I Dream Of Paradise

Baby, I am on a ROLL!

I am taking advantage of some free time over the weekend to upload more pictures that have been stranded in my laptop the past few months.

Speaking of stranded, I hope everyone survived the rains this past week. I had to wade through some floodwaters myself so all I can say is that this gloomy weather has really been a big downer! Here is looking to sunnier days ahead!

This post is all about Boracay and a quick trip I took with some colleagues earlier in the year. I was fortunate enough to get a tree-top villa that offered stunning views of the ocean. Imagine waking up or soaking in the bathtub while looking over the island's clear blue waters.

Paradise, indeed.

Solo In San Francisco

Going through some of my old stuff and saw these pictures from San Francisco that I haven't posted yet. Since I usually make a business trip to the US once a year, I try and stop by the Bay Area to decompress before heading back home. I love the energy of this city. The cool weather and robust transport system makes everything comfortably accessible.

You also don't have to go very far to enjoy great food. The two pictures at the bottom were from some of my frequent haunts: The Old Siam Thai Restaurant just opposite the Parc 55 Wyndham Hotel, and Boudin Sourdough Bakery and Cafe where I have my fill of warm clam chowder on chilly afternoons.

The Old Siam Thai Restaurant
201 Ellis Street (Between Taylor and Mason Streets)
San Francisco, CA 94102
T +1.415.885.5144

Boudin Sourdough Bakery and Cafe
619 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
T +1.415.281.8200

Parc 55 Wyndham Hotel
55 Cyril Magnin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
T +1.415.392.8000

Michael Rune } Væk I Natten (Featuring Cecilie Fleur)

I have no f*cking clue what this song is all about but I must admit the beat is catchy.  Anyone know what language this is? I suspect it's Danish.

Enjoy the weekend!

Visiting Versailles

In case you have a day to spare while vacationing in the French capital, I highly suggest taking a quick trip to Versailles. Roughly an hour away by train, it is a worthy investment considering one gets to see the grandest palace in all of France, the Chateau de Versailles, which achieved its notoriety thanks to Louis XIV's insatiable appetite for opulence and luxury.

While you are in the palace make sure you don't miss the Hall of Mirrors. This grand ballroom alone makes the entire trip worthwhile. The stage: 17 mirrors that stand opposite 17 full-length windows, reflecting sunlight from pools strategically placed on a sprawling garden, which are cast upon crystal chandeliers that hang throughout the entire ceiling. When everything works as intended, this room is nothing short of magical.

Oh happy day!

The Paris Roundup

Here is a quick roundup of the rest of my trip.

Clockwise from top-left: (1) The Velib: Paris' bike rental system; (2) Centre Pompidou; (3) The Sacre Coure; (4) Pont de Alexander, easily my favorite bridge in all of the city; (5) A view of Les Invalides from the gardens of the Musee Rodin; (6) Eglise Saint-Sulpice; (7) Notre Dame de Paris; (8) Jardin des Tuileries; (9) Atelier Brancusi; (10) Saint Germain des Pres, the city's oldest church; (11) Hotel de Ville; (12) Booths and other tourist traps underneath the Eiffel Tower; (13) The magnificent sky on the way to Pont d'Alma; (14) A colorful carousel right outside Hotel de Ville; (15) The Thinker, one of Rodin's most iconic sculptures, inside the gardens of the Musee Rodin; (16) La Tour Eiffel; (17) Petit Palais; (18) St Gervais et St Protais.

I think it is safe to say that you can't take a bad picture in Paris. Her rich history and classic European charm inspires and intoxicates even the most seasoned photographer. I feel almost sorry to compress my memories in just a few short posts as there are definitely more stories to tell.

But duty calls, and the rest of the world awaits.  I suppose some tales are meant to be stored and treasured, withdrawn from time to time on the whiff of something similar or familiar. Until then I shall pine for my return to this lovely European city.

Adieu Paris! Jusqu'a ce que nous nous reverrons!

Soundbites } 02.08.2012

What a wet last couple of days!  Here are a few tracks I put together in keeping with the grey weather. On the bright side, at least all that muggy heat is now gone.

Seven Devils -- Florence And The Machine

Please Don't Talk -- Chungking

Limbs -- Widowspeak

In The Deep -- Bird York

The Wilhelm Scream -- James Blake

One More Day -- Vast

Hang With Me (Accoustic) -- Robyn

Skinny Love -- Birdy

Video Games -- Lana Del Rey

Kissing -- Bliss