Vietnam_Jul2011_day8: Hanoi

To see photos and captions of Vietnam day #8: Hanoi
https://picasaweb.google.com/rosey.sunshine/Vietnam_Jul2011_day8?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKSw9JyevovSBQ&feat=directlink

Vietnam_Jul2011_day7: Hue

To see photos and captions for day #7: Hue
https://picasaweb.google.com/rosey.sunshine/Vietnam_Jul2011_day7?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNzV8eW14tfIMA&feat=directlink

Vietnam_Jul2011_day6: Hoi An

To see photos and captions of day #6: Hoi An
https://picasaweb.google.com/rosey.sunshine/Vietnam_Jul2011_day6?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCICNos6_gpvVYA&feat=directlink

Vietnam_Jul2011_day5: DaNang

To see photos and captions of Vietnam day #5: DaNang
https://picasaweb.google.com/rosey.sunshine/Vietnam_Jul2011_day5?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCP79z_idtd2p3QE&feat=directlink

Vietnam_Jul2011_day4: Nha Trang islands

To see photos and captions of Day #4: Nha Trang and surrounding islands
https://picasaweb.google.com/rosey.sunshine/Vietnam_Jul2011_day4?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPLH1LC9rbekNA&feat=directlink

Vietnam_Jul2011_day3: Nha Trang

To see photos and captions from Day #3: Nha Trang
https://picasaweb.google.com/rosey.sunshine/Vietnam_Jul2011_day3?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNiwnYKGr6LTrQE&feat=directlink

Vietnam_Jul2011_day2: Mekong Delta

To see photos and captions from Day #2 (Mekong Delta) : https://picasaweb.google.com/rosey.sunshine/Vietnam_Jul2011_day2?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNzh3M-F_ZaWMQ&feat=directlink

Vietnam Day 1 - Saigon and Cu Chi tunnels.  Click on the link to see full photo album:

Picasaweb album_Vietnam day 1

Memorial Day Weekend May 2011

Our Memorial Day weekend at ACE adventures in the New River Gorge area of West Virginia. Click on the photo to see full album and details!

Founding Farmers restaurant

Went to Founding Farmers restaurant in Foggy Bottom for brunch.  Overall, liked the food but it was a little oversalted (had the "drag through the garden" pan scrambler).  Their leak hash browns are really tasty.  We had to sit a the bar area because the place was packed.  The service was lacking but again, this may have been because we were seated at the bar.  Will definitely try to return for dinner.

Check it out: http://www.wearefoundingfarmers.com/ 

Tidal basin cherry blossoms (pre-peak bloom)

DC cherry blossoms before peak bloom

Greece 2010 Itinerary - day by day

Greece Sept 2010 Itinerary (with Contiki)

For details of sites seen on each day – please click on the corresponding link/picture (archive of all posts listed at the bottom of the blog)

Day 1-2: depart and arrive in Athens

Hotel:

Hotel President

43 Kifissias Avenue, 11523, Athens, Greece

+30 210 6989000

Hung out in the Plaka area in the evening

Day 3: Board cruise boat; Louis Hellenic Cruises (Aegean Classic Cruise tour)

-Athens to Mykonos

Day 4: Cruising to Patmos via Kusadasi, Turkey

-Ancient Ephesus in Kusadasi

-Patmos: Monastery of the Apocalypse & St. John Grotto

Day 5: Cruise to Rhodes

-Lindos and Old town of Rhodes

Day 6: Cruising to Santorini via Crete

-Palace of Knossos (legend of the Minotaur) on Crete

-Site seeing and donkey ride on Santorini

Day 7: Arrival into Athens

-Fly to Corfu that evening (Corfu Explorer tour)

Hotel:

Corfu Village Hotel

Agios Ioannis Peristeron 49084, Corfu, Greece

+30 26610 75031

Day 8-10: Corfu

Day 10: fly to Athens (Spotlight on Greece tour)

Hotel:

Hermes Hotel Athens

19 Apollonos Street 10557, Athens, Greece

+30 210 3235514

Day 11: Athens to Olympia

-Started the day with a tour of Athens including the Acropolis & Parthenon

-Make our way to Olympia via Corinth Canal

-Guided tour of Mycenae including Palace of Agamemnon

-Acronafplion citadel at Nafplion

-Arrive in Olympia

Hotel:

Amalia Hotel Olympia

Olympia GR27065, Olympia, Greece

+30 26240 22190

Day 12: Olympia to Delphi

-Start out the day checking out Ancient Olympia and the museum

-Cross the Corinthian Gulf on the way to Delphi

-Hangin at the club at night in Delphi!  Who knew?!

Hotel:

Delphi Palace Hotel Delphi

69 Apollonos Street 33054, Delphi, Greece

+30 22 65082151

Day 13: Delphi to Athens

-Tour of Delphi including the Temple of Apollo on the slopes of Mt. Parnassus

-Head back to Athens

Day 14: Fly back to US

Peru Feb '07 (498 photos), by Rose Ressner

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Great Vietnamese Food in the DC metro area

So Scott and I went to the Four Sisters Vietnamese restaurant today in Falls Church. 

As with every Vietnamese restaurant I try - I always get the summer rolls with peanut sauce and some Pho.  Both were decent but what we really enjoyed were the grilled lemongrass chicken and grilled lemongrass beef lettuce wraps.  Both were really tasty served with vermicelli noodles, basil, cucumber, and carrots with a vinegar dipping sauce.  Yum.  Looking forward to going back one day and trying some different things on the menu. 

The location info is as follows:
8190 Strawberry Lane
Suite 1
Falls Church, VA 22042
703-539-8566
http://www.foursistersrestaurant.com/

Washington DC Metro area good eats!!

Calling all foodies!!  Let me know what your favorite food hang outs are or what you think about my picks.

Bethesda, MD

Raku – Asian fusion http://www.rakuasiandining.com/

Passage to India – Indian http://www.passagetoindia.info/

Lebanese taverna – Lebanese http://www.lebanesetaverna.com/

Spring Mill Bread Company – Baked goods www.springmillbread.com

Assagio – Italian www.assaggirestaurant.com/

SweetGreen – Fresh salads and froyo www.sweetgreen.com

Mon Ami Gabi – French/steak www.monamigabi.com/

Mia’s pizza – Wood fired pizza www.miaspizzasbethesda.com

Grapeseed – American/contemporary www.grapeseedbistro.com/

Persimmon – American Bistro www.persimmonrestaurant.com

Food and Wine Co. – Contemporary http://www.foodwineandco.com/

The Burger Joint – Burgers of all kinds www.bgrtheburgerjoint.com

Dolcezza – Gelato www.dolcezzagelato.com

Le Pain Quotidien – French bistro www.lepainquotidien.com

Jaleo – Tapas http://www.jaleo.com/

Faryab – Afghani; no website



Wheaton, MD
Woomi Garden - Korean http://www.woomigarden.com/

Silver Spring, MD

Parkway Deli – Dinner style food http://www.theparkwaydeli.com/

Washington, DC

Friendship Heights (Chevy Chase):

Capital Grill – Steak/great wine list www.thecapitalgrille.com/Locations/ChevyChase/main.asp

Maggianos – Family style Italian www.maggianos.com/en/Pages/home.aspx

Cleveland Park:

Dino – Italian (good wine list) http://www.dino-dc.com/

Foggy Bottom:

Tonic – Decent breakfast www.tonicrestaurant.com/Foggy-Bottom
Founding Farmers - http://www.wearefoundingfarmers.com/

Dupont Circle:

Obelisk – Italian; no website

Krammerbooks and Afterwords Café – American/good desserts http://www.kramers.com/

Mourayous  – Greek http://www.mourayous.com/

Teaism – Café www.teaism.com/Restaurant/DupontCircle8.html

Chinatown/Penn Quarter:

Ping Pong dim sum – Dim sum and great drinks http://www.pingpongdimsum.us/

Zaytina - Mediterranean http://www.zaytina.com/

Carmine's - Family style Italian http://www.carminesnyc.com/

Falls Church, VA

Peking Gourmet – Chinese with excellent Peking duck http://www.pekinggourmet.com/

Duangrats and Rabieng - Thai restaurants www.duangrats.com/rabieng.html
Four Sisters Vietnamese - Vietnamese food http://www.foursistersrestaurant.com/

Annandale, VA:

Honey Pig – Korean BBQ

 

Croatia - day 13

Today is a busy day as we explore Zadar known for the Church of St Donat, the cute city of Trogir, and the city of Split known most for the palace of Diocletian.

Croatia - day 14



My last day of the land tour of Croatia. We are making our way back to Dubrovnik. Some great views from the bus of the coastline.



Croatia - day 10

Today we are in Osijek which is in the NE corner of the Slavonia region. The church of St. Peter and Paul is one of the main attractions here but I also liked some of the architecture of the homes.

Croatia - day 11

We are on the way to Croatia's capital city of Zagreb. But first, we stop in the town of Djakovo to see the cathedral there.

Croatia - day 12

One of my favorite parts of Croatia. The Plitvice Lakes National Park. It is a network of 16 lakes surrounded by forests but the best part of the landscape is all the waterfalls.

Croatia - day 8

Today a group of us decided to take a day trip to Montenegro which is a small country south of Croatia. It is one of the newest countries in Europe declaring it's independence in 2006. The Bay of Kotor is claimed to be one of the most beautiful bays in the world. We drove around part of the bay, walked around the old city of Kotor, and visited the shore town of Budva.

Croatia - day 9

This is the first day of my land tour of Croatia. We leave Dubrovnik and make our way through Bosnia and Herzegovina to see Mostar and Sarajevo.

Croatia - day 5

The boat docked in Pomena and we spent the day exploring Mljet National Park. Had tons of fun biking around the big lake.

Croatia - day 6

We make our way to the Elaphite islands which are west of Dubrovnik. We dock at Sipan which is the largest of the Elafiti islands (Lopud and Kolocep are also in this group of islands). Because the weather was getting a little rainy and windy we made our way to the mainland to dock at Slano overnight. The harbor there is more protected from the weather.

Croatia - day 7

We have made our way back to Dubrovnik and dock at Gruz harbor once again. The weather is overcast but I still head back to the Old town to check it out at night. Had the fortune to see some wedding festivities.

Croatia - day 3

Making our way to the swanky town of Hvar aka the party island. Highlights are the port, main square with St. Stephan's cathedral and arsenal, the Franciscan monastery, the Citadel fortress with panoramic views, and sunset!

Croatia - day 4

We head to the small village and harbour of Trstenik on the Peljesac penninsula. Population of 106! This area is known for their wine with the local Grgic winery within walking distance. We also have our Captains dinner on the boat with fresh sea bass, a little music and dancing, and watching the Croatia vs. England soccer match on cable!

Croatia - day 1

Arrived in Dubrovnik, Croatia aka "the pearl of the Adriatic." Made my way to Gruz Harbor to settle onto the boat that I will be on for the first week of my trip. Then I walked to the UNESCO protected old city which is one of the most popular places to visit in Croatia

Croatia - day 2

We leave Dubrovnik and make our way to the island of Korcula (the supposed birthplace of Marco Polo). On our way, we stop for a nice swim off the boat.

Upcoming Vietnam/Angkor Wat trip - let me know what you think!

In July 2011 - planning a trip to Vietnam and Angkor Wat.  Let me know if you have any tips, comments, suggestions...

Day 1:  3 July, Ho Chi Minh arrival

Arrive at Tan San Nhat Airport

Day 2 : 4 July, Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi – Ho Chi Minh

• Cu Chi Tunnels
• Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975
• Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office
• Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War remnant exhibit 
• The final stop is Saigon’s Chinatown, locally named Cho Lon

Day 3: 5 July, Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta

Day 4: 6 July, Ho Chi Minh  - Nha Trang

Day 5: 7 July, Nha Trang

Day 6: 8 July, Nha Trang – Danang – Hoi An

• Danang City - short city tour seeing the famous Cham Museum, formerly the Ecole Francaise d’Extreme Orient
• Marble Mountain 
• China Beach
• Arrive in Hoi An

Day 7: 9 July, Hoi An

• Tour of the ancient town centre to visit the former merchants' homes, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese communal hall and the colorful market

Day 8: 10 July, Hoi An – Hue - half day city tour

• Hue - Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City 
• Hue Imperial Museum 
• Boat trip on Perfume river with a visit of Thien Mu  Pagoda
• Mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang

Day 9: 11 July, Hue – Hanoi – City tour

• Fly to Hanoi -  tour with Ho Chi Minh Complex containing the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts
• One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow it with a visit to the
• Temple of Literature
• Ethnologic Museum

Day 10: 12 July, Hanoi – Halong

• Halong Bay - private cabin.  These rocky islands are littered with tiny beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves.
• Seafood lunch served on boat before anchoring for an interesting visit to Sung Sot Grotto, one of the many hidden sights beneath towering cliffs, and a leisurely swim at Ti Tov or Soi Sim Beaches

Day 11: 13 July, Halong – Hanoi

• Head back to Hannoi - make a stop at Luon Cave to explore a scenic lagoon. This hidden tunnel can be only accessed by a rowing bamboo boat or kayak.

• Water Puppet show

Day 12: 14 July, Hanoi – Siem Reap

• Fly to Siem Reap
• South Gate of Angkor Thom which is  famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King 

Day 13: 15 July, Siem Reap - Angkor Temples

• The  jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm 
• Nearby temples including Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, Ta Keo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevado
• Preah Khan, Kravan, Neak Pean, Krol Ko, Ta Som, East Mebon and Pre Rup
• Walk up to Phnom Bakheng Hill to admire the spectacular sunset over these sandstone monuments

Day 14: 16 July, Siem Reap - Angkor Temples - Banteay Srei

• Heading out of town we drive beyond the Angkor Complex  through the Preah Dark village to  the intricately carved and well preserved Banteay Srei Temple.  The roads begin to deteriorate but it is still fascinating to drive past the rolling mountain scenery towards Kbal Spean. This interesting site locally named the river of 1000 Lingars, has been largely reclaimed by the jungle; however it involves a walk to catch a view over its riverbed carvings.
• The next stop is  Banteay Samre which is adorned with striking relief depicting the scenes of Vishunu and  Krishna legends. 

Day 15: 17 July, Siem Reap – Ho Chi Minh

• Tonle Sap Lake on a boat trip
• Fly to Korea!

Vancouver, BC

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Awesome Alaska Itinerary

Day 1 Anchorage

Fly into Anchorage

Day 2 Anchorage – Denali Back Country Lodge

Travel by motor coach to the entrance of Denali National Park. Transfer to the bus to go to Denali Backcountry Lodge in Denali National Park along the restricted 95-mile Denali Park Road

Check out wildlife and scenery along the way – TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES :) 

Day 3 Denali Back Country Lodge

-          Bike ride?

-          Hike around Wonder Lake  (mile 86) for possible views of McKinley vs. other hiking opportunities

Day 4 Denali Back Country Lodge - Denali:

Hike Mt. Healy Overlook trail – 5 miles roundtrip

Day 5 Denali - Anchorage:

Travel on the scenic Alaska Railroad!

See last minute sights?

Transfer from hotel to railroad depot at 1115 à train departs around 1215; arrive in Anchorage after 2000

Check out Glacier Brewhouse

Day 6 Anchorage:

Drive to Seward

Sights along the way: SEWARD HWY

-mile 115.1 Potter Creak Viewpoint

-mile 110.4 Beluga Point**

-mile 106 Windy Corner (good place to see Dall sheep)**

-mile 96 Bird Point Wayside**

-MM 95.3, 94.1, 92.5, 91.5 – scenic glacier views “The Flats”

-mile 90 Girdwood (perhaps on way back take the time to go up to viewing deck via tram); restrooms and gas station

-mile 79 Alaska wildlife conservation center ** (close up views of rescued animals; $7.50 military)

-mile 68 Turnagain Pass**

-mile 47.2 Lower Summit Lake Viewpoint

-mile 45.5 Summit Lake**

-mile 37 Tern Lake**

-mile 22.6 Kenai Lake Overlook

Day 7:

Kenai Fjords National Park Tour (0800-1400; arrive no later than 0730; lunch included)

Alaska Sea Life Center – open until 1830

Drive down to Lowell Point or take Nash Road to check out scenic sites/lookouts

Day 8:

Hike Exit Glacier and Harding Ice Field 7.4 mile round trip(ranger lead tours from 0900 starting at the Exit Glacier Nature Center; approx 4-6 hrs + time to check out scenic Exit Glacier loop trail with viewpoints ); Road sign marked Exit Glacier Road (Herman Leirer Road) near the “PIT BAR and Liquor Store.”

Dinner: Exit Glacier Salmon Bake Restaurant (does not take reservations) – on “new” Exit Glacier road

Get snacks for drive back to Anchorage?

Day 9:

IDIDARIDE dog sled tour

Drive back to Anchorage

See sights along Seward HWY that missed on way down; Sights in Anchorage

Check out the links to my Picasaweb pics

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Alaska_Aug2010_day 1

Yosemite NP itinerary - for those who want a really active vacation!

Yosemite Itinerary:

Park transit buses run 0700-2200; rt. map in the the “Yosemite Today”

Free internet access in Yosemite Valley @ public library (M-Th) in the Girl’s Club Bldg; Also in Bassett Memorial Library in Wawona (M-Sa) – less crowded. 

Day 1:

     -   Fresno airport

-       Drive to Yosemite: approx 82 miles (estim. under 2 hrs)

-       Stay at a condo at Scenic Wonders

-       Tunnel View (on

Wawona Rd

[Hwy 41])

-       Cruise the Yosemite Valley on Northside and Southside Dr.

          o   Bridalveil falls

o   El Capitan Viewpoint

o   Lower Yosemite Falls

o   Valley View

-       Get groceries at Village Store in Yosemite Village

-       Other stuff in Yosemite Village:

o   Visitor center

o   Ansel Adams Gallery

o   Wilderness Center

o   Yosemite Museum

o   Ahwahnee Hotel – known for it’s architecture

Day 2:

-       Tuolumne Meadows

-       Take Tioga Rd (Hwy 120) east; stop at Olmsted Point; continue east and stop at Visitor’s center for maps; see main meadow; park at Dog Lake trailhead; hike to Lembert Dome then to Dog Lake

-       Can continue driving east to Tioga Pass if have time

Day 3:

-       Day trip to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks

-       Kings canyon: General Grant Grove (Gen. G tree), Scenic drive thru Cedar Grove if have time

-       Sequoia: Giant Forest (General Sherman tree – world’s largest by volume); (Tharp’s log); hike to Moro Rock; Crystal Cave (buy tickets at Lodgepole or Foothills visitor centers)

Day 4:

-       Day hike to Half Dome

o   17 miles roundtrip with 4800ft elevation – has a 2000ft north face sheer drop off; plan to start on trail by 0600

o   estimate 9-12 hrs

o   need gloves for steel cables

o   flash lights/head lamps; pack lots of food/camelbacks

o   Start trail @ Happy Isles (may have to hike an extra mile from Curry Village if shuttle bus not running yet in the AM – shuttle stop #16); cross road bridge over Merced River, turn right, follow riverbank upstream.  At junction of John Muir and Mist trails – turn right onto John Muir trail.

o   Clark Point; pass junction of Panorama trail; continue on John Muir trail to Nevada Falls (3.5 miles from Happy Isles); continue on to Little Yosemite Valley Campgrounds (bathroom break!!)

o   Continue on John Muir trail which turns North (left); 1.3 miles to junction of Half Dome trail; take left fork onto Half Dome trail (2 miles from summit); multiple switchbacks to the NE shoulder (7600ft); continue to base of the cables

o   Give Rose some Ativan so she can make it up the cables!  Ascend twin steel cables (gloves) bolted into the granite; 600ft ascent up 45 degree rock face

o   Summit of Half Dome! 

o   On return trip: take John Muir trail to Mist Trail (before Nevada Falls; near solar toilet beneath Liberty Cap).  Descend 500 rock step staircase; Cross footbridge over Merced River at Silver Apron and continue along the Emerald Pool to Vernal Falls.  Descend another rock staircase and continue on the Happy Isles (approx 1.3 miles from top of Vernal Falls).  

Day 5:

-       Day trip to wine country

Day 6:

-       Glacier Point

-       Hwy 41 to Glacier Point Rd; Washburn point (for Rose’s picture taking); Glacier Point viewpoint; see Overhanging Rock.

-       Drive back down to trailhead of Sentinal Dome (has parking lot) – go to the right of trailhead; 2.2 miles; 370ft elevation change

-       Return back and head to Taft point and the Fissures (left from the trailhead); 2.2 miles from trailhead; 250ft elevation change

-       Can take the rest of the day seeing missed in Yosemite Village (list on Day 1)

Day 7:

-       Raft down Merced River; raft rentals @ Curry Village (1000-1600); 3 mile stretch from Stoneman Meadow to Sentinel Bridge

-       Spend rest of day at Mariposa Grove; see Grizzly Giant,  (2700 yrs old), California Tunnel Tree, Wawona Tunnel Tree, Wawona Point