TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE DIARIES

The last time I have visited the Rijksmuseum was in 2001. That is a long time ago. I barely remembered what I saw except for the masterpiece of Rembrandt, the Night Watch painting and the huge 17th century doll houses. So when I recently paid a visit to the newly renovated Rijksmuseum, I cannot wait to see the doll houses again. A doll house in Amsterdam, circa 1676. Oak cabinet, veneered with walnut, cedar and ebony. 17th Century Doll Houses | Poppenhuizen Rijksmuseum website: Rijksmuseum Amsterdam The doll houses were were made for by Petronnella Dunois (1650-1695), a wealthy orphan who lived with her sister in Amsterdam. During the late 17th century and early 18th, spectacular doll houses were created in the Netherlands, especially in Amsterdam. These were not children's toys, but display pieces, furnished for and by wealthy ladies who lavished enormous amounts of time, money and attention on them. These houses present a picture of a well-ordered and prosperous ...

Vathy, also spelled as Vathi is the capital city of Samos Island. We have only been here once in the afternoon because it really is quite far from where we were staying in Kampos/Votsalakia. Its like east to west and takes more than an hour with the scooter. Vathy, Capital City of Samos Website: Vathy The main square of Vathy called Pythagoras Square is located across the Port of Vathy and is ringed with many outdoor cafe and restaurant terraces. Dutchman and I quickly took a seat in one of the cafe terraces for our favourite drink in the Greek Isles, the thirst quencher frappe coffee. This thing is bloody good and are very popular here. We never miss a holiday in Greece not ordering them. At the back of the square is the main shopping alley which was very quiet because it was siesta time. The mediterranean countries know when to do business and how to make the most of living life. A little siesta time never hurts. They even say it will only increase productivity? Further a...

Sooo excited I have just booked =) I mentioned awhile back that Eastern Europe has been haunting me like crazy. I will be flying into Zagreb, Croatia and will be renting a car, visiting the lovely Istrian countryside and coastal towns, then driving north towards Ljubljana, Slovenia as well as to the Julian Alps, and then back to Zagreb. It looks like it is going to be springy weather (I see sun in the forecast!). As long as it does not dip below 10C I am all set (prefer colder climate than hot when it comes to trips like these, ideal would be 15C-18C). Leaving in just a few days!!! Left: Flag of Croatia | Right: Flag of Slovenia Both countries used to be part of Yugoslavia that came to existence after World War I. Yugoslavia that disintegrated in 1991 following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 which was the symbol of the communism divide comprise of present-day countries: Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo. Kee...