Travel Journal

It's Magic!!

2011-12-31T14:45:00.001-05:00

2011 Harry and Mickey, a photo by szachko on Flickr.

You have to admit that all Americans have to visit this place at least once in the lifetime..

Stuffed French Toast @ La Isla

2011-11-08T20:42:00.001-05:00

Stuffed French Toast @ La Isla, a photo by szachko on Flickr.

Have you seen Bobby Fay's Throw Down show? This is one of places where he was defeated. This is Hoboken pride Stuffed French Toast from La Isla.

Wafels and Dinges

2011-10-16T10:18:00.001-04:00

NYC Food Fair, originally uploaded by szachko.

If you are in New York City and you see this Wafels and Dinges sign, the you got to chase them down to have one or two Belgian Waffles with hot chocolate.

Where Master Lives

2011-09-06T14:02:00.001-04:00

One Summer Day in NYC, originally uploaded by szachko.

There are many famous photography about New York City. There are numberless famous photographers in New York City. However, Jay Maisel stands out as a living legend. At age of 80, Jay still runs works shop and training courses.

People always mention his 72 rooms mansion over his art work. However, if you've ever work around this "Mention", then you would find out how humble this place is. He earned every inch of this historical building and generous shared his state and visions with others.

NYC downtown neighborhood decline and raise several time, Jay persists his quality of work from the day 1. Standing in front of master's door steps, I am eager to pursuit the giant's steps.

Whaleback Light, ME

2011-07-11T23:21:00.003-04:00

Maine Summer 2011, originally uploaded by szachko.

From Ft Foster, Whaleback Light shows as a little dot at the tip of the rock. ..

Sweet

2011-07-10T20:11:00.004-04:00

Sweet, originally uploaded by szachko.

While people will wait for hours to visit Cake Boss, we still like to visit this secret gem of our own which is just 10 minutes away from the Boss...

Pepperland Cafe

2011-05-03T23:29:00.002-04:00

Pepperland Cafe, originally uploaded by szachko.

Located in the center of South Berwick, Pepperland Cafe is a secret gem for this town. The decoration is west village like art gallery while the outside of the cafe looks like a typical store fronts seen in New England area. Staff is Maine-like friendly. Tea selections present in menu are quite interesting. The brunch selection are great. Will love to come back to try more. One thing is out of ordinary is that there is a wall mounted 42" plat panel TV at the 2nd of Cafe showing all the art collection. Not sure what the purpose is? Well, this is Maine. It could mean anything...

Maroon Cafe

2011-02-23T18:58:00.004-05:00

Maroon Cafe, Hoboken, originally uploaded by szachko.

At the backstreet of Hoboken, here is Maroon Cafe. Setting is simple and peaceful. If you are tired of all the franchises, then why don't you stop by for sips of coffee and play the puzzles? The owner claims if you can solve the puzzle you get a free drink...
http://www.marooncafe.com/

Colonial Williamsburg

2011-01-02T00:11:00.003-05:00

Colonial Williamsburg Day 1, originally uploaded by szachko.

This is the first White Christmas for Williamsburg for many year. Have been traveled after the blizzard storm to this beautiful place, we were welcomed by stunning scenes, nice people, great food and creamy beers. We deeply felt that we are in the right place and the right time.

The time seemed to freeze at 1770's. It is very interesting to find myself enjoying the conversations with people living in 1770's including George Washington, the first president of United States. I learned his wits not by book but by his point of view. Christmas decoration is serious at this time of the year. Materials used to enter the competition need to fit the time of 1770's period. The foods were so great and the hospitality shown by all the taverns touched very visitor.

I think all the Americans should visit this place at least twice in their life: one when they are kids and one with their kids. The others should also come to visit to have the amazing time travel experience with US history..(and amazing Foods and Spirits)

宜蘭-傳統藝術中心

2010-10-21T21:10:00.002-04:00

宜蘭-傳藝中心, originally uploaded by szachko.

Taiwan gets a lots of rainy days as a tropical island. Business community came up an idea to build up a semi covered side walk. Shoppers can still stroll from shops to shops without getting wet while store owners get more space above the ground flow.

光華商場-Find all the gadgets you need in one place

2010-10-04T21:25:00.002-04:00

光華商場, originally uploaded by szachko.

This is the gadgets haven if you know what you are looking for. You can build a personal computer from the scratch. Kids were amazed by the surveillance camera.

鶯歌-Ceramic Museum

2010-10-02T21:19:00.002-04:00

鶯歌, originally uploaded by szachko.

It was weird to stare at these toilet bowls in the museum. However, no one can deny that the dominated ceramic industry in this Ying Ge town has been the major push engine to bring Taiwan into the modern world.

宜蘭

2010-09-24T20:46:00.003-04:00

宜蘭-傳藝中心, originally uploaded by szachko.

It was about 100 degree out there. People in Taiwan use umbrellas to block the sun light.

翡翠灣

2010-09-15T22:44:00.002-04:00

翡翠灣, originally uploaded by szachko.

It is kind of strange feeling to see Mediterraneance Architecture in Taiwan.However, this is one of the most popular wedding photo site.

Different from the west costume, people from Taiwan will have the wedding pictures taken and put into Album days or months before the actual wedding ceremony. The Album will be displayed in the reception.
The pictures could be taken in studios, or some famous places like Green Bay.

羅東-水岸森林

2010-09-09T13:14:00.003-04:00

羅東-水岸森林, originally uploaded by szachko.

Even though the owner would like to classify this as a bed and breakfast place, this place is more than just a bed and breakfast. The feature rooms in this place have glass floor at the ground level and over look the pounds with plenty of Koi fish. The water of the swimming pool is from the natural cold spring from the ground. BBQ dinners along the swimming pool were a nice touch.
http://www.river-forest.com.tw/

朱銘美術館

2010-09-03T00:03:00.002-04:00

朱銘美術館, originally uploaded by szachko.

Tai-Chi is a series Ju-Ming masterpieces for his passion of Chinese Martial Arts. Wondering in this outdoors museum, my little girl was interested in couple moves...

Packing for Taiwan

2010-08-04T22:55:00.002-04:00

Packing, originally uploaded by szachko.

How many luggages should we pack to travel for four? Lots and lots....

Warship on the Hudson

2010-06-02T22:36:00.002-04:00

Warship on the Hudson, originally uploaded by S. Zachko.

Not every city nor every day in New York City that you can see non US warship cruise in the US territory.

Even though crossing Hudson in the daily basis, I'm still amazed by her capacity to carry carriers, warship, Queue Mary 2, etc..

Europeans in New York

2010-04-19T20:19:00.002-04:00

New York 2010 Spring
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

MOMA was extra-ordenary packed this week. We thought it was because of Tim's movies or Henri's Moment. We concluded that it was Eyjafjallajökull's ashes that settled European tourists in MoMA in this cloudy New York afternoon.

Curiosity..

2010-04-12T22:14:00.003-04:00

NYC Spring Afternoon
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

There is an Art Project displayed in Madison Square Park area: Multiple 6 feed tall male statures are installed in various places: some are in the park, and some are at the top of several buildings near by. Since the statures are so autonomy correct that people just cannot believe what they have seen and have to keep to re-adjust their curiosity in any forms. It is like cats playing with the catmints.

Mysterious Object

2010-04-08T21:52:00.002-04:00

Circle
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Passing by this street million times, I just noticed this mysterious circle emerging at the sidewalk for the first time. Not sure what it will be used for. At the same time, a bicycle past by with two more circles. There are so many circles: visible, invisible, practical, unpractical. It only catches our attention when we focus on them....

Bizarre City

2010-02-15T22:17:00.004-05:00

NYC 2010
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

I almost forget how bizarre that New York City could be. Pulling a long nail from the nose? At the sidewalk. Man. It is a crazy place

Huangshan - Sun Rise

2009-12-01T20:53:00.002-05:00

Huangshan Day 2
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Sun rise at 6:00 AM in autumn, we should have had plenty of time to reach one of the peak to see it. However, there are so many people who were so brave to hang their lives at the edge of the cliff. We decided to go some other places to save our lives instead. We were able to find this spot to take pictures. It was just amazing how beautiful the place is..

Huangshan - The stone coming out of nowhere

2009-11-19T22:28:00.002-05:00

Huangshan Day 1
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

For ages, people can not understand how this huge stone ends up at the tip of the peak and believe the stone has some kind of magic power - fertility. People will bride the stone by stocking coins in a crack and pat the stone. Poor park ranger has to keep cleaning the coins but not taking the coins. It is a brutal task when it is wet, cold and dark.

Huangshan - Heart Lock

2009-11-17T21:48:00.002-05:00

Huangshan Day 1
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

People believe to keep two lovers' hearts attached to each other, these two lovers should buy a lock together and make promises to each other. Then they attach this lock in one of the chain and throw the key over the cliff.

What do you think?

Huangshan - Pine

2009-11-16T21:20:00.002-05:00

Huangshan Day 1
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Yellow Mountain itself likes groups of giant granite. There are only dusts or derbies stuck between stones. Those pine tree manages to stick their root in such a tiny space and grow in a such elegant ways. Depending on the altitude where those pines grows, people naming differently. For those pines grow at the lower altitude areas, people call them pony tail pine because their leaves/branches only grow one direction. For those pine trees grow at the higher altitude areas, people call them Yellow Mountain Pine.

No matter how the tree grows or leaves are heading, their roots are so strong and firm that make those trees grow more generations to come.

Tunxi- Chinese Ink Stones

2009-11-15T20:38:00.002-05:00

Old Street in Tunxi
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

One of four major Chinese traditional stationary: Yieng Tai (a.k.a. Chinese Ink Stone). The better ink stones come from the oldest mines. There are four major patterns in the ink stone. Fish Scale is one of them and I really can not remember the rest. It will be a good excuse to go back. The design of the ink stones could be very elaborated. Some of ink stones are just for holding to cool down the body temperatures in the hot sunny days..

Tunxi - Old Street

2009-11-12T22:01:00.003-05:00

Old Street in Tunxi
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

This is a very interesting street in Tunxi - Old Street. This street could dates all the way back in Ching dynasty or older.

Huai-Cho is famous for the supply of traditional Chinese stationary: brush pens, Ying Tai, Ink stick and paper. This is a street for one shop shopping for all of them.

Huai-Cho is also famous for its teas. Well informed by all sorts of travel guides, there are four most famous teas in China, and Huai-Cho produces three of them: Mao-Fong green tea, Monkey King green tea and Chi-Meng black teas. Well, you might be able to find all of them on this street. However, this street targets tourists not real tea drinkers.. :)

Tunxi - Breakfast

2009-11-10T21:54:00.005-05:00

Breakfast in Tunxi
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Even though this was just a normal breakfast for local people, we thought this was unforgettable breakfast we've ever had. After 23 hours trip and jet lag, we just wanted to have a very simple and delicious breakfast before the big hike.

One thing never occurs to me is that there is no milk cows in An-Hua province; therefore, it is very expensive to get a cup of milk. Cream powder and canned coffee are the better substitutes.

Months after the trip, I still miss those little pickle dishes and congee...

Shanghai - Fresh Crab at Pu Dong Airport

2009-11-04T22:24:00.004-05:00

Fresh Crab at Pu Dong Airport
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

It was the crab season at that time of the year. We are expecting to have some crabs in Shanghai. However, it surprised me that the place we actually saw and ate the crabs (live) one is at the Pu Dong international airport. It is not only that we can buy live crabs in the airport, but also restaurants in the airport could cook them for you with minimum 15 RMB.

The crab meats are sweet and shells are very crispy. It was an interesting memory to have crabs in the airport...

NYC Ft. Tryon - 2009 Medieval Festival

2009-10-06T21:01:00.002-04:00

NYC Ft. Tryon - 2009 Medieval Festival
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Once a year, Ft. Tryon park in New York City has this Medieval Festival. Living in New York area for more than a decades, I just visited this festival for the very first time. Surprisingly, this is a very different festival from the ones in the city. People actually dress up for the festival and lots of Medieval entertainment in the park.

New York-Winter Garden

2009-09-20T21:27:00.003-04:00

NYC 2009
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Lines of palm trees standing in this sleek plaza are overlooking the ruin to be rebuilt.
Tired brokers and traders are sipping the bitter beers wishing the market to come back.
Glittering Bentley is waiting hopelessly for his master.Beautiful September sunset is whispering sadness in the Winter Garden.

New York- Bronx Zoo-Different View of the Zoo

2009-08-31T22:24:00.003-04:00

NYC-Bronx Zoo
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Been to zoo so many time, I've never got the chances to visit the Asia area. We decided to make a different route to visit this area in the Bronx Zoo this past weekend.

It turned out to be a quite different experience. We took the mono-rail and visit those animals in more natural habitats. Those Mongolian wild horses look exactly the same as the one in those countless Chinese painting. Elephants are more active. Rhinos are playing with mud happily. Even this red panda looks more relaxed than the one in the other area of the same zoo.

Kids were excited about the experience. Different from the previous one we'e done, we are the ones who need to be confined in the cart instead. We need to open our eyes to search and to feel those animals in the nature. I have a dream to bring kids to a real safari one day. I hope I can see more animals have better life quality (including human) in the natural habitats ..

New York-MoMA

2009-08-22T20:45:00.004-04:00

MoMA
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Almost forget why I love NYC until I came back to MoMA many years after. You feel like modern history is playing just right in front of your eyes. You feel the creativity, you feel the sense of timelessness, you feel the art. It is not the classic history, it is now, what is happening now? Many years ago, it was MoMA that make me fall deeply in love with water lily. I hope I can express this kind of human passion to my kids as well..

New York-Cornwall on the Husdon - Storm King Art Center

2009-08-17T22:15:00.003-04:00

Storm King Art Center
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

One will wonder if the giant artists left their masterpiece in this beautiful place?

This park is the jewel of the Hudson. 500 and more different masterpiece in the natural habitat make the perfect play ground for whoever has young hearts.

New York-Queens-New York Hall of Science

2009-08-17T20:45:00.002-04:00

New York Hall of Science
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

What is the best way to teach kids about science? Give them chances to touch and feel the science.

New York Hall of Science is one of the best science museums which allow kids to experience all the experiments through touch and feel. Museum also spends great efforts to keep all the equipments in good shape. Staffs are very atheistic and keep kids interested in science. It surely provides great science experiences for kids.

New York-Cornwall on Hudson-Woody's All Natural Burgers & Fries

2009-08-02T16:19:00.008-04:00

Storm King Sculpture Park
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

After a wonder summer hike in the Storm King Sculpture Park, we would like to have some easy food for dinner. There is a nice cafe named Wood's Cafe in the park but it was closed around 5:00 PM. Thanks for Yelp's help, we would able to find this place. The burgers met exactly what we've expected. What surprised us are fried red onions hay and sweet potato fries. Staff are ultra friendly, they make you feel at home.. Lovely place.

Maine-Kennebunkport-Hi, I am a "Secret Agent"

2009-07-29T20:54:00.002-04:00

I am Secret Agent
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

There are only two black boats (huge) in the entire marina. Each boat has this humongous sign saying "Secret Service". Hmm, it did show that Americans have great sense of humors.

NYC-American Museum of Natural History

2009-07-20T21:52:00.002-04:00

American Museum of Natural History
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Gottesman Hall of Planet Earth.

American Museum of Natural History is full of surprised. Gotesman Hall of Planet Earth displays a series of outstanding collections of geological specimens. I've never known that even a petrified tree can tell the source of volcano eruptions millions years after...

Hoboken - 2009 4th July

2009-07-05T23:01:00.003-04:00

2009 4th July Party
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

To celebrate 400th anniversary of find Hudson River, Macy's July 4th fireworks was held on the Hudson River this year. Naturally, Hoboken became one of the best spots to view this fantastic fireworks of the years.

Hoboken-BIN 14 Trattoria Wine Bar

2009-05-31T21:25:00.007-04:00

BIN 14
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

1314 Washington St
Hoboken, NJ 07030

(201) 963-9463

Trattoria is said less formal than a ristorante but more formal than an osteria. BIN 14 is definitely a casual hang out place for friends and families. Restructuring from an old Irish bar, BIN 14 still maintains some old trace of pub house with stylish SOHO style deco.

As the first visitors of the Saturday brunch, we managed to settle ourselves in the best corner of the house to review the entire store design. It is a typical space in Hoboken store space- Long and Narrow. The mirror with tree bar frame reflects the different view of the other side of restaurant.

As indicating in its name, Trattoria Wine Bar serves casual Italian food like salads, omelet, Bruschetta. If you are hungry and want a big pile of Pasta, then you need to go couple more blocks towards downtown area. If you are looking for something casual and delicious snack, then you are in the right place. I had the best grilled shrimps bruschetta, and truffle fries.

I could not say this is the best place for wine tasting since we were in the place too early for wine tasting. However, this will be a nice place to have a glass of wine and snack to have a wise conversation with friends....

NYC-Bronx Zoo

2009-05-12T20:51:00.002-04:00

Bronx Zoo, NYC 2009
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Never figure out why they put these three silver balls in the zoo. We also found that there is no more sky ride.

The newly opened Madagascar session is very interesting. Believe it or not, the chicken fingers from the cafeteria is very delicious.

Quebec City-Poutine

2009-05-05T23:29:00.002-04:00

Quebec City, Canada
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

The tour guide strongly recommended that we should try this local chain, Ashton where it servers local squeaky cheese with light brown source. We managed to find this place in Upper Old Town and had our first try of "squeaky" cheese. It was surprisedly delicious. We have to make another stop before back to United States.

Quebec City-The Wall

2009-04-28T22:12:00.004-04:00

Quebec City, Canada
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

No matter it is Great Wall in China, Roman Wall in London, or this wall in Quebec City, human being has some complex feeling against these historical wall. We miss the history? We feel lucky that we are not bounded by the wall? Or feel the conflict between want to be free or want to be bound?

Can this musician get some inspiration from these complex feeling? Or he just added extra white noises for people in deep turbulence?

Quebec City-Le Marie Clarisse

2009-04-18T23:43:00.002-04:00

Quebec City, Canada
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

We were walking around lower old town area in the early spring. Street is very quiet while we are looking for some different experience. We walk into this place. The room was dark and classical music was playing in the background. The host led us to the window seat and brought the big board to show us the menu of the day, all in French. He vividly translated all items in perfect English. All the items are the menu are very creative. I've tried the snail and curry source. It was so delicious that I still miss it today. The seafood soup was light and present.

Quebec City-Crazy Pig (Le Cochon Dingue)

2009-04-18T15:43:00.006-04:00

Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

The best duck pie I've ever had in this pretty place..

http://grouperestosplaisirs.com/

Philadelphia - Independence Hall

2009-02-21T22:04:00.002-05:00

Philadelphia
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Here is the place where United States was born...

Philadelphia - Liberty Bell

2009-02-20T20:54:00.002-05:00

Philadelphia - Liberty Bell
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

This is the world's symbol of Liberty!

Philadelphia - China Town

2009-02-19T22:37:00.002-05:00

Philadelphia
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

It was Lenten Festival. Dancing Lions is giving bless to shops. We were surprised by real firecracker at the end of the show...

Philadelphia - Reading Terminal Market

2009-02-18T21:10:00.003-05:00

Philadelphia
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/

Reading Terminal Market is very interesting market. You can find the local restaurants, grocery shops, bookstores......

Umeda Sky Building, Osaka

2009-01-27T22:12:00.002-05:00

Umeda Sky Building,Osaka
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

This is a very dazzling building.

Mail Man

2009-01-27T21:56:00.002-05:00

Mail Man
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

This is how mail man delivers mails in Kyoto..

This is our temporary home in Japan.

2009-01-19T22:10:00.003-05:00

Front Yard
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

This is our temporary home while we were in Japan. Very nice..

Osaka Aquarium-Parade

2009-01-17T22:09:00.002-05:00

Osaka Aquarium-Parade
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

It is amazing that those penguins parade in such a noisy place..

What is next?

2009-01-17T21:52:00.002-05:00

Osaka Aquarium
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

In Osaka Aquarium, penguins are very active.

Automatic Process

2009-01-17T21:30:00.002-05:00

Automatic Process
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Everything is automatic including traditional snack making process..

Geta

2009-01-17T21:09:00.002-05:00

Geta
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

This is Geta.

Zori

2009-01-17T19:57:00.002-05:00

Zori
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

This is Zori.

Taxi

2009-01-17T19:41:00.002-05:00

Taxi
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Taxi in Japan equipped with automatic door opener, white car seat cover. Di revers are wearing the uniform with cap and will give you packs of tissues for free.

Minami-Za

2009-01-17T19:33:00.002-05:00

Minami-Za
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

The oldest Kabuki theater in Japan. The old show will take up to 5 hours. You have to bring lunch boxes and eat during the 30 minutes intermission.

Lady Only Car

2009-01-17T19:11:00.002-05:00

Lady Only Car
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Limited Express could be so crowded that a special lady only car is designed to ensure lady's safety.

Center of the world

2009-01-17T18:59:00.002-05:00

Center of the world
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

This is very interesting view of the world.

Boat Shape Pine Sculpture

2009-01-17T18:48:00.002-05:00

Kinkaku-Ji, Kyoto
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

One of three most famous pine sculpture in Kyoto..(Kinkaku-Ji, Kyoto)

Mail Box

2009-01-17T17:55:00.002-05:00

Mail Box
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

It took 80 yens to mail a post card and I've received it, 14 days after the trip. Something must be wrong..

Red Decoration

2009-01-17T17:50:00.002-05:00

Ryoan-Ji, Kyoto
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

It is a typical decoration for any street side restaurants:
Red Umbrella and red fabric covered benches..
(Ryoan-Ji, Kyoto)

Photographers

2009-01-17T13:55:00.002-05:00

Ryoan-Ji, Kyoto
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Daddies would like to try their new toys for this trip as well..(Ryoan-Ji, Kyoto)

Challenge

2009-01-17T13:42:00.002-05:00

Ryoan-Ji, Kyoto
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Fire definitely is the biggest thread to maintain this priceless temples.

Ryoan-Ji, Kyoto

Static Diffuser

2009-01-17T12:21:00.002-05:00

Static Diffuser
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

This is a special equipment at the gas station i Japan to diffuse static in the self service gas pump..

Vending Machine

2009-01-17T10:55:00.002-05:00

Vending Machine
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Vending Machine is one of best in Japan. You will be surprised what you can get from those vending machines..

Public Phone

2009-01-15T23:03:00.002-05:00

Public Phone
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Since mobile becomes so popular, we almost forget how the public phone work now.

Pizza Delivery

2009-01-15T22:13:00.002-05:00

Pizzza Delivery
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

To keep Pizza warm, scooter is equipped with a heating oven...

Toko Yaki

2009-01-15T22:03:00.002-05:00

Kyoto, Gion
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Fry Octopus Ball..That is one tasty thing you got to try in Japan

Recycle is a serious business here

2009-01-15T21:38:00.002-05:00

Recycle is a serious business here
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Recycle is a serious business here. You need to separate in term of can, bottle, paper, etc...in public area as well..

Gateway to somewhere unknown

2009-01-12T22:11:00.002-05:00

Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Life journey is passing countless gateways and then lead to somewhere expected or unexpected..

Free Port, ME - North Pole?

2008-12-09T22:05:00.003-05:00

Portland, ME
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Just in case you don't know where the North Pole is...

NYC, NY - Metropolitan Museum of Art

2008-08-19T22:52:00.003-04:00

Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Art is the smile from the soul

Easton, PA - Crayola Factory

2008-08-19T22:38:00.005-04:00

Crayola Factory
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Color of the History..

Steamtown, PA

2008-08-12T22:30:00.002-04:00

Steamtown, PA
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

We are looking at the past, present and future....

Countries Visited

2008-08-07T23:36:00.002-04:00

100 Dream Destinations - from LIFE

2008-08-07T22:16:00.006-04:00

Here are the 100 of the world's best vacations..

For Family

London
Riviera Maya
Orlando
Wisconsin Dells
The Ahwahne Hotel
New York City
The Bahamas
Snowmass
Memphis
Cuzco
Montana's Dude Ranches
Space

For Culture Vultures

The Uffizi Gallery
The State Hermitage Museum
The Vatican Museums
Sundance
Austin
The Glastonbury Festival
Stratford-Upon-Avon
Hemingway's Havana
Sydney Opera House
Rajasthan
The Musikverein
The Liceu
Gauguin's Tahiti
Giverny
Lenox
Montezuma
The Rodin Sculpture Garden
Nanjing
Carnegie Hall

For Sightseers

The Inside Passage
Morocco by Camel
Phuket by Elephant
The Masai Mara
The Burren
The Bosporus
Borneo's Rainforests
Great St. Berbard Pass
Bucks County
The Orient Express
Le Marche
The Huangshan Mountains
Lake Okeechobee
Eden
Nova Scotia
Stockholm and its islands
Snowdonia
Transylvania
Reykjavik
Under the Sea

For Sporty Types

Banff and Lake Louise
Golf in Oregon
The Sun Kosi River
Kiawah Island
Denali
Provence
Anahola Bay
The Netherlands
The Tongariro Northern Circuit
Cooperstown
Lillehammer
Palau
Daytona Beach
For William
The Snake River
Key West and The Marquesas Keys
Victoria Falls

For History Buffs

The Forbidden City
Mount Vernon
The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
Captain Cook's Polynesia
Jerusalem
Normandy's Beaches
Cape Town
Crete
Cairo
St. Andrews
The Kalaupapa Peninsula
The Freedom Trail
Antietam
Vietnam
The Dinosaurs of Wyoming
Lost Atlantis

For Romantics

Wildflower Hall
The Camargue
Kyoto
The Cinque Terre
Montreal
Brussels
Saint Lucia
The Inn at Little Washington
Napa Valley
Lake Wanaka
Seville
Madeira Island
Burgh Island
Whidbey Island
The Point
Kennedy Cottage
Kenya

Pocono, PA- Bushkill Falls

2008-08-02T22:37:00.005-04:00

Bushkill Falls, Pocono
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

People come, people go.

Does anyone ever stop and listen to her whispering?

Next Destination

2008-02-01T00:25:00.000-05:00

Search for the next destination is another kind of travel as well..
Reaching another stage of life span, I am excited to find some alternative stories of my life.
Expecting..

Meet the Family

2007-09-30T22:30:00.001-04:00

Meet the Family
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

For 18 hours fly, we all came down to this moment, meeting the family. This is the first time ZoZo meet A-Gong (Grand Pa) and A-Ma (Grand Ma).

They were tired but very excited!

Ready to Take Off

2007-09-29T00:42:00.001-04:00

Ready for Take Off
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Hustling through the security check, Waiting hours and hours for the plane, we finally got on the plane and were ready to take off.

It was 1 o'clock in the morning. Kids were exhausted but excited, especially the little one. Since this is her first time to fly, she was holding her (well, actually it is mine) bunny to cover her excitement.

Daddy kept telling the little one that we need to flap our hand to help to take off. I had no idea what Daddy tried to teach her, but surely the little one did not believe this story.

Itinerary

2007-09-27T22:46:00.002-04:00

Itinerary
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

Travelling around a lot since early childhood, I did not enjoy that much because I was just dragged around and had no idea what was going on. I fall in love travelling when I started planning the trip.

Since the trip is for my kids to know the place I grew up FROM THEIR POINT OF VIEW, I really like to know what they wanted to see, to eat, to do. These Post IT notes are great! The whole family just post down their desires. Some to eat lists from my girls are very interesting: the elder one would like to try "Stinky Tofu" while my little one only wanted to have Pasta, French Fry with ketchup!

Packing for the Trip

2007-09-27T21:58:00.001-04:00

Leaving for Taiwan
Originally uploaded by S. Zachko

We packed as light as we can:

two luggage

two camera bags

two hello kitty backpacks

one hello kitty carry on

one diaper bag

one double stroller

Sound terrible, but we survived!

Why Taiwan?

2007-09-26T21:13:00.000-04:00

Three years old is a special age. It the age when most people have their earliest memory. There are so many places to go, so many people to meet while time is so limited. It is good idea to introduce my kids the place where their mother grew up.

Trip to the Past

2007-09-26T00:32:00.001-04:00

Besides Food, Taiwan is full of memories and stories. You thought time will wash out lots of places and faces. On the contrary, the unconscious mind draw those places and faces to recover those lost thoughts and feelings. Like a bridge, the trip back to Taiwan shows me the past and shows me the futures as well.

Travel Journal

It's Magic!!

Stuffed French Toast @ La Isla

Wafels and Dinges

Where Master Lives

Whaleback Light, ME

Sweet

Pepperland Cafe

Maroon Cafe

Colonial Williamsburg

宜蘭-傳統藝術中心

光華商場-Find all the gadgets you need in one place

鶯歌-Ceramic Museum

宜蘭

翡翠灣

羅東-水岸森林

朱銘美術館

Packing for Taiwan

Warship on the Hudson

Europeans in New York

Curiosity..

Mysterious Object

Bizarre City

Huangshan - Sun Rise

Huangshan - The stone coming out of nowhere

Huangshan - Heart Lock

Huangshan - Pine

Tunxi- Chinese Ink Stones

Tunxi - Old Street

Tunxi - Breakfast

Shanghai - Fresh Crab at Pu Dong Airport

NYC Ft. Tryon - 2009 Medieval Festival

New York-Winter Garden

New York- Bronx Zoo-Different View of the Zoo

New York-MoMA

New York-Cornwall on the Husdon - Storm King Art Center

New York-Queens-New York Hall of Science

New York-Cornwall on Hudson-Woody's All Natural Burgers & Fries

Maine-Kennebunkport-Hi, I am a "Secret Agent"

NYC-American Museum of Natural History

Hoboken - 2009 4th July

Hoboken-BIN 14 Trattoria Wine Bar

NYC-Bronx Zoo

Quebec City-Poutine

Quebec City-The Wall

Quebec City-Le Marie Clarisse

Quebec City-Crazy Pig (Le Cochon Dingue)

Philadelphia - Independence Hall

Philadelphia - Liberty Bell

Philadelphia - China Town

Philadelphia - Reading Terminal Market

Umeda Sky Building, Osaka

Mail Man

This is our temporary home in Japan.

Osaka Aquarium-Parade

What is next?

Automatic Process

Geta

Zori

Taxi

Minami-Za

Lady Only Car

Center of the world

Boat Shape Pine Sculpture

Mail Box

Red Decoration

Photographers

Challenge

Static Diffuser

Vending Machine

Public Phone

Pizza Delivery

Toko Yaki

Menu

Recycle is a serious business here

Gateway to somewhere unknown

Free Port, ME - North Pole?

NYC, NY - Metropolitan Museum of Art

Easton, PA - Crayola Factory

Steamtown, PA