history
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The Ottoman Ruler’s Residence: Topkapı Palace
More Details: The Ottoman Ruler’s Residence: Topkapı PalaceTopkapı Palace sits at the entrance to the Golden Horn, an inlet of water that splits the European side of Istanbul. It is located quite close to the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. It was the Ottoman ruler’s humble abode for part of the time they ruled the empire (the rulers eventually moved to…
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Jewels of Istanbul: Its Mosques
More Details: Jewels of Istanbul: Its MosquesDuring my 5-day visit to Istanbul, I had ample time to walk around, often aimlessly, to get to know the city. While some sights were on the must-see list (like the Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace), I also “discovered” places not on my list. I quickly developed an interest in entering the many mosques…
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Exploring Mount Nebo, Jordan
More Details: Exploring Mount Nebo, JordanMount Nebo, Jordan is located on an area north of the Dead Sea that sits high on a ridge. According to the Bible, Mount Nebo is the place where Moses was allowed to see the Promised Land he would never enter (after guiding his people out of Egypt for 40 years!). Exploring Mount Nebo is…
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A Survivor Story: Manila’s Story
More Details: A Survivor Story: Manila’s StoryAs I headed to Manila for my very short visit, it dawned on me I actually knew little of the city’s history outside of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos and the story ever since them (and even that, superficially only). I had a notion of World War II impacting it through names like Corregidor and Bataan,…
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Photo of the Week – Château of Azay-le-Rideau, Loire Valley
More Details: Photo of the Week – Château of Azay-le-Rideau, Loire ValleyA few years ago, right before spending two weeks in Tours, France for language immersion, I spent a few days exploring the wines and chateaux of the Loire Valley. Chenonceau, Chambord, etc. are all phenomenal castles to explore with their idyllic settings, great architecture, and sense of history. One of my favorite settings and chateaux…
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Boarding Pass Stories: Delta Inflight Drink Options Circa 1985
More Details: Boarding Pass Stories: Delta Inflight Drink Options Circa 1985I ran into this little memento going through old photo albums. It is a boarding pass from a flight from 1986. Nothing peculiar about the front. But once you flip to the reverse… The menu of inflight drinks was conveniently placed behind the boarding pass! I guess so you could plan how to get your…
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Roman Ruins in Jordan | Ancient Jerash
More Details: Roman Ruins in Jordan | Ancient JerashYes, Jordan is more than Petra. And, if you have read some of my other posts on what I saw in Jordan, you are aware of that. But when it comes to historical sites of significance, it is worth noting there are important and well-preserved Roman ruins in Jordan, the Hashemite Kingdom. Jerash, in northwestern…
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Got History? Amman Does!
More Details: Got History? Amman Does!Coming to Amman for the first time, I was curious as to what the city would feel like. Surely, there would be some good restaurants (all cities have them!) and some nationally important buildings or monuments worth visiting (and photographing!). I have been to Cairo, close to Amman in many ways beyond distance, and Istanbul…
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Going for Terracotta Soldiers – and Discovering a City
More Details: Going for Terracotta Soldiers – and Discovering a CityWhen friends and I decided to go to China for 10 days, it was a totally clean sheet of paper in terms of what we wanted to do. Beijing? Xi’an? Shanghai? Inner Mongolia? Lots of choices and not enough time (is there ever?). We knew we would be in Hong Kong pre- and post- China…
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Virginia is for lovers. History lovers!
More Details: Virginia is for lovers. History lovers!In another post, I shared my discovery and enjoyment of Virginia wine country – in that post I mentioned how Virginia is for wine lovers. Now it is time to focus on the awesome history that I discovered on that weekend in the Virginia Piedmont – why I think Virginia is for history lovers too!…
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Getting into the White House – A Tour Story
More Details: Getting into the White House – A Tour StoryThough it was on my recently crafted bucket list, I can’t claim that going on a tour of the White House, in Washington, D.C., was a childhood dream of mine. I didn’t quite understand, nor probably care, about the significance of the White House back then. I understand the significance now – or better yet…