Canton Schwyz, Ibergeregg pass

Winter wonderland?! Where else but in Switzerland 🇨🇭

We came just after Christmas to be with my son’s grandparents & relatives. Spent the New Year with them. Yes, beautiful sunny weather up in the mountains!

The one in between mountains is not snow but clouds or thick fogs. 2nd of January and people trying to get all the last day of holiday as some will go back to work the next day or so.

It’s dry winter here so it’s not as cold as you think compared to New Zealand humid winter weather if you happen to be in Nz from July – August winter. Of course, the temperature is much lower here in Zurich compared to Auckland. It can get -1 or 0 zero degrees or much less. The air is crisp but fresh. Inside the house is a lot warmer & can wear one layer of normal clothes compared to Nz houses you have to double up the layer of clothes as it’s not properly insulated (unless you turn up the heating that you get a shock when receiving the power bill) unfortunately compared to Switzerland houses (underfloor heating) which is mostly run by gas or oil for heating so it’s more energy efficient.

We’re in the Canton of Schwyz with the link connecting to famous Einsiedeln where we went last year with friends (see older post) and went to Ibergeregg pass mountain overlooking the famous Rigi mountain. Beautiful sceneries and long winding road. Lot’s of cabin style restaurants overlooking the mountains. It’s worth the trip more or less 1 hour from Zurich.

Passing towns are interesting and you may stop and see what they offer. Lot’s of tourists and locals either biking around or walking as they have to park from far away distance as parking nearby is impossible in peak hours or important days so be prepared. Get comfy warm reliable shoes for walking from roadside to snow. Don’t worry even seniors do it.

I’m writing this via my iPhone. More places and pictures to come. So FOLLOW ME while we travel around ZURICH and nearby towns, villages and other Cantons in Switzerland. Tschuss!!

Hotel review: Sheraton Creekside Dubai

 

 

It’s been awhile since I did a hotel review because we usually go to the same hotel and did a review before so it’s a redundant to do again.

Sheraton is under SPG but it happens that Marriott group merge with this group as well as the Ritz Carlton so yes 3 in 1 big group program are better than one. More diversity and our membership can go a long way.

This hotel has a nice view considering it’s along the Creekside and it’s actually a tourist spot and nice to walk along the promenade and enjoy the multicolored lights around from the walkway to the ferries plying the waters. You can easily spot some touristy places to go just nearby hotel by looking at the view from hotel windows. They have a very small opening for smokers but I guess it’s part of balcony in the old days but now renovated to make the room bigger.

One tip though, try to avoid congested area around Deira if you could as though Sheraton location is good for tourists, unfortunately for drivers it’s a nightmare as you can get stuck in heavy traffic so better to have a GPS with you to navigate you out of the situation otherwise you may end up stress before you even begin enjoying your day or night out.  If you are not familiar with Dubai roads & motorways you may end up getting lost without a map.

When it comes to accommodations the hotel may be established in the 70’s but it has been refurbished as it looks modern now and clean with good polite staffs everywhere. The foods for breakfast varies and cater from Western, Asian and Arabs. I am very satisfied so to say except for the swimming pool which is a bit ordinary and small but it’s ok since we don’t stay just for that.

Fortunately hubby’s platinum membership get us some perks by having free upgrades so our room is located on the Club lounge on 11th floor, along with free fruit basket and can enjoy free access to the Lounge at level L with free drinks & nibbles but happy hour evening to 8:30pm children are not allowed because of alcoholic drinks.

I recommend this hotel for people who want to discover the past and for people who loves to walk around day or night. Experiencing Dhow cruises and Arabic foods. It’s one of the safest Cities compared to other famous Countries. Of course, having a wit with you is a must anywhere in the World you go!

There’s a lot to discover so try and come to UAE and visit all 7 Emirates you will return home with full of insights about this desert Country.  I bid you goodbye and till next post! Happy Holidays!!  A like and a comment will be appreciated. Thanks 💗

 

Summer Fun – Beach time!

DESTINATION:  Calatagan, Batangas PHILIPPINES 

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My birthday present to myself… is coming back to my birth Country of course you must experience THE BEACH.

Looks like Maldives but nope, this is from my province but the place is near my cousin where she settled for life after getting married.  I bet you will spend a lot less money here compared to Maldives!

BEACH 1:  STILTS

Stilts PH, vinneve foto

One thing I learned from coming back.  I am fortunate.  I must give thanks.

Philippines is not known for doing tourist commercial ads on TV, unlike other Asian neighboring Country.  Actually, most tourists come flocking here just by the word of mouth.  No need to spend millions for tv ads.  I also say, do not judge until you get there and experience it yourself.  The beauty of nature, of people so warm and friendly.

STILTS front beach, vinneve

The beauty of nature continues to amaze me wherever in the World I may be.  I say it is better you get out of your comfort zone so you know where will you be most happy and decide from there.  Otherwise… you will only see a little of this World. ENJOY!!!

Other side of Stilts, vinneve

Stilts huts, vinneve

WalkwaySTILTS, vinneve

BEACH 2:  LAGO DE ORO

We choose to spent our sunsets in this beach resort just a few minutes walking distance to my cousin’s house.  Beautiful isn’t it?  You can find it anywhere here in the Philippines.  You can also enjoy wakeboarding, banana boat & diving here!

LagodeOrosunset, vinneve

friends&sunset, vinneve

sereneLagodeOro, vinneve

Beautiful… and I am proud of my province BATANGAS, PHILIPPINES.

Until next trip!  See U all.  Cheers, PAALAM!!

 

 

 

Beautiful Basel, Switzerland

Here’s my continuation of our traveling around Switzerland with or without relatives. For my long-time followers, you can say this can be my last trip before going back to Zurich then eventually back to the land of the desert where we stay as expats.  For the new readers, welcome to my blog and I hope you will be interested browsing, reading the rest of my adventures around the Globe and some events too!

Basel is just an hour away to/from Zurich and so we had a day out for a change since our going to Frankfurt was canceled because of the unfortunate incident of my friend’s. So what better way to make it up is to plan and book train tickets to Basel. 

Basel train station, vinneve photo

Basel around 1, vinneve

Basel 2, vinneve foto

Basel 3, vinneve foto

I just show you around (by foot) through my photos and it is easy to get around just make sure you don’t forget the landmarks going back to the train station.  Tip: Make a photo of some landmark that you will be passing so you will remember the streets, buildings or statues etc. that’s how I do it in unfamiliar places.  😉

Basel church, vinneve

Basel near train sta.,vinneve

Going around Basel, vinneve

Church Basel, vinneve

Basel church1, vinneve

Baselchurch2, vinneve

This church reminds me of Paris Louvre pyramid.

Red & Gold bldg around marketplatz, vinneve

Basel bldg1, vinneve foto

Basel bldg2, vinneve foto

The Beautiful bridge over the river Rhine that connects to 6 Countries in Europe.  This is the same river (Rhinefalls) that we are trying to locate when we got lost in the German border.  See this LINK to read my previous post about it and ending into another town in Switzerland you probably never heard of.

Famous River Rhine, Basel Switzerland, vinneve foto

Basel girl statue, vinneve

Basel bridge lookout, vinneve

Basel bridge lookout, vinneve

Basel river rhine, vinneve3

Basel river rhine, vinneve5

Basel river rhine, vinneve 2

Basel river rhine, vinneve photo1

Basel river rhine, vinneve4

Do not underestimate this river as it moves very fast! The current is very strong that can power up the little cruise ship above!  If you think you are a good swimmer and wants to experienced how a strong current feels like, then you can rent a floater beneath the bridge.  Swimmers lining up to dry under the sun after the swim.

Below photos near the river, went to a Park for our son enjoyment and going back we have seen some religious sect dancing and inviting people to join or to donate and a mini Toy Museum and another Museum (History) that unfortunately, we are too late.

Park nearby after the river, vinneve

A religious sect dancing, vinneve

Crowd around Basel, vinneve

Basel History Museum, vinneve

Old toys@Museum Basel, vinneve

All Blacks Flag NZ, vinneve

Then by accident, as we looked up we saw the NZ All Blacks flag (rugby sport) in one of the apartments in the City Centre going back to the train station. For sure some Kiwis are living there! KIA ORA mate! 🙂

It was a very good family day out!!!

I hope you enjoy reading or browsing as some may do haha!  Thanks and come back for more!  Tschuss!!

via: The Weekly Photo Challenge:  WANDERLUST

Holidays, festivities and fiestas whatever you call it.. it sounds FUN!

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What makes Christmas and New Year so special?  

It is a time to celebrate with loved ones and far far away friends and to continue good memories with them.  All I know I am happy remembering my good old childhood years and celebrations like this made me go back to some happy years of my life!

You bet, I went overseas to spend again these holidays with them so please wait while I prepare some post though I have promised some backlogs trips (Switzerland) mid-year last year.  I hope you won’t be confused which one is a recent trip but, here are some teaser for this recent trip celebrating Christmas and New Year in the Philippines!  🙂

Every mall around the country has X’mas decorations!

My favorite destination as I keep coming back to TAGAYTAY.  The 2ND summer capital of the Philippines (South).

 

On top of People’s Park, Tagaytay. Vinneve photo

 

 

The 1st summer capital (North).

 

Burnham Park, Baguio. Vinneve photo

And of course my good times in my own province in Batangas but most of it are private photos but I have some older post LINK here if you are curious.  Same good old feelings of my childhood.  Same people who love me even if I only see them once a year or two. This makes the occasions more festive, more fun and storing it in my son’s memory bank.  I want him to remember the other half of him… half Filipino and feel the love and unique as he can be.  

 

I wish YOU all a Happy New Year and thank GOD for all the blessings coming your way!

Cheers!

 

Locarno, warmest town in South Switzerland

Finally,  I am writing this late post now from previous travels last July and August as I have been so busy the past few months and so I can only participate in some quick and easy Photo Challenges, see previous post on this LINK and this LINK and so on, if you care to know more then you will make me happy if you all like it.

LOCARNO, is located in South Switzerland under the canton / region of TICINO just like LUGANO (see the LINK 1 & LINK 2 previous post to learn more)…  It is obvious that from the name itself it sounds Italian and yes, they speak Italian on that side of the border.  It is very near Italy as I make way traveling to MILAN as per this MLINK1 & MLINK2 I hope you would like those posts too!

Since we have a very long family vacation so it is a must that we rent a house to cater big families and that means 3 families in one house! Yep, must be a big house indeed.  But unfortunately, in Locarno, it is harder to book in advance for 3 families and we only get good for 2 families.  Just us and the parents in law, cheers! 😉

View from our veranda

And now without any further ado… here are some beautiful photos we took while there.

Veranda view while having breakfast, lunch or dinner. Vinneve photo.

Sasso. Vinneve

MTop. vinneve photo

MTop2, vinneve photo

You can see another angle of this church at the edge of the rock on my other post thru this LINK.  Feel free to check on it while you are here.  Click the photos to enlarge it.

Ascona1, vinneve

Ascona2, vinneve

If you are in Locarno you better visit ASCONA.  It is a small town under Locarno.  Some of you will probably have seen this place if you are fond of watching movies in cinema and thinking like “I wanna go there!” just like me haha!

Look how nice the place is for tourist though I am not sure if the residents will like it since it may be too crowded for them but good for the economy!  A long time ago, my parents-in-law said that people who visit here MUST wear formal clothing for dining or just strolling beside the bay view or browsing some antique and art shops in every alley.  Good thing they have changed it now to accommodate the modern generation as you well know nowadays, some tourist are just happy to stroll around in short shorts etc.  But never fear…I am always ready for that as I know Switzerland can be unpredictable.

Baywatch, vinneve photo

from our dining table, vinneve

Alley way to shops

Interesting artifacts,vinneve

Quirky isn’t it? vinneve photo

I hope you have enjoyed some photos and thanks for your time reading and/ or browsing! Please be with me for the next post (when I have the time) about Zurich as we finished traveling from the South to go to North of Switzerland and around the City of Zurich. You can see most of our travels from the Category: Travel and Leisure OR browse my other categories for older posts.  Come travel with me slowly but surely 🙂  Thanks heaps!  Ciao!

Milan: Duomo, Castle Cairoli & Beyond

Milan is known for being a shopping destination and all fashion enthusiasts know about this! See this LINK to read my earlier post about it… But there is more than just shopping in Milan. There are a lot of yummy foods around but I am not a food blogger so I cannot describe in an eloquent word all the foods that I gulped, sorry.  I am more excited about traveling!  Yipppeee!! 🙂

Duomo, Milan Italy, vinneve photo

First of all…let me remind you, it will be crowded especially if you go in the month of July and August like I did.  But if you don’t mind the crowds and are looking for some SALE and good weather then you will come at the right time. 🙂

Plaza to get into Duomo,vinneve photo1

Duomo, vinneve photo 2

Intricate details of Duomo. What is Duomo means? well according to my fave Wikipedia, it derives from the Latin word “Domus” means house or as a cathedral it means “house of God” or domus Dei. 

 

Found some interesting places while walking around near the Duomo.  All these streets and roads lead to a Park, Museum, and some restaurants hiding behind some alleys.  I even met a new friend that helped me find my way when I seem lost (perhaps it was written on my face how lost I was haha!).  Well, at least there is somebody new to visit again next time around aside from my cousins.  It pays to walk around I tell you. 😉

vinneve photo, street1

vinneve photo, street2

clock near Duomo,vinneve photo

landmark to go straight to Duomo, vinneve foto

Plaza across the street, vinneve foto

shopping buildings, vinneve foto

alleys near Duomo, vinneve foto

Seek and you shall find… 

Castle Cairoli (Sforza Castle or Castello Sforzesco) some called it as it is near the Metro (Cairoli station). I have been here many times and everytime people can’t stop clicking their cameras.  If you have a wild imagination you can imagine the life in the 14th Century! see below how it looks like before.  Amazing isn’t it?

Wikipedia.org

Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=306503 .  See LINK.

There’s a Park and I warn you that it may be a long walk.  Be prepared and have your bottle of water, a towel if you like to work out your tan or simply walk and walk.

There are some more photos but I think it is better for you to see it yourself to really see the beauty of each building and places.  Now I leave you a quote, hope you like it.

quotesgram.com

After Milan… I went back to my family waiting on the Southern part of Switzerland to continue our family holidays for the month of July and August 2016. Hope to see you next time reading my post about LOCARNO.  For LUGANO see this LINK to read about it and another LINK here.  Otherwise see below (scroll down) “Related” topics for more post.  I hope you enjoyed reading and thanks for your time! 

Cheers!!