This was our final day on this little trip to London. There is just never enough time to fully absorb this intoxicating city. Continue reading
A nice place to visit
We made a return visit to Hampton Court today, the royal palace built 500 years ago for Cardinal Wolsey, a favorite of Henry VIII. But when he fell out of favor,the cardinal gave the palace to the King to try to soften his disgrace, and luckily died of natural causes before the king could convict him of treason. Henry greatly enlarged his new gift and thoroughly enjoyed it, as did many of his successors.
It’s just not fair
How can one country have so many picturesque villages bursting with history and charm – as well as so many tea shops filled with yummy cakes and such civilized gentlefolk? It’s just not fair, I say. Continue reading
A little bit of London
In the three months since we’ve returned from our epic trip this year, it’s not as though New York hasn’t been exciting, so maybe I have no excuse for not posting. But being at home comes with its own set of seemingly mundane chores, sights and events, and it’s hard to see them through someone else’s eyes. Who knows? A routine trip to the doctor at one of our world-class hospitals might have been fascinating if you yourself don’t get out much. Continue reading
India on my mind
New York, New York. It’s been a somewhat strange week getting reacquainted with our home and our town. It feels great, though somewhat disorienting. I keep waking up thinking about where we are going today, and keep being relieved when I remember that there’s no packing to be done for the next leg of the trip. Continue reading
The Scots said it well
Paris, France. How to describe the last day of our five-month adventure? This Scots phrase reassures us that no matter how far we may roam or how exotic our travel itinerary, the return home – hame – is our ultimate reward. Continue reading
Postcards from Paris
Paris, France. We started our day with a visit to the Breakfast in America diner, having read the book by the ambitious guy who decided that was what was missing in Paris. It’s quite amusing:
http://www.amazon.com/Pancakes-Paris-Living-American-France/dp/1492632120
Was it the American dream of breakfast? We’ll be kind and say yes.
More oh-so-French gardens
Paris, France. (Don here) Continuing my pursuit of Paris public gardens during the peak flowering season, I spent the afternoon strolling around the Jardin du Luxembourg. First laid out in the early 17th century to accompany the new Luxembourg Palace (now the home of the French Senate), the garden was opened to the public after the Revolution. Continue reading
The gorgeous gardens of Paris
Paris, France. One of our goals on this trip was to view the gardens of England and France when they were at their peak, namely in May and June. Continue reading
The return of the royals
Paris, France. In the olden days, if you were born a king or a queen, you lived a very good life, you died and they gave you a big send-off and a proper burial. And then you rested in peace. In France, that likely took place in the Basilica of Saint Denis. He was a Christian martyr, beheaded, yet he supposedly walked around for a while till he dropped, ostensibly at the site of the church we see today. Continue reading
