A LOT OF LOVE
The top of the Duomo, at the heart of the city of Milan is a vast and intricate exoskeleton of carved marble.
This beautiful glass dome covers a large, open air mall, called the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
Elaborate tile work covers the floors of the Galleria.
The Brera Art Galleries
Viewing Lake Como by ferry
The mountains near Menaggio
A villa in Bellano
A church sits aloft on a cliff high above Menaggio
A view of Lake Como from Bellano
Cannes, as seen from a walking path in Le Cannet
Mushrooms from the huge Marché in Cannes
Driving along the Route Napoléon towards the Verdon Gorge
A massive rift in the land in the Verdon Gorge
Geology! At the Verdon Gorge
The Verdon Gorge
A view of Notre-Dame du Roc (Our Lady of the Rock) from the outskirts of Castellane.
Looking back at Notre-Dame du Roc
A sculpture by Tom Shannon in the incredible collection of site-specific sculptures at the Chateau La Coste
We travelled to the Lot Valley to see the prehistoric cave paintings at Pech Merle, an experience that was powerful beyond words. They do not allow photos inside the cave. The cliffs of Cabrerets, the village nearest to the caves, are lined with the ruins of a medieval castle.
The Castle at Saint Cirq Lapopie in the Lot Valley
Saint Cirq Lapopie
The banks of the Lot River
A castle on a farm in Saint Cirq Lapopie
Saint Cirq Lapopie
Sunset in the Lot Valley
THE NATIONAL
A Meadow and Some Orange Mountains, Zion National Park, Utah
A Winding Red Road Whips, Zion National Park, Utah
Stacks of Pebbles For Giants, Joshua Tree National Park
Watchers Watching Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Grandparents Jeans, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
A Mirror Of Mountains, Grand Teton National Park
Board Walkers In A Line, Yellowstone National Park
A Lone Tree Reflected In A Lake, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
TOKYO ROSE
Midori Sushi, Shibuya
Midori Sushi
Geisha's in Kyoto
Surf shop Saturdays NYC in Kobe
Cherry blossoms, Kyoto
Jet Set records! Kyoto
Tea Ceremony in Kyoto at Shunkoin Temple, a Zen Buddhist temple where D.T. Suzuki was a frequent guest.
Kyotomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto
A true sandwich artist at Tom's Sandwich in Daikanyama- try the meatloaf.
Meatloaf masterpiece.
Bakka pizza truck- Neapolitan delight, Tokyo.
Cosmic Wonder
Grandfather's Rock and Roll bar, Shibuya.
Suntory time at Grandfather's.
This Must Be the Place. Grandfather's.
Harajuku girls.
Giant floor to ceiling speakers fill Lion's Club with all classical all the time on vinyl.
No talking aloud at Lion's Club.
Narukiyo: owner, chef and namesake of Narukiyo in Shibuya.
Giant asparagus, artfully positioned at Narukiyo.
Aerial phallus.
The uni. What???!
Tsumori Chisato
BURMA
Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, also known as Golden Rock (star)
Offerings of all kinds--candles, incense, fruit, candy-- for the Buddha at Golden Rock.
Sunrise at Golden Rock
Buddha in Bagan. During the kingdom's height between the 11th and 13th centuries, over 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed - over 2200 remain today.
Mohinga, a traditional Burmese rice noodle and fish soup, for breakfast.
Burning offerings for Buddha, Golden Rock.
Aung San Suu Kyi, on the cover of Ladies. Currently a Burmese opposition politician and chairperson of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in Burma, she was previously a political prisoner, kept under house arrest in Burma for almost 15 years from July 1989 until her most recent release on 13 November 2010.
Sunrise over Bagan
A Ganesh, remover of obstacles, at the pilgrimage site of Mount Popa.
Traditional Burmese lunch at Inle Lake. Rice with toasted garlic, fish and vegetables.
Room with a view at Inle Lake, where most everything is built above water.
Wearing the traditional women's Pa'O headdress, crafted to look like a dragon. As the Pa'O origin story goes, that they are derived from a Burmese shaman, Zawgyi (male) and a dragon (female). Face is smeared with thanaka, a paste made from bark that cools the face when the breeze comes.
Fishing in traditional style at the entrance to Inle Lake. Word on the lake is that this is performed primarily for tourists, as they now fish with more modern gear.
Sunset over Inle Lake
A beautiful Pa-O mama and her baby.
Bagan temples galore
Sleeping Buddhas at Pindaya Cave, home to hundreds of Buddha statues.
Burmese noodle soup. For breakfast.
Burma punks, celebrating Pa-O National Day to remember ancestors, such as King Thuriyasanda, whose birthday is also celebrated on National Day, and past leaders.
Grand parade on Pa-O National Day
NICKELS & DIMES
Wild mushroom tartine!
Bellocq Tea Atelier's Afghani Chai
Black rice bowl with eggplant and kale
CHINA GIRL
Bei Gao village poultry shoppe.
Getting grounded. Outside of the police station in Bei Gao.
Hong Kong airport connection in the early morning is a beautiful transitional space, infused with west and east.
Lunar landing on the Bei Gao loft floor.
Neighbor in Uggs with wood.
Beijing's Tuan Jei Hu park is a haven for humans young and old, gathering for everything from Tai Chi, dancing and singing to skating, smoking and playing music.
Tuan Jei Hu lake skate.
Order was an accidental, lost in translation scenario but delicious. Noodles with sesame paste, pickled vegetables (I think).
Tuan Jei Hu street market gem: White pomegranate.
Like eating tiny rubies.
Today Art Gallery
Beijing sunrise, low pollution day.
Gorgeously adorned group of Tibetan tourists in Tiananmen Square.
At the imposing entrance of The Forbidden City. It is said that the eyes in this portrait of Mao Tse-tung follow you, regardless of where you stand.
Inside the expansive walls of the Forbidden City, the red paint yields to the elements and the passing of time.
The Forbidden City was once home to thousands of concubines, there to, ahem, serve the Chinese Emperors and ensure an heir.
The ascent to the Great Wall of China.
Selfie on the Great Wall, y'all.
Lanterns dance with a crescent moon silver above the night market in the neighborhood Nanluogu Xiang.
Hot pot initiation at Haidilao- just pick your favorite ingredients, hit the sauce bar and get cookin'.
Special occasion noodle-pulling performance @ Haidilao.
On the catwalk: Sanlitun Village boasts outposts of many luxury brands from Marni to Maison Martin Margiela.
Haidilao matchbook.
Tuan Jei Hu corner store.
Beijing's 798 Art Zone is home to well-curated galleries, cafes and shops. Even the trash is artful.
Hoops of China: Pick-up game at 798.
Pu-erh tea ceremony at a tiny tea shop in 798 provides respite from cold, and propels conversation.
The Italian Galleria Continua features works from both local and international artists from Ai Wei Wei to Serse.
Tuan Jei Hu butcher shop. Many of the men wear these ubiquitous army green trench coats.
These elegantly carved swirly pineapples can be found everywhere.
Eggs at the street market are bountiful and rich. Note the deep orange yolk on display next to the brown 100-year old eggs (preserved in a mixture of clay, ash, salt, quicklime and rice hulls for several weeks or months).
Cold chicken.
Peking duck feast at Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant. Almost like a taco, but not.
Meat roll-ups. Perfect for hot potting.
Aromatic sandalwood incense smoke fills the air at the Temple of Heaven.
Sweat like a Swede is the tagline for Hey!Robics- one of the fastest growing ways to stay fit in Beijing. Get down to Beyonce and Ludacris while staying in time with a gym full of folks from around the globe.
On high: this buddha, at the Temple of Heaven is 90 feet tall, and is said to have been crafted from a single piece of sandalwood.
Orange you glad: These tiny mandarin oranges are sold in giant bushels for good fortune and long life. They are also delectable.
DTF: With locations around the globe, including Bellevue, New York, Hong Kong and more- this was the first time I didn't have to wait for Din Tai Fung's mouth-watering soup dumplings.
Bikes of all kinds abound.
The mandarin and the palmello plot their escape.
Chang eyes a giant catfish buried deep in a chewy pile of spicy glass noodles (made from sweet potato starch), vegetables and chillies.
Out to dry.
The language of brunch is universal.
All you can heat.
A market egg atop a slice of bamboo charcoal bread.
White tie: Annual gala at Today Art Museum.
(.)(.)
HEIM
At dawn.
Snaefellsnes.
