Paris, France

Paris, what a beautiful, quaint city.  Surrounded by aesthetically exquisite architecture, museums, and natural surroundings.   Of course when coming to Paris the first thing that pops in your head is, "I have to see the Eiffel Tower", because it is one of the most beautiful and recognized landmarks in the world.   But there are other amazing architectural landmarks to see in Paris like the Cathedral of Notre Dame, this structure is a breathtaking example of medieval architecture, and I had the opportunity two see both and would not have missed it for the world.

Paris is also home to one of the most famous museums in the world, The Louvre.   This is a picture of me standing in front of the The Louvre entrance way, the world's largest museum.  This museum was incredible, it is housed with a huge selection of art and artifacts from all over the world and from every era. The most famous work of art to see is Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, I was really in awe when I was standing before this most notorious painting.  On the first Sunday of each month you can get into the Louve for free, and remember it is closed on Tuesdays, so you can plan your activities accordingly.

For beautiful natural surroundings, Paris is hard to beat. The River Seine runs through the middle of the city.  The entire city was absolutely magical and I was really impressed.  Paris is spectacular at night also because the city is lit up from every angle, including the Eiffel Tower.  You can find many parks in the city, to just relax or have a picnic. 

One last thought, now all the talk that the French are rude, I did not find this at all.  I found them very nice and accommodating, and actually went out of their way to speak in English, as they only prefer to speak French.  As long as you are very polite, they will be polite back, and that is exactly what I found out.   When you are in Paris and walk in some coffee shop, just don't order your coffee and croissant, have some small talk, ask them how they are doing, etc., then order your breakfast.  Give respect and get respect, till next time, Au Revoir !

Jerusalem, Israel

My tour around Israel was an unforgettable one.  The food in Israel was the utmost delicious and freshest food that I had ever eaten anywhere around the world.  The hospitality in Israel was one not to be forgotten either, the people were so nice and courteous.  Off all the stops in Israel, Jerusalem was my favorite.

Here is a picture of me standing at the Wailing Wall or Western Wall Plaza.  This is a huge open area that faces the Western Wall as acts as an open air synagogue.  When I was there it was flocking with locals and visitors from around the world to have the opportunity to pray at this most holy site.

The Western Wall or sometimes called the Wailing Wall is the holiest of all sites throughout Israel, and is located in Jerusalem's Old City.  The reason why it is called the Wailing Wall because this is the sacred place Jews would gather to weep and wail the loss of their temple.  The Western Wall was built as part of an addition of the 2nd Jewish Temple, approximate 20 BCE.    The wall is all that remains of the Second Temple, the rest was demolished by the Romans in 70 CE.  The Second Temple is important Jewish shrine because it replaced the First Temple which was destroyed in 586 BCE.

There seems to be some confusion about which is the correct term to use, Western Wall or Wailing Wall.  I believe the most appropriate to say is the Western Wall.  Jews today are making a point of saying Western Wall, and non-Jews use both, but mainly Wailing Wall.  If the Jews are stressing a point to say Western Wall then of course non-Jews should respect that, after all it is their home.

Costa Rica, Central America

Costa Rica, wow what can I say about this beautiful country.  The people, wildlife, rain forests, and of course, the beaches. With the Pacific Ocean on the west and the Atlantic on the east, it has national parks, biological reserves, and it draws visitors by the packs, also thanks to its rivers, volcanoes, and waterfalls.

Costa Rica has two seasons, dry or wet.  High season, or the dry season, is from December through April, and green or wet season lasts from May to November. The tropical climate of Costa Rica averages about 72 degrees Fahrenheit although it can be considerably hotter in the coastal or beach areas and much cooler in the mountainous regions.

There are a wide choice of hotel accommodations throughout the country, ranging from five star hotels to quaint lodges, something to suit everybody's taste and budget.  Costa Rica's friendly people and peaceful life style make it a favorite vacation destination.

My favorites throughout the country was the Arenal Volcano.  It was a clear night so I was able to see lava flows, and it was spectacular. Other sites to see are;  Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Manuel Antonio National Park, and the La Fortuna waterfalls.  All these magnificent sites will leave you overwhelmed by its natural beauty.

For the adventurist at heart, you will discovers Costa Rica's mighty rivers for white water rafting and river kayaking; the marine life in the Pacific waters for the scuba divers; the mountains for the mountain bikers, and a wide diversity of scenery for the horse back riders.   I opted for the horse back riding and I thought the two hours would never end, neither did my thighs.  Ouch, I was sore for two days, not as easy as it looks.  What a challenge galloping through the country roads, but at the same time thrilling, just seeing all the beauty Costa Rica as to offer.

Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, India

A picture of me at Kodaikanal hill station.  This is one lovely place to see in India.  I was enchanted by its charm and beauty.  Kodaikanal is one of the most popular serene hill stations in India, which will mesmerize any visitor.  I love Kodaikanal, it is one of my favorite hill stations to visit, along with Ooty.  Kodaikanal, is also nicknamed the “Switzerland of the East” or the “Princess of Hill Stations.”  The name Kodaikanal, in the Tamil language means "The Gift of the Forest".

The hill resort of Kodaikanal is filled with beautiful spots to see like the tranquil lake at the heart of Kodaikanal, rows and rows of  pine trees, running cold streams, spectacular views in the foamy mist, and numerous waterfalls.  A must see while visiting Kodaikanal is Bryant Park, a maintained botanical garden.

Whether you are planning a family holiday retreat, honeymooning with your sweetheart or trekking, Kodaikanal will not disappoint you.  The town's attractions and beauty can be enjoyed in a week or on a weekend.  Mesmerizing natural beauty and a host of sights and attractions contribute to Kodaikanal's magnetisms, making this hill station a hotspot for nature lovers and other vacationers.

I stayed at a friend’s house in Kodaikanal, but there are so many options and accommodations in Kodaikanal.  From my findings, these are the top 3 ranking hotels in Kodaikanal; The Fern Creek, Hotel Villa Retreat, and The Carlton.  There are many other and lovely accommodations to fit every budget and style .

Kodaikanal is a great destination for a holiday to get away and relax.  With all the hustle and bustle, we all need a little holiday sometimes to get away from it all, and that is why God created Kodaikanal. Nothing like being the master of your own destiny, and when you go away on a holiday you want to make sure every day and night is not wasted, but is a perfect retreat, Kodaikanal is the perfect place.

Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India @ The Taj Mahal

This was one of my most memorable experiences I had in India.  The Taj Mahal, a monument of unfathomable beauty.  I am not just talking about the beauty of it, but the immense love in why the momument was constructed in the first place. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan built this momument in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, whom he fell in love with at first site, and later died in child birth.  The Taj Mahal is the epitome of love and romance and will leave you mesmerized.  One of the Seven Wonders of the world, this monument attacts tons of domestic and international tourist from all over the world.

Ironically, I came to the Taj Mahal on Valentines Day.  It was not planned, just happened that way.  Valentines Day is the most popular time to see the Taj Mahal, and it was jammed packed !  Everyone it seems was flocking to the Taj Mahal that day.  I had an extremely hard time finding a room, but luckily after much searching I found a room.  When coming to the Taj Mahal, best to come another day other then Valentines Day, but then again, I think it added to the magic.  As I entered into the gateways of the Taj Mahal, I was smitten and bewitched.  Words can not describe the beauty of the Taj Mahal and it's surroundings.  I had chills running through me and some tears came from my eyes.  Wow, I was so captivated, words do not give it justice, you truly have to see with your own eyes to see and feel the real beauty of this monument.

To get here from Delhi, it is approximatley 220 km.  The fastest is by air and Agra has it's own airport.  Another option is by train, which is very economical and I personally love to take the trains thoughout India, it is very exciting.  There are a good network of trains going to Agra throughout India.  The main trains connecting Agra to Delhi are; Palace on Wheels, Shatabdi, Rajdhani and Taj Express.  There are buses also that connect from Delhi to Agra.  The trains and buses being the most economical.  Another option is to take a taxi.  I took a taxi from Jaipur to Agra, it was a nice ride and you don't have to deal with the crowds, but it is much more costly then trains and buses.

When coming to the Taj Mahal watch your wallet and pocketbooks, and do be alert and watch for scams, but overall there should be no problems.  This is a famous attraction, attracting many from around the world, so there will be crooks and thieves around.  My taxi driver organized a tour guide for me when I arrived so I would not be alone walking around the area, and they can also explain to you all the history about the Taj.  One last note, foreigners pay a different fee to enter the Taj Mahal.  When I went I paid 750 rs and Indians pay 10 rs.  If planning a trip to India, the Taj Mahal can not be missed, it truly is a remarkable monument, and you will be left spellbound.