University of Toronto

Here's my random travel picture for the day. This was taken on a cold autumn day on the campus of the University of Toronto. Sorry, I don't know the name of the building. My cousin who was a grad student at the time, met me and she gave me a little tour of the campus. There was a small exhibit of Picasso ceramics in one of the galleries so we were fortunate enough to get to see it.

November 2004, Toronto, Canada

Matsumoto Castle

This castle sits in the middle of Matsumoto, a small city that lies in the shadows of the mountains of Nagano. Surrounded by a moat, the castle was also used as a defense against hostile invaders. I believe it was built sometime in the 1500s.

Here's the Wiki entry for Matsumoto Castle.

When entering the castle, we were given plastic bags in which to put our shoes since they were not allowed inside. Much of the interior flooring were made of wood so my guess is that we had to remove our shoes so we don't damage the floors.

August 5, 2004, Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.

Hawaiian Ki’i

The Pu‘uhonua o Hõnaunau National Historical Park

According to the National Park Service web site “this place provided refuge to Hawaiians who came here. Today, the park continues as a sanctuary for visitors seeking a peaceful place and as a safe haven for all of the native wildlife living here.”

A place of refuge or pu‘uhonua provides safe haven for fugitives for breaking certain laws in ancient Hawaiian culture. The only escape from punishment by death is by eluding their pursuers to the safe confines of a place of refuge. “Many ki'i (carved wooden images) surround the Hale o Keawe, housing the bones of the chiefs that infuse the area with their power or mana. If you reached this sacred place, you would be saved.”

This place was built around 1550 though certain wooden structures have to be replaced periodically because of the tropical environment.

June 2005, The Big Island of Hawai’i

RTP (Boracay Banca)

Boracay Banka

We went on a little boat tour to the other side of Boracay Island to Puka Beach. Unfortunately, the puka shells for which the island is named after is no longer plentiful. Nonetheless, this is still beautiful and pretty isolated since getting here still requires arriving by boat. As we pulled out of the beach to hop to the next island, I saw something less than inviting--a major road being built to the beach. Progress or a sign of things to come?

Boracay Island, Philippines. July 2006

Random travel picture...06/15/07

Rascafria Siesta

Rascafria, meaning cold water, is a sleepy little mountain resort town a couple of hours outside Madrid. We were here for the wedding of my cousin Louise and Luis (awwh, cute noh?). This picture was taken in the middle of the day when apparently the town was even sleepier and taking its siesta.

Rascafria, Spain, September 2005.

Random travel picture of the day...06/14/07

Baja, California Desert

There is something magical about the seemingly desolate environment of the desert. I suppose it’s the fact that creatures here have to work hard and efficiently to survive.

Baja California, Mexico, February 2006.

Travel picture of the day...06/12/07

Hagia Sophia Interior

This was our first stop on our first full day in Istanbul. This building just smells of history going back more than 1400 years when it was a Byzantine church, later becoming a Catholic cathedral, then a mosque before Turkey's father of the modern republic, Ataturk, transformed this building into a museum.

I first learned about the Hagia Sophia in art history class and stepping into this building was like being transported back into several periods in our humanity's ancient past.

Photo taken in November 2005.

Travel picture of the day...06/11/07

Man and Girl on Bike

This picture was taken in August 2004. I like the look on this girl's face which gives the photograph its special character.

Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.

Travel picture of the day...06/06/07

Don't know if I'll be able to update this as frequently, but I'll try to do at least a couple of times a week. I'll put up a travel photo that I have from however long ago, with a little bit of commentary. It will at least serve a nostalgic purpose for me as well as a sort of documentary. Hope you enjoy it.

Misha against Davit Gareji fresco

On one of our last days in Tbilisi, Jane and I visited Davit Gareji with her Peace Corps buddies, Ann and Jeremy.

Davit Gareji is a complex series of monasteries built against the caves. Unfortunately, due to exposure to the elements and to some degree, vandalism, these frescoes are slowly deteriorating. Fortunately for us, we got to see hints of the beauty that they once held.

Misha was our very capable guide for this little adventure.

Georgia Republic, December 2005.