Greece: Athens, The Acropolis Museum

And so it begins. At the Acropolis Museum.

Sitting atop an archaeological site, which can be seen through glass floors, the museum opened in 2009. Designed by a NY City based architect, the museum houses 5 floors worth of ancient artifacts and excavated historic treasures. One of the highlights is its direct view of the Parthenon. Photography was not allowed inside the museum. Nor were chocolate bars. Museum entrance fee, 5 euros. Snickers bar, likely 5 euros. Eating a Snickers bar whilst looking up at the Parthenon? Priceless.

Greece: Athens, Plaka at Night

We arrived in Athens just as the sun was setting (note, NYC isn't the only city with yellow cabs, and Mercedes Benzes, no less), checked in and went out for dinner (getting our recommendation from a group of cops at a corner!). They were spot on; it was absolutely delicious! Walking around the beautiful shopping district of Plaka was surreal to me, as Greece has been at the top of my travel list, forever. Plaka is a lovely, albeit touristy area, with cobblestone pathways, darling open air restaurants and charming residences and shops. Athens reminded us a lot of Bombay, a bit busy, a tad grimy, but we loved it. It has the tastiest olives and the friendliest locals. Couldn't ask for much more, and I didn't even mention it's incredible history (yes, that's one of the corners of the Acropolis, that's nestled within Plaka that we spotted on our walk around Plaka). Could not even contain my excitement. More to come! 

Throwback Monday: Greece!

It's time for us to leave winter behind and focus our sights on sunny horizons, mainly: GREECE! 

Won't you join me?

NYC: Pink + Yellow in Soho

Throwback Monday: Toronto Beaches

Summer '06, Toronto Beaches.

NYC: Empire State Building

NYC. Art Deco. Icon.

Two other architectural icons from around the word: the Taj Mahal and the Eiffel Tower 1, 2, 3

 

NYC: Metropolitan Museum of Art

The rainy weather in NYC one morning called for a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art where I spent a good 8 hours. I didn't know where to start it's so enourmous. At the end of the day after N met me there, we were also able to view the Stein Collection prior to it's opening on February 29. 

At times I was more fascinated by the people at the museum than some of the works themselves, seen via Instagram 1 2 3. 

March: Art to Inspiration

This month's Art to Inspiration comes from an artist named HENSE. This particular work is entitled Moonlight.

When I first laid eyes on the image and having just spent a couple of weekends in NYC, it immediately brought to mind the hustle and bustle of NYC reminding me also of the blue sky reflected in the windows of the buildings and of course, the iconic yellow cabs. 

"HENSE" (a little play on words), here is my inspiration.

If you'd like to join Art to Inspiration, click here!

NYC: Grand Central Station

Happens every time. Even just now. Can't get this out of my head when I say Grand Central Station.

Anyway, I'm happy to say I found the secret CORNERS at GCS; and it's amazing how the whispers really do travel! It's so interesting to think, too, that the APPLE store and logo would never have been as prominent at GCS as it is, now.

NYC: Out and About

One of the greatest cities on Earth. 

Throwback Monday: N'awlins June '08

Today's Throwback Monday is from N'awlins in '08!

Beignets, architecture, catfish and a whole lotta Bourbon. 

For more N'awlins check out:

N'awlins  \\ Cafe Du Monde  \\ Mr. B's Bistro 

NYC: 30 Rock

Couldn't help but hum the 30 Rock theme song when we got there. Also, I imagined the skating rink to be much bigger than it was. One day, would love to go back during the Christmas season.

 

Amsterdam: Rembrandt's House

If you were a fine art student like I was, you would have dreamt of the day you got to visit Rembrandt's house. Now, years later, even with much of my Rembrandt knowledge residing only in the far recesses of my memory, I was still pumped to check out his digs.

I'll spare you all of the history, which you can read here, but will tell you that Rembrandt bought this house in 1639 and lived there until he went bankrupt. All of his belongings were auctioned off - of course they were - but since then, it's been turned into a museum. The new wing was created for exhibition purposes and the old house restored and set up as it would have appeared in the 17th century.

Come see!

Amsterdam: Land of Bicycles

It's no secret that Amsterdam's #1 mode of transport is the bicycle.

Here, some shots of them without their riders.

Amsterdam: Market

Spent an afternoon walking around the Albert Cuyp Market, chock-full of vendors selling cheeses, seafood, shoes, clothing, and everything in between. I also love that they call it "maise", it's what I grew up calling "corn" in Africa.

More:

Edam \\ Zaanse Schans I \\ Zaanse Schans II