The World Through Our Lens
After a hearty breakfast on this, our second-to-last day in London, England, Bob, our son, and I hopped aboard a double-decker bus to catch a ride over to Camden Town, a thriving tourist area made up of markets. What we did not realize was that many are set up in the catacombs around Regent’s Canal. We were soon wowed by the canals and catacombs in Camden Town! Read more
On our second day in Seoul, South Korea, we found ourselves with a thick fog hanging over the city. Weather aside, it was time to take a walk and visit a couple of the key historic sites of the city. Read more
Moving further into England’s Lake District after hiking up Wansfell Pike put Bob and me at the heart of Lake District National Park. Our family savoured a delightful lunch on the patio of our next lodgings with gourmet terrines, fruit, cheese and pastries that we bought from a deli shop in Ambleside. Duly nourished, we walked down to the harbour-side pavilions at Bowness Pier, and what a sight that was to behold. The rich nautical nostalgia in Bowness-on-Windermere really struck a chord with Bob and me. Read more
Unique creations in Murano glass are a common sight in every shop around Venice, Italy. On our first full day in that city, Bob and I were given the opportunity to observe how this handmade glass is made using ancient techniques and recipes. Read more
One of my hopes on our trip to France was to spend a night in a “real” castle like Chateau de la Bourdaisiere. By happenstance we learned about this castle when we came upon a little tourist information booth along a country road in the Loire Valley. It happened to be staffed by an English-speaking young woman. Read more
After spending a few days exploring the streets and life of downtown Paris, Bob and I were anxious to leave the hubbub of the city behind. The Palace of Versailles was our next destination and is actually located in a suburb of Paris. It is a massive complex…800 hectares of gardens, buildings, water fountains and even a man-made lake called the Grand Canal. For both Bob and me, it was a given that we would visit the Palace of Versailles considering its history and what happened there before and during the French Revolution. Read more
Bob and I began our second day in Paris, France, with a visit to the Roman Catholic church La Madeleine located at the very top of rue Royale. With its massive Corinthian columns, La Madeleine Church occupies a commanding position at the end of the street, and I remember being awed when I first caught sight of it. This church has a very interesting history. Read more
Bright sunshine greeted us when Bob and I awoke in Arequipa, Peru at 6:30 a.m. It is amazing how a little sunlight can change the face of a place. When we emerged from our hotel with a city map in hand, the cobbled streets and high walls seemed less daunting than when we arrived in the dark the night before. Read more