¡Viva Madrid!

Spain : Madrid
Autumn 2011

In the grounds of the Royal Palace at Madrid
(Oct-2011)

Journal Entry... It was in Madrid where I felt that I am in Spain. Atmosphere in the capital was distinctly Spain as I had pictured it to be. It may be centuries old, but the mood in the city is vibrant and energetic as ever. 

In the Presence of Our Lady

Spain : Montserrat
Autumn 2011

On a mountain top in Montserrat
(Oct-2011)

Journal Entry... It is recounted that in the Montserrat mountains, visions of the Virgin Mary "in shining lights and angelic music" were seen and heard by shepherd children, and where on a rock surface an image of the Virgin Mary had appeared-- where a Chapel was built around the Virgin Mary's apparition site. Like Assisi is to Rome, so is Montserrat to Barcelona. One hour ride on the train from Barcelona, I found myself in the glorious mountain ranges of Catalunya, the Benedictine monks' mountain retreat and pilgrimage site to the Lady of Montserrat inside a cave chapel. 

In Search of Gaudi's Works

Spain : Barcelona
Autumn 2011

Bright morning in autumn at Plaza Catalunya in Barcelona
(Oct-2011)

Journal Entry... I had an agreement with the hubby, that I could choose a country where to celebrate my big "40th Birthday". Three years ago, hubby and I were in Paris (France) to celebrate his own milestone... For my turn, I chose Spain. Spain's tourism catch phrase said, "I Need Spain"... and perhaps I did. No less than my birth name could trace roots to Spain, such as the pedestrian plaza in Barcelona. After some planning, I rounded up our key destination cities, running from north to south of Spain, to 10 cities... in 16 days. Thanks to Spain's AVE train system for making it possible. 

My Blue Danube

Austria : Vienna
Winter 2011

Danube river at Donaustadt district in Vienna
(Feb-2011)

Journal Entry... Johann Strauss's "The Blue Danube" composition was my piano recital piece in grade school. More than a recital piece, the Blue Danube had a ring of mystery to it. 

Imperial Palaces

Austria : Schonbrunn
Winter 2011

Awaiting my hubby-Prince by the Great Parterre in Schonbrunn
(Feb-2011)

Journal Entry... Once upon a time... a beautiful lass is saved against all odds by the handsome Prince, and they lived happily ever after in a castle in a far, far away land. 

U-Bahn to Naschmarkt

Austria : Vienna
Winter 2011

Spot the hubby at the Naschmarkt in Vienna
(Feb-2011)

Journal Entry... Keeping oneself well fed during a long haul is the key to a happy journey. The 1.5-kilometer long of a Naschmarkt did not disappoint the perpetually hungry troopers in us. 

Waltzing Through Vienna

Austria : Vienna
Winter 2011

Habsburg's winter residence at the Hofburg in Vienna
(Feb-2011)

Journal Entry... I could have gracefully waltzed my way into Vienna, but the bitter winter made it a silly thought of mine. I was bundled up in my parka and knitted scarf pulling a heavy luggage. Austria sits right next to the alps, so go figure the winter cold. 

Letters from Verona

Italy : Verona
Winter 2011

Off to see Juliet's balcony in Verona
(Feb-2011)

Journal Entry... Shakespeare had made a landmark out of the town of Verona when he wrote his play, Romeo & Juliet. So did Verona recreate the star-crossed lovers' story, and a "Juliet's balcony", somewhere off Piazza della Erbe. 

360-Degree of Milan

Italy : Milan
Winter 2011

A bustling Piazza del Duomo on a winter day in Milan
(Feb-2011

Journal Entry... Standing at Piazza del Duomo, I came to terms with reality that the best of Milan might as well be absorbed by pivoting oneself in a 360-degree turn. There's the Duomo (Basilica), the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele (indoor shopping center), the museum (with Da Vinci's Last Supper painting)... then the Duomo, the Galleria... again the Duomo and the Galleria... Now, I've dizzied myself. 

Oh my, Murano!

Italy : Murano
Winter 2011

Main canal artery to the island of Murano
(Feb-2011)

Journal Entry... I am not fond of glass items. Glass is breakable, so what's the use. It cuts the flesh, and can drip your blood dry. Then as a child and now adult, I never go near glass objects... Venice, I see, is also known for its artistically crafted glass, which is named after one of the minor islands where it is made. 

Carnevale di Venezia

Italy : Venice
Winter 2011

In a commercial mask on Carnevale Week in Venice
(Feb-2011)

Journal Entry... A thick fog hovered over bringing visibility down to zero. The yellow-orange tinge in the sky had turned to grey. Train stayed on course above water and cut through the fog... to reveal the island of Venice. If this approach was to be in a movie scene, and I was directing, I would not have that arrival to Venice any other way, other than by train. (No, this is not the Italian version to Harry Potter's arrival to Hogwarts.) 

Florentine Delights

Italy : Florence
Winter 2011

Rub the Boar's snout with a coin for a return to Florence
(Feb-2011)

Journal Entry... Half-expecting a continuation of my daily dose of the pasta-and-pizza combo, little did I know what gastronomic feast awaited me in Florence. 

The Color of Burnt Sienna

Italy : Siena
Winter 2011

Under the Tuscan sun in Siena
(Feb-2011)

Journal Entry... The burnt sienna color must have gotten its name after the city. A reddish-brown hue is not only on the soil on which the city stands, but the same color had spilled over Siena's cityscape. 

Lean on Me

Italy : Pisa
Winter 2011

Jump high for Pisa!
(Feb-2011)

Journal Entry... No wonder those who visited Pisa did all sorts of poses to the leaning Tower of Pisa, and I would find out why. 

Renaissance Florence

Italy : Florence, Lecchio
Winter 2011

On a hill at Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence
(Feb-2011)

Journal Entry... A replica of Michelangelo's David overlooks the city of Florence. In Biblical account, David was empowered by God to slay the giant Goliath. David is used to represent Florence. Like David, Florence rose above her neighboring cities, kicking off the Renaissance cultural revolution that had influenced the world over. 

Old Bridge

Italy : Florence
Winter 2011

Set against the backdrop of a medieval bridge - Ponte Vecchio in Florence
(Feb-2011)

Journal Entry... There's this one image of a bridge I've come to know about growing up that had somehow fixated me to it. That winter morning, in 2011, I woke up to it so close I could almost touch the bridge from the apartment window. 

Assisi on a Hilltop

Italy : Assisi
Winter 2011

On a hilltop in St. Francis' town of Assisi
(Feb-2011)

Journal Entry... I'm thinking, what's a possible place for a day trip from Rome? On hubby's birthday, which was coming up. I was told to close my eyes and imagine... the cool mountain breeze... labyrinth pathways... olive groves and grapevines... a fortress... and mementos from a hometown boy and his female counterpart, Saint Francis and Saint Clare... in the medieval town of Assisi perched on a slope, two hours from Rome. 

Crossing Over to the Holy See

Vatican City
Winter 2011

Two cities caught in a snap from the Cupola at the Vatican
(Jan-2011)

Journal Entry... Sun was up amidst the cold of winter that Tuesday morning. It was one fine day for a walk to Vatican City, a mere bridge away from Rome. 

Streets to Rome

Italy : Rome
Winter 2011

Throwing a coin over the Trevi Fountain for my return ticket to Rome
(Jan-2011)

Journal Entry... Seeing those bricks and stones and ancient columns, I know I've been transported to ancient Rome. The mythical story goes... Mars, the Roman God of war, seduced a vestal virgin who bore twins-- Romulus and Remus. Sentenced to death upon their birth, a servant took pity on the twins. The servant sent the twins afloat in a basket on Tiber river which ended up on Palatine hill... and there, Rome was founded. And the rest, as they say, is history. 

A Beach Haven

Philippines : Boracay

2010

On Boracay shores
(Dec-2010)

Journal Entry... I am not what you call a beach baby. I shy away from the sun whenever possible. When someone says, "Let's go to the beach," I'll surely shake my head back at you. Going to the beach means sun exposure; add the salty water; top it off with tropical humidity. This peculiar mindset from living in a tropical country all my life. 

All Bets Are Off

China : Macao
Winter 2010

Busy Senado in Macau
(Feb-2010)

Journal Entry... When your hotel in Hongkong is right next to the Hongkong ferry station, hopping on a ferry ride to no-VISA-required Macau is a no-brainer. All bets are off though, except to crave for some Portuguese inspired egg tart delicacy over in Macau. 

Golden Buddha

China : Hong Kong

Winter 2010

Cable car ride to Lantau island
(Feb-2010)

Journal Entry... By the third visit, it is expected that we had covered most of the touristy spots in Hongkong. On a third return to Hongkong, hubby and I tossed coin to venture out from Hongkong's familiar spots to nearby Lantau island. 

Flower Power! Canberra

Australia : Canberra
Winter 2009

An afternoon at the Flower Carnival in Canberra
(Sept-2009)

Journal Entry... 

Featherdale Zoo

Australia : Featherdale Zoo
Winter 2009

Feeding a picky kangaroo at the Featherdale Zoo

Journal Entry... Time to pet what I came to the "Land Down Under" for. Kangaroos, wallabys, koalas... you name it, Featherdale Zoo's got it all! 

Sydney's View

Australia : Sydney
Winter 2009

Fins of Sydney at the harbour
(Sept-2009)

Journal Entry... 

Katoomba Adventure

Australia : Katoomba
Winter 2009

"Three Sisters" are under the mad Bunyip's spell on a mountain terrain in Katoomba
(Sept-2009)

Journal Entry...

Toast the Aussie Way

Australia : Hunter Valley
Winter 2009

Wine tasting in Hunter Valley
(Sept-2009)

Journal Entry...

Sunset of Manila Bay

Philippines : Manila
2009

Manila Bay sunset scene, in Manila
(Feb-2009)

Journal Entry... How often did I take Manila for granted? How often did I hop on that available flight to get as far away from the hot and humid, and bustling metropolis? 

The Holidays

Philippines : Manila
2008

Festive lights around the Christmas tree
(Dec-2008)

Journal Entry... Not all that glitters is gold. It can be those string lights circling the festive tree in the living room ushering in the holidays, once more. It's the season for gift-giving, and spreading holiday cheer, to family & friends around the globe. 

bonjour bonsoir le tour Eiffel oui!

France : Paris

Winter 2008

In the company of the iconic Eiffel Tower, in Paris
(Feb-2008)

Journal Entry... Paris will not be complete without the towering steel structure in my opinion. Eiffel Tower - with its sparkling warm yellow lights every ten minutes on every hour from 6PM up until midnight, and flashing bright white lights for ten minutes at 1AM - was icing to my month-long Paris sojourn! 

The Royal Show

France : Versailles

Winter 2008

Communing with the ducks at the Grand Canal in Versailles
(Feb-2008)

Journal Entry... An hour of train ride from Paris, it was a must to have a picnic in Versailles on a whim.  On a month's sojourn, hubby and I pulled off with a picnic in the Versailles gardens where only the royals used to roam, twice. 

Entree: Paris Disneyland

France : Marne la Vallee

Winter 2008

A third Disneyland experience, in French language, at Marne-la-Vallee
(Feb-2008)

Journal Entry... I'm on a 3rd Disneyland experience... after Disney World, in Orlando - 2000, and HK Disneyland - 2006. What's Disneyland Park, in Paris, like? 

Seaside Rendezvous

France : Blonville-Sur-Mer

Winter 2008

On the rocky shores of Blonville-Sur-Mer in Normandy
(Feb-2008)

Journal Entry... Francoise, the apartment owner, invited us for  a day at her beach home in Blonville-Sur-Mer in the coast of Normandy. Regardless of the season, one gets sidetracked to the beach. Like us on a winter day... 

Churches of Paris

France : Paris

Winter 2008

The Hunchbacks of Notre-Dame
(Feb-2008)

Journal Entry... There's always a time for prayer on every travel. First day in Paris, I headed immediately to the Ile-de-la-Cite, or the little island of Paris, to the most visited Church in Paris-- the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. 

A Parisian Flair

France: Paris
Winter 2008

Getting acquainted with Eiffel Tower in Paris
(Jan-2008)

Journal Entry... My first travel to Europe. I am overly excited to find out why Sabrina in that same-titled movie said, "Paris is my hometown."

Merry-Go-Round in the USA

USA : San Francisco, Chicago, New York City, Boston, Tampa, Orlando, Miami & Key West

Winter 2007

Where is the Big Apple? A rocky spot at NYC's Central Park
(jan-feb, 2007)

Journal Entry... A month's worth of itinerary connecting-the-dots in continental U.S.A..

HK Disneyland

China :  Hong Kong

Winter 2006

A universal Disneyland experience in Hong Kong
(jan-2006)

Journal Entry... Disneyland gets closer to home, in Hong Kong. Child-like glee. 

Elephant, No Ride Elephant

Thailand : Bangkok

Autumn 2005

A baby elephant joins me for a photo-op at the Samphran Zoo
(nov-2005)

Journal Entry... A second, but probably the last, office trip out of the country.

I Sat on the Great Wall

China : Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Beijing & Shanghai

Winter 2005

To climb, or not to climb, the Great Wall of China
(jan-2005)

Journal Entry... My first travel overseas... with the hubby. Call it, honeymoon*wink.

A Single Lady's Travel

Destination City: Toronto, Ontario, New York City, Washington D.C., Danville, St. Louis, Springfield, Chicago, Lansing, Tampa, Orlando, San Francisco

Autumn 2000

Journal Entry... A single lady's travel. 28yo. Mid-life work crisis. Two months off. w/ Mom & Dad.