The Travel Ahh…Walking

Posted on October 28, 2012 by sglaser

On the move. Many of my travel photos share a theme of walking. It’s such an ordinary action. However, I love scenes of people walking in towns, villages and cities. It shows people in motion and conveys a feeling of a vibrant place. Walking photos also can show a casual, laid back environment.

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Gimme Shelter — The “Bonsai Tree” Temple in Bali

Posted on October 25, 2012 by sglaser

Pura Taman Ayun Temple — or the Royal Temple of Mengwi in Bali, has structures that remind me of neatly groomed bonsai trees. I realize that does not sound technical, but who wants to sound technical when talking about such a spiritual and serene place? Balinese Hindu Temples have a calming effect — especially since the settings for many of these religious sites involve water. This beautiful open-air temple complex includes a moat, garden, terraced courtyards and holy shrines.

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The Travel Ahh…A pink bike

Posted on October 21, 2012 by sglaser

St. Maarten. Kurt and I were wandering around the island and saw this father teaching his daughter how to ride a pink bike. There is something universally cute and heartwarming about seeing a kid learning how to ride a bike. I even took this photo before I became truly sappy since having my own kids.

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Gimme Shelter — Enchanting Medieval Buildings and Swans, Too?!

Posted on October 17, 2012 by sglaser

Just to clarify, I did not put the swans in the canal for this shot. They swam into view just to prove what a fairytale setting Bruges/Brugge really is. I don’t use adjectives like “charming” and “enchanting,” but you really have no choice when talking about this beautiful medieval Belgian city. It is charming and enchanting — however, maybe not as “happily ever after” when it was the setting for the 2008 film “In Bruges” with Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. Actually, it was still enchanting even in the dark comedy.

A dove — seriously? This town won’t quit with the “happily ever after.” © Stephanie Glaser

The Travel Ahh…Going to the Market

Posted on October 14, 2012 by sglaser

La Boqueria Market in Barcelona, Spain. Visiting markets is a big part of absorbing culture. One of the oldest markets in Spain, La Boqueria, offers full on sensory details. I loved hearing the buzz of everyone talking, ordering, as well as the shuffling and unloading of goods. And, of course, the mix of smells from fish to bread to fresh produce is a trademark of any market. The colors, even the variations of the whites, grays and pinks of the seafood, feed your eyes, indeed. However, the best is the reward of buying something fresh like a warm churro and enjoying it while taking a stroll down La Rambla.

Gimme Shelter — Cool Structures: Can I rent a Rubik’s Cube?

Posted on October 10, 2012 by sglaser

These cool buildings are in Rotterdam. I came across them while I was updating a chapter on The Netherlands for a travel guide in 1995. Known as “Kubuswoningen,” this neighborhood of cube houses, designed by Dutch architect Piet Blom, definitely are a tourist attraction.

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The Travel Ahh….Patriotism is Universal

Posted on October 6, 2012 by sglaser

Sometimes it’s easy to forget when you’re on a vacation in a beautiful place like Bali that the importance of history, independence, and patriotism is present in addition to the beautiful rice terraces, pristine beaches and silhouetted temple sunsets.

That’s why I love this photo. Kurt, the kids and I were browsing in a market area and we saw this boy outside of one of the shops. He grabbed a nearby flag and began waving it. It was a very cool moment since he was clearly proud of being Indonesian. I don’t know if it was a statement to us like, “remember, Americans, we are patriotic, too.” It did not seem that way. He appeared eager to share the flag with us.

The bottom photo gave me the same feeling. Here were some men standing next to a statue representing the fight for Indonesian Independence. These photos are more important to me than the stunning sunset photos since they show a side of the locals that I don’t think you always get to see in an island paradise tourist destination.

Gimme Shelter — Cool Structures and Statues

Posted on October 2, 2012 by sglaser

Travel Oops is introducing another new feature — it’s not actually about Oopses, either. I wanted to include photos of architecture in the blog, since buildings can be such beautiful sights. So here’s the first cool building to feature: Uspens ky Assumption Cathedral Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, in Kiev Ukraine.

This is one of the many gorgeous cathedrals in Kiev. The golden onions are so striking especially against a vivid blue sky. Because of seeing so many 1980s movies with Soviet villains and sinister settings, I was constantly amazed at the beautiful colors I saw in Kiev when I visited in 2006. You almost go there with the impression everything will be grey, steel, cement and dark. Or course there were the Soviet cinderblock buildings, but the wonderful sensory details are so prominent in Ukraine.

The Travel Ahh…

Posted on September 29, 2012 by sglaser

Even at our hotel in Sanur, Bali, we saw a lifeguard place a “Canang Sari” and sticks of incense on the cement pool deck near the waterside. These simple but beautiful baskets are traditional offerings meant to thank the Hindu gods, and you see them everywhere in Bali.

The baskets, made out of coconut leaves, contain flowers, rice and sometimes money. It is a comforting sight to see the Canang Sari and these offerings remind everyone, including tourists, the importance of following traditions and being thankful.

The Travel Ahh….

Posted on September 23, 2012 by sglaser

As anyone who travels knows, there are missteps, mishaps and misadventures, but then there are those perfect moments when we say: “Yeah, this is why I travel.” A Travel Ahh…

These photos are of aspen trees outside of Aspen, Colorado. Fall colors come early in the mountains of Colorado, and Kurt, the kids and I usually go on a drive to see the trees in their glory. I remember when I first moved to CO, I kept thinking, “This is pretty, but really, is this it? Where are all the other vibrant colors like the bright oranges and reds?”

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