My quiet moment at St.-Pauline-Kirche

While travelling between France and Germany, I was invited by our very good German friend who lives in Trier to come and visit. He had just become a grandfather and I was excited to meet the new addition to their family. He assured me it was well worth the visit and he already bought my train ticket. It was a Thalys train so in less than an hour from Gare de lest, I was at the station to meet him. There is so much to blog about Trier. Tourists and Germans flock to this small town to learn about its rich heritage and history . 
http://www.holidaygermany.com/take-a-trip-to-st-paulin-kirche-germany

One of the ancient churches we visited was St.-Pauline, a Romanesque basilica 

which houses one of the rarest attraction in Germany. Christians were persecuted during the Roman empire and the bones of Christians who belonged in the Theban legion are buried in this Roman sacred ground.

               

                                     This video was taken inside the magnificent baroque church 
                                                      designed by Balthasar Neumann.


          http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/410497/Balthasar-Neumann.

Welcome 2012!

I found this beautiful poem and want to share to all my fellow bloggers. Enjoy!

"Drop a pebble in the water" by James W. Foley

Drop a pebble in the water:                                  
in a minute you forget, 

But there's little waves a-flowing,

and there's ripples circling yet, 

And those little waves a-flowing

to a great big wave have grown; 

You've disturbed a mighty river

just by dropping in a stone.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness:

just a flash and it is gone; 

But there's half-a-hundred ripples

circling on and on and on, 

Bearing hope and joy and comfort

on each splashing, dashing wave 

Till you wouldn't believe the volume

of the one kind word you gave.

Dumaluan Beach

My Mother and I went to Cebu to attend my brother's wedding and soon after that, I whisked her away and embarked to Tagbilaran City via Supercat. It has been a while since my mom and I had a vacation.. The ride in the fast ferry took almost two hours. Once we arrived at the port, we were greeted by our tour guide for our day tour (which I will talk about in another blog). After our long day of sightseeing, the rest of the week was spent by the beach.

The last stop of the tour was the historical blood compact statue which overlooks Panglao beach. The water was so inviting. Our tour guide arranged a shuttle for us to Alona beach. I was looking forward for a little rest and recreation,  and eager to take my 83 year old mother on a swim in the vast, warm blue sea.

Had our breakfast by the quiet sea. We woke up to a relaxing and serene view.

Restaurant Cap de Creus

I don't make plans for my birthday anymore. When it happens, it happens. When you plan your birthday and things don't go your way, you have set yourself up. I've learned my lesson and I'm happier this way. Your birthday becomes more intimate and special to you.

My sister has been asking me to join them in the South of France for the summer. So when that day finally came, we packed our bags and drove to Vives where they have a summer home. It was my first time in the Pyrenees and I was in heaven.

My sister took me to museums, ports and fortresses, to ancient churches and of course boating along the Mediterranean sea. But the one special place the family brought me to was in Cap de Creus to celebrate my birthday. They treated me to an exotic and sumptuous Indian food overlooking a fabulous view of the ocean against the clear blue sky.

Cadaques is Salvador Dali country where we visited his museum in Barcelona and his home in Port Lligat. A slice of heaven where he got his inspiration for his surreal art along with other great artists such as Henry Matisse and Pablo Picasso who lived along the coast of Costa Brava.