Bits and Bytes from my Life

Finally after 5 months we left home on a road trip with boyz. Friday was there 5 monthly birthday and we took off to Lake Quinault lodge.

Our original plan was to just spend couple of days at Quinault lodge and return but as always we changed the plans mid way. Instead of returning via Tacoma(hate the traffic) we made the full loop around Olympic mountains. Drive was really awesome and on our way we stopped at Kalaloch Lodge and Lake Cresent Lodge. I am sure we will return to the 2 lodge’s to spend more time.

Lake Quinault lodge is beautiful. Just natural beauty everywhere. Our room had partial(due to trees) view of the lake. Best part was our phone did not work and WiFi was only in main lobby(not in our building) which forced me not to work. Awesome weekend!!!

Out Route
View Larger MapLake Quinault Lodge:

Kalaloch Lodge & Lake Cresent Lodge

Seattle it the most beautiful city in summer. The weather is awesome, there is farmers market in every neighborhood. We love to head out to Pike Place market and enjoy the weather.

One such day we came across this band Slimpickins. Everyone of the members is really talented but Annie is beyond awesome. I have become a fan. You should look at her when she plays her Violin, She puts her heart into it. Really awesome. I will recommend them for any occasion.

Just watch 1 minute into this video and you will know what I mean.

Slimpickins website: http://www.myspace.com/jakeandannie

Photo from Pike Place:

This year Microsoft’s World Wide Partner conference was held at New Orleans from July 13th-16th. We had never been to New Orleans and we did not want to loose the opportunity to visit the place. It was busy week at New Orleans but we were able to find some time on weekend to go out in the city.

I just have to say there is not place like New Orleans for food. Have Jambalaya & Gumbo and top that with Beignet and a cup of coffee from Cafe Du Monte, that is heaven. Music was in every corner of the city. You can spend hours on Bourbon street with non stop music and fun.

Check out the photos at:

This weekend we went on another one of our road trips. We headed south to Oregon and drove on US 101. US 101 is one of the best scenic byways you ca drive on. You have ocean on one side of the highway.

First night we stayed in Tillamook and then headed to Gold beach on day 2. The drive was beautiful. Gold beach was a bit of disappointment, hotel we booked was not good so we just took off 1 day early and next headed to Woodburn company stores. Of course had to shop in Oregon(no sales tax. ). We spend day 3 in Portland. Visited Multinomah falls, Chinese garden, Powells book shop. Next returned back home.

It is good to spend most on Monday at home and prepare for office tomorrow.

Again highligh was drive on 101. Nothing can beat a beautiful drive.

We got on a train journey from Venice to Rome approx. 4.5 hours. We planned to see Rome for one last time before heading  back home. Visited the Trevi fountain and walked the streets collecting some souvenirs of this amazing place. They say a lifetime is not enough to see Rome, now I know why. Walking on the cobbled streets and piazza’s of Rome I realized the craftsmen, Sculptors, architects have definitely done a marvelous job to be explored for generations to come.  we had the best Italian food in small Trattorias and had gelato while walking all over. We say Ciao Roma:):)

We reached Venice in the afternoon and taken away by its charm instantly. This place had a mysterious charm to it cant describe in words. Its situated on an island and the lagoon waters take place of  roads in this city. We saw this place thru gondolas, water bus and on foot. As we walked the streets over Rialto bridge and there were shops laden with the famous masks. The Piazza del San Marco and the Rialto bridge are structures which are replicate din Vegas casinos. And u come here and see the true beauty this original has. Truly astounding drawing crowds from all over the world. Loved travelling thru the canals on gondolas. The black lagoon which surrounds Venice is supposed to be the savior of this place. An interesting fact I learned Venice, built around Fifth century was under Austria, France and now owned by Italy. No wonder its unlike roman cities and has an eclectic flare to it.

We devoted this day to just exploring Florence visiting the Duomo, Ponte vechhio, Boboli gardens, Galleria academia. Florence has its own charm as a small place depicting renaissance architecture was packed with tourists at this time. The Duomo which is the huge red dome, the landmark here and visible from almost every corner of the city. Walking thru the ponte vechhio which is a bridge over water and lined with miles of jewelry shops, good place for buying Italian leather. The small gold shops lined on both sides of the street was an amazing sight. The galleria de Academia is a small museum which houses Michelangelo’s David. David’s statue was at the end of the hallway and truly mesmerizing even to Sudhir who is totally not interested in any museum.

As our train leaves for Florence, we come outside the huge city hustle bustle and move on to more simple life with fields and vineyards stretched far.Calm and relaxing country side with green fields and mountains.Its late winter and spring is about to arrive. Can see the greenery about to peek in the plains. Florence is a small place and has its own charm. We went to see the Leaning tower of Pisa, which is an hour and half train journey out from Florence.The regional trains giving an insight of local Italian life.The leaning tower is almost 25 mins walk from Pisa centrale station. As we arrived the site it was great to see this leaning tower and learn about the history. Truly one of the seven wonder’s of the world. That completes 2 of the seven wonders in one year. First the Golden Gate bridge and now this leaning tower of pisa. Wo hooo!!!!

Today we visited Vatican city, St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican museum. Vatican is a nation by itself. They say many structures built here have taken their building materials from Ancient roman structures. There are gaping holes in the walls of Colosseum which are living evidences. As we entered the St. Peter’s piazza and stand in front of the Basilica, only one word to describe this, Symmetry in Architecture. Perfectly symmetric piazza with massive colonnades on each side. Central obelisk flanked by water fountains on each side. St. Peters basilica is an excellent example of Gothic Architecture in its full glory.Have not seen anything else like this in my life. There is something divine about this place , truly the holiest of all places. Am not a christian myself but this place convinced me that there is a mighty power watching all over us. We visited the Vatican museum and especially Michelangelo’s Sistine chapel. The world famous painting on the dome ceiling which draws millions every year. We had to go thru a lot of hallways and exhibits before we get to see this masterpiece waiting in anticipation. But truly worth it once we set eyes on it. As I came out of this museum covering only 25% of it, was in total awe of such talent packed in this one structure. Roman cities built in ancient times are still true to the test of time.The public squares adorned by water fountains are such great places for social gatherings and intermingling of people from all walks of life.

We decided to make our away to Ancient Rome today.. We take train to colosseo station, and my aha moment comes as we alight the train, And there it is right in front of you the Huge Colosseum. Totally elated!! Truly the Icon of Imperial Rome. Massive arena with tiers of seating and separate gates for entry and exit for different class of people. Senators got the front row seats with their names carved in a huge marble tablets in front of every seat. Was totally amazed to see this underground basement over which the stage was hoisted, one very interesting fact is that there was a team of sailors who actually managed the stadium cover or awning in case of inclement weather. Wow that was in 70 Century A.D.  Being an Architect it is such a joy to experience how such great buildings have played a key role in our civilization. They say Rome stays till the Colosseum stands. We later on visited the Roman forum, Palatino. They had such an evolved system of functioning as an empire. You are touched by the history there. You turn a corner and there is a masterpiece.