Shwedagon Pagoda: Just a gorgeous picture my mom sent me.

The national landmark of Burma, the Shwedagon rises 320 ft. from the ground and is totally covered in pure gold.  You can see it glowing in the night from many parts of the city of Rangoon.  I visited it a few years ago and it is even more beautiful in person.  Just wanted to share.

From Rudyard Kipling's From Sea to Sea and Other Sketches (1899):
"Then, a golden mystery upheaved itself on the horizon, a beautiful winking wonder that blazed in the sun, of a shape that was neither Muslim dome nor Hindu temple-spire. It stood upon a green knoll, and below it were lines of warehouses, sheds, and mills. Under what new god, thought I, are we irrepressible English sitting now?"

This wedding venue is the bomb diggety.

I'm here in Boston this weekend for a dear childhood friend's wedding (I'm a bridesmaid).  This is hands down one of the most stunning wedding venues I've ever seen, very minimalist modern with floor to ceiling windows and grand views of the waterfront/harbor and much of downtown Boston.  So excited to see the space (and my beautiful friend) decked out tomorrow for the big day!

$8K for a trip to Antarctica with Harvard Alumni

In my dreams, I could afford to join a trip like this.  Someday, man.

_____________________________

Antarctica on Corinthian II 
December 10–22, 2009 

Join James McCarthy, Alexander Agassiz Professor of Biological Oceanography in the Museum of Comparative Zoology, on a cruise through the ice-packed channels of Antarctica. Enjoy picturesque glaciers and mountains asCorinthian II traverses the Beagle Channel. From aboard the ship's fleet of Zodiacs, make new discoveries each day exploring the majestic Antarctic Peninsula, rich in wildlife. Observe the nesting habits of Gentoo, Chinstrap, and Adelie penguins, and admire minkes, humpbacks, and orcas as they cavort in the sparkling waters. 

Best of Portland

Some of the top images from the weekend.  I'd say they capture the spirit of the town.

Captions:

1. Hotel room at the Nines.
2. Bhumi and the funny four-way drinking fountains.
3. Prints at the Compound Gallery.
4. Woodblock prints at the Compound Gallery
5. "Drama" on the way to Powell's.
6. Bike stands in front of Powell's.
7. Powell's city of books.
8. Snack at Urban Fondue: white cheddar, gruyere, brie, caramelized onions, port.
9. Pink peonies at Sammy's Flowers.
10. Toga run on NW 23rd.
11. Desserts at Papa Hadyn.
12. Garry, Seth and Maureen at Papa Hadyn.
13. Seth's asparagus appetizer with poached egg on top.
14. My roasted chicken breast with mushroom-leek bread pudding.
15. Garry's croque monsieur.
16. The library at the Nines hotel.
17. Garry ordering a drink at Kelly's.
18. Random pants next to a dumpster.
19. Random gallery near Powell's.
20. T-shirt, as seen outside Byways Cafe.
21. Garry's OJ at Byways Cafe.
22. Amaretto french toast with pecan butter, bacon and over-easy egg at Byways Cafe.
23. Hallway at Kennedy School.
24. Garry and a drinking fountain at Kennedy School.
25. The gym at Kennedy School.
26. Detention Bar at Kennedy School.
27. Boiler Room Bar at Kennedy School.
28. Hockey masks at Local 35 on Hawthorne.
29. "Two heads tripping under one mushroom" at House of Vintage on Hawthorne.
30. Food cart on Hawthorne - CLOSED on Sundays =(.
31. Food carts on Hawthorne.
32. Garry and his spicy-grilled...corn on the cob.
33. Walking across Hawthorne Bridge.
34. Walking across Hawthorne Bridge.
35. Willamette River as seen off of Hawthorne Bridge.
36. "You're Cool" on Hawthorne Bridge.
37. Random park in downtown.
38. Sushi Land - conveyor belt sushi!

In Portland...$0.75 buys you a rocket pop and a song.

We were walking near the waterfront on our way to Saturday market when this tattooed young woman pushing ice cream in a tricycle came pedaling down the street with a giant red clown 'fro.  Garry stopped her for a rocket pop (you know, the red/white/blue ones) and she goes, "it also comes with a song!"

The next day, we ran into the same girl in a completely different part of Portland, in a neighborhood grocery on Hawthorne.  Alas, she was not wearing her giant red clown 'fro.


Classy.

I got a fantastic deal on this hotel when I stayed in Singapore last year (I was there for work, so I didn't pay anything at all actually).  I picked it because a) it's the same name as my hometown and b) it looked really nice.

It's everything you want in a hotel - luxurious, elegant, and yet comfortable and homey.  The service is outstanding.  I recommend taking a dip in the pool at night when it's lovely and warm outside and you can overlook the city lights glittering on the river.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
Date: Wed, Feb 18, 2009 at 7:50 PM
Subject: Our way of saying "Thank You"

Dear Guest,

Thank you for staying with us at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore. I hope you had an enjoyable trip in Singapore and that your experience with the hotel was a memorable one.

Voted one of the Best Hotels in Asia in Travel+Leisure's Top 500 in 2008 and among the Top 50 hotels in Asia in Travel+Leisure's World's Best Awards in 2007, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore prides herself as a masterpiece of modern comfort and elegance. Transformed from the Fullerton Building which was built in 1928, this 400-room luxury hotel represents the splendour and grandeur of its time.

As part of the hotel's 8th anniversary, we would like to thank you for your support through the years. We are delighted to offer you a 1-year complimentary subscription* (March 2009 to March 2010) of the well-read, widely-circulated Travel+Leisure magazine, the definitive voice on holiday destinations from family-friendly resorts to romantic getaways.

It's our way of saying, "Thank you" and we hope to welcome you back to The Fullerton Hotel Singapore very soon.

Warm regards,

Louis Sailer
General Manager
THE FULLERTON HOTEL SINGAPORE
1 Fullerton Square
Singapore 049178