocean away. Sir Charles Babbage and Alan Turing who invented computers and gave them a voice debated their theories and wrote their treatises here. John Milton of the famed Paradise Lost was a student here, as was Lord Byron. So much history and so many noted notables walked these same hallowed halls and pathways through the centuries. Science, Mathematics, Literature, Music, Art, Sports, Politics the list of alumni reads like a who’s who in these fields. If only the walls could talk, what stories they would have to share. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1628107565920-MNSI8BJ17LJ0CV8RVR7M/unsplash-image-xWdwXtgw-Pg.jpg Blog - A Day At Cambridge University, England - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1628116236652-2UP3LQW1OE161ZIKBB74/DSC00343_Original.jpg Blog - A Day At Cambridge University, England - Make it stand out Everyone who visits goes punting on the River Cam. Not only is this a tradition but also a wonderful way to enjoy the sights since the river passes through the very heart of the university campus affording unique views of the most famous colleges and bridges. There are two bridges to note along the river, one is the Bridge of Sighs pictured here and the other is the mathematical bridge. As it turned out I visited Venice after I visited here making this my first sight of this bridge. Built in 1831 this is the only covered bridge to cross the river at St. John’s college. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/savoringtheoceanbreezes monthly 0.5 2021-08-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627875760565-ULGBJSYKDW0VGF903PIO/IMG_7854.jpg Blog - Savoring The Ocean Breezes - Make it stand out We had places to see and a schedule to keep so we moved onward to the beautiful 102 acres luxury Terranea Resort. We parked our car in the free parking lot and made our way to the entrance. Masks are required inside the property as we were gently reminded by an employee on a golf cart as he passed us by. We spent a delightful time checking out the three restaurants on the property and exploring the grounds as decided where we wanted to eat lunch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627876658264-1VY2GI4HQ0KDB5OFWHYX/IMG_7881.jpg Blog - Savoring The Ocean Breezes - Make it stand out A final stop at the National Trump Golf course with it’s beautiful club house that sits on these cliffs above the pacific ocean before we declared this weekend’s wandering a success and headed back for home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627876713879-OMQDEM4320ADU3DA6IKY/IMG_7871.jpg Blog - Savoring The Ocean Breezes - Make it stand out the Wayfarer’s chapel our next stop was barely half a mile from the resort. As we made our way there we were convinced that each one of us had separately attended a wedding here. As it turned out we were both wrong but what a beautiful destination. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627875735664-GIG1FU1FAAURER1QGAJV/IMG_7835.jpg Blog - Savoring The Ocean Breezes - Make it stand out Our first stop was the St. Vincente Point with it’s interpretative center dedicated to preserving the history of this area and the lighthouse guarding the bluffs. On a clear day one can see Catalina Island in the distance and Redondo beach but when we arrived the ocean gloom still hung over the area and we were not able to spot either of these destinations. As we walked along the cliff we came across this delightful tortoise making it’s slow and steady way across the trail. There were quite a few people including us gawking at the tortoise but it ignored all of us as it proceeded regally along it’s way. I couldn’t help but comparing this tortoise with its slow and steady pace to the winner of the fabled race against the hare. I finally understand how it won the race against all odds. What a life lesson brought home by example. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627875627391-SQ7OL33RRXXQ1REF76RL/IMG_7856.jpg Blog - Savoring The Ocean Breezes - Make it stand out The Abalone Cove Beach. We did not go all the way down to the water since the path to get there is very steep. We just stood at the lookout spot and admired the beauty. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627876036563-JIZN53RG9WEEZ94BZ8JS/IMG_7867.jpg Blog - Savoring The Ocean Breezes - Make it stand out The chapel is made of all glass with beautiful soaring glass ceilings. It is one of the most beautiful spots it’s been my privilege to see and in another time I would have sat here and meditated and soaked in the beautiful surroundings. We spent some time wandering around the grounds soaking in the atmosphere and were fortunate to meet a couple who had been married here 21 years ago and were back to visit. The day was waning and we had one more stop we wanted to make before heading back home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627876455045-F1PWTTJ0991WCORUQ9W5/IMG_7868.jpg Blog - Savoring The Ocean Breezes - Make it stand out There is a lower parking lot with a series of steps that bring you up to the chapel and an upper parking lot where we parked. It appeared a popular spot with people coming and going and enjoying the photo opportunities. I am grateful that we were able to savor this stop since I’ve been told that pre-Covid they were busy with so many weddings that it used to be impossible sometimes to see and admire the chapel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627876188389-0JHQ3FXMPB2IW1WGFERY/IMG_7850.jpg Blog - Savoring The Ocean Breezes - Make it stand out The beautiful swimming pool area is for residents only and entrance is guaranteed by an identifying bracelet. There was an Indian wedding happening in the grounds that we peeked at reminiscing about each of our son’s wedding venues. We also had a chance to chat with a few of the guests who were here from Virginia. Resisting the urge to join the beautifully catered Indian meal we made our way to the coffee shop by the beach for a casual lunch. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/mahraba-doha-qatar monthly 0.5 2021-07-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627513342947-KCUVZ4Y51L2AX48854WS/IMG_8332_Original.jpg Blog - Mahraba! Stopover in Doha, Qatar - Make it stand out The Force of Nature II metallic sculpture by Lorenzo Quinn with an Arab Dhow behind it exhibited just outside the amphitheater at the Katara Village Center. My first sightseeing stop was the Katara cultural village complex which is a fusion of oriental architectural and retro-romantic styles. As we arrived at what appears at first glance to be an ancient walled city, I was greeted by a golf cart who kindly drove me around the interior which consists of galleries, restaurants, event spaces, theaters and sculptures. Each space within this area has it’s own unique architecture that pulls inspiration from several different parts of the world. Unfortunately for me it was still early in the day and it was a bit light on people enjoying the amenities and facilities. When you see this picture with it’s tinkling fountains and Persian Gulf shimmering in the horizon, it’s hard to imagine that you are in the middle of a desert. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627513432553-XIS1IIZDQ36GTZTOERUT/IMG_8367-EFFECTS.jpg Blog - Mahraba! Stopover in Doha, Qatar - Make it stand out The pigeon towers of Qatar are one of the most intriguing architectural works in Qatar. Not only do they provide housing for thousands of pigeon but they are also designed to collect pigeon droppings that make up fertilizer for local farms. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627513593961-BQYOZ9BWOL3Y4MISU3KM/IMG_8423_Original.jpg Blog - Mahraba! Stopover in Doha, Qatar - Make it stand out Then riding along the Corniche on our way to Souq Waqif we drove past the royal palace to be treated to this sight of a troop riding their camels in perfect formation. The two pictures bring home the seam less transition of modern and traditional as you travel through this Arabian Nights city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627514123962-NZA4TI2JXQ5TKMQ5702Z/IMG_8433.jpg Blog - Mahraba! Stopover in Doha, Qatar - Make it stand out These stalls in Souq Waqif were more my jam as I wandered through this fascinating maze. I finally stopped at an open air café to enjoy a long cool glass of freshly squeezed guava juice to people watch and just watch life go by. I was thrilled to see a group of horsemen in traditional costume riding their horses as though they were born to it right in front of where I sat. By the time I got my camera, I could only capture their backs as they left us behind. Now that’s a sight that you don’t normally see in a marketplace. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627513779105-YCP555SP8Q94JTIR24ZC/IMG_8443%281%29.jpg Blog - Mahraba! Stopover in Doha, Qatar - Make it stand out Al Fanar - The Qatar Islamic Cultural center is a famous landmark situated at the end of the Corniche. They make non-Muslims welcome and will even arrange for you to meet with some one from the center who will brief you in advance on the mosque customs. Unfortunately my schedule did not allow me a visit inside and I had to content myself in walking and admiring it from the outside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627514240566-RTKCZY11FT7STVBQQLOX/IMG_8370.jpg Blog - Mahraba! Stopover in Doha, Qatar - Make it stand out The Katara Masjid, or mosque, that was designed by world-renowned Turkish architect, Zainab Fadil Oglu. This building is a nod to the famous blue mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627521862765-I5PYJITXI52TCV5Q5KDF/unsplash-image-vmCHHfp25lU.jpg Blog - Mahraba! Stopover in Doha, Qatar - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627513736429-E05P17PYY7DG80HLQ73D/IMG_8412.jpg Blog - Mahraba! Stopover in Doha, Qatar - Make it stand out From the traditional to the ultra modern and rich flaunting the wealth in this country. My driver thought that I would enjoy spending time in this ultra-modern designer mall which is perhaps even more opulent than some of the high end malls in the US. I was tempted for all of a moment and that too only because of the air-conditioning. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627513981429-VGHZDHXJOQ5KDE0CUSAO/IMG_8462.jpg Blog - Mahraba! Stopover in Doha, Qatar - Make it stand out The city skyline with its modern skyscrapers and the old wooden dhows that have sailed these waters for hundreds of years. This truly embodies the spirit of this beautiful city and desert country. I felt completely safe wandering around the city and not just in the so very European sections where you could be forgiven for wondering if you were a part of a new technological experiment that transported you around the globe in the blink of an eye. I definitely recommend taking advantage of of a stopover here if you have the opportunity or even traveling here on vacation. This trip was in July of 2019, so I have not had an opportunity to revisit and catch up on what I might have visited given how much the travel landscape has changed since then. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627513557238-2ID2XAWLV24N370L7KF1/IMG_8401.jpg Blog - Mahraba! Stopover in Doha, Qatar - Make it stand out The famous Pearl District. From the luxury car showrooms, the beautiful high rise condos, and the beautiful yachts in the marina. You are forgiven for thinking that you might be in the South of France or Monte Carlo. I had to blink a time or two as I walked around this area that my driver got special permission for us to stop at and for me to walk around in. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627514290354-Z3T8K6U14KP9478EVKVO/IMG_8442_Original.jpg Blog - Mahraba! Stopover in Doha, Qatar - Make it stand out The famous Souq Waqif which embodies a way of life that has been around for over a hundred years. The souq is organized into bazaars or sections that are grouped around specific items like gold, spices, carpet, falcons, horses etc. I believe I’ve mentioned it once before but these middle eastern souqs and markets remind me very much of the New Market in Kolkata, India where I grew up. Falcons are a traditional sport in Qatar and Souq Waqif has a dedicated falcon souq where you can hold a falcon on your hand and tour the medical facilities etc. Would it be totally wimpy of me to say that I passed on holding one on my wrist? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627513823515-W7N7VBL92OMAU963B1IK/IMG_8459-EFFECTS.jpg Blog - Mahraba! Stopover in Doha, Qatar - Make it stand out The old Dhow harbor at sunset full of the traditional wooden dhows as some of the them got ready to entertain tourists for dinner cruises and others rested for the day. Apparently if you come in the early morning you can see the fishermen bringing in their catch and unloading it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627513380358-GAYXT33YHXYO0CBGO64A/IMG_8363_Original.jpg Blog - Mahraba! Stopover in Doha, Qatar - Make it stand out These are luxury cabins on the beach. People use them to change, relax, smoke shisha or for business meetings. These are definitely one of a kind that I’ve not seen anywhere else. Potentially these are used by women but I could not confirm that factoid anywhere. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/desertgardensandlilyponds monthly 0.5 2021-08-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627251783290-HQ8D3VAZWTK8S8T3N1ZH/IMG_7791.jpg Blog - Desert Gardens And Lily Ponds For A Change Of Weekend Pace - Make it stand out I wandered deeper through the garden and found the Jade Café just as it closed for the day. I resolved to come back and enjoy a meal here the next time I visited and also hopefully take in the new exhibit of calligraphy scrolls that has just opened as well. I did manage to get a beautiful picture of the bridge and it’s reflection in the water as I walked along a parallel path. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627256976408-QJ3Q69BJJW8WLDY74TOH/2F6EEE3D-63CD-4F3B-A3D6-2DE555C74DED.jpg Blog - Desert Gardens And Lily Ponds For A Change Of Weekend Pace - Make it stand out There is something about these windows and the changing views that always captures my imagination causing me to snap a picture or two. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627250824724-9XKFPR6UWUROBIDW386C/IMG_7732.jpg Blog - Desert Gardens And Lily Ponds For A Change Of Weekend Pace - Make it stand out Cactus as you can see are much more than spines and sharp edges. I thoroughly enjoyed my walk through this beautiful drought resistant landscaping. if I thought I had a chance to plant some seeds and have a thriving container garden I’d attempt some of the plants that I saw out there this weekend. Alas I love gardens of all kinds but they definitely don’t love me; green thumb I don’t have. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627252193724-3WBWULG1F8EJNUVKLZIC/IMG_7740.jpg Blog - Desert Gardens And Lily Ponds For A Change Of Weekend Pace - Make it stand out Drought resistant does not have to be ugly or colorless. There’s a huge variety of shapes, sizes, textures and look. I can’t speak to the feel because I did not touch anything particularly staying far way from the needles and spines. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627251156500-OGSRMI25T9BLON2POVUE/IMG_7751.jpg Blog - Desert Gardens And Lily Ponds For A Change Of Weekend Pace - Make it stand out I saw some beautiful Koi far more here than in the Japanese garden, black and green turtles and even some water fowl, definitely my lucky afternoon. I decided to tarry a bit and cool off in the shade with the sound of water and soak in this beauty. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627251040478-V5A4UT8H3Y1S1OLJ2GKL/IMG_7735.jpg Blog - Desert Gardens And Lily Ponds For A Change Of Weekend Pace - Make it stand out As the afternoon wore on, the thermometer seemed to climb, and all that walking definitely took a toll as I started to wilt and dream about shade and water notwithstanding that bright smile for the camera. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627250921098-I9OC7R4LUW42X9UMF2AM/IMG_7741.jpg Blog - Desert Gardens And Lily Ponds For A Change Of Weekend Pace - Make it stand out My imagination ran wild when I saw this interesting treelike plant. I should have stopped and taken a picture of the sign but hindsight as they say is 20:20. This reminds me of an aboriginal symbol with dreamtime stories to tell that I wish I had the ears to hear. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627251433710-8PEEVMA1FD54DLFAQMR3/IMG_7775.jpg Blog - Desert Gardens And Lily Ponds For A Change Of Weekend Pace - Make it stand out I then decided to see if I could take a bit of short cut using a narrow dirt path instead of the paved path. Along the way I came across some interesting flowers, fruits and berries as well as squirrels who seemed more afraid of me than I was of what the rustling might mean for me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627251492559-UBTZN6VOEJL6RW1NKOAW/IMG_7788.jpg Blog - Desert Gardens And Lily Ponds For A Change Of Weekend Pace - Make it stand out This view just never gets old. I can just sit here and stare and feel peace and tranquility restoring and refreshing my spirit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627252493201-2GXY5LOYJLCNE8ETATSM/IMG_7761.jpg Blog - Desert Gardens And Lily Ponds For A Change Of Weekend Pace - Make it stand out Tired and hot, I started to look for the lily ponds. Of course I had no map so I decided to stop a group walking by to ask if they had passed the lily ponds. Luck was with me, not only had I just passed the area where I had to turn in the opposite direction from where I was going to head for the lily ponds but one of the guys in the group used to be a docent here and was able to guide me quite well. I knew luck was with me now and resolved that I would see the turtles by the lily pond (s) which my good Samaritan told me came out for the lucky ones. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1627251817922-9KV2NEYAHYQ1H1X6AX4P/IMG_7780.jpg Blog - Desert Gardens And Lily Ponds For A Change Of Weekend Pace - Make it stand out While I had planned on visiting the Australian garden, I found that the short cut I had made me bypass that side and now I was heading towards my favorite here; the Chinese Gardens. Considering they’d just opened a new exhibit and a new eatery here I definitely decided it was a good idea to wander over and spend the rest of my afternoon here. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/paris monthly 0.5 2021-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626188360430-PL2ICXGWR2KX5QTB9B5I/Picture+027.jpg Blog - Paris La Cité de la Lumiére - Make it stand out The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture. On my first visit here I imagined the hunchback of Notre Dame protecting Esmeralda the gypsy girl with whom he had fallen in love. In reality there was no hunch back and no Esmeralda but never the less the beautiful church made quite an impression on me as did the busy area around it. The gargoyles were everything I imagined them to be and more. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626188234659-67JAOODGDJ0OWGKV0JZ6/Picture+035.jpg Blog - Paris La Cité de la Lumiére - Make it stand out One of my favorite places in Paris ~ Sacre -Coeur. Located at the highest point of the city it’s a popular landmark. There is something about this beautiful white church that calls to me. Two of the three times that I visited Paris I made it a point to make my way to the church and light a candle. Of course the other attraction here is the incredible view of Paris from the stairs outside the basilica. While I have not been to Paris for some time, I recall the throngs of people who sat on these stairs waiting to watch the sun set over Paris. For me a perfect evening in Paris, is the walk down into Montmarte after my visit to the church to enjoy the artists busy at their easels. Perhaps you can stop and pick one of them to paint a portrait of you, while I did not get a portrait I did pick up a couple of water colors that hang on my walls reminding me of my visit. Don’t forget to round off your evening in Montmartre with a chocolate crepe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626188789034-F41BPFHREMI6FKN70AYG/Picture+015+%282%29.jpg Blog - Paris La Cité de la Lumiére - Make it stand out The church is beautiful but the stained glass most particularly the rose windows are spectacular. Originally created in 1260A.D. most of the work has survived intact. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626188875812-C6CZ8Y5K7BH6PW16M2B5/Picture+018.jpg Blog - Paris La Cité de la Lumiére - Make it stand out The best way to experience the city is to walk the neighborhoods, pop into shops, rest your feet in one of the numerous cafe’s along the way to drink a coffee and watch the people walking by. Food, perfume, chocolate, art, literature what is there not to enjoy and experience. Paris is definitely always a good idea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626201292409-SZGE7LS8MUQOL8LGITGW/DSCN0124.jpg Blog - Paris La Cité de la Lumiére - Make it stand out If you’re an art lover especially of the impressionist and post impressionist movement then a visit to the Musee d’orsay is definitely called for. It is one of the largest museums in the world and houses works by Berthe Morisot, Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, Seurat, Sisley, Gauguin, and Van Gogh. I recently read “I always loved you” by Robin Olivera for my book club which brings alive the struggle for many of these now famous artists as they broke away from tradition to establish a new art movement. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626201151444-F4PYFEOGC74ZBUDVS14A/unsplash-image-vxk-ghi-WZU.jpg Blog - Paris La Cité de la Lumiére - Make it stand out Not my photo but like the millions of tourists who visit Paris, France we took boat cruise down the river Seine to admire the city of Paris at sunset and see all the architectural marvels from the water. The changing lights of the Eiffel tower and the illuminated city as night fell brought home to us that the city truly is a city of light. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626188075077-FLQVVMPRJQCMFSLZGFEC/Picture+001.jpg Blog - Paris La Cité de la Lumiére - Make it stand out The Arc De Triomphe is one of the most famous monuments in Paris, France standing at the western end of the Champs-Elysees. Originally commissioned by Emperor Napoleon at the peak of his fortunes in 1806 it did not get completed until 1836. Standing at the peak of the radiating star of roads and the sheer volume of the traffic it’s not easy to get to it. Beneath the arc lies the tomb of the unknown soldier with an eternal flame that was the first lit in Western Europe in 1920. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626188121228-EC2ACQX359XSIOLO7ULT/DSCN0132_Original.jpg Blog - Paris La Cité de la Lumiére - Make it stand out The Louvre, with Pei’s pyramid in it’s classic courtyard is an architectural masterpiece, home to the Mona Lisa is the largest art museum in the world. Clearly one can’t leave Paris without at least visiting the Louvre and wondering at the Mona Lisa at least once. Like any major city in the world keep a watch on your possessions to protect from pick pockets etc. When we visited the square was full of colorful gypsies, music and dance. The outside being as much an attraction as the inside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626188172810-4RHI6UO20FYNZSERWX7T/DSCN0141.jpg Blog - Paris La Cité de la Lumiére - Make it stand out The famous cabaret in Paris which set the stage for some of the shows in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. We went out for dinner at a restaurant in the neighborhood before attending the show. One needs to do this at least once in Paris for the experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626188594040-2HXK9DVFXOYE78SJUKKF/unsplash-image-QAwciFlS1g4.jpg Blog - Paris La Cité de la Lumiére - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626200941641-5QRNTOE67E4YGLRUY7A5/unsplash-image-LBjA0WPtUhQ.jpg Blog - Paris La Cité de la Lumiére - Make it stand out The Tuileries garden is a public garden in Paris, France. It’s a place where Parisians meet, relax, celebrate, and stroll. It’s another place that I had romanticized in my head from some of the books that I had read and yet I had to resort to a picture not my own when it came time to put it all together. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/friends-food-fun-and-wine-too-central-coast-california monthly 0.5 2021-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626712722653-57TUQE3A5R7YLB3ZO5O2/IMG_7543.jpg Blog - Friends, Fun, and Wine Too ~ Central Coast California - Make it stand out First stop wine tasting at this lovely winery in the winding hills near the town of Paso Robles. What a fabulous experience sitting out in this glass enclosed patio with the doors open, a balmy breeze blowing, the scent of the herbs growing and the sound of humming birds providing music as we tasted our first wines for the day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626712174900-97XE0IUO95B5ONH3U1G6/IMG_6256.jpg Blog - Friends, Fun, and Wine Too ~ Central Coast California - Make it stand out A bit late for lunch but we finally made it San Luis Obispo and ate at a restaurant right by the creek; a large pan of paella shared by our group and then a quick walk to settle our food before heading out to our final destination not just for the day but for the next couple of nights. I had spent a full day in San Luis Obispo when I came on the Amtrak in May but it was fun to walk through the main drag with my friends and watch their expressions of disgust as I pointed out bubblegum alley and other landmarks along this area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626712653135-7LSNI4WT3C0XPXBB5T0P/IMG_7658.jpg Blog - Friends, Fun, and Wine Too ~ Central Coast California - Make it stand out Alas all good things come to an end so after brunch and a walk along the quaint streets of the town of Cambria we reluctantly boarded the car for the drive back towards home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626712091601-A5R5DBXI1U4G130FU5I0/IMG_7496%281%29.jpg Blog - Friends, Fun, and Wine Too ~ Central Coast California - Make it stand out Solvang the little Dutch town with its fabulous bakeries and fudge. We decided to take a quick detour off the 101 freeway to stretch our legs, grab a coffee and a sweet treat and renew our acquaintance with this quaint town after 20 plus years. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626712000569-9L3SI0HV5PF97F76XEL8/IMG_7526.jpg Blog - Friends, Fun, and Wine Too ~ Central Coast California - Make it stand out Moonstone Beach in Cambria. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626712791540-QOJ88R6YGXAHNVF3ZD8S/IMG_7571.jpg Blog - Friends, Fun, and Wine Too ~ Central Coast California - Make it stand out A leisurely start the next morning for three of us while my energetic friend Geeta put in a brisk 3 mile early morning walk along the boardwalk. Finally we were caffeinated and ready to get started on our day in Paso Robles. As we drove along the highway 46 and saw the beautiful wineries and appreciated the beautiful views we couldn’t help but compare these to similar scenery in France, Italy, etc. On the plus side of the pandemic we have a much better appreciation of the beauty in our own backyards. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626712595155-C1DTX25P0E1NOWD3D75A/IMG_7683.jpg Blog - Friends, Fun, and Wine Too ~ Central Coast California - Make it stand out Trying to delay the inevitable, we added one more quick stop on our return journey. The beautiful town of Morro Bay and a walk along the embarcadero before we settled in the car to battle Friday afternoon traffic in pockets and head on home. Thank you to my friend Niki who took her car and drove us around for these three days as we offered but not very convincingly to help her with the driving. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626712384243-U78Z3OKV8C85YDXWH8EV/IMG_7563.jpg Blog - Friends, Fun, and Wine Too ~ Central Coast California - Make it stand out Lunch in downtown Paso Robles in this lovely garden setting. A delicious farm to table culinary experience. We were fortunate that the 100 plus degree temperatures had come down the mid 80’s making our day even more enjoyable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626712470600-19WV440NCJ41V16D1YK2/IMG_7609.jpg Blog - Friends, Fun, and Wine Too ~ Central Coast California - Make it stand out As we wrapped our day we made a quick stop at the Sculpterra gardens to admire the bronze and granite sculptures from artist John Jagger that grace the gardens of the winery. We also stopped to admire the iron decorations from master blacksmith Bob Bentley that decorate the entrance to the winery and tasting rooms. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626712242485-77Y4GPV2TORAU3U8RBME/IMG_7530.jpg Blog - Friends, Fun, and Wine Too ~ Central Coast California - Make it stand out Lots of laughter, some walking and stretching and good food along the way and we were finally at Moonstone Beach our address for the next two nights. Once we had checked in and put our names down for dinner we decided to go for a walk along the ocean front. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626712524200-ZN0ZCSZ2FR58EOJLV9PC/IMG_7647.jpg Blog - Friends, Fun, and Wine Too ~ Central Coast California - Make it stand out To put the final flourish on a wonderful day the Sensorio field of light exhibit designed by artist Bruce Munro. Of course with our luck there was a problem with their system and each of the stations had to be manually turned on to get the lights operational. It was worth it as we walked along the field of lights and also to the area where the newer towers of light are exhibited. What might have improved this experience multifold is if there was music that accompanied the lights. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/weekend-wandering monthly 0.5 2021-07-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626022208612-J83Q786V45ZI3YUOF71Y/IMG_7440.jpg Blog - Enjoying the Cool Ocean Breezes During a Summer Heatwave - Make it stand out The Venice Canals were built by developer Albert Kinney in 1905 as a part of his Venice in America project. Subsequently a second set of canals were built by Sherman, Howland and Clark. While the project had been kicked off with great fan fare and gondolas etc. the advent of cars and the need for roads caused this area to fall into disrepair. Restored in 1993 with a variety of architectural styles dominating the landscape this has now become a desirable and expensive area of Los Angeles to live in. There are concerns about the nearby homeless population but for the most part other than some tourists and a few homeowners walking their dogs I did’t see any signs of homeless people in the neighborhood. As I was walking towards my car, I saw a pedicab driving some people around the neighborhood. Something I didn’t know about but if you want to visit and walking is a bit of a challenge that might be a good option to explore this area and the nearby beach and marina. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626022784194-0PRQ14E7K873OWJ1J18I/IMG_7417.jpg Blog - Enjoying the Cool Ocean Breezes During a Summer Heatwave - Make it stand out You can see the Hollywood sign way to the distance. The sun was right in my eyes and I could barely see what I was pointing and shooting at through the lens of my camera. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626022684562-T3GLNI3EJQ9N9R8UOIZ6/IMG_7466.jpg Blog - Enjoying the Cool Ocean Breezes During a Summer Heatwave - Make it stand out I ended my day at a café on the waterfront enjoying a drink and a small bite and watching people enjoy the sun, sand and water. I also got to enjoy the drama of a little girl; she couldn’t have been more than 2; wandering along by herself on the beach right below where we were sitting. Fortunately a young couple stopped, took her in tow and set off to find her parents. I couldn’t help but hope and pray that she was re-united with her parents without much delay. This story like others that we see on our journey remains incomplete and I can only keep my fingers crossed for a positive outcome. A great satisfying way to explore more of my home city, clock some steps and enjoy the refreshing ocean breezes while doing my part to conserve energy during this heatwave. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626022824029-DHIJG6WSAZEGXQLI72GM/IMG_7421.jpg Blog - Enjoying the Cool Ocean Breezes During a Summer Heatwave - Make it stand out First stop is Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook near Culver City. This a a popular area for people to come and workout in because of the 282 stairs that take you from Jefferson all the way to the top of the overlook. In addition there are many easy to climb meandering trails and a near by bike path that cuts across all the way to the marina. No elevators here to get to the summit but there is a city shuttle that takes you up for free or you can drive up to an upper level paid parking lot. With the heat and my capabilities I drove up the hill and parked in the parking lot even as I admire the few folks who braved the heat and made the climb. The 360 views of the city from the top are incredible. You can see views from Santa Monica to Down town LA and even glimpse the Hollywood sign. I am resolved to come back here at sunset and watch the sun setting across the city and the lights starting to come on. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626022461272-T68F06PUJ1ZNMGGVGI4A/IMG_7451.jpg Blog - Enjoying the Cool Ocean Breezes During a Summer Heatwave - Make it stand out Despite the myriad of boats moored outside the homes, the only boat I saw wending it’s way through the canals was this one. Not sure if this is for tourists or it’s a homeowner. I know you can’t rent a boat here but there is a spot where you can bring a boat and launch it if you want to ride along the waterways. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626025232653-NZ4TUHT2119I9V490F24/IMG_7432.jpg Blog - Enjoying the Cool Ocean Breezes During a Summer Heatwave - Make it stand out While I missed the skatepark I saw a young skater practicing launching his skate board off the lip off one of the bridges. Alas! I did not shoot a picture but I did find the time to sit and admire and practice my selfie skills. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626022307848-SSKRN0VVVZ1OMQS9EJJS/IMG_7441.jpg Blog - Enjoying the Cool Ocean Breezes During a Summer Heatwave - Make it stand out While the temperature at the overlook was considerably cooler than my home with a nice breeze blowing I was happy to arrive at my destination and bask in the coolness. Also fortunately I was able to get a parking spot fairly quickly when I saw a couple heading out. The homes are delightfully different from modern glass exteriors to gothic and everything in between. It makes for an interesting walk to admire the differences. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626022399867-BSK6WH84ZAN3UN69KMVH/IMG_7429.jpg Blog - Enjoying the Cool Ocean Breezes During a Summer Heatwave - Make it stand out Many homes had tiny docks with rowing boats moored; some even had chairs out here for people to sit and enjoy the view and tranquility. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1626022647813-2TGMN70GVGT4U0614RN6/IMG_7462.jpg Blog - Enjoying the Cool Ocean Breezes During a Summer Heatwave - Make it stand out Graffiti art on a wall right across from where I parked my car. I have so many pictures of beautiful graffiti from around Los Angeles but also many parts of the world. Perhaps one of these days I’ll compile and share these with you as a post. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/sri-lanka monthly 0.5 2021-07-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625685494082-LC2OZR6ZZPPBPE8DPAJB/IMG_7462.jpg Blog - Sri Lanka ~ A Pear Shaped Emerald In The Indian Ocean - Make it stand out So you’ve got a late late night flight, you’ve checked out of your hotel, you’ve driven around Colombo at night so what do you do to run the clock down until its time to get to the airport? Why try the Bally’s Casino and empty your pockets of all the local currency you have left. What an interesting end to a fabulous trip. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625687538101-SJ5D6GOTMB2IJNYH4FGI/IMG_7375_Original.jpg Blog - Sri Lanka ~ A Pear Shaped Emerald In The Indian Ocean - Make it stand out A visit to the tea gardens is a must as is a tasting and sampling of the tea. I even got to visit a tea factory and Yes! I bought a bunch of tea to bring back as gifts for friends and family. Yes I still have unopened Ceylonese tea sitting in my house, any takers? I then decided to skip spending a night in Nuwara Eliya and decided to head for the beach instead not realizing that my impulsive change also cut out some of the beautiful waterfalls I had planned to see. Oh well! I guess I’ll just have to combine those with a visit to Mirissa and Yala National Park on my return to this beautiful country. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625685249781-T469QWHMKEJF61SS17ZW/IMG_7415.jpg Blog - Sri Lanka ~ A Pear Shaped Emerald In The Indian Ocean - Make it stand out A beautiful view of Colombo in the distance. Interestingly enough even though Colombo is the largest city on this island country there isn’t a lot to see and do here, so I spent just a day in the city. Unfortunately it turned out that there was some type of government event so the center of the city was closing down as we rushed through it on a drive by rather than stopping and seeing the sights. C’est Le Vie! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625684730454-J9AZ0YQQGQF17TPQ3T9X/IMG_7219.jpg Blog - Sri Lanka ~ A Pear Shaped Emerald In The Indian Ocean - Make it stand out Kandy Lake is a jogger’s paradise. The beautiful Queen’s hotel right there across from the lake and palace complex reminded me so much of the colonial style of buildings that was a legacy of the British rule in Kolkata where I grew up. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625684381001-D9VPXLE6ZOSHU10SYU6F/IMG_7229.jpg Blog - Sri Lanka ~ A Pear Shaped Emerald In The Indian Ocean - Make it stand out I have travelled all over Europe and have been well aware about the rules about bare arms and legs found myself in a sleeveless cotton top as I got dropped off in front of the entrance. Luckily for me, I never leave home without my pashmina so despite the stifling heat I covered my arms and shoulders and made my way into the temple and palace. As I purchased my foreign priced ticket I found that I had to leave my shoes at the entrance. Again I am used to the Sikh temples where you leave your shoes and you are given a token for when you come back to retrieve them. Here I just abandoned them and made my way around. Luckily I came back to where I had entered from and was able to successfully retrieve my shoes without much fuss or needing to spend the rest of the day bare foot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625686140541-1GPEW4E1ISYDI1Y7M56Y/IMG_7226.jpg Blog - Sri Lanka ~ A Pear Shaped Emerald In The Indian Ocean - Make it stand out On arriving in Kandy we headed straight for the main city and the palace complex where the The Temple of the Tooth is located. This is supposed to the be an actual tooth relic of the Lord Buddha and local lore maintains that whoever controls the relic controls the country. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625684880253-SP2UWLN1HR6NE6UZ87CF/IMG_7408-EFFECTS_Original.jpg Blog - Sri Lanka ~ A Pear Shaped Emerald In The Indian Ocean - Make it stand out Regardless of how many beautiful beaches we have here at home in Southern California, I truly enjoyed my time at this beautiful resort in Bentota. I really unwound and relaxed here as I walked the gorgeous unspoiled beaches and enjoyed the gorgeous sunsets and sun rises. However all good things must come to an end and it was time to check out, see Colombo and catch my red eye flight back to New Delhi. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625687289418-U9NZ36SY0T4WWU45NXJY/IMG_7201_Original.jpg Blog - Sri Lanka ~ A Pear Shaped Emerald In The Indian Ocean - Make it stand out The next morning we left for Kandy by way of Dambulla where we made a stop at this giant golden Buddha right on the roadside. You have a bit of a climb/hike to get tot he cave temples but it’s worth the climb. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625687654476-UR54R1WVSQ1WTXRFTRU9/IMG_7447.jpg Blog - Sri Lanka ~ A Pear Shaped Emerald In The Indian Ocean - Make it stand out If you’re in Colombo then you must try the Ministry of the Crab. I was able to get a reservation and enjoy dinner here on my last night. I will say its a place to really go as a group because then you can really enjoy their menu. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625687153016-2KGZVWGX4QSQ3WLOOD0B/IMG_7433.jpg Blog - Sri Lanka ~ A Pear Shaped Emerald In The Indian Ocean - Make it stand out Galle Green. For some reason the name had me imagining that it was a place to play cricket but nope it turned out to be the green space in the city for the local residents. Clearly I did not do a good job of research on this one. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625684199014-E2D1T0E5RWJAXKQAEHRN/IMG_7175_Original.jpg Blog - Sri Lanka ~ A Pear Shaped Emerald In The Indian Ocean - Make it stand out Fully refreshed from my massage we headed to the Minneriya National Park for the elephant safari. It was almost like a race when a host of jeeps set off together and then each driver veered in a different direction to give their passengers the first elephant sightings. There were a lot of elephants and no one was disappointed. It did seem however that an unseen bat signal went out when someone spotted a herd of elephants and all the jeeps seemed to converge on the location. After an interesting afternoon jolting around the pot holes and bumpy roads we returned to our hotel for dinner and a much deserved rest. My hotel that night was adequate though there were a lot of mosquitoes I enjoyed dinner on the patio with a group who was doing a national geographic tour of Sri Lanka. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625680497356-MXWV3JBAC1BEG7DD7V94/IMG_7151-EFFECTS.jpg Blog - Sri Lanka ~ A Pear Shaped Emerald In The Indian Ocean - Make it stand out The Sigiriya Rock ~ A Hiker’s Paradise https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625684318324-PM6WTLNEDPGSR9JB3ZY6/IMG_7211.jpg Blog - Sri Lanka ~ A Pear Shaped Emerald In The Indian Ocean - Make it stand out Despite the history of the Ramayana that is woven into some of the locations here in Lanka the country is pre-dominantly Buddhist or Muslim. We did pass this beautifully carved and preserved Hindu temple on the road and I couldn’t resist stopping at the gate for a rare photo opportunity. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625684771348-8Q6K9ZAKSKZAL4SYEUZA/IMG_7242.jpg Blog - Sri Lanka ~ A Pear Shaped Emerald In The Indian Ocean - Make it stand out My guide was extremely well connected in the tourist scene and I got front row middle seat billing for the cultural performance. the performance consisted of several song and dance numbers, with some comedy and then fire eating and fire walking in the parking lot below the hall where the performance was staged. For some random reason I was reminded of a middle school performance where the annual play was King of Kandy. Our drama teacher was so enthralled with Bhangra dancing at the time that she inserted a dance performance in the middle of the play staged by my sisters and cousins. I can assure you that it was nothing like the performance that I attended here that day. A visit to Sri Lanka would be incomplete without a visit to understand the various gemstones that are mined here amongst which rank the legendary Ceylonese sapphires. Given that sapphires are my birth stone and I definitely had a very lose control on my purse strings I splurged again. Must have been those subliminal buy messages that I was getting from the air. I did manage to buy some beautiful carved wooden elephants from my grandson. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625686047349-S026KPK7CAJYFDPBM2O1/IMG_7386.jpg Blog - Sri Lanka ~ A Pear Shaped Emerald In The Indian Ocean - Make it stand out These are not Barbary apes and nor do I know of any lore associated with the monkeys but they are found all over. Including the rooftops of the buildings visible from the rooftop of my luxury hotel in Kandy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625687808672-GK4ZTTZMRDQAUKM1MKAH/IMG_7207_Original.jpg Blog - Sri Lanka ~ A Pear Shaped Emerald In The Indian Ocean - Make it stand out The climate and fertile soil lends itself in addition to tea, spices. Spice gardens abound around Kandy where you can find cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, aloe, nutmeg, cloves, etc. amongst the herbs and spices that are grown here. We toured one of these gardens and I got to spend time with a medicine man who introduced me to a bunch of potions made from the homegrown herbs and spices that were blended and prepared under his direction. The old gentleman was also a great sales man because I found myself uncharacteristically shelling out bills for home made remedies. Alas like most things like this bought on vacation I carried them all the way home to the USA and never opened any of the containers let alone attempt to use these items. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625686292844-8OBWMO5GH0A4YEJW6JV8/IMG_7449.jpg Blog - Sri Lanka ~ A Pear Shaped Emerald In The Indian Ocean - Make it stand out The Gangaramaya Buddist temple in Colombo is an interesting mix of Indian, Chinese and Thai influences. As I was wandering around the temple, there was a monk who was performing a ceremony in a glass enclosed area which housed a golden idol of the Buddha. He called me in when I paused there and tied a red thread around my wrist and blessed me. My guide was pretty impressed. Not sure what I did to receive that blessing but I am grateful and wore the thread until it frayed and fell off. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/rainbow-nation-capetown monthly 0.5 2021-07-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625087035351-UJ1JPG9NJVTB6V56TQZL/IMG_8704.jpg Blog - Goeie Dag Byoodefel Cape Town - Make it stand out We did several wine tastings that day but sipping wine in the outdoors with flowers blooming and under shady trees was a beautiful experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625086161890-4W06ODP7SF3X0730PGYS/IMG_8555.jpg Blog - Goeie Dag Byoodefel Cape Town - Make it stand out Arch for Arch commemorates the life and work of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who was the first black African clergyman to hold the bishopric of Johannesburg and then Cape Town. An anti-apartheid and human rights activist he sought to fuse black theology with African theology and preach a message of non violence. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625092445952-WZB4358ADUU6MZSRVQF8/4c9ad735-07b8-492b-8a03-20c34b9cf6eb_Original.jpg Blog - Goeie Dag Byoodefel Cape Town - Make it stand out The famous balcony from which Nelson Mandela delivered his first speech after his freedom from imprisonment. “Each of us is as intimately attached to the soil of this beautiful country as are the famous jacaranda trees of Pretoria and the mimosa trees of the bushveld - a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world" - Nelson Mandela https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625085974987-TFLV04PA6L3TKMIZ84I6/IMG_8605.jpg Blog - Goeie Dag Byoodefel Cape Town - Make it stand out Cape Town from the top of the Table Mountain https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625086077820-OYYSNZOJJ8KT1JOT63NK/IMG_8560.jpg Blog - Goeie Dag Byoodefel Cape Town - Make it stand out The colorful homes in Bo Kaap are a part of the areas history of displacement and discrimination during the apartheid when those labelled “Indian” and “colored” were moved here. Today it servers primarily to house those of Malay and Muslim origin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625086849660-HDVXCNPYIEE38UPUQI1T/IMG_8680.jpg Blog - Goeie Dag Byoodefel Cape Town - Make it stand out PPPPenguins? Buuuuuut I thought they lived in cold climes. I am sure that I saw them on my Cape Horn Odyssey. How did they get here to South Africa? This is boulder beach and it is indeed populated by cape penguins. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625088667237-JHK66VXGH4020UXY75K6/IMG_8552.jpg Blog - Goeie Dag Byoodefel Cape Town - Make it stand out The history and culture of Cape Town is rich the symbols of slavery, apartheid and freedom. Our morning started with a visit to The Slave Lodge, built in the late 1600s where 100,000 or more slaves were housed, bought and sold. Today it serves as a museum which examines the practices of slavery across the world with a focus on South Africa. The “rainbow” population of Cape Town is a result of it’s historic origins that were born here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625086979365-IFEXWV925UD5IMED4U0Z/IMG_8709.jpg Blog - Goeie Dag Byoodefel Cape Town - Make it stand out With it’s Mediterranean climate and fertile land, the region around Stellenbosch became a wine lover’s paradise. As early as the 1650s the original Dutch settlers were cultivating grapes but it wasn’t until French Huguenot settlers moved into this valley that it became known for it’s wines. Clearly a trip to the Cape region would be incomplete without a stop in Stellenbosch and tasting some of the wonderful wines produced it this region. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625086943286-DKL8X1WPKRW5BOJ4IHN4/IMG_8688_Original.jpg Blog - Goeie Dag Byoodefel Cape Town - Make it stand out We came to the city cutting across the interior which allowed us to make a stop at the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. I believe this is one place where I might have enjoyed myself in the gift shop even more than the garden going crazy over some of the one of kind scented candles, soaps and lotions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625086528496-66DQT8P2PZ5ADOZ4BFLM/IMG_8659.jpg Blog - Goeie Dag Byoodefel Cape Town - Make it stand out Beautiful beaches and ocean views dominate the Peninsular drive from Cape Town to the cape of Good Hope. I personally felt like I was transported back home to California and was driving along the Pacific Coast Highway. Thankfully the Dutch names and a few pinches reminded me that I truly was in a different continent half way around the world. Perhaps it was the lunch stop where we ate exotic food and I bought hand carved giraffes for my grandson. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625086629611-V5LMLPB022KV4KZZSEM6/IMG_8672.jpg Blog - Goeie Dag Byoodefel Cape Town - Make it stand out The Lighthouse at Cape Point helping ships stay safe as they round the African continent. There is a funicular that brings you to this point from the parking lot but if you have an abundance of energy you can climb up and enjoy the views of the ocean and cape point. I have been fortunate enough to round “brooding” Cape Horn at the tip of South America and while I have not rounded Cape Of Good Hope also known as the cape of storms I have had the privilege to visit this southern tip of Africa at where the Indian and Atlantic oceans come together. Technically the actual point is Cape Agulhas but let’s not quibble here at the brilliant marketing ploy that all the history and geography books have attested to. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625086805771-DZALDSQ5XE8BG6LYNLGO/IMG_8676%281%29.jpg Blog - Goeie Dag Byoodefel Cape Town - Make it stand out What an incredible way to celebrate my birthday standing at the tip of the African continent on this bright sunny day nary a storm in sight. Little did I know about the biggest storm heading our way that would bring the entire world to a grinding halt a scant six months later. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625086391588-DCQB0HLX9A15WLWK5A96/IMG_8592_Original.jpg Blog - Goeie Dag Byoodefel Cape Town - Make it stand out The Table Mountain has a profound impact on the climate and vegetation of the surrounding area housing 20% of the flora for Africa when it occupies only 0.5% of total land in Africa. If you are a hiking you can certainly hike up to the summit but we took the cable car. We were lucky that the high winds on the day of the visit died down just enough for to be able to summit and come back down. We were definitely at the right place at the right time that day. The views from the top are incredible, it would have definitely been pretty disappointing to come all this way and not make it to the top so we sent our thanks to the wind gods. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625086206370-B9NUD26WQJARF4XJ6XR6/IMG_8577+%282%29.jpg Blog - Goeie Dag Byoodefel Cape Town - Make it stand out Victoria and Albert waterfront is a trendy spot with hotels, restaurants and live music in the evenings. We came here during the day to check out the ferries to Robben’s island but alas no tickets were to be had. However we did enjoy an evening here eating, drinking, strolling and listening to the music. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1625087071125-M50TUIR6Z1FGI0DSEDYW/IMG_4755.jpg Blog - Goeie Dag Byoodefel Cape Town - Make it stand out We started our morning here at this beautiful winery with it’s cheese and wine pairings. God Bless! our tour director who also bought us freshly baked breads to try. Not only was the wine tasting so very cost effective but the wines especially the whites were superb. We were surprised at how cheap the wine was especially converted to American dollars and took full advantage of the quality and price to taste with our dinners every opportunity we had. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/sailing-around-cape-horn monthly 0.5 2021-06-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1624391004858-128YV5LF4R6Z89W6G8QU/924DKYTK+%2893%29_Original.jpg Blog - The Gold Loop Earing, A Foot on the Table and Title of “Cape Horner” - Cape Horn - Make it stand out Ushuaia, Terra Del Fuego. This remote part of the world is the last populated southern outpost of the world also known as the end of the world. Actually there is a post office where you can stop at and get a stamp for your passport which we all know is illegal to deface your passport but people do stop and do it. While it was Summer in the Southern hemisphere it was freezing cold and I had to stop at the local gift shop and buy woolen gloves and heavy woolen socks. I had checked the weather before the trip and it was supposed to be in the 40s and 50s but I can assure you that I wore every single warm garment that I had brought with me plus what I bought and I still shivered. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1624316150975-HTOFYFLUI98Q9HY9MUNI/924DKYTK+%2877%29.jpg Blog - The Gold Loop Earing, A Foot on the Table and Title of “Cape Horner” - Cape Horn - Make it stand out Punta Arenas. We arrived in port on a festival day. Wandered into the town to find people in gaucho type costumes dancing in the main square to the sound of lively music. We had not signed up for a formal tour so we just wandered over to the taxi rank and in our few words of Spanish supported by sign language engaged a taxi who drove us around the island where we saw the terminal from which the smaller ships took sail for the Antarctic, a beautiful cemetery, the cathedral and paid homage to the statue of Magellan while we watched the dancing in the square. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1624390908393-AKRXUZGWUFZH6IH11RFS/924DKYTK+%2881%29.jpg Blog - The Gold Loop Earing, A Foot on the Table and Title of “Cape Horner” - Cape Horn - Make it stand out I believe this is the legendry Amalia Glacier. Brrr! you really feel like you can reach out and touch as you sail between these land masses heading for the Atlantic Ocean. Imagine that we actually set an alarm so we could bundle up and get to the viewing deck in order to stand in the biting cold wind as we sailed past these uninhabited islands and glaciers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1624316912693-SSCI8FTW9NBRDM5Q231A/IMG_1381.jpg Blog - The Gold Loop Earing, A Foot on the Table and Title of “Cape Horner” - Cape Horn - Make it stand out This voyage would be incomplete with the mention of the passion and rhythm of the most sexy Latin dance. Not only did we enjoy the nightly performances on board ship that featured the dancing or the opportunity to learn the steps but we got to enjoy a superb meal and a tango show as part of our day in Buenos Aires. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1624571277607-18HYXSN51Z126UKCV99S/924DKYTK+%2899%29.jpg Blog - The Gold Loop Earing, A Foot on the Table and Title of “Cape Horner” - Cape Horn - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1624316703601-26N8O4NRVBHC37ZAEMCU/924DKYTK+%2837%29.jpg Blog - The Gold Loop Earing, A Foot on the Table and Title of “Cape Horner” - Cape Horn - Make it stand out The famous Whalebone Arch in the Falkland Islands. We walked around the very English looking town and stopped in the chapel where my cousin asked the chaplain about the graves of Indian soldiers who had served and died here. My uncle was in the Indian army and she seemed to have done her research before we came out here. While we made do without being fluent in Spanish or Portuguese we would have been much better off if we knew Spanish more fluently in these smaller ports of call where only Spanish was spoken. It was quite refreshing to hear the queen’s English here in the Falkland Islands. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1624315921383-A6W3ZPTIASRTEXRQ0MEO/924DKYTK+%2840%29A.jpg Blog - The Gold Loop Earing, A Foot on the Table and Title of “Cape Horner” - Cape Horn - Make it stand out Valparaiso Harbor https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1624571695960-81UY1G39X2UOKGJCI1DC/unsplash-image-o4snRPEZRRs.jpg Blog - The Gold Loop Earing, A Foot on the Table and Title of “Cape Horner” - Cape Horn - Make it stand out So Many Penguins. There are penguin breeding colonies on all these ports of call that we stopped at before we rounded the cape. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1624316101218-NK22N3XQB6ZI832VX7BN/924DKYTK+%2849%29.jpg Blog - The Gold Loop Earing, A Foot on the Table and Title of “Cape Horner” - Cape Horn - Make it stand out Puerto Montt was our first port of call with it’s volcano dominating the beautiful clear water of the lake. Settled mostly by German settlers you can see traditional homes hidden along the hills as you drive from the port to the lake. As we sat by the crystal clear waters of the lake my cousin fell in love and said she would love to buy a property and retire here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1624316662998-IUNHZEHN8AR8MR2JDRC4/IMG_0104.jpg Blog - The Gold Loop Earing, A Foot on the Table and Title of “Cape Horner” - Cape Horn - Make it stand out There’s no escaping the fact that whales were hunted in these waters. The well preserved skeleton of a whale alongside the gun that was reputed to have killed 20,000 whales. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1624316829928-HSCCS9HVNJN7RW23MCZ4/924DKYTK+%28118%29_Original.jpg Blog - The Gold Loop Earing, A Foot on the Table and Title of “Cape Horner” - Cape Horn - Make it stand out Safe in warm and friendly Argentina. The woolens were put away and the Summer clothes came out. In Buenos Aires a visit would be incomplete without a visit to the famous La Recoleta where Eva Peron’s remains are now buried. I could hear the refrain “Don’t cry for me Argentina” from the musical as we toured to the famous balcony and other sites in Buenos Aires. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1624398774858-T4JFVY8XY6TQHCMPB0U4/924DKYTK+%2886%29.jpg Blog - The Gold Loop Earing, A Foot on the Table and Title of “Cape Horner” - Cape Horn - Make it stand out Sailing through the Beagle Channel, with looming glaciers on either side. I stood on the viewing deck and thought about icebergs and the Titanic as we sipped on brandy laced coffee and shivered in the cold air. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1624316861946-WKOWQYDQGL09FUEQCNTL/924DKYTK+%2830%29.jpg Blog - The Gold Loop Earing, A Foot on the Table and Title of “Cape Horner” - Cape Horn - Make it stand out We did it! Rounded the cape and earned all the privileges of being “Cape Horners”. It was a rough passage with many passengers sick in their state rooms. Fortunately I was wrapped up and by now chased into the dining room thanks to the tennis ball sized ice balls that were falling on the viewing deck. As we crowded against the window, its the best I could do in terms of recording the actual event. I love traveling but I don’t really consider myself an adventurer, never the less I had goosebumps realizing that we’ve reached the bottom of the globe and there is no civilization further south of us. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/dubrovnik-pearl-of-adriatic monthly 0.5 2021-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1623516950302-ATOZEKERVMTU00J7T1FF/IMG_6500%281%29.jpg Blog - Dubrovnik ~ Pearl Of The Adriatic - Make it stand out Onofrio’s Fountain still dispenses cold drinkable water https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1623611627715-DPPO43G60YP8OOV2GVWB/IMG_6548+%282%29.jpg Blog - Dubrovnik ~ Pearl Of The Adriatic - Make it stand out Dubrovnik Cathedral has a lovely interior, with numerous old religious paintings, one of them of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary that is attributed to Titian. The cathedral is free to visit so this is one of the must see sights in the Old town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1623517072842-WEB8293SYAIMY22BGF55/IMG_6532.jpg Blog - Dubrovnik ~ Pearl Of The Adriatic - Make it stand out Stradun with it’s 300 meters of beautiful polished stone shines under the bright sun. This main street is lined with beautifully preserved buildings, cafes and shops. Grab a gelato and stroll along peering into alleys and beautifully preserved buildings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1623517104695-227MCVOMSEC2FS6D8IPB/IMG_6533.jpg Blog - Dubrovnik ~ Pearl Of The Adriatic - Make it stand out St. Blaise Church. A baroque church dedicated to Saint Blaise the patron saint of the city and protector of former republic of Ragusa. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1623517612921-PZMZQTXAAU2WS71W24YX/IMG_6636-EFFECTS.jpg Blog - Dubrovnik ~ Pearl Of The Adriatic - Make it stand out ‘It is almost impossible to watch a sunset and not dream.” -Bern Williams. What a wonderful end to a wonderful day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1623517006239-9MQZSQH7MHJ9RZR2G16O/IMG_6519_Original.jpg Blog - Dubrovnik ~ Pearl Of The Adriatic - Make it stand out Our first stop is the Franciscan Monastery with it’s beautifully preserved cloister and air of peace. The treasure we came to see here is the Old Pharmacy which was founded in 1311 and is the third oldest Pharmacy in Europe. This alone is worth the price of admission. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1623606161628-LI8YK9NDOUN7TLN6KJ58/IMG_6627_Original.jpg Blog - Dubrovnik ~ Pearl Of The Adriatic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1623606258540-SVHA4CDK93TBIOG7UAEH/IMG_6497+%282%29.jpg Blog - Dubrovnik ~ Pearl Of The Adriatic - Make it stand out Pile Gate Entrance into the walled city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1623606544707-UEU1N0WEJWEF2781A27X/IMG_6557+%282%29.jpg Blog - Dubrovnik ~ Pearl Of The Adriatic - Make it stand out The port which serves the old town offers boat tours but we opted against one after a particularly disastrous experience in Zadar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1623606399269-3S22UFBV60N0TCIC0SJI/IMG_6634.jpg Blog - Dubrovnik ~ Pearl Of The Adriatic - Make it stand out Lokrun Island as seen from the top of Mt. Srd. Fans of Game Of Thrones this is where you need to go to get a picture of yourself on the Iron Throne. Heads up though it’s quite busy so be prepared for a wait. I happened to be in a shop in Split that had the best Game of Thrones merchandise and a replica of the iron throne so I got my picture for free and without any crowds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1623782062574-X19MZZ0ZYE0BBA9BRZST/IMG_6599.jpg Blog - Dubrovnik ~ Pearl Of The Adriatic - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1623516548802-954PL9FVHP53O831WC6J/IMG_6469-EFFECTS_Original.jpg Blog - Dubrovnik ~ Pearl Of The Adriatic - Make it stand out Franjo Trudman Bridge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1623519045027-TJ85VJ3VQN9UD5JD66JA/unsplash-image-1UPwK2Pyyqg.jpg Blog - Dubrovnik ~ Pearl Of The Adriatic - Make it stand out The City Walls of Dubrovnik stretch 2.5 Km (1.5 miles) an impressive and beautiful structure that are an enduring relic of medieval Europe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1623517034782-8N2KF3H0ATDGE9EDE5DO/IMG_6530_Original.jpg Blog - Dubrovnik ~ Pearl Of The Adriatic - Make it stand out Bell Tower originally built in 1444. Destroyed by several different earthquakes but restored each time to it’s original architecture and look. For fans of the Game Of Thrones, you can imagine the dragons flying around the bell tower but we were not treated to that sight. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1623517189472-RDB2HHIOBYOZ10NTT95F/IMG_6564_Original.jpg Blog - Dubrovnik ~ Pearl Of The Adriatic - Make it stand out Groan! all those steps but oh what fun exploring……… It’s a lot of fun just wandering in the old city, browsing the shops, sitting in the cafes to rest your legs and watch life go by. Not surprisingly the shops here are a bit overpriced. We had the best luck shopping at Ston on our way into Dubrovnik but I held back waiting for Dubrovnik. Note to self when you find something you life go for it, life’s too short for regrets. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/californiacoast monthly 0.5 2021-06-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1622831382938-91RLPXMVRCOQ6VAP7T8C/IMG_5941.jpg Blog - Let The Whistle Blow ~ Ride Up the California Coast - Make it stand out The Drive Up Movie Theater waiting for movie goers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1622831340778-S1H5NI9FU5NQVZ0989S0/IMG_6187.jpg Blog - Let The Whistle Blow ~ Ride Up the California Coast - Make it stand out Amtrak Coast Starline Express taking on and letting off passengers at the station. The train is very long complete with baggage cars, dining cars, sleeper cars and a lounge car with the large windows, “all the better to see through”. Of course the business class coach was not where it was expected to be and I was at the wrong end of the station. Van Nuys is also not a very long stop just enough to let on and drop off passengers. So I had to hustle and rush all the way to the other end of the train. As I finally boarded and made my way upstairs all the seats on the critical left side of the coach that would face the coast were taken. Fortunately there were a set of 4 crew seats at the back reserved for crew rest periods that the conductor let me sit in so I could enjoy the ocean as it flowed along with us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1622849132973-X4ZWVS4U6Y6T67LBYHOT/IMG_6333.jpg Blog - Let The Whistle Blow ~ Ride Up the California Coast - Make it stand out Amtrak Coast Starlight Express runs along the Pacific Ocean “speeding” people from Los Angeles to Seattle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1623087569839-BNHOXMG9VACWHQ3G0VJQ/IMG_5913.jpg Blog - Let The Whistle Blow ~ Ride Up the California Coast - Make it stand out Sea of Orchards reminding me of how fertile California is https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1622847206981-YC1URT7MM03FVRMODRA9/IMG_6182.jpg Blog - Let The Whistle Blow ~ Ride Up the California Coast - Make it stand out A sea of yellow flowers waving in the wind? Reminds me of driving country roads in the Punjab, India. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1622848354887-K4BDUSZF8WK4G5WC573N/IMG_6338.jpg Blog - Let The Whistle Blow ~ Ride Up the California Coast - Make it stand out Our conductor was extremely enthusiastic about the beautiful views and told us that dolphins and other ocean creatures could be seen swimming. I certainly did not catch any glimpses of mammal life but we did see the boats cruising along right by the shore. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1622849054407-EWWWR4Q26OO4H3MVC8OK/IMG_5908.jpg Blog - Let The Whistle Blow ~ Ride Up the California Coast - Make it stand out Garbage Trucks! My grandson is obsessed with them so have record the waste management site near Simi Valley to share with him. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1622847254144-P8SDBSQ82I4OH4A9NH4L/IMG_6139.jpg Blog - Let The Whistle Blow ~ Ride Up the California Coast - Make it stand out The Pacific Coast has so many moods and facets. The best part you get to enjoy it all from the safe confines of the train window without bringing any sand home with you. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1623087605229-J5MLK23QVXPN3L5PSPNZ/IMG_5929.jpg Blog - Let The Whistle Blow ~ Ride Up the California Coast - Make it stand out No rest for farmworkers despite the fact that this is the Saturday of a holiday weekend. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1622848812056-ZZRSB8G8C0VI10BFCKXN/IMG_5959.jpg Blog - Let The Whistle Blow ~ Ride Up the California Coast - Make it stand out Finally the vista opens up to what people call the most scenic of Amtrak journeys. Hmm! Are these children all alone on the beach? I can barely ponder this question as the children are left behind. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1622847126384-KXM08RWEGTBT447UA4HS/IMG_6304.jpg Blog - Let The Whistle Blow ~ Ride Up the California Coast - Make it stand out Was it an earthquake which caused these giant fissures? My overactive imagination is pondering, making up stories and scenarios. No the red is not left over from a grisly murder, it’s the reflection from my nails in the train window that transferred onto this picture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1622849425553-SLKBYJRDX2K4Q1EM8ZU3/IMG_5969.jpg Blog - Let The Whistle Blow ~ Ride Up the California Coast - Make it stand out Life Along the Shore. Imagine living this close to the ocean. I’m guessing a lot of these are Air B&Bs or little bed and breakfasts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1622850624049-N73NPWSTSSDZ7P07RMQM/IMG_6061.jpg Blog - Let The Whistle Blow ~ Ride Up the California Coast - Make it stand out People look up, wave and wonder where the train is coming from and where it’s going to. I saw a mother riding a bicycle waiting patiently at a railway crossing, an old couple walking along the tracks waving at us. Such interesting glimpses of life outside the window. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1622848561909-PXWR7UNE2KRUAU7S5FYK/IMG_6045.jpg Blog - Let The Whistle Blow ~ Ride Up the California Coast - Make it stand out No this is not an painting, just a point, aim and shoot out the train window. Miles of California coastline is kept in a pristine condition thanks to the Vandenberg Space force base. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1622849807815-5NFCCF5UF3QHBS74NRM6/IMG_6099.jpg Blog - Let The Whistle Blow ~ Ride Up the California Coast - Make it stand out People out in their campers enjoying the holiday weekend. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1622847023842-V322O9S3CBGAJKOAY0W1/IMG_6037.jpg Blog - Let The Whistle Blow ~ Ride Up the California Coast - Make it stand out The White Cliffs Of Dover England? No White Cliffs along the Pacific Ocean in California https://wanderingveena.com/blog/floating-islands-of-peru monthly 0.5 2021-06-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1622136226777-2X57Q32WXIG94810LO6S/IMG_8120.jpg Blog - Peru’s Floating Islands ~ A Step Back In Time - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1622137352417-TJMLY0TXU04M33URDWFI/IMG_8107_Original_Original.jpg Blog - Peru’s Floating Islands ~ A Step Back In Time - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1622137622895-GLGUJU51R3JZPQE9HEVT/IMG_8115%281%29.jpg Blog - Peru’s Floating Islands ~ A Step Back In Time - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1622138429562-828BO459XM6K4DN3T1CM/IMG_8234_Original.jpg Blog - Peru’s Floating Islands ~ A Step Back In Time - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1622137455279-2733FV3ZR60X2MDMJTDK/IMG_8112.jpg Blog - Peru’s Floating Islands ~ A Step Back In Time - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1622137857342-R2XR5BNQNL15DPSE1F32/IMG_8125.jpg Blog - Peru’s Floating Islands ~ A Step Back In Time - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1622136955261-PKG86CGR12BQZ4U8Z4FM/IMG_8233.jpg Blog - Peru’s Floating Islands ~ A Step Back In Time - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1622138679414-JMLADHGWWT0MPB4QUAID/IMG_5873.JPG Blog - Peru’s Floating Islands ~ A Step Back In Time - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1622138484705-07GGA4X39LZ4L25DIW0L/IMG_5863.jpg Blog - Peru’s Floating Islands ~ A Step Back In Time - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1622136982895-SS2Z1YYQFK3AGOHO2OIR/IMG_8111.jpg Blog - Peru’s Floating Islands ~ A Step Back In Time - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/the-huntington monthly 0.5 2021-05-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1621626733768-FOH9TMZGH82ZDYUCHQ4T/IMG_5789.jpg Blog - Post Pandemic Baby Steps ~ The Huntington - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1621625422250-Y52S9GMT6C9I3QUNEAG8/IMG_5718.jpg Blog - Post Pandemic Baby Steps ~ The Huntington - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1621626370224-ZLGSC8G9X6BXTL2PKO6H/IMG_5734.jpg Blog - Post Pandemic Baby Steps ~ The Huntington - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1621626782981-Y3ACJRJK3BMKQ38T37AU/IMG_5798.jpg Blog - Post Pandemic Baby Steps ~ The Huntington - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1621626597213-VNEQLJYW3ATPUPK1WR4U/IMG_5762+Copy.jpg Blog - Post Pandemic Baby Steps ~ The Huntington - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1621626314968-4UJP4H9GPFKUDVOW59XY/IMG_5733.jpg Blog - Post Pandemic Baby Steps ~ The Huntington - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1621626417144-3MNF0WC04YRAE76TJS6M/IMG_5742.jpg Blog - Post Pandemic Baby Steps ~ The Huntington - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1621626550039-XW79B1RLBX6VX6BOZNLO/IMG_5783.jpg Blog - Post Pandemic Baby Steps ~ The Huntington - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1621626494158-AHOIU62FT7CETG73G3Q4/IMG_5746+Copy.jpg Blog - Post Pandemic Baby Steps ~ The Huntington - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/cesky-krumlov monthly 0.5 2021-05-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1621021113641-HAR6Y9GSYJZ14SDWD7IX/IMG_0176_Original.jpg Blog - Cesky Krumlov ~ Once Upon A Time The Castle Square https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1621021069723-XPEDXOPYZUHXSU3MB1IA/IMG_0186.jpg Blog - Cesky Krumlov ~ Once Upon A Time The Town Square https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1621021183741-U9N3QBNHK9PV6KJRJNOS/IMG_0179.jpg Blog - Cesky Krumlov ~ Once Upon A Time - Make it stand out The castle dominates the town https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1621020877976-9BFNUAYEWPLXCK2IIPX8/IMG_0172.jpg Blog - Cesky Krumlov ~ Once Upon A Time Cesky Krumlov from the Top of the road https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1621021147482-KRJT7N2EP7NQQNTMEJOJ/IMG_0178.jpg Blog - Cesky Krumlov ~ Once Upon A Time Twisting Cobblestone Alleys with their fantastical light bulbs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1621021335305-JE8OFV46VHKAOU847P31/IMG_0155.jpg Blog - Cesky Krumlov ~ Once Upon A Time Beautiful serene. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1621021251866-WEW7E63FPCI22D9UWIZ9/IMG_3402%281%29.jpg Blog - Cesky Krumlov ~ Once Upon A Time In a window embrasure during the castle tour https://wanderingveena.com/blog/giverny monthly 0.5 2021-05-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620920751857-9Y2ULLZTTM7LPN0X4V62/DSCN0023.jpg Blog - Walk in Monet’s Masterpieces ~ Giverny Lily Pond https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620923686012-8KD7YPS5OLR5XEV43R9N/IMG_3162.jpg Blog - Walk in Monet’s Masterpieces ~ Giverny Inhale, relax, enjoy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620870087338-DJ6ZYPSCYXE01DMJ13NT/DSCN0022_Original.jpg Blog - Walk in Monet’s Masterpieces ~ Giverny Water Lilies https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620922194864-6C8W1YT5W2ZFST2BO43X/DSCN0027%282%29.jpg Blog - Walk in Monet’s Masterpieces ~ Giverny Walking in the gardens https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620870678408-R5UV31J9M2IPYJJCNKJS/unsplash-image-8Sopdzh-sPo.jpg Blog - Walk in Monet’s Masterpieces ~ Giverny Clos Normand in full bloom (not my picture) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620870209698-U0YY5IONNSTOAHKJ2PV9/DSCN0035.jpg Blog - Walk in Monet’s Masterpieces ~ Giverny The Gardens were planted such that there were year round flowers and color. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620922000646-MEB581AQHUB6CJKK5W2F/DSCN0036+%282%29.jpg Blog - Walk in Monet’s Masterpieces ~ Giverny - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/kona monthly 0.5 2021-05-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619917981118-B7MT4BZ7YDW6G6V5YW6B/IMG_4877.jpg Blog - Ho’i Hou Ke Aloha Spectacular Sunsets https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619917783348-IT1X45M0SFOY7SDLIZNT/IMG_5219.jpg Blog - Ho’i Hou Ke Aloha Turtles on Black Sand Beaches https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619917462835-SIN84V6B70FK6QDY7E7K/IMG_5278.jpg Blog - Ho’i Hou Ke Aloha https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619917529723-RRQCLIP9C6RKEZA9DKYX/IMG_5023.jpg Blog - Ho’i Hou Ke Aloha Rainbow Falls https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619917613314-C13LGJXGVU1LOLGNF2E4/IMG_5235.jpg Blog - Ho’i Hou Ke Aloha Steam Rising https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619917561314-U718ISUMGN102MZTU7M8/IMG_5097.jpg Blog - Ho’i Hou Ke Aloha Legends https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619917727644-BKMHNSCO2LIKJOF0PGS0/IMG_5260.jpg Blog - Ho’i Hou Ke Aloha Active Volcanoes https://wanderingveena.com/blog/alhambra monthly 0.5 2021-05-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619913123839-T2B7MDR3QSR1YNQA54WH/IMG_0024.jpg Blog - The Alhambra ~ A Feast For The Senses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619915257245-LU25B852L4NL4XRL54X6/IMG_5818.jpg Blog - The Alhambra ~ A Feast For The Senses So much beauty https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619913701543-8KKRHZ6YDLY60TQN5FKI/IMG_5754.jpg Blog - The Alhambra ~ A Feast For The Senses Tinkling fountains with a splash of color ~ Our journey begins here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619914835972-Q9Y7OR661BEZ9FOMHEXE/IMG_3838.jpg Blog - The Alhambra ~ A Feast For The Senses Looking out at the cityscape spread out below; spells a strange sense of freedom. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619913765840-E5AGZ5H39BYNORTA1ZZQ/IMG_5816_Original.jpg Blog - The Alhambra ~ A Feast For The Senses Reflecting pool under a bright blue sky. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619915185787-YNASZ4R1L6A3MKDJ9ZPB/IMG_3825.jpg Blog - The Alhambra ~ A Feast For The Senses So much beauty. Alas I wish I understood the words. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619914645430-NW090DPWT3M1MR75JSFG/IMG_3841.jpg Blog - The Alhambra ~ A Feast For The Senses Look up towards the heavens and praise the beauty that we’ve been blessed to receive. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619916038316-324BESCMDAGLHJFQU5PO/IMG_5729_Original_Original.jpg Blog - The Alhambra ~ A Feast For The Senses Tired, exceeded the step count for the day but not yet ready to leave. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619914611261-ACF24AR7C17CFV5FYVSG/IMG_3834.jpg Blog - The Alhambra ~ A Feast For The Senses The Lions Court, ongoing maintenance. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/museolarco monthly 0.5 2021-05-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619908982743-M8D099C4NOMTBAPTXCXY/IMG_7803.jpg Blog - A Night At The Museum ~ Museo Larco https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619909788635-6OLEGMNHGSXCOTJNONTX/IMG_7808_Original.jpg Blog - A Night At The Museum ~ Museo Larco Sculptural Portrait Vessels https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619909827245-HQE5QDVFSBDZWO9T939L/IMG_7810_Original.jpg Blog - A Night At The Museum ~ Museo Larco Necklaces https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619912043475-L0ZEDV219PP5BONT2N53/IMG_7807_Original.jpg Blog - A Night At The Museum ~ Museo Larco Cult Of the Dead - sacrifices and ceremonies https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619909863044-RPDBUU2FWBVTCXG3J9NZ/IMG_7811.jpg Blog - A Night At The Museum ~ Museo Larco Chimu Funerary Attire https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619909905073-WSIMFG4AUTHE4CDAYK6K/IMG_7815_Original.jpg Blog - A Night At The Museum ~ Museo Larco Lambayeque Funerary attire https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619909682591-O3V4G5WFT5HUJWHRWHNO/IMG_7809.jpg Blog - A Night At The Museum ~ Museo Larco Huari Funerary Bundle https://wanderingveena.com/blog/blog-post-five-9ywx6 monthly 0.5 2021-05-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620011195505-4J8GHYXR8NP4CJJEDBN4/IMG_6588.JPG Blog - Barcelona ~ The Genius of Gaudi The Dragon water fountain https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619995961082-YYJFGOGH9ZCID10B86HG/IMG_3956_Original.jpg Blog - Barcelona ~ The Genius of Gaudi Captivating Light ~ Stained Glass Windows https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619996335687-0XXTNTTGF2NY2ZBPP6W9/IMG_4010.jpg Blog - Barcelona ~ The Genius of Gaudi Park Guell https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619996430398-3M2UXVGU4G4CUUZURQVK/IMG_3971_Original.jpg Blog - Barcelona ~ The Genius of Gaudi Whimsical Casa Batlo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619996069291-SUSBN9L1HQZI9BG9IY1U/IMG_6339.jpg Blog - Barcelona ~ The Genius of Gaudi https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619995997934-SB19GRCK92HMWUELNJKZ/IMG_6324.jpg Blog - Barcelona ~ The Genius of Gaudi https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619996611888-TFYVS94HNJZKHQXZK9KJ/unsplash-image--271sKk6WaM.jpg Blog - Barcelona ~ The Genius of Gaudi Barcelona Sagrada Familia https://wanderingveena.com/blog/blog-post-six-7c6lr monthly 0.5 2021-05-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620004731417-5SJS9GH3D1QJQOHN0C4L/IMG_4989_Original.jpg Blog - Cordoba ~ A Symbol of Religious Tolerance https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620004255128-WLK8UFJIL39X92PN5X13/IMG_3281.jpg Blog - Cordoba ~ A Symbol of Religious Tolerance https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620004314602-DKVVI1EIAATPCD32G7A6/IMG_3288_Original.jpg Blog - Cordoba ~ A Symbol of Religious Tolerance https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620004460865-AIQXBTHXXSRGN1WHQXCR/IMG_3299.jpg Blog - Cordoba ~ A Symbol of Religious Tolerance https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620242738764-2SNZGDOTK3GY5XWX76PL/IMG_4943_Original.JPG Blog - Cordoba ~ A Symbol of Religious Tolerance https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620004218797-96K3RJDI01VGWPRCQFPF/IMG_3282.jpg Blog - Cordoba ~ A Symbol of Religious Tolerance https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620004371100-WWTPS478K06SAXFRGQYA/IMG_4966.jpg Blog - Cordoba ~ A Symbol of Religious Tolerance https://wanderingveena.com/blog/blog-post-eight-c9p6y monthly 0.5 2021-05-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620068880140-7YGRJZQOXB21JMMGLTNY/IMG_3210.jpg Blog - Olá! Bom Dia! Como vai? ~ Portugal Queluz Palace Gardens https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620064008771-K0I7MHGKPZOVQF160L1D/IMG_3209.jpg Blog - Olá! Bom Dia! Como vai? ~ Portugal Queluz Palace Interior https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620064155280-1GQZNKHDEXD8HZJC5ET2/IMG_3219.jpg Blog - Olá! Bom Dia! Como vai? ~ Portugal https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620063825262-JTG0URJJO57NFFIOWBM2/IMG_3138.jpg Blog - Olá! Bom Dia! Como vai? ~ Portugal Sanctuario De Fatima https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620066946884-T2KT7HZO3HPX5VP4UA2H/IMG_4495_Original.jpg Blog - Olá! Bom Dia! Como vai? ~ Portugal Obidos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620064116829-QGZTT4D1UDFQZ9C22YJ5/IMG_3215.jpg Blog - Olá! Bom Dia! 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My, my, how can I resist you? Stockholm Stockholm, city view from the water https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620070623150-0HBHSQPG8Y6OILMKMTHA/IMG_2679.jpg Blog - Mamma mia, …. My, my, how can I resist you? Stockholm Stockholm Royal Palace https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620070406947-6W2KBER3N37IDRRQIP10/IMG_2683.jpg Blog - Mamma mia, …. My, my, how can I resist you? Stockholm Stockholm Waterfront Congress Center https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620070656281-XYYOHS9SMPWWAWPCVUFN/IMG_2669.jpg Blog - Mamma mia, …. My, my, how can I resist you? Stockholm Saint George and The Dragon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620070376336-4KJLZ1U9CO0QRSKKXP4W/IMG_2663_Original.jpg Blog - Mamma mia, …. My, my, how can I resist you? Stockholm The Noble Prize museum https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620070511797-71CQOTXG7P356NTZZZFD/IMG_2662_Original.jpg Blog - Mamma mia, …. My, my, how can I resist you? Stockholm Gamla Stan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620070555495-3AU13JRE96YRYZEZYJ80/IMG_2674.jpg Blog - Mamma mia, …. My, my, how can I resist you? Stockholm Vasa Museum Ship Model https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620082052251-V2G3M0FB8XPFNOVZEZNP/IMG_2725.JPG Blog - Mamma mia, …. My, my, how can I resist you? Stockholm Grona Lund https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620070449594-GDH8DDPD3049L74HEOJK/IMG_2695.jpg Blog - Mamma mia, …. My, my, how can I resist you? Stockholm ABBA Museum https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620081993342-LPLKYVJLM4KNSY0J4P9L/IMG_2706.JPG Blog - Mamma mia, …. My, my, how can I resist you? Stockholm Royal Palace Interior https://wanderingveena.com/blog/blog-post-ten-9rcmy monthly 0.5 2021-05-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620072664945-VUHUWPVECRJA6UH1AAHB/IMG_2420.jpg Blog - Catch the Wind In Your Sails ~ Denmark Fika at a charming café in Helsingborg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620086013775-KH0EXYERHNAGRI8VV3OO/D567C604-097D-48CB-AF3C-23F20B20747C.jpg Blog - Catch the Wind In Your Sails ~ Denmark Danish Crown Jewels https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620071995809-7JU6LCPNBUBBOT576QIO/IMG_2389.jpg Blog - Catch the Wind In Your Sails ~ Denmark Karnan Castle in Helsingborg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620071921020-CWK3IQH9W5WQRV4KDORS/IMG_1457.JPG Blog - Catch the Wind In Your Sails ~ Denmark The Little Mermaid https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620072079739-PY024EIADIFNHNYGIB5V/IMG_2348.jpg Blog - Catch the Wind In Your Sails ~ Denmark The Royal Library https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620072137878-0A7OOK01RUXSGM2RMDBA/IMG_2354.jpg Blog - Catch the Wind In Your Sails ~ Denmark The Royal Yacht Dannebrog https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620253710904-HZXWNXLQ8IHEWQXJ4JNJ/unsplash-image-3_ZGrsirryY.jpg Blog - Catch the Wind In Your Sails ~ Denmark Nyhaven https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620072444752-HBJD2QYJOSCQM0LLNX06/IMG_2290.jpg Blog - Catch the Wind In Your Sails ~ Denmark The Turning Torso https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620086414286-3S5VVCFPYGX52IEDBCUD/IMG_2771.JPG Blog - Catch the Wind In Your Sails ~ Denmark Tivoli Gardens https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620072230231-3TNB8LX0L4SHAIU1STMH/IMG_2285.jpg Blog - Catch the Wind In Your Sails ~ Denmark Oresund Bridge https://wanderingveena.com/blog/blog-post-thirteen-m5dez monthly 0.5 2021-05-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620227462310-DX90NG5U8KZIK0XFGVMS/IMG_1837.jpg Blog - Nope! 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Not A Movie Set ~ Enchanting Alberobello https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620227616529-41F4HO1B03JQI38A45XU/30.jpg Blog - Nope! Not A Movie Set ~ Enchanting Alberobello https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620228032264-C0D81EFWUUEHKWP1TEK2/unsplash-image-knel0l9htA0.jpg Blog - Nope! Not A Movie Set ~ Enchanting Alberobello https://wanderingveena.com/blog/blog-post-twelve-e249n monthly 0.5 2021-06-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620177376285-13ZD3TM48Y0UIBJI681M/IMG_2091.jpg Blog - Veni, Vidi, Vici ~ Rome Piazza Navona https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620177001338-QRBKLEHF7JFXNXT8H6BV/13.jpg Blog - Veni, Vidi, Vici ~ Rome Looking down From the Monumento Vittorio Emanuele II. All the various monuments and the Colosseum which are on a visitors must do list in Rome. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620176034419-T2D70OMDMH1Y5JDNFOLJ/unsplash-image-qA87EGTCzR0.jpg Blog - Veni, Vidi, Vici ~ Rome Throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain. I did and came back. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620177045921-GIKBBZPAHD17C2UMCDL6/4.jpg Blog - Veni, Vidi, Vici ~ Rome Rome in all its glory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620177404699-LS5H426ZYRJ1LQPDJ4Y2/DSC00409_Original.jpg Blog - Veni, Vidi, Vici ~ Rome The Spanish Steps https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620177631010-XH2ZNX51MR3KY928I4DR/DSC00418.jpg Blog - Veni, Vidi, Vici ~ Rome St Peters Square Vatican City, remember no shorts and cover your arms in order to enter the churches all over Italy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620176963972-XCXNT1109WVIMM622K6Q/16.jpg Blog - Veni, Vidi, Vici ~ Rome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620177240134-HWHGF1NHCACZ8ZI6B9BC/IMG_6981.jpg Blog - Veni, Vidi, Vici ~ Rome The ruins of Ancient Rome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620178002426-B8RQFBLDMXEMHEIPKPDX/unsplash-image-y8b001e2bs0.jpg Blog - Veni, Vidi, Vici ~ Rome Vatican Museum https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620178135261-HXOQYTHHTANT4QIEK5JJ/unsplash-image-5vMFLIOXPBM.jpg Blog - Veni, Vidi, Vici ~ Rome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620177811796-A1VFAWJVPS6B5KY5W8N8/DSC00447_Original.jpg Blog - Veni, Vidi, Vici ~ Rome Inside St. Peter’s https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620177880387-XFTLHMILPJU5DS8ZRQMT/28.jpg Blog - Veni, Vidi, Vici ~ Rome Basilica of Our Lady Trastevere https://wanderingveena.com/blog/blog-post-venice monthly 0.5 2021-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619991806223-2547R4AQ7D7XLY2CMWTS/DSC00488.jpg Blog - Venice ~ Queen of the Adriatic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1614990703050-IFUJVFB30QP6A8L4SATP/IMG_6052.jpg Blog - Venice ~ Queen of the Adriatic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619991729355-VA0C71JBM6WX5O4QS946/DSC00528.jpg Blog - Venice ~ Queen of the Adriatic Doge’s Palace https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619991696270-ZVK7AWKF6JG9Z7B7UGR4/DSC00477.jpg Blog - Venice ~ Queen of the Adriatic Grand Canal https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619991635245-P7DE34NDHO3GSL83J5G6/DSC00481+%281%29.JPG Blog - Venice ~ Queen of the Adriatic Bridge Of Sighs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619991675867-WKMX6ISP9BY8L8YFAD74/DSC00523_Original.jpg Blog - Venice ~ Queen of the Adriatic Rialto Bridge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1619991764559-YF3HZ03XWZYY2Q5A72OJ/DSC00526.jpg Blog - Venice ~ Queen of the Adriatic No roads, no cars, only water craft and the music from the gondoliers plying their passengers along the canals. Intellectually we know Venice is a city of canals and yet you feel there must be some roads somewhere. Imagine the surprise to exit the train station and hike your luggage down to the dock to engage in a water taxi or vaporetto to take you to your destination. I recall our dismay at having to lug our heavy suitcases (definitely learned a lesson about traveling light in Europe) down the stairs that lead from the exit of the train station to the water. I also fondly recall my friend and companions dismay when seeing that the only roads were water canals. She got over the surprise and chagrin pretty quick and we spend an amazing time scrambling through all the back alleys and shops during our time here. https://wanderingveena.com/blog/blog-post-eleven-y86d4 monthly 0.5 2021-06-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620143563635-RGK2BTYFJAU1WWHSV51H/unsplash-image-3-QB-YKxTKY.jpg Blog - Incredible Istanbul https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620168134022-ELJTB5A4WS4YW0YCRX0A/IMG_4493.jpg Blog - Incredible Istanbul The Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque are all right next to each other. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620166417512-M94KPPZYU2QNDEF6R1H0/IMG_4469.jpg Blog - Incredible Istanbul Interior Hagia Sophia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620165450045-4PTFL77E7TGQAVB84VI2/IMG_4507.jpg Blog - Incredible Istanbul The Golden Horn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620143875865-C48NGHRE62YRRJAQSAI5/unsplash-image-ULLAHtAzvog.jpg Blog - Incredible Istanbul https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620166541027-X4YTQC1AT86V7LPKWTAF/unsplash-image-RtyniRlSatw.jpg Blog - Incredible Istanbul Grand Bazaar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620164284306-X4FJMQJFB6Z8Y5EYDYBU/IMG_4453.jpg Blog - Incredible Istanbul https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620165917844-Y8L0HYL214PFNZ3C9UHE/IMG_4464.jpg Blog - Incredible Istanbul Wish Column Hagia Sophia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620166333178-EWGI7KMWFMPUMZDUUZ1F/unsplash-image-a93v3R8nu-c.jpg Blog - Incredible Istanbul Interior Hagia Sophia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620173632709-EIEHOB19A5QOXUJV0BLA/unsplash-image-WevJJ3GxfnI.jpg Blog - Incredible Istanbul Dancing Dervishes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620174158412-BJU5Y7TENLHGCTJUE38G/IMG_4515.jpg Blog - Incredible Istanbul Bosporus Cruise https://wanderingveena.com/blog/blog-post-fourteen-655jm monthly 0.5 2021-06-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620246994075-D9WZ84JM71T2NAVRN1GJ/IMG_2102_Original_Original.jpg Blog - Markets ~ More Than A Shopping Experience Piazza Navona Rome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620246893657-BEWE11G2MV52MMUNY92D/IMG_0167_Original.jpg Blog - Markets ~ More Than A Shopping Experience Farmers Market Mexico City https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620246932012-WPH10FKB7N32GMSWSLY1/CIMG0719.jpg Blog - Markets ~ More Than A Shopping Experience A linen store Aix-en-Provence https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620247223061-X3LAA4HJ2A69T780VBR8/IMG_6993.jpg Blog - Markets ~ More Than A Shopping Experience Cartagena https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620246840108-K0T5EDXLHUHQ0E96AMF7/IMG_0242.jpg Blog - Markets ~ More Than A Shopping Experience Floating Market Bangkok https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620247147764-6ZDD47LV0WFCGPRGMRR4/IMG_8254.jpg Blog - Markets ~ More Than A Shopping Experience Local Fruit and Vegetable Market Peru https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620246967195-CIW7UDXBNSSBRUMHSZX2/IMG_8253_Original.jpg Blog - Markets ~ More Than A Shopping Experience Artisan Market Cusco https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620247349786-521UT1FWH6OTK40FQ8HW/IMG_0029_Original.jpg Blog - Markets ~ More Than A Shopping Experience Gold Souk Dubai https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620250573017-QRBYHWY3HVRMVKY2B0NF/IMG_4634.jpg Blog - Markets ~ More Than A Shopping Experience FAO Schwartz https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620247094297-0X1CF47JPK4XT78CCDX3/IMG_3040.jpg Blog - Markets ~ More Than A Shopping Experience General Store Madrid https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1620247042577-QKNAKGW21VHC4VSBAWG7/IMG_8433.jpg Blog - Markets ~ More Than A Shopping Experience Souq Waqif Doha https://wanderingveena.com/about daily 0.75 2021-03-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1616959493521-TG9D3ZDT04K2LT94ZRKY/unsplash-image-qyAka7W5uMY.jpg About - I haven’t been everywhere but it’s on my list. -Wandering Veena https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1616959576682-33WN4KAV5FVSRQJHC8KC/unsplash-image-DNE9iZ1Kqzk.jpg About https://wanderingveena.com/contact daily 0.75 2021-03-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60396ae82996cb18375acd7c/1615242473896-EXZYB9C5MGP3C2YTDAE2/unsplash-image-_VqyrvQi6do.jpg Contact