Golf Holiday in Australia

Traveling is not only for rich people, so as taking a golf holiday. I am not materially rich but I am glad that I had the opportunity to travel to over 40 countries the past years. There are still many places and countries I wish to visit and when time and money are possible, I will surely do. For now, it is time to work and save money again for future travels.

Planning to Visit Australia for a Golf Holiday

Why not? It has always been my dream to visit Australia. The idea of taking a golf holiday especially in Victoria seems to be a great idea. To give you a brief introduction about Victoria, it is the southernmost of the eastern mainland states of Australia. The state is roughly triangular in shape. New South Wales lies to the north/north-east, with the Murray River forming most of the boundary between the two states.

Luggage is Finally Packed

I am ready to go. In less than 24 hours,  my first travel for this year will start.  I am finally done packing my luggage. I am quite tired now after doing some things at home but I know later, I will be fine. I am quite excited now and I hope, I did not forget anything. I already have all my travel gadgets  especially my digital cameras.  As usual, I bought 3 cameras again. Oh well, I  just want to make  it  sure that I have enough space to save my photos. If one camera is broken, I still have another ones.

A church  in Florence, Italy during my first visit in Autumn 2013.

This time, I am heading again to Italy and San  Marino. We will be visiting some places there. It was really a very cheap travel, the reason why I also book it. Besides, there are places  I wanted to visit again especially Venice and Florence. It will be  an 8 days trip and mostly everything  is included from accommodation, transportation, meals  (breakfast and dinner) and visit to different places. For only 298.00 Euros, I find it really very cheap. I guess, this is only enough for a return plane ticket  to Venice  or Florence, starting from Germany.

I need to wake-up very early tomorrow to go to the pick-up  area in Regensburg. I am quite excited to see new places like Assisi, Perugia, Santarcangelo di Romagna, Bologna,  Ancona and San  Marino. This will be my second time in Florence and many times in Venice.

I will just surprised myself what travel experiences awaits for me in these 8 days trip. Keep us safe and sound in this travel my Lord! Amen!

Ready for my Christmas Market Trip to Domazlice, Czech Republic

Hello December! Wow, it seems like yesterday when it was November. Time truly flies by so fast now. Holiday season is  starting on the  air right now. I can already feel its breeze!   The best time of the year is inevitable now. Some more weeks and it will be Christmas  day! I hope you are  considering  Christmas everyday!

Christmas Decors  sold on Christmas Markets in Germany.

Today seems to be a busy day for me. I was doing some offline  tasks including cooking, cleaning and  folding the clean laundry. I also prepared the stuffs I need for  my  trip to Czech  Republic. I have been to this country many times but this will be my first Christmas Market trip  there visiting  Domazlice.

Christmas season is one of the  best time to visit Europe. Christmas markets are  everywhere.  This is one thing I love in this continent.

Domazlice is a town in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. According to history, it was first recorded as a town in 1231.  This is quite a historic town and I hope I can experience interesting sights when we will visit it tomorrow.

My cameras are ready now, batteries are fully charged, snacks and drinks are already in my backpack..what else?  I need to wear good winter clothes tomorrow since I heard over the news that the temperature might drop to sub-zero.

I believed  everything is packed now. Anyway, I will be traveling with a Japanese friend this time. I am quite excited! See you soon Domazlice, Czech Republic!

It Was Cold in Oakland, California

I is almost a year now since my last vacation in the United States. I would like to thank good friends and my dear family for making it happened. I truly appreciate all and I am forever grateful for your goodness!

I was browsing some travel albums awhile ago and found some photos from Oakland. This city is a major West Coast port city and the busiest port for San Francisco Bay and all of Northern California.

Church in Oakland. Sept. 2013.

It was quite chilly when we arrived that early morning in Oakland. There was a plan that day why we landed in Oakland. My sister's sister-in-law is working in that area. She brought us with her planning to take us to the next city where we should be meeting my schoolmate. Since her training did not push through, we ended up going to the University of Berkeley. I and my sister had a walk around the university campus.

Lake Meritt during our walk.

Before that, we also did a bit sightseeing in Oakland. We also did a walk around Lake Merritt while waiting for our friend.  Some things  we plan did not happened that day but I am glad that it was still a beautiful and enjoyable one!

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.

Luggage Is Done for a Trip to Ireland

Yes, you read it right! I am travelling again. I am finally done packing my luggage! This time I am heading to Ireland. This is the 4th country I am visiting this month. I am quite excited seeing for the first time.

Hubby said that I am like a bird who  always flies anytime  anywhere looking for a place to land. I told him, it is better that way than wasting money on vices like smoking and drinking alcohol.  Our  topic came to that because we know and observe  a lot of people who are just wasting their money on such vices.  Imagine if you smoke 1 to 2 packs a day. That is already around $12.00.  If you tally it in a month that  is already a big amount of money. Instead of doing such vices, I told hubby that it is better that I spend my money on trips.  I will not only  experience a lot of places but will also have the knowledge about the people, its culture, its history  and  the place itself.

It is a long day for me today.  I have to finish some offline jobs like doing the laundry, cooking, a bit cleaning, washing the dishes and more. I don't have much time blogging  and updating my blogs. Hopefully when I have the chance to go online anytime during the duration of my 7-days trip to Ireland, I will surely give you some updates.

For now, I am just quite tired and sleepy. Guide me Lord and give me a safe and sound trip to Ireland and back home.

Talk to you soon and have a lovely week ahead!

Souvenirs from Toledo, Spain

Toledo, a historical town and the capital of the province of Toledo in Castile-La Mancha, Spain  is one of my favorite places  when we visited Spain in 2011. I fall in love with this place even the  first time I saw it. I simply love  its setting.

During our visit last winter 2011, I bought some souvenirs from Toledo. I got some postcards, fridge magnet, timballs, shot glasses and some ceramic decors. I am happy with the stuffs I bought from this town. I am also letting you know that Toledo is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. More updates to come about this beautiful town in  Spain.

Souvenirs from Toledo, Spain.

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!

Visiting Leeds, England

It's  always nice to reminisce  one of the interesting cities I visited in England.  I  am  grateful and will always  thank my good friend and  "kababayan" (a  Filipino word that can be translated as compatriots) named Ros or Arot for touring me in this city. It was in  autumn or fall 2008 when I  had the chance to visit England for 3 weeks. One of the cities  I visited was Leeds.

I  did not made it to witness the Christmas market in Leeds but I was in the area where it is held every year.  It was still did not opened when I was there.  Like any other Christmas markets in the UK, it is also a traditional German Christmas Market.  It is  saying, "A little piece of Germany in the heart of  Leeds City Center". At least,  I did experienced  the illuminated  lights on the streets  and the colourful Christmas  trees inside the famous Victoria Quarter and other shops in this city. The  festive atmosphere  of the coming holiday season can already  be  felt  at the month  of November.

The Millennium Square in Leeds, where the Christmas market is held each year.

The Christmas market market consists of over 40 wooden chalet stalls from authentic German traders providing a wide range of seasonal gift ideas for everyone including; handcrafted toys, jewellery, Christmas cards and festive decorations, speciality foods and traditional German delicacies such as gluhwein, bratwurst sausages and many more.

The illuminated  and  fully decorated  streets in Leeds when I visited it  last November 2008. Despite of the rainy weather, you can still see a lot of people on the street.

The Musical Fountain of Bellagio

The Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas.

Are you visiting Las Vegas? If you do, don't miss the famous free show in front of Bellagio. The so-called Fountains of Bellagio is a choreographed water feature with performances set to light and music.

I always love watching this spectacular show when I visit Las Vegas. I am always amazed everytime I watch it.

There are a lot of shows and entertainments to see and enjoy in this city. You also witness live performers on the street. If you cross this bridge between Caesars Palace and Bellagio, you can see a lot of singers performing live on their own. I guess some got their relic guitars at Musicians friend. I give some tips sometimes especially when I see that the singer performing has really great voice.

Visiting Las Vegas is truly an enjoyable one considering all the entertainments you can experience there. I believed I am one of the lucky ones who was able to visit the "World's Gaming and Entertainment Capital." Not only once but for the second time already. I love Las Vegas!

Visit to the Valley of Fire in Nevada, USA

It was again a memorable and wonderful trip I had in the United States lately. There  are a lot of places that I visited during my second visit and one of it  is the Valley of Fire State Park. I felt honored to visit the first  State  Park  in Nevada, USA.  It was not a good weather when we went there because was still hot in Nevada that time but still I enjoyed our visit. The   rock formations are  truly  amazing in this park.

Thanks a lot sistah and hubby for bringing me there. I miss you guys and  hope to see you next time again.

It covers an area of almost 42,000 acres (17,000 ha) and was dedicated in 1935. It derives its name from red sandstone formations, formed from great shifting sand dunes during the age of dinosaurs. These features, which are the centerpiece of the park's attractions, often appear to be on fire when reflecting the sun's rays.

 

Valley of  Fire State Park  in Nevada, USA. I had the chance to visit there last September 2012.

Sightseeing in Stanford, California

First of all,  I would like to thank the lovely ladies from California especially Brianna and  Ate Mary  for  touring us in San Francisco and other places in this area.  Despite of your busy schedules, you still managed to tour us around. I truly appreciate everything. I would say, I truly had wonderful moments with you all.

One of the places we visited in California was Stanford.  Our lovely tour guide brought us to the famous Stanford University.  Inside the university campus, one of the buildings we visited was the Memorial Church. I love the architecture  of this church especially its interior.

Some images I took from the Memorial Church are found below. 

The facade of the  Stanford Memorial Church.

The interior of the Memorial Church in Stanford University.

 Stanford Memorial Church stands at the center of the campus, and is the University’s architectural crown jewel. It was one of the earliest, and is still among the most prominent, interdenominational churches in the West. Jane Stanford built the church as a memorial to her husband, Leland. Together, Senator and Mrs. Stanford had constructed the University as a memorial to their son, Leland, Jr...http://www.stanford.edu

I Love Insel Mainau in Germany

I finally visited Insel Mainau (Mainau Island). This island is famous for its gardens with  lovely flowers of all kinds. It is known as the Blumeninsel of Flower Island. It is an island in Bodensee or Lake Constance. Since I am a number one fan of flowers, I truly fall in love with this place. It made me crazy for a bit seeing all those beauty of nature in the whole island thru the different flowers and trees. Simply amazing!

I told hubby that  it is fine for me to live in this place. I find it a paradise. The long bus ride that we had that time was fully paid-off.  The weather was also perfect. I was quite hot  during our visit  that you need to drink a lot of water when you walk around the island to avoid dehydration.

I love all the flowers  on this island. Insel Mainau is a paradise for me. I love it there.

This Floating Chinese Restaurant in Amsterdam

We just saw this floating Chinese restaurant in Amsterdam when a had a canal cruise  in this city. It is actually called the Sea Palace. This pagoda-style restaurant is located near the center of Amsterdam near the Central Station.

We don't have the chance to go inside and taste their food. Our friend who lives in Holland brought us to another Asian restaurant and we did not regret going inside  because the food and the ambiance were  good. I can't exactly remember the name of that restaurant.

I read some  reviews online about Sea Palace. Others had bad experiences and some had  nice ones. I might try it in my next visit to this city.

The Sea Palace in Amsterdam during our canal cruise last August 2010.

View From Our Hotel in Layos, Spain

We spent three nights in a hotel in Layos, Spain during our trip last December 2011. It was so far a very memorable trip and I am missing all the time. From our hotel window, you can see a lot of olive trees. I guess thousands and thousands of it.

From Layos, we had some trips  going to Madrid and Toledo that time.

Layos is a municipality in the province of Toledo, Castile-La Mancha, Spain.

the beautiful view from our hotel window. I love watching the olive trees.

A Day Trip to Prague, Czech Republic

Some friends were requesting me to search for cheap train tickets going to Prague. Departing from  in Parsberg train station, it is quite a long trip and the tickets were so expensive.  It was between 459.00 to 579.00 Euros for five persons depending on the date you are leaving. Sometimes last minute tickets are just so expensive.

There are sometimes bus trip going to  Prague. This is what we did during my first visit there last 2009. The bus trip only cost around 38.00 Euros. That is quite  cheap and the tour guide is already included.

My second day trip to Czech  Republic's capital city was last July  2011. I  escorted my friend's relative who had a vacation in Europe that time. The trip was quite  good especially that I showed to them most of the sights in Prague.

One of the bridges in Prague. This was taken last July 2011 when we were on our way to Prague's castle.

Cebu City's Skyline from Taoist Temple

If you are at Taoist Temple, you can have a very nice view of   Cebu City.  Dubbed as the "Queen City of the South" and also the second city in the Philippines after Manila, there are a lot  of  sights to see and to experience in this city.

Among the famous sights are the Santo Nino Basilica, Magellan's Cross, Fort San Pedro, Colon Street, Lapu-lapu Monument  and more.

This was taken during my last vacation in  Cebu last 2010. You can see the Waterfront hotel  with its three blue towers. The port of Cebu is also visible in this image.

 

Taoist Temple in Beverly Hills, Cebu City, Philippines. This was already my fourth visit in this famous sight in Cebu.

Snack Time at Museo del Jamon in Madrid

It was quite a tiring day that time after a very long walk. I accompanied a friend who was looking for a Traductor, the Spanish word for translator in Madrid. She needed a legal translator for her paper works and documents which she needed for Canada. After that long day, we proceeded to Museo del Jamon in Madrid. I had seen around three of these in this city and I have been to two of its shops. In fact there are five Museo del Jamon (Ham Museum) in Spain's capital city.

The one we went to was in Alcala. You can have variety of sandwiches there depending on your taste and budget. For as low as 1.00 Euro on their sandwich and a cup of coffee for another euros, you are already full because their servings are really huge considering their cheap prices.

That long day walk we had was compensated after we had a snack in this museum..lol!

The Museo del Jamon in Alcala Street, Madrid. I and my friend Peachy was there last March 27, 2012.

Short Stop at Garmish-Partenkirchen, Bavaria, Germany

My first visit to this town was in August 2004. I cannot forget that day because it was my birthday when we had a 4-days trip in this area. My second visit was last year in September where we had a short stop-over there. I love Garmisch-Partenkirchen because of its setting. The nature in this town including the mountains, hills and valleys, rivers, lakes nearby and the forest and woodlands are just so magnificent.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a famous mountain resort town in Bavaria in the southern part of Germany. The highest mountain in Germany, the Zugspitze (2961 m or 9714 ft.) is located nearby. This town was also the site of the Winter Olympic Games in 1936. It is also a famous holiday spot for skiing, snowboarding, and hiking, having some of the best skiing areas in Germany like Garmisch Classic and Zugspitze.

The tower of the Church in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The buildings are shops and stores in this town. WE were there last September 2011.