Travel and Leisure

The Trees of Yosemite Valley

The most influential of the Valley trees is the yellow pine (Pinus ponderosa). It attains its noblest dimensions on beds of water-washed, coarsely-stratified moraine material, between the talus slopes and meadows, dry on the surface, well-watered below and where not too closely assembled in groves t Read More

Explore Delft - Where the Netherlands' Fairy Tale Begins

Have you ever heard about the Delft Blue? The production of this delicate porcelain has started and continues in the fairytale city of Delft located in the Western part of The Netherlands.   My first encounter with Delft happened virtually, through inspiring stories of my friend who just Read More

Tomar: Portugal's Magical and Wondrous Town

You will feel the life, spirit, and history of Tomar Portugal the moment you walk its streets. Follow along with the River Nabao which runs through the narrow streets of Tomar, across ancient bridges, as you make your way to the beautiful churches found here with wondrous statues, ceiling pai Read More

Whale Watching in Mirissa, Sri Lanka

One of the many popular activities to do on the seas off Sri Lanka is Whale Watching. Many of the boats that go out are fully booked even occasionally on off-season days. Sri Lanka has a few cities popular for Whale Watching and the closest to Colombo (Sri Lanka’s capital) is the city of Miris Read More

The Excellent Cuisine of Portugal

Portugal’s cuisine is excellent. The country is known for delicious seafood. Snacks can be purchased at small stores, taverns, or casual restaurants. Baked red snapper, grilled swordfish or shrimp, and sweet bread codfish cakes are tasty and filling. Other favorites include chick nuts and clam Read More

Batalha and the Monastery of the Battle (Moisteiro da Batalha)

Life in Batalha revolves around a single structure of epic proportions, a truly monolithic sight: the Batalha Monastery (Moisteiro da Batalha), or Monastery of the Battle. With intricate stone latticework decorating the exterior, ornately carved stone ceiling that soars overhead, and high Gothic sty Read More