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.

The Library of Celsus in Ephesus, Turkey

Travel photos and memories! These are all the things I always have after I travel. Last September 2011, we had the chance to visit Turkey for 10 days. We might not be able to see everything in this country but at least we visited some of its famous sights. One of it was Ephesus, Turkey.

It was a sunny hot afternoon as our tour guide toured us around this famous ruin if Ephesus. Thanks to our tour guide's information when he told us that Ephesus was once a Greek city. It became later a major Roman City.

Ephesus is located in Selcuk in the Izmir province of Turkey. It was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek era.

One of the interesting ruins we saw there was the Library of Celsus. It was built in honor of the Roman Senator Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus. It was completed in 135 AD by Celsus’ son, Gaius Julius Aquila (consul, 110 AD).

The Library of Celsus in Ephesus, Turkey during our vacation  last September 2011.

My Second Visit in Prague, Czech Republic

Last summer 2011 was my second visit to Czech Republic's capital city. My first visit was last September 2009.  Prague is around 3 hours drive from where we live in Bavaria, Germany.

I was invited by a friend to accompany her mother-in-law who was having a vacation that time in Europe. Some of her family members also went us. I was happy after hearing it and did not hesitated to show them Prague City. I was still quite familiar with Prague's vicinity especially the main sights to see. We have  seen most of the famous landmarks including the Old Town with Tyn Church, the astronomical clock at the Old Town Hall, Charles bridge, the Prague castle and more.

Our sightseeing tour ended with a dinner in  one of the restaurants in Prague. Thanks to my fiend's husband who was very eager to drive us to  this city.

One of the bridge towers of  the Charles Bridge during  my second visit last July 2011.

The Tyn Church with its two towers on the  right side and the Old Town Hall with its astronomical clock on the left-middle  side.

Visit to Weissenburg, Bavaria

How are you doing folks? I hope that everything went out fine to everyone especially during the cold winter days in Europe. The past days were really very cold and until now it is still freezing cold outside. This is the time of the year where I just want to stay at home and do some things in the house which are left for some times. I am really very busy since the first day of February. I don't have much time to go online since there are a lot of things to take care offline.

Anyway, I am sharing an image taken during our visit in Weißenburg or Weissenburg. This was my first trip in 2012. It is a historical town in Bavaria, Germany. There are many ruins left by the Romans there. One of the good example is the remains of the Roman bath in this town.

the Ellinger Tor (gate) in the town of Weisenburg during our visit last Jan. 4, 2012.

A Visit to Verona, Italy

It was a wonderful time we had as I and some good friends visited Verona last summer 2011. It was a long drive from Germany and was quite tiresome but we also had fun. It was truly a memorable experience.

Verona is a city in the region of Veneto in northern Italy. It is considered to be one of the major tourist destination in this part of Italy. Upon arriving this city, we took a walk around it especially in its old town. One of the sights we visited was the Arena in Verona, the ancient amphitheatre built by the Romans.

You have to know that due to its urban structure and architecture, Verona is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The Arena di Verona during our visit last July 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.

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.

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.

Hohensalzburg Castle in Salzburg, Austria

It was during my third visit in Salzburg, Austria when I had the chance to go inside the Hohensalzburg Castle. The Festung Hohensalzburg which literally means "High Salzburg Fortress" is located on top of the Festungsberg mountain. It is one of the largest medieval castles in Europe with a a length of 250 m (820 ft) and a width of 150 m (490 ft).

From the you can have breath-taking views of Salzburg and the Alps. Inside the fortress is a museum of medieval weapons, life on the fortress, and torture instruments. Since we don't have so much time to hike up to the Fortress, we took the funicular. A family ticket cost 24.30 Euros.

Festung Hohensalzburg during my third visit last July 2011.
Construction of the fortress began in 1077 under Archbishop Gebhard von Helfenstein.

panorama of Salzburg from the Hohensalzburg Castle..taken last July 2011.

I Love King Ludwig's Castle, The Neuschwanstein Castle

Schloss Neuschwanstein or simply Neuschwanstein Castle was commissioned by Kind Ludwig II, King of Bavaria, Germany. It is also said that this castle was the inspiration of Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle. It is one of the beautiful castles I visited in Europe.

Literally, Neuschwanstein is composed of three German words; Neu, Schwan and Stein which consecutively mean New, Swan and Stone. I guess my German translation to English is correct.

the main entrance to Neuschwanstein Castle. It was so foggy during our visit last November 2010.

taken during my second visit last November 2010. I had been to this thrice already..and yes, if given the chance, I will still keep on coming back....simply because I love this castle.

Visit to the Colosseum in Rome, Italy

I once visited Rome in Italy. Me and my friend Nonna had a great time seeing the amazing wonders of architecture in Rome last summer 2010. One of the sights we visited was the Colosseum, an Amphitheater in this city.

The Colosseum's original Latin name was Amphitheatrum Flavium, often anglicized as Flavian Amphitheater. The building was constructed by emperors of the Flavian dynasty, hence its original name, after the reign of Emperor Nero.

Goodbye Rome! Goodbye Nonna!

Another weekend is here! I can't believed that we are already on the last weekend of August. Time truly flies-by so fast. The Europe adventure that me and friend spent together is also over. We drove her to Nuremberg airport this morning for her trip back to the United States tomorrow at 7:00 AM. It was a great time with Nonna. I can't also imagine that I had seen her again after around 12 years maybe. I can't exactly remember but the last time I saw her in our home town was more than ten years ago. Me and hubby were grateful of her visit. We believed that she had a great time during her three weeks vacation here in Europe.

It is also time to say goodbye to Rome, the first city that me and Nonna did visited during our Europe tour. Here is an image of me in front of one of the famous sights and architecture in Rome, Italy, the Colosseum or Colosseo.

such an amazing work of Roman architecture and engineering!

Buildings in Nuernberg, Germany

This was taken in Nuernberg, a city in Bavaria, Germany during our visit the other week. This is one of the old but beautiful and historical buildings I like in this city with all those windows on the roof.
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Remembering My Trip to Stratford Upon Avon, Shakespeare's Birthplace

It seems that I haven't updated this blog for some days. Sorry folks, I am quite busy offline doing a lot of chores in the house especially cleaning the dust caused by the little renovation we are having right now. July is here! I just wish everyone a wonderful one.

Here are some pictures taken during my three weeks vacation in England. These were taken in Stratford Upon Avon, one of the cities we visited.

This building is the birthplace of the famous poet and playwriter William Shakespeare.
The second image below is the Avon River that flows in Stratford, thus the name Stratford Upon Avon.

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My World in Birmingham, England

I am quite late again with this meme. but I would always say, "better late than never". It seems that I am having a busy life always both online and offline. This picture was taken near the fountain located in front of Birmingham's Council House. This is also called in particular in Victoria Square. have fun watching the picture here!

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Tulips and the 150th Fire Brigade Anniversary in Neumarkt

Hello everyone! Weekend is almost over in Europe again! I hope you are having a great one. I always try to have a wonderful weekend with my hubby. Despite of the busy schedule of my husband we still find time to be together and go out to see places and festivals to have fun. This weekend is another great one. Without further adieu, here are the photos for my favorite memes.

The first one was taken from our garden today. Some tulips are still alive until now but a lot were already gone. The second image was taken during the 150th Anniversary of Feuerwehr or Fire Brigade in Neumarkt, a district in Upper Palatinate, Bavaria, Germany. That was a great celebration with a very festive parade this afternoon. I guess that is all for now. Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead.

tulips from our garden. I took this photo today.

parade during the 150th Anniversary of Fire Brigade in Neumarkt.

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Sky Watching in Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany

It's time to share again images of amazing skies! This time I am sharing a sky watching picture from Nuremberg, a city in Bavaria, Germany. You see here the tower of Nuremberg Castle. This castle is considered to be one of the famous sights in this city. Never miss visiting this castle when you are in Nuremberg. I have been to this city for a lot of times already. This picture was taken during our visit last weekend April 17, 2010. It was again another memorable trip. Have a wonderful weekend ahead!
Feel free to visit and join these wonderful memes; Skywatch Friday,Looking at The Sky Friday, Scenic Sunday and Wordless Wednesday. Thanks to the Authors of these sites for sharing these wonderful memes in the blogosphere.

The Fountain in Manila Cathedral, Philippines

This fountain in front of Manila Cathedral has a bronze monument of Spain's Carlos IV which is said to be erected in 1824. This fountain is located in the formerly called Plaza mayor but since 1961, it is named Plaza de Roma honor the Sacred College of Cardinals in Rome following the elevation of the first Filipino cardinal, Rufino J. Santos.

This was taken during my vacation in the Philippines last January 2010.
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Parsberg Castle in Germany

Good evening folks! I am sharing a picture below taken as we passed-by Parsberg today to buy some things. The sky was quite dark. The clouds seems to be smiling and saying, "we're coming down later." Have a lovely weekend to all! time to slowly go to bed.

Skywatch Friday, Scenic Sunday, Wordless Wednesday.
Thanks to the Authors of these sites for sharing these wonderful memes in the blogosphere.

Visit to Mother Shipton's Cave in Knaresbourough, England

I guess this is a perfect timing for today's meme entry. One year ago, as you can see the embedded date in the picture below, I had the chance to visit Mother Shipton's Cave in Knaresbourough, England. OOppss, sorry I guess I am wrong. I mean, we had the chance to go in front of her house because at the the time we visited it, it was still closed. I just took a photo instead because I have to hurry up to catch the train back to Birmingham in England. Those were interesting experience I had in England.


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