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.

Unique Gift Ideas for Special Occassion

Hello folks! I can't imagine that we are already on the first day of the month called "golden" October. I guess you know what I mean when I say "golden". It is because, now is Autumn time and the trees around are turning into different colors. I am also quite excited because I know for sure that I will receive again some anniversary gifts from hubby. Time truly flies-by so fast. In around three weeks, we will be celebrating our 7th wedding anniversary. I still have the 5th anniversary gifts that hubby gave to me two years ago.

I am not really demanding like other wives out there. I am already contented with small things that hubby gave to me as long as it is coming from the heart. I always told him that I don't need anything because I can buy it myself. Of course, I will be happy too if I receive anniversary gifts from him. Probably this time, I would ask for a very simple present. I love cooking and I never use aprons. I always need it because I cook almost everyday. This time, I could ask hubby to buy me one or two. I found very nice ones online. What do you think with the red and black colors here? I love it! These are simply unique ideas for special occasion. I am happy too because I will be having my new notebook PC in a few days. Anyone who is looking for some 5th anniversary gifts out there? I guess you know where to go now.

I wish you all a great month of October!

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!

1081 Post

The month of September is almost ending. We are heading to the next Ber month which is October. I can't imagine that this post is already my 1081 in this blog. Imagine over a thousand posts for almost three years of blogging and that is only for this blog? I started blogging since 2004 but put a concentration to it in 2007. I still have other blogs which have over a thousand posts in it. My special mention for tonight's 1081 post is about hgh, also known as human growth hormone. I am not really an expert about this topic but I read some information about it online. This is somewhat related to somatropin which refers to growth hormone produced by recombinant DNA technology. I also heard about the term hormone during a visit to my dermatologist some years ago. It is about some sort of hormonal problems that he was explaining to me which had caused my acne problem.

Lastly, I am happy and contented to be part of the blogosphere. Thanks to all friends who had helped me a lot in making my blogging experience better and happier.

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

Five Things You Must Experience in the Himalayas

Since Sir Edmund Hillary climbed the highest mountain on earth, taking a trip to Himalaya has been a dream of many adventurers. It is no fluke that Himalayas enjoy a lofty reputation among the places of a lifetime. The fact that Himalayas are immense makes it difficult to decide which sites to visit. Still, each visitor should at least try to experience the following:

1) Mount Everest

No trip should be complete without a visit to the base camp of the highest mountain the world. Although, this is one of the most frequented sites in Nepal but many tourists feel an amazing urge to climb the mountain. Amazingly, the urge to conquer Mount Everest is so great that many climbers, once came to the base camp as ordinary visitors, without a real interest of mountaineering.

2) Village Walks

There is so much to experience on foot, rather than by car or train in most regions, and the Himalayas is no different. Village walks through Ladakh, Kumaon and Sikkim are beautiful, authentic and allow visitors to get a real ‘feel’ of the area. Himalayan walking tours, taken with a local guide, allow visitors to have a village experience, which can include following in villagers’ own ancient footpaths, meandering through pine forests and terraced fields of rice and wheat. You’ll be greeted by children, excited by your presence and you’ll see how the locals go about their daily tasks – just as they have done for centuries.

3) Potala Palace

Today, the Palace is converted into a museum but tourists are spell bound before even reaching the Palace grounds. Rising approximately 1000 feet, this huge complex is thirteen stories high and contains more than 1000 rooms, 10000 shrines and 100000 statues. Once inside the complex, it is easy to get lost among hundreds of galleries and alleyways.

4) Himalaya River Rafting

Nowhere in the world are there so many grade 5 white water river spans than Himalayas. If adventure is that you seek then it is necessary to try the famed river rafting of Himalayan rivers that challenge the body and spirit of ordinary people. If you don't like to spend time climbing mountains, white river rafting on grade 5 rapids is as close to the thrill of climbing as it gets.

5) Baltoro Glacier

If you can plan a visit to Pakistan then there is nothing more special than spending a night in Baltoro Glacier. This 70 km long stretch is one of the longest glaciers outside the polar region. What makes Baltoro Glacier special is the fact that it is surrounded by five 8000 meter high mountains and is considered to be the only place on earth with such a high concentration of mountains. Just imagine how would it feel to stand in the middle of 'almost nowhere' surrounded by mountains thousands of feet high. The silence is daunting as well as truly captivating. Maybe, it is the best place on earth to meditate.

Photos by: Himalaya reurinkjan

Scotland's Best Golf Courses

There is no experience that can compare to playing golf on Scotland’s 4 best golf courses. The home of golf as the modern world understands it began in this beautiful land. Scotland is one of the most unique cultures in the world and playing the game of golf here is a fantastic journey. Kings have wiled hours away and servants have found golf a restful pastime. Golf is a game that knows a multiple of social levels and genders. Man, matching his mind and skill against the land, the elements and the game.

1) Kingsbarns Golf Link, St Andrews Fife

This is a breath taking resort by the sea. Savor the vastness of the Ocean while you drive a hole in one. Use links with St Andrews and Fife, one of the world’s most exclusive golf resorts. Relaxing, exhilarating the country of Scotland is a must play golfing adventure. Find the place of your golfing dreams; play in the land of golf’s birth – try staying in a golf hotel in Fife near the course. In this environment golf takes on a different feeling, a meaning that is part of the land itself.

2) Downfield Golf Club, Dundee

This beautiful course overlooks the picturesque coastal area with light house and moor. The lovely championship golf course located along Scotland’s beautiful coast looking up on the Firth of Clyde. Tranquillity is a motivation from playing golf in this beautiful land, green hills extending into the sea.

3) Muir

Muir, established in the 1774, this exclusive membership in the golfing world is the longest running golf club in the modern world. This Scottish club established the original 13 rules of the game. Playing on this golf course the elements are always your challenge as you play in the solace of windswept trees. Sea land and green plateaus are the signatures of this gorgeous golf resorts backdrop.

4) Rosemount Course, Blairegowrie Perthshire

The lush grass and beautiful tree lined fairway where Silver Birch and lovely Pines stand as witness to a golfers great achievements or failures. This course with its spectacular landscaping gives the added chance to play at Lansdowne.

A golfing holiday is a wonderful way to polish your game. Scotland’s four best golf courses have developed over the years adding impressive changes to the facilities and defining the game the world loves so well. Take a golfing holiday at any one of these beautiful golfing resorts. The Scottish have trained and cultivated the game and the greens, making Scotland like no other place in the world to play golf.

Photos by: Mccheek