Good Bye Europe

I wanna say that it is not good bye, but see you again.  The trip to Europe was both educational and fun.  I loved looking at the architecture from New York to Barcelona to all of Italy. I would suggest for anyone to make it out to Europe to experience the culture and food, especially the food.

Thank you for everyone that has been following me on this trip. Let me know if you are planning on going to Europe and if you have and questions.

Adios, Caio, and Good bye. Signing off.

May 13, 1981

On a Wednesday morning, May 13, 1981 was the first assassination of Pope John Paul II. There is a stone marking the place where the Pope was shot.

Here is a larger photo of the stone:

Vatican Museum

Last full day in Rome and in Europe. My dad and I decided to go to the Vatican Museum while my mom and aunt goes shopping. Inside the museum saw a lot ofstatues, tapestries, old maps, and fig leaves… We ended up in the Raphael Rooms & the Sistine Chapel. The rooms are amazing floor to ceiling paintings. The chapel is speechless. Really, you cant talk in the room, also no photos of the ceiling due to some Japanese company that has a copyright on the ceiling.. The main highlight in the chapel is the fresco of God extending his finger giving life to Adam & the painting of the Last Judgement.

Leaving the museum checked out the main door of the Pope’s house, the location where all of the columns in St. Peter’s Square line up, and of course some gelato!!

Rome Night Walk

Back in Rome for another two days. I have been reading Rick Steves Italy tour guide, that I borrowed from my co-worker Bob Witter. I wanna thank him for letting be borrow the book. I have to say that it helped me to understand some of the ins and outs of the city. In the book there is a “night walk tour” The tour consists of the major attractions of Rome that are lit up. It starts at Campo de’Fiori > Pantheon > Trevi Fountain > and ends at the Spanish Steps. I took the night tour just a bit further. I added the Piazza Del Popolo (Plaza of the People) > Colosseum > St. Peter’s Square. Dennis, Tisay and I left the apartment around 1030p and didnt return back not until 215a. Ciao.

Going back, back, to Milan

Again woke up before the sun rises from the east. We were in a time crunch to see Duomo Cathedral in Milan. We left the house at 530a to make it to Milan around 8am. There was crazy traffic going to Milan. When arriving in Milan, we took a tram to Duomo. Duomo is the fourth largest cathedral in the world. It is 300 feet wide and 550 feet long. This place is amazing. We were at the cathedral for about 45 mins then off to the airport to make it back to Rome.

Venice

Waking up at 5am sucks when you didnt go to bed until 3am. My uncle drove us to the train station in Vercelli, about 25 mins from Biella. The train from Vercelli to Venice took about 4 hours. I really dont remember the train ride for I was sleeping most of it. We arrived in Venice around 12p. What a grand sight, as soon as you step out of the train station the view is breathtaking… Enjoy the photos.

Milan\Biella

Arrived in Milan, but not to stay in Milan. We drove to visit my mom’s cousin in Biella. Biella is about an hour and a half from Milan’s airport. Milan’s airport was about an hour from Milan’s city center.

After eating a light snack, we went to church. Del Sacro Monte Di Oropa, The Black Madonna. There was an eerie feeling while being there. Going into church, it was sunny and warm. When mass was done we left it was gray with a mist. Weird. Also, the community built a new church for the Black Madonna. When trying to move the statue of the Black Madonna, the statue became sooo heavy as to say that she didnt want to be moved. So they left the statue in the old church and created an image of the statue in the new church.

Auntie Anita made a homemade italian dinner. Melon with cired ham, spagetti, beef steak, salad, and rice was on the menu. I have to admit homemade sauce is crazy good. With no casino in sight, we decided to play cards at the house. We had tongits and pusoy going. Went to bed early so we can have an early start for Venice.

Off to Milan. *-)-

Today we are off to Milan to visit one of my mom’s cousins. We were planning on going to Milan via train, but the trip is 4 hours & $230. I found a deal on Easyjet for $120 and it takes an hour to get there. First things to see in Milan is Duomo. The Duomo is the fourth largest cathedral in the world after St. Peter’e (Rome), London, Seville. And of course I am going to go shopping. I mean really??!? You are in the fashion capital of the world. I have to get something.. Stay tuned for photos..

Late night..

Last night Dennis and Tisay got home late. They were supposed to be in the apartment around 7p, but the airline lost one of their bags. So they had to wait for the next flight coming in from Paris. They arrived around 1130p. Asked Dennis if he was hungry, he was and we went to the local watering hole. Ordered a Portello, a local Italian beer. It is a cross of Hoegaarden & Corona. I had four of them and a shot of limoncello. I was on a good one after the shot.

On the wall of the pub there was a alcohol analyzer. It is kinda sort of a breath machine. I wanted to see how bad I was so I tried it. I blew a 2.4!!! hahahaha. Dennis blew a 0.84. I am thinking that I was closer to 0.90 and not 2.4. I hope. I forgot my camera in the apartment so no photos. We will be going back on Tuesday to try it again.

Pantheon & Spanish Steps

I feel like all I do is eat and walk all over the place. But I am loving every bite and step. After eating at the Campo de’Fiori, we decided to take a walk to the Spanish Steps. The walk is about a mile long.

First stop is the Pantheon. The Pantheon is a church dedicated to the martyrs just after the fall of Rome. The Pantheon is lit inside by only the hole in the dome. The dome is 142 feet high and wide. It was the blueprint for other domes to come, Michelangelo’s dome at St. Peter & Brunelleschi’s Duomo in Milan.

The second stop is the Spanish Steps is a popular area for tourists. The fountain on the bottom of the steps is called “The Sinking Boat Fountain”. I will be visiting this place next week at night.

Campo de’Fiori

Walked to Campo de’Fiori from out apartment takes about 10mins. Thank you to Egon for telling me where to stay in Rome. Found an apartment in the middle of everything. I can walk to all the sights.

We meet up with my mom’s townmate from the Philippines. The plaza is an open air market during the morning. It is crazy that the place was full of merchants and people. There is everything there at you want. You can get pasta, truffle oil, t-shirts, bags, etc.

We ate at Mercato in the plaza. I ordered the rigatoni amatriciana style senese pork and tomatoes, pizza with tomato mozzarella mushrooms and prosciutto, fruit tiramisu, panna cotta with wild berries, and a fanta, hahahah.

Damn allergies

For the last few days I have been having problems with allergies. Virginia has some medicine that works, but I only got one. Stopped but the farmacia (pharmacy). I am not sure that the lady understood me but it sounds like it.

Morning walkabout

While on my walkabout this morning found some interesting things. Check them out:

Good morning Roma

I am still battling jetlag. I wasnt able to sleep until 4am. Woke up around 1130a. Feeling a bit hungry so ask my dad to join me for a late breakfast. There is a cafe next to our apartment called Kosher Bistrot Caffe. We are in the Jewish Ghetto. So most of the food here is kosher. I ordered the pastrami panini and a bottle water. The panini was so good that I ordered a salami one for take away.

The weather here was nice so we decided to walk around to see what else is around. There was a souvenir store close by. Bought some trinkets to bring home. On the way home there is a mini mart that my dad wanted to stop by. Wanted to try some Italian snacks found some toast like things. We have something similar in the Philippines.

While hanging out in front of the apartment, we were watching the school children playing when I smelt a wonderful scent. PIZZA!! All of a sudden got hungry again. The pizza place is right across from the apartment. Every morning the bakery’s scents fill the apartment. Ordered a pizza mozzarella and a mela verde “green apple juice”. I am not sure on why the pizza tastes soooo good?!?! Is it the cheese? bread? sauce? I dont know but I can eat sooooo much of it.

Ciao.

Snack time

Walking back from the Colosseum I stopped by the mini mart to pick up some water and I found these:

Pope Benedict XVI

After not really sleeping due to some dumbass seagulls outside.  Sounds like that they were fighting and both were losing.  The noise was unbearable.  In Barcelona, I had to put up with traffic and people drunk walking the streets… In Rome, damn animals. Last night my dad got a great idea that we wanted to see the Pope in St. Peter’s Square. The Pope has a public appearance and blessing. The Pope conducts the blessing around 1030a, but of course you have to be there at earlier than that if you want a good point of view.

We arrive at the square around 9a. Not many people show up at 9a. We found a nice place in the shade and there are four jumbo screens so you can see the Pope from the distance. Sitting on stone for an hour and a half sucks. Asked my dad if he wanted to go up closer to see the Pope. We joined me on the right hand side of the square and we made our way up to the front. I actually saw the Pope with my real eyes. No words can express the thoughts that were going through my mind.

After seeing the Pope, we all decided to jump on the double decker tour bus. Our stops were fontana di trevi (Trevi Fountain) & the colosseo (Colosseum).

While we were at the Trevi Fountain, my parents and Auntie was hungry. I am really embarrassed that no photos of the food that we at are not available. I mean really, who goes to Italy and gets spring rolls, hot and sour soup, Cantonese fried rice, sweet and sour chicken, and fried bananas? All I could do it SMH to their choice of food.

Rome – Night Walkabout

As usual, mom and Auntie Felma alsways looking for souviners for everyone back home.  They found a street merchant across the street from the restaurant.  Mom had to get a hat that was matching her outfit for the day.  Upon arriving at the apartment, my mom wanted to call our family member.  For some reason we were not able to call them from either of our phones.   I told my dad that we can walk around the area looking for a pay phone.  Checked out Campo de Flori, Piazza Farnese, Largo Torre de Argentina, and Piazza Mattei.

Fooooodddd…..

After leaving St. Peter’s square looked for something to eat. Ended up at a cafe at the end of the road called Cafe Risorgimento. We ordered ham and mushroom pizza, bacon and beaten egg, pasta with seafood, pasta with meat sauce. And for dessert apple tart with ice cream and tirasu. Something about the pizza was sooo good. I think that it was the cheese,but I am not sure. The pasta with meat sauce was good, but the pasta with seafood was not as good. The seafood was not fresh, but the pasta was cooked perfectly. The tiramsu was awesome!! *** 1/2 stars.

Roma, Italy

First full day in Roma. Didnt wake up until 100p. Damn jetlag!! The four of us decided to go to the Vatican today. While walkng down to St. Peter’s square, I had to stop and take in all the sights. Kinda overload for the senses. Before going into the Basilica, I roamed around the outside of the Vatican walls.

When entering the Basilica, the Cupola or the dome climb. The climb consists of 323 stairs. It was great. The view from up top is amazing. You can see all of Roma from up there. Fact: No building in Roma will be taller than the Basilica’s dome. After coming down from the dome, I entered the Basilica. There are no words with everything inside. Check the photos out.

Change of scenery..

adios Barcelona, Hola Roma… Traveling from Barcelona to Roma was a breeze. My sleeping have been off all this trip. I slept all the way from Barcelona to Roma. THe landing gear woke me up. At the baggage claim we almost lost one of our luggage. But it came in the second round of luggages. As soon as we left the airport you can see the beauty of Roma. We arrived at the apartment in the area Piazza Contagui, next to Campo de Flori. The apartment is awsome. Nice and big with a lot of natural lighting. The only bad thing is the internet. Damn internet is not working, as it is hard to contact the owner of the apartment. Enjoy the photos.

FINALLY!!

Damn. I had to be my own help desk here in Rome. I have to troubleshoot how the internet works here. Everything was in Italian. But everything is working now. Now I can get back in updating this thing. Ciao.

Bboys in Barcelona

On the way to church a crowd was growing around the plaza. A street performing group called Street Flow. Check them out:

Last meal in Barcelona

I am sad to say that this might be my last meal in Barcelona. I wanted my parents to experience the tapas and paella of La Rambla. After church we walked over to La Rambla and found a spot in the middle of everything. Ideal Restaurant menu looked better than the others. We ordered the margarita pizza, chicken paella, croquettes, and a medley of meat on bread. And of course I needed to taste the sangria. The sangria was awesome. One of the best that I have had in Barcelona. The paella was tasty. The rice was not overcooked. The chicken was perfect. But the best paella that I have had in Barcelona was my Auntie Mely’s. She cooked it specially for my parents, but brought back some for me. Ideal Restaurant gets *** 1/2 stars from me.

After eating I asked the taxi driver to take us to the Sagrada Familia. I wanted to see the catedral during the evening. The lights make the catedral breathtaking. Gaudi’s vision for the catedral is mindblowing.

Catedral de Barcelona

It is Sunday. My parents wanted to go to Sagrada Familia for mass, but I was able to find mass at 6p at the Catedral de Barcelona. The cathedral is gorgeous. Virginia and I was not able to go earlier due to I was wearing shorts. The attention to detail is soooo awesome! After mass we roamed around the cathedral.

More Flamenco Dancing

At Park Guell there were many street performers.  Here is a glimpse of one of them.

So Hard To Say Goodbye

Today Virginia left Barcelona and me.  She gets to see Paris for an hour before she goes home.  I have one more day here in Barcelona then I am on my way to Rome.  This trip has been fun so far and so educational from all the architecture and culture.  As Jay-Z said it best “on to the next one” !!!

Flamenco Dancing

This is the only video that I was able to take during the show.

SURPRISE!!

Today is Virginia’s birthday.  We were on the guided tour and Virginia saw the ad for Flamenco dancing.  I told that I was not interested in going.  She didn’t know that I made reservations the night before.  So I decided to keep it a secret.  I also invited my parents and auntie Felma.  I also told them that it is going to be a surprise for Virginia.  I told Virginia that we were going to eat at the best tapas restaurant in Barcelona.  When she saw the flamenco sign she put two and two together and was surprised.  The food was a buffet style.  All the food was pretty good.  I give the food a *** star.

After dinner they escorted us to another room where the show takes place.  I have to amdit, I was not expecting what I saw.  They are all graceful.  Enjoy.

Bus Tour Take 2

Well the weather basically sucked yesterday for the guided tour.  So we decided to do it all over again with better weather.  The forecast was projected for 77 degrees with 20% chance of rain.  Stepped out of the apartment to find the sun beaming down on my head.  Arrived at the guided tour area and the place was just bananas..  Way tooooo many people.  Took the guided tour to the Sagrada Familia.  Finally got to see the amazing architecture.  Virginia and I went to Park Guell also.  Another great place to see great architecture.

Passeig de Gracia

After eating we walked around Passeig de Gracia.  Stopped by the Casa Batllo (House of Bones).  The casa was created by the famous architect Gaudi.  At night the casa is lit up for everyone to see.  Again walked down to La Rambla so my cousin Tisay can see the fountain of return.  On the way home checked out a couple of other things.  A thinking cow, ‘P’ as in Pictory, Citrus restaurant, and a MAGNUM!!  Check out the pics.  Salud.

Happy Birthday to my love!!

June 11, 2011 – Well it is Virginia’s birthday.  And she gets to celebrate it in Barcelona.  I mean really who would want to celebrate your birthday in Europe.  So we went out for some more sangria.  We found a place in Passeig de Gracia called piscolabis.  We were able to eat outside to enjoy the weather.  We ordered three cheese croquettes, ham croquettes, Hello Kitty pancakes, Winnie the Pooh pasta, Japanese style chicken on a stick, oven baked cod, shrimp & mushroom skewers, and of course two pitchers of SANRIA…  This place was really good.  **** stars

FC Barcelona

Introducing a new player for the 2011 season…

WHAAAATTTT!!!

Sagrada Familia

During the guided city tour we were able to stop at the Sagrada Familia.  The Sagrada Familia is a work still in progress from the famous architect Gaudi.  Unfortunately we were in a downpour and decided not to get off the bus to see the cathedral.  I hope that I will be able to see it before I leave this beautiful city.  I took this picture from the bus and stitched four images together.  Enjoy.

Green Line | Barcelona City Tour

Today we decided to take the guided city tour from the Barcelona City Tour.  There are two companies that host the tours, but I think that the one that we chose was the better one.  They have two lines, a green line and an orange line.  The other company has three lines.  They are both the same price.  We chose the green line due to it went to the Port Olimpic, Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, and the Tibidabo.  Unfortunately we were not able to get off the bus due to the monsoon that occurred during the tour.  But we were able to see most of the sights.  We will try to make it out tomorrow.  The weather looks better.  Enjoy the view.

El Choquito | La Rambla

After we took the Green Line guided tour from the Barcelona City Tour company, we got hungry…  What else is new?!?!  Auntie Felma and the parents have not seen La Rambla.  We took them down to check out the merchants.  When we arrived they started to stop at every merchant on the street.  Virginia and I separated from them to go find some food.  We stumbled on El Choquito.  We ordered the ham croquettes, cod fritters, freesh marine crab & seafood paella, sangria, creme catalana and an expresso.  **** stars.

Casino Barcelona

My parents got back from Lourdes and Girona around 1130p.  And guess where my dad wants to go…  the CASINO.  So we all took a cab to the casino.   The casino is small..  Bur betting in Euro is crazy.  For every 1 Euro it is 1.5 US Dollars.  Losing 50 Euro is losing 75 US Dollars.  SUCKS!!  Good thing that I came up even.  There was a dress code in the casino.  I was wearing shorts and I can only stay in the slots section.  You need to wear pants to play the table games and poker.  I guess that it was a good thing.  I dont play slots so I just ate.  hahaha..

Happy Bar & Grill

Hmmm…  Where do I begin?  Let me see.  Just by walking by the place looked clean and looked good.  But as soon as we entered the restaurant we quickly found out that this was going to be a not so pleasant experience.  First of all the food is sub par.  I mean really??!!?  Isn’t tapas the national food of Spain.  We ordered the crispy prawns, cheese fondue, margerita pizza, chciken wings, shrimp sauteed in garlic sauce.  First the prawns came with BBQ sauce, the cheese was like rubber, the shrimp was overcooked and the chicken wings were bland.  The wings came with BBQ sauce, but the sauce is like something that you can get from McDonalds.  To make things worse, the SERVICE!!!  Oh Man, I have no words..  it took 20 mins for anything we needed.   * star out of five.

** If you ever visit Barcelona…  NEVER GO HERE!!

Day 3 – Walkabout part 2

Again.. Picture happy.  snap snap snap…  Enjoy

Day 3 – Walkabout

Day three takes us again down La Rambla, but this time walked around Barri Gotic, Cathedral de Barcelona, Palau Guell, and Placa de Reial.  This place is amazing.  The architecture is mind blowing.  Check out the photos..

Otto Sylt

Walking around the area close to the apartment found a place called Otto Sylt.  They are offering veal hamburgers from the Pyrenees.  Virginia ordered the pork tenderloin baguette.  The hamburger was excellent.  *** stars.

Barcelona walkabout | Part 2

I guess that you are not able to upload a 100 pictures on a single post.  Here are the other photos that didnt make it to the first post.  Enjoy.

Barcelona walkabout

After a good meal we needed to walk around. Walked over to check out the La Rambla deistrict of Barcelona.  La Rambla means “dry riverbed” .  This area starts at the Placa de Catalunya and ends at the Waterfront where the Monument a Colom (statue of Christopher Columbus” is located.  La Rambla has street performers, shops, an open air market, and a lot of food.

Day 2 – Cellar de Tapas

Jetlag is b **tch..  I havent been able to sleep properly for the last two days.  I finally got out of bed around 4:oop local time.  Starving for anything, found a place called Cellar de Tapas.  We ordered the seafood paella, saute shrimp with mushrooms, marinated salmon with soya sauce, handmade cod croquettes, fried squid rings, and creme brulee.  Everything was awesome.  The paella and the salmon were the best.  4/5 stars.

Barrrccceeelllooonnnaa!!

After a 2 hour delay in JFK.  Finally arrived in Barcelona.  Already taken a bus and a subway.  The subway stop ended at Passeig de Gracia.  Next to the Passeig de Gracia the famous Casa Batllo designed by Gaudi.  Then walked to the Placa de Catalunya.  We stepped into the largest department store, El Corte Ingles.  On the top of the department store is a restaurant were the food was good, but not great.  But the view of the city was spectacular.  With a full stomach walked back to the apartment.  On the way to the apartment stopped by a mini-mart to grabs some junk food.

NYC – Last day

Last day in NYC.  We purchased a lot of stuff that we didnt want to carry around Europe, so we decided to ship all the stuff back to Seattle.  Looking for a post office in NYC, we ran into the one across for Madison Square Garden.   Checked out the Shake Shack on 45th & 8th.  The burgers are delicious.

Day 3 – Walkabout

After going to Lion King.  Went back to the hotel and changed.  Started to walk around the area and found a piece of the Berlin Wall & a secret waterfall park.  Got  hungry for a sandwich from a New York Deli.  Found Stage Deli on 54th & 7th.  THE pastrami is crazy good.  After the meal i needed to walk around.  Virginia and I ended up on a hop on/ hop off night tour of NYC .  i felt like a total tourist but it took us to places that I havent seen.  Not feeling like going bac k to the hotel, we went to see Thor.  Thor was pretty good.  Got hungry again, so we went to Rays AGAIN!!  I love that place.

Lion King

hakuna matata!!!  That is all I have to say..

Quelness & Maya

Tonight Virginia and I had dinner with one of my dearest friend from Vancouver, BC.  She now lives in NYC for the last 5 years.  Maya is her 11 month year old daughter.  Maya will be turning 1 on June 11, that happens to be Virginia’s birthday as well. I guess that I have a thing for Gemini babies.  Usually kids dont like me, but Maya loves me!! The four of us went to dinner at Gyu-Kaku, a Japanese BBQ place.  Like Korean BBQ style, but all the meats were marinated.  **** stars.

Day 2 – NYC walkabout

The time change messed me up.  I went to bed around 330am.  Then woke up at 12pm.  Oh well.  Got ready and went to grab some food.  I did an urbanspoon on what is around to eat and found this place called Chin Chin on 49th.  Food was great.  Ordered the Chicken Lo Mein and the Chin Chin Steak special.  After eating needed to do some walking.  Around around again Times Square, Empire State Building, then to Grand Central Station.  Now I am ready for a nap.  hahaha.

Late Night Walkabout

Walking back from Times Square we ran into the NBC studios and Rockafeller Square.  Then we got kicked out of the square and ended up in Duane Reade.  It is crazy that they have rolling baskets.

Famous Rays Pizza

5 years ago my friend Racquel introduced me to Rays Pizza.  This pizza is one of the best pizzas that I have ever had in NYC.

M&M NYC store

Walking around Times Square and ran into the M&M store.

Note that you can get “chocolate wasted” anywhere!!!  hahahahah