Discover Kansas City

Known as the “Heart of America”, Kansas City doesn’t just get its nickname because it is located within 250 miles of both the geographic and population centers of the nation; the city will charm you with its big-hearted graciousness and hospitality. And the heart of KC is the Central Station. Start your discover from here!

Quick Tip: KC is a city that doesn’t take care of boundaries. Be sure, at least in the first day here, where the hotel is. It is not good at all, after 23 hours trip, to take a cab, to know that your hotel is near 100-th Street and the taxi driver to ask:
      110-th? Where?
      In Kansas City, OF COURSE!!!
      Yes, but in Missouri or in Kansas?
I answer, in doubt, according with what I knew from a searching engine: "MO". But the address was on the other... state.

Evening on Rainbow Bridge

Cyprus Memories

Do you remember Cyprus, where the love was born?

May be October is the most beautiful month to come here: friendly sun, not so hot, good seawater and not so many tourists. Ask a Cypriot friend, rent a car, book a taxi or even take a walk: there are many nice places to see.

Lets look to simple things around us and learn to love a little more. We all have one single Earth.

Petra tou Romiou

A Morning in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the constitutional capital and principal city of the Netherlands. It is divided by canals into about 90 islands joined by about 400 bridges. Almost the entire city rests on a foundation of piles driven through peat and sand to a firm substratum of clay. Amsterdam is Europe's second largest port and one of its most important commercial centre. Amsterdam has been an important centre of European cultural life since the 17th century. The royal palace, originally built in the 17th century as the town hall, stands on a large square in the centre of the city.

Schiphol International airport (built on lands "stolen" from the sea) is one of most important on Europe. If your connecting fly is after 5 hours from arrival, you can take a ride to see the beautiful "blue-canal" town. (Every 10 minute there is a train from Schiphol to Amsterdam "Centraal Station".)

From Pacific to North Sea

San Francisco, city and port, coextensive with San Francisco county, northern California, U.S., is located at the northern end of a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. It is a cultural and financial centre of the western United States and one of the country's most cosmopolitan cities. Economic life in San Francisco is dominated by service industries, many of which are geared toward the city's large numbers of tourists. Finance and international trade also constitute important parts of the economy.

Serving as the constitutional capital and principal city of the Netherlands, Amsterdam lies on the IJ (an arm of the IJsselmeer). It is divided by canals into about 90 islands joined by about 400 bridges. Almost the entire city rests on a foundation of piles driven through peat and sand to a firm substratum of clay. Amsterdam is Europe's second largest port and one of its most important commercial centers. Leading industries in the city include shipbuilding, sugar refining, publishing, and the manufacture of heavy machinery, paper products, textiles and clothing, porcelain and glass, aircraft, cars, and chemicals. Amsterdam has been an important centre of European cultural life since the 17th century.

The link between these two towns? A KLM direct flight plus 10 and a half hours journey.

Sea is calling!

Goodbye 2017!

Memories

Remembering Cyprus

9000 years of constant invasion... crusader castles... ancient vineyards... Roman mosaic floors... This is history. But how does Cyprus look today? Go and see!

Remembering Cyprus: December 2001

After 9 days of heavy rains, sun is smiling again. (Two days before rains end, they say that this was the biggest rainfall in Cyprus in the latest 16 years!)

The Limassol promenade, usually crowed by tourist and local people, looks now like a muddy place. BUT wait! Is seems that all the people are on old port see wall: a forest of fishing line, an ocean of fishing guys and a lot of fish. What happened? Fortune for some, unlucky for other (unfortunately, this is life!): the nets from several fish see-farm were destroyed by storm. Fish are free and ... hungry.

Remembering Cyprus: "Nabucco" Castle

Cyprus is a small island so you’ll not find here local theater, opera or ballet bands. But, if you want to see a great spectacle, it is not a problem: many big theaters come for fantastic performances. There isn’t a big theater building, so medieval or ancient sites create interesting open-air stage.

In September 2001, Verdi's "Nabucco" was the fourth opera to be staged in Kato Paphos with the Mediaeval fort as a giant backdrop. After "Othello" and "Aida", it is also the third Verdi masterpiece, and coincides with the centenary of the composer's death. In Cyprus "Nabucco" was being staged by the Polish National Opera Company.

“Nabucco" is a love story based in Jerusalem and Babylon of nearly 2600 years ago, full of love, intrigues and tragedies. The Hebrew chorus of "Va pensiero" is one of Verdi's most memorable operatic passages.

Remembering Monterey: Touch of ocean life

We all (I hope) imagine a world in which the oceans are healthy and people are committed to protecting the integrity of Earth’s natural systems, which sustain us all. To help make this vision a reality, Monterey Bay Aquarium creates a program that introduce people to the wonders of the marine world, from Monterey Bay to the vast oceans beyond. The exhibition focus on living exhibits and seeks to maximize opportunities for visitors to encounter, discover and observe ocean life.

The aquarium project was initiated in 1977 by a group of four marine biologists at Stanford's Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific Grove and was opened October 20, 1984 in Hovden Cannery factory. (The cannery closed in 1972. The sardine fishery had collapsed, and the market for canned squid was insufficient to support continued operation of the cannery.)

Almost 300,000 individual plants and animals, approximately 550 species, 1.5 millions liters of water only in one aquarium, 30 centimeters glass thick, 1.8 millions of visitors per year. These are only few figures on this impressive exhibition.

Monterey Bay Aquarium is a real touch of ocean life!

(Notes from a trip in March 2002)

Remembering Yosemite: Mist Trail

Yosemite Park is famous for its majestic waterfalls. Most notably are Bridal Veil, Vernal and Yosemite Falls. The best time to see them is in late spring, when winter snows melt into surging runoff and a raging plunge of mist and rainbows.

Vernal Falls is a little difficult to get to, but the spectacular views are well worth it. Make sure to take a poncho, as the spray is tremendous and you will definitely get wet.

The nearest parking is at around 3.1 km from the top of the Vernal Fall. You can divide your trail in 4 parts: 0.7 km to the rout sign (it is like a promenade in a town park), 1.3 km to Vernal Falls bridge (the “nothing” part), 0.6 km to the point where you’ll need the poncho (the “something” part) and the rest 0.5 km (the real trail). Good luck!

(Notes from a trip in April 2002)

Remembering Paderborn: July 2011

Cyprus in May

May is a lovely month in Cyprus. Sea and mountain are near you. Everything is still green and the sun is not too hot. Sea water is lovely and springs are still present in the mountains. It is time for water sports, hike, bath and any other activity that you want in open air.