Ayasofya & Chora

Known in Greek as Hagia Sophia and in English as St. Sophia, the Ayasofya in Istanbul was designed to surpass the grandeur of any other monument to God. Built in A.D. 537 as the greatest church in Christendom and symbol of the Byzantium, Ayasofya was converted into a mosque in 1453 during the Conquest, where adjustments were made that included covering of the frescoes and mosaics and the addition of minarets. In 1935, Ayasofya was turned into a museum. Definitely worth a short drive outside of the city centre of Istanbul is the St. Savior in Chora. The original church in this site…

MCASD

April 27, 2014April 25, 2014 Categories: Art · California · Carlsbad · San Diego · USATags: Art · Art Museum · California · La Jolla · MCASD · Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego was founded in 1941 and has a collection of more than 4,000 works created after 1950 in its location in La Jolla, California and it’s second location in downtown San Diego. The MCASD reflects an artistic program that encourages promising emerging artists and recognizes mid-career artists whose works need more visibility.

Walk on the Beach

April 25, 2014 Categories: California · Carlsbad · Food · San Diego · USATags: Beach · California · Carlsbad · Rakiraki · Ramen · San Diego4 Comments

I am back in Carlsbad, California for the Easter holidays. There was no marine layer this morning which made it a gorgeous sunny morning (at 19C degrees) for a walk on Tamarack Beach. Making it into Zagat’s “8 Hottest Restaurants in San Diego” for 2013, Rakiraki is a ramen house in the Convoy area that is attracting a lot of attention — especially for its ramen burger (think ramen instead of buns)!

Semana Santa

April 16, 2014April 15, 2014 Categories: Alicante · SpainTags: Alicante · Costa Blanca · Holy Week · Semana Santa · Spain

As Christians around the world observe Semana Santa or Holy Week, it brings back memories when I was in Alicante a few years back. Alicante is a port and seaside city located in Spain‘s Mediterranean Costa Blanca. The city holds an elaborate Holy Week procession, which is a tradition that dates back to the medieval times. Lifelike wooden and plaster sculptures are carried through the streets by penitents dressed in robes with caps and hoods, accompanied by elegant female mourners dressed in black with lace veils. Hundreds of people line the narrow streets in the historical centre of Alicante, with the scent of fresh flowers and…

Buffalo

April 9, 2014 Categories: New York · Travel · USATags: Buffalo · New York · Niagara Falls2 Comments

I have to confess that I have never been to Buffalo, New York despite it being only a two-hour drive across the border. So on a lazy but sunny Sunday, I joined friends who were raving about Dinosaur Bar-B-Que in the Theatre District of Buffalo. After we stuffed ourselves, we went for a leisurely walk in the Niagara Falls State Park to see how the “other side” sees the famous falls. Without bias, the view from the Canadian side is infinitely better! What I found more interesting are the few signs I spotted across town. Signs that might alarm the skittish — yet others might find humour…

Lounging Around

April 4, 2014April 4, 2014 Categories: Bogota · Manila · Siem Reap · Singapore · Toronto · Travel · XiamenTags: Airline Lounges · Travel

Not all airline lounges are created equal. Most provide the basic of offering comfortable seating, flat screen television, free wifi and snacks. While a few airline lounges are unfortunately — for lack of a better term — lame, some however have taken the extra step of creating well thought out spaces by ingenious interior designers to indulge their premium flyers. These appealing lounges come complete with full bars (including sake bars!), made-to-order noodle stations in Asia (more than your cold sandwiches and peanuts) and private shower rooms with well-stocked toiletries. The competition for in-flight comfort and amenities has definitely expanded to the ground!

Arkoun!

March 26, 2014May 15, 2014 Categories: Accommodations · Cambodia · Siem Reap · TravelTags: Angkor · Angkor Wat Services · Cambodia · Shinta Mani · SIem Reap · Travel

“Thank you!” in Khmer. After visiting a dozen temples in and around Angkor under close to 40C degree heat — I say goodbye and thank you to Cambodia! The temples are simply impressive, breathtaking and should be in every traveller’s list of must-see. The people are very friendly and helpful. There are many tourists in Siem Reap and Angkor and it is apparent that every effort is being made to cater to them. Costs are relatively reasonable, probably with the exception of hotel accommodations – but there is a variety of standards to choose from. The U.S. dollar is the currency being quoted and accepted by…

More Angkor Temples

March 21, 2014May 15, 2014 Categories: Cambodia · Siem Reap · TravelTags: Angkor · Banteay Kdei · Banteay Samre · Cambodia · Prasat Kravan · Pre Rup · SIem Reap · Temples · Travel

Here are the last four temples I visited in Angkor. Surprisingly, I haven’t felt “templed-out“. Each one does have its own distinct architecture, style and personality. Prasat Kravan was built in 921 for Hindu worship. Uninspiring from the outside, the brick carvings concealed within its towers are the hidden treasures. Prasat Kravan was partially restored in 1968. From the latter part of the 12th century, Banteay Kdei is a massive Buddhist monastery. Pre Rup means “Turning the Body” and refers to a traditional method of cremation. It is believed that this temple served as a royal crematorium. It consists of…

Preah Khan + Temples of Rolous

March 18, 2014May 15, 2014 Categories: Cambodia · Siem Reap · TravelTags: Angkor · Bakong · Cambodia · Lolei · Preah Khan · Preah Ko · Rolous · SIem Reap · Temples · Travel

Angkor boasts some of the largest religious monuments ever built as it is known as the “City of God-Kings“. Many of these temples and monuments are under conservation and restoration funded by international organizations that include UNESCO, France, Germany, Japan and the U.S.. Preah Khan or “Sacred Sword ” is one of the largest complexes and is a maze of vaulted corridors, fine carvings and stonework. It served as the temporary residence of the King while Angkor Thom was under construction. The Temples of Rolous (namely Lolei, Bakong , and Preah Ko) are among the earliest temple complexes built in the…

Ta Phrom & Banteay Srei

March 16, 2014May 15, 2014 Categories: Cambodia · Siem Reap · TravelTags: Angkor · Banteay Srei · Cambodia · SIem Reap · Ta Prohm · Temples · Travel2 Comments

Two of my favourite temples in Angkor are Ta Prohm and Banteay Srei. Ta Prohm is a classic example of the power of nature and the jungle. Built in 1186 and originally known as the Monastery of the King, Ta Prohm was a Buddhist temple dedicated to the mother of the King. Ultimately, its crumbling walls and towers ended up locked in with the vast root systems of trees. Indiana Jones meets Lara Croft — as scenes from the Tomb Raider movie was filmed here. Considered the jewel in the crown of Angkorian art, Banteay Srei is made from pinkish…