Around the World

Peru: Machu Picchu

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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

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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.

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: The Sacred Valley

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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

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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

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IMG_6625Koh 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.  

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: A Glimpse of Cusco

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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 →

Cheap Flight Alert: Toronto to Kilimanjaro

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I just saw that KLM is having an airfare sale from Toronto, Canada to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania for $1,000 per person, round trip including taxes.  If you are not from Toronto like me, you can probably find a cheap and flight your overall cost will still be lower than a regular priced ticket.  Climbing Kilimanjaro has not always been on my bucket list because 20,000 feet above sea level seems very intimidating.  Now, fresh off my success with the Inca Trek, I feel like I can conquer the highest peak in Africa as well.  Continue reading →

Photo of the Week: Spices

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Istanbul (818)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.

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.

Eating in Lima

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I love to eat. 

Aside from traveling, my other passion is food. I am a curious eater, which means I tend to go for the strange food people shy away from.  My philosophy is: you have to try it before you can completely write it off, and most of the time the weird wacky food ends up being the highlight of my trip. Usually when we travel, I always want to try as much new and local cuisine as I can.  Since I only have one stomach, sometimes the result is comical. My mom always says that my eyes are bigger than my stomach, but what’s a girl to do when there is so much good food around?

I knew the food was going to be amazing in Peru. After all, it is where ceviche is thought to have originated! There are so many things I wanted to try, but also knowing that we only had a day in Lima, I tried to be selective. Here are the highlights of all the food we ate while in Lima.

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Honesty Rates

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je t’aime

If you are going to Paris this summer, there might be a way for you to score a reasonably priced hotel room.  I just read an article on CNN about a program called payez ce que vous voulez  or pay what you will  that’s being  promoted at several hotels in Paris from July 21 to August 10.  This is the first time I’ve heard of the notion of “honesty rates”.  It’s a novel idea, letting the guests decide on the fair rate they would like pay for a night stay in the hotel.  I know from past experience that hotels in Paris can be very expensive, so the opportunity to decide on what you want to pay in the peak summer season seems too good to be true. Continue reading →