Amsterdam

Amsterdam remains one of my favourite places in the world. If it were possible I would move there immediately! I didn't get too touristy this trip, we spent most of our time riding our bicycles and exploring the various streets and canals. Our flat was incredible - a totally glamourous home away from home, and the location couldn't have been more perfect for our purposes. I tried to do the things I would like to do if I lived there and it felt pretty great.

A somewhat stiff photo of me riding my bike. Learning to ride your bike with the masses in Amsterdam could be difficult. They are fearless, fast, and always always always have the right of way. I think I did pretty good though. I had a motorist apologize out his window for getting in my way!! fantastic!

A perfectly Dutch-Vegan African inspired dish from a local vegan restaurant.

Pink Pepper Rooibos!! Albert Heijn is the equivalent to our Safeway, this amazing generic brand of tea comes in beautiful triangular shaped silk tea bags. I bought 3 boxes before leaving, I'm bringing them home.

View from our window.

 "coffee shops" everywhere.

Cheese was also everywhere.

This was a store that sold bulbs exclusively.

Foam gallery: had an exposition on by a rather famous Paparazzi photographer...can't remember his name.

Jack.

The boss.

That's all. I wasn't very camera happy in Amsterdam. I was too relaxed and content.

New York

New York was the starting point of our journey. Unfortunately I spent almost ALL of my time shopping and eating so I didn't take more than a couple photo's. Below is the view from our hotel room window.

This taco salad may not look like much, but trust me it's deceiving. This was by far the most incredible salad I have ever had, and I'm not a salad person! You see that glob of white stuff on the side, that was some incredible creation involving cashews. It's totally vegan and somehow tastes like a cross between cream cheese and sour cream. It was so filling I couldn't finish!

Modica, Sicily

This was the road that we nearly got stuck in, in a failed attempt to drive through the residential "streets" to the hotel

 Scratched the whole right side of the bmw on this wall...

 At the top of that windy street

 Modica's main cathedral

 This is from outside the hotel, it looks modest, but was by far the most beautiful place I have ever stayed in.

 This was the garden from the suite

 The patio

 The view!

 The sweetest stray cats were everywhere in these streets

 These two let me get close enough to take their photo, I was quite flattered 

 I wish I could bring this door home with me!

 The city centre

 Rooftop

 work truck

 Modica views

Sicily

Syracuse, Sicily

 The lovely Mediterranean Sea

 Syracuse residential life

 The Puppet Opera!! I really wish we could have stayed long enough to see a show....

 Piazza 

Stumbled across a school for Mensa folks!

 fire survival

 Love Love Love!

 Seaside Hotel

Teatro Greco (Greek Theatre) - these ruins were just outside the city

 These caves were part of the ruins...once used to jail "criminals"