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.

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.

Where to Go? Where to Go?

Yeah, it's that time of the year again. Where the heck should I be going this summer? I'm thinking of heading out to the Philippines again. I had so much fun there, and I really miss it. But I'm also considering going to Costa Rica. I'm exploring the possibility of doing some volunteer work again. It makes the experience so much more special for me. We'll see.

Hiking with Buffalos

It's been a long time since I strapped on a heavy pack to walk for miles and set up camp. The weekend of Mar 30 to Apr 1, I did just that with a few of peeps from the OC Hiking and Backpacking Club. Besides myself, there were Steve, Chris, Marine, Keith, Tracy, Neel, and Ron. The trip organizer, Steve, ordered beautiful weather for the trip, and I believe the views just came with the package. I can't believe I didn't take a real live buffalo picture, but at least I have one with a very colorful bison. If I ever get around to it, I'll write up a trip report, but for now, please enjoy the pics.

Next stop... Philippines

OK, so it's been awhile since my last trip, and I can't wait til I leave for the P.I. I got a bunch of new stuff for this trip--a new camera (digital SLR), a new messenger bag (for carry on), a new backpack suitcase with wheels, and a new passport. I'm bummed about losing my original one since it had stamps from about 9 countries, I think. Oh well, this should motivate me to travel more.

So I'm leaving next week on the 28th (06/06). First stop is Manila for 2 days. Allan C. was nice enough to offer me a ride from and to the airport and their home. Hopefully I'll get to see the Manila nightlife. Then it's off to Cagayan de Oro enroute to Illigan City. After more than 30 years, I'm going back there again. I'll spend the next 2 weeks teaching English at an orphanage and helping set up the program there. After that, I fly to Cebu to catch a plane for Boracay (via Caticlan). I plan to be there for 5 nights. Hopefully the weather will be nice. I'm planning on getting my diving cert. while I'm out there. Veronica and I did the Discover Scuba course at Sport Chalet yesterday, and now I'm more determined than ever to do it. Fun, fun, fun...