Spring Time is Gardening Time

Hey folks! How are things going on in there! I just look at the calendar and it seems that the month of March is almost over.  Yes, three more days to go and I am ready to face another month of the year. I can't wait for the weather to really be nice and friendly.  Today was  a gloomy and rainy weather.  It was raining the entire day and outside is  still  cold.  This is typical spring weather since Mother Nature needs rain and more rain.

I can't  wait to see these tulips in my garden again.

Since it is spring season now, I can't wait to hit the garden again and do some clean-up and gardening. Some flowers are  already blooming  in our garden especially the crocus.  The tulips are slowly growing too. In two or three weeks, I believed they will be in full bloom.

Lovely tulips from last year's spring.

Spring  is one of my favorite seasons of the year.  This season refers to the ideas of rebirth, resurrection and  regrowth.  This is the time to see lives and nature growing again. The plants and the trees start to bear flowers, leaves and branches. It is simply a season to rejoice for a new life and beginnings.

I can't wait  to see more flowers and green environment so soon again. This is the reason why  I so love spring  season. Most of all spring time is gardening time!

I wish everyone a wonderful spring season! Cheers and take care everyone!

The Bays in Croatia

It seems like yesterday when I had a trip to Croatia. I just looked at the calendar the exact date when I was there. After 2 hours of sightseeing in Maribor, Slovenia, our bus drove to our hotel in Tuhelj, Croatia. We arrived at around 8:00 PM there. We did an overnight in Terme Tuhelj, a wellness center and hotel in this place of the same name. Our tour guide said that it is the largest Sauna World in Croatia. This wellness hotel offers SPAeVITA care and beauty centre where the guests can enjoy various group air whirling programmes, thermal mud, honey or salt treatments, wide range of massages and facial and body treatments.

Some of the places located along the bay in Croatia  during our road trip with the bus from  Biograd na Moru j to Dubrovnik, Croatia. last April 1 2, 2013.

During that 9-day trip in Southeast Europe, also called as the Balkan Peninsula, we were able to visit 5 countries. Included are Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia.

That was quite a tiring trip with the bus everyday but if you see places like the bays in Croatia, your tiresome will surely be compensated.

Overall, I can say that I gained a lot of unforgettable memories during that trip. The lovely places I seen  from those 5 countries will always remain in my memory. Thanks to the digital cameras we have now  where   we can always turn back the past by simply looking at the travel photos.

A lovely town we passed-by during our trip to Croatia last April 2013.

 Some of the places we visited in Croatia  were Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Biograd na Moru, Tuhelj, the National park in Krka and Rastoke in Slunj.

These are only some of the snapshots I took from Croatia. I wish to know the exact location of  these photos.  This is the reason why I ordered a camera with GPS so that I know the exact location where a certain picture is located.

I Was in Vatican City

I want to visit Vatican City again to witness the Pope Benedict XVI's last audience. After the Pope resigned on his position as the Head of the Catholic Church last week, I was saddened by the news  but I respect his decision.

I was in Rome with a friend last summer  2010. We also visited Vatican City and went inside the St. Peter's cathedral. In fact, we also climbed the dome of the cathedral. From there, you will have a great view of the city of  Rome and its surroundings. That was one of the highlights during my travels in 2010. I hope I can visit it again.

St. Peter's Cathedral during our visit last August 2010.

Remembering Madrid, Spain's Capital City

I had a quick exchange of messages from a friend  in Madrid this afternoon. She was asking me when I am going back to Madrid. I replied when I have a budget, I will immediately go back there.  I love Madrid and so far visiting Spain's capital city is history for me. You know why? this is the only capital city in Europe where I stayed for  three weeks and where I explored most of its corners. It was a long story why it happened.

Here are some images I took during my trip to Madrid almost a year ago. I believed one day, I will be visiting it again.

View of Alcala Street and Gran Via Street. This is where I walk many times in going around the city.

Street sign in Gran Via Street. I was there!

The temple of Artemis in Ephesus, Turkey

It was over a year now since we visited Turkey. It was so far a very interesting trip seeing some of the historical ruins in this country. I could not believed  that  Turkey has a lot of  impressive ruins to visit. Some of it are even included in  the Seven Wonders of the  Ancient World.

One of the historical sites we visited  was the Temple of Artemis. After our sightseeing  at the ruins of Ephesus, we proceeded to this area. It is actually located in this area but our bus drove a bit as we went there. It is located near the town of Selcuk  in today's Turkey.

The Temple of Artemis is also known as the Temple of Diana, a Greek  temple dedicated to the Greek goddess  Artemis. It is considered as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient   World.

That 10-day trip we had in Turkey was truly a memorable one for me. It truly made me feel like traveling back in time seeing  some of those magnificent historic ruins in this country.

I hope to be backed there again and visit more historic  sights.

The modern site of the Temple of Artemis near Selcuk, Turkey. It is an honor for me to visit such kind of  amazing ruins.

Passau, A European City

Passau, Passau! I am trying to remember how many times did I already visited this city. I got it now! I was there for the fourth time last summer 2010. I also had the chance to always pass this city for a lot of times. Passau is truly a European city and I always  love visiting  it.

It is famous for the name,  "The Three River City" or known as  "Dreiflüssestadt" because the Danube is joined at Passau by the Inn from the south and the Ilz from the north. What I love most in this city is its  Cathedral known as  the St. Stephen's Dom. I love its architecture especially its interior.

Just sharing these snapshots I took   during my last visit in August 2010.

I wish everyone a great month of August 2012! Cheers!

The interior of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Passau.

The tower of the Rathaus or City Hall of Passau.

Europastadt Passau which means Europe City Passau.

 

The Telefonica Building in Madrid, Spain

I always see this skycraper especially when I am on the terrace of the apartment I am staying in Sol, Madrid, Spain. It looks great during the night especially when it is lighted. The Telefonica building is located in Gran Via 28 and it was was designed by Ignacio de Cárdenas. It became the first skyscraper in Europe.

The Telefonica building in Madrid, Spain. I am loving my stay in Madrid.

Day Trip to Herend, Hungary

Have you heard about Herend porcelain? Herend is actually a small town near the city of Vestprem in Hungary. It is a historical town dating back to the Roman times. We had a day trip there last summer 2011 during our 5-days trip to Hungary. It is famous for its Herend Porcelain, one of the world's largest ceramic factories, specializing in luxury hand painted and gilded porcelain. It is enough for us to only go sightseeing and window shopping because the porcelain there are really expensive. We only bought ceramic souvenirs in the area but not really in Herend.

The famous Herend porcelain in Hungary during our trip last August 2011.

The Porcelain Museum of Herend. It has been opened to visitors since 1964 and was chosen as the museum of the year 2002 in Hungary.

Doha at Night

I had a long stop-over from my flight departing Munich International Airport in Doha last November 2009. My final destination was Philippines. I remembered that one of my co-employees before at the bank is currently working and living in Doha. I contacted her and told her that I want to go out from Doha airport since it was a 6 hours stop-over there.

Somebody want to disagree with that plan being afraid that I might be late for the next flight connection to the Philippines. I still insisted and met my co-banker. As a German citizen, I still need to get a visa in Qatar but I can immediately apply for it in the airport. I guess I paid $20 or $25.00 for the visa. It was not really so bad because I want to use the time instead of just sitting the whole 6 hours waiting in the airport.

one of the restaurants in Souq Waqif during my stop-over in Doha last November 2009.

To make the story short, I met Chinky. She was already waiting for me outside the airport. Her husband was also with her. They drove me a bit around. We also had a dinner at the Asian restaurant in Souq Waqif, a famous market and meeting place in Qatar's capital city. I did not expect that Doha is also a nice city. I had a great time chit-chatting with them since it was around a decade since we did not see each other.

I am thankful to Chinky and her hubby for the time spent with me. I hope to visit that place again in the future.

Cruising in Wachau, Austria

It was a pleasure cruising in Danube River in Wachau, Austria last summer 2011. In this Austrian valley, you can see a lot of picturesque landscape formed by the Danube river. It is considered to be one of the famous tourist destinations of Lower Austria. One of the wonderful places we passed-by was Dürnstein. It is said that in this well-known place was where King Richard the Lion-Heart of England was held captive by Duke Leopold V.

Our cruise last only around two hours but I totally enjoyed the scenery around. It was very refreshing breathing the fresh air on this part of Austria.

we were about to board in a boat for a cruise in Wachau, Austria last August 2011.

View of Salzburg City from Hohensalzburg Castle

The best way of looking around Salzburg is to climb on Hohensalzburg castle. From there, you can have a breathtaking view especially of the Historic Center of the city of Salzburg which also belong to the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Last July 2011 was already my third visit to this Austrian city. I find it always interesting would love to come back again and again. I hope you are all having a wonderful start of 2012. Cheers!

view of the historic center of salzburg from one of the fortress' windows. It was during my third visit in Salzburg when I had the chance to go up to the castle.

Salzburg is on the banks of the Salzach River, at the northern boundary of the Alps. The mountains to Salzburg's south contrast with the rolling plains to the north. The closest alpine peak—the 1972 m Untersberg—is only a few kilometres from the city centre. The Altstadt, or "old town", is dominated by its baroque towers and churches and the massive Festung Hohensalzburg.

The Giralda of Seville Cathedral in Spain

I miss this place. I had so much fun and enjoyment with my friend while walking around in this city. Seville is truly a must-see when visiting Andalusia, one of the regions in Spain.

The tower you see below is called the Giralda. It is a is a former minaret that was converted to a bell tower for the Cathedral of Seville in Seville. The tower is 104.5 m (343 ft) in height and it was one of the most important symbols in the medieval city.

When visiting Seville, don't miss to go inside its Cathedral. You will be amazed by its arts and architecture. Spain still hunts me and wish to visit it again next year!

The Giralda, a famous tower in Seville's Cathedral. I am happy to be there last December 7, 2011.

The tower was begun under the architect Ahmad Ben Baso in 1184. After Ben Baso's death, other architects continued work on the tower. An architect named Jabir (or Geber) is also often credited with the tower's design. The tower was completed March 10, 1198 with the installation of copper spheres on the tower's top.

Plaza de España in Seville, Spain

Visiting Spain is so far the most highlight of my trips this year. It was another dream come true. One of the places we visited in Spain was Seville, known as Sevilla in Spanish. The Plaza de España or "Spain Square" is one of sights we saw and experienced.

I was amazed by the beauty and the architecture of this square. There was a very memorable experience that happened here. It is better not to say it. If I have the courage later I might share it. It was not really bad just something exciting and shameful..lol! It just happened due to the call of nature. I guess you have an idea now.

Below is an image of this beautiful square in Seville, Spain. I love this place! I love Spain!

1929 Exposition Building at the Plaza, during our visit last Dec. 7, 2011.

It is a plaza located in the Parque de María Luisa (Maria Luisa Park), in Seville It was built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. It is a landmark example of the Renaissance Revival style in Spanish architecture.

A Visit to Landshut, Germany

I am trying to remember the exact date when we visited Landshut. While browsing my images and looking for the date when it was taken, I found out that we visited this city last July 4, 2009. It was a wonderful trip we had because we were able to witness its famous festival called the Landshuter Hochzeit or Landshut Wedding. This festival only takes place every four years. It means that the next festival will take place on July 2013.

Landshut, a city in the state of Bavaria is located in the south-east of Germany, belonging to both Eastern and Southern Bavaria. It is situated on the banks of Isar River. This city is famous for its Gothic architecture located in its historic city center. Most of it were not destroyed during the World War II attacks.

I want to visit again the next Landshuter Hochzeit festival in 2013.

you can participants of the Landshut Wedding wearing Medieval costumes.

the Church of Saint Martin featuring the world's tallest brick tower.

A Beautiful Sunday Walk in Bavaria

No hectic today besides it is Sunday. I already woke-up late this morning. I went to bed very late last night after watching a movie on Television. After taking our brunch, I told hubby that we must need to go for a walk in the afternoon. At around 1:00pm, we started walking around.

The weather is very cold. What can you expect during Autumn in Bavaria, Germany. It was good today because it was sunny...a perfect weather for wandering. I made it sure that I had the right clothes on. I did not really felt so cold because I wore warm clothes. The scenery around our area is very nice. The hills and valleys are perfect for looking and walking around.

After around two hours of walking in the fresh air, we need to hurry home because hubby wanted to watch a football game in our place.

It was a beautiful Sunday autumn walk today. Thanks God for it. I wish everyone a fantastic week ahead!

the hills and mountains around our area. This is where we sometimes go for a walk. I love it!

Hundertwasser, Vienna, Austria

I thought I can only see images of the Hundertwasser in the internet. During our short stop-over in Vienna, Austria last August of this year, I had the chance to finally see it in person. If you are familiar about Friedensreich Hundertwasser, you might probably have an idea how this house was created. He is an Austrian artist who had this idea of building such architecture. With the help of architect Joseph Krawina who is also his co-co-author this building was materialized.

Don't miss it when visiting Vienna.

This expressionist landmark of Vienna is located in the Landstraße district on the corner of Kegelgasse and Löwengasse. The Hundertwasserhaus is now an apartment house in Vienna, Austria.

Goodbye Golden October

Goodbye golden October! We are finally in the month of November. The days are getting shorter, darker and colder. This is the sign that winter is about to come. Are you ready for it? It is inevitable and we have to be always ready. This is the time to be more careful and wear warm clothes outside to avoid getting sick especially with colds.

Fall or autumn is the time of the year when the trees in the surroundings are turning to different colors like yellow, red, brown, orange, gold, etcetera. This is the reason why I also love this season of the year...the colorful surroundings especially in our area where you see a lot of woods.

Here are some of the snapshots I took last month.

colorful trees are still in the corners...soon it will vanished because the leaves are slowly falling down.

one of the thick woods nearby our small town. such an amazing beauty of nature!

Sinulog Festival in Cebu, Philippines

I was able to witness this festival twice. The second time I was there was last January 2010. Sinulog is an annual festival held on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City, Philippines. The festival features a street parade with participants in bright coloured costumes dancing to the rhythm of drums, trumpets and native gongs.

I hope to see this again in my next visit to the Philippines. Here are some snapshots I took last year.

one of the contingents during the Sinulog contest held in Cebu Sports Complex.

the festival has been promoted as a tourist attraction, with a contest featuring contingents from various parts of the country.

The festival commemorates the Cebuano people's pagan origin, and their acceptance of Roman Catholicism.

The Ulu Camii Mosque in Bursa, Turkey

This is one of the beautiful mosques we visited in Turkey. The Ulu Camii Mosque, also called as Bursa Grand Mosque in Bursa, Turkey was built in the Seljuk style. It was ordered by the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I and edificed between 1396 and 1400. The mosque has 20 domes and 2 minarets.

Our tour guide who is a Turkish told us that entrances to most of the Mosques in Turkey are free of charge. He added that sometimes, they charge entrances to Christian people. I never see security or people who are watching the mosque entrance using garretts metal detectors. I heard that some people are afraid when visiting Turkey due to security reason. For me, our trip was quite fine and in order. There were even a lot of tourists especially in Istanbul during our visit there.

One of the minarets of the Ulu Camii Mosque in Bursa. Taken during our visit last September 2011.

Ulu Cami is the largest mosque in Bursa and a landmark of early Ottoman architecture, which carried many elements from the Seljuk architecture. Ordered by Sultan Bayezid I, the mosque was designed and built by architect Ali Neccar in 1396–1400. It is a large and rectangular building, with a total of twenty domes that are arranged in four rows of five, and are supported by twelve columns. Supposedly the twenty domes were built instead of the twenty separate mosques which Sultan Bayezid I had promised for winning the Battle of Nicopolis in 1396. The mosque has two minarets.

the beautiful interior of the mosque. You can find various Calligraphy on the walls.

A Walk in Golden October

It's been some weeks now since I did not had a walk with hubby. We were on a short vacation for one and a half weeks in Turkey and the past weeks were also busy ones. Since the weather was so friendly during the start of golden October, we finally took the chance to go walking around. October is already the start of Autumn in Germany and in most countries in Europe. The leaves on the trees are slowly turning to yellow, orange, red, purple, brown and other colors. This is another season of the year that also I love due to its colorful surroundings.

I am just hoping that we will get more sunny and friendly weather this month. Lastly, I would like to wish everyone a wonderful month of October. Enjoy and stay safe all the time.

Here are some images I took during our walk this afternoon and yesterday.

the walking and biking way, far away from the main road. it is safer to walk here.

the surroundings are getting colorful now. I love Bavaria, Germany!