Travel, life, loves and laughs.
Nothing has really prepared me for the enormity of what I am to witness first hand at the site of the ancient city of Baalbek – the historical and cultural significance is overwhelming. In some ways larger and more interesting than either the Roman Forum or the Parthenon, Baalbek exists in Western Lebanon in the Beqaa Valley, nestled between the Mount Lebanon Ranges to the west and Syrian Coastal Mountain Range (Bargylus) to the east.… Read the rest
On the other side of the Kadisha Valley to the St. Simon Monastery where we have just come from visiting the tiny hermit’s cave, is the Gibran Museum in Bsharri.
Once a monastery, the building was bought by Gibran’s benefactor after the Lebanese – American writer, poet and artist, expressed his wishes to be buried in Lebanon.… Read the rest
I wake before the alarm, shivering, barely remembering that I am awake to visit Al Jazirat Al Hamra – The Red Fort. The blankets have been kicked off in the night and the air conditioning is too cold.… Read the rest
By far the best way to see a city is to walk it. Particularly the compact old towns of Europe. Not everyone has the ability, stamina or perhaps enthusiasm for this endeavor, walking from dawn till dusk (and often into the night as well).… Read the rest
By far the best way to see a city is to walk it. Particularly the compact old towns of Europe. Today I am walking the Rathaus & Hochschulen. Not everyone has the ability, stamina or perhaps enthusiasm for this endeavor, walking from dawn till dusk (and often into the night as well). … Read the rest
By far the best way to see a city is to walk it. Particularly the compact old towns of Europe. Today I’m walking Lindenhof & the City. Not everyone has the ability, stamina or perhaps enthusiasm for this endeavor, walking from dawn till dusk (and often into the night as well). … Read the rest
By far the best way to see a city is to walk it. Particularly the compact old towns of Europe. Today I’m walking the Zürichsee. Not everyone has the ability, stamina or perhaps enthusiasm for this endeavor, walking from dawn till dusk (and often into the night as well). … Read the rest
I board the boat for Rapperswil with an expectation of a lake Zürich cruise and the vague promise of a Schloss (castle) at the end. It’s not like me. Usually I have my days planned to the ‘n’th degree but, apart from today being an unexpected bonus, I think I’m mellowing a little in my holiday expectations.… Read the rest
On the other side of the Limmat River from the Grossmünster cathedral, directly across Münsterbrücke (church bridge) is Kirche Fraumünster. This church was founded as a convent in 853 and like Grossmünster the church was stripped of all decoration at the time of the Reformation. … Read the rest
Originally a monastery, Grossmünster (gross = large or great and münster = minster or cathedral) is arguably the heart of old town Zürich. Construction began on this site in 1100 but there are two legends woven into the founding of this historic cathedral.… Read the rest