Vienna 2019

Day 1
We arrived in Vienna, checked into Hotel Das Tigra and explored the area
Since we live in zone 1, we walked right into Easter Market. I have never seen so many eggs in my life. The crazy things is that they are real and hand made, definitely a bonus for being here during Easter holiday.

Then we walked to Cafe Central, since it was 4pm. The line wasn't super long.

We tried the famous chocolate cake, goulash soup, and Vienna coffee

After our satisfied meal, we walked towards Stephansplatz, but we wander off to Michaelplatz.
Vienna is so beautiful, it's very walkable and the white buildings with it's historic charm kind of blow me away.

We finally arrived at St Stephen's Cathedral

There was a service inside

Beautiful interior

While we were there, we decided to purchase a last minute concert ticket at Palais Schonborn 

We grab dinner to go at Stopfer, this is a restaurant we kept coming back a few times since we love their schnitzel and vienna soup and salad

Mozart and Strauss concert to conclude the first day.

Day 2

We climbed the south tower of St Stephen's Cathedral... 343 steps to the top! It was worth it since we got to see the view and the glazed tiles up close

Today we did a walking tour, it's highly recommended for first time tour in Vienna since they give you lots of information on the city. We saw the famous anchor clock while walking around the old city.

Then we did an afternoon tour at Belvedere Palace

where we see the famous "The Kiss" by Klimt

Lastly, we had dinner at Figlmuller, where the famous schnitzel is located to end our day.

We traveled back from Budapest and stayed at different part of the city. Close to Opera House

We decided to purchase hop on and hop off bus so we can see the rest of the city.

Our first stop is Kahlenberg, where we passed wineries of Vienna and went to the top to see the view

Besides Figmuller and Cafe Central, Cafe Demel is the third must visit restaurant when in Vienna. We had their famous Annatorte (a chocolate cake) and it was divine!

That night, we did a night time bus tour.

Hotel Kaiserhof has one of the best breakfast, highly recommended

After breakfast, we went to Hundertwasserhaus, so unique!

Then we stopped by Prater to ride the world's oldest ferris wheel

And the views!

We stopped by Secession building. It was closed due to Easter holiday but the ornament outside is beautiful

That night we attended a Mozart and Strauss concert.

On our last day we decided to visit Naschmarket

Then we hop on the bus and head to Schonbrunn Palace..

A UNESCO site 1996. It was a hunting lodge in middle ages, then it is imperial summer residence of Habsburgs

We climbed up to Gloriette at the top of the hill

Beautiful fountain and wisterias

That afternoon, we went back for the interior tour. Photos are not allowed, but I was able to find this Great Gallery room on internet.

We ate lunch at Schonbrunn Palace, highly recommended.

On our last night, we attempt a standing ticket at Vienna Opera House. Lily couldn't get in because of dress code. Somehow, God was watching us. There was a men outside the opera house handed her a free ticket and told her to go to the side door.... Miracle happens, we saw the Beethoven opera! I got in for 3 euros and she paid nothing. What a wonderful night to end our trip!

36 hours in Santa Monica

I dogfood an apartment for Zeus this past weekend and took uber everywhere to explore the city.

Friday
3:30pm
1) Check into Zeus property at 2200 Colorado Ave. Santa Monica, love their furnishing with the feel of home, but I have issues with wifi

6pm
2) Dinner at True Food Kitchen inside Santa Monica Place
I ordered their famous edamame dumplings. Then I ordered matcha horchata which had oak milk instead of rice milk.

7pm
3) Watch sunset at Santa Monica Pier

Saturday
9am
4) Grab a Chai smoothie at Renovo

9:30am
5) Soak in Jacuzzi

11am
6) Brentwood Country Mart

An old barn converted into a shopping and food area.
Stopped by goop, diesel bookstore
Ate at Frida Tacos- Chicken and lettuce wrap

Grab lemon poppy seed at Farm Shop

Had fresh mint chip ice cream at Sweet Rose Creamy

4pm
7) Palisades Park
strip of land with palm trees and ocean views over looking Santa Monica Pier on the left side.

8) Third street Promenade
Watch performers

9) Hotel Casa Del Mar
Had sushi and taste of sake for their happy hour

7pm
10) Watch sunset at beach

Sunday
9am
Had breakfast at Goodboybob coffee. Had avocado toast and cappuccino.

11am
Check out

UrbanHike in San Francisco

A group of us decided to do an urban hike in San Francisco. We started with lunch at "Aha Fresh" formally "Griddle Fresh" The Lemon ricotta soufflé's pancake is a must try.

Then we walked around 24th street window shopping.

We gather at Neighbor’s Corner in San Francisco for coffee tea and light snack, introduce ourselves.

Then we’ll start our hike with a visit to Seward slides and play like a kid.

then we hike up to the top of Kite Hill for great views

and then take a hike to twin peaks (good workout, bring water) for awesome views and photo ops.

Then back to coffee shop, here you can grab more drink of snack if necessary. Then we head towards Boba Guys for a reward afterwards.

24 Things to do in Cambodia and Vietnam

1. Watching sunrise over the temples in Cambodia

2. Angkor Wat, one of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World

3. Visit Bayon and watching baby monkeys stealing food from each other.

4. Feeling speechless standing in front of the tree in Ta Prohm.

5. Climbing 500 steps to Hua Cave View Point

6. Ride the boat to see the birds in sanctuary.

7. Kayak to Cat Ba Island

8. Watching sunset on Halong Bay cruise

9. Celebrate Anniversary on the cruise by having a special seat

10. Go across Hua Bridge to Ngoc Son Temple

11. Ate Bon Cha like Obama and Bourdain.

12. Walk on the long corridor in Hue Imperial Palace and thinking it's just like China

13. Watch a fisherman cast the net and then he ask him to help him.

14. Carring fruit and veggies is not easy

15. Visit How An, city of lanterns

16. Visit Cu Chi Tunnels

17. Rubber trees near Cu Chi

18. Drinking "5 o'clock Follies" at Rex Hotel

19. Visit Mekong Delta to the city called Ben Tre. Here is where they build bricks.

20. Had famous fried fish at Mekong Delta

21. Finding apartment converted into Cafes in Saigon Walking Street

22. Bitexco Tower, currently the tallest building in Ho Chi Minh City

23. Finding Notre Dame Cathedral in Vietnam and learned the materials were imported from France.

24. Breakfast overlooking Saigon River at Hotel Majestic