There was no other way but to stay at the Van Gogh Hotel. Of course, where else? This hotel is located, where else, but across the Van Gogh Museum! The wall has the Red Vineyards near Arles 1888. I saw the real one in March at the Pushkin Museum in Moscow.

But no, that was not the most important for the first evening in Amsterdam. It was the 10 kilometres walk in the rain, looking for Jaime’s Fifteen. The entrée was so worth the walk. So you can imagine how the main course and the dessert went. It was glorious. Jaime, you never fail to deliver! But it was not cheap. And no, it was not this meal. This is a painting of a photo I took at Rijksmuseum, painted by Willem Claesz Heda.

And guess if I didn’t gasp for air at Rijksmuseum? I didn’t know that The Night Watch by Rembrandt is huge.

There were many things I loved about Amsterdam. I did lots of sketching and lettering by the canals and at the park. The houses by the canals are pretty.  I had a try at sketching them. Now I know that I don’t have to draw them straight because they are not. Some are worst than the others like in the verge of collapse. But not really. They are just a bit too tilted. One time, an old man politely approached me and asked if he can see my drawings. Well…

And of course, there was Van Gogh. I love his Japanese inspired paintings.

Here are some of the night shots that I love to take.

And lastly, I met Super Dog. Of course, I have to meet Super Dog. probably his name is Cal!

There are countries that I have been ignoring. I don’t know why. Maybe there is not enough attraction within me to imagine visiting them. But when I arrived in Prague, I immediately overcame this feeling. I was charmed. I was captivated, to be honest. Here are some of the reasons why:

Also went to see Don Giovanni at the theatre where Mozart himself conducted the same opera in 1787. Can’t help but imagine the historical times while sat on the front row. I have been to a number of theatres but I think this one is the most beautiful.

There were many other enjoyable things in Prague. It was lovely to dine by the river and try the local food. Walking up the hill soaked in the rain was memorable too. The trip ended by being upgraded to Business Class on the way home.

It was never enough to stay in Firenze. Other cities are easily accessible by train from Firenze. Poggibonsi, Siena, Livorno, San Gimignano and Pisa are beautiful places to see. Siena is pretty. Livorno is by the seaside. San Gimignano is a medieval city with skyscrapers. And Pisa, you know Pisa!

Of course, one morning was spent looking for tickets to see David, Venus and Primavera. When they told me that there were no more tickets available for the days I was there, that reality could never surpassed me. I had and got the tickets that I wanted. I was awestruck to see Venus!

But one frustrating thing though was to see shops after shops of leather goods and none selling leather jeans except those they made in the 80’s. You can imagine how they look like! I also have a new favourite word – Arrivederci. I also love saying Poggibonsi and Nocciola. Nocciola Gelato!

I thought I was going to the zoo but I ended up in another country! But this is how it is. It is very easy to get on a cruise ship from Helsinki and go to Tallinn. I am not sure what I like about going to Tallinn. Maybe just the idea of being in the open sea. And when I get to Tallinn, I get to walk. I’m the walking type!

And of course, there was the nice lunch and the obligary coffee break at the oldest cafe in Tallinn built in 1864.

I also love the sunset departures at 22:30 and arriving past midnight in Helsinki.

The cruise terminal is only some 25 minutes walk from the flat. So I get to walk again…

I must say that one of the reasons I decided to visit New York in April was to take night shots. I really didn’t mind the cold and the wind on these April nights. I was determined to shoot these amazing views. Aren’t they stunning? Can you name some of these famous landmarks?

It was in New York where I stayed in the tiniest hotel room ever. And yet, it was the most expensive room that I’ve ever stayed in. The hotel was located in Times Square by the Broadway and along Wall Street.

Nothing can beat this breakfast. Really, what can! There was an actual piano with an actual guy playing it. He played the Godfather theme song Speak Softly, Love and many other classics. But the best part was when he played As Time Goes By…

I highly recommend visiting Moscow. It was said that Moscow is the most unfriendly city in the world. But to my experience, people were not only beautiful and stylish but very kind, friendly, helpful and they care. I saw a very clean and safe Moscow.

Of course, lunch was at Jaime’s Italian. It was so good! And that truffle pizza… I need not say more. Cappuccino and Tiramisu, anyone? Great 70’s music too!

One interesting place was the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts where it is full of plaster cast reproductions.

A huge plaster cast reproduction of David is there. It survived the World War II. Also a plaster cast reproduction of Pietá. I have seen the original one many years ago at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

Then there is the opera. What a great performance of the Phantom of the Opera. I was sat at the

Then lastly, two contrasting photos of Moscow…

Finally at the Munch Museum, I was going back and forth. I might have dizzied the guards just by looking at me. But really, where is the Scream? This can’t be the Scream. It should be in colour. Not this Lithograph in black on thick tan card! How can I explain that to myself?

I was so disappointed. I was about to scold the guard. But then it’s not his fault, is it?. So I spoke to him gently because in a way, I should speak softly in the museum.

I said, “So the Scream is not here.”
He replied, “No.” (That word again!)
I said, “So it is in the National Gallery.”
He answered, “Yes.”
I asked, “How will I get to the National Gallery?”
He replied, “You can goggle it.”

My conclusion, he doesn’t know where the National Gallery is, like the others who don’t know where the Munch Museum is.

And so another adventure began for me. But to make the long adventure short, I did find the National Gallery and sat in front of the Scream for the longest time with a group of people recreating the Scream expression. I must say, I had fun!

And about the coffee. Well, they served it in a bowl.

The last time I was in Tallinn was in 1996. I don’t remember much about it now. But here I was, back into it and enjoying the open sea.

My favourite place in Tallinn is Maiasmokk Kohvik. It’s the oldest cafe in Tallinn, established in 1864. Good coffee and cakes. But best of all, it’s like going back in time.

I also climbed Tallinn’s city wall from 13th century after I bought this red wool beret. Getting ready for the winter, I guess, after being away for many, many years.

The strange thing about Madrid was the heat. It was so hot that the temperature reached up to +49 degrees celsius. More strange still was the fact that I was not sweating. I quite enjoyed the sun pricking through my skin.

Stranger still that people thought I speak Spanish. But I do understand much of what was spoken to me. I never thought I knew the language that much. Knowing Spanish gave me a lot of advantages from ordering food ( I can get what’s on the menu!) to knowing the cost (I can count in Spanish!). I could have just blended in!

But the best part of it all was not the many sales going on at Gran Via but visiting the three best museums in Madrid. I could just get lost at the Museo Nacional del Prado. I was there for 6 hours but I know I haven’t seen all the paintings yet. I love the historical paintings. There was one painting which showed a man who died of a broken heart. It’s true what studies say that a broken heart could caused death! I was also so trilled to see a painting that I remember as a Christmas card from childhood. The Museo National Centro de Arte Reina Sofia was about paintings in bold colours and seeing the most prominent painting of Pablo Picasso, the Guernica. The Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza made me the happiest when I saw and had a photo with Vincent Van Gogh’s Les Vessenots in Auvers, 1890. I love it so much that I got a set of coloured pencils with the same painting on its tin box and even an umbrella with it. I got a bit crazy I guess. People should visit these museums if given a chance and if they are into paintings. The Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza was also having the Vogue Like a Painting exhibition with many amazing photos.

And of course, I’ve tried the tapas, the paella, the sangria and watched that ear wrecking, shoe tapping, full of grace Flamenco performance accompanied by Spanish guitars. Loved it!