Akaroa Sitting on the Pacific Ring of Fire, New Zealand is a relatively active volcanic and seismic region. The mountains here may not be as high and colossal as the ones in the Himalayas. But the constant movement and collisions of Earth crustal plates create a very dynamic landscape. The peaks and valleys are intermingled in a fractal like formation, the bodies of water and the lands create mesmerizing collage. Thanks to the Earth’s past fury, the Banks Peninsula is filled with hidden coves, bays, and spectacular coastlines. At a high vista point, I could see serpentine creeks and rivers meeting at a secluded azure cove. A man in a rain poncho sat on his small boat in the middle of the cove. A group of kids were playing soccer on the beach. The gray clouds ... read more

Living the Dream I parked my car at the bottom of Coit tower on Telegraph hill. I am leaning against the hood of my car. This is one of the best places to relax and to lose your mind to the moment. The 270 degree sweeping view before me featuring the rolling Russian hills, the Marina district, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Alcatraz, the hill Marin headlands, the expansive bay, the Treasure Island, and the Bay Bridge makes me count my blessing. The sky is clear blue, but there is a layer of fog covering the bottom part of the Golden Gate Bridge. Ten years I have been living in this town, only now I soak the city as it is meant to be. I just realize now that I am living the dream...@driving-vacation More pic ... read more

Columbus Avenue The smells of freshly roasted espressos, aromatic Italian pastries, warm fresh clams and mussels with white-wine sauce over angel hair spaghetti, and oak-burning brick-oven Margarita pizzas, awaken anyone who walks along Columbus Avenue during lunch and dinner times. This neighborhood is called North Beach, also known as Little Italy. Many proud Italian families own and operate bakeries, coffee shops, and restaurants for many generations. They serve the San Franciscan’s hearty appetite for authentic Italian cuisine. Lovers, friends, and co-workers dine on the sidewalk tables adorned by colorful flower arrangement in wooden boxes on the windows, balconies, and sidewalks. Food is not the only attraction to this emblematic neighborhood. A stroll along Columbus Avenue, one would discover many quaint shops with incredible crafts and ceramics that would invite ... read more

California street Heading eastward on California Street, I enter Nob Hill; the highest point of California Street. This is where San Francisco’s early millionaires, the gold rush and railroad tycoons, built their mansions. Back then, they were called nabobs. It is slang for wealthy men, which gave Nob Hill its name. The historic cable car takes passengers, from the bottom of California and Market to the top of Nob Hill. Most tourists would take this archaic mode of transportation. No locals with their right mind would pay $5 and wait for over 60 minutes to hop onto this crowded cart, and travel up the hill at a measly 9.5 mph. Nob Hill has a great dancing place. Top of the Mark at the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins hotel hosts big band Swing and Blues ensembles. Here, dancing ... read more

Barcelona Old Town There are places that make you forget about home. There places where you get to know strangers more than you know most of your friends. There are places that make you fall in love with the people, the food, the architecture, and the culture. Barcelona is one of these places. Like first love, you want to experience it over and over again. It is almost impossible to get tired of the Spanish architecture with the incredible details of stone carvings and statues, intricate hand carved panellings, and antique furnishing. Almost all Spanish buildings have balconies adorned with vibrant red, yellow, purple flower arrangements. The city´s colors are brown and gray, the colors of stone bricks that make up the structure. Apple green, peach orange, cherry red, and grape blue colors are often used ... read more