Euroangel Graffiti

The Prince Palace of Monaco

2012-01-27T23:51:00.003+01:00

The last weekend of January is almost here. I hope everyone are having a great month of January 2012. I am so thankful that everything turns out great again this month. I have a lot of things to be thankful of and I believed that this year will be another wonderful year for me and my family.

Before I sign-off tonight let me share this image I took from Monaco. It's been almost a year now since our visit in this fabulous estate of Monaco. This is the Prince's Palace. It was under construction during our visit because that time the marriage of the Prince of Monaco to Charlene will be taking place in a few months. Now it is over and I heard over the news on a German television that Charlene is pregnant. That is quite a good news for them.

The Prince's Palace is considered to be the official residence of the Prince of Monaco. We did not see the Royal Highness during our visit..lol! Goodnight folks. Time for me to sign-off.

The Prince's Palace was built in 1191 as a Genoese fortress. This was taken last April 2011.
I was there!

The Louvre Pyramid and Museum in Paris

2012-01-25T18:22:00.003+01:00

Paris! Paris! The dream city of many. I thought I can only see it in postcards, in television or in the internet. The dream and wish of visiting one of the fabulous and megacities in the world came into reality. I was in Paris twice already and I always love it there.

One of the sights we visited was the Louvre museum, one of the most largest museums in the world. It is also considered as the most visited art museum in the world. I was inside this museum but some hours of visit inside is still not enough to see everything. I am happy and contented to see the painting of Monalisa inside this museum.

The glass pyramid which is one of the entrances in the Louvre Museum. This was taken during my second visit last August 2010.

I was in Vegas

2012-01-21T01:08:00.002+01:00

Watching television while writing here! sounds cool! I should be sleeping now. Before I do that let me share this image taken during my vacation in Las Vegas, Nevada. I was there almost three years ago. It's over but I am now enriched by the memories, travel experiences and the many images that I took from this so-called "sin city". I wish to be backed in Vegas next time....maybe this year..who knows? Goodnight folks. Have a fabulous weekend!

The entrance to the Ballys hotel and casino in Las Vegas Strip. I love walking around this place!

The Plaza Mayor in Madrid, Spain

2012-01-19T23:07:00.002+01:00

I forgot to remind some kababayans and friends who are currently working and residing in Madrid that we will visiting Spain that time. I was just so busy before we left for our 8-days trip to Spain last December 2011. They just left a message in facebook after seeing the travel snapshots I posted in FB from Spain's capital city.

It was so far a wonderful holiday we had especially with all the things that we experienced and saw in the different places in this country particularly in Madrid. The image you see below is one of the famous squares in this city. This is the Plaza Mayor, located just a few blocks from another famous plaza, the Puerta del Sol.

There was a Christmas market going on during our visit last December 2011. I love Madrid!! I love Spain!

Need Some Gadgets

2012-01-18T17:59:00.003+01:00

Dinner is ready and I am done with it! Just a short update before I escape from here to take care of some things. It was actually about last night. I went to bed very late already because I was browsing some gadgets online including plastic switch plate covers. I need a new switch for my computer room because this is where I actually charge all my cameras and cellphones. Second it took me some hours to browse for cheap camera lens for my DSLR canon. I already found one but until now I am still thinking of buying or investing for it. It cost a bit fortune for me but once I decide it this week, I will really order it online. I just need this lens especially in taking far away distance photos. I will for sure give you an update once I buy and receive it. See you later folks!

The Ruins of Ephesus in Turkey

2012-01-18T13:40:00.003+01:00

This is so far one of the best and preserved historical ruins I saw and experience. The ruins of Ephesus in Aegean part of Turkey is one of the major tourist attractions in this country. The archeological sites in Ephesus is huge and truly very impressing. It is located near Selcuk. We had a bus trip that time so we don't need to walk from from any hotels or places nearby. It is around 4 km walk from Selcuk. Our tourist guide who speaks German knows a lot about this site. Sad to say, I don't have much time listening to him because I was busy taking pictures. I bought a book about Ephesus and from it I knew was to read about the history of this former Greek city.

Below is the image of Kurets street in Ephesus, also called as Efes in Turkish. This was taken during our 8-days trip last September 2011.

The Kurets Street starts from Prytaneion, passes the Domitian square and goes until the Celsus library.

Giving Birth

2012-01-17T17:58:00.003+01:00

Giving birth to a baby is never an easy experience. The mother has to undergo a lot of pain during the labor and delivery period. But after that, she will be able to experience a feeling of unexplainable happiness. And yes to become a Mother is one of the greatest gift of all. It is a fulfillment of becoming a woman. I am happy everytime I hear a friend or a relative giving birth to a child.

Sometimes we also have to think for special gifts especially during baby shower, Christening or birthday celebration. We are even thinking of giving an UppAbaby Vista stroller to a family member who gave birth lately. I believed this is already a wonderful present. To all mothers and soon to be mothers out there, congratulations to all of you. I want to especially thank my beloved Mother for bringing me here in this world. Life is always beautiful despite of trials and imperfections.

Have a lovely evening folks!

The Beautiful Cathedral of Seville, Spain

2012-01-17T11:24:00.000+01:00

This is one of the biggest Cathedrals I entered in Europe. The cathedral in Seville, Spain is an amazing work of architecture. It is also bigger that the one in Cologne, Germany. Also called as The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See (Spanish: Catedral de Santa María de la Sede), this cathedral is a is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Seville (Andalusia, Spain). It is the largest Gothic cathedral and the third-largest church in the world.

It was truly a great experience seeing such wonder of human art and architecture.

exterior of Seville Cathedral

The cathedral was built to demonstrate Seville's wealth, as it had become a major trading center in the years after the Reconquista in 1248. In July 1401 it was decided to build a new temple, as the ancient Muslim mosque was in bad shape after a 1356 earthquake. According to the oral tradition of Seville, the decision of members of the chapter was: "Let a church so beautiful and so great that those who see it built will think we were mad". According to the minutes of that day, the new church should be: "a work such as good, which like no other." Construction began in 1402; it continued until 1506. Church workers gave half their salaries to pay for architects, builders and other expenses. wikipedia.

the beautiful interior of the Cathedral during our visit last December 7, 2011.

Architectural description:
Architect(s) Alonso Martínez, Pedro Dancart, Carles Galtés de Ruan, Alonso Rodríguez
Architectural type Church
Architectural style Gothic
Groundbreaking 1401

Specifications:

Length 135 metres (443 ft)
Width 100 metres (330 ft)
Width (nave) 15 metres (49 ft)
Height (max) 42 metres (138 ft)
Spire(s) 1
Spire height 105 metres (344 ft)

Driving on the Backroad

2012-01-16T23:54:00.003+01:00

Another week is here! I am glad that we don't have snow in our place this winter. Sometimes it is snowing but once it reach the ground, it gets melted. It is perfect to drive on the so-called German Landstrasse or backroads when it is snow-free. Sometimes driving on the road can be very risky and dangerous. This is really true especially when it is snowing heavy and the road is full of snow. Glad to know that we have a 24-hour roadside assistance whenever emergency happens on the road. We have a car and towing insurance for any road emergency that may arise. As long as we are always careful when driving, I believed we are safe from any danger.

The image you see here is an example of a German backroad or Landstrasse. Keep safe when driving!

Trip To Budapest, Hungary

2012-01-13T22:43:00.000+01:00

We visited the capital and largest city of Hungary last summer 2011. It was only a day trip we had in Budapest and I believed it is not really enough to see and explore everything. At least we were able to see most of its sights in the city. Budapest is dubbed as the "Little Paris of Central Europe" and "Pearl of Danube" due to its location and its memorable monuments.

Budapest was once two different cities, according to our tour guide, Buda on the West bank of the Danube River and Pest on the East bank. It is quite interesting to know about the history of this city. I did not really listen to everything which the tour guide was explaining to us. I was busy looking around during our sightseeing tour, besides I was busy taking pictures also which the most important for me. I bought a travel book about Budapest. From there I learned a lot about this city and I can still remember its famous sights. One of it is the Heroes Square below.

The Heroes square, called as Hősök tere in Hungarian. It is one of the major squares of Budapest, Hungary, rich with historic and political connotations. We were there last August 2011.

Finding Affordable Hotels in London

2012-01-12T15:46:00.005+01:00

When searching for a hotel close to all the decent tourist attractions in London, I came across St. Ermins Hotel, near Westminster (using google) which is a four star hotel central London I booked my stay through the St Ermins Website and it took just a matter of minutes to secure my booking and pay for my room.

My first impression upon arriving was one of pleasant surprise as the hotel looked even better than it did in the pictures and check-in was dealt with promptly by polite & friendly staff who were only too happy to answer my questions about the recent refurbishment that the hotel had undertaken and some of the local facilities and amenities. There was a small wait but there is a large amount of rooms in this hotel and I was not in a rush anyway.

There are some wonderful facilities at this hotel and there is a wonderful restaurant, The Caxton grill, that is home to some beautiful steaks and fish dishes just a few minutes walk from the hotel rooms. It is possible to book this restaurant online and I ended up booking for four of us to dine together and we had a wonderful evening sampling some of the revolutionary dishes that are cooked here and there were even a few special offers on a combination of dishes and drinks meaning that we managed to save ourselves some money while trying something new.

The Tower Bridge over Thames River during my visit last October 2008.

The best part about my stay at St. Ermins Hotel was definitely the hotel room itself. I booked a Superior Queen which was one of the cheapest rooms available at the time of booking and I was blown away with the quality and luxurious feel to my room. Fluffy bathrobes were waiting to greet me when I arrived in to my room and the opulent bathroom had complimentary toiletries which is something that I adore about staying in a hotel for the night. I was able to use my laptop while in my room with wireless internet and on the night when I decided that I did not want to go out for dinner I was able to order some room service and have it delivered piping hot to my room.

I must say that I loved my stay at St. Ermins Hotel. I found the staff to be polite, friendly and helpful and the hotel looks modern, fresh and clean since having its refurbishment. I was pleased with the price that I paid considering the general cost of Westminster hotels of and I was able to meet up with friends and family and take in lots of sights without spending half my day negotiating tubes and buses across London.

Hilton Cebu Resort and Spa in the Philippines

2012-01-11T00:11:00.004+01:00

I can't exactly remember which floor were we that time when I took these photos in Hilton Resort and Spa in Mactan Island, Cebu Province in the Philippines. It was exactly two years ago when I had the chance to spent a vacation again in my home country. When I say that Spain has beautiful beaches, Italy, Turkey, Croatia or any other places in the world, I would say that Philippines is still the best for me. Of course, it is my home country and I am also proud of the beautiful beaches and other things that our country can offer to tourists and visitors.

view from the terrace..if you are afraid of heights this might not be good for you. I miss this place..I miss my home country. I hope to be home again soon! I miss the sun, the beach, the food and especially my family.

view from the hotel window.

Wordless Wednesday, NF Waters, Watery, Wordful, Outdoor Wednesday

Wonderful Start of New Year 2012

2012-01-02T22:56:00.004+01:00

Happy new year 2012! I had so far a wonderful New Year celebration. We spent and celebrated it with good friends around. It was a truly a memorable one. Sumptuous foods were served by friends during the New Year's Eve. Everyone had fun. I am very thankful that we started the year with joyous celebration.

The second day of the year is quite a relaxing one for me. I need to slowly plan for this year. I hope all these plans will materialize and I know that I need to work on these harder. I keep on hoping and praying that the start and the rest of the year 2012 will be another great year for us all.

table decoration of a friend where we spent our New Year's Eve. It was truly a great time! Thanks for all your friendship!

Happy New Year 2012!

2011-12-31T14:21:00.003+01:00

"We will open the book.
Its pages are blank.
We are going to put words on them ourselves.
The book is called "Opportunity"
and its first chapter is New Year's Day."
-Edith Lovejoy Pierce.

HAVE A BLISSFUL AND BOUNTIFUL
NEW YEAR TO ALL!

fireworks in Budapest, Hungary. I was there!

From Granada to Seville

2011-12-28T23:13:00.003+01:00

It was during our third day of vacation in Spain lately where we visited Seville. It was quite a long drive with the bus. Most of the persons traveling with us were retired people coming from Germany. I asked our tourist guide how many kilometers it is from Granada to Seville. Lothar told me that it is around 240 kilometers. I just checked it in google map and it says around 250 kilometers away from where our hotel is located.

It is always my problem everytime I travel. When nature is calling me, I can't really hold it too long and I really need to go in a comfort room. I was even telling my friend who was with me to probably bring and use some urinary incontinence products especially when it is a long drive. I guess it is not a bad idea because sometimes you can't stop immediately for a toilet break. The bad thing was, our bus during that trip in Spain don't have a comfort room inside unlike the coaches or buses in Germany.

a screen shot from google map..Granada to Seville, Spain

It was quite a long drive from Granada to Seville but with the scene you see around, you will never get bored of it. It was so far a very nice trip. In fact, a wonderful one!

The Cathedral in Seville, Spain

2011-12-27T23:48:00.004+01:00

This is a very amazing architecture! The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, called in Spanish as Catedral de Santa María de la Sede, commonly known as Seville Cathedral is truly a wonder of human arts and architecture. I had been to Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey last September 2011 and I would say that the architecture of Seville Cathedral is as amazing as the first.

It is a very huge cathedral that we had almost an hour tour inside. The tour inside was truly worth it. It is said that at the time of its completion in the 16th century, it supplanted the Hagia Sophia as the largest cathedral in the world. I can see that because we also had a tour inside the Hagia Sophia last time.

The total area of Seville Cathedral is 23,500 square meters while the size of the inner space of Hagia Sophia is 100 X 70m or 7,000 square meters.

The cathedral also serves as the burial site of Christopher Columbus. Don't miss to visit this cathedral and be amazed but its beautiful and incredible architecture both outside and inside. It was so far a very awesome trip we had in this Andalusian capital city.

Facade of Seville Cathedral during our visit last December 7, 2011.
The cathedral was built to demonstrate Seville's wealth, as it had become a major trading center in the years after the Reconquista in 1248.

Interior of the Cathedral. It was a great experience seeing such marvelous architecture!

Merry Christmas To One and All!

2011-12-23T21:14:00.002+01:00

"May the spirit of Christmas bring us peace,
The gladness of Christmas give us hope,
And the warmth of Christmas grant us
With many blessings."

Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year to evryone!

God bless us all!

the Belen inside the Cathedral in Strasbourg, France during our visit last December 2010.

"Christmas is a time to open our hearts
to God and his gifts.
Just like the rest of the year."

~Author Unknown

Christmas Shopping in Regensburg

2011-12-21T13:16:00.003+01:00

Women would always love that! Shopping and shopping and shopping. This is what I saw in most of my fb friends, shopping for Christmas. This year is different for me. No big shopping because it is time to slowly tighten the belt. I have more priority this time. Beside I already had my Christmas wish, a trip to Spain, good health and so many good things that happened this year..

I just did a bit shopping yesterday in Regensburg. I am happy with what I got.
Just wishing everyone a wonderful celebration of the holiday season! Merry Christmas everyone and a more bountiful New Year!

at Donau Einkaufzentrum, Regensburg. taken yesterday!

Holiday In Phuket- Things To Do and See

2011-12-18T20:59:00.000+01:00

It is snowing like crazy outside! It seems that we will really be having a white Christmas this year. I thought we will not have one. This is also the perfect season of the year to escape the winter in Europe. If I can only do that, I would love too but I just had a short vacation in Spain lately.

If I will be lucky this week with my numbers, I will surely find the best Phuket holiday deals in the net. My friend from Singapore who once visited Phuket last summer told me that this place is truly a great getaway in Southeast Asia.

Here are some of the things I would love to do and see if I will visit Phuket, Thailand in the future.

Enjoy and Relax at the Beach- I believed most of you know that Phuket is Thailand's premier tourist destinations. One of the reasons is, because of its lovely beaches. I would love to have a stroll on some of its famous beaches like the Hat Patong, Hat Karon or maybe in Kata beach. This is one thing I miss at the moment, a walk on a white-sandy beach under the palm trees and simply enjoy the sun, blue sky and water.

My FB friend Cathy took this image during her vacation in Phuket, Thailand this year.

See Its Interesting Sights- Everytime I travel, I always see to it that I also experience the culture and history of a place or city. By seeing its attractions like historical monuments and architecture or maybe a visit to a museum, you will have the chance to know the local culture of that certain place, thus also knowing how the people live in that certain area.

The Thalang National Museum, the Two Heroines Monument, the Wat Chalong, the Phuket Butterfly Garden and Insect World, are only some of the attractions that I would love to visit and to experience in Phuket.

Taste Thai Cuisine- During my recent visit in Spain, that was actually a week ago, I promised myself that I will taste its famous food like Paella, Tapas or Jamon. I actually did! I love the food in Spain and wish I am still there right now. When I visited Budapest last summer of this year, I also told myself that I will try its famous cuisine called goulash. Yes, I did! When I was in Turkey last September, I also tasted some of its local cuisine like Pide, kebabs, sadi pilav and so many more. I always love food tasting!

I have been to some Thai restaurants in Europe but tasting the ones in Thailand is another experience. You can truly say that you were in Thailand and had eaten Thai food. Among the few that I would love to try are Nam Phrik Kung Siap, Koit Diaow Rueah, Hokkien mee, Pad Kanaa Moo Grob..anyway I have a long list for this and I better stop mentioning now or else I will get hungry again.

diving and snorkeling in Phuket..I envy Cathy who loves to do this.

Try Some Outdoor and Water Sports- I am quite of an adventurous person. I always love to try things that are full of fun and excitements. I am not an expert swimmer but I can swim. I would surely love to try snorkeling, jet-skiing, yachting and deep sea fishing. Of course there are a lot of famous water sports you can do in Phuket. Diving, windsurfing, kite surfing,sea canoeing are only some of it. Just choose the perfect time and place to experience it.

European Parliament Building in Brussels

2011-12-17T13:49:00.000+01:00

The European Parliament seats are located in Luxembourg, Strasbourg in France (its main seat) and in Brussels, Belgium. The European Parliament building I have here in my image is the one located in Brussels.

This was taken during our visit last August 2010.

Shopping for Christmas

2011-12-15T20:44:00.003+01:00

I always hear it over the radio or watch over the Television. I even heard it from my friends who are currently busy shopping for Christmas. Yes, I guess everybody's busy shopping for Christmas. One of my friends also went online shopping last time because she had a lot of old navy coupons for up to 50%. That is quite great. Now she is still waiting for her orders to be shipped. I am happy for her.

Somebody also asked me of I want some Christmas presents but I told him that I really don't need some. I already have all the things that I need...car, food, shelter, clothing and other basic needs. Besides I already had my Christmas present, the recent trip to Spain last week. Christmas is not really all about material things. I only wish for more love, peace and good health for me and my family..and yes more travel to come next year. How about that?

Merry Christmas everyone and hope you will also have a meaningful and memorable one.

The photo here was taken inside El Corte Ingles in Madrid, Spain. I was there!

Dolmabahçe Palace, Istanbul, Turkey

2011-12-15T08:56:00.000+01:00

I was not happy after knowing that we will not be visiting Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, Turkey. Our tourist guide told us that it was under renovation at the time we will be visiting it. Instead of that, he told us that we will visit Dolmabahçe Palace.

Since it is not allowed to take pictures inside the palace rooms, I only have an image taken from its entrance. This is a very interesting palace with notable architecture both inside and out.

This palace is located in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul, Turkey, on the European coastline of the Bosphorus strait. served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1922.

the entrance of the palace during our visit last September 2011.

Top Cities to Visit in Malaysia

2011-12-14T14:14:00.006+01:00

There are a lot of beautiful places to visit in Southeast Asia. One of it is Malaysia, a country which is rich in culture and history. It is a mixture of a developing nation and a modern world. Visitors and tourists will wonder the many things that Malaysia can offer . Be sure to book your Malaysia holiday packages where you can find all the guides and information when visiting this country. For sure, a holiday to this country will be a unique and memorable experience.

Here are some of the top cities not to miss when visiting this country.

Kuala Lumpur- The capital and Malaysia's second largest city in terms of population, has become a tourist destination due to its great shopping, cultural diversity, cheap and good food and with some of the world's cheapest hotels.

Sights not to miss when visiting Kuala Lumpur include the House of Parliament, the Merdeka Square, the Kuala Lumpur Tower, the National Museum, the Central Market, the National Monument,and religious sites such as the Jamek Mosque and Batu Caves.

Kuala Lumpur is also know for its Petronas Twin Towers, who was once the world's tallest building. There are just a lot to see and experience in this metropolis.

Palace of Justice in Kuala Lumpur.

Kota Kinabalu- often known as K.K. internationally and within Malaysia, this city is a major tourist destination and a popular gateway for travellers visiting Sabah and Borneo. It is the capital of Sabah state in East Malaysia and one of its major industrial and commercial centres.

Some of Kota Kinabalu's famous attractions include the Sabah Museum,Wisma Budaya Art Gallery, the Padang Merdeka or Town Padang, the Atkinson Clock Tower, the Green Connection Aquarium and the Sabah State Mosque.

Kota Kinabalu Water front

Johor Bahru- This city is the gateway to Singapore. It is well well known as an industrial city with many of the world's top electronics manufacturers. For some tourists, it is not really appealing but shopping and eating in the city can be a real adventure, with many shopping complexes and a wide variety of food establishments offering budget to fine dining.

There are historical and interesting landmarks to see in Johor Bahru. The Istana Bukit Serene, Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque, Masjid India, Sultan Abu Bakar Royal Palace Museum, Johor Bahru Art Gallery (known as Galeri Seni Johor in Malay), Roman Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception, Johor Bahru Chinese Heritage Museum are among the few ones.

Malacca- This is the third smallest Malaysian state, after Perlis and Penang. It is dubbed The Historic State or Negeri Bersejarah among locals. Its rich historical background earned it a World Heritage Site designation in July 2008. This is also one of the reasons why visiting Malacca can be a unique experience.

Heritage areas to visit are Cheng Hoon Teng Temple,Baba and Nyonya Peranakan Museum, Dutch Square,Malaysian Navy Museum,Christ Church,Jonker, Heeren and adjacent streets, Porta de Santiago, Saint Paul's Church and some other more.

Such a Wonderful Trip I had in Spain

2011-12-14T09:15:00.000+01:00

Our 8-days trip to Spain is over. It was so far one of the best trip I had this year. Everything was almost perfect during that trip. From hotels we stayed-in to the food being served during breakfast and dinner, the places we visited were simply amazing and most of all we had a tourist guide who is so knowledgeable in sharing most of everything about Spain. It was simply an awesome and wholesome trip!

For me the trip was worth the price and the places were truly worth to see. In fact, it was really a cheap trip. Among the cities we visited are Granada, Sevilla, Cordova, Toledo and Madrid. Every places was a highlight because each has its own beauty and truly has something to offer to its tourists and visitors like me.

I have been to the many different cities and countries in Europe this year but the trip to Spain is one of the most memorable and unique one I had this year. A part of me and my heart was left in this country. I just simply fall in love with it. I wish to visit it again in the future.

The Palacio Real de Madrid (The Royal Palace of Madrid) is the official residence of the King of Spain in the city of Madrid, but it is only used for state ceremonies. King Juan Carlos and the Royal Family do not reside in the palace, choosing instead the more modest Palacio de la Zarzuela on the outskirts of Madrid.

Things to Do and See When Visiting Thailand

2011-12-13T13:20:00.003+01:00

With the freezing cold winter in Europe, I believed most Europeans want to go for vacation to a place where the weather is warm and friendly. This is the best time of the year to go for a holiday somewhere in the tropics.

Some of you might still be thinking which is the best place to escape the cold winter in Europe. Thailand in Southeast Asia for example can be one of your choices. Be sure to find the best and the cheapest Thailand holiday packages online or in your travel agency nearby.

Here are some of the things you might want to see and experience when visiting the so-called "Land of Smiles".

Beaches and Islands- I believed this is one of the main reasons why Thailand attracts millions of visitors from around the planet every year. It is very famous for its white sand beautiful beaches especially in Pattaya, Ko Samui and Phuket.

Phuket, Thailand. thanks to my friend Cathy for this image.

Historical and Cultural Attractions- Thailand is one of the countries in Southeast Asia which is rich in both cultural and historical attractions. Bangkok, its capital city is often the starting point of visit of most tourists from around the world. The Grand Palace which is home to Wat Phra Kaew, the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand that houses the Emerald Buddha is a must- see when visiting Bangkok.

If you have interest in Thai history, Ayutthaya and Sukhothai are the best place to visit. Interesting sights like Si Satchanalai and Kamphaeng Phet are also worth of stops. These sights are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Shopping- This is one thing you should not miss when visiting Thailand especially in Bangkok. There are a lot of markets and malls in this city which sells cheap goods like clothing, handicrafts, electronics and a lot more. Grab a Thai silk as a souvenir.

If you have the chance, go visit the night bazaar in Chiang Mai.

Outdoor Activities- One of the best experience when visiting Thailand is snorkeling or scuba diving. I remember a friend named Cathy who told me that these outdoor activities are such a great adventure under water. Rock-climbing in the limestone cliffs of Rai Leh are said to be among the best in the world. Longboarding and sea-canoeing are also among the good things to experience in this country.

Pamper Yourself with Thai massage and Spa- Once you visit Thailand, why not try a relaxing experience and pamper yourself with Thai massage. It is said that this massage has a history of over 2,500 years. Many Thais believe that these massages are beneficial for curing diseases and for general well-being.

Thailand is also one of the highest ranking spa destinations in the world. Swedish massage, aromatherapy and other form of massages are also offered in many spas and hotels in Thailand. Depending on your budget, you can have an extravagant wellness in the five star hotels or to the ubiquitous little massage shops found on many street corners.

Cruising in Danube By Wachau, Austria

2011-12-04T13:36:00.003+01:00

It's more that three months since had a cruise in Wachau, Austria. This Austrian valley has a picturesque landscape formed by the Danube river, the second longest river in Europe. Our cruise started in Spitz until Krems. It was a five-days trip were we also visited Budapest and other towns and cities in Hungary. Vienna, Austria was also included in that trip.

After that cruise we had in Wachau which was on the fifth day of our trip, we already proceeded home. It was so far a beautiful experience.

Dürnstein town, one of the places we passed by during that trip last August 2011.

Visit to Nuremberg's Christmas Market

2011-12-02T22:52:00.003+01:00

It's TGIF again and it is almost ending in Europe. I guess you have a wonderful day today. Yes, I did! I am trying to remember how many times I was at Nuremberg's Christmas Market. Once, twice, thrice...I believed five times already. There were times when I go with my friends and one time that I was alone. There are just people who can't travel alone but I am happy to do it from time to time.

Our visit today in Nuremberg was another wonderful experience. This time I was with my friend's parents who are from San Francisco, California, USA. Another two friends were also with me. It was fun going around and do some sightseeing. As usual, there are a lot of people at the Christmas market which is currently held at the Hauptmarkt or Main Square, located just in front of the famous Frauenkirche or Church of Our Lady.

There are variety of goods and products from Christmas decors, arts and crafts, food and other souvenirs being sold in more that 180 wooden booths at Nuremberg's Christmas Market. I believed it is again another success this year for this event.

The Church of Our Lady in the background and some stalls at Nuremberg's Christmas Market.

if you feel cold, you can try to drink the so-called Glühwien or mulled wine to keep you warm.

The Parish Church in Ginatilan, Cebu

2011-11-30T16:00:00.000+01:00

I had a conversation last week with my sister. She was asking if I am going home to Cebu in March next year to celebrate with them the Fiesta in Ginatilan. This is my Mother's home town and it is very famous for its annual patronal festival which is locally called Pista (came from the Spanish word fiesta).

I have here an image taken during my vacation last year. This is the St. Gregory the Great Parish Church. It has a baroque architecture and was built on February 2, 1829. The church is located at the heart of the town still stands lofty and dominates other structure. Ginatilan became a parish only in 1847, although the church was completed earlier.

Here is an image during my vacation last 2010. The answer to the question if I am going home next year? Probably if I will win in the lottery..lol!

The St. Gregory the Great Parish Church in Ginatilan, south of Cebu in the Philippines. Every March is annual festival in honor of the this Saint.

Friends Update

2011-11-30T14:57:00.004+01:00

I am happy everytime I read and hear updates especially from my friends, family, former classmates or schoolmates. This is especially true when one is getting engaged or entering into marriage life. Yesterday, as I was browsing images of some of my friends in facebook, I found out that some of my friends are already getting married. Some are currently engaged. Some are showing pictures of their diamond engagement rings and wedding pictures. I feel excited for my friends everytime I see their updates in facebook. Sad to say, I don't have much time facebooking. Sometimes I just stop-by to check if there are important mails or messages especially from my family at home.

It is always nice to know some updates from our family, friends and acquaintances from time to time. Thanks to social medias and sites out there like facebook.

The Green Tomb, Yeşil Türbe in Bursa, Turkey

2011-11-30T13:00:00.000+01:00

We were able to see and experience some sights in Bursa, Turkey. One of it is the Green Tomb, called in Turkish as Yeşil Türbe. It is actually a mausoleum of the fifth Ottoman Sultan, Mehmed I. Other sultans were also buried in this mausoleum. The exterior of the mausoleum is clad with green-blue tiles that give it its name.

Here are some images during our trip last September 2011 in Bursa.

The entry portal is crowned with semi-umbrella vault and has muqarnas niches above marble seats on both side of entrance. İznik tiles with flower patterns in blue, white and yellow adorn the portal.

See You Soon Spain!

2011-11-29T21:46:00.000+01:00

Somebody's counting the days now. A Pinay-German blogger will be going for an 8-day trip to Spain very soon. This is one of the countries she wishes to visit in Europe. It is an opportunity and a privilege for her to visit one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world. It is again another dream that will soon come true. Of course, she will be bringing again her travel gadgets. She is happy to know that she still don't need to buy new acer batteries for her Acer netbook, one of her travel gadgets. Among the places that she will be visiting are Madrid, Granada, Sevilla, Cordoba, Toledo and other interesting places in the Spanish region of Andalusia.

I will share images once I am back from our Spain trip. Thank you dear Lord for the chance to visit again another country again in Europe. Six more nights to go. See you soon Spain!

A Walk on Sunny Autumn Day

2011-11-27T22:47:00.002+01:00

It was so far a lovely day today. It was a stress-free Sunday. We had a two-hous walk in the afternoon since it was sunny. There was a blue sky when we started walking. As we were almost done with our walk, the sun slowly goes down. The weather was cold. It is normal during Autumn time in Germany. As long as you wear the right clothes for Autumn weather like what we have now, you will surely don't get cold.

It is always good to go walking from time to time. You don't only breath the fresh air but you also have a good view of the surroundings. I am thankful for this wonderful day today.

Before, I forget today is the first Sunday of Advent. We lit this morning our first Advent candle while taking our breakfast.

this is where we usually go walking. you will around hills and valleys, trees, bridges...simply seeing the beauty of nature.

Disneyland, California Moments

2011-11-25T22:13:00.003+01:00

Hey folks, how was your Thanksgiving celebration? I hope you had a great one just like me. It might be over but we must still be thankful with the everyday blessings we receive. I believed we must not only be grateful of all those blessings but also for all the trials and testings that comes our way.

I just want to share here an image from Disneyland in Anaheim, California. I had a great time there with my family and relatives. It was truly a fun moment.

Hollywood Studio in Disneyland, California. date is embedded during our visit.

The Boats in Cannes, France

2011-11-20T19:12:00.005+01:00

I believed you are very familiar with the famous International film festival held in Cannes, France every year. I might not be able to witness one but I am happy to visit this beautiful city in France.

I have below an image taken during our visit last April 2011. I wish to go around the neighboring islands of Cannes in one of these boats. I guess in my next visit.lol!

Feel free to visit and join these wonderful memes; Skywatch Friday,Weekend Reflection, and Scenic Sunday. Thanks to the Authors of these sites for sharing these wonderful memes in the blogosphere.

Separate Ways

2011-11-18T15:05:00.002+01:00

Sometimes, it is sad to say goodbye but we have to. Sometimes it is better to avoid persons who can influence us with negative habits and doings. Sometimes it is better to end up a friendship especially if it will bring no good for both parties. Sometimes even a husband and a wife need to separate ways because things won't work anymore. More on that, there is no more love between each other.

I heard a story of a husband who divorced his wife due to her alcohol problems. At first the marriage was perfect but later it turned to trouble when the wife started drinking everyday. Alcoholism and drug addiction always brings trouble not only to oneself but also on some and maybe of all the people around her or him. There are these so-called institutions or rehabilitation centers who are helping such individuals with such problems. For example the experts and professionals from long beach drug alcohol rehab treatment center are helping people with such problems and sickness. I hope that these persons will be given early treatment to have back their normal lives.

Gondola Ride in Venice, Italy

2011-11-17T23:49:00.000+01:00

Four months had passed since my third visit in one of the most interesting and lovely places on earth. Others might not like Venice, Italy but I always love it there. I would not be there thrice if I don't like it at all.

My recent visit was the most memorable one because I had the chance to ride the Gondola and had a little cruise on Venice canals with friends. Second, I lost my friends and I am alone wandering in Piazza San Marco or St. Mark's Square for around an hour. If not from a call from Germany, it might be hard for me to find and see my friends in that very crowded city. It was a very interesting story which I am going to share in my Europe Travel Pad site.

For now, just enjoy watching below images I took from Venezia, Italia.

one of the narrow canals in Venice, its historical buildings on both sides and yes, part of Gondola. I see the head of my friend's husband who was with us during the ride. I truly had fun with friends that time.

A Gondolier maneuvering his Gondola with passengers. You can see the Campanile at the background. Last July 2011 was my third visit ion Venice.

It's A Cool Cold World!

2011-11-16T22:10:00.005+01:00

The time has slowly come when the temperature drops below zero. No more sunshine like during the summer time. I can no longer use my cheap sunglasses but instead I need to wear my winter hats, caps, headbands, gloves and other winter accessories.
I felt the very cold weather as we were slowly cleaning our attic today. Hubby said that the temperature is around negative 1 degree Celsius this afternoon. No wonder even when I was wearing a sweater, I got slowly frozen. I ended up going inside the house again and drink chocolate milk. Don't forget to wear the right winter clothes. to keep you warm during winter days and also to avoid being sick.

Also sharing an image of the fairy-tale castle of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, Germany, the Neuschwanstein castle.

11.11.11 -Once In a Lifetime

2011-11-11T22:29:00.003+01:00

This is truly once in a lifetime! Today is November 11, 2011. For short, 11.11.11. This day also means that there are 50 days remaining until the end of the year.

Around 6 in the evening, I was listening to a radio station here in Bavaria, Germany. The radio operator received a call from two persons who want to get married today. The couple to be requested Antenne Bayern (the name of the radio station) to help them contact the Bürgermeister or the Town Mayor of their place so that he will perform the wedding ceremony. Antenne Bayern was able to contact the mayor but at that moment he was still driving in the motorway. The bride and the groom to be also mentioned that all the paper works needed for a civil wedding are all prepared already.

The rest of the story, I don't know but I believed they were able to get married this evening with the help of Antenne Bayern.

This day is nothing special to me. I just started to put-up our Christmas tree. It is also the celebration of the Veterans Day for American People. Today is also the beginning of Fasching or Carnival in Germany. St. Martin's Day is also celebrated in Germany especially in the Bavarian region. Today is also a cold autumn time.

There were a lot of happenings that took place during this day for the past years and centuries. For example Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor was born during this day in 1050.

I am thankful that once in a life time, I am here during 11.11.11. Have a safe and wonderful weekend to all!

The Beautiful Beach in Boracay, Philippines

2011-11-09T13:26:00.005+01:00

I was browsing my photo albums awhile ago and found that there are some images that were sent by my sisters during their visit in Boracay. I actually downloaded it in my hard drive but never open it yet. I just extracted the pictures and now I am sharing it here.

Boracay is considered ot be one of the finest beaches not only in the Philippines but also in the whole world. It was awarded in the "Travelers' Choice 2011" by TripAdvisor as the second best beach (out of 25) in the world. Boracay was awarded in the "Travelers' Choice 2011" by TripAdvisor as the second best beach (out of 25) in the world.

I wish to visit Boracay in my next vacation to the Philippines. Wish me luck. Thanks to my sisters for this image.

the beautiful white beach in Boracay, Philippines at dusk. This was taken during my sisters' visit last March 2011.

Goodbye Lovely Flowers

2011-11-07T22:22:00.004+01:00

"Our garden looks sad.
Coz there are no more plants and flowers.
Since it is autumn time,
they were simply gone.
Goodbye lovely flowers!
Due to nature's wonder,
you will be backed next year!"

-ruby benz

Happy Fall season everyone!

one of the beautiful flowers in our garden..hope to see them again next year!

The World Time Clock in Alexander Square, Berlin

2011-11-01T22:08:00.005+01:00

I have here a big World Time Clock, known in German as Weltzeituhr. If you visit Alexanderplatz or Alexander Square in Berlin, you will surely see this clock. This square is quite interesting and you can always see a lot of people walking around there. It is located near the Fernsehturm or Television Tower.

Alexanderplatz is a large public square and transport hub in the central Mitte district of Berlin, near the Fernsehturm.

The World Time Clock in Alexander Square, Berlin during my visit last February 2011.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T22:55:00.005+01:00

It's Halloween again! I believed some of you might be at a theme park at the moment celebrating this festival. Other might be attending a costume party, lighting bonfires outside, telling scary stories or watching horror films.

We just came home some hours ago witnessing a Halloween celebration. It was an enjoyable one. The children were happy after collecting a lot of sweets and candies in "Trick or Treat" in the neighborhood. Most of them were wearing Halloween costumes. From vampires, to fairies, soldiers, princess and a lot of Halloween motives.

our Halloween ticket in Frankenstein castle- Oct. 30, 2001.

Trick-or-treating is a customary celebration for children on Halloween. Children go in costume from house to house, asking for treats such as candy or sometimes money, with the question, "Trick or treat?" The word "trick" refers to a (mostly idle) "threat" to perform mischief on the homeowners or their property if no treat is given. In some parts of Scotland children still go guising. In this custom the child performs some sort of trick, i.e. sings a song or tells a ghost story, to earn their treats.

children wearing various Halloween costumes.

Job Shifting

2011-10-29T18:12:00.002+02:00

I have been thinking about this for a long time. I am planning to shift job and want to learn new things. I am a banker by profession but cannot practice it here in Germany because it is not acknowledged. I need to go back to school again or make this so-called Ausbildung or training.

I have a lot of interest from computer to photography, writing, travelling and so many more. Now I am thinking of getting an IT training or as Programmer so that I can apply in one of those Legacy System Programmer Jobs. I am also thinking of other possibilities like in health and medical fields. I need to decide about this before 2012 comes. Besides, I believe that learning knows no age. Whether you are young or old, you can always learn new things. I hope I will be given the wisdom to finally decide. Wish me luck!

Winter is Coming Soon!

2011-10-26T17:55:00.002+02:00

It is inevitable! Winter is coming soon. I hope everyone did changed already their car tires from summer to winter. I heard over the news on the radio that early in the morning today, there were already drivers who were victimized by icy roads. This is quite dangerous.

Since winter is almost here, are you ready with your winter gadgets? Yes, I do! All my winter jackets, long shirts, winter boots and shoes are already prepared to be worn.

Just sharing an image from last year's winter.

one of my favorite scenes nearby our place. such a beautiful view of nature! Isn't it like in fairytale?

The Linderhof Palace by King Ludwig II of Bavaria

2011-10-20T23:19:00.004+02:00

This is not a so big palace or castle like Neuschwanstein but it is very beautiful. Alone its location and surrounding is also nice. The Linderhof Palace was built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. It is located near Ettal Abbey near near Oberammergau in southwest Bavaria, Germany.

I normally don't want to go inside the palace because as the time I knew that pictures are not allowed to take inside its premises, it already discouraged me. Thanks to good friends who encouraged me.

I was truly amazed by the architecture and wood carvings, frescos, paintings and decorations inside. What also caught my eyes are the so-called Hall of Mirrors. This room was used by King Ludwig II as some kind of living room. He enjoyed sitting in the niche, sometimes reading there the whole night. Because Ludwig II used to sleep in the daytime and stay awake in the night, the mirrors created an unimaginable effect for him when they reflected the light of the candles a thousand times. The parallel placement of some mirrors evoke the illusion of a never ending avenue.

The fountain with a golden statue at the left side of Linderhof Palace. This was taken during our visit last September 2011.

Lots of Food During Our Turkey Vacation

2011-10-18T22:31:00.003+02:00

I thought I can lose some excess weight when taking a vacation. This is because I have to always walk and walk while doing the sightseeing tours. I was wrong. In fact, I found out that I always gain more pounds after each vacation. I need one of those top appetite suppressants to prevent me from eating a lot. Yes, I admit that I always have good appetite especially when the foods being served are my favorites.

This happened during our Turkey trip last month. There were always a lot of foods served on the table. Breakfast and dinner buffets were always available. I miss those food but now I am thinking to slow down since winter is almost coming...or else I might explode. I hope I can already start and materialize my diet plan.

This is an image in one of the hotels we stayed in somewhere in Ayvalik, Turkey.

I Love Nice, France

2011-10-17T23:01:00.003+02:00

If I see places like this, I always remember home. I miss the sunshine..I miss the sea, the waves from the ocean, the sunset, the food and my family. Nice, a big city in French Riviera is such a beautiful place. It is called as Nizza in Greek and Nissa in Italian. Nice is the fifth most populous city in France.

There are still a lot of things that I did not see and experience in this city. That is the reason why I still want to visit again in the future.

the beautiful promenade in Nice, France..taken during our trip to the French Riviera last April 2011. I love this place!

Autumn in Wiesbaden, Germany

2011-10-14T21:44:00.003+02:00

Time truly flies so fast. It's been a year now since I visited Wiesbaden. I went there together with some friends who spent a vacation in Europe. One of the places they visited was Germany. I met them in Frankfurt and stayed with them for five days.

One of the cities I introduced to them is Wiesbaden. a city in southwest Germany and the capital of the federal state of Hesse. Wiesbaden is one of the oldest spa towns in Europe. Its name literally means "meadow baths". At one time, Wiesbaden boasted 27 hot springs.

autumn 2010 with Ate Baby Sacdalan and Roselle. We walked from Bahnhof to the city center.

The Landtag of Hesse or the Parliament building of the State of Hessen in Germany.

My Travel Gadgets

2011-10-13T09:35:00.002+02:00

I always have it everytime I travel. The most important travel gadgets I always bring with me when I travel are cameras and cellphones. Sometimes I even bring three digital cameras. The other one is using aa rechargeable batteries. This is the dvantage because if the batteries are empty, I can use the extra ones that I bring. Rechargeable batteries are also much cheaper compared to regular Lithium Ion batteries.

Cellphones are also very important in times of emergencies. With its roaming service, you can call anytime and anywhere you want. Just only expect that you will be charged for it and sometimes really expensive. My netbook is also included in my bag especially of it is a week or longer trips. Don't miss these travel gadgets to get the most of your vacation. Photographs and snapshots taken on your trips will worth the memories and you can always travel in time thru it.

Weekend Visit to Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

2011-10-13T01:20:00.000+02:00

My friend told me before that she wants to visit Karlovy Vary when she will make a vacation in Europe. Sad to say, she was not able to go there. After seeing some images of Karlovy Vary, also known as Carlsbad in English, my desire to visit this place grew bigger. Thanks to a dear friend Joy, who had the courage to drive to Czech Republic last October 9, 2011.

Karlovy Vary, meaning "Charles' Bath" was named after Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, who founded the city in 1370. This place is famous for their hot springs and its colorful and whimsical architecture. Because of these reasons, it became a popular tourist destination.

The town, along with Prague, was the filming location of many scenes identified as being in Montenegro in the 2006 movie Casino Royale.

More updates and travel snapshots to be posted in these travel sites below.

Europe Travel Pad
See The World
Countryside Trip
Travel Snapshots

a river in Karlovy Vary, I guess this is the Tepla river.

a Colonnade on the side of the Military Spa.

Wednesday Etcetera!

2011-10-12T18:35:00.003+02:00

What made me busy today? I want to wake-up as early as possible so that I an do a lot of things in the house. I need to clean my closet since winter is almost coming, clean-up my computer room, do some cooking, put to order some mess in the guest room and so many more. These are only some of the jobs of a housewife. While cleaning my closet, I saw my black garter belt which I had been looking for a long time. I am happy to finally found it. In the afternoon, I cooked some foods for dinner. I always see to it that I am done cooking before hubby comes home from work. As hubby came home, he told me that he forgot to bring some food for lunch....cool! He ended up eating a lot of food that I prepared..a tomato mozarella salad with mango, soup with pork and vegetables, sweet rice and mushrooms with egg. We had a good time at dinner tonight and at the same time had a conversation too.

I am happy of what I had accomplished today.

A Visit to Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral

2011-10-07T17:04:00.004+02:00

It seems that like yesterday when we visited Vienna. Last August 2011, I had the second chance to visit this capital city of Austria. We just had some hours stop-over while on our way to Budapest, Hungary. One of the sights we visited was the St. Stephen's Cathedral.

Its current Romanesque and Gothic form seen today, situated at the heart of Vienna, Austria in the Stephansplatz, was largely initiated by Rudolf IV and stands on the ruins of two earlier churches, the first being a parish church consecrated in 1147.

St. Stephen's Cathedral during our visit last August 2011.

interior of the St. Stephen's Cathedral.

Skywatching in Kusadasi, Turkey

2011-10-06T23:31:00.003+02:00

This is a beautiful view of our hotel in Kusadasi, Turkey. This was taken during our vacation last month. Kusadasi is a resort town and its primary industry is tourism. Its location is very nice because it is located in the Aegean coast.

Etymology

The name comes from 'kuş' (bird) and 'ada' (island) as the peninsula has the shape of a bird's head (as seen from the sea). During Byzantine times, it was known as Ephesus Neopolis; under the Genovese and Venetians, Scala Nova or Scala Nuova. Kuş-Adası was adopted in its place at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, citizens of Kuşadası often shorten the name to Ada.

Click the logo to see more skies from all over the world..Have fun!

A visit to Pamukkale in Turkey

2011-10-05T22:38:00.002+02:00

This is one of the best place in history to go for a spa. Sad to say, since it was included in the list of World Heritage Site since 1988, it is no longer allowed to bath in Pamukkale. We had a short stop in this area to take a look of its so-called "cotton castle", the meaning of Pamukkale. It is a natural site in Denizli Province in southwestern Turkey.

This place is an amazing wonder of nature. I can't imagine how naturally it was made. I am just sad because the nice images taken by my canon lens camera was corrupted. Good to know that I still have another camera with me to take some snapshots of it.

taken during our short sightseeing last September 24, 2011.

The city contains hot springs and travertines, terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing water. It is located in Turkey's Inner Aegean region, in the River Menderes valley, which has a temperate climate for most of the year.

The ancient Greco-Roman and Byzantine city of Hierapolis was built on top of the white "castle" which is in total about 2,700 metres (8,860 ft) long, 600 m (1,970 ft) wide and 160 m (525 ft) high. It can be seen from the hills on the opposite side of the valley in the town of Denizli, 20 km away.

Hello October!

2011-10-02T13:32:00.003+02:00

Another month is finally here! I hope everyone had a wonderful month of September. I cannot complain about last month. So far, it was another great month for me especially after spending a short vacation in Turkey.

October is the tenth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars and one of seven months with a length of 31 days. The eighth month in the old Roman calendar, October retained its name (from the Latin "octo" meaning "eight") after January and February were inserted into the calendar that had originally been created by the Romans.

October is commonly associated with the season of autumn in the Northern hemisphere and spring in the Southern hemisphere, where it is the seasonal equivalent to April in the Northern hemisphere and vice versa.

October's birthstone is the opal and its birth flower is the calendula. The Zodiac sign for those born in this month is either Libra or Scorpio, depending on which day you were born.

I would like to extend my best wishes for this month to everybody. Good health, love, peace and happiness for the month of October.

The Hippodrome of Constantinople

2011-09-30T16:41:00.006+02:00

Another travel wish came true. I finally had the chance to visit Turkey. It was quite a fantastic and amazing trip especially seeing the historical ruins of Turkey. One of the sights we visited in Istanbul was the Hippodrome of Constantinople. It was the sporting and social centre of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire. Now this area in Istanbul is called Sultanahmet Meydanı or Sultan Ahmet Square.

On our way to Istanbul, our tourist guide name Memhet Ali was sharing about Turkish wedding. He mentioned about wedding bands, Turkish wedding tradition and the process of how a Turkish man courts a Turkish woman. The story was quite interesting and most of the time turn into a wedding. Thus, having a happy ending.

More updates about my trip to Turkey in my other travel blogs.

Verona Arena

2011-09-15T22:51:00.002+02:00

The Verona Arena (Verona di Arena in Italian) is a historical Roman amphitheatre built in AD 30 in Verona, Italy. It is one of the best preserved ancient structures of its kind and very famous for its opera performances. If we only had enough time to visit this city, I would like to watch one of the performances there.

Imagine during those ancient times when people can already built an architecture like this without having modern tools and equipment like what we have now? Respect to the builders of this amphitheatre. Don't you know that it can accommodate more than 30,000 spectators in ancient times? Truly amazing. I am happy to be there!

taken during our visit with friends last July 2011.

Picking-Up Someone in Nuremberg Airport

2011-09-14T22:44:00.004+02:00

I just remember while I was browsing my travel snapshots today the day when we picked a friend from Nuremberg airport. It was over a year now. Thanks to facebook that we can still see each other. When you go inside this airport, you will notice that they have security and police inside. I am not so sure if they are using these so-called bounty hunter metal detectors. Nuremberg airport is an international airport of the Franconian metropolitan area of Nuremberg. It is so far the second busiest airport in the state of Bavaria, Germany. It is also a hub for Air Berlin - Germany's second largest airline.

This is the same airport where we drove back our friend during her flight back to the US last year. I believed she had a great time seeing different cities and countries in Europe.

Gäubodenvolksfest, Straubing, Germany

2011-09-14T11:24:00.000+02:00

This is one thing I love in Germany. There are always festivals round the year. From Christmas markets to Volksfest, Kirchweih, Spring festival, Oktoberfest, etcetera. The Gäubodenvolksfest in Straubing is one of the most interesting festivals I witnessed in Germany. It is the second largest genuine folk festival in Bavaria, Germany, after the Munich Oktoberfest.

There are more people especially Germans who are wearing Trachten, Dirndl for women and Lederhosen for men during Gäubodenvolksfest than the Oktoberfest in Muncih. These are the national costume in this region.

This year's festival runs from August 12 to 22.

the Ferris wheel in Gäubodenvolksfest, Straubing last 2009.

The Gäubodenvolksfest was founded by Maximilian I Joseph, King of Bavaria in the year 1812 as an agricultural festival to organize an annual meeting of the people in the Danube region.

Los Angeles Main Attractions

2011-09-13T22:40:00.004+02:00

The City of Angels has for sure a myriad of things to offer to its guests and visitors. Los Angeles is an important center of culture, international trade, business and media. Most of all, it acquired its global status being the center of the world's entertainment industry. For these reasons millions of tourist each year are attracted to visit this famous city in California. Below are some of the top tourist attractions in Los Angeles.

1. Hollywood Universal Studios

Would you think I am lucky enough to visit this part of LA? It was one of my wonderful experience visiting Hollywood Universal Studios. I can't imagine being there but I was not dreaming. I was truly there! There are a lot of attractions and movie-themed rides there, suited for both young and old. You can also see costumed characters roaming around the area and interacting with visitors. This park is truly a worth to visit place.

Universal Studios During Our Visit last June 2008.

2. Visit to the Getty Center

Also called as the J. Paul Getty Museum, this is one of the famous museums in LA which is worth to visit. This museums exhibits extensive collection of contemporary and modern art. It is good to know that entrance there is free of charge. Just prepare a fee for the parking.

3. Beautiful Beaches

This is also one of the reasons why Los Angeles is always flocked with visitors from around the planet. It is home to the most fabulous beaches in the country. The most popular ones are Venice, Malibu, Long Beach and Santa Monica. Normally Los Angeles weather is typically mild and beautiful all year but check it first before going to swimming. I am quite sure, you will have a great time also relaxing on its golden sand.

4. Staples Center

If you are a sport lover, don't miss to visit this multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. This is also a venue for a large number of major-name concerts. Did you know that the public memorial for the Michael Jackson, known as the king of pop was held at Staples Center on July 7, 2009?

5. Los Angeles City Hall

This is also one of the famous landmarks of Los Angeles. It is the center of the government of the city of Los Angeles, California. If you have the chance, go up to the observation level which is open to the public on the 27th floor.

Top Beaches and Islands to Explore in Thailand

2011-09-12T14:38:00.004+02:00

Dubbed as the "Land of the Smiles", Thailand is the most popular tourist destination in Southeast Asia. Most of you might know the reasons why? Its tropical climate like the rest of Southeast Asian countries, its being exotic, fascinating culture, great food and most of all the its beautiful beaches are only some of the reasons why. Thailand's beaches islands attract millions of visitors from all over the planet every year.

You have to consider Thailand weather during your visit. With regards to the weather, the best time to visit this country is between November and February. There are relatively mild temperatures and cool breeze in the air during these months.

Here are some of the top beaches and islands in Thailand:

Pattaya is one of the famous tourist resort on the Gulf Coast of Eastern Thailand. It is famous for its go-go and beer bars. The resort is also visited by holidaymakers from far and wide, and local families too. The beach is full of life with hotels, restaurants, shopping malls all along the road facing the beach. If you are quite a conservative type, this resort might not be suitable for you especially when seeing fat old men hand in hand with young Thai women.

Phuket, Thailand by Phi Leh

I remembered a friend who happened to take some days vacation in Phuket. She mentioned that this is such a beautiful place to spend a holiday considering its beautiful resorts and beaches. Kamara, Karon, Kat, Nai Thon and Nai Yang are some of its famous beaches. Sailing, yatching, diving and snorkeling are the famous water sports and activities in Phuket.

Hua Hin and ideal getaway from Bangkok is known to be Thailand's oldest beach resort. Luxurious but affordable spa and Thai massage are well-known in this town.

If you are in Bangkok, why not take a chance to explore its nearest island beach, the Ko Samet. It is famed for its white sandy beaches, exotic coral and crystal clear waters.

Ko Samoi which is around 700 km away from Bangkok, is also worth to visit. This big island has a lot of famous beaches like Chaweng, Lamai, Laem Yai Choeng Mon, Mae Nam, Choeng Mon and some other worth to experience beaches.

Stay safe when visiting Thailand and always be watchful of valuables and other personal belongings.

Wonderful Day At The Pinoy Summer Feast in Donaustauf

2011-09-10T22:22:00.005+02:00

I finally had the chance to go online tonight. It was quite a busy day today but I still managed to attend the Filipino Summer Feast in Donaustauf near Regenburg. It is nice again to meet old and new friends and acquaintances especially fellow "kababayans". This is a word for "fellowmen". Thanks to facebook that I finally found my long lost friend Chato. It's been almost two years since I did not hear from her and I was so happy that I finally met her this afternoon. To make the story short, she invited me for this gathering.

We had fun during the festival. Foods were served including grilled meats, fried fish (which is the one I ordered), sodas, beers, cakes and pastries. The most exciting and enjoyable part was the different games and plays that they prepared.

I was again re-charged after the meeting especially with those old friends I met some years ago. Friendship can truly inspires us. Thanks to my dear friend Joy for coming with me in that gathering.

It was truly a wonderful day today and I am so thankful about it. I hope you had a good one too!

a statue in Donaustauf. The parking lot is near this statue and I took the chance to take a snapshot of it.

cakes, pastries and some Filipino sweets like Cassava cake, Palitaw, Kutsienta, binangkal, etc. were also served...good we still have some palitaw and cassava left..lol!

a so-called Pabitin play for kids and children...but later on the adults also entered the game..there are stuffs inside the small pack like candies and chocolates.

Top 5 Travel Wishlist in Southeast Asia

2011-09-08T09:28:00.006+02:00

Vietnam

It is the 13th most populous country in the world. Officially known as Socialist Republic of Vietnam, it is a communist country in the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is a historical country being inhabited since Paleolithic times. There are some archaeological sites in Thanh Hóa Province purportedly date back several thousand years.

Vietnam is larger than Italy and almost the size of Germany. If you are spending some Vietnam tours here are some interesting sights to visit in this country; Ha Long Bay (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Son Doong Cave (the world's largest cave in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park), Ho Chi Minh City's Downtown, Saigon River Port, Cao Dai temple in Tay Ninh, Nha Trang´s coastline, Hoi An (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and so many more.

Philippines

This country is an amalgam of different races. Philippines is known as Asia's sleeping tiger that has yet to achieve its full economic potential. It is the largest Christian nation in the region with over 7,107 islands and beautiful tropical beaches.

the beautiful Boracay white sand beach in the Philippines, one of the finest beaches in the world.

Interesting cities and places to visit include; Manila, Cebu, Davao, Antipolo, Quezon City, Zamboanga, Caloocan, Bohol, Palawan. Don't miss the white long beaches and nightlife in Boracay. A visit to the Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan where the First Philippine Republic was founded is also recommended. Don't forget Makati, the country's financial center. The 2000-year-old rice terraces of Banaue, built onto the mountains of Ifugao in the Philippines by ancestors of the Batad indigenous people is also a must-see. Try wakeboarding at Southeast Asia's largest wakeboarding center in Camarines Sur. Surfing and scuba diving is also a major draw for visitors in the Philippines.

Thailand

Known as he Land of Smiles with frenetic cities and chilled-out beaches, Thailand is the most popular destination in southeast Asia. It is the 50th largest country in the world slightly larger that Spain. The largest city is Bangkok, the capital, which is also the country's center of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. Don't miss the nightlife in this city.

The limestone cliffs, azure waters and perfect beaches of Krabi in Thailand is worth to see and experience. The Sight not to miss include Phanom Rung (a temple in Thailand from the former Khmer Empire), Grand Palace in Bangkok built in 1782 (the official residence of the King of Thailand), Statue of a mythical Kinnon at Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok, Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall (the old meeting place of the National Assembly, now only the State Opening is held there) are only some of the sights not to miss in this country.

Singapore

Known as "the Lion City" is a clean and orderly island-city state. The country is highly urbanised with very little primary rainforest remaining, although more land is being created for development through land reclamation.

a bridge in Singapore and the durian-shaped Esplanade in front of the Marina Square in the background.

The Port of Singapore, Sentosa Island, Singapore's Parliament House, the durian-shaped Esplanade in front of the Marina Square area are some of the sights not to miss. The Southern island of Pulau Hantu, particularly, is known for its rich coral reefs. Water sports are popular, including sailing, kayaking and water skiing. Scuba diving is another popular recreational sport.

Indonesia

The sleeping giant of Southeast Asia and the world's largest archipelago, with more than 18,000 islands spanning three time zones. Indonesia comprises 13,466 islands. It is the world's fourth most populous country with over 238 million people, and has the world's largest population of Muslims.

The eerie, continually erupting volcanoes of Mount Bromo in Indonesia is worth to see. A visit in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia and the country's largest commercial center is a must. The Istiqlal Mosque in Central Jakarta is also worth to see. Other interesting cities to visit include Surabaya, Bandung, Medan and Semarang.

Visit to Linderhof Palace in Ettal, Bavaria

2011-09-05T22:18:00.004+02:00

It was a superb trip again we had last time. The weather was perfect. Even it was quite hot, we still enjoyed it. The visit to King Ludwig's palace, Linderhof was the highlight of our trip.

Linderhof Palace is a version of small Versailles, a palace near Paris, France. Versailles, the palace of the French Sun-King Louis XIV (who was an idol for Ludwig) was its inspiration.

the little Versailles near Ettal, Bavaria, Germany. taken during our visit last Sept. 3, 2011.

Linderhof Palace is located near Oberammergau in southwest Bavaria, Germany near Ettal Abbey. It is the smallest of the three palaces built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria and the only one which he lived to see completed.

Finally Engaged

2011-09-02T15:15:00.003+02:00

This seems to be a good news. I am happy for a friend who told me that she is finally engaged. Being engaged is the beginning of a new stage of life. I am still not sure when will be the wedding date. I guess they are still planning about it considering that they are both busy. She was happy to mention that her fiancee gave her an engagement ring. I hope that she has an idea about engagement ring insurance. I have another friend who lost her ring and sad to say that also doesn't have an insurance for it. A very memorable and valuable thing was gone. Sometimes it happened and we cannot avoid it.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend in advance. For sure I will! Together with a group of friends, we will be out for a weekend trip again!

Cruising in Danube

2011-09-01T13:31:00.000+02:00

It's been almost two years now since we had a small cruise in Danube River in Kelheim. The cruise ended in the Weltenburg Abbey. It is a Benedictine monastery in Weltenburg in Kelheim. We also took our lunch there. After a short sightseeing in the area especially the famous Asam Church there, we returned to the boat back to Kelheim proper. It was a wonderful trip we had.

Danube River by Kelheim during our short cruise last 2009.

Where's My Printer?

2011-09-01T10:15:00.002+02:00

Busy! busy! That's me all the time. I always find a lot of things to do at home. Adding my busyness online, I felt sorry when I don't have much time to do facebooking. I really want to but it is not my priority. I am always online but I am offline in facebook. So peeps and friends in FB, please be patient. Thanks for understanding.

Anyway, I am thinking if I am buying a new printer. I don't need an Epson TM-T88V but only a regular printer. I have two printers at home but its inks are already exhausted. I went last time to buy one but I find it is quite expensive. I just need to add half price of the ink and I can already buy a new printer. Imagine that! Thanks to friends who print some important documents for me. Hopefully this month, I can already decide whether to buy just the ink or the printer. Wish me luck!

The Heroes Square in Budapest, Hungary

2011-08-30T12:45:00.003+02:00

It was again one of the most interesting trips I had in Europe. Visiting the capital city of Hungary was again another memorable travel experience. Budapest is a must-see when visiting Europe.

One of the sights we visited was the Heroes Square. It is called as Hősök tere in Hungarian and is the most representative square of Budapest. It is rich with historic and political connotations. The square is is surrounded by two important buildings, Museum of Fine Arts on the left and Palace of Art (or more accurately Hall of Art) on the right.

More travel experiences and images from Budapest to be posted in my other travel sites below;
See The World
Europe Travel Pad
Travel Snapshots

The central site of the hero's square, as well as a landmark of Budapest, is the Millennium Memorial (also known as Millennium Monument or Millenary Monument) with statues of the leaders of the seven tribes that founded Hungary in the 9th century and other outstanding figures of Hungarian history. (please see the image above)

The History of the Melbourne Cup

2011-08-26T12:39:00.003+02:00

Every year Australia and Victoria in particular, comes to a standstill on the first Tuesday in November as the nation focuses on the Melbourne Cup, the country’s largest thoroughbred horse race. The race was first run in 1861, meaning the 2011 event will be the 151st.

Originally a two mile race, the distance dropped by 18 metres to 3200 in 1972 as the country changed from imperial to metric measurements. The first race saw 17 jockeys compete for the prize pot of 710 gold sovereigns and a gold watch. The winner for the 2010 race walked away with $6 million.

The prize isn’t the only thing to have grown hugely over the years. The original race was watched by around 4000 spectators, while more than 110,000 were in attendance for the 2010 race, with many booking cheap flights from across the country and from overseas.

The Melbourne Cup made its debut on a Tuesday in 1876 and has remained on that day ever since. That year the race was won by Briseis, a filly that won the VRC Derby, the Melbourne Cup and the VRC Oaks within six days, all while being jockeyed by a 13-year-old boy. In 1877 the Melbourne Cup was first officially recognised as a public holiday.

would you think this is a horse racing? not really this is just a festival parade.

More than anything, the Melbourne Cup is famous for making a hero out of Phar Lap. The horse won the Melbourne Cup in 1930, as well as two Cox Plates and 19 other races across Australia. Phar Lap also won the Agua Caliente in Mexico, setting a record for the course before falling victim to a mysterious illness. The remains of the triumphant horse are on display in three museums: his hide in Melbourne, his skeleton in Wellington and his heart in Canberra.

The Aussie raised, New Zealand born horse is one of the most famous to run in the Melbourne Cup and until recently only locally trained horses were allowed to enter. This changed in the last decade, although few foreign trained horses cope well with the track conditions at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse.

Although Phar Lap wasn’t the most successful horse to enter the Melbourne Cup, he is the best known. That honour falls to Makybe Diva, the first horse to win the cup three times, who won the race in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

The 2011 Melbourne Cup is due to take place on 1 November and with cheap flights and tickets on sale now, this year’s cup is likely to be bigger than any before.

Remembering A Trip In Dresden, Germany

2011-08-25T15:44:00.000+02:00

Life is so busy the past days. Even I am jobless, sometimes 24 hours is still not enough for me. I know how to manage my time but due to a lot of things to do both online and offline, sometimes a day is still not enough. I am just happy that I can still find time to meet with friends or spend some short trips when I can.

One of the beautiful cities I visited in Germany is Dresden, the capital city of the Free State of Saxony. One of the famous sights we visited was the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady). Here are some of the photographs I took during our visit.

the beautiful dome of Frauenkirche during our visit last May 2011.

The Dresden Frauenkirche, a few years after its reconsecration.

During Second World War

Dresden in the 20th century was a leading European centre of art, classical music, culture and science until its complete destruction on 13 February 1945. Being the capital of the German state of Saxony, Dresden had not only garrisons but a whole military borough, the Albertstadt. This military complex, named after Saxon King Albert, was never targeted in the bombing of Dresden. (wikipedia)

note: this is a scheduled post. I am away for a short trip..be backed very soon!

I Love German Pastries

2011-08-24T19:01:00.003+02:00

This is one of the things I love in Germany. The pastries you can buy in the bakery taste so yummy and it is not very sweet compared to the American ones. For this reason, I am quite interested in learning one of this so-called Pastry/Baker Chef Jobs here in Germany. As far as I know, one needs to have an Ausbildung for three years to be a baker in Germany. It is like a practicum and at the same time, you are also attending a class. This job is quite interesting since it is also related to gastronomy.

Don't miss to try the good-tasting German pastries when you visit Germany. I always love it!

Back From A Short Vacation

2011-08-23T19:32:00.003+02:00

I was backed last night with a friend from a short vacation from Austria and Hungary. It was a 5-days trip and it was truly worth it. We visited some towns and cities from these two countries. We were also on the border of Slovakia during our cruise in Esztergom going to Visegrad.

Visiting the capital city of Austria even just for a short time was also a nice experience especially after visiting St. Stephen's Cathedral, one of Vienna's famous sights. We also had the chance to see the Hundertwasser Haus. It was my second visit to this city and I am happy to go inside St. Stephen's Cathedral this time. I had a special prayer and request there. Thanks God it was granted.

The highlight of the trip was our visit to Budapest, the capital city of Hungary. We also witnessed the fireworks in the bank of the Danube River that runs along this city. August 20 is Hungary's national holiday due to its celebration of St. Stephen's Day or Foundation of State.

I also loved the two cruises that we had. More updates coming soon about this trip in my other travel blogs.
the inside of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, Austria. More images and updates to come in my other travel blogs soon!
Travel Euroasia
Europe Travel Pad
See The World

See You Soon Budapest, Hungary

2011-08-16T22:55:00.004+02:00

Another trip with a friend Jean to Budapest is coming very soon. Two more nights and we will be leaving for a 5-day trip to this city and other neighboring towns of Budapest. We will also have a short stop-over in Vienna. Some other places to be visited include Esztergom, Visegrad and Plattensee, called as Lake Balaton in English.

More travel updates after our trip!

Budapest during winter time.

I was browsing in internet trying to find out the monetary unit of Hungary. Thanks to Wikitravel and xe.com for these infos below.

1.00 EUR = 269.839 HUF
Euro Hungarian Forint
1 EUR = 269.839 HUF 1 HUF = 0.00370592 EUR

1.00 USD = 187.351 HUF
US Dollar Hungarian Forint
1 USD = 187.351 HUF 1 HUF = 0.00533757 USD

Money:

Currently used coins: 5 HUF, 10 HUF, 20 HUF, 50 HUF, 100 HUF, 200 HUF
Currently used banknotes: 500 HUF, 1,000 HUF, 2,000 HUF, 5,000 HUF, 10,000 HUF, 20,000 HUF

Be sure when receiving change that all 1,000 HUF notes contain a vertical silver strip. Older notes without the strip are no longer valid. 200 HUF banknotes are also no longer valid, look out for these too!

Also, when receiving change from a taxi journey, make sure that the money is actually Hungarian. Some taxi drivers have been known to give unsuspecting passengers obsolete Romanian banknotes (lei).

Important phone numbers:

Police 107 Fire:105

Jura Volksfest Parade 2011 in Neumarkt i.d. Oberpfalz, Germany

2011-08-14T22:55:00.006+02:00

Another Jura Volksfest is here again. The annual celebration of the famous fair in Neumarkt i.d. Oberpfalz (Upper Palatinate) is currently going on. This afternoon we witnessed the Festzug or parade which took place in the Altstadt or Old City. I read over the local newspaper that more than a hundred groups participated during the parade. It was again another success!

If you happen to live near the are, the festival will last until the 22th of August.
I believed the images I took today will explain more about the Festzug. Enjoy the festival!

horse carriage with colorful decors on it.

tractors and other farm machinery also participated during the Festzug.

these girls are wearing the Bavarian costume called Dirndl.

Vienna, Austria Trip

2011-08-14T00:18:00.000+02:00

It seems that I am quite busy for the past weeks. I want to do a lot of things but my power won't allow me to do everything. That is the advantage if we don't have a boss..right guys? Anyway, I can't wait for another trip to come next month. I will be visiting Vienna for the second time and also Budapest in Hungary and other places in this area. I can't thank enough my sponsors for this coming trip....just kidding guys.

I can't stay too long enough now. It is past midnight and I need to wake-up early later to do some errands. I also need to get ready for a weekend trip with friends. Again, thanks for the donors...just kidding guys! I am thankful to all good friends around who always invite me in their trips.

For now, I am sharing an image from Vienna, Austria. The building you see in the background is the Hofburg Palace.

someone's striking a pose in front of Hofburg Palace. taken during my first visit last June 2007.

Hofburg Palace is a palace located in Vienna, Austria, that has housed some of the most powerful people in Austrian history, including the Habsburg dynasty, rulers of the Austro-Hungarian empire. It currently serves as the official residence of the President of Austria.

Happy with Our Gadget

2011-08-13T20:27:00.002+02:00

It is not so heavy as our old one. It is not so big and most of all the pictures on the screen are very clear because of better resolution. Last year, hubby disagreed that we will buy a new flat LCD TV. Until the analog connection was shut-down last June of this year, hubby realized that our new LCD TV is very much better compared to our old one. We just need one of those flat tv mounts so that we will have more space in the living room. All my stuffs there just made our living room smaller. I wish I have time to rearrange everything next time. During winter time maybe when I can stay most of the time in the house.

Happy weekend everyone!

Dining at Hofbräuhaus in Munich, Germany

2011-08-11T00:47:00.002+02:00

My friends Joy and Ritz were satisfied and happy with our dinner (which is too early at 4:00 PM) during our short trip to Munich last Aug. 9, 2011. After our sightseeing in Nymphenburg Palace, also known as Nymph's Castle, we proceeded to Hofbräuhaus in Munich, Germany. The waitress who was wearing a Dirndl, the traditional costume of Bavaria, told us that it will take 15 to 20 minutes for our order to be served. I already expected it longer since there are a lot of customers and tourists who are trying to experience and to taste Bavarian delicacies. At least, my friends were satisfied with what we had eaten...and me too! We proceeded for more sightseeing at the Old City especially in Marienplatz.

it was my second dining in Hofbräuhaus last Aug. 9, 2011 but had been to this place for some times already.

The Staatliches Hofbräuhaus in München (state court-brewery in Munich, also Hofbräu München) is a brewery in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, owned by the state government. The Hof (court) comes from the brewery's history as a royal brewery in the Kingdom of Bavaria.

The Hofbräuhaus in Munich was one of the beer halls used by the Nazi Party to declare policies and hold functions. On February 24, 1920, Adolf Hitler proclaimed the twenty-five theses of the National Socialist program at the Hofbräuhaus, which reconstituted the German Workers' Party as the National Socialist German Workers' Party, known as the Nazi Party. Hundreds of tourists visit these sites, including the Hofbräuhaus in Munich every year. One author claims that some of the first violent attacks on Jews took place at the Hofbräuhaus. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hofbr%C3%A4uhaus

Sightseeing in San Remo, Italy

2011-08-03T23:24:00.003+02:00

San Remo, also written as Sanremo is a city on the Mediterranean coast of western Liguria in north-western Italy. It is known as one of the best tourist destination in Italian Riviera. It is located near the border of France. No wonder it just took us some minutes to drive from Sanremo to Menton in France.

Our visit to this city was a very memorable one. We had a lot of fun during that time. We had a very good tour guide during our visit here. He pointed to us the Villa Nobel, the house of Alfred Nobel where he lived the last year of his life. Other sights we saw were the Sanremo Casino, the shopping district in this city and a lot more.

I would love to experience the sunset walk in my next visit. Here are few of the images I took during our visit last spring 2011.

a fountain in the city centre.

the shopping street with famous Italian designers.

you can always see clothes hanging on Italian windows...this is good in saving energy.

Rainy Days in Paris

2011-08-02T11:48:00.000+02:00

What do you want an extreme hot weather or rainy summer days. I heard over the radio that there are places in the U.S. with over 50 degrees celsius temperature at the moment. I remembered the summer in Las Vegas during my 2008 vacation there.

I guess I would rather like rainy summer days than extreme hot summer weather like in Las Vegas. Rainy summer days make the plants and flowers in our garden happy.

During our visit in Paris last summer 2010, it was also raining. As long as you have umbrellas and rain coats with you, there is nothing to be afraid off. Here is the Eiffel tower in Paris during rainy summer days!

the fountains in Trocadero with Eiffel Tower in the background.

Weekend Trip in Rhineland Palatinate

2011-08-01T14:23:00.004+02:00

The last weekend of July is finally over! Here comes August. I believed this month will be a busy month for me due to a lot of things I need to do both online and offline. Besides August is also a special month for me. Guess what? I will let you know about it in my future post probably next week.

For now, let's go back to the main topic here. I had a wonderful time with friends during our weekend trip in Rhineland Palatinate and Hesse. These are two of the 16 states in Germany. We left last Friday and stayed in a friends house near Heidelberg. Last Saturday after taking our breakfast, we drove to Ramstein and did some shopping. I am happy to already have some girlfriend gifts for christmas. It was a fun shopping because the mall we went to had a lot of items on sale. We did really had a big savings for up to 75% off. Imagine that! A Levis capri that normally cost around 30 Euros is on sale for 4 Euros.

After that shopping escapade, we proceeded to a place near Frankfurt to attend a birthday party. It was again a fun night we had, after the eating, chit-chatting and karaoke singing.

Sunday, we had a lunch in a Chinese restaurant in Heidelberg. Thanks to my friends' friends for their goodness and hospitality especially for the food and accommodation.

It was truly a wonderful weekend trip!

I Love Monaco!

2011-07-26T23:34:00.003+02:00

This is one of the beautiful places I visited in Europe. Monaco is located in the south of France. It is bounded by the French Riviera to the west and the Italian Riviera to the east. It is the second smallest independent state in the world after Vatican.

I had the chance to visit this place almost four months ago. I simply love this place and wish to be backed there in the future.

This is the Port of Monaco, taken during my visit last April 2011...such a lovely place!

Ready for Landing

2011-07-25T13:02:00.003+02:00

Another week is here. I hope everyone had a nice weekend. It is not really so bad for me. I was only complaining of some migraine and backpain. Overall, it was a good one.

I should be done with this post but I am quite having a bit headache now. I was also doing some things offline. I need to do some cleaning and arranging and thanks goodness that I already started it.

Anyway this image was taken as we were boarding a plane from Nuremberg to Rome. The plane was ready for landing. The buildings in Rome were already visible from the airplane window. That is always the reason why I always love to sit near the window so that I can take a breath-taking view outside especially down under. We were about to land in Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport, the largest airport in Italy located in Fiumicino about 35 km away from Rome city-center.

taken last summer 2010 while boarding Air Berlin.

Luxury Shopping in Oberpollinger Munich

2011-07-20T23:56:00.004+02:00

I always pass this store walking from the main train station everytime I go to the Altstadt or Old City part of Munich. Last weekend, I finally went inside Oberpollinger in Munich. It had some renovation as we went there. I never expect that it houses varieties of luxury brands from Gucci to Prada, Louis Vuitton, D&D, Burberry, DKNY, Fossil, Boss, Lacoste, Chanel, Pandora, Chloe and so many more. I was not able to find cigar humidors inside the store. I was searching one to give as a gift to a friend's husband. Everybody was happy during that shopping escapade in Oberpollinger. My favorite part of the store is located in the 5th floor. Guess what it is? You better go there and find it out. Goodnight folks! The dawn is breaking soon!

Tuesday Etcetera

2011-07-19T23:46:00.002+02:00

Tuesday is almost over again. I had such a very busy day today. After I took my morning ceremony of drinking green tea with pecan pie this time, I immediately gathered all the stuffs that I need to pack my balikbayan boxes. I am done with the first one and starting the second one. I have to finish it before Thursday because it will be picked-up that day also. I need to catch-up the shipping on July 26, 2011. Some of the stuffs that I placed inside the box are needed as soon as possible. The shipping company told me that they won't pick-up anymore boxes in our area but since I told him that some of the stuffs are very important, they finally agreed to pick it up.

The coming days will be busy also. I have a lot of things to do both online and offline. The garden especially needs some cleaning and yes, I need to clean-up the chaos in my computer room and in the guest room. It seems that most of the rooms in the house at the moment were hit by tornadoes....lol!

I guess this is the only update I can give you now. I have a lot of things to share but it seems that I don't have much time for today. Goodnight folks! Take care all!

Summer in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

2011-07-17T23:35:00.003+02:00

I thought we will be having a nice sunny weather during our visit in Rothenburg ob der Tauber last July 15, 2011 but it was windy and cold in this town. Good that I am always a "girl scout" everytime I travel and one of the important things I bought was a jacket or else I will really get frozen.

It was my fourth visit to this city and the third time for this year. My first visit was sometime in 2008. It is also my first visit during summer time. It was again another wonderful experience after seeing this very interesting town during summer season.

Important travel information: Don't trust the weather in Europe especially in Germany, England, France and other European countries near the polar region. It might be rainy and cold sometimes in summer. Bring your jacket and umbrella with you.

The Rathaus or Town Hall in the left side and the Councilors' Tavern on the right side.

some Medieval houses at the Marktplatz or market square.

The City of the Sound of Music

2011-07-14T22:41:00.002+02:00

Known as the "City of the Sound of Music", Salzburg is one of the favorite destinations in Austria. If you translate this word in English, this literally means "Salt Castle". The visit we made today with friends was again an enjoying and memorable one.

You can see in the background the Hohensalzburg castle. More updates to come in my other travel sites.

taken during my third visit dated July 14, 2011. Thanks to good friends for the ride and everything.

Salzburg's "Old Town" (Altstadt) has internationally renowned baroque architecture and one of the best-preserved city centres north of the Alps. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The city is noted for its Alpine setting.

Visiting Prague for the Second Time

2011-07-12T23:32:00.002+02:00

I am quite sleepy now. After arriving from our trip in Prague, the capital and largest city in Czech Republic some hours ago, I watched a bit Television to relax a bit. The trip went well and everybody were happy to see a lot of sights during the trip. It was quite a tiring trip after the whole day walk to the different sights in Prague. The hot weather made it more tiring but we were ready for the heat after bringing water with us.

This was already my second visit in Prague and I always love this city. more updates to come soon. I am slowly signing-off now.

Wenceslas Monument and some of the old but historical buildings in the background. This was taken in Wenceslas Square located in the New Town in Prague.

Weekend Reflections- Snapshot from Monaco

2011-07-10T15:37:00.005+02:00

It's been almost three months now since I visited Monaco. It's been sometimes now since I also did not participated in my favorite memes. I guess I am slowly back now. Thanks to James for reminding me to join again in his wonderful Weekend Reflections meme.

Happy Sunday everyone and feel free to join by clicking the link below.

taken during our trip to Monaco last April 2011. I love this place!

Weekend Reflections

No More Analogue TV

2011-07-09T21:56:00.003+02:00

Last June 30, 2011 was the end of analogue TV connection in our area. Hubby got panic the day before that because we still don't have a digital receiver. June 29, 2011 we drove to the nearest electronic shop to buy a receiver. After the success of the installation, he found out that digital is better as analogue. The pictures on the screen are clearer that analogue. He was thinking a few days ago to buy new plasma tvs. Hopefully after our home improvement, we can already buy a new one. For now, we are watching on our LCD TV which is quite good. Hubby just can't live without Television. Besides that is only one thing that entertains him while relaxing on the couch.

Visit to the Verona Arena in Italy

2011-07-09T18:13:00.000+02:00

Another dream came true! I finally visited Verona, Italy. Together with some friends, our trip to Verona was a wonderful one. Seeing the famous Verona Arena is a must when visiting this city in Veneto, Northern Italy.

The Arena di Verona as it is called in Italian language is a Roman amphitheatre. It is very famous for its large-scale opera performances. Being one of the best preserved ancient structures of its kind, it was awarded as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The building itself was built in AD 30 on a site which was then beyond the city walls.

the Verona di Arena during our visit last July 2, 2011.

Life Insurance

2011-07-09T16:30:00.002+02:00

There a lot of insurance companies and agencies out there that offer different forms of insurance. Life insurance for example is a kind of insurance where a designated beneficiary will receive a sum of money upon the death of the insured person. A contact between the policy holder and the insurer must take place first.

The website www.cometobarter.com for example is offering services on life insurances. It can be paid monthly, monthly, quarterly or yearly. There are categories or forms of life insurance. Depending on your needs, you can have this so-called term life insurance or permanent life insurance.

We are quite happy and contented now because of the proceeds of hubby's term life insurance last year, we were able to pay all our debts and mortgages. Such a peace of mind!

Capodimonte Shopping in Nove, Italy

2011-07-08T23:52:00.000+02:00

If you are not familiar with capodimonte, I have an image below to explain it. Yesterday, as I went grocery shopping with a friend, we saw somebody and asked her if she likes capodimonte. She said she don't know about it. We explained a bit and she said that she likes pottery and ceramics. She finally decided that she wants to go with us for a capodimonte shopping in Italy.

It was my fourth time to go to Nove, Italy for capodimonte shopping. I did not really shopped a lot there because my main purpose was to go to Venice to ride a gondola. Yes, I finally experience it!

samples of capodimonte from a shop in Nove, Italy.

Try and Try Until.....

2011-07-08T23:41:00.002+02:00

I still keep on trying it for some years now but still my goal still did not happened. The main reason is, there are always invitations and parties everywhere. Losing excess weight is not easy especially if you love eating. I also love to cook and eat. Still keep on thinking if the best solution is to take apidexin. It's been some months now since I did not weigh myself. I know I gained more pounds again because some of my clothes are getting smaller. I will still keep on trying and trying until I will lose the excess kilos I gained since 8 years of living in Europe.

Happy weekend everyone! It is time for me to slowly sign-off.

I Love Venezia

2011-07-06T23:20:00.003+02:00

Venezia, Venice in English and Venedig in German language, I had been there thrice and I always love it. It is one of the famous sights in Italy. Venice is simply beautiful. One of the reasons why I keep on coming back.

the Campanilla or Bell tower in St. Mark's Square. taken during my third visit.

Career Talk

2011-07-01T15:19:00.002+02:00

Hello July! Goodbye June! I almost forgot that today is the first day of July. This seems a busy day for me, getting ready for a weekend trip starting tonight, some errands to be done before I go and little stuffs that need to be finished.

Last night, I had a wonderful get-together with some friends. We talked about a lot of things from jobs to travel, stories back home, food, etcetera. Since we talked about careers also, one of my friends suggested to the other about getting a teaching degree. Since that is her job, she said that it is not really difficult. You only need patience and diligence especially with small children.

I am jobless too at the moment. Last Wednesday, I submitted again an application letter and I hope to have a positive response about it. I am trying my luck again. If not, life must still go on. Good luck to all jobless like me in finding a new job.

Weather Update!

2011-06-30T15:44:00.002+02:00

It was raining the whole morning today. Yesterday, it was so hot that I had a headache. I was out the whole day yesterday. I had a doctor's appointment. The eye doctor said that my eyes are fine except that I need to use a reading glass already. I guess it is a sign of getting old..lol!

It is quite a bit cold outside now. The wind is chilly but it is fine. I am thinking of getting a short nap but I guess it is quite late already. I want to go to bed earlier tonight and if I take a nap now, for sure I can't go to sleep earlier.

This is the weather in Germany sometimes. You can have a four-seasons weather in a day. I should be used to this already but sometimes it is making me sick and tired. I guess that is all for now. I wish you all in advance a wonderful and great month of July!

Our House Near The Beach and Its Story

2011-06-28T13:51:00.006+02:00

This is truly a summer feeling. I just received a comment from my friend in facebook that it is very hot outside. The current temperature outside is 27 degree Celsius or 80.6 Fahrenheit if I am not mistaken. Inside our house, we are having 20 degree Celsius which a very comfortable temperature for me.

Summer time is the time of the year when I think like staying in the water. Thus, I always remember home for this. Our house near the beach, I can imagine that I am there at the moment. We never expected that we can built a house along the beach. The project started some time in 2004 and from time to time it is standing now some meters away from the sea.

Here are some images of our house and its story.

THE PLANNING

As far as I can remember, there was really no right plan for that beach house. I was not there when it was started. I just told my Uncle who is a carpenter that I wanted to build a small house with two bedrooms, a kitchen and a living room. That is enough for us to stay especially when we go for a vacation in the Philippines. I never expected that the house was built double-size as really planned. That was also the reason it took us some time to finish it. At least, we don't have a loan or credit for this project.

the huge terrace facing the ocean. I wish I am here right now enjoying the water and the sunshine.

DOORS and WINDOWS

Since the house is located along the beach, I always wanted sash windows for it especially the ones facing the sea. Since I was not there again during the installation, I did not knew that my brother already decided for sliding glass windows. It looks great anyway and perfect for a house near the water. The doors were all made with hardwoods and I love the carvings on it. Sometimes it is difficult to decide on these things considering the material, style and money.

FURNITURE AND FIXTURES

The house is quite furnished now. When I went home last year, I bought a set of dining table, living room set and a bedroom set. It cost some fortune but I am happy and contented now of how the house looks. I still need more furniture but I will buy it in our next vacation there.

the ceiling in the dining room.

HOME DECORS AND ACCESSORIES

Special thanks to my dear brother who takes care of the house. He loves to hang beautiful curtains in all of our sliding glass windows. He also bought some house decors and accessories when I went home last year. Some paintings are already hanging on the walls. Porcelain and crystal decors are also displayed on the living room now.

still needs more improvements but it is a dream come true when this house was built.

This is where we plan to retire in the future. Until now, there are still some improvements going on. The seawall is still not done. The huge terrace facing the sea still needs some lifts and finishins. In one or two years maybe, everything will be in order already. At least, we have a house that we can call our own...a house along the beach..I miss this beautiful place!

Famous German Made Cars

2011-06-27T11:12:00.003+02:00

When you think German, you think quality, and that's what we all want from our next car. German cars comes in all shapes, sizes and price tags, with some of the top selling models on the market to meet and exceed most budgets. If you want some of that German engineering parked in your own driveway, try one of these top picks for German handling and stability.

Porsche 911

In the popularity stakes, the Porsche 911 has to come in at first. This beautiful beast of a car is made by the Volkswagen group. Debuting at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1963, it has evolved over the years, often being modified with various porche parts by competition teams and since has won numerous world champion sports car races. In Germany, the 911 is a top seller, outdoing the Boxster, Cayman and Cayenne.

Audi A3T 2.0 Premium

The A3T 2.0 Premium is mid-sized and affordable luxury from the experts at Audi, offering a spacious hatchback A3T model with plenty of room for luggage, groceries and sporting equipment. This four cylinder engine gets great gas mileage and has earned itself a five-star consumer rating for handling and dependability.

2011 Oldtimers Auto Show in Neumarkt, Germany. I was there!

BMW 135 i

Quality assurance is a done deal with any make and model from BMW. Low on maintenance and high on road performance, BMW's bottom priced vehicle has no shortage with German excellence and trendy styling, including striking automotive backlit buttons and fascias. The sporty 135i coup comes equipped with a hefty 3.0 liter engine and standard features that exceed most of its competition. Not too cheap, yet affordable if you want it, the BMW 135i is an investment into roadside safety and award-winning looks.

VW Jetta

The second place winner also comes from the Volkswagen company with their tried and true Jetta, available in four or six cylinder models. Choose from a Jetta body type in sedan or wagon style for snappy German engineering to suits most budgets. A unique feature in the four cylinder Volkswagen cars in the added horsepower with a 2.5 liter engine. They have near the power of a six cylinder, yet get the fuel economy closer to a four cylinder, situated just right somewhere in the middle engine ground.

VW Routan

When only a passenger van will do, VW offers a roomy and elegant way to travel with the newly developed Routan. The 3.7 liter V6 engine cranks up plenty of power, and the interior styling and ambience has come a long way from the classic VW Bus. Priced competitively with a Toyota Sienna, the Routan is German excellence at the price you want to pay.

Thanks to our online pr experts for this car technology update.

Unique Places To Visit On Your Next Holiday

2011-06-27T09:27:00.004+02:00

Our world contains some truly amazing places to visit! For a vacation that will create memories that will truly last a lifetime, check one (or more!) of these places out today.

SYDNEY (AUSTRALIA)

Where else in the world can you experience both ancient, unique mountains and incredible beaches? Sydney's mountains are rich in eucalyptus filled valleys and are part of the second oldest national park in the world. The beaches of Sydney and New South Wales are known the world over as a mecca for incredible surfing.

CAPE TOWN (SOUTH AFRICA)

In terms of uniqueness, Cape Town is high up on the list. The beauty of Table Mountain and the stunning Western Cape meet a buzzing, melting pot of cultures, alongside awe inspiring wine lands. On the southern tip of Africa, Cape Town offers a night life to rival major capital cities but has a warm climate, amazing flora and fauna, beaches and countryside. With a low cost of living, plentiful Cape Town holiday villas to rent and friendly residents, visitors find themselves astounded with all that Cape Town has to offer.

TOKYO (JAPAN)

Exotic beauty abounds in this effervescent, thriving jewel of the Far East. Many believe the history of Tokyo actually goes all the way back to the 7th century, BC. This gives the city a rather unique history. While in Tokyo be sure to check out the Kabukiza Theatre to see traditional Japanese Kubuki performances, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. At nightfall, make it a point to see if Tokyo really is the most haunted city in the world by seeking out one of the haunted Tokyo tours.

Les Invalides in Paris, France. It comprises a retirement home, a medical and surgical centre and a centre for external medical consultations. This was taken during my second trip in Paris last summer 2010.

PARIS (FRANCE)

World class cuisine, the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral are the main attractions that most people think of when they think of "Paris". But this city has so much more to offer! Consider a trip though the ancient Parisian catacombs for an unforgettable adventure. As far as nightlife is concerned, why not take a trip through the red light district and check out the Moulin Rouge? While there you can see the home of Pablo Picasso.

NEW YORK CITY (UNITED STATES)

From strolling through Central Park to visiting the Statue of Liberty to just taking in the incredible sites and sounds on Times Square, this city truly has it all! New York City has a nightlife that is beyond compare. From taking in a show on Broadway to visiting one of the city's famous nightclubs, there is something for everyone.

We live in a world full of incredibly beautiful places. Whether you are touring Europe, visiting Asian countries, the Americas, there are always beautiful and interesting places around. Be sure to take some time out from the busy lives we all seem to lead these days and appreciate it.

Kids Had Fun

2011-06-26T22:08:00.002+02:00

Another week is almost over but another one is about to come. I can't imagine that the last week of June is coming soon and yes, June is about to end also. It seems not too long ago since the graduation party of my friends kids. They had fun last time. Sumptuous food were served and they were dancing to the beat of disco and hiphop music. The speaker stands were scattered around the hall where the party was held. I believed everybody had a great time during that graduation party. Everyone was happy especially the two kids who made it successfully in high school. Congratulations!