Where I'd Stay in La Paz, Bolivia.. Again

We stayed in different hotels in La Paz for a few days before we went to Lake Titicaca and after we came back from the Uyuni Salt Flats..

And because I have a weakness for accommodations..

I just want to share this lovely place that's an attraction on its own..

An old colonial house converted into Casa de Piedra Boutique Hotel..

In the centre of La Paz..

With a restaurant in a courtyard..

A bar in a cavern..

Reception at the second floor which felt like a chapel..

Wooden corridors and art painted walls..

Overlooking the courtyard..

An outdoor corridor leading to our room..

A room with a loft for hanging out.. Not ours but similar..

They were actually cleaning and we peeked..

Smaller rooms..

A fireplace lounge..

And internet! haha :P

We only stayed for a night..

But Casa de Piedra made it to my list of favourites! :)

Related Posts: My Playground.. Salar de Uyuni; THE Bolivia I Didn't Know Existed

My Family in Mexico

Once upon a time in Alaska, when our cruise ship was at a port call..

There were not a lot of seats left in the tour bus, and cute little Alejandro ended up sitting beside my sister.

That was the beginning of this beautiful friendship which brought us to their home in Mexico :)

We actually met only when the cruise was about to end..

But it is really amazing how we ended up treating everyone like family..

So here we are in the ancient city of Teotihuacan.. The city of the gods..

Where you need lots of energy to walk and walk..

Along the Avenue of the Dead..

And climb and climb..

To the top of the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon..

Now that's Alejandro with a camera around his neck.. Still cute but no longer little ;)

And Fabiola.. Belated happy birthday! :)

(I was actually preparing this story for you but I missed your day!)

Now, a shaded place near the ancient site for lunch.. La Gruta..

Well.. it really is shaded.. and cool! 

Because it is inside a cave! :)

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It was a bit of a drive from Mexico City to Teotihuacan and back..

This was just one day of our beautiful vacation with the Morales and Suarez families :)

Will share more soon.

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