USA - 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.

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.

23 01, 2017

Museum Monday: Gilded Lady

By Lili|January 23rd, 2017|Categories: Museums, Travel|Tags: ancient egypt, Colorado, Denver, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, DMNS, Egypt, exhibit, gilded lady, Mummies, Mummies New Secrets from the Tombs, museum, North America, USA|0 Comments

© 2015 The Field Museum photo by John Weinstein This mummy is known as the Gilded Lady, and is part of the Field Museum's collection. However, it hasn't been on display since the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, until now! She is on display as part of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science's new exhibit Mummies: New Secrets from the Tombs. You can see her headdress which isn't made from the linen of the rest of her mummy but instead glued layers of papyrus (this type of design is called cartonage) to mimic her hair. Her gilded face mask has made her famous and might be

9 01, 2017

Museum Monday: Secrets from the Tombs at DMNS

By Lili|January 9th, 2017|Categories: Museums, Travel|Tags: ancient egypt, canopic jars, Colorado, crocodile, Denver, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, DMNS, Egypt, exhibit, Kom Ombo, Mummies, Mummies New Secrets from the Tombs, museum, North America, sarcophagus, USA|0 Comments

A year ago to the day that I rode a camel in front of the Great Pyramids, I found myself once again face to face with Ancient Egyptians. This time it was in the familiar confines of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science at their new exhibit Mummies: New Secrets from the Tombs. I was attending a special Member's Only dinner, and I was very excited as they were serving Koshari, my favorite Egyptian dish! After a delicious dinner, I headed up to the new exhibit. Because DMNS is also exhibiting their Extreme Mammals exhibit in the same upstairs area, Mummies

1 01, 2017

2016 Year in Review

By Lili|January 1st, 2017|Categories: Year in Review|Tags: 2016, California, Disney World, Florida, Harry Potter, Las Vegas, Leaky Cauldron, Magic Kingdom, Neon Museum, Nevada, North America, Orlando, Penn & Teller, roller coaster, San Francisco, San Jose, Three Broomsticks, Universal Studios, USA, Winchester Mystery House, Wizarding World, Wizarding World of Harry Potter|0 Comments

Travel After my dream trip in 2015 to Egypt, 2016 felt like a bit of a mild year in comparison. I didn't travel internationally, instead I had 2 quick business trips (Las Vegas and Orlando), a road trip to Santa Fe, and then a proper little vacation to San Francisco over Christmas. I'd never thought I'd... Visit the Winchester Mystery House. We were driving down the coast when my mom remembered she had visited it 50 years ago. I got really excited when I could prove to my parents that it was on the way back to San Francisco and

1 01, 2017

My Top Instagrams from 2016

By Lili|January 1st, 2017|Categories: Year in Review|Tags: 2016, aquarium, Colorado, Denver, Game of Thrones, Halloween, Hogwarts, Hogwarts Express, holly, instagram, Karaoke, Kites, Larimer Square, Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay, Nevada, North America, puppy, shark, snow, Street Art, USA|0 Comments

These are my top Instagrams for the year. Most highlight my exploration in Denver this year! See more here and be sure to follow me!

31 12, 2016

December 2016 Recap

By Lili|December 31st, 2016|Categories: Blog Recaps and Roundups|Tags: 2016, Big Fat Quiz of the Year, Blossoms of Light, California, California Academy of Sciences, Carrie Fisher, Castello di Amorosa, Chinatown, Christmas, Denver Botanical Gardens, Doctor Who, Fortune Cookies, Global Entry, Hippy Van, Hornblower Cruise, I left my heart in San Francisco, Japanese Tea Garden, Lucasfilm, Napa Valley, North America, Panel Shows, Petrified Forest, Rogue One, San Francisco, SSSS, Star Wars, TSA PreCheck, USA, Winchester Mystery House, Wine Tasting, Yoda|0 Comments

Ah the lovely Christmas season in December! I had a great month! Locally I went to the Denver Botanical Gardens Blossoms of Light for the first time! Travel I spent Christmas in San Francisco! This was my second time to San Fran, but the last time was after I recently had ankle surgery and so couldn't really walk that far. So this time I was all GO GO GO! I did and saw so much but still need to make it back! I also got approved for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck! So no more SSSS list cause I'm a Trusted Traveler now!!