Style And Travel

Happy Chinese New Year!

2017-01-28T04:00:00.000-05:00

This weekend, we celebrate the Chinese New Year, which is the Year of the Fire Rooster. We visited the Congee Queen restaurant for some Hong Kong style Chinese food. This restaurant is one of the popular Chinese food restaurant here in Toronto. They have many restaurants around the City. This one that we visit is always busy even during the week. They serve delicious and authentic Hong Kong Chinese food, service is friendly and efficient and the place is very clean. Every time we come here, we always order first their Congee, like a rice soup, then the BBQ roast pork with BBQ Duck, Hong Kong style lobster, salted fish fried rice, beef with ginger and our favourite, Seafood Chow mien fried noodles. It's quite a feast to celebrate the New Year. As the Chinese new year greeting, Gong Hei Fat Choy, translates to English as Congratulations and be prosperous!

Love these pineapple buns with custard and coconut inside. It's so delicious.

Want to know your 2017 Zodiac news? Here is the 2017 Chinese Zodiac Predictions.

Gong Hei Fat Choy!

Women's March

2017-01-25T04:00:00.000-05:00

Last weekend, 21 January, we, the people, made history. If you saw on your TV last Saturday, the Women's March happened all over the World from Rome, Paris, London, South Africa, in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Halifax, and especially around the United States, at Washington D.C., New York City, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, among other American cities. This was started by a group of women, who initially thought that they would march with only a couple of thousands of people but ended up with over 2 million people united worldwide. This was prompted by the shocking and surprising victory of Donald Trump in the November 2016 Presidential Election. This march was organised as a protest against Donald Trump's vicious campaign of division, racism, bigotry, misogyny and especially his sexism against women, which was proven by the release of video tape where he admitted to treat women with no respect by "grabbing them by the pussy." This outrage was shown by women, including men in this largest march in world history last Saturday. This is just the beginning. We hope to continue this fight as Women's Power is People's Power. As President Obama said during his farewell speech, Yes we can! Yes, we can defeat evil as long as we are united, love and accept one another.

As for me, I joined the March last Saturday in Toronto's Queen's Park in the last minute. When I opened our TV after breakfast, I saw that there were large marches happening in Europe - Rome, Paris and London. I saw on TV what they were marching for - women's rights, human rights, love, equality, no to division, against racism, sexism, bigotry and misogyny especially against the current US President. I have been watching the vicious US Presidential Campaign since last year mostly on TV and on social media. So I thought in the last minute to attend to see and feel for myself what this opposition is all about? Is it real? Do people really dislike the current US President that much?

To my surprise, as you can see from my photos, yes, many people dislike the current US President that much. That this is something much bigger. There were so many people in Toronto that Saturday morning walking towards Queen's Park to join the march. Men, Women, families with their children and even with their dogs attended. It was a very peaceful rally attended by over 60,000 Canadians from all walks of life deeply against this evil we have now. Marching for women's rights, human rights, building bridges, not walls, for love, tolerance and unity.

I learnt so much from this experience as this was my first March here in Toronto. A man told me during the March: "People should just accept it. It's not gonna change anything. Just buy more US stocks in your investment." I had to think carefully about my answer on this statement.

I answered that I accept the current US President but it does not mean that I will agree with him. I do not agree with his policies of division, sexism, racism and hatred. Women's power is People's power. I told him, that I have the political, social and financial power to not agree and to say NO. That is the reason Why I March.

During the rally, there were several speakers. One of the speakers started her speech by asking us to thank the person beside us for attending the march. This was truly a positive experience filled with gratitude, love and unity.

As per the banner above, "never, ever lose your sense of outrage". I remember from a movie this line, "Never lose your sense of wonder." I learnt that we fight with love and unity with a common purpose to defeat this man. Remember, our Women's Power is People's Power.

Women's rights are Human rights.
- Hillary Clinton

Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing.

- St. Thesere of Lisieux

Explore The Israel Museum

2017-01-21T04:00:00.000-05:00

Besides the religious sights in Old Jerusalem, a visit to the Israel Museum, located in West Jerusalem is worth your time. We explored the museum first thing in the morning as it is quite a big museum spread out in a large area. There are modern art sculptures all around the park from the works of Spanish Joan Miro to French Sculptor Auguste Rodin. The park is also surrounded by huge rosemary bushes and olive trees that both smelled so fragrant in the desert heat. Surprisingly, the Israel Museum has a variety of large collections from the Jewish Ancient Art to the Fine Arts Wing, featuring paintings from Peter Paul Rubens, Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet, Pablo Picasso and modern American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, among others. There is also the Archaeology wing which showed the history of the Jews including the ancient Dead Sea Scrolls which are exhibited on the white water jar like building above. Visiting the Israel Museum was fascinating as it has a vast collection of art from the ancient to the modern times plus a vast history about mankind which is truly important to learn and preserve.

Behind me is the Shrine of the Book, shaped like the water jug where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found many centuries ago by a Bedouin shepherd in the Qumran caves near the Dead Sea. Inside is a vault like interior where the Dead Sea scrolls are on display. These scrolls were believed to be written by St John the Baptist when he lived as a hermit in the Qumran caves. The scrolls is about the story of Armageddon, the battle between the Children of Light and the Children of Darkness.

On display inside is the Aleppo Codex, named after the city of Aleppo in Syria, where the ancient Hebrew Bible and Torah were first written. We learnt the importance of Syria as the place where religion and civilisation first started. That's why it is very important for the World to save Syria as they are one of the ancient people in the World.

A sculpture depicting the first sacrifice of Abraham with his son Isaac.

Paintings by Peter Paul Rubens and Vincent Van Gogh.

Painting by American Artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat.

The Rothschild Room, an 18th Century Parisian salon donated by Baron Edmond de Rothschild.

A model of the ancient City of David, Jerusalem showing the Temple of Solomon. In the back ground are the current Jewish settlements.

View of the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament.

Jerusalem Local Food

2017-01-18T04:00:00.000-05:00

One of my favourite things to do when travelling is discovering the local food. When we visited Jerusalem, we ate their local food of falafel, hummus made from chick peas, kebabs made from lamb and their vegetarian Jerusalem salad made of tomato and cucumber with parsley and tahini sauce. We tried it all around Old Jerusalem and especially at Hummus Lina Restaurant. This restaurant has been in this City for over 60 years and is still family owned. Apparently, the third and fourth generation family members are now managing this restaurant. Hummus Lina makes one of the best hummus in town. As you can see from the photo below, their hummus is made with pine nuts, parsley, local Israeli olive oil and chick peas. It was so filling to dip the pita bread on it and eat all of the falafel made from chick peas and crispy fried to perfection. Jewish/Arab food is a mix of vegetarian with some meat together with the Jerusalem salad which is so refreshing in the Middle Eastern heat. I miss eating their food which is healthy and great for loosing weight. I never thought I could eat vegetarian all day and some days. That's why when you travel, never hesitate to try their local food. You might love it too.

A Walk Around Old Jerusalem

2017-01-14T04:00:00.000-05:00

We experienced this week the first full moon of 2017. When we were in Jerusalem last October, it was also a full moon on our first day there. Jerusalem was built and was fought for by the Jewish and Palestinian tribes all over Israel including foreign invaders like the Muslims, Ottoman Turks, Romans and even the British, have conquered and lost this land for over 2,000 years old. Even Jesus Christ and his disciples have lived and even died here. It is one of the most ancient cities in the World. It considers itself the centre of the world. No wonder, even the moon and the sun here are so huge and so fierce, always making known to the people below its magnificent power. We learnt that Jerusalem is a city of contrast with all four religions have its history here from the Jewish, Islam, Christianity and the Orthodox. Each one living side by side inside its ancient walls. They live with each other peacefully and sometimes in war. But lately, with the grace of God, they are living beside each other in peace. Jerusalem, we learnt, despite its ancient history of conflicts, is a city of peace after all.

Most of the store owners are Palestinians who are so welcoming, friendly and helpful. They are a good people who are working hard to earn their living and live peacefully with the Jews.

Honestly, sometimes, it was hard to distinguish if they are Jewish or Palestinians. They both descended from Abraham. I learnt many lessons here including not to be judgemental, to keep out of trouble. Just be respectful.

Jerusalem is a City of Peace, a sign from this coffee and tea shop owned by a Palestinian.

Dolce and Gabbana Romantic Roses

2017-01-11T04:00:00.000-05:00

The Dolce and Gabbana windows always show abundance, elegance, extravagance and loads of style. This time in the middle of winter they are showcasing on their windows their Romantic Roses collection which truly uplifts and gives hope during winter. It's a message that spring will come soon after this snowy, freezing and grey winter. The fur ear muffs above are just so fabulous and for sure will keep warm. The rose sandals below just makes one smile and inspired even though we can only look at it. We should always admire beauty even though it is beyond our reach.

At Jamie's Italian

2017-01-07T04:00:00.000-05:00

I finally made it to Jamie's Italian, the restaurant of famous British Chef, Jamie Oliver, located at Yorkdale Mall, west of Toronto, after my second try. The first time my friends and I planned to eat out here, it got cancelled. The second time, there was a snow storm then finally, with my family, during the Boxing Day week, we made it inside the restaurant. Honestly, I was impressed by the grand scale of the restaurant. As you can see, it is two floors which can accommodate a large number of guests during their lunch and dinner hours. The bar is pretty cool and really a great place to hang out drinking wine, eating pizza or charcuterie. Overall, I was not impressed by the Italian food he served. The nachos I ordered were more like fried ravioli rather than the crispy nachos. Then the carbonara pasta was quite dry with the smoked bacon tasted burnt. As usual, the dessert made the whole difference with the pear and caramel sauce on top of the cheesecake was truly delicious. I could go back here again to perhaps try the other offerings on the menu.

It's A Wonderful World!

2016-12-31T04:00:00.000-05:00

Toronto during Christmas is just sparkling with Christmas decorations all over the City. One of the best Christmas decorations is here at the largest mall in the City, the Toronto Eaton Centre. This mall covers several blocks along Yonge St (the longest street in the World). Then for this Christmas, the Eaton Centre put up the tallest Christmas tree here in Canada. This tree stands tall at 108ft, taller than the Rockefeller Christmas Tree in New York City. It was truly magical and delightful to see it. The Christmas tree was unveiled last 24 November with the Choir singing Louis Armstrong's song, What A Wonderful World, which is a great song to start the New Year 2017! Remember that we live in a wonderful world, full of hope, love and joy. Recognising and accepting all of our differences. Let us not destroy our wonderful World. Let us see the beauty all around us, beauty in each other, let us take care of each other and our World. Happy New Year!

Watch here the unveiling of the Christmas tree and touching sing a long in Toronto of Louis Armstrong's What A Wonderful World by Choir!Choir!Choir!

Wishing you all a wonderful and happy New Year!

Tiffany Christmas

2016-12-28T04:00:00.000-05:00

The Tiffany & Co. Christmas windows is one of the best in our City. It always show class, style, elegance and sparkles. It's only at Tiffany that we saw a Christmas tree wrapped in jewels of diamonds and pearls. I love the Tiffany blue box with the perfect white bow. I am most inspired by the beautiful and elegant jewels inside the Tiffany blue box. I hope you are having a merry Christmas holiday season with family and friends. Enjoy every moment, always be inspired and recognise all the beauty around us.

True Story of Christmas: The Birth Of Jesus Christ

2016-12-24T04:00:00.000-05:00

When we visited Bethlehem, in the Palestinian Authority Territory in Israel, we were filled with excitement and also nervousness. Bethlehem was the birth place of Jesus Christ after all. As our Israeli tour guide explained to us, Bethlehem is under the Palestinian Authority Territory, therefore we are not in the jurisdiction of Israel. During our visit, we changed guides to a local Palestinian tour guide together with our Israeli guide which made us feel safe. We learnt too that the irony of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, actually happened in this much conflicted land between the Jews and Palestinians. We do not want to be political here but this is the truth. We saw it in the signs all over the Church of Nativity, the actual site of Jesus' birth in a manger inside an animal shelter cave. As you can see, the Church is very old as this was commissioned by Emperor Constantine in 327 AD right here at Bethlehem. It was also under renovations so we hardly saw the Byzantine splendour of the interiors. Let us reflect this Christmas Day, on the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Jesus brings peace to us and to the World.

Small entrance to the Church of Nativity so that the Muslims cannot ransack the place. It is also a symbol of entering the Church with humility.

Entrance to the former animal shelter cave where Jesus was born in a manger.

This Star symbolises the actual spot where Jesus was born in a manger.

Church of St. Catherine, is the Catholic Church beside the Church of Nativity (controlled by the Catholics and Greek Orthodox) where the Christmas Eve mass is held every year and broadcast around the World.

Manger Square is between the Church of Nativity and the Mosque of Omar.

We welcome you on your journey as we welcomed the Prince of Peace.

This Christmas, please pray for peace in Syria and for the Syrian people. Please take the time to donate to your Red Cross, Syria Crisis Fund.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

True Story Of Christmas: The Annunciation

2016-12-21T04:00:00.000-05:00

Let us reflect on one of the true story of Christmas, the Annunciation of Archangel Gabriel to Mary, that she will give birth to a son, to be named Jesus, through the grace of God. This act happened right here in Nazareth, in the home of Mary and Joseph, which is now the Basilica of the Annunciation. It was really touching to visit this site where it actually happened. We felt the sacredness of the place knowing that the Archangel Gabriel and Mary were in this same site over 2,000 years ago. The former home of Mary and Joseph were at the lower Church. This was the actual site where Archangel Gabriel appeared before Mary to deliver the good news. From Nazareth, Mary and Joseph then traveled all the way south to Bethlehem to give birth to Jesus. It must have been a long way for them to walk as we traveled from Jerusalem to Nazareth at almost two hours driving. It was worth the visit as we reflected in this miraculous and historical event that changed human history.

In front of the Basilica, written in Latin, Verbum caro factum est et habitavit in nobis, which meant that The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. The word of God was made flesh through the birth of Jesus Christ which started with the Annunciation of Archangel Gabriel to Mary.

Depiction from the Philippines of the Annunciation.

Upper Church.

The lower Church.

Former home of Mary and Joseph where Archangel Gabriel appeared before Mary.

The Jerusalem Cross.

A Byzantine painting depicting the Annunciation between Archangel Gabriel and Mary.

This Christmas, please remember to pray for peace in Syria and for the Syrian people. Please take the time to donate to your Red Cross Syria Crisis Fund.

Wrap It Up At William Ashley

2016-12-17T04:00:00.000-05:00

One of my favourite things during this Christmas season is walking, even in snowy and freezing weather, along Bloor Street in Toronto to watch the spectacular window displays. One of the best Christmas window display in town is from William Ashley, which is the best source of the finest and most elegant China, Crystal, Silver and Kitchen ware for your dining and cooking needs. This store just shows elegance, first class products and exceptional service. Their table settings are the best and most of all their window displays are just phenomenal every season. They are the only store I know who have created a wreath out of fine China from Wedgwood, Mikasa, Villeroy & Boch, Portmeirion, Royal Doulton, among other fine China brands. This is the place where every Bride in town would dream to have their Wedding Registry. It's also the perfect place to shop for elegant Christmas gifts for family and friends. Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? If so, get ready to wrap them up!

Chanel Christmas Wish

2016-12-14T04:00:00.000-05:00

Have you written up your Christmas wish list? Holt Renfrew in Toronto has expanded their Chanel Boutique on the 2nd Floor with the bags, shoes, clothes and accessories more accessible and visible to shoppers. As you can see on the photos above, we can almost touch these most coveted classic flap and Boy bags in pastel colours of pink, fuchsia and yellow. There are even hard to find blue Chanel bags on display. It was such a delight to see. It made me wish that all I want for Christmas is Chanel. Who would resist? No way. I'll receive Chanel any time.

Christmas Walk On Bloor Street

2016-12-10T04:00:00.000-05:00

It's that time of the year again for Christmas shopping. I know that we should not be materialistic and not fill our Christmas season with consumerism. These beautiful and sparkling decorations along Bloor Street in Toronto just make one really happy and inspired to shop even if it just involves buying hot chocolate chunks at Williams-Sonoma. Walk with me here on Bloor Street and enjoy the Christmas display of the stores. Hopefully, this will inspire you to make your Christmas wish as you walk along.

Season's Greetings At Mamilla Mall

2016-12-07T04:00:00.000-05:00

When we visited Jerusalem this past October, we visited for the first time the Mamilla Mall which was developed into a luxurious pedestrian mall near Old Jerusalem. Nearby is the luxurious Mamilla Hotel, which is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. We were delighted to walk along the mall decorated already with lights above the open air pedestrian to celebrate the coming Holiday Season, also known as Christmas for Christians. The mall is lined with art every step of the way. The cool part about it are the local Israeli shops and the numerous restaurants with patio dining. It was several blocks of shops and restaurants. We also tried to eat our first ever kosher hamburger with fries in a local restaurant there named JOY. It was huge, juicy and delicious. As you can see, the mall was full of local Israelis. They definitely know where to hang out.

Holts Happy Christmas And Merry Everyone

2016-12-03T04:00:00.000-05:00

It's that wonderful, glamorous and joyful time of the year again. Christmas is almost here. According to Holt Renfrew, it will be a Happy Christmas and Merry Everyone, the theme for this year on their windows and throughout the store. Have you written up your wish list for Santa Claus? Don't forget because Christmas is coming soon. Your Wish List could be something special to own or something free and meaningful like remembering to be always merry during this Christmas season. Enjoy Holts Christmas extravaganza here.

Season Of Joy

2016-11-30T04:00:00.000-05:00

I hope you are not tired of Christmas shopping yet? This season brings the decorating of our homes with the spirit of Christmas. Here are some wonderful and delightful Christmas decorations from Pottery Barn at their Bloor St store in Toronto. I enjoy visiting and shopping here to get some Christmas inspiration and cheer. Just to watch their decorations and table settings make me feel the Christmas spirit and joy. I hope it will inspire and cheer you too.

Christmas At Heathrow

2016-11-26T04:00:00.000-05:00

My favourite airport at Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 in London, UK, is now decorated in full Christmas cheer. Terminal 5 at Heathrow, is the major hub of British Airways. It is a very busy airport for domestic and international connecting flights but also full of fantastic, first class shopping and restaurants. Terminal 5 has one of the largest Duty Free shops selling everything from chocolates, biscuits, all kinds of wine, spirits and even caviar. Of course, for the ladies and gentlemen, there are large selections of perfumes, cosmetics, fashion, shoes, bags and accessories. Besides all that, we were more delighted when we got to the terminal to see all of their Christmas decorations. Christmas begins early here at Heathrow. It's a cheerful welcome to all travellers.

Fortnum and Mason

Gucci

Harrods

Happy Travels!

Happy Thanksgiving In The USA

2016-11-23T04:00:00.000-05:00

This Thursday will be the Thanksgiving celebration in the USA. This is also the last time that President Barack Obama and his family will be celebrating Thanksgiving at the White House. It is quite bittersweet and sad that they are at the end of their term. The Obamas have shown style, class, inclusion, diversity, progress and peace not only in the America but in the whole world. They are a cool, intelligent and welcoming family. With the Obamas, you see love, success and joy. We are thankful for their service and sacrifice to America and the World. Now, to celebrate them, Vogue perfectly placed First Lady on their December cover. Just in time to cheer us up after that depressing November Presidential election result. For the first time, the Obamas shared their private quarters in the White House with Architectural Digest Magazine. They really have style as their interiors and art in their private quarters are so full of colour and joy. The interior was designed by Michael Smith. Unfortunately, the Presidential family and administration will change in January 2017. This time it will be a start full of uncertainty, disgust and division in the USA. As the Vogue cover stated above, we have to be thankful and get happy for now! Hopefully, the new President - elect will not destroy the world. We have to at least try to be positive, that's the most we can do for each other.

Be thankful and get happy for now!

Photo credits: Vogue.com and Architectural Digest

La Belle & La Boeuf

2016-11-19T10:33:00.000-05:00

Another treat from my brother was lunch at this Québec original, La Belle & La Boeuf, a premiere Burger bar in Montréal . This place combines both cool interiors and super unique menu plus burgers which equates to I love this place! What more can I ask for? This is a one place stop for drinks, poutine, and my love of anything burgers. On the menu, they even have a Crise Cardiaque burger, Heart Attack Burger, that is everything triple - triple beef, triple cheese, triple bacon, mushrooms, onions, tomato and BBQ Sauce, all arranged on top of each other, as high as you can. Eat it the best way that you can, the fastest way you can, the more you can and it will be free. Lastly, before you leave, check out the coolest Ladies washroom. This place is definitely the beauty and beast for burgers in Montréal.

Above is the description of the Crise Cardiaque (Heart Attack Burger) and Epic.

Quebec specialty is the poutine - fries topped with curd cheese, gravy and fried onion.

I ordered the burger with swiss cheese, mushrooms with gravy cooked in red wine together with fried sweet potato and their sweet pickles dipped in Kool-aid juice.

Lastly, they have cool ladies washroom that I have ever seen. Check out the art on the walls. Which one will you go into - Betty Boop or Wonder Woman?

Bon Appetit!

Not Exactly Petit Déjeuner At L'Oeufrier

2016-11-16T04:00:00.000-05:00

As you can see from my stories here on the Blog, I come from a family that loves to eat together. We love to discover different kinds of food every time we travel everywhere around the World. My late father instilled this love of adventure and eating together whenever we travel. Even at home, we love to discover the different food places around us. My brother, who lives in Montréal brought us here at L'ouefrier which specialises in breakfast served in a big, grand and delicious way. We ordered the works as we started our day with double eggs, scrambled eggs, omelet full of cheese and ham, sausages, bacon, french toast, fried potato and last pièce de résistance, crêpe with strawberry and banana topped with nutella. To back up all these food, of course, we had endless coffee, some had chocolate shake topped with whipped creme and for me, a fresh smoothie of banana and strawberry, called Bora Bora. Well, everything was delicious in this not exactly petit déjeuner diner.

I ordered the Le Gros Gourmand with bacon, sausages, fried potato, scrambled eggs and crêpe with banana and strawberry topped with nutella.

This is La Mègatropole with sausages, ham, bacon, fried potato, french toast, double eggs and Québec specialty, cretons (pork paté).

Cheese omelette filled with ham, sausage and fried potato.

Bon Appetit!

A Hidden Gem: Armenian Tavern

2016-11-12T04:00:00.000-05:00

During our tour of Jerusalem, one of our favourite places to eat is the Armenian Tavern located in the Armenian Quarter in Old Jerusalem, near the Jaffa Gate. This restaurant is truly a hidden gem as there is no big sign announcing this place. Only a small sign with a simple door and stairs going down the restaurant. The restaurant serve the most authentic kebabs, shawarma, falafel, Jerusalem salad and our most favourite drink, freshly squeezed lemonade with mint. We were also in awe of the decor with ancient Middle Eastern lamps, some Armenian artifacts, painting, rugs, bronze decor, ceramic vases and a display of Armenian jewels on display inside mother of pearl cabinets. This place is so amazing and so delicious to visit. We enjoyed it so much that we returned again for a second visit. This restaurant is truly one of a kind, has wonderful and friendly service and most of all, serves delicious Armenian food.

The Notre Dame Jerusalem Center

2016-11-05T04:00:00.000-04:00

During our visit to Jerusalem last week, we stayed at the Notre Dame Jerusalem Center. This is a Pontifical Institute offering this huge guest house for Catholic Pilgrims in Jerusalem. It is owned and managed by the Vatican and dedicated to the Mother Mary as you can see her large statue of Our Lady of Salvation of Paris on top of the building. This was built by the French Assumptionists in 1882 and completed in 1888 from the donations of French pilgrims to the Holy Land. This is a four star hotel offering very clean and spacious rooms with your own private bathrooms plus the security keep the pilgrims safe. There are three restaurants inside offering a variety of delicious food from Mediterranean, European and Middle Eastern food. The rooftop restaurant upstairs offers a variety of wine and cheeses from Europe, offers a delicious gourmet menu and gorgeous view of Old Jerusalem. The other restaurant offers buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. The staff are so friendly, helpful and knowledgeable about their City. The premises are so clean. The only negative is that there are no TVs in the rooms but thanks for the free wi-fi in the rooms. For Catholics, this could be your weekly sacrifice for being in the Holy Land. We managed anyway since we were out of the room all day sightseeing and enjoying Jerusalem. There is even a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary which was consecrated since 1894 and offers twice a day daily mass. Overall, it was our home away from home. We would come back and stay here again.

On the top right hand floor is the roof top Cheese & Wine Restaurant that offer gourmet wine, cheeses and menu plus gorgeous view of Old Jerusalem.

View of Old Jerusalem and the Dome of the Rock from the rooftop restaurant.

Chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Hanging out in the patio with our gelato from the Allegro Bistro Cafe.

Breakfast buffet offering local Israeli and Middle Eastern breakfast food.

Gourmet Dinner at the rooftop Cheese & Wine Restaurant.

The front garden was full of fragrant roses.

Enjoying Fall

2016-11-02T04:00:00.000-04:00

Luckily, I don't have to travel far to enjoy the lovely fall colours in nature. I admire the fall colours of nature from red, orange, bronze, yellow and green all together. It is nature's way of showing her transforming power and beauty before it all goes away for winter to come. We really have to take care of our environment and love our planet. It is the only one we've got.

Something Wicked Halloween

2016-10-29T04:00:00.000-04:00

Fortnum & Mason is one of my favourite stores to visit and shop in London. Luckily, I was there at the right time as they are now celebrating a Something Wicked Happy Halloween. I always feel like being in an Alice Wonderland tea party every time I am in the store. With their Halloween decor and offerings of wicked Lucifer biscuits, skeleton head chocolates, even scary truffles, ghostly lollipops and ghostly pumpkin shaped candies, this is a luxurious fright night fantasy party. Who wouldn't want to be in this party to try all of their sinfully tasty and devilishly delicious goodies for Halloween? I certainly do. Wishing you a wickedly fun Happy Halloween!