Around the world in 100 words…Santiago

You know you are in an amazing city, Santiago, when on you first night in the city, in a hip hotel’s rooftop bar, W, a complimentary dessert decorated with the word Bienvenidos (Welcome) is sent over. Wine store El Mundo del Vino is conveniently located in the foyer of the W hotel. With a choice of over 6000 wines, it made shopping for excellent Chilean wines very straightforward. Barrio Bellavista, with its brightly coloured streets, and wide-ranging choice of restaurants, cafes, bars, and clubs bustles both day and night. Great sushi plus a great vibe equals Etniko Restaurant in Bellavista.

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Around the world in 100 words…Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is the true definition of a sprawling metropolis was my first thought as I caught sight of the towering depiction of Eva Peron over its widest avenue en-route to my hotel. Loft & Arte Apart Boutique was an ideal choice; it was within walking distance of two of the city’s iconic buildings, La Casa Rosa and Palacio del Congreso. Caminito was a delight to the senses; a key street in the La Boca area, it is renowned for its eclectic style, brightly coloured buildings, and its association with Tango. Like steak? Go to La Cabrera, reservation is recommended

Around the world in a 100 words…Paris

Operation see Paris like a rock star was ceremoniously launched at a luxurious hamman (spa), Les Bains Montorgueil, situated on the hip rue Montorgueil. Fine dining naturally had a starring role, and lunch at Le Jules Verne, Eiffel Tower, second floor, was a sensory trip to gastronomy Ville. Key collections in Musee d’Orsay and the Louvre, situated on the left and right banks of the Seine respectively, further delighted the senses, leaving me breathless. Post a disco nap at Grand Hotel Dechampaigne, centrally and thus ideally located, dawn broke with drinks and lounge music at the uber cool Hotel Costes.

My Life…

Like the Golden Gate Bridge? Please vote for my article in the Stylist Magazine. To vote, open link below, click on the picture of the Golden Gate Bridge (which I took), select vote, close pic, and then register your name & email. Please vote b/4 5pm (UK time) Tues Jan 10. 

http://www.stylist.co.uk/places/your-travel-reviews#item-12

I took part in a competition organised by The Stylist magazine to submit a 100 word city travel review. I submitted one on San Francisco which was shortlisted. See Item 12 on San Francisco, look for the pic of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Please, please can you vote and circulate the link above to your friends. Thanks!

Weekly Photo Challenge: Winter

I travelled to Washington DC for President Obama’s Inauguration; I was one of the thousands of people who turned up on the National Mall to witness (well, experience) history being made. Obama’s Inauguration was on Tuesday 20 January 2009, and it was probably the coldest winter’s day that I have ever experienced. The wind chill cannot be described; my blood soon stopped flowing to my toes and fingers as it tried to protect key organs. Nevertheless, it was a great day and I am glad to have a story to tell. 

This picture is of the US Capitol building and is the meeting place of the United States Congress, the legislature of the federal government of the United States. I took this picture en-route to Union Station, immediately after the Inauguration, where I was heading to catch a train to Alexandria, Virginia, my base; you will notice that the reflecting pool is frozen solid. Yesterday, Tuesday 3 January 2012, were the Iowa Caucuses, the first major event linked to the nomination process of the President of the United States. I can’t help but think how quickly time has passed and also speculate on Obama’s chances of being a two term President.

Please, please vote and circulate the link below to your friends…

 

Over the Xmas break, I took part in a competition organised by The Stylist magazine to submit a 100 word travel review against various categories. I submitted about 10 on various cities that I have been to and one of my articles was shortlisted – so excited (& proud)!!!!  See Item 12 on San Francisco  – look for the picture of the Golden Gate Bridge!

 

http://www.stylist.co.uk/places/your-travel-reviews#item-12

 

 Your vote would be much appreciated – thanks so much in advance!

 

Judi

Weekly Photo Challenge: Breakfast

A whistle stop to Chile included not only a visit to Santiago, but also to the coastal cities of Valparaiso and ConCon.

When I was in Valparaiso, I was encouraged by one of the locals, who saw me looking at fridge magnets, to buy one which said “NO HAY PAN” (no fresh bread); he said that it was a very popular saying in Chile.

The scrambled eggs were not too far behind (beach house, ConCon)

I later found out that it is a cultural thing; in Chile, they love fresh bread, just out of the oven, warm and crusty. As a result, bread is baked several times a day in small amounts. Therefore, when you see “HAY PAN” you know that fresh, warm, crusty bread is available, as testified by the blackboard in the picture below (taken in ConCon).

Weekly Photo Challenge: Wonder

In March 2010, I visited the Musee du Louvre with the principal intention of seeing the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci, arguably the most famous portrait in the world today. However, what took my breath away were these series of anthropomorphic portraits by Giuseppe Arcimboldo.

Born in Milan, Giuseppe Arcimboldo was a 16th century Italian painter who is best known for creating imaginative portraits heads composed of vegetables, fruits, books, flowers and fish.

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These series of portraits are named after the four seasons, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter;  they follow in that order in the slideshow above, after the self portrait of the painter.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Comfort

Comfort…I had the hardest time deciding what would be an appropriate photo for this week’s challenge. Just when I thought all was lost, I had a eureka moment, comfort equals my bed.

Comfort in the AM...and the PM.

For a long time, after I moved into my house, which in the buying phase I foresaw as a space essential for peaceful existence, a room of one’s own to write, as opposed to the reality of non stop house work, bills, bills and more bills and a level of responsibility that I could have done without, I slept on a mattress on the floor of my bedroom.  I soon learnt that decorating a house is a life long project which competed with everything, holidays, shopping, eating out, everything!

Eventually the time came when I thought having a bed was an essential commodity – required for my field of dreams. After much ado, looking through interior magazines for inspiration, visiting showrooms, I finally found what I was looking for and purchased the king size bed shown. My version of laying out the red carpet to receive this very important companion was to repaint the green walls in a calming stone colour. It required at least 6 coats; note to others, to shorten the process of painting a light colour over a dark colour, first paint over the dark colour with white.

I love my bed; I can’t wait to get into it and hate to get out of it. Nestled amongst the art on the walls and other furnishings, it is my pride and joy.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Sunset

These pictures were taken on Pantai Cenang beach, Langkawi, on the twilight of my last night. Langkawi, which in colloquial Malay means reddish brown eagle, is probably the best known and most popular island destination in Malaysia.

It was breathtaking watching the sky go from shades of pinks and blues, to yellows, oranges and reds.

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