Barcelona Part 2: Understanding Gaudi

You can’t visit Barcelona and not get a glimpse of the works of Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926), the city’s famous architect who defied conventional design but now defines Barcelona’s modernist architecture. Gaudi and his works have become entwined to Barcelona’s identity and inspired cults said to be bigger than Picasso’s.  When I first visited Barcelona in... Read more

Barcelona Revisited

Plaza Rei in Gothic Quarter Barcelona was the very first city I visited in Europe. That was back in the mid-1990’s when the city was still basking from its Olympic glory. I was excited to return with Keith and combed the city to explore the old and the new. I found the city still oozed with... Read more

Photo Pick: Boracay Island, Philippines

People strolling on the beautiful White Beach of Boracay Island in late afternoon as threatening stormy clouds were looming above. Please see Boracay Island: At home in Paradise to see more of Boracay. Read more

San Sebastian: Eat Pintxos, Go to the Beach, Repeat!

Eat pintxos, go to the beach, repeat!   That was basically how hard we spent our days in San Sebastian, the Basques city in northern Spain known for its gastronomic delight and beautiful in-city beaches. But aside from delicious pintxos and pretty playas, there’s a lot  more going in this sexy city – culture, pretty harbor, green mountains,... Read more

Photo Pick: Waves of Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy

We were hiking in Cinque Terre and were mesmerized by this beautiful sight in the town of Manarola. We went back at the same spot after we had lunch, by then there were big waves which made the sight even more captivating. Please check back for our photojournals of Cinque Terre and other places in Italy.  Read more

Pamplona Part 2: It’s not all about the Running of the Bulls

At “8.15am until 5pm – very little happens!” says an article in About.com about the 9-day Fiesta de San Fermin. That’s true if you’re one of those tourists who thinks that the fiesta is only about the running of the bulls and the all night libation parties.  But a Pamplones would say that’s simply not true. You... Read more

Pamplona: Much Ado About The Running Of The Bulls

Every year from noon of the 6th of July to the midnight of 14th of July, the Spanish city of Pamplona comes alive as the locals celebrate their much awaited Fiesta of San Fermin in honor of their region’s patron saint.  People from all over the world flock to Pamplona during the fiesta not to... Read more

Santorini Part 3: Sailing around the Caldera

Just when we thought we had done all the fun things there was to do in Santorini after our Tiny, Skinny Greek Wedding, we found that there was more!  On our last full day on the island, we went cruising around the caldera on a sailboat which took us hiking on volcano island, swimming in hot spring, and provided... Read more

Santorini Part 2: Our Big, Fat Greek Honeymoon

Now that our Tiny, Skinny Greek Wedding was over and done with, and we have walked the whole stretch of the hiking trail, explored Oia and Fira and watched a lot of stunning sunsets — what else is there to do in paradise?  We found aplenty. Read more