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Family Journey Reflections Design Food Favorite Things

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Hundertwasser House

What's terrific about Vienna is that there are art and architecture practically everywhere you turn. What I like best are the small, nondescript alleys that lead up to great design finds such as the Hundertwasserhaus. Designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, the Hundertwasser House is an expression of design freedom that veers away from the clear-cut lines and hard corners of today's standard. Constructed during the mid-nineteen-eighties, the Hundertwasserhaus is an apartment building with several private residences. The colorful façade is the union of nature and design with its roof terraces and balconies decorated with more than its fair share of trees and other vegetation, making it an oasis in the heart of Vienna.

Austrian Flatlands

The Austrian flatlands are in itself very picturesque. Without needing supporting elements such as mountains, valleys, hills, forests or lakes, the beauty of the country flatlands can easily stand out on its own. I wouldn't mind to have these views on my way to do errands or go about my daily business on a regular basis. How about you?

Austrian Fields

A leisurely walk amongst wildflowers in a meadow is my kind of "me-time." I just love the way they brush up against my legs in a nonchalant way. Just like clockwork, these Austrian fields come alive with the colors of spring, eagerly awaiting longer days and shorter nights while embracing the heat of the sun. There is nothing in my head, but peace and the sheer appreciation for the beauty that surrounds me. It is during these walks that I find myself, as I get lost, aimlessly wandering through the thick foliage of green, white, yellow and purple.

Nonnberg Abbey

The Nonnberg Abbey is still very much in use by the Benedictine Sisters in Salzburg today. More than just a scene where the then Maria von Kutscher, later known to most of us as Maria von Trapp would come storming in after singing "The Hills are Alive," the Abbey is an idyllic setting for the soul. I remember going there for the very first time after watching the movie many times, and upon entering, the cherubic voices of the sisters resonated from behind the wrought iron façade, separating them from the more public chapel. Needless to say that this experience gave me goosebumps; it was as if I was given a personal concert from the heavens . . . I know I'll never forget that moment.

Disney Baltic Cruise

Travelling on the Disney Cruise along the Baltic Sea is one experience we will never forget as a family. It was more than just sightseeing -- it was the complete experience of it all. We loved how every country told their unique story, and how all of us took different personal insights from each place: I rekindled my (almost forgotten) interest with the Romanovs in St. Petersburg, Alex experienced a hailstorm for the first time Helsinki, Liza was in awe of the Swedish Royal Court in Stockholm and Amara was absolutely ecstatic when she learned how to mimic the cries crows made in Tallinn correctly. That trip was one for the books!

Schloss Leopoldskron

This romantic backdrop is where the Von Trapp children, including Maria, fell into the water upon seeing the Captain in the movie, The Sound of Music. Hearing the stories behind what happened on and off screen, and going to various film locations made me fall in love the movie even more. Despite the fact that Hollywood created their magic in piecing together different places to make up the actual Von Trapp House in the film, it was still such a thrill to be following the footsteps of Maria.

St. Gilgen

The charming town in the photo is called St. Gilgen, which is a part of the Salzkammergut Lake District, an hour drive from Salzburg. The Salzkammergut Lake District was once the place where Franz Josef I of Austria would spend time during the warmer months of the year. Today, Austrians share their Emperor's enthusiasm for the site and take part in activities such as water sports, climbing, hiking and cycling during the summer. Moreover, most people would also recognize it as one of the many backdrops from the movie The Sound of Music.

Hofburg Palace

The Hofburg Imperial Palace is a definite must-see if you're a fan of Empress Elisabeth, wife of Emperor Franz Josef I, more popularly known as Empress Sissi. As a child, I've learned much about her through our history lessons and admired her not only for her renowned beauty but also for her modern views of Austrian royalty. In my opinion, she was a predecessor of another beloved royal, Princess Diana Spencer, in almost every aspect. I, like many others, was bewitched with the Princess and her keen sense of fashion and devotion to charitable organizations. Aside from being the home of the Hapsburgs, the Hofburg Imperial Palace houses a collection of articles that were once used in day-to-day activities during the Hapsburg Dynasty.

Countryside Roads

When you're in the Austrian countryside, nature almost instantly draws you. The majestic views of the mountains, the different shades of green that envelope the hills, and meadows dotted with quaint towns and villages -- a road trip to anywhere around Austria will always feed your craving for peace and serenity.

Evergreen Forest

Ahhhh . . . the woods. I could stay here for hours at a time. Enveloped amongst towering trees and the sound of chirping birds while sitting on a bed of fallen leaves gives off a feeling of calm that is indescribable. I let my girls just roam around, freely exploring their surroundings and just be in tune with nature. I am fortunate to have my children share in this experience of tranquility within the forest -- something that we can never achieve from being city dwellers in Manila.

Village Name Plates

Village Name Plates are an indication that you've arrived in a particular place. More often than not, these are printed on slabs of metal, secured firmly to the ground. This specific village plate, however, still holds on to the old tradition of being written on carved wooden boards festooned with colorful flowering plants, bearing the widely used greeting of Grüß Gott. During the summer months while in Austria, Hochneukirchen was my home away from home. There, I stayed with the mother of my German tutor who I fondly called Mama Rosa. As a child, I enthusiastically spent time with her in this quaint town high up in the mountains.

Sound of Music Gazebo

"Somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good." These lyrics were the inspiration for this shot from The Sound of Music. When my husband Alex and I booked the tour and found out that we would be visiting different movie locations -- including the iconic gazebo --, he knew that he wanted to re-create his favorite scene between Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. This moment resulted in a selfie, happily capturing this time as we've both been fans of the cult classic since childhood.

Hallstatt

Hallstatt is a place frozen in time. This is my best description of this beautiful, lakeside village in Austria. This town is indeed a stunner and has captured the hearts of Austrians as well as other nationalities as it is the only UNESCO World Heritage site that has been meticulously cloned by China in the Guangdong province. The original Hallstatt however, lies in the Salzkammergut region and can only be accessed by water up until recently. This bewitching landscape is punctuated by the Dachstein Mountains and is perhaps the most photographed lakeside village in the world.

Burgruine Rauhenstein Castle

I've always marveled at architecture -- the older, the better. More specifically, I find myself drawn to ruined castles and age-old fortresses. These structures filled with stories, convey a sense of drama, intrigue, and mystery, and I often wondered how life was like for its inhabitants during its heyday. It is, therefore, no surprise that I gravitated to the ruined Burgruine Rauhenstein Castle and sketched my own interpretation of it. This medieval castle has spectacular views of the spa-town of Baden in Lower Austria as well as its neighboring lands as it overlooks the sights below. It does require a hike to reach the castle itself, but the views are definitely worth the climb!

Ironman St. Pölten

Last May, with hours of training and countless mornings of waking up at the crack of dawn to make the most out of the crisp, cold air, Alex successfully finished the Ironman 70.3 in St. Pölten, Austria. This is no easy feat as he braved the freezing waters of not just one, but two lakes, the uphill climb on the bike and lastly, running a distance of 21 kilometers. Whew! Thinking about it alone ready makes me feel tired! Needless to say that my daughters and I are very proud of his achievement, all the hard work and perseverance have indeed paid off!