Uss Hornet Museum - Alameda

I was at the ship yesterday checking out the whole thing. It was a huge ship. It was tiring but worth it. I spent more than 4 hours looking at the place and didn't even get the entire tour. If to compare to a building, to count it would measure 18 story. That's too huge. What's most important is that I was able to see the bridge, flight deck and engine room.

This ship was feature in Ghost adventure Challenge. I was glad I didn't see any ghosts. That's too eerie to imagine. But I felt an eerie feeling though when I went to the bathroom alone. I was hesitant to go but I have no choice because I need to. When I was about to enter a little spoke up checking who but I didn't say anything. At least she know someone is there with her too. Maybe she just felt the same way like I do. Brave little girl.

The ship recovered the capsule from Apollo 11. Though this capsule I took picture was not the original but this was the exact replica.

I was at the back of the ship when this picture was taken.

The whole experience was nice. I was glad that I spent my day and thankful that hubby had drove me there.

Roche Winery

It was 2009 when I happen to see this winery. Sounded like my name and I feel like I am the owner. Sad to say, I am not. I wish I owned it. Just wishful thinking. Anyway, I haven't been in the vineyard. I didn't know what's inside and what products they sell. All I have remembered was the name was engraved at one of the small hills and there was a signage at Hwy 121.

I remembered the time I stopped and had my hubby took a picture of me with the place. We didn't go inside. I wish we did. It was just curiosity that we stopped. This time 2 weeks ago, I tried to search for it and hoping we could get in. But it was closed. They also moved. There was no sign of the hill it was gone. The signage was already moved and it's a new one. I did take a picture of it. The place looks like empty but there was no showroom that can be seen on the road. I haven't even seen the vineyard. It looks deserted. Hopefully next time, I can see the place and tasted their wine.

Gloria Ferrer Winery

This is located in Sonoma Valley. You will pass another winery before getting to this place. Hubby and I came to this place at our last stop for our tour when we went there. It was not bad of a last stop. The place is huge. They have a huge property for the vines. I don't recall how many wines they carry of what their property is producing.

When you enter the winery, there's the signage you can see from the left and in the middle of the field you will be driving the path towards the place for tasting, restaurant, show rooms and manufacturing. Out of curiosity when to the place inside. It wasn't grand as I was hoping. I didn't even bother to taste their wines. I just don't have the vibe that it might be the same like the Ledson. I maybe bias but I just don't feel there is a need to taste. I came there just to see the place and it was a nice place to hang out and chill. Though I didn't stay there long. But I did capture some moments in there.

Ledson Winery

This is the 2nd time I went to this winery. My first time was a pass by in the year 2009. We were in Sonoma along the road of Hwy 121. We were crossing from vineyards to vineyards. This time around, with the thought of just staying in Sonoma we tried to visit some few winery in the area that we feel like stopping. We had stopped a few but this winery stood up. The castle was the main attraction to this place. Also, not the least to say the wines are very very good. I had never tasted red wines that can be good. I thought it's always that bitter and tasteless. But with the wine tasting I had with Ledson, my palate was wild with pleasure.

The extravagant gate.. along the path going towards the castle

The Magnificent Castle

Hubby and I bought one wine. It was expensive but it was just good. I can't stop not to think about it. But what I will never forget was their dessert wine. Man if it's not $50 bucks, I would buy lots. Maybe one day I will stock up with those when some of the wines we bought previously from other winery are gone. I guess I have to start drinking.

The view of the garden

Of course me, I have to get a picture of myself with the castle. It's my chance to test the wide angle I used for the shot. Not that bad.. though I tweak some sharpness to this and a little edit of the light and color temperature.

I have to my hubby a picture with the structure of the building. It was so artistic..

I tried using the wide angle to take this pic. It's not that bad though it was not great. But it can do it's magic if no one is around to get us a picture.

Lucky for us, a nice gentleman approached us and offered to take us a picture. It was so nice with that guy.

At the entrance, you can see right there and then this beautiful staircase. What can you say about that? Though I have the saying that the stair should not be facing straight towards the main entrance door, feng shui that is.


Another view with the staircase.

There are 3 rooms for wine tasting. This picture is the very first room.


After the tasting, we stopped by to get a bottle of wine. The "Sirah" is really really good.


Racks of wine.. if you see the cost of each bottle.. it will roll your eyes.. but definitely a good one!


The back garden. It was mid day so it was too bright. The filter of my lens helped block it.


Me and the merlot vines..

Capitola Wharf

The wharf.. I think I made justice to this picture. I am glad I know how to compose scene like this.

It was beautiful to see this place. Though it was my first time, I enjoyed my time. I like the wharf and the shopping area was nice. Hubby and I went there to check out the place and we love the small town. We also tried to check the beach. It was crowded that day because of the "Begonia Festival". There was a lot of people. Visitors are like sardines on the beach. It was fun and it's nice to see such a happy scenario.

We had stopped to Mr. Toots coffeehouse for a sipped of coffee to stay out from the cold. It was chilly afternoon there with some fog. It could have been nice if the weather was bright and clear. The atmosphere was just so alive if the weather was perfect. But overall, I had a good time and we stayed til dinner too. We dined at Stockton Bridge Grille. The restaurant was at a corner. It was a lovely restaurant. It face the gondola and beach. It felt like a little European atmosphere.

Nearby scenery

Panoramic View

Saturday I went to Santa Cruz boardwalk with hubby. We were there to get some lunch. We dined first in Gilberts and right after went to see the sea lion and just loving the afternoon scene with the good weather.

I had fun taking pictures of what I've seen and the very first time I thought about getting a panoramic view of the coast. So I attempted taking pictures with just the 50mm lens. Photos taken was probably 7. I had merge everything into photoshop. I did some little edit on the side, crop, align and tweak the exposure composition. The distance is just way too far. I wished I had the zoom lens to get the whole picture with clarity. There will be a next time for sure.

Here's the photo:

Hidden Gem

I went with hubby yesterday to this beautiful place. I am mesmerize of it's picturesque view. The first time I was here it was sunset. The light illuminates orange like color and reflected on the stone of the cliff. It was magical. But I have no picture of it.

Once again, I went to visit again not on sunset but it was mid day. I know pictures will not be as great as if it's taken on sunset. It didn't bother me because I just love the place.

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo

My bestfriend Louella and her family took me to Henry Doorly Zoo on Sunday. I had a good time walking around the park. I wished I had so much adrenaline and my weakling ankle wouldn't hurt much, I could spend much hours in the park and take time to photographs animals, insects, flowers and etc.

I was glad my cousin Jane was able to take a visit to meet my cousin too. We all had a good time exploring what's inside. I think for us what attracts us the most was the Hubbard Gorilla Valley and Scott Aquarium. It was so nice. I thought if you are in the zoo you will be exhausted by the heat of the sun but this place is properly managed with central air conditioner. I feel I like I am in a theme park of Disneyland. Indeed, I had a very good time in there. Someday in the future, I will go back there again and hopefully I can tour every side of the park.

Philippines Trip 2010

Here is the clip from my travel in the Philippines. It is very hard to convert the file for the web. It is such a big file but was able to use another program to compressed it. The quality differs big time but I just want to share it with you in here. Thanks for watching.