Travel - Lili on the Loose

23 02, 2017

Murals of Balmy Alley, San Francisco

By Lili|February 23rd, 2017|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Travel|Tags: 2008, art, Balmy Alley, Balmy Street, California, Good Food in San Francisco, mural, North America, San Francisco, Travel Thursday, USA|0 Comments

On my first trip to San Francisco, I was exploring the Mission district on the hunt for their famed murals. While there are many works of art in the area, the most murals are found within one block at Balmy Alley. Located off of 24th Street, it is about a 5 block walk east of the 24th/Mission BART stop. The first murals started in the 70's initially depicted human rights and political abuse in Central America. The first murals were done by Patricia Rodriquez and Graciela Carillo who became known as Las Mujeres Muralistas. Here are some of my favorite: Indigenous Eyes

20 02, 2017

Museum Monday: Glory of Venice at Denver Art Museum

By Lili|February 20th, 2017|Categories: Museums, Travel|Tags: Colorado, DAM, Denver, Denver Art Museum, Glory of Venice, Italy, North America, USA, Venice|0 Comments

My memories of the Denver Art Museum growing up were going on the chaotic free days. Trying to peer over the rabble of families or fight to one of the children activities areas but failing due to the mass of people. As I got older, I tended to only go to that museum for big events, things like the Tutankhamen exhibit in 2010, Van Gogh in 2013, Cartier in 2015, or Star Wars in 2016. But I decided for Star Wars I'd become a member and try to go more often. It is down the street (sort of) from my office,

18 02, 2017

Souvenir Saturday: Novelty Shot Glasses

By Lili|February 18th, 2017|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: California, Coronado, North America, San Diego, shot glass, shot glasses, The Del, The Del Coronado, USA|0 Comments

I use to collect shot glasses everywhere I went. Back in my college days I'd even use them! But towards the end of me collecting shot glasses I finally caved and bought a few novelty ones that you couldn't drink out of, you know the types with something glued to the inside or outside of the shot glass. Here are 3 I bought in San Diego featuring the Del Coronado Hotel and an Orca. Souvenir Saturday is an every-other week series on the items that represent travel memories.

17 02, 2017

Temple of Music in San Jose, Costa Rica

By Lili|February 17th, 2017|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Photography, Travel|Tags: 2012, Central America, Costa Rica, Costa Rica Adventure 2012, Dome, G Adventures, Gadventures, GAP, Parque Morazán, Photo Friday, San Jose, Temple of Music|0 Comments

While wandering Parque Morazán I found a group of people playing drums and singing under this beautiful dome. I found out later it is called the Temple of Music, very fitting! Every Friday Lili shares her favorite photography & the stories behind the photos.

13 02, 2017

Travel Missteps: Walking The Unfinished Obelisk

By Lili|February 13th, 2017|Categories: Travel, Travel Missteps|Tags: 2015, Africa, Aswan, Dream of Egypt, Egypt, Egypt Explorer, G Adventures, Gadventures, GAP, Middle East, obelisk, unfinished obelisk|0 Comments

It has been a dream of mine to see the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan. And so I was overjoyed to be one of 6 people there that day in 2015. You can see how few people were there! But I was a bit dismayed to see that the path to walk on the obelisk was roped off. I knew you could walk on it, and could still see the stone that allowed you to gain entrance to it. So I did what I would never normally do, I went off the path! A close up of the crack that

9 02, 2017

The Carvings of Edfu Temple, Egypt

By Lili|February 9th, 2017|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Photography, Travel|Tags: 2015, Africa, carvings, crown, Dream of Egypt, Edfu, Edfu Temple, Egypt, falcon, Horus, Middle East, Osiris, Set, Temple, Temple of Edfu, Travel Thursday|0 Comments

Edfu's Temple had so many amazing carvings that there were too many to show in my first post. So here I present to you more of the temple. One of the side passages between the outer walls and the inner sanctum. Every bit carved beautifully and with lion-headed gargoyles that divert the rain off the sanctuary roof. One of the inner rooms shows the Pharoah along with a goddess. Set being speared by Osiris . Birds and fish in a net. In the darkness of the inner temple I could bearly make out lions and other carvings on this pillar. The faithful brining

6 02, 2017

Museum Monday: Juno Sospita at the Vatican

By Lili|February 6th, 2017|Categories: Museums, Travel|Tags: 2005, All in the family 2005/2006, All in the family Italy 2005/2006, Europe, Italy, Juno, Juno Sospita, Middle East, Museo Pio-Clementino, Rome, statue, The Vatican, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vatican City, Vatican Museum|0 Comments

Juno "The Saviour" is a goddess that protected ancient Romans during the perilous winter month of February. She wears a goat's skin and is armed with spear and shield. This 2nd-century statue is viewable at the Vatican's Museo Pio-Clementino. Museum Monday is an every other week series about museum news, objects, and reviews.

4 02, 2017

Souvenir Saturday: Mini Painting of Antigua

By Lili|February 4th, 2017|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2013, Antigua, Central America, Guatemala, Mayan Encounter 2013, painting|0 Comments

This is a miniature painting on an easel that shows Antigua's streets with the volcano lit up in the background by the moon. I really wanted a small painting like this to sit at my desk at work. And although this was a common souvenir it took me ages to track down. The problem was that either the work would be very poorly done or the prices would be outrageous. For example one store told me a small painting like this would be $80 USD. This was in a store that only sold various sizes of touristy paintings. I was the

3 02, 2017

Fresh Coconuts

By Lili|February 3rd, 2017|Categories: Nature & Outdoors, Photography, Travel|Tags: 2007, coconuts, Hana Road, Hawaii, Maui, Old Friends 2007, Pacific, Pacific Ocean, Photo Friday, USA|0 Comments

While driving the Hana road on Maui, we stopped to get out and walk and stumble on this closed coconut stand. Every Friday Lili shares her favorite photography & the stories behind the photos.

27 01, 2017

Firebreather

By Lili|January 27th, 2017|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Photography, Travel|Tags: 2016, Diagon Alley, dragon, fire, Florida, Gringotts, Harry Potter, Magical Weekend, North America, Orlando, Photo Friday, Universal, Universal Studios, USA, Wizarding World, Wizarding World of Harry Potter|0 Comments

Harry Potter Celebration in Orlando kicks off today. I've always wanted to go, but at least I got to visit Diagon Alley last year for a quick day trip! Although it took me ages to get this photo. Each time the dragon breathed fire I could never get my camera ready in time! Every Friday Lili shares her favorite photography & the stories behind the photos.