Family trip to Italy, May 2008
We spent 2 weeks in Tuscany last year with our families. The left side of the picture is of our parents in Lucca. The right side is the town of Manarola, in the Cinque Terre. You can read more about it on my blog here.
Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.
Roman Ruins in Jerash, Jordan, Nov 2007
This picture was taken on our first day in Jordan. The tour bus took us to Jerash to see the Roman ruins. It took a while before it dawned on me just how expansive the site was - the scale is not immediately obvious, but it really is like walking around a city (minus a few walls and buildings).
There is a part of me that thinks it is somehow wrong to visit Roman ruins in a distant country like, say, Jordan. We visited places with ties to Romans (Jerash) and Christian crusaders (Kerak) and I couldn't help feeling that we were missing more historical 'Jordanian' places. But on the other hand, it goes to show how far the Roman empire reached. Perhaps I was just disoriented by seeing Jerash first, before Wadi Rum or Petra. And maybe the hilariously surreal bagpipe concert didn't help put it in context, either.
Regardless, Jerash was beautiful once I felt a bit more acclimatized and I'm glad I have pictures like this to bring back the memories.
Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.
Duomo floor in Milan, Italy
I took this picture of the Duomo floor in Milan during our girlie trip in 2006. I love the colors and patterns. If I ever learn how to quilt, I will refer back to this for inspiration someday. Couldn't you imagine this as a luxurious duvet cover?
Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.
Henna painting for H's mehndi
I went to Dubai for H's wedding in Oct 2007 and her sister painted our hands for the mehndi. It was so much fun to be part of the celebrations.
Click on the photo for a larger version on flickr.
Pyramids in Giza
These pictures are from our trip to Jordan and Egypt in November 2007. The pyramids at Giza were beautiful. The tourists and buses surrounding the pyramids detracted slightly from the atmosphere, but on the other hand, it was nice to see that people are still allowed to touch them. Apparently they really were built to last; despite the graffiti and vandalism, they are still standing strong.
Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.
S and I are coming to the close of a luxuriously long two-week vacation with my family in California. A few highlights...
Our ten mile walk from Mill Valley to Sausalito
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Flying Virgin America from San Francisco to Orange County
The dinosaurs near Palm Springs
LA's top tourist spots in one day:
The Getty Center
Venice Beach
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The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco
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Yosemite :: Half Dome
Yosemite Valley
Olmsted Point
"Hiiiiiiiii, Marmot!!!"
Devlins, Darlingtons, and Wagmonds
Lower Yosemite Falls
"You smell like butt"
On the Mist Trail to Vernal Fall
Mirror Lake
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Pixar's UP in 3D
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Silicon Valley
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Dinner at 1300 for Mom & Pop's 40th Anniversary
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Thursday Nightlife at the California Academy of Sciences
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Making friends with Hank
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Angel Island walk
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We have had a great time but there was some sad news. One week after we visited my grandfather, he quietly passed away. We will all miss you, Pete!
It has been a special treat to see so much of my extended family but I do have one confession: I'm looking forward to going back to our bed!
Caerphilly Castle, Wales
We spent a weekend in Wales with my parents in July 2006 and saw Caerphilly Castle. Read more about it here.
Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.
