My Bay Area Stay In Five Pictures

... one for each day I was there.

The iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

It's hard to believe this is just 10 minutes from downtown SF.

Possibly my favorite picture from the trip.

Fame and historic Castro Theatre on Castro Street.

Of course, the wine caves. Oh, the wine...

My Flying Picture

It's amazing how you can now blog 10,000 feet above ground (I'm currently above Chicago). After another 10-day trip in two states and 4 cities, I'm on my way home just in time for St. Patrick's Day! Yowza!

My Shadow of a Doubt

When I realized I was going to be staying in Santa Rosa, CA for a few days, the setting of one of my favorite films, Shadow of a Doubt, I immediately made it a point to check out a few of the key locations used in the Hitchcock classic.

The first of which is the Newton residence. The house is pretty much the same as it was over 60 years ago- down to the detailed garage doors.

Then:

Now:

Then, of course, is onto the the famed Santa Rosa train station for the climatic scene. The station is now a visitor center for the city where a very knowledgeable historian proceeded to point out the rest of the landmarks from the film including where the grand library used to be before an earthquake caused its demise.

My Total Tennis

 "I want to go to there."

My Hong Kong Excursion

It's official. I saw my ticket with my own eyes. I'm going to Hong Kong later this month and the timing couldn't be better. I'm in desperate need to get away from New York for at least a little while. The last time I was in my birth city was in 2002 and had a great time visiting whatever family I have left there and sightseeing at the same time- that extra trip to Australia did not hurt either. So, much like the European Excursion last summer, blogging would be limited and picture-filled. 

Some specific things I'm looking forward on this trip besides seeing the fam includes going to my third Disney Park (HK Disney), the famed Ocean Park, visiting The Peak (somewhat pictured above) and of course, the endless knockoffs shopping. Let the adventure begin on April 19th.

My Return Blog

It was inevitable that I was going to fall behind with blogs from Europe at the rate we were traveling. So now that I'm back and recovered (somewhat) with other ongoings including a wedding in a movie studio and a weekend trip to our neighbours up north, I can sit back and relax and casually blog about my trip.

As a result, in the next few weeks, I'll be intertwining those updates with the current going-ons. So be prepared to hear about the time I stepped on Julie Andrews, the time I placed a $5 bet in Monte Carlo and the time I woke up on a beach by the French Riviera in the near future.

My Tuscan Dinner

Forgive my 'Gossip Girl' moment but, O-M-G. When deciding to trek over to Europe earlier this year, there were a few places that I wanted to go to and one of them was the breathtaking Tuscan country side. I don't think I had a better overall dinner in recent history. The view was sensational, the atmosphere was intimate, the food and wine were delish and the company was highly enjoyable. If I were to end my career right now and retire, I wouldn't mind staying in quaint Certaldo for the rest of my life.

I mean, look at this place... until then, (forgive me again),

XOXO,

Peter

My Very David Day

Everything you have heard of regarding Michaelangelo's David are true- and then more. Let the pictures speak themselves... pictures that does not include me trying to draw the actual David.

My Second Day In Rome

After an exhausting in roaming (pun totally intended) in the ancient Rome world, my group took it easier today and visited The Vacatan. After being yelled at my Italian guards for taking pictures of The Sistine Chapel, I managed to sneak in a group shot. By the way, I am loving it here... despite the heat.... So, I am completely clueless as to what is happening back in the States. Anyone want to fill me in?

My European Adventure Began....

So after a slight diversion in Pisa, I have finally arrived in Rome. Let me jsut say for the duration of my blogging in Europe, I would do so without an apostraphe since it is non-existent on their keyboard... at least I cannot find within the 15 minutes of my alloted time. So beware, a lot of correct proper English (well, a lot more) is coming your way.

Things are a blast and it has been adventurous so far navigating in Italiano in insane heat. Anyway, here are some Pisa photos... and of course we went up the tower.

My European Adventure Begins

Okay folks... blogging will be extremely limited once I land in Rome. Until then, Ciao!

My Frugal Traveler

Ever since I've decided to go to Europe for vacation earlier this summer, I've been gathering tips from various Europeans I know and looking over "must do" attractions from different places. The one thing I've following closely is Matt, the Frugal Europe Traveler over at New York Times. The guy manages to spend under $125 a day, and that's including lodging! My personal favorite so far is his Rome entry. Not only does he grant the little things to do for cheap there, he also manages to navigate you to those places from main attractions such as the Coliseum. 

As August 1st, my take-off date, approaches, I'll be sure to get reading more on what Matt is upto over there in Europe and see if he'll hit anymore spots I know I'd be going once I get there. (NYT)