alilou's Adventures in Wonderland - Rarotonga, Oz, Vietnam

[skatesindreams]

Thank you for sharing all of this.
Good, bad, or indifferent; it's all fascinating to me.
I'm glad you're feeling better, as well.

Your pictures, especially those close-ups of the mosaics, are beautiful.

[alilou]

Your pics of Milan are great! I don't think I've ever took photos of the city (just a few maybe), but it's nice to see it from an external [maybe outside is more correct?] point of view.
O course the best moment of the day for me was the hanging panties!
And the ice cream Since you left it has been quite cold so that has probably been my last 2011 ice cream!!

I can send you some more pics soon - I got some good ones of the city from the top of the duomo (I think - will have to have a look)

During the Olys everyone I was hanging out with was taking pics of Vanouver because it was new to them. It seems we never take pics of the city we live in.

Eat ice-cream anyway!

Thank you for sharing all of this.
Good, bad, or indifferent; it's all fascinating to me.
I'm glad you're feeling better, as well.

Your pictures, especially those close-ups of the mosaics, are beautiful.

Thanks skatesindreams. The mosaic photos amazed me. I had no idea if they would come out or not, and you really couldn't see that they were mosaics - such detailed work, and quite far away (high up) and dim lighting, so I was really pleased with what turned out. Love my camera. It's a mini SLR with a great telephoto lens, but not even close to a professional camera.

[victorskid]

I spent some time working in Geneva quite a few years ago now. I took the train to Milan and spent a couple of nights there. I too climbed up to the roof of the duomo, visited the galleria. I also saw the painting of the Last Supper and it was fittingly Easter weekend.

Thanks for sharing all your experiences and the visuals

I must look for my photos!

[alilou]

I spent some time working in Geneva quite a few years ago now. I took the train to Milan and spent a couple of nights there. I too climbed up to the roof of the duomo, visited the galleria. I also saw the painting of the Last Supper and it was fittingly Easter weekend.

Thanks for sharing all your experiences and the visuals

I must look for my photos!

You're welcome. I have so much fun doing the blog. Isn't the duomo spectacular?! It was so amazing to be in amongst all the spires.

Hope your photos bring back all kinds of wonderful memories for you

[alilou]

The latest blog post is up. We finally said our goodbyes to Italy and headed to Spain. This newest post is about our time in Barcelona. Muy bien!

http://alisonarmstrong.blogspot.com/view/sidebar

or for IE users http://alisonarmstrong.blogspot.com

And I will be back in Vancouver just in time to watch the whole of the GPF live on TV

[skatesindreams]

Wonderful, again, alilou.
Looking forward to your impressions of Gaudi.

[alilou]

A new bolt post is up. The genius of Antoni Gaudi.

http://alisonarmstrong.blogspot.com/view/sidebar

or http://alisonarmstrong.blogspot.com for IE users

Um...is anybody (apart from skatesindreams ) still reading

If you're not that interested in Gaudi (which I absolutely acknowledge could be possible, even probable ) the next blog should be a bit more interesting - the south of Spain, Costa del Sol

[victorskid]

Still reading & enjoying

[skatesindreams]

A new bolt post is up. The genius of Antoni Gaudi.

http://alisonarmstrong.blogspot.com/view/sidebar

or http://alisonarmstrong.blogspot.com for IE users

Um...is anybody (apart from skatesindreams ) still reading

If you're not that interested in Gaudi (which I absolutely acknowledge could be possible, even probable ) the next blog should be a bit more interesting - the south of Spain, Costa del Sol

Once again, your pictures are fabulous, particularly the Nativity Facade.
I've been fascinated by Gaudi's work; and the Basilica, for years.

I was a Humanities major, alliou.
Your personal experiences, and all you share, are more meaningful than most of what I learned about these subjects in University,

[IoanaC]

Thank you for sharing your experiences, Alilou! I love your blog, your thoughts, your pictures and everything you've been posting it it. My favourite entry so far is "People". You've captured some wonderful moments there.
Looking forward to reading about your next adventures!

[alilou]

Still reading & enjoying

Thanks victorskid, glad you're enjoying it

Once again, your pictures are fabulous, particularly the Nativity Facade.
I've been fascinated by Gaudi's work; and the Basilica, for years.

I was a Humanities major, alliou.
Your personal experiences, and all you share, are more meaningful than most of what I learned about these subjects in University,

Thank you so much skatesindreams. Gaudi's work is amazing isn't it? The interior of the basilica is just breathtaking. I feel so lucky to have been able to experience it.

Thank you for sharing your experiences, Alilou! I love your blog, your thoughts, your pictures and everything you've been posting it it. My favourite entry so far is "People". You've captured some wonderful moments there.
Looking forward to reading about your next adventures!

And thank you IoanaC. It does feel good to know people are enjoying the blog. It's a very creative process, and I like to to be able to share it. There will be another "people" post coming in the next few weeks - I have a new collection of photos, but the next post will be about our time on the Costa del Sol.

[alilou]

And finally, the next post is done. Spain's Costa del Sol and the lovely town of Nerja.

http://alisonarmstrong.blogspot.com/view/magazine trying a new layout.

and for IE users http://alisonarmstrong.blogspot.com

I'm actually back in Vancouver now and got to watch all of the GPF on TV I was so happy

[skatesindreams]

Wow, alilou!
I'm awed by the beauty here.

Oh my...that paella!

You and Don have really captured and shared the "spirit and joy" of travel/discovery so well.
Thank you!

Awaiting your further adventures, with pleasure.

[alilou]

Thanks again skatesindreams. It was very easy to take good photos of the Costa del Sol. How could you go wrong with that kind of scenery

We so love to travel, see all the different ways people live, see all the creativity and different ways people have of making life work. We're off to India in the new year - just picked up our visas today

[alilou]

There's a new blog post done - about our return to Barcelona, Paris (briefly) and Vancouver re-entry. Thus ends the first phase of our big adventure. Off to Montreal for a family Christmas and New Year.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to everyone

http://alisonarmstrong.blogspot.com/view/sidebar

or for IE users http://alisonarmstrong.blogspot.com

[BelleBway]

Um...is anybody (apart from skatesindreams ) still reading

Still reading... just crazy busy (and still need to unpack/do laundry etc) so it takes me awhile to get to it sometimes. Thanks for sharing! And hope you get a chance to enjoy the current moment during the holiday season, without thinking so much about what comes next.

[alilou]

Still reading... just crazy busy (and still need to unpack/do laundry etc) so it takes me awhile to get to it sometimes. Thanks for sharing! And hope you get a chance to enjoy the current moment during the holiday season, without thinking so much about what comes next.

Thanks Belle, and such wise words. Nothing quite like being present to really take in the experience, eh! Mr alilou and I give each other reminders from time to time, but the most powerful reminder for me is I start to feel crappy if I'm getting too stressed about the future

Good luck with your unpacking etc, and have a wonderful holiday season!

[BelleBway]

Good luck with your unpacking etc, and have a wonderful holiday season!

Thanks! I will get to enjoy being (mostly) unpacked for a couple days. Then time to repack.

I really envy your ability to spend so much time exploring the world. But then again, I really like being a homebody with my little furricanes.

[skatesindreams]

Thanks, as always, aliou!
I hope that the holidays will allow you to relax and appreciate the "adventure" thus far; and renew your spirit for what is to come, whatever it might be.

[alilou]

Thanks! I will get to enjoy being (mostly) unpacked for a couple days. Then time to repack.

I really envy your ability to spend so much time exploring the world. But then again, I really like being a homebody with my little furricanes.

Where are you off to next? ETA: It's OK. I just read in your blog thread you're off to Disneyland. Have fun!

Yeah, I like to do the homebody thing too. We've kind of jumped in at the deep end here, and have no idea where it will lead us. In the mean time it is wonderful to be able to do all this travelling so I'm not complaining at all

Thanks, as always, aliou!
I hope that the holidays will allow you to relax and appreciate the "adventure" thus far; and renew your spirit for what is to come, whatever it might be.

I must say I'm over the hump of not having a home to come home too. And although we're incredibly busy I'm sure there'll be time to "stop" for a bit in Montreal, and definitely in India. That's what we're going to India for, and I'm definitely looking forward to it.