"I met a lot of people in Europe. I even encountered myself." ~James Baldwin

One of my favorite things traveling around Europe is the convenience of their rail/train system, allowing you to get to and from one city/country with relative ease. There are two things that make train travel so appealing to me personally, the first, is that it allows me the time to write on my journal in comfort, gathering my thoughts and experience from the previous days excursions. The other is meeting fellow travelers along the way, engaging in more than idle small talk about the weather, where often there is a shared connection about places visited and journeys yet to be fulfilled.

Travel Souvenirs

Germany-Austria-Czech Republic Handcrafted Travel Souvenirs. While I don't collect travel souvenirs bigger than lapel pins anymore, I do enjoy photographing the ones I convince myself not to buy LOL. However, I did pay for two items you see on this photo collage, but neither of them were for me. Can you tell me which ones? ;)

What kind of travel souvenirs do you allow yourself? Do you really enjoy collecting them, or are they just mementos to remind you (dare I suggest "others"? LOL) of where you've been? When I first started traveling, I bought embroidered patches (made in China) of cities/countries I've visited to sew on my "backpacker" bag and magnets (made in China) to adorn my refrigerator door...and guess what, I've never been to China! (I don't count Hong Kong or Guangzhou. LOL, the souvenirs on this collage are handcrafted in the region I visited). I was driven to collect patches and magnets to triumphantly announce to the whole world where I've been! ... But the backpack stopped accompanying me on trips, and magnets don't adhere to stainless steel refrigerator doors, and travel has become more of a personal journey of introspection.

I am afraid though that many of the lapel pins I own ARE made in China *facepalm*

Traveling light and being able to travel even lighter...

I am in awe and admiration of bicycle travelers. They need to travel light and be very efficient with what they carry with them. I've been trying to learn how to travel as lightly as possible every since my first backpacking trip to Europe over a decade and a half ago. While my back can no longer suffer efficient use of hiking/camping packs (the type backpackers are stereotyped with), I've been able to rock a 15 lbs-or-less rollable-carry-on case (which incidentally finally lost it's wheels after 4 month-long independent traveler trips in the past 4 years... here's hoping REI has a bag sale soon! LOL).

This image was taken at the tiny Rothenburg (Germany) train station with my Lensbaby Composer (I tried to keep the selective focus on the bike packs).

I managed to strike a conversation with the bike travelers and walked away with a desire to ride with them someday.

Copyright: Joel A. Marbella

Drindls and Lederhosens and Beer Steins Clanking

Chinese Tower at the English Garden, Munich. There was a brass band playing, people dancing, dirndls and lederhosens, and beer steins clanking in toasts of merriment and cheer. I am not sure if this is a daily occurrence in the summer in front of the Chinese Tower at the English Garden or just a carry over from the Kocherlball, the Cooks Balls, that take place every third Sunday in July (the Sunday that we were there) and started at 5AM that morning (this was taken past noon) where party goers come in traditional costume dressed as servants and kitchenstaff (who were the original Kocherlball merrymakers) . Whatever the case, I am glad I got to see some form of Bavarian beer garden celebration as I have yet to be lucky enough to attend an Oktoberfest. Perhaps I need to get fitted for my very own lederhosen to make that dream come true? :)

Special thanks to Dada Masa for showing my family around Munich and taking us to the English Garden for some hearty/heavy Bavarian-inspired lunch of backhandle (roasted chicken), schweinsaxe (rosted pork hocks/knuckles), bratwurst, bretzel, brotzeitteller (cold cuts and cucumber in a vinegar-based dressing LOVED THIS), and bread (Did I get it all correctly, Dada? LOL).
Copyright: Joel A. Marbella

POSTCARD: Hallstatt, Austria

Hallstatt (Salzkammergut), Austria. Such a charming town next to Hallstätter See (the lake). The town earned it's wealth through the production of salt from the salt mines which were in the shape of hearts due to the mining tool used (I think it was antlers). When the salt dwindled, the world passed it by, and as a result, the town was able to maintain it's small town appeal, and now is a tourist draw. Approximately 2 hours by car from Salzburg.

Copyright: Joel A. Marbella

POSTCARD: Eiffel Tower from the Pompidou Center on a Rainy Day

Eiffel Tower from the Pompidou Center on a Rainy Day.

Eiffel Tower from the Pompidou Center. I think the best view of the Eiffel Tower is not from the Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars or the Ecole Militaire, but from the Montparnasse Tower on the other side of the city (to the south of the Eiffel Tower). However, I was pleasantly surprised to find to an equally interesting view from the top floor of the Pompidou Center on a rainy Parisian day. I took a series of shots (this is one of the last) of the Eiffel Tower in the distance as the rain subsided and the clouds cleared that made it appear as if the tower was under construction like it was from 1887 to 1889 (first shot: everything but the base is obscured, succeeding shots: more and more of the tower is revealed, final shots: the tower in all it's glory!). It's the reason I gave this particular image that old, antique photo treatment. I'll try to post the "under construction" series later. :)

POSTCARD: Where Did All the Pigeons Go?!

Where Did All the Pigeons Go?! Trafalgar Square, London. I remember a lot more pigeons the last time I visited Trafalgar Square, perhaps it was the season (summer instead of fall). Trafalgar Square is one of my favorite spots in all of London, there's just so much energy, from the fountains to the horde of people to the drone and rumblings of the London cabs and double-deck buses weaving around the area (it's like a big rotunda/roundabout); and then there's Lord Admiral Nelson on his tall column overlooking it all. This time around I was drawn to the spraying fountains. It's a great place to decompress before or after your visit to the National Gallery (upper right)... I just realized, I don't remember seeing any bird seed salesmen!

POSTCARD: Sacre Coure through a Moment in Time

Sacre Coure through a Moment in Time

The Musee D'Orsay contains some of the best (subjectively speaking ofcourse LOL) art of the mid-19th and early (very early) 20th century (one of my favorite periods) ; that mostly means "Impressionism" by the likes of Manet, Monet,Cezzane, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Renoir and Degas. I was ecstatic to discover that one of my favorite van Gogh paintings, "The Siesta", was on display that day. So it was a surprise to me that one of my more memorable images (lasting impressions if you will *groan*) of the Orsay was found outside, of Parisian city views, through a clock! I couldn't get closer because the area was cordoned off, so I had to rely on my telephoto lens to try and help me capture the spectacular views (with varying degrees of success). This is an image of Sacre Couer in the distance through that clock in the Orsay.

POSTCARD: Sacre Couer, A Church for the People

Sacre Couer, A Church for the People (even if most of them are tourists)

The steps of Sacre Couer in Montmarte offers a welcome respite and a marvelous view from Paris' highest point. Montmarte is an eclectic neighborhood of tourists, artists and peddlers (selling gaudy souveneirs, affordable paintings and overpriced pastries and crepes!).

POSTCARD: A Stage for Anyone Willing to Perform

A Stage for Anyone Willing to Perform

The steps of Sacre Couer often play as center stage to street performers. Tourists enjoy the view while listening to engaging music.

POSTCARD: Get Me to the Church on Time!!!

Get Me to the Church on Time!!!

A bride makes her way up the steps of Sacre Coeur amid a throng of tourists. Sometimes it's difficult to remember (or is it "easy to forget"?) that many of Europe's tourist's sites are working, functional institutions; Sacre Couer is a Catholic church urging tourists to please keep quiet, dress appropriately (no hats!) and respect the locals who are using the much-visited church as a place of worship.

POSTCARD: Serenade on the Steps of Sacre Couer

Serenade on the Steps of Sacre Couer

A street performer serenading tourists on the steps of Sacre Coeur. Even as you jostle your way around Sacre Couer and Montmarte with thousands of other tourists, the street performers: mimes, singers, and painters, still manage to get your attention... and put you in the appropriate mood (in this case romance) to enjoy Paris in your own unique way. (Singer is actually pretty good, he received 1Euro from me).

POSTCARD: Bikes All Over Paris

Bikes All Over Paris

Bikes are found all over Paris these days. You can even rent one for free (with a 20Euro deposit). This was taken of a bicyclist on the corner of Rue St. Michel and Rue St. Severin in the Latin Quarter.

POSTCARD: La Tour Eiffel at Night

la Tour Eiffel at Night

Day or Night la Tour Eiffel still dazzles even in 10C weather. Who needs a top when the base is enough to recognize it? LOL

POSTCARD: Candles and the North Rose Window

Candles and the North Rose Window

The North Rose Window in Notre Dame de Paris serves as an elaborate backdrop to simple lighted candles near the altar.

POSTCARD: Silhouette of a Statue on Pont Du Carousel

Pont Du Carousel

Silhouette of a statue on the Pont du Carousel near the Louvre.

POSTCARD: Taking a Break on the Steps of St. Paul's Cathedral

Taking a Break on the Steps of St. Paul's Cathedral

Taking a Break on the Steps of St. Paul's Cathedral

POSTCARD: St. Paul's Cathedral and Millenium Bridge

St. Paul's Cathedral and Millenium Bridge

St. Paul's Cathedral from the far end of the Millenium Bridge near the Tate Modern.

"Sir Richard Branson I presume?"."Pleased to make your acquaintance."

between (and including) San Francisco International Airport and London Heathrow

I do not think I have ever been more excited about getting on a plane than I was when boarding this flight from San Francisco to London on Virgin Atlantic. Don't get me wrong, I love me any destination, but flying has always been the "necessary evil" to getting there. Unless you fly business- or first-class every trip (I have a few (too few, too few) times, which makes flying economy worse; when you've had a little taste of heaven, hell becomes a lot more hellish), we have all endured narrow seats, a sliver of legroom, not fit for late night in-flight entertainment, and meals that make vending machine food look like haute cuisine. The allure of travel has never been about boarding a plane and the several or so hours in between before being able to (thankfully) disembark. I've heard good things about Virgin Atlantic, and Sir Richard Branson, the owner, is something of a maverick and someone I actually admire, so I was hoping some of his character is found in his airlines and service. Having found a ridiculously good deal on airfare, I was even more looking forward to boarding flight VS020 from SFO to LHR (you know how things have the perception of having more value when you know you got a good deal).

Bohol: Beyond The Chocolate Hills (PART 1)

BOHOL, Philippines

When a province is as inextricably linked to its main attraction as Bohol is to the Chocolate Hills, is it even possible to "see it" for anything else? That was the question I asked myself as my PR175 flight began taxiing down the single strip runway of Tagbilaran Airport on the island province of Bohol. I gazed outside the plane window determined to find out.

As in other trips, I researched my destination prior to my arrival. I noted a few attractions of interest outside the usual gaggle of tourist spots which most tour operators quickly herd you from one attraction to the next with nary a chance to enjoy what you had just experienced. I wrote down all the attractions I wanted to visit on a Post-It note, marked the "must-see"s with an asterisk, and handed it to my own personal tour driver (I hired my own transport so I can stay at a location for as long as I want and make un-scheduled stops when and where I want) and told him to offer the most efficient route to these places over a 2-day period (with instructions on where I want to be during sunset)

Part of that research was finding a place to stay. Bohol offers the whole range of resorts and hotels to cater to every type of traveler, from the well-pampered, exclusive romantic getaway to the more subdued bare-essentials. I wrestled between two priorities, finding a place that offered good food or one with a decent stretch of beach front with the possibilities of a glorious sunset. When I finally made my decision and placed that phone call to make reservations, I was probably a little bit more hungry and a lot less romantic, and found myself calling the Bohol Bee Farm (BBF). I managed to haggle my way to a full-board rate, one that included all meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner, to take advantage of the reportedly good food. I was not disappointed. The BBF makes use of organic and natural ingredients and you can taste the difference the moment you take your first bite. I started and ended my stay at The BBF with their Spicy Flower Salad, which reminded me of a Thai Larb Gai (Thai spicy chicken salad), but with attractively arranged edible flowers and a tasty dressing with hints of honey mustard, chili, calamansi, and ginger. It was a visual and gastronomic treat! I jokingly sent text messages to my close friends telling them that I was having a flower garden for lunch. Every meal starts with a serving of freshly baked bread and a sampling of three home-made spreads, pesto, mango and honey. I enjoyed the pesto spread so much that I bought several jars at the gift shop as pasalubong (gifts) on the day of my departure. Fresh Buko juice (coconut) still served in the shell accompanied all my meals and offered a refreshing counterpoint to the savory dishes. I ended every meal with an order of their home-made ice cream prepared from fresh indigenous organic fruit like langka and mango, trying a new flavor every time. I would definitely recommend a meal or two (or three and four) here at BBF when you visit Bohol.