Happy Sunday with Astoria Civic Association Bike Race

Weekend is here, yaaaay.

weekend with Bo and bike racing in Astoria :)

And this Sunday, we have a lovely event to attend to. That is the annual Astoria Civic Association Bike Race.

Bo is participating in this race and tell you what, it will be Bo's first bike race :).

No wonder he got so excited.

Bo was getting ready :)

It started early in the morning.

And before heading to Astoria Park, where the race is held, we prepared breakfast first. Bo will surely need energy to pedal his bike.

I made an easy-to-prepare twisted bread with chocolate and cheese. Using the croissant dough from Pillsburry, I just spread some nutella on one side and gruyere cheese on the other side, then roll them separately. Next, I just twisted those 2 rolls and baked them. In 12 minutes, at 375 degree C, the roll will be ready.

the twisted bread :)

Kids love it for sure!

I haven't got a chance to take pretty pictures for it and it's all gone already :).

I guess I need to try other baking recipes for the kids and for that, I can always try some from Mba Lianny Hendrawati. Yup, go check her blog on www.liannyhendrawati.com and for sure you will have sooo many delicious easy-to-make recipes. Lately she has been experimenting a lot with bread. Killer soft bread to be precise. And I bet they all taste delicious. I am literally drooling whenever I stop by at her blog.

fresh from the oven

So, once we are ready with our happy tummy, we headed to Astoria Park and registered. Bo's number was 608 and he would joined other 9-year old boy that day. Obi, as usual, was a staunch supporter. We met many lovely friends of Obi et Bo who joined the race as well. 

the race was fun indeed :)

Although Bo didn't win the race, but he got the medal as the token for his participation. 

So, we all had fun amidst the cold, windy Sunday.

How about your weekend?  

Check out more of my stories at #Steller :)

Spring Break 2016: Deeper Underground at the Lower Antelope Canyon

Good morning from Page, Arizona.

And welcome to the Navajoland.

Shall we continue our journey here :)?

Page is indeed a beautiful city.

I am glad my hubby insisted on staying here as our gateway to the Grand Canyon. 

So many interesting spots to see and enjoy.

Before that, we have considered other cities as well, including those closer to Grand Canyon or on our way to Death Valley.

As I have shared before in Spring Break 2016: the Quest of the Horseshoe Bend and the Missing Antelope, we spent a half day taking the Lower Antelope Canyon tour. 

It takes around 30 minutes drive to Lower Antelope Canyon from our hotel at Best Western Plus Lake Powell, Page. 

The typical landscape of the area is desert, but underneath is another world indeed. Never crossed our minds that beautiful, one-of-a-kind rocks constellation is waiting down there.

The desert..

So early morning, we went to the Lower Antelope Canyon. There are two tour operators here and we chose Ken's tour.

I read in Trip Advisor that they are well recommended.

It's also better if you reserve before coming in. They assigned a group of approximately 15-20 people every 15 minutes. And the list is filled up fast.

We came at 9.15 but got a slot for 10 AM. There are 2 types of tours, genera one and the photographer one. We took the general one because the photographer tour filled up already. Unless we wanted to come back later that day. There are a few things we have to consider before chosing those tours, as you can see in my picture below.

No selfie stick :)

The fee is $20 per adult, and kids 7 years and older is $12. 

Oh, in front of the gate, we also paid our contribution to the Navajo tribe, which can be used for the whole day in other part of the Navajoland, like Upper Antelope Canyon. I think it was $8 per adult and $4 for kids

So we waited for a while at the cafetaria and browsed around the souvenir shop 
(as always :)).

while waiting for the tour..

For sure you can not take a self-guided tour here. 
We were wondering about that and once we were at Lower Antelope Canyon we know why we have to take the guided tour.

This canyon is amazingly located underneath the ground. 

Yuuup.

Underground.

You have to take stairs, many of them. 

Some of them are very steep.

But no need to worry as it is indeed safe to do so.

Take it as a little effort we have to make before we can witness the fantastic sandstones, curves, turns and magically curved and sculptured by the wind and water for thousands of years. 

Not to mention that this area was recently flooded. Therefore, it's rather dangerous for you to go down there alone or with someone who is not familiar with the area.

watchout...

Our tour guide, John, was very nice and patience as well. 

our guide, John...

He explained a lot about the story of the canyon and the names of the rocks. 

one corner..

We saw the lion's head, the lady, the Indian chief.. Complete with his headdress. 

the chief....

And soooo many other incredible shapes, forms and colors.

what do you think it looks like?

Here are some more photos in a collage. I have tons of them but I know it will be too heavy for the blog :).

So when you happen to be in Page or the neighborhood, don't miss the Lower Antelope Canyon. Truly a great experience for us, and for you as well.

Check out more of my stories at #Steller :)

The many corners of Cinque Terre, Italy

Apparently, I still can't get enough of telling you the story of our trip, years ago, 

to Cinque Terre.

Some episodes have been spilled on Throwback Tuesday, Cinque Terre in a glimpse.

But guess what...

Just found that I have many more photos (surprise surprise :)) 

depicting the beauty of mother nature along Liguria coastline if Italy.

And the sky....

Vastly stretched above our heads.

Constantly changing colors, but never the beauty.

Remind us how small we are...

Amidst the grand masterpiece of our Creator. 

I hope you enjoy Cinque Terre, and its mesmerizing vibes, as much as we do :)

we were enjoying lunch right next to it...

on our way up to the hill...

look at that rugged cliffs...

locking our love in Via del'Amore :)

till our next trip :)

Join us on Skywatch Friday and as always, you will have the fantastic snaps of the skies from all over the world.

Check out more of my stories at #Steller :)

Relaxing Lunch at Regency Bar & Grill NYC

Disclaimer: I was invited to dine in this restaurant but all opinion expressed is genuinely mine.

What can beat great food, cozy place and lovely company in one relaxing lunch break in the Big Apple?

With tons of eating spots to explore, NYC is indeed a haven for foodie like me. 

And you. 

And everyone else who fancy yummy food and wonderful eateries.

And I have to say, I really take some times and efforts to try all those fantastic eating spots scattered around NYC. Oh my...while looking at my happy tummy (and bigger and bigger belly >_<), I will be more than happy to share my findings here. 

And now, I have Regency Bar & Grill NYC.
Has anyone been here before? 
Located in the beautiful Park Avenue area, I have the priviledged to have a lovely lunch with my colleague, Meredith.

And how we had fun indeed.

Greeted warmly as we stepped into the restaurant, I love the fact that the reataurantbwas not too crowded. Giving you the sense of one cozy corner at home.

Wanna know what I choose to have?

Let's take a look at all of them...

Yummy food we have here

While waiting for our food, we enjoyed these fresh roll and delicious yummy olive bread and crispy, cheesy bread. You can tell when it was fresh, finest quality were used to create all these yummy food. And they are indeed.

love this fresh and delicious bread

Then as a starter, I chose creamy mushroom. For sure it's the right choice! As I slowly sipped the rich mixture of mushroom, cream and herbs and oliveoil  on top, I truly enjoy it till the last drop.

Then came my main course..

Already spreading a tantalizing aroma even from afar. Perfectly baked for rare, with pinky mead inside, the steak was juicy. Saignon, my fave.

And, as a colorful person, I sure love to see the bright orange baby carrots on my plate. Perfectly grilled and saluted with honey, I devour it earnestly.

This additional roasted baby carrots with honey were just perfect!

So, in short, Regency Grill and Bar is highly recommended!

So, don't hesitate to come and visit the place for your wonderful eating experience.

Regency Bar & Grill NYC

Loews Regency NY

540 Park Avenue, NY

10065

Telp: +1 212 339 4050

WW: Grandeur Grand Canyon

Time for another (almost) Wordless Wednesday.

Still some snaps from our last spring break in the West Cost. 

After Page with its beautiful Lower Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell, now I have Grand Canyon :).

one fine afternoon

the Frakarsa by the cliff :)

astonishing view..

the watch tower

Join us and link up here for fun :)