Driving vacation in Australia When I visit a place, an impression is formed inside me. Often time, the impression can’t be explained logically. It can’t be broken into different categories nor be assigned weighted values. It is just is. In this regard, Sydney is very inviting and welcoming. 180 nationalities now call Sydney home. Undulating landscapes, artful gardens, history-telling structures, modern skyscrapers, charming urban villages, delicious ethnic foods, lively night life, and friendly people are framed in an endearing postcard setting. And together they provide kaleid [View Full Entry]

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Streets of Sydney I commute to work through George St. from my hotel in Darling Harbor neighborhood. It is one of my favorite streets in Sydney downtown. It has multiple personalities. On the south end, it starts in Chinatown where the Asian immigrant settled in the second half of 19th century. In the north end, it concludes at the historic Rock district where the first Australian settlers came and established residence. Next to Chinatown, George St. crosses Liverpool St. where several ambrosial Tapas restaurants create a little Spain. In the middle, it crosses Druitt St. It is one of the [View Full Entry]

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Katoomba Town Earlier this morning on the way to Mt. Wilson, I stopped by the Blue Mountain National Park visitor center in Katoomba town on route 32, Great Western Highway. The panoramic view of the famous Three Sister rock formation and the lush rolling mountains stretches far into the horizon. Blue Mountain is a favorite weekend gateway spot for Sydneysiders. There are hundreds of hiking trails descending down towards the deep lush valleys with electrifying views of the interior of the rain forests. Visiting Katoomba would not be complete without stopping by at The Carrington Hotel. S [View Full Entry]

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Mt. Wilson Driving through the deserted lush Mt.Wilson rain forest, just 120 km northwest of Sydney of Route 40, I fall madly in love with this mountain. Mt. Wilson is a mountain range that spans for five kilometers north of the World Heritage Blue Mountains National Park. The rich volcanic basalt soil makes this region a perfect location for many natural-appearing large scale English gardens. Many not only feature symmetrical shrubberies with graveled walks, tree-lined plantations, and vibrant and contrast perennial blooms but also grottoes, temples, tea-houses, belvederes, pavilions, sham [View Full Entry]

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Florence Visiting Tuscany would not be complete without exploring Florence. Founded by Julius Caesar in 59 BC, Florence was the epicenter of Renaissance movement in 1500's. It is a place where arts, architectures, and cultures come to meet you. Florence's fascinating sights, brimming ambiance, and ambrosial smells give any visitor sensory overload. The relatively compact old town, separated from the modern town by the medieval walls, hosts many gigantic grandiose monuments, churches, and buildings that ooze gripping adventures and romances, victories and defeats. The Duomo, domed Santa [View Full Entry]

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Siena Driving towards Siena, I discovered a nifty feature. When I crossed the middle lane without turning my turn signal on, the departure lane warning system vibrated the steering wheel. It vibrated like my mobile phone. In California, during my regular commute, I witnessed other drivers brushing teeth, putting make up, reading Wall Street Journal, and eating with chopsticks on the highways. Those people will welcome this feature. Piazza de Campo, the Siena's enormous bowl-shaped piazza, was the best place to relax and do nothing. There were not many things going on but at the same time [View Full Entry]

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SR 222 The morning sun did not shine on my face. The roasters did not wake me up. It was my intrusive alarm from my mobile phone that did it. This place was just too tranquil to do anything this early. But we were on a mission; to enjoy the driving vacation under the Tuscan sun. SR 222 goes through the wine region of Tuscany. No wonder the Italian loves to make sports cars. Roads like this are their source of inspiration. The mesmerizing rolling hills, the fast switch backs, and the occasional exhilarating hairpins are all can be found here [View Full Entry]

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Many people visit this Northern Italy region named Emilia-Romagna for many world-famed attractions. The genius of man and the mystery of nature gave birth to the Renaissance movement here. Legends such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Giovanni Da Verrazzano, Dante Alighieri, Giovanni Boccaccio, Niccolò Machiavelli, Antonio Meucci, and Amerigo Vespucci shaped our sciences, peotries, arts, politics, and exploring spirits. For car enthusiasts, this region has another importance. Some say that the babies born here are very special. They are born with the need for speed. It is hard [View Full Entry]

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Marbella Marbella has the remains of the old Muslim walls, Marbella's casco antiguo. The old town has a maze of picturesque winding streets and charming little plazas, with plenty of outdoor bars where you can sample typical Andalusian cuisine. At the center of this intricate pattern of alleyways is Plaza de los Naranjos, with the 3 to 4 century old town hall and fountain. Getting lost in this maze is the best way to experience this historic town. Marbella also has the modern and opulent section called Puerto Banus, where all kinds of multi-million dollar yachts are docked along with th [View Full Entry]

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Traveling for extended period of time, I yearn for some comforts of routines at home; getting take-outs from Tasty Curry, King of Thai, and Pasta Pomodoro, meeting friends and co-workers for lunches or dinners, going to Salsa parties, and many others. While I can easily deal with or find substitutes for the cravings above, I have one strong longing that could not be substituted; driving my car. I am suffering because of my strong attachment to the joy of driving, especially since most of my modes of transportation in the last two months are planes, buses, and trains. Buddhist philosophers [View Full Entry]

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