• Asia,  Snapshot Sunday,  Vietnam

    Snapshot Sunday: Women of Vietnam

    Girls run the world.  If Beyoncé sang it than it must be true.  I just returned from a phenomenal trip to Vietnam and while there I uncovered a country where women are the most hardworking people I’ve ever met.  They have participated in revolutions and wars, they farm, row boats, run businesses and raise families all with a quiet strength and a smile.  The ladies we encountered were the friendliest people who taught us their skills, shared with us their stories or welcomed us into their homes and I was truly inspired by not only their work ethic but overall happiness.

  • Asia,  Malaysia,  Snapshot Sunday

    Snapshot Sunday: Borneo Stilt Homes

    I’m getting excited about my upcoming destination to Vietnam.  In doing research and preparation for my trip, I keep finding similarities of Malaysian fishing villages when I spent time in Borneo, especially these stilt homes in Sabah.  Simplistic design in impoverished communities, these families rely on the water running below their floorboards for their livelihood.  I’m looking forward to learn and experience first hand about Vietnamese life on the water.

  • Czech Republic,  Europe,  Snapshot Sunday

    Snapshot Sunday: Prague Old Town

    Sunny days are wonderful.  Sunny days in Prague are just plain perfection.  Old town had quickly become one of my favorite cities in Europe, the architecture is stunning and it’s a great place to walk through exploring all of the little side streets.  On a day like this, the colors just pop and it’s nearly impossible not to make your day brighter.

  • Europe,  Snapshot Sunday,  Turkey

    Snapshot Sunday: Ballooning over Cappadocia, Turkey

    Something I had the opportunity to experience for the first, second AND third time this year was waking up early, climbing into a wicker basket and suspending myself over some breathtaking landscapes in Myanmar, then Spain and Turkey.  Cappadocia has rock formations unlike anywhere else and the best way to take in this unique scenery is for sure by air.  Bouncing slowly over these “fairy chimneys” with dozens of other balloons in the distance was the highlight of my time in Turkey and I recommend you add it to the “list”.

  • Europe,  Germany,  Snapshot Sunday

    Snapshot Sunday: Rainy day in Berlin

    It was a damp, dreary day here in Berlin, we have been lucky with Mother Nature recently and have had very few days without sunshine.  Watching the children having fun on this cloudy afternoon I’m quickly reminded not to let the gray day stop you from looking up and chasing the bubbles.                  

  • Croatia,  Europe,  Snapshot Sunday

    Snapshot Sunday: Dubrovnik and the Dalmation Coast

    The medieval walled city of Dubrovnik.  One of the great old fortifications of it’s day, Dubrovnik has an old world charm that is best experienced walking along the tops of the massive stone walls that protect the smoldering orange tiled roofs and houses within it’s fortress.  War in the late 1990’s destroyed this beautiful roof scape so the city along with the help of UNESCO worked tirelessly to restore this view back to it’s original glory.  The town is so well preserved it’s as if you are strolling through a movie set.

  • Europe,  Italy,  Snapshot Sunday

    Snapshot Sunday: Italian Love Affair

    Italy has done it again.  I’ve been here several times throughout the past few years and each time I return I fall harder than the last.  Charismatic locals, stunning architecture and out of this world cuisine, not to mention the country just oozes romance.  It’s that killer combination making it tougher to walk away with every visit.    

  • Europe,  Portugal,  Snapshot Sunday

    Storybook Sintra, a Palace in Portugal

    The palace that was a creation of King Ferdinand II is like a fairytale upon a hill which is fitting because Sinta, the small town below, is like that out of a storybook.  I decided to walk up through the park but the climb was much steeper than I had anticipated.  Note: wearing a dress and sandals may not be appropriate attire for hiking about in the forest.  My strenuous work in improper clothing paid off however, because as I ascended, this bright, fanciful building popped through the tree line.  I was alone in the wilderness and it was as if I had just stepped into a fable and uncovered…

  • Asia,  Myanmar,  Snapshot Sunday

    Snapshot Sunday: Myanmar Ordinary Class

    The breeze slowly moves from one window of the train through to the other.  The pleather seat sticks to the backs of my legs as I shift on the bench, moving from side to side as the train bobs me up and down.  Peering out of the window I watch as the little boys in our car stick their heads out the window, pointing to this and that with excitement in their eyes.  The rickety tracks take us on a slow, scenic journey through the countryside giving me a glimpse of rural life as we spend hours on hours bouncing along to our destination.  We booked our seats in the…