Spring Break Road Trip 2017

I stepped out of my Ambassador's office with a big smile.
My 5-day annual leave has been approved!
Feels like dancing and jumping around as I have tons of plans playing in my head as the spring break is approaching.
Kiddos, better get ready and pack your bags!

***

the trip started with the Spring shower!

We are back on the road again!

Wuhuuuu!

On the first week of April, I have secured 5 days of my annual leave for our traditional Spring Break Road Trip. 
Yes, the Frakarsas is back on the road again.
For our second edition of Spring Break trip :).


Akhirnya bisa cuti juga!
Yaaaaay!
Senang banget memang ya kalau cuti tahunan disetujui pimpinan, apalagi kalau selama setahun terakhir pekerjaan numpuk tiada habisnya :).
Sudah waktunya My Itchy Feet beraksi dan kali ini bareng dengan my munchkins.
The Frakarsas is ready to explore the world again!

If you still remember from my previous posts, we started this tradition since spring last year.
Our marvelous and unforgettable journey to the West Coast in spring last year really convinced us that Spring Break is the perfect time for traveling.
Lovely weather, not too hot, less crowded and much affordable (if not make-sense) price in terms of hotels, airlines, car rental and all travel-associated expenses.

Well, I have to admit that we start it a bit early, as the Spring Break at my kids' school starts on Monday, April 10th. But as there are three families in my division wishing to enjoy spring break with their family and kids, we manage to split the 7 working days for the three of us. So that my office won't be vacant.

And I chose to take Thursday to the next Wednesday for our upcoming break.
A well-deserve one, I suppose, particularly as I have worked my head over heels for the last 12 months. 
I just remember that the last holiday we took was spring break 2016! 
So it's high time to go unwind, enjoy some extra quality time with my loved ones, while exploring the countries and cities.

Unlike 2016, this trip won't be that ambitious.
Two countries and approximately 8 cities to visit.
I know, it's still crazy, considering that we only have 7 days to finish it.
But as my hubby rightly said, we are not joining an amazing race!
So, plans can be plans but the most important thing is we enjoy the journey.

Dan persiapan pun dimulai!
Selain rute perjalanan, saya dan Rudi juga menyempatkan diri untuk browsing berbagai informasi yang diperlukan untuk perjalanan kali ini.
Setelah sempat mempertimbangkan Islandia, Seattle dan Alaska, dan daerah Midwest, akhirnya kami memutuskan untuk road trip ke sisi timur Kanada dan perbatasan AS - Kanada yang masuk wilayah the Great Lake.

Rute kali ini dimulai dari NYC - Québec City - Montréal - Ottawa - Toronto - Niagara on the Lake, Kanada - Niagara Falls, AS - Albany - NYC.
Dengan waktu hanya 7 hari, rute kali ini memang lumayan berjibaku, karena bakal penuh dengan perjalanan darat, jalan kaki menyusuri berbagai kota, plus extra pijit kaki yang super pegel :). Apalagi di Toronto nanti kami akan nonton konser Bon Jovi - This House is not For Sale! 

Super excites indeed!

Setelah hotel, parkir, dan tiket selesai di-book, waktunya untuk menyiapkan logistik perjalanan. Untuk bagian makanan, no need to worry! Segala cemilan dan minuman kesukaan anak-anak sudah siap. Plus keperluan ekstra seperti bantal kesayangan Bo et Obi dan buku cerita et komik



So, first stop: Québec City!

Here are a few sneak peak of the first leg of our trip, all taken by my iPhone 6S Plus dan Ztylus lenses, before coming back with my full story (and drama :)) of the journey.

Le Jardin Jeanne d'Arc

the most photographed hotel, Chatéau Frontenac :)

Will surely get back with more :).

And I hope y'all enjoy your Spring break.

Cheers from Ottawa!

Wonderful Wednesday with Oh My Heartsie Girls

Queensboro bridge... I have to take a break from my daily routine :)

I just can't wait!
I am taking my annual leave (I think I have been working too much lately :)) to enjoy spring break with my kids in the next two weeks in April and this time, we are heading to Canada! 
Another road trip for the Frakarsas!
I hope the weather is getting better as well down there...as NYC is nicer and warmer lately!

Stick around for more stories from our trip, will you?

Before that, I have had my weekly check-up just to make sure that everything is fine!

cheers from NYU Clinical Cancer Center

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Fields of Gold

I have to admit, I have tons of photos I love so much from our trip to Yosemite National Park

More snaps from the sunny day at Yosemite National Park...

All photos were taken by my hubby +Rudi Frakarsa  @frakarsa (Instagram) and I using Canon 5D Mark II with Canon lens 16 - 35mm

Join us on Skywatch Friday 

and enjoy magnificent sky from many corners of the world

Spring Break 2016: Yosemite National Park - adventures continued

"Mama, where are we heading today? I love to see the wild deers again." 
Obi was smiling from ear to ear  in our rented car.
"Yeaaah mama...I also want to see the misty fall we saw yesterday, Ma. I think I saw the rainbow on the sky," she added enthusiastically.
That morning, we got ready for another adventure in Yosemite National Park, the fourth US National Park we visited during our spring break.

*****

It's almost the beginning of winter but I just realized that my drafts are still filled with snaps and stories from our last Spring Break.

I hope you don't mind me sharing more from our trip to Yosemite National Park. As I have previously shared, my family and I just can't get enough of all those beautiful parks around the US. And Spring 2016 marks our first trip to these fantastic places.

Ready to hear more about Yosemite National Park? 

Read more: Spring Break 2016: Yosemite National Park

Obviously, three days in Yosemite National Park is not enough.
Not enough!
But I am glad we made it!

And on the second day, we managed to visit more corners in this vast, yet beautiful Valley. Before heading further, we just stopped at the Spring. Crystal water spring indeed! We stopped because we saw people flocking here previously. 

We spent so much time around the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center.
As usual, we grabbed some souvenirs, stamped our passport to the National parks, fetched some food and visited the museum as well. 

We also had wonderful lunch at the famous hotel here, the Majestic Yosemite Hotel.
Since the first time we stepped into it, we were awed by its classic and elegant grandeur.
Beautiful!

while waiting for our lunch..

Built in the 1920s, this hotel surely has its charms. Let alone the breathtaking views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome and Glacier Point that you can see from here.

feels so homey.

We had our typical American lunch with salad, burger and fries, but the ambience of this historical place was different, especially as we have so many beautiful handwoven fabrics of the Ahwahnee hanged on the wall. We truly enjoyed it.

We also learnt more about the history of this magnificent valley at the museum, including about the native Ahwahnee Indians who used to dwell here.
I have shared it before here - the Indian Village of Ahwahnee

Just like the other part of this National Park, everything you see is breathtaking

Words can not describe the overwhelming feeling you have as you see all this natural beauty in your surroundings.

No wonder Yosemite National Park has been designated as the World Heritage Site. Named as a national park since 1890, Yosemite National Park is indeed the gem of California's Sierra Nevada Mountains. That's why the famous Yosemite photographer and lifelong conservationist, Ansel Adams, stayed here for quite sometimes and prepared his magnificent collection.

Finally, on our last day in Yosemite, we went to the beaches around the area. 

Yes, the beaches.

We don't really have the ocean here but the river banks around are beautiful as well.

The water was so clear and fresh.

We managed to stop at Cathedral Beach, overlooking the Cathedral Spire, and Sentinel Beach, near the Three Brothers peaks.

Those are nice names, right. I guess I comes from the Indian time and they preserve it up until now.

trees at Cathedral Beach.

Hid behind trees, the banks of Merced River provide lovely spots for picnics.

We stayed for awhile and Bo et Obi enjoyed playing with the water, although it was quite cold at that time.

picture timeee :)

And you know what...we were super lucky that as the last day we were here, the route to Glacier Point was open.

Yaaaaay...

We finally got a chance to see the high point of Yosemite that is famous for its breathtaking sceneries. The weather was getting warmer and the street was safe enough to be reopen after winter time.

I promise you, I will be back with more photos and stories from Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park.

This is just one of the photos we took during our trip :).

Till the next post :)