Heaven on Earth

Cebu 2007

2007-09-01T15:40:00.000-07:00

Toronto My Home Town

2007-08-07T07:22:00.000-07:00

Proud to be a Canadian, not only because Canada is known as multi culturism, but Canadians are the most friendly people in North America. You may or may not agree, but I've got stories to tell, stay tune and I'll convince you in a minute.

Germany a country conquers the past

2007-08-02T09:05:00.000-07:00

German train system is one of the best in Europe, get a pass for 4 day @ euro 160 / 5 day @ 180 / http://www.bahn.de/. Or surf some great deals @ www.easyjet.com, you'll be surprised how affordable the domestic flights are, or some even fly as far as to Eastern Europe & Portugal.

Suggested itinerary for 10-14 days:

-Frankfurt - Maine ( Rhine Valley & Wine tasting ) / Castle Road or Romantic Road by coach
- Heidelberg (Universitat / Philosophenweg / Alte Brucke )
- Munich (Olympiapark / Stadtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus / Glyptothek / Deutsches Museum / Hofbrauhaus )
- Fussen (Schloss Neuschwanstein / Alpsee )
- Nuernberg ( St. Lorenz-Kirche / Albrecht Durer / Schwurgerichtssaal 600 ) - Berlin ( Berliner Dom / Berlin Wall @ Charlie Check Point / Stiftung Denkmal Fur Die Ermordeten Juden Europas

Belize The Detour

2007-07-14T09:26:00.000-07:00

Don't fully count on the bus, the largest bus company called Novelo had suddenly gone, exactly on the date I arrived to Belize in January 2006. They still have some small companies providing the service, not sue if it's reliable. On the other hand, domestic flights are highly recommended. Those small engine airplanes are cool, 4-6 seat only, prices are cheap, always on time and most importantly they are very safe. Say your flight is 2:30pm, you'd need to arrive 20 mins earlier. No custom, no baggage check in, no hassles at all. You'll get on the plane at 2:25 then take off at 2:30 exactly. What is more, your bonus to have that panoramic view from the sky, it's stunning and a real treat. While a 3-hour road trip by taxi, likely you'll be charged US $200-300 (am not kidding), take a plane for US $50-80 then you'll be landed in anywhere less than 30 minutes, do the math. Two major domestic airlines are Maya Island Airways and Tropic Air, both are good.

www.mayaairways.com / www.tropicair.com

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10 Days Highlight Tour

Day 1~ Fly into the international airport near "Belize City", spend 1 night and no more than that. Check out the "Swing Bridge" and the "Fort George Lighthouse", stick in that area and go no further. For budget hotels:

www.greathousebelize.com / www.belizebiltmore.com

Day 2-5 ~ Take a ferry (the Marine Terminal is right next to the Swing Bridge) to the colorful town "San Pedro" (1.5 - 2 hr). Go further north there is "Ambergris Caye" or go down to south that's the less touristy "Caye Caulker". Simply paradise, the water is clear as crystal. If you're seasoned divers, you must visit the Blue Hole, a 12 foot deep cave which the entrance often attracts the fairy basslet, you'll see all the colorful fishes there, amazingly beautiful. It's a 20-minute boat ride from San Pedro. Too many choices of hotel, the one I stayed was called "Salamander Hideaway" at far north of the Ambergris Caye. Owner is a German who can cook and sing, 6-course home made dinner served every night.

www.salamanderbelize.com

Day 6-7 ~ From San Pedro Airstrip, take the airplane back to Belize City to the Municipal Airport instead (cos fares are much cheaper than international). From Municipal you should fly down to "Dangriga", the jungle area. Take a bus or taxi to the "Cayo district", check out the largest Mayan Ruins (in Belize) called "Caracol". Forget about the rest as they're much smaller. Recommend "Jaguar Paw" the jungle lodge located on 215 acres of the rain forest, there you can enjoy the tube caves and zip line, fun fun fun, must try. All 16 rooms are decorated in different themes, very interesting.

www.jaguarpaw.com

Day 8-9 ~ Heading to "San Ignacio" by bus or taxi, approximately 2-hour from the Cayo district. Stay in the "Lodge at Chaa Creek", a magnificent setting on 330 acres of rolling hills above the "Macal River ". A bit pricey from US $120-180/room. For budget traveler, there's the "Macal River Safari Camp" on the same site, offering small rooms on individual wooden platforms at US $55 only. Local meals are included.

www.chaacreek.com

Day 10 ~ Take a 2-hour bus back to Belize City then fly back to your home sweet home. By pass the capital "Belmopan", trust me, you have absolutely nothing to lose.

A Trip Without Me

2007-06-24T08:24:00.000-07:00

My cousin and his family recently had joined a Cruise trip to Europe. Brought back some nice shots and good memories......

Nick and his wife Connie

This Eiffel Tower is awesome, I doubted very much indeed it's a postcard he paid for.

That's all for now, hope they'll make another trip very soon.

Belfast The Happening City

2007-06-09T02:26:00.000-07:00

Belfast - the capital of Northern Ireland, meaning “The sandy ford at the river mouth” in Irish, is the largest city in Northern Ireland, and the second-largest on the island of Ireland after Dublin.

Since the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, the darkest moment of Belfast has long gone. Today’s Belfast can lead to places with surprise and delight such as exploring the handsome Victorian Heritage, the Titanic Quarter, the new Odyssey complex and the Waterfront Hall. As a big fan of C S Lewis, I’d hate myself missing the trail of the great writer, as this is his birthplace after all.

Dublin The Future Star

2007-06-01T13:52:00.000-07:00

During the 18th century, Dublin grew enormously in size and wealth that'd soon become the second city of the British Empire. However, this prosperity made Dublin an exciting city for the Protestant Ascendancy, members of the Anglo-Irish aristocracy who had denied basic civil rights to the native Roman Catholics. Hence the Act of Union between England and Ireland, abolished the Irish Parliament and drastically reduced Dublin's status. A long decline set in that only began to be reversed after Ireland became independent in 1922. The independence came about after the 1916 Rising and the subsequent War of Independence.

Dublin has an illustrious educational and cultural past. Founded in 1591, Trinity College has graduated authors Jonathan Swift, Oliver Goldsmith, and Oscar Wilde. Its library houses the 8th-century 'Book of Kells', the famous decorated gospel book made by Celtic Monks. Apart from its scholars, Dublin has become one of the well known cities in Europe and is recognised for its beauty, culture and friendliness.

Prague the Romantic City

2007-05-22T21:01:00.000-07:00

Although I'd encountered unpleasant experience in Prague, can't deny it's amazingly beautiful city that shouldn't be missed. Definitely on my top ten list, see it for yourself. My pictures are worth 1 billion words, so to speak :-)

England My Love

2007-05-15T17:01:00.000-07:00

For some reasons I am quite attached to England. My favorite writers are Agatha Christie & C S Lewis, favorite artists are William Turner & John Constable, favorite actor and actress are Liam Neeson & Audrey Hepburn & Gwyneth Paltrow, though my favorite soccer player was Diego Maradona. Not to mention I have fallen in love with a British last year, the romance died down quickly but sweet memories remain for the rest of my life.

Goodbye England, goodbye my love........

Oxford My Dream College

2007-05-11T21:38:00.000-07:00

Portugal A Country In Thrall To The Past

2007-05-06T19:52:00.000-07:00

Was so close to see it in 2003 when travelling to Spain but given it up at last. Glad that I'd made it in March 2007. As romantic as Paris, as artistic as Madrid, as elegant as Rome, Lisbon is just too beautiful to leave behind.

Angkor The Lost Empire

2007-04-27T16:51:00.000-07:00

Attitude

2007-04-23T21:07:00.000-07:00

What is travelling about?

It's all about attitude.

Take & Leave

2007-04-23T19:21:00.000-07:00

When travelling
Take nothing but photos
Leave nothing but footprints