Photo of the Week: Foggy Cliff

August 25, 2014May 10, 2015 / lifeafter9to5 / 1 Comment

Cliff of Moher, Ireland

This photo was taken at the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. After watching this spectacular site featured in many movies, we were excited to finally make it to the Emerald Isle in the summer of 2013 to see it for ourselves. This Irish natural wonder is where coastline rises high above the Atlantic ocean. If you are not scared of heights, you can walk along the cliff side all the way to the edge, staring down into the abyss. This magnificent vista is one of the most popular tourist locations in Western Ireland.

Every Monday of each week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home. Most of my photos have little or no post processing. If you would like to see more, please click the ‘Follow’ button.

Peru: Machu Picchu

August 19, 2014October 27, 2014 / lifeafter9to5 / 6 Comments

Getting ready for the Inca trek

Finally, after all the preparation and anticipation, we made it to the day of the trek. Starting off from Ollantaytambo, we packed our bags, said goodbye to civilization and got on the bus taking us to the km marker 82, the official start of our Inca trail. As we wound our way along the Urubamba river, the bus driver was blasting music, pumping us up for the adventure ahead. Sitting at the back of the bus, staring out at the Andes mountains I contemplated if I really wanted to go through with it and if there was time to turn back when I heard the lyric “everything that kills me makes me feel alive”. I think that’s a sign.

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Photo of the Week: Mosaic

August 18, 2014May 10, 2015 / lifeafter9to5 / Leave a comment

Volubilis, Morocco

This photo was taken at Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Morocco. This ancient Roman city is located a short distance from the bustling city of Fes. Scattered throughout the ruins you will find many well preserved mosaics. This particular mosaic depicts the goddess Diana bathing with her attendants. Growing up I was fascinated with Greek/Roman mythology, so having the opportunity to see the myths come alive in these colorful mosaics was priceless.

Peru: The Sacred Valley

August 14, 2014October 27, 2014 / lifeafter9to5 / 3 Comments

On the first day of our tour, we visited the valleys of the Andes. This fertile land of the Incas stretches between Cusco all the way to Machu Picchu and is filled with many archaeological sites in between.

Our first stop of the day was at the statue of Cristo Blanco (White Christ) standing tall on the hillside, overlooking the city of Cusco. From this vantage point, you can view the entire expanse of the city. The locals believe that the city was built in the shape of a puma, a sacred animal for the Incas. If you squint your eyes (and have an active imagination) you can actually see the shape of the animal forming with the Plaza de Armas being the heart and the hills where we stood being the head. Adjacent to the statue is the archaeological site called Saqsaywaman (pronounced sexay-woman) a name that means satisfied falcon. Continue reading →

My New York: Summer Streets

August 12, 2014October 27, 2014 / lifeafter9to5 / Leave a comment

Everyone came out for Summer Streets

I need to take a break from writing about Peru, so it’s time for another New York post. There are many positives and negatives about living in the city. On one hand, the summer can be unbearable with the oppressive heat. On the other hand, there are plenty of free summer activities to choose from, ranging from free movies by the waterfront to free concerts in the park. When we are around on the weekend, we try to make the most of it. Continue reading →

Photo of the Week: Beach Day

August 11, 2014May 10, 2015 / lifeafter9to5 / Leave a comment

Koh Khai, Thailand

It’s really hot here in New York, which makes me wish I was at the beach. So today’s picture of the week will hopefully transport me and you to the beautiful Koh Khai island, Thailand. This tiny piece of paradise is where the blue sky meets the soft sand and crystal clear water. In fact, the water was so transparent, you can see the school of fish mingling with people that wade in the water. On the beach, colorful umbrellas and chairs were set up for tourists to visit for the day.

Peru: A Glimpse of Cusco

August 9, 2014October 27, 2014 / lifeafter9to5 / 5 Comments

Flying over the Andes mountains on the way to Cusco

Cusco is about an hour flight from Lima, but it feels like a completely different world. This historical capital of the Inca Empire is nestled in the valley of the Andes mountains. Flying in, your first glimpse of the city are the red terracotta rooftops. Since this is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, most of its buildings and plazas date back hundreds of years, there are no high-rises here. Continue reading →

Photo of the Week: Spices

August 4, 2014May 10, 2015 / lifeafter9to5 / 1 Comment

Istanbul, Turkey

This picture was taken during our stroll through the spice bazaar in Istanbul. The bustling marketplace was filled with a multitude of stalls selling spices, teas, and a variety of dried goods. As you wander around the ancient corridors, you are taken in by the rich colors of the spices, originating from all over the world. It is easy to see why Istanbul was once the center of the spice trade.

Photo of the Week: Sunset

July 28, 2014May 10, 2015 / lifeafter9to5 / Leave a comment

Coco Plum, Belize

This photo was taken a few years ago on a tiny island paradise called Coco Plum in Belize. It is a private island about 20 minutes off of the coast of Dangriga. The place is surrounded by pristine ocean with lots of wild sea life. It is also a short boat ride away from many great diving sites in Belize. This picture captured the setting sun in the crook of the lounge chair where we spent countless hours that week.