TravelswithCharie

Four weeks after Governor Newsom announced the stay-at-home order for California, the corona virus is still taking a toll on Californians and the rest of the world. Physical distancing may have played a big role in capping the number of cases but we are not out of the woods yet. It looks like we’re home bound for a few more weeks. I don’t mind this at all because I know that it will help flatten the curve and set us free to live a “normal” life again. If there’s one thing I’ve learned during this period of self isolation, it is that I should never take anything for granted, especially traveling.  Champs Elysées, Paris, France Singapore Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland Tlaquepaque,  Guadalajara, Mexico Malmö, Sweden Lake Tahoe, Nevada The Sphinx, Giza, Egypt ***** Images by TravelswithCharie 

As the clock ticks and the corona virus rages unabated, my travel plans taunt me. I’m kept wondering when I can safely walk again in unfamiliar places and listen to a cacophony of foreign tongues. Unearthing these images from previous trips instills in me a strong resolve to travel again when the all clear is sounded. I am hopeful this will be soon. “It may be that the satisfaction I need depends on my going away, so that when I’ve gone and come back, I’ll find it at home.” Rumi Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California Ta Prohm, Siem Reap, Cambodia Reynisfjara Beach, South Iceland  West India Warehouse on Tolbodgade, Copenhagen, Denmark (houses Royal Cast Collection) Wat Pho, Bangkok, Thailand El Ateneo Bookstore, Buenos Aires, Argentina Irreverent Amsterdam, The Netherlands  ***** Images by TravelswithCharie

As we continue to stay at home to help flatten the curve on corona virus, I’m finding more ways to make the most of the situation. One of these is catching up with writing travel articles from my trip to Europe last year. Several have been posted on the blog. Please check them out.      On Week 2 of my Travel in the Time of Corona series, I’m sharing images from past travels that remind me why I love traveling so much.    Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kyoto, Japan Kubuswoningen (The Cube Houses), Rotterdam, The Netherlands   Sardines shop, Lisbon, Portugal St. James Church (St. Jacob’s Church), Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany Baybay Beach, Roxas City, Capiz, Philippines   Crossing the runway, Gibraltar, British Overseas Territory Salzberg, Hallstatt, Austria “My home is where my travels begin.”   TravelswithCharie  ***** Images by TravelswithCharie 

What I miss most about this Stay-at-Home order is traveling. I have many travel plans for 2020 which would have commenced in mid January. Those plans are now on hold but I’m not giving up on them. For now I’m digging up old photos relegated to the “dust bin” so I can travel vicariously and relive the good, old “If It’s Tuesday This Must Be Belgium” days. Join me for Week 1.   Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy  Dubrovnik, Croatia  Bato Bolong, Bali, Indonesia Malalison, Antique, Philippines Myeongdong, Seoul, South Korea  No Bucks Cafè (outreach service), Dublin, Ireland Pueblo Blanco, Andalucia, Spain ***** Images by TravelswithCharie

On the bus ride to Gstaad from Les Diablerets, I met an Indian couple who were traveling in Switzerland. They told me about the popularity of Gstaad in India thanks to blockbuster Bollywood movies which feature this renowned ski resort. I was just passing through Gstaad and had no idea about its attractions other than its ski slopes but it wasn’t winter yet so the town was quiet, so quiet even the Louis Vuitton shop was closed. Grey skies and light rain threatened to drive me indoors and miss out on this winter playground of the rich and famous. But I had an umbrella so I walked up and down the Promenade to see a little bit of the town that will come alive when the skiing season begins. Swiss chalets with window boxes brimming with colorful flowers line the street all the way to the river where frigid waters burble across town to steal its tranquility and wake up sleeping beauty. As I continued strolling, I found sculptures blending with its backdrop like the two musicians in the

La Fourchette Lovers of chocolate know that Vevey is the birthplace of milk chocolate. The Nestlé world headquarters thrives in this beautiful town surrounded by mountains and the calm lake waters of Lake Leman (Lake Geneva). These seats by the shore are definitely prime seating for capturing the beauty and serenity of the alpine scenery. Alimentarium Why is there a fork in the lake? La Fourchette was originally planted there for the celebration of the 10th anniversary of Alimentarium, a food museum founded by Nestlé. Though the Fork had become part of the seascape, Alimentarium didn’t have the legal permission to keep the 8-meter high utensil in the lake. It wasn't until 2008 when the canton of Vaud approved its permanent installation in Lake Leman. Jean Pierre Zaugg designed the Fork and George Favre made the stainless steel, 450 kg (992 lbs) work of art. La Grenette La Grenette (Granary) presides over the Grande Place of Vevey where the outdoor market is he

Forest bathing in Bordeaux Bordeaux, dubbed the Pearl of Aquitaine, seems to have everything. It has a historic center which is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. It has bold, new architectural spaces juxtaposed with soaring 15th century bell towers and Gothic cathedrals. It is one of the great wine producing regions in France that has quenched man’s thirst since the Roman era. It has expansive squares and gardens with flourishing trees that cool down the summer heat. There’s much to see, taste, smell and learn in this old and “new” city in southwestern France. Church of St. Croix (Holy Cross) There was a church on this spot since the 11th century and it was modified over time. The current asymmetrical façade of Saint Croix is from the 18th century renovation when a new tower was added. Identical  columns frame the second to fourth floors of the towers but the arched windows are of different styles and count. An  interesting sculpture of St. George slaying the dragon play