Just a Summer in Osaka (and Nara), Japan

A trip I never planned.. And times when I was grateful I didn't have a job..

My sister's family went to Osaka, Japan for a business trip.. 

And since I had nothing to do.. I tagged along :)

To see the Osaka Castle..

And bond with my sister!

It was my first time in Japan, and everything fascinated me..

At their food stall or van, you order and pay at the vending machine on the right, and give your receipt to the cook to get your food..

At the Nara Park, deer roam around freely..

Lots of them.. And I felt like Snow White, haha! :)

Though they don't go beyond the entrance..

To the Todaiji Temple..

At Shinsaibashi, shoppers are always busy..

Look at their hands!

At Dotonbori with the famous running Glico man..

And the famous Kani Doraku Crab whose legs and eyes move..

And whose name I just discovered from Wikipedia a minute ago! 

Now meet Pablo..

Cheese Tart is not the yummiest but addictive.. Cheese Mille-Feuille is nah.. 

But the Sabrel Cheese Black Cookies with cocoa and truffle.. Gosh, I want them now!!

If you can't find the Pablo shops in the city, their products are sold at the airport ;)

(Just a sidewalk)

At the Science Museum, everything is in Japanese!

This robot solves Rubik's cubes..

At the Umeda Sky Building..

The view of the city.. Well, just buildings..

And finally a chance to sit down during the Tombori River Cruise..

When sitting down was heaven!!

My sister wanted to make use of our JR Osaka Pass, and we had to see everything in one day.. 

So by this time, my legs were dying if not dead!!

And by this time, I was also already calling her father-in-law, Dad! haha! :)

Where we ate, by the river..

It was very good, though it's not hard to find something good in Osaka, Japan :)

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Related Post: Kyoto, Japan

Fez and The Leather Tanneries, Morocco

So exotic.. 

Fez, Morocco opened my eyes..

To a world so different..

Like being in a movie..

Back in time where donkeys still transported goods..

And breads (we ate!).. were stacked and carried this way :o

Where car-free narrow streets of the old medina made me lug my luggage around..

And stressed me as I pushed my way through markets and crowds..

To get into our haven of a beautiful riad.. called Dar Gnaoua..

A traditional Moroccan house with a garden or courtyard..

And a roof deck overlooking the old walled quarters..

But tourists.. Ahh.. Snaps us back into reality at the Royal Palace..

And the fortress at Borj Sud..

Overlooking the old medina..

And again.. Tourists (like us).. Disturb handsome craftsmen at work..

Painting pretty traditional tajine pots..

And creating handmade potteries..

Back to our unrealistic life.. Through the famous Blue Gate of the old medina..

Many more steps.. And here..

Where life before Prada was conceived.. The leather tanneries..

Where skins of dead animals were treated and dyed.. So stinky and smelly..

Those leather purses and jackets didn't come from glamorous pasts after all ;)

Needed some fresh Fez air..

That sprig of Mint leaf made me breathe ;)

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Before Fez, we were in Casablanca, Morocco

What Keeps Me Going

10 months ago, I started sharing my travels after my friends who believed in me, kept pushing me to do so.

4 months ago, I started working and juggling gym, nights out, house chores, wife duties, and blog posts. It has been hectic, and the blog posts get sacrificed.

2 months ago, I received a message from my friend that she painted one of my pictures from Cruising in Malta. She said she was inspired. 

But you know.. I was even more inspired! :)

"Your painting is beautiful, Cindy! 

Thank you :)

Keep painting, and I will keep writing. 

Love, Jamie"

St. Julien's, Malta by Cindy Hernandez

Check out the original picture here: Cruising in Malta

Casablanca, Morocco

Just a day in Casablanca, Morocco..

Not much story to tell..

Just sharing their pretty Moroccan restaurant..

And what they are very proud of..

The largest mosque in Morocco and Africa..

The 7th largest in the world..

And the tallest minaret in the world..

The Hassan II Mosque..

Shiny on a rainy day..

Very intricately designed..

Inside and outside..

Granite columns and glass chandeliers..

Carved wood ceilings and marble floors..

..and beautiful mosaics :)

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Next stop: Fez and The Leather Tanneries, Morocco