2011 - Lili on the Loose

17 11, 2016

Munich’s Christmas Manger Market

By Lili|November 17th, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Events, Travel|Tags: 2011, christmas creche, Christmas in Germany 2011, Christmas Market, creche, Cristkindlmarket, Europe, German Christmas Market, Germany, Kripperlmarkt, Manger Market, mangers, Marienplatz, Munich, Neuhauser Strasse, Ornaments, Photo Essay, Travel Thursday, Weinahtsmarkt|0 Comments

In a week Germany's Christmas markets will open for the holiday season. Munich has numerous Christmas Markets, from their traditional large market in Marienplatz to the unique Medieval Market at Wittelsbacherplatz. But Munich also boasts of the largest Manger Market. You can find it at Neuhauser Strasse, just a short walk away from the main market at Marienplatz. Here you can find everything you'll need for your own nativity scene! From Angels to fill the sky... To blank paint your own figures. And all manner of creatures to fill the barn With fuzzy,

12 11, 2016

Souvenir Saturday: Genuine Sea Glass

By Lili|November 12th, 2016|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2010, 2011, 2012, beach, Caribbean, Central America, Costa Rica, Costa Rica Adventure 2012, Montezuma, ocean, Sea Glass, St. John, St. John 2010, St. John 2011, USVI|0 Comments

I often look for unique sea shells when I'm on vacation, but natural or genuine Sea Glass is like winning a treasure hunt! Sea Glass comes from broken glassware that are tumbled and grounded against the sandy sea floor and can take anywhere from 20-50 years before it reaches it characteristic weathering of frosted coloration and rounded edges. There are rumors that people use to refer to them as "Mermaid Tears", morning drowned sailors. Sea Glass has become so widely used as "gems of the sea" that they actually have a rating, as well as some colors are rarer than

17 09, 2016

Souvenir Saturday: Oktoberfest

By Lili|September 17th, 2016|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2011, beer, Christmas in Germany 2011, Europe, Germany, Munich, Oktoberfest, shot glass, Stein|0 Comments

Today Oktoberfest starts in Germany! I haven't had a chance to go to that event, but I did visit Germany over Christmas a few years ago and picked up these mini steins from Munich. Souvenir Saturday is an every-other week series on the items that represent travel memories.

20 08, 2016

Souvenir Saturday: Maho Bay Glass Blowing

By Lili|August 20th, 2016|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2011, Caribbean, glass, Glass Art, Glass Blowing, Maho Bay, Maho Bay Camps, St. John, St. John 2011, Trash to Treasure Studio, USVI|0 Comments

There once was an amazing echo-campground on St. John, USVI. You could stay in these canvas tents in the trees. And you could watch glassblowing artisans use recycled glass to make beautiful things all night long. Sadly, the campgrounds lost their lease and the land was sold a few years back. Which makes Maho Bay Glass souvenirs rare. This is an example of their beautiful work, of a purple fish ornament. Souvenir Saturday is an every-other week series on the items that represent travel memories.

6 08, 2016

Souvenir Saturday: St John Clay Works

By Lili|August 6th, 2016|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2010, 2011, Caribbean, clay, Clay works, handmade, Maho Bay Camps, potter's wheel, pottery, pottery wheel, St. John, St. John 2010, St. John 2011, USVI|0 Comments

Hands on experiences are always the best, and I had a chance twice to visit the Maho Bay Clay Works in St John, USVI and make my own pottery. This was my first little bowl I made, and it actually turned out pretty well! It use to be a nice purple color, but an Irish flag once got caught in some water in the bowl and the color changed slightly. I have another pot at this same trip in 2010, but it came out very weirdly so haven't taken a photo of it. My second trip I was more

8 06, 2016

Under the Sea – World Oceans Day 2016

By Lili|June 8th, 2016|Categories: Nature & Outdoors, Travel|Tags: 2011, 2012, 2013, Bacalar Chico, Bacalar Chico National Park, Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve, Belize, Caribbean, Caye Caulker, Central America, Coral, Costa Rica, Costa Rica Adventure 2012, Flounder, Isla Tortuga, Mayan Encounter 2013, ocean, Sea Grass, Sea Turtle, Sergeant Major, St. John, St. John 2011, Starfish, Sting Ray, The Little Mermaid, turtle, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site, USVI, Waterlemon Caye|0 Comments

Today is World Oceans Day. With so many news stories of rising ocean temperatures and bleached corals, now more than ever is it important to protect this important part of our ecosystem. So today I share some of my favorite snorkel photography and hope we can all help protect the oceans. Above is Waterlemon Caye, off of St. John USVI. The large school of fish you can see are Sergeant Major, my favorite fish. Here you can see more Sergeant Majors near Isla Tortuga, Costa Rica. I like this fish as it reminds of me the coloring of Flounder from the

20 05, 2016

Isaac Slade of The Fray at Boulder’s Fox Theater

By Lili|May 20th, 2016|Categories: Concerts, Local, Photography|Tags: 2011, Boulder, Colorado, Concert, Fox Theater, grand piano, Isaac Slade, music, North America, Photo Friday, piano, The Fox, The Fray, USA|0 Comments

I've gone to some four dozen The Fray shows starting all the way before they were signed with Epic and were considering quitting. I've enjoyed being their unofficial fan photographer, and organizer of the first The Fray fansite (which at some point I'll get around to putting it back online.) In May 2011, I saw a small concert at Boulder's The Fox Theater for two little known bands. But I knew they were a code-word for The Fray! So gathering up my friends we scored front row and I got this great photo of Isaac Slade singing his heart out on top

19 05, 2016

Showtime in Las Vegas

By Lili|May 19th, 2016|Categories: Concerts, Theater & Shows, Travel|Tags: 2011, 2016, Adobe Summit, cirque, cirque du soleil, Girl’s Weekend, Las Vegas, Le Rêve, Magic, Nevada, North America, Penn and Teller, Summit Bash, The Dream, The Linq, The Rio, The Wynn, Travel Thursday, USA, Vegas Checklist, Weezer|0 Comments

Las Vegas is always re-inventing itself, but one thing that has been a constant in Las Vegas is its entertainment acts and shows. On my previous trips to Las Vegas I was either too tired or busy to do see any shows (unless you count a male revue for a friends bachelorette), but this most recent trip I decided to branch out and see what Las Vegas had to offer. Magic On my first night, I found myself at the last minute grabbing tickets to Penn & Teller. I had wanted to see a real magic show since I was a kid

14 05, 2016

Souvenir Saturday: Bones Rum

By Lili|May 14th, 2016|Categories: Drinks, Food & Drink, Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2011, bar, Bones Rum, Caribbean, Curzan, Curzan Rum, Pina Colada, rum, St. John, St. John 2011, St. Thomas, USVI|0 Comments

When you exit the St. Thomas airport, you are greeted with a sample of Curzan Rum. Then when you get off the ferry in St. John, you get...another sample of Curzan Rum! Not that I'm complaining at all! But on my second trip to St. John, I was happy to find a new store had opened up. It was a "Pour Your Own Rum Bar" featuring a locally made Rum: Bones Rum! Now usually I'm not a fan of dark rum mainly as its not great on its own, but Bones is smooth and tastes good every way you want to

29 04, 2016

Living Art at the Bellagio

By Lili|April 29th, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Photography, Travel|Tags: 2011, 2016, Bellagio, easel, Flower Art, flowers, Girl’s Weekend, Las Vegas, Nevada, North America, Photo Friday, US, USA, Vegas Checklist|0 Comments

There are so many great fun & free things to do in Las Vegas if you just know where to find them. I really enjoyed walking around the flower garden in the Bellagio Hotel. This living easel has many wonderful flowers growing from in. The above is from my 2011 trip, and below my trip last month. Every Friday Lili shares her favorite photography & the stories behind the photos.