Never Leave Vienna Without a Kiss - Gustav Klimt

Vienna, Austria surprised me! Everything in it is classy from the alluring bundle of elegant people, the urban architecture and mosiacs and the delish foods. It's artistic and intellectual legacy was shaped by residents including Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Fred.

What other way to enjoy this scenic place is non other than to stroll around like locals do! Trams, bus and trains - I did it all! Travelling and getting lost is part of the experience and I loved it! It makes the whole adventure worthwhile and thus gives it the exciting thrill.

Best way to see all tourist attractions 

Now, the best way and most convenient way to explore all tourist attractions is better way through the Hop On-Hop Off or the Vienna Sightseeing Bus Tours that operates around the city with their friendly and very helpful staffs in every city corner. The bus has this headset with all language available, so all of us can comprehend all the information just as exactly what we needed. 

First stop - UNESCO World's Heritage, Belvedere Palace! The front part of the palace has a beautiful pond with 201 lotus flowers each composed of 5 life vests that forms a calligraphic F. created especially for the Belvedere Pond. This work is based on Ai Weiwei intense engagement with the plight of refugees. The life vests draw attention to the uncertain fate of the refugees who wore them, the lotus flower symbolizes purity and longevity and the F is a re-ocurring and provocative motif in Ai's oeurve.

Belvedere Palace with 201 Lotus in the pond

The palace has a magnificent garden which tourist cannot ignore to take millions of shots with. The landscapes were marvelously done and are highly maintained.

The palace is very elegant with all the artistic contributions of artist from different parts of the world. 

Belvedere Palace Garden

Schonbrunn Palace view from the entrance gate

Another scenic stop is Schonbrunn Palace. 

The former summer imperial residence. 

We weren't so lucky because we didn't 

have the chance to get in the palace due

 to time shortage but heard inside was 

heavenly designed and preserved. 

St. Stephen's Cathedral

Next stop is the magical Stephansplatz. One of the busiest square in the city, where old and new architecture are combined harmoniously. The square is named after the building Stephansdom, city's cathedral which is one of the tallest churches in the world. The area has a vast options for shopping and dining. 

Next stop is Vienna's Naschmarkt! Vast options for famous food stalls local and multi-cultural ethnic foods, souvenirs, kitchen needs, wine, fresh fruits and vegetables and worldwide spices are displayed for your convenience.       

varieties of candies                                                                            

     

                                                                                            A taste of Vienna's sausage

And of course, I wouldn't miss for the world the ever famous Hundertwasserhaus.  The beautiful apartment house that seriously drawn every passers attention. The apartment was built after the idea and concept of Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser with architect Joseph Krawina as a co-author. The house bears the unmistakeable hand of the artist whose pen-name was Friedrich Stowasser. Anyone who lives in this apartment has the right to decorate the facade  around the windows entirely to their own taste.

The apartment also have a cafe where locals and tourist enjoy. Across the beautiful house is a souvenir shop that obviously is famous for tourist to grab something to remember by.

The city is best explored with the local transportation as I should say based on experience. Took a public bus from Bratislava, Slovakia towards Vienna, Austria traveled almost 4 hours but it ain't boring because of the beautiful views outside the windowpane. If you get lost, ask people for directions. Viennese are German speaking and not all speak English but if you get lucky to find one please do. Bring map with you and show them exactly where you want to go they would be glad to help you. 

Vienna is one amazing destination. Sundays the streets are empty, grocery shops and stores are close. Every night shops are close at 7pm some at 9pm so be sure you grab your essentials the earliest possible time you can. 

Just like what the famous artist Gustav Klimt quoted.... Never Leave Vienna Without a Kiss, I soulfully didn't left Vienna without this bag. 

Birthday Travel

Sneak Peak.... Bratislava!

A birthday travel.... my first entry to this part of the globe. I know this would be another awesome travel adventure.😉 So let's begin!

I remember upon arrival, the weather was a bit freezing, it was I guess 8 degrees. The airport was small and clean (of course that's where the first impression begins). We stayed in a hotel close to the airport for easy access not knowing that it's quite far from the city.

Bratislava, is the capital of Slovakia - located in Central Europe known for it's dramatic natural landscape and many castles. 

HRAD Castle

First day, city tour! First stop was the HRAD Castle. Sad to say we didn't able to enter and check what's inside but it's fine the view that we witnessed over-looking the city was outstanding. It was amidst breath-taking! 

Novy Most Bridge or Bridge of the Slovak National Uprising and
the UFO-shaped observatory deck

Bratislava itself is a laid back city with nature as its strongest flavour. Set along with the Danube River by the border Austria and Hungary. The famous HRAD or Bratislava Castle that sits on a hill rewards you with an absolutely great view over-looking the city.  

Walked down the narrow pedestrian streets of pastel-coloured 18th century buildings all around. The charming and tiny old town is really worth a stroll, with tons and tons of restaurants, pubs and souvenir shops or sample a myriad sidewalk cafes under the watchful glaze of the city castle, which harks back to medieval times.

One of the many beautiful souvenir shops around
Old Town area

Hlavne Namestie - Old town's mainsquare social hub for both locals and tourist alike. Where they grab a cup of coffee or some bite 
with the delish local pastries serve with local hot wine there is. Buildings are with the colorful Roman architecture like the Old Town Hall. This marks one of the most visited and photographed site in the city.

Hlavne Namesti

Comfortable shoes and clothing is surely needed to enjoy and explore this authentic city. Lots of places and architectures to take photos with. Wandering the Old Town you will come across bizarre sculptures. One of them is the cutest Cumil. A man whose name is believed to be Tom emerging from a manhole, whether he is resting after cleaning the sewer or peeking up women's skirts. Cumil is one of the most photographed tourist attraction plus rumor says that it is believed to give a good luck if you rub the top of his hat! 

Cumil

We were also blessed to have given the chance of visiting and attending the mass in the beautiful Blue Church of St. Elizabeth. Everything inside and outside of it is blue. We may not understand the language during the mass but that doesn't stop us for being thankful and praying for gratitude to God who gave us this wonderful experience, this wonderful journey of my birthday travel.    

St. Elizabeth Blue Church

          

Christmas Holiday

Another important season of the year has come- it's Christmas time! 

It is the season of love, sharing , forgiveness and togetherness. The spirit of Christmas always brings warmth, joy and happiness to everyone. Gettin' crazy on thinking what to buy for someone else is the crucial part. Making a shopping list always drives everyone insane. But it's fun! That's where the excitement begins....

It's always been about exchanging gifts and Santa Claus. The prep of putting up the Christmas tree, decorating it with colorful singing lights and shimmering decor balls is always a challenge for artistry and creativity. In places where snow exists, molding on a giant Mr. Snowman outside their homes is a different challenge. And not to be missed by kids... hanging their Christmas socks for Santa!

Fun and excitement is rolled in one on a cold breezy holiday. Having all the good friends and family together on the Christmas dinner - enjoying the yummy foods and giving out  a toast to a happy celebration, singing Christmas songs merrily, striking a pose for every flash a camera shots and opening up Christmas presents held under the colorful tree has been a modern practice and a part of our tradition.

The essence of Christmas is loving one another as Christ loves us. A time for most charitable duty. Giving out smiles to strangers, being kind to the disturbed, being polite to the older ones and helping out those in need is a heartfelt gratitude. 

I am always thrilled to watch and see the fireworks whenever the clock strikes at 12 midnight. Looking up to the sky seeing fancy magical colors and amazing designs brings excitement to the heart of everyone, be it young or old. Giving sweet kisses and exchange of hugs and greeting each other a Merry Christmas marks the wonderful Christmas sensation.

The Christmas spirit brings a lot of emotions to each one of us. Happiness and love brings forth a family closer to one another. It is sometimes the time for reflection, repentance and to reconcile with someone whom we've had argued or fought with. It's the time of forgiveness.... time to give love.

Hearing the melodies of  different Christmas songs lifts my heart with gladness. It makes me wanna sing out loud with the lyrics and shake my hips to jive with the rhythm. Sometimes it makes me cry and get emotional listening to the calm and slow Christmas lullaby thrusting me loneliness and making me realize how far I am from the people close to my heart on a Christmas holiday. 

Island Paradise

Canouan Island -   known as the heart of the Southern Grenadines. This tiny, beautiful secluded paradise is a part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines that measures only 3.5 miles by 1.25 miles surrounded by the splendid sea of the Southern Antilles, with a barrier reef that runs along the Atlantic side of the island paradise facing the luxurious Canouan Resort, with the marvelous Tamarind Beach Hotel's balcony over looking the Caribbean Sea, blessed with a vast landscape of green hills, unspoiled nature and long beaches of fine, pearly white sugary sands embracing the irresistible turquoise waters.

With Canouan's newly lengthened runway that offers night landing facilities, the island is reached by air from North America and Europe through 6 major gateways - Barbados, St. Lucia, San Juan Puerto Rico, Grenada, Martinique and St. Vincent.

Raffles Amrita Spa Sea Palapa

The island is  best known for it's ever popular tourist destination- Tamarind Beach Hotel and Canouan Resort.  The latter occupies almost half of the whole island.  The resort was opened in 1999 as Carenage Bay and Golf Club and became Rosewood Hotel in 2000.  Then it was being managed by a Singapore-based hotel chain - Raffles Resort in 2005. Raffles Resort Canouan Island has been listed as one of the Leading Hotels in the World and it was awarded as the Overall Winner in the World Luxury Hotel Award in 2007 (www.luxuryhotelawards.com). With it's Amrita Spa being named as one of  Best of the Best Spa's in Rob Report in June 2005 (www.discoverspas.com), and was also featured in the Sports Illustrated Magazine in the 2009 swimsuit edition (www.si.com). 

Canouan Resort

View from Mount Royal

Canouan Island is one of the bestdestinations for a holiday getaway with friends and families or a romantic honeymoon escapade. Whether you are a beach bum or the athlete kind,  the island has a lot of  adventure to boost with. With lots of activities to enjoy and choose  from- playing tennis, golf, diving, fishing snorkeling, kite surfing, kayaking, enjoying the smooth hobie cat ride or just by merely lying down and getting some tan on the sand or day bed, sipping a cold refreshment and a good book to read solves the relaxation you ever needed. Or pamper yourself from head to toe with a holistic approach in Canouan Resort Spa. Include the calorie burning and a very rewarding hike to Mount Royal with a breath-taking and exquisite view over looking the whole of the island paradise.