Valkenburg, the Netherlands - 29 May 2007

The main purpose of my visit to Valkenburg was Thermae 2000, a top-notch wellness spa resort equipped with steam saunas of varying degrees of heat and scent treatments, hot baths, whirlpools, and regular pools. Unaware of their mandatory nude policies in their unisex bathing and sauna facilities, I went about the complex in my bikini. I felt out-of-place, self-conscious, and uncomfortable for being the only one "dressed" for the affair. Still, it was fascinating to be exposed to nude bodies of different sizes, ages, and gender.

All the different saunas and baths I entered were splendid. Every nook and cranny in my body was completely reset and relaxed after the steam and bath treatments. I was detoxified. Fifteen minutes prior to when my time's up (I had bought a discounted morning entrance ticket), I was "caught" by an employee who said that since "everyone's equal" there, I must remove my bikini in order to remain in the bath house. I took that as a cue and headed for the changing rooms! Obviously, no photography was allowed in the facilities. Below are some photos of Valkenburg.

Barcelona (Catalunya) & Montserrat, Spain - 15-20 May 2007

Apparently, this was a busy week at Barcelona as all the hostels and hotels we looked up online were fully booked. With no reservations at hand when we arrived late in Barcelona, we scrolled the airport's hotel kiosk and stumbled upon a 'reasonable' rate of E199 at the 4-star Hotel Astoria in downtown Barcelona (it was actually a bargain for a weeknight). It was a splurge but it was well-worth the money. Alas, we had to move out the next day as the rate increased to E300+ per night, way above my student budget! We found a hostel near the marina and although the experience was in stark contrast to the luxury we experienced the night before, the location was excellent. So, you win some, you lose some!

Things were well-run in Barcelona - from the buses to the trains, to the efficient services from retailers and restaurateurs. We walked the Las Ramblas, visited the harbor, and did some shopping. A favorite must-see was the Santa Eulalia Basilica. I was intrigued by Barcelona's two official languages of Spanish and Catalan, both commonly heard and seen on signs practically everywhere on the streets and in public transportation.

 

Above: Las Ramblas

Above left: Placa Reial; Above right: Paella at Casa Culleretes restaurant (since 1786)



Above right: Cathedral of Santa Eulalia

The La Boqueria was no disappointment as far as food was concerned. My senses came alive as I walked the market to find colorful displays of fruits, fresh seafood, exotic fungi, and dried food items.

Some of Antoni Gaudi's masterpieces in Barcelona include Park Guell, La Sagrada Familia and Casa Mila (La Pedrera apartment).

Above left: La Sagrada Familia; Above right: Casa Mila (La Pedrera Apartment)

Above: Park Guell

After Barcelona, the next stop was Montserrat, a mountain top monastery in Catalonia, Spain. The brief one hour train ride from Barcelona to Montserrat was smooth-going. When we arrived at the Montserrat train station, we connected to a cable car and rode up the hill to arrive at the Serrated Mountain, happy for the change in environment and happy to do this pilgrimage as Montserrat was a holy mountain for the Catalans.

A Benedictine monastery sits on Montserrat and serves as a retreat for pilgrims or tourists. While Montserrat can be toured in a day, there is hotel accommodation at Hotel Abat Cisneros in the monastery for guests who plan to have a longer retreat. We stayed 2 peaceful nights in Montserrat. There, we paid homage to the powerful Black Madonna in the Basilica and listened to the Basilica's world-famous Montserrat Choir Boy's choral performance at 5:30 pm. Dinner was pleasant at the hotel's restaurant and it did not break our bank. Overall, we were pleased and satisfied.

One morning before dawn, I went on a solo hike up on the hills. The cool weather and quiet morning combined with the sun's first rays on my face made for a brilliant way to start the day. I felt inner peace and joy. I highly recommend Montserrat for those who seek grace and the great outdoors.

Dusseldorf (Faeimm & Mario's Spring Wedding), Germany - 11-13 May 2007

Sometimes (and not often enough) we are reminded that we are blessed to have friendships that have endured the test of time and distance.

Above: Dinner with Rosa at a restaurant across from Hotel Hanseat

Finishing a hectic week of exams, I was SO ready to leave Maastricht to celebrate the weekend in Dusseldorf with old friends (Kumi and Rosa) at Faeimm's and Mario's spring wedding. Kumi and her husband Yutaka flew in from Oregon while Rosa arrived from Tokyo to attend the wedding. Though we had not seen one another in years, we picked up where we left off like a walk in the park. There were plenty of questions and answers and some laughters along the way. It was simply GREAT to see how far we've come and grown as women.

The wedding was spectacular, both at the reception on board the MS Warsteiner after the civil ceremony and at night at the castle "Schloss Hulchrath". We toasted, celebrated and cheered the couple on their special day, and then danced the night away like a fairy tale ending.

Above left: With the happy couple before the civil ceremony; Above right: Kumi & Yutaka

Above left: Showers of rice blessings after the civil ceremony; Above right: The gals at the port

Above left: Reception on board the MS Warsteiner; Above right: With the couple at the "Schloss Hulchrath" castle