La Dolce Vita - 2

A day in Naples...

A nice sunny day. Not bad for someone who has endured the never-ending winter of eastern North America.

I can take more of this!

Time to do a little retail therapy at a local 'mercato'.

Anyone want to buy some olives?


















Dinner at a pizzeria in Naples...

Antipasto...deep fried pasta, deep fried pizza dough, arancino and bruschetta. 

Pizza margherita with a ring of ricotta cheese.

Dolce...mini pizza dough pockets filled with nutella.

A chaser of limoncello.

And before you can completely close off the day, a macchiato.

Ah, la dolce vita italiana!

La Dolce Vita - 1

Street scenes from Naples.

The mountain rising into the clouds in the distance is part of Mount Vesuvius.

Sunny, and 18C! Great weather to enjoy a coffee on a patio.

It's popular here, too. Red velvet cake, Italian style.

If you drink, how can you afford not to here.


















Ah, la dolce vita italiana!

Heading to Naples Finally! (photos)

At long last, after an unexpected 25 hour layover in Frankfurt, and a change of flight in Munich we are headed to Naples.

Looking out the window, these are a couple of photos of the mountains in Italy. Being from eastern Canada, and after this winter, seeing snow covered mountains, almost caused me to panic.

A little further on, the mountains are looking a little 'better'.

Seeing Mount Vesuvius on the horizon, and the Mediterranean (just out of the picture) is a sure clue that we are approaching Naples.

Celebrating the Year of the Sheep

It's Lunar New Year, a holiday celebrated around the world.

In this edition:
-Asia Prepares for the Year of the Sheep
-Glimpses of Chinese New Year
-Lunar New Year: Asia's big party - BBC - Travel
-Lunar New Year in Korea
-Lunar New Year Celebrations 2015 in the United Kingdom
-How To Celebrate Chinese New Year 2015 in NYC
-A homeward bound motor 'gang' - Chinadaily.com
-How People travel during Lunar New Year - Lonely Planet blog
-Lunar New Year Fireworks - Beijing 2015

Asia Prepares for the Year of the Sheep

No matter where you are, or when, shopping is a major activity in preparing for a holiday:


Lunar New Year is celebrated in many countries around the world.  Most major cities will be holding events.


Glimpses of Chinese New Year

...In this series of images, updated daily from Monday, Feb. 16, 2015 through Saturday, Feb. 21, Associated Press photographers show how the Chinese Lunar New Year is observed across the Asia-Pacific region, illustrating what China's biggest holiday means to the country and its extensive Chinese diaspora...
Read more...

Lunar New Year - Asia's big party

On 19 February 2015, more than a billion people will kick-off 15 days of festivities to celebrate the Lunar New Year – one of the most important festivals for people in China, many parts of Asia and in cities and towns worldwide. Although celebrated in different ways around the world, Lunar New Year is a time for families to get together, honour deities and ancestors, and ring in the new lunar calendar. Legend has it that the festival, which has origins dating back to the...
Read more...


Lunar New Year in Korea

The Lunar New Year is the largest annual holiday across Confucian societies in the world. 

From China to Taiwan, Hong Kong to Singapore, billions of people across nationalities and languages are united in celebration of "Chunjie" which lasts over a week on the lunar calendar.
Read more...




In the United Kingdom...

In New York City...

Chinese New Year falls this year on February 19th, and 2015 happens to be the year of the sheep in the Chinese zodiac, or the ram, if you prefer a bit more attitude.  As the most important holiday in Chinese culture (the Chinese equivalent of Thanksgiving and Christmas, all at once) it is a time for festivities and food.  So get in on the cultural fun!  Here's our roundup of how to celebrate Chinese New Year in NYC.
Read more...




With billions of people celebrating Lunar New Year, and many of them travelling to be with family and friends, the resultant traffic is huge.

How people travel during Lunar New Year - Lonely Planet blog

People are determined to get home whatever it takes

Lunar New Year Fireworks - Beijing 2015

A Sunday in Brussels

On a recent trip to Italy, I had a lengthy layover in Brussels.

I took the train from the airport to the city to enjoy the sights, and sounds of the city.  It was a quiet Sunday, and the city was just waking as I arrived.

Maison du Roi - Le Grand Place

Le Grand Place - looking se

Windows overlooking Le Grand Place

L'Hotel de ville - Le Grand Place

La bourse de Bruxelles - Brussels Stock Market

Street Scene

Manneken Pis

Old fortifications - Brussels

Les Galeries Royales St-Hubert

Inside Les Galeries Royales St-Hubert

Jardin du Mont des Arts 

Musee des Instruments de Musique and Place Royale

Musee des Instruments de Musique

Place Royale

Place de la Chapelle

Cathedral of St-Michael and Ste-Gudule

Street leading to Grand Place

While many airports offer many things to see, this was a far more interesting way to pass the time on a layover.

Beach Break...Tulum

It doesn't get much better than this....a beach...surf...sun...and history.

Tulum....