Beautiful Brasov, Romania

Posted on June 26, 2016 by Travel Spirit

Arriving to Brasov, Romania via train in the afternoon after exploring the breathtaking Peles Castle, we checked into our Airbnb located conveniently in the Old Town, and walked to the Supermarket. With only 1 1/2 days to explore, we were anxious to get started.

The main square called Piata Sfatului, is full of life and beauty! The large dark brown building in the background is called the Black Church and is over 500 years old.

Children and birds are wonderful subjects to photograph!

The fountain at the square seems somewhat modern, but contrasts nicely with the historical architecture surrounding it.

I felt like I was dropped in a photographer’s paradise!

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Train to Peles Castle in Romania

Posted on June 25, 2016 by Travel Spirit

The train from Bucharest to Peles Castle takes only 1 1/2 hours and what awaits you is simply magical! I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “pictures don’t do it justice”, and in this case that is so true! Researching the logistics of stopping to see Peles Castle on our train ride from Bucharest to our next Airbnb in Brasov, Romania, I discovered you could “supposedly” leave your luggage at the train station for a small fee. Well, that’s not the case anymore. Fortunately, a restaurant agreed to keep our luggage for a few hours while we explored the Castle. We took a taxi that should have cost about 10 lei (but was 20 lei = $5) three miles to the castle located in the Carpathian Mountains.

Peles Castle (it’s actually more like a palace) is splendid! I think someone came up with that word to describe it! Wandering from room to room, I felt the excitement rising, wondering what delightful things we were going to see next.

Here are some interesting facts gathered from Wikipedia:

The collection of arms and armor has over 4,000 pieces, spreading over four centuries of history

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Bicycle Riding in Bucharest

Posted on June 24, 2016 by Travel Spirit

I’m on a bus from Tallinn, Estonia to Riga, Latvia and have wifi…yeah! Anyway, thought I’d continue on with my epic adventure through Eastern Europe. For our second and final day in Bucharest I had planned to visit Tineretului Park, which was located about three miles from our Airbnb. Upon arrival, we rented bicycles and discovered some beautiful features at the park…a lovely blue fountain to go with the blue sky…

A large clear green pond surrounded by a walking/biking path…

that’s me…

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Free Walking Tour of Bucharest

Posted on June 20, 2016 by Travel Spirit

Walkabout Free Tour offers an informative and interesting free walking tour of some of the highlights of Bucharest, Romania. After leaving Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria on a bus at 11:00am, transferring to another bus in Ruse, Bulgaria and arriving in Bucharest at 2:30pm, Jing and I took a 2 mile taxi ride to our Airbnb, where we hefted our luggage up to the fourth floor, which meant eight flights of steps! I am determined to pack lighter for the next trip. We settled in and walked a mile to meet up with the two hour walking tour.

Some of the highlights they cover are the lovely Stavropoleos Convent…

The ruins of Vlad’s Citadel…

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Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

Posted on June 17, 2016 by Travel Spirit

Located three hours by bus from Sofia and perched above the Yantra River, Veliko Tarnovo offers visitors narrow cobble stone streets lined with stone houses and amazing views!

Dating from the third millennium B.C., Veliko Tarnovo is seeped in history and was the former capital of Bulgaria before Sofia.

I reserved a room for one evening at the charming Gurko Hotel situated in Old Town with a view of the lovely homes overlooking the river.

The Samovokska Charshiya area is within walking distance from the hotel and the streets are lined with cafes and traditional craftsmen such as wood sculptors, potters, iron smiths, and carpet weavers.

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Day trip from Sofia, Bulgaria to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church

Posted on June 16, 2016 by Travel Spirit

With over a million visitors annually, once you visit the magnificent Rila Monastery you’ll see why people flock to it! Located two hours drive from Sofia, it’s a “must do” for any trip to Bulgaria. The original structures date back to the 10th Century, but due to fire and war, certain sections have been rebuilt in the 15th and 19th centuries.

The Monastery has been a spiritual and cultural center for Bulgaria throughout the years.

The colors are bold and the frescoes are quite lovely…

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Day trip from Sofia, Bulgaria to Plovdiv

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Travel Spirit

The picturesque city of Plovdiv, is a wonderful day trip from Sofia, Bulgaria! Ranked as one of the world’s oldest cities and located just two hours away by bus, you’ll find cobbled streets, art galleries, and beautiful architecture! You’ll have difficulty trying to book transport ahead of time though. I went to the Central bus station in Sofia at 7:00am and purchased one way tickets for myself and my tour participant, leaving at 8:00am. The women working behind the counters at the bus stations are not friendly and at times are rude, but I’m sure it becomes tiresome having to deal with foreigners that don’t speak their language.

We joined a free two hour walking tour upon arrival through Free Plovdiv Tour that supplied us with some of the amazing history of Plovdiv and Bulgaria. While making our way from the bus station in Plovdiv to the meeting point in front of City Hall I snapped a few photos.

The man in the above photo reminds me of a grumpy “Joker” and didn’t appreciate me sneaking a photo in.

This fountain is really cool!

Their pedestrian only walkway is quite lovely…

I always take photos of fountains!

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Sofia, Bulgaria in 2016

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Travel Spirit

I’m writing to you from my European Odyssey through eight European countries and wanted to share my adventures while on the road! Acting as a Tour Director through my site “Travel Spirit Meetup” I have one lady (Jing), whom I now consider a friend, that is with me for the entire 33 day adventure. A gentleman will join us for six of the eight countries beginning in Finland.

We arrived in Sofia, Bulgaria in the afternoon on June 4th and took a taxi from the airport to our centrally located and very stylish two bedroom Airbnb. I love to stay in Airbnbs because they’re typically less expensive than hotels and you’re able live like a local, picking up breakfast items and food that can be prepared quickly from the local supermarket.

This was our view from the living room…

We settled in, stopped at the supermarket, and walked a mile to join a free 2-hr. walking tour of Sofia through Free Sofia Tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic and in addition to showing us the highlights of Sofia, she spoke of the changes in Sofia since the fall of Communism in 1989.

A few of the highlights were the majestic Alexander Nevsky Cathedral…

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Travel Memories transformed into Photo Paintings

Posted on June 2, 2016 by Travel Spirit

One of the many things I love about travel photography is that when I look at a photo from a trip it brings back that exact moment to me in perfect clarity, the excitement of seeing something new and beautiful…aromas wafting through the air…the breeze caressing my skin…foreign sounds creating curiosity! Here are some of my travel memories edited with software that take me back to that moment…

Halong Bay, Vietnam – 2009

The view from a boat I spent the night on, very much like the one I captured here…

Vieng Vang, Laos – 2009

Petra, Jordan – 2009

Reaching “The Treasury” in Petra, Jordan while hiking…

A young girl begging while hiking for two days in the incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra…

Peru – 2009

Spending three weeks exploring Peru, this little girl and her baby Llama…

Reaching Machu Picchu, Peru, after 3 1/2 days of hiking at high elevation…

Cairo, Egypt – 2009

An old man at the Pyramids in Egypt pointing “the way”…

A chaotic, but every day life scene from Cairo…

Africa – 2012

A beautiful village woman in Zambia, Africa while on a 35-day Overland Truck Adventure through six countries…

Men from the Masai Mara tribe in Africa…

Path to the Baobab tree in Africa…

Fethiye, Turkey – 2015

Istanbul, Turkey – 2015

Antigua, Guatemala – 2016

Love the bright colors!

Near San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua – 2016

Horseback riding…

Roatan Island, Honduras – 2007

Our world is amazing and I’m leaving tomorrow to explore eight more countries in Eastern Europe…I’m so excited!

Last Day on Grand Cayman

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Travel Spirit

Our week on Grand Cayman Island couldn’t have been better! In addition to the typical beach activities of relaxing by the pool and walking along the beach, we attempted Stand Up Paddle boarding, went sailing on a catamaran to Stingray City (definitely a highlight), visited the lush Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, listened to live music at Camana Bay, dined out at numerous restaurants including Sunshine Grill, Da Fish Shack, Agave Grill, attended a wild game themed dinner with our friends at their friends’ house, and had a tour of the island by our friends! For our last day on Grand Cayman, our friends took us to The National Gallery of Grand Cayman to see the outdoor sculptures and back to Camana Bay to the observation deck (which was closed on our previous visit).

This gazing ball at The National Gallery of Grand Cayman reflects the beautiful sky and me…

We also took a swim at the pool and I ran for my camera when this bright green Iguana made an appearance!

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Learning Stand Up Paddle board

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Travel Spirit

Learning to Stand Up Paddle Board can be challenging, especially if you’re using an inflatable board and you’re in the ocean with rocking waves! Our friend Deanna is an avid Stand Up Paddle Boarder and gave us a few pointers before we hopped on. Her boyfriend Wayne (also our friend/like family) took photos and movies of our session and I couldn’t help but post the funniest one of my husband about ready to fall forward…

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Because he’s taller (6’4″) and heavier than I am, he had more difficulty standing up.

We were a bit worried about falling onto the sharp coral in shallow areas. Here’s hubby falling…

My feet are in position as far apart as possible as instructed by Deanna…

For my first attempt, I was very pleased to have gotten up a few times and paddled!

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Staying young is an attitude! Keep trying new things and life is always an adventure! I read something recently that resonated, “To have joy in your life, view everything as if it’s the first time you’re seeing it or the last time”.

Camana Bay on Grand Cayman

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Travel Spirit

Camana Bay on Grand Cayman offers shopping, dining, and lively entertainment. My friend who lives on the island had plans to attend a film premiere which was part of the Poinciana Festival, so we took the opportunity to wander around the area. I was pleasantly surprised to see this cute palm tree filled mini island.

Colorful smooth discs situated in front of the cinema are fun for children to climb on. We noticed masses of long curly dreadlocks of green hanging from a tree.

Our friends remarked how uncrowded the area was, probably due to the overcast skies and earlier storm.

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Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park at Grand Cayman

Posted on January 30, 2016 by Travel Spirit

Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park in Grand Cayman is a photographer’s paradise! Strolling along its meandering paths you’ll discover beautiful Cayman Blue-throated Anoles…

a tranquil pond filled with flowering water lilies…

a baby blue wooden bridge…

brightly colored potted flowers beneath vibrant wooden trellises…

Winding paths bordered with exotic plants…

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Stingray City!

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Travel Spirit

The best time to visit Stingray City at Grand Cayman Island is in the early morning, before the cruise ship crowds arrive and before the Stingrays have been hand fed from everyone later in the day! We chose Red Sail Sports to boat out to the area that’s called Stingray City. Although the catamaran could hold 70, there were only 12 people on board so we were free to spread out and relax. Leaving at 7:30am, the sun was low in the sky…

Upon arrival at 8:30am, my husband and I were the first off the boat. There were only two other small boats there before us. We were instructed to get low in the water and reach our arms out wide to embrace these amazing sea creatures…

I was so excited to have this experience and enjoyed feeling their smooth undersides. The underlying sense of danger made me feel alive!

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Escaping the Cold at Grand Cayman

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Travel Spirit

Grand Cayman Island is a warm and lovely place to escape the cold! My husband and I have friends that live there (“friends in all the right places”) and are visiting them for the week. They took us for a tour of the island on Monday. Although it’s quite small, 20 miles long x 4 miles wide, it takes a while to travel from spot to spot. My husband was a bit unnerved with driving on the “wrong” side of the road. Our friends both work, so we’ve spent time at the dazzling blue beach in front of their condo and the sparkling clear pool during their absence.

We took a six-mile hike along seven mile beach and saw a variety of birds…