Sightseeing in Strasbourg, France

When I visited Brussels, Belgium, one of the seat of European Union Parliament, I was at the same time thinking to visit Strasbourg in France. I am happy that it did came true. We had a trip there last December 2010 to see and experience especially their famous Christmas market.

Straßburg or Strassburg (in German), called in English as Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in north-eastern France. I found this historical city very charming and interesting. It is located near the border of Germany.

view of the historical Strasbourg Cathedral

Strasbourg is situated on the Ill River, where it flows into the Rhine on the border with Germany, across from the German town Kehl.

Strasbourg's historic city centre, the Grande Île ("Grand Island"), was classified a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1988, the first time such an honor was placed on an entire city centre. Strasbourg is fused into the Franco-German culture and although violently disputed throughout history, has been a bridge of unity between France and Germany for centuries, especially through the University of Strasbourg, currently the largest in France, and the co-existence of Catholic and Protestant culture.

Merry Christmas!

Merry merry Christmas
and Happy and bountiful
New Year to all!

The merry family gatherings -
The old, the very young;
The strangely lovely way they
Harmonize in carols sung.
For Christmas is tradition time -
Traditions that recall
The precious memories down the years,
The sameness of them all.

Helen Lowrie Marshall

True Friendship

Friendship is such a wonderful gift
and it is always a nice feeling
when we have good friends around.
Friendship does not mean that we need to talk everyday
but once in awhile it is always good
to hear thoughtful words from a friend.
Friendship does not mean
that we have to see each other everyday
but it is always nice to reminisce
some memorable moments
that we spent with friends.
I am very thankful that I have good
and yes, great friends around!
I felt truly blessed.
Thank you so much to all friends
who are always true and loyal.

Below is a rose that I am giving to all my friends out there. This is a rose from our garden flourished with love and care just for you. This was taken last summer time 2010. The saying below also came out to my mind some minutes ago. I just can't stop sharing it here.

"Friendship is not a competition.
It is a matter of give and take relation".

-Ruby Benz

I love roses especially from our garden!

Advent Candles

This year is my first time to make Advent Candles. I used to buy some the past years. Last Sunday, I finally did it. Hubby was asking me that morning what am I doing with that wooden box and all those pine trees cut from our garden. I told him that I will make my Advent Candles. He was surprised that I finally had one after around thirty minutes of making it. I finally lit my first Advent candle last Sunday. Christmas is around the corner.

Have a lovely December to all! Happy holidays too!

my home-made Advent Candles. Anyone wants to order? Just kidding guys!

The Flags

These are some flags in the European Parliament in Brussels, the capital city of Belgium. I had the chance to visit it last summer 2010. I took a photo of it after seeing the flag of Germany.

"Our God works to transform us
Till life on earth is done;
He uses trials and testings
To make us like His Son."

-Sper

A Lilium flower in our garden. This was taken last September 2010.
Now, they are gone and hope to see them again next year.

The Fountain in Schlossplatz in Stuttgart

This is one of the fountains that can be found in Schlossplatz (Castle Square) in Stuttgart, Germany. Schlossplatz is the largest square in the centre of the city of Stuttgart and home to the New Castle which was built between 1746 and 1807.

taken during our visit last October 2010.

Road Sign

This is a road sign in Belgium. We were on the motorway as I took this image last August 2010. Belgium is the only country in Europe where I see lights on their highways. I guess, it would be nice driving here during the night. We were on our way from Brussels to Amsterdam during this trip.

Yellow Mailbox

These are the yellow German mailboxes. You can see the black sign of the German Post on the side of each box. You can drop your mails here as long as they have the right stamps on it. If not, it will be returned to the sender and if I am not mistaken, you will pay for it.

The yellow German mailboxes in Cologne, Germany.
taken during our visit last August 2010.

A Quote and the Winter

"God is greater
than our greatest problem."

-Our Daily Bread.

taken last February 2010. Winter is almost coming again. Keep warm!

Cheese, Cheese and More Cheeses

Sometimes, I already forget English terms and grammar. This is the problem when I started to learn, speak and understand German language. But I am happy that I can already basically speak and understand German. I was asking awhile ago about the plural of cheese. It is cheeses, right? Oh yeah, I got it right! This is the reason why I am sharing cheese, cheese and more cheeses here!

This was taken during our trip in Amsterdam this year and a part of it was seeing a cheese factory and how this yummy cheeses are made.

The lady who was explaining how cheeses are made told us that some of these cheeses are already 20 years old. The first thing I asked her immediately was; Can we still eat those old centuries cheeses? The answer is a big NO! That's all for my travel experience from Amsterdam for now!

Goden October is Here

Another season of the year is here!
The Autumn in golden October
Colorful surroundings you see
from yellow to red, brown and orange too.
It is simply the golden October
which makes a beautiful season of the year!

-Ruby Benz

This is the road where I always drive especially when I go for grocery shopping.
The beauty of golden October is truly amazing!

Random Image from Rome, Italy

It is a great experience visiting the city that is the dream of many including me. Rome which has been given a nickname, "Eternal City" is truly a wonderful place to visit. It's history spans now for around 2,500 years. It is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city.

Here is an image of Vatican City in Rome taken during our visit last August 2010. You can see the famous San Pietro or St. Peter's Square on the left side of the image.

taken as we where on top of the cupola of St. Peter's Cathedral in Vatican City, Rome.

Visit to the Oktoberfest 2010 in Munich

I believed most of you are very familiar about Oktoberfest known as the largest fair in the world. For others, Oktoberfest simply means Beerfest. It is usually a 16-day celebration held in Theresienwiese in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. It usually starts during the last week of September and ends sometime on the first week of October and is celebrated every year. Oktoberfest has been a part of Bavarian culture since 200 years. It only started as a wedding festival of King Ludwig I of Bavaria.

Without further adieu, here are some images taken during our third visit last October 19, 2010.

one of the beer tents in Oktoberfest.
Sometimes and even most of the time, all beer tents are always full during the festival. You better reserve your seats if ever you really want to spend time inside a beer tent.

another beer tent in Oktoberfest.

That is the Paulaner beer tent in the background and someone is striking a pose too!

Travel souvenirs

This is one thing I do everytime I travel. I always buy with me some travel souvenirs from magnet to postcards, travel books, shot glass and anything that I like. These stuffs remind me the different places I had been to. Here is an image I took from Hofbräuhaus Souvenir shop in Munich, Germany.

taken last August 2010 during our visit to Munich, Germany

Love This Quote and The Image

"Instead of grumbling because
you don't get what you want,
be thankful you don't get
what you don't deserve."

-Our daily Bread

A ride at the German-American Volksfest in Hohenfels, Bavaria, Germany. This was taken during the celebration this year. I don't know what happened to me now that I can't exactly remember its name. I just saw one again today in Munich's Oktoberfest. love this image!

Visiting Rome, Italy

I believed I am lucky enough to visit the domicile of the head of the Catholic Church. Visiting Vatican City especially Saint Peter's Cathedral is a great moment for me. It was truly a memory that I can keep forever. I am very thankful that I was given the chance to visit this beautiful city. It was a dream put into reality and it is just unbelievable. Here is an image of me and my friend during our visit last month of August, 2010.

taken in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, Rome, Italy.

White Beach in Panglao Island, Visayas, Philippines

This is one of the islands that I love in the Philippines. I had been to Panglao Island twice already and if given the chance in the future, I still want to go back there. Panglao is an island located in Central Visayas. It is located southwest of the island of Bohol and east of Cebu. It is considered to be one of the top tourist destination in the Philippines. It is famous for its beautiful dive spots and its coral reefs.

The first time I visited Panglao island was in 2006. Last February of this year, we went back there again. Here is an image I took during my second visit. This is the beautiful while beach of Bohol Beach Club. This is such a priceless view!

Panglao has a terrain that range from plain, hilly to mountainous. Panglao is made of Maribojoc Limestone, the youngest of the limestone units found in the western area of Bohol. The limestone composition halted the development of an airport as coralline limestone is soluble which causes formation of caves and sinkholes. One interesting geological feature found in the island is the Hinagdanan Cave which has an underground water source. The cave is an important water source as the island has no rivers or lakes. A tourism spot that the island of Panglao boast is the BOHOL BEACH CLUB. It features a 1.5 kilometer beach shoreline that provides a pristine beauty of what the island offers. It also boasts of the presence of one of the most beautiful dive spots that carries a glimpse of an awesome sea world treat. more about Panglao here

Hello Chicken!

I seldom see live chicken in Germany. Of course, I see a lot of chicken meat in the Metzgerei or butcher shops. Unlike in the Philippines, where my parents live, my father has a lot of chickens in the backyard. As we attended a friend´s birthday party last month, I saw that they have a lot of chicken. I already know before that they have chicken but I never see one. This time, I already saw a lot and I was amazed how big they are. Since I always have my pocket camera with me, I immediately took some pictures. Here is one of them.

My friend said that they don´t butcher their chicken. They only use their eggs for cooking. When they are dead, they just bury them.

Yellow Narcissus and the Beautiful Quote

"Fierce drives the storm, but wind and waves
Within His hand are held,
And trusting His omnipotence
My fears are sweetly quelled."

-Brown

these were the Narcissus that grew in our garden last spring time. I hope to see them again next year.