Are you a cold weather or warm weather person? I lean more to the cold weather, and I find its beauty so unique. Take, for example, the glacier.
Category Archives: Travel
Bat Island, Fiji — Let’s Go Batty!
Fiji is known for beautiful islands, good surfing, white sand beaches, renowned diving, but bats…huh? I was pretty tired, almost loopy, when Spaceman and I arrived in Fiji for our honeymoon, but I rebounded quickly when the resort staff asked us if we wanted to take a sunset cruise to Bat Island…um, yes please!
San Pedro’s Korean Connection
High atop the hills in San Pedro along the Pacific Ocean sits the Korean Bell of Friendship. Standing 12 feet high and made of over 17 tons of copper and tin with gold, nickel, lead and phosphorus added to it for brilliancy, this gift from the Republic of Korea back in 1976 is an impressive sight. Continue reading
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Shrine in Redlands, CA
Ah, the joys of a long holiday weekend! Having our original plans dashed last-minute, Spacecowboy and I quickly researched and scheduled some spontaneity. Yes, I realize that sounds like a contradiction “scheduling spontaneity” which it is, but my sweet husband craves structure so we re-grouped and headed out to honor one of our country’s most beloved presidents (on Valentine’s Day no less), President Abraham Lincoln at his Memorial Shrine in Redlands, CA. I had learned of this spot a few months earlier and had been hankering (love this word!) for a visit ever since.
Finnish Winter Through a Lens
After looking through pictures from our recent trip to Finland, I realized it would be a crime not to share the beauty of this country with you. Since I am not a criminal, here you go…
(colorful berries fill the winter trees) Continue reading
Goleta Monarch Butterfly Grove
I love butterflies, always have, always will. They are so delicate and beautiful to watch flutter through the air but in reality they are fierce survivalist. One of the most beautiful groups is the Monarch and (to my delight) they migrate each year through California with a “rest spot” for some fun and friskiness (they mate here) at the Goleta Monarch Butterfly Grove.
Helsinki Chapels — (Part 2) Kamppi Chapel
Sometimes we forget how frenetic and loud the world is. Then we enter a place like Kamppi Chapel (Kampin Kappeli) in Helsinki, Finland, and we get smacked in the face with the soft pillow of silence and calm. It’s time for part 2 of Helsinki Chapels, welcome to the sound of silence (someone cue Simon and Garfunkel please)
Helsinki Chapels — Part 1 (Temppeliaukio Church)
Finland is known for a distinctive minimalist design and style aesthetic. The look is clean, functional, and beautiful. Each time I visit I am excited to envelop myself in this simple yet complex aesthetic. As luck would have it, on our last visit to Helsinki my husband and I were there on a Sunday which meant we got to attend church in one of the world’s most unusual chapels, Temppeliaukio Church (or “Rock Church”).
Declaration of Christmas Peace
Every nation has its own unique and special traditions. It brings an extra spice to the country and unites its people. One such tradition is the Declaration of Christmas Peace and is an integral part of the Christmas celebration in Turku, Finland. A tradition that dates back to roughly 1320.
First Aid for Ear Travel
“Do you hear what I hear?” That is a nice song lyric, but not what you want an airport doctor to ask you in what sounds like a muffled voice. However, I found myself answering that question with some trepidation as I learned I would be “grounded” in Sydney, Australia for an unspecified amount of time.