TravelswithCharie

Lonely Planet's list of destinations for 2010 is for the traveler seeking to get more for his hard earned money. This list includes Iceland, Thailand, London, South Africa, Malaysia, Mexico, India, Kenya, Bulgaria and Las Vegas. For more on the story, check the link below. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/iceland/travel-tips-and-articles/42/18862?affil=fb-fan * * *

On Thursday, November 5, 2009, we distributed school supplies to 92 children at the Manuel Arnaldo Memorial School in Milibili, Roxas City. Three sections of the third grade and one section of the fourth grade were the recipients of pens, pencils, erasers, and pad paper. Some students who won in the informal math contests we held received children's books, crayons, notebooks, pencil cases and other prizes. It was a great day to help the kids in Milibili. Many thanks to Leda Albar, Bock Loo, Terri Smith, Monique AlbarJen, Diane Acas, Anthony Albar for their generous support. For more on Balay ni Charie, follow this link:  http://www.balaynicharie.blogspot.com/ . *  *  * Image by Charie

My favorite fruit is the mango. The best of the breed comes from Guimaras Island. It is sweet and every scoop is a treat. Green mangos make for a sour face but are great to eat when paired with shrimp paste. In the above photo are green guavas (front right) and tangerines ( back left). The smaller pineapples are usually sweeter. You can find these on the road from Iloilo to Roxas City. Papayas are easy to grow. Drop some seeds in your garden and pretty soon you have 7 feet papaya trees (if you live in warm climates). Watermelons are perfect wholesome snacks anytime especially in a hot and humid country. These bananas are smaller than the Chiquita variety but great tasting. * * * Photos by Charie

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Found this garden on Market Street Yerba Buena Gardens on Mission between 3rd & 4th Streets Yerba Buena East Garden (in front of SFMOMA) The waterfront behind the Ferry Building In the shadow of San Francisco's skyscrapers, there are many places to kick back and unwind, perhaps during the lunch hour or after work. The images above show some of these pockets of calm. * * * Images by Charie

One of my favorite places in San Francisco is the Ferry Building Marketplace on The Embarcadero and Market Street. I love to walk up and down this indoor market and check the array of offerings from meat and seafood to cheese to fruits to wine to plants and flowers. There are several restaurants and cafés including the famous Vietnamese restaurant, Slanted Door. Cowgirl Creamery's Artisan Cheese Shop It's fun to browse at Sur La Table with its cooking tools from around the world or if reading is your interest, The Book Passage has a branch here. Afterwards, it's nice to sit outdoors if it's not too cold and enjoy the view of the bay with a delicate pastry or a nutritious fruit in hand. Farm Fresh to You For a list of merchants at the Ferry Building check their website at http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/. The Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays in front and at the back of the Ferry Building. * * * Photos by Charie

Behind the Ferry Building in San Francisco is a promenade with tremendous views of the bay. It's especially inviting on a warm day when you can sit outside and begin to relax while listening to the sound of water lapping against the pier. In the midst of this outdoor setting, there's a statue of Mahatma Gandhi. The inscription beneath his thin frame dressed only in a skimpy robe and aided by a walking stick reads: "Non violence is the greatest force at the disposal of Mankind. It is the supreme law. By it alone can mankind be saved." And right below his name and vital records is this quote: "My Life is My Message". * * * Photos by Charie