Journey

Monday, June 11, 2018

Giverny and the Monet Foundation

It doesn't get any better than springtime in Giverny. My favorite painter, Claude Monet, created a masterpiece on this lovely piece of earth. He transformed the property into a magnificent ever-changing canvas.

Monet lived in the peaceful village of Giverny from 1883 until he died there in 1926.

Above, in the background, is the Japanese bridge featured in numerous works of art.

It was too early in the season for the waterlilies.

A gardener was working in the pond in a pretty green boat.

Waterlilies

Wisteria booming over the Japanese bridge.

Even in black and white the landscape is enchanting.

The gardens in front of the house were full of color.

The tulips were dominant in most of the beds.

The layout of the gardens.

Lovely lovely tulips.

There were even green tulips and black tulips!

I could move right in.

Art work is everywhere.

The colors are bright and cheerful.

Monet collection of Japanese engravings in the yellow kitchen.

Blue and yellow - happy colors.

I really like the blue and white tile in the kitchen.

The works of various artists displayed in the studio.

Happiness is a pink and green house in France!

Simply lovely.

Tulip time.

Another destination checked off my bucket list.

Giverny and the Monet Foundation - a wonderful way to spend the day in France.

💜andPeace,Myra

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Paris in the Spring (2018)

Paris has been on my bucket list for a long time. Finally the romance, history and beauty are mine to remember. Another wonderful Viking River Cruise - Paris and the Heart of Normandy.

The Arc de Triomphe

We began our Paris visit with a guided bus tour.

One would have to be young and in top physical shape to see everything on foot!

The Champs-Elysees

Wonderful to see the places I've read about and heard about my entire life.

Travel to me is like putting a face with a name.

37 beautiful bridges keep Paris connected on the winding Seine River.

The architecture worth the trip.

Notre-Dame Cathedral

Inside the Cathedral

The Paris Point Zero

Just outside Notre Dame the center of Paris is marked with this brass star.

The very 💛of Paris.

Our guide told us one of the customs is to place your foot on the star and you will someday return to Paris. I like that idea.

The Louvre Museum

Our time here was limited so we were fortunate to have a guide.

She steered us through the crowds to the more significant pieces.

Here she is, Mona Lisa!

Venus de Milo

Winged Victory

From this photo you can get an idea of the crowds.

I took this photo from inside the Louvre.

Cute window in Paris shop

A bridge near Notre Dame Cathedral.

The Eiffel Tower.

Our last night in Paris we toured the city again.

I will post the night photos at the end of this series.

Stay tuned for the twinkling Eiffel Tower at night.

Next - Giverny and a day at the Monet Foundation

💛andPeace,Myra

Monday, February 19, 2018

Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium

We recently took a short road trip to Springfield, MO to the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium.

The aquarium was massive.

The displays were enormous.

It was like diving in the ocean!

There were red fish, blue fish, big fish and small fish...

The jelly fish were amazing!

So pretty. They look like abstract art.

Hard to believe these are living creatures.

So beautiful.

The wildlife displays were realistic.

Safari time.

Here you can see under the water.

Ernest Hemingway's fishing boat.

Wildlife art was on display.

We enjoyed our time at the museum.

If you go plan on spending at least four to five hours.

The place is HUGE.

💜andPeace,Myra

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

River Cruise Cuisine (Viking)

I am often asked about "the food" when I return from a trip. Here are some examples of the cuisine we enjoyed on our Viking River Cruise on the Rhine earlier this year.