The Basque Country

I love the Basque country. Yes even though it rains every time i go.... This is one of the top highlights of Spain! Hmmm I would say a combination of Spain, Switzerland, and Tennessee. It´s so very green, mountainous, and has a great local feel. Another unique thing to mention is that they have their own language (basque). It´s very different from Spanish and you can see in some of the below words. Often it gets overlooked, but since we just spent a nice 3 day weekend traveling around various cities- I thought I would pay tribute.

San Sebastian- located on the coast and known for the great beaches and cuisine or Pintxos (the basque word for Tapas).

Bilbao- and the Guggenheim Museum

Sorry- just had to throw this in here. I´m so excited for my long hair! and yes this moment was completely staged. i know that´s so unlike me. =)

Urdaibai- this is the part that reminds me most of home w/ a twist of Switzerland. You can see the mountains in the background, with a large lake in the center, but what you can´t see is that this opens up to the ocean behind me. Such an amazing, peaceful place.

Elantxobe- an old fisherman´s village. Also known for the great summer festivals.

lunch in the port of Elantxove

Each village is known for it´s summer festivals. We caught the opening night of the "Fiestas de Bilbao" and the firework show.

Plaza Santa Ana

Farewell to summer hours! For the months of July/ August we have a reduced work schedule to 3:00- today celebrates the final day. This allows the spanish people to enjoy their nice siesta´s at home. =) Last week we enjoyed an early evening in one of our favorite Madrid spots- Plaza Santa Ana.

Barcelona

A bit of a delay posting.... but 2 weeks ago Ricardo and I went to Barcelona to celebrate my birthday. Truth be told- we went to a festival in Madrid the night of my birthday to see the Sex Pistols and the Kaiser Chiefs. Though I loved seeing the Kaiser Chiefs, I had a bit of a tough time with the other. Thus we realized that a more "LeeAnn style" celebration was needed. He planned well- 2 days on the beaches of Costa Brava and one of the most fantastic dinners of my life. Good Job Ricky!

Restaurant El Xalet, Barcelona

Sitges, en la Playa

Costa Brava with Oscar and Esther

out of a suitcase....

I know I´m one to take things for granted.... But as I finally wrap up my summer training sessions, I feel very lucky to be given these opportunities with my work. Now if I can just remind myself this again on Monday morning. =) Here are a few of my stops from the past weeks.....

Copenhagen- back to the motherland

Marseille- South of France

Paris- w/ quick stops at Notre Dame, the Louvre, Moulin Rouge windmills, and Eifel Tower

Casablanca- sunset view of the Mosque

Happy 4th of July Ya´ll!

Oh my- I was searching for the perfect picture for this one. And there are soooo many good one´s. This captures the moment though! Was this before or after the 1 arm push-ups?? Oh my- see you all in September and enjoy the Lake! I´ll listen to Rod´s greatest 4th of July hits in celebration of our great country!

Vietnam

The last stop along the way to Vietnam- Hanoi and Halong Bay in the Northern Part. What an adventure! Well we survived.... after a few crazy run ins with the locals, it was truly unforgettable. People, traffic, motor bikes everywhere. It´s a very un-developed place that is starting to become popular with the tourist. I´m not sure they´re ready for it. But we sure did have a good time!

One Pillar Pagoda Ho-Chi-Minh Masoleum

Vietnamese dish, Cha-ca

Bridge of the rising sun

Water Puppet Show

Our trip to Halong Bay

A few of the over 2,000 islands in Halong

Relaxing on the "Junk Boat"

We slept on the boat that evening, this was the lovely view of the Bay!

Thailand

not used to so many post at once- so after a break..... =)

We finished our trip off in Thailand and Vietnam. These were my favorite places because they were so very different than the big cities we started in. Very local.... very real. The below photos are from our visit to Chiang Mai in the northern part of Thailand and the capital, Bangkok. A visit to local villages, temples, amazing deals at the night bazaar and a very relaxing Thai massage! Needless to say- I loved this place!

village girls from Chiang Mai- cuties huh? shortly after we were attacked saying "you want photo, you pay". not exactly what we were expecting. monks in the Wat Doi Suthep Temple, Chiang Mai
Wat Doi Suthep Temple, the top piece is solid gold- donated by the King
Wat Doi Suthep Temple. This sits at the top of a mountain overlooking Chiang Mai
me at the entrance of the temple
Don´t you love the public transportation here! there´s no back and you typically see these filled with the locals..... as many as they can possibly squeeze in. and we passed these guys along the way...
My family had planned a trip to Thailand at the same time. And just so happens we both were in Chiang Mai at the same time. Small world, or what?? This is my Aunt Pat, Uncle Wayne, and my Cousin John. We met them at McDonald´s near the Night Bazaar- figured it would be the easiest place for Americans to locate!
I loved the ride home in the Tuk Tuk- and so happy after a night of shopping in the Market. You wouldn´t believe all the things we bought. There´s a reason it´s all "Made in Thailand". Such good deals! I´m sure it was all very "authentic" as well. hehehe

The next day, Ricardo, Alberto and I met my cousin John and his girlfriend Julia for our adventures in the nearby villages. First stop- a ride thru the jungle on elephants.

Loved it! but we definately had the "untamed" guy.....
and i´ll stand on the outside please...

we started our hike in Karen Village, where the locals were selling their handicrafts

then hiked to Maewang Waterfalls and National Park

We loved the hotel we stayed at- The Ayatana Resort. A beautiful place and the people were amazing.

We ended our stay in Bangkok- here.... Wat Pho w/ the famous "Reclining Buddha"
Ricky and I in Wat Pho

Wat Phra Kaew- Temple of the Emerald Buddha

The Grand Palace
and Wat Arun along the Chao Phraya River