If you’ve ever wondered what a party inside the Seattle Aquarium would look like — here’s what it looks like. Continue reading
Linda & Phil’s Aquarium Reception
Linda & Phil’s Wedding Ceremony
Philip and Linda exchanged their vows outdoors at the Seattle Aquarium — right before a breathtaking sunset. With Seafair happening at the same time, the Blue Angels soared at supersonic speeds above while two giant Navy vessels graced the scene in the background. Continue reading
Linda & Phil: Getting ready for the first look!
While the ladies were getting primmed, the guys were kickin’ back with some obligatory shots. Click through for Linda and Philip’s first look! Continue reading
Linda & Phil are getting married!
Linda and Phil got engaged last year, but because Phil flies back and forth between Shanghai and Seattle, we weren’t able to take photos until last weekend. The couple conveniently lives downtown, so we started off on their beautiful roof deck before heading out to Post Alley and Pike Place for some obligatory Seattle shots. Only a few more days to go before the big celebration at the aquarium! Continue reading
Ancient Athens’ Acropolis & Agora
How’s that for an alliterating title? The ancient greeks had their A-game on, apparently.
The contrasting difference between colorful, idyllic Santorini and the haggard, sobering appearance of Athens was a bit jarring, so two days was just the right amount of time for us to explore the ancient ruins and wander about Plaka, the more interesting part of town. It was also a great way to end our mini tour of Europe and “recalibrate” ourselves to yearn for the states, again.
As for our first airbnb experience — it wasn’t too bad! I was a bit concerned on the way to the rental, since we passed by what clearly was the redlight district, but then the neighborhood cleaned up dramatically as we got closer to the tourist spots. Prices are also a lot more reasonable in Athens, food is decent, and navigation and communication are both easy. (They even have an Uber-like app for taxis, which came in handy for our early morning flight out!) Continue reading
Seafood, Sandals & Sun
Considering that we spent the first day in Santorini hiking from one town to another, we spent the second staying in Fira, determined not to venture off elsewhere. A massage, cocktail, and sun tan later, we headed back into town, to explore the island’s capital in detail this time around. Continue reading
The hike from Fira to Oia, Santorini
Braving the hike from Fira to Oia on a June afternoon was both the best and worst decision we made in Santorini. On one hand, every slight turn and dip in the road afforded us postcard-worthy views of the island and beyond; on the other, there was zero shade along the entire 6+ mile hike, at least half of which was barren, desolate wilderness. Thanks to the serpentine wandering throughout all the towns, we somehow ended up walking a good 12 miles (according to the Moves app anyway) — and experienced slight dehydration and heat stroke. (For the next week and a half, I also dealt with a burning and unsightly heat rash along my arms and around my neck.) Regardless, watching the sunset from the edge of Oia was so worth it, as was passing by the more isolated churches inaccessible by car. Continue reading
Vatican City
The metro stop is only four blocks from the Vatican, but it felt like such a laborious journey to the city walls, because of all the tour promoters heckling you for business. After seeing the endless line wrapped around the fortified enclave, we finally gave in to one extremely convincing sales rep, who had the scorching sun on his side that day. Regardless, cutting the line was worth it, squishing through the Vatican Museum, constantly in search of our flagless tour guide was not.
Among the many feelings I experienced in the Vatican were 1. shock at how small and unassuming the Sistine Chapel really is, and 2. awe at how enormous and spacious it actually is inside St. Peter’s. #awestruck (And the former requires you to have all shoulders and knees covered, with absolutely no photography allowed; the latter does not.) Continue reading
Ancient Rome, Modern Italy
After being “stuck” on the Venetian archipelago for one too many days, it was nice to finally pull out a map again, this time in Rome.
Funny thing: when we got on the metro from the train station, Ryan commented that there was a strangely familiar San Franciscan vibe, and when we got off, we ran straight into the gay pride parade, which we had to cross twice (with our luggages) to get to our hotel. Fun first impressions are always good, eh? Then, as soon as we dropped off our luggages and set off on foot for the famed piazzas, palazzos, and fontanas, I commented that the steep streets shaded by stone buildings showed a striking resemblance to San Francisco as well. Were we just imagining this?! Perhaps it was the Chinese restaurants, Indian businesses, and general diversity that just felt so welcoming after a few weeks in Europe — truth be told, a feeling I did not expect from Rome. Regardless, as soon as we exited a narrow alley that opened up into a giant plaza or stood in awe at the foot of an ancient ruin, we knew we were in Rome. Continue reading
The Magical World of Venezia
Venice is like a real-life, grown-up version of Disneyland: a small, contained world full of wonder and chaos at the same time. You get lost in a sea of people, marvel at the intricate and colorful buildings, go on boat rides, eat copious amounts of sweets, and wander aimlessly in circles until your body urges you to seek shelter in an overpriced restaurant.
You start to believe that the labyrinthine world was actually built as a tourist trap, until you look up, see all the laundry lines, and realize that people actually live here. In Venice. A world without cars, street lights, greenery, or even stores necessary for daily life (like Costco and Apple)… a world surrounded by water and separated from “real” civilization — and somehow once a major maritime power and wealthy renaissance city.
Welcome to…
Disneyland : The Happiest Place on Earth :: Venice : The Least ADA-accessible Place on Earth! Continue reading