One of the top places to visit in Bali the Goa Gajah or Elephant Temple is a peaceful and enjoyable place to spend the afternoon. Wandering in and out of the cave and around the various places of offerings, you get a sense of well-being as you while away the afternoon doing something more than laying on the beach.

The post Reflection #585 – Elephant Temple Bali appeared first on Reflections Enroute. If you like this, read more at Reflections Enroute - Travel photos and stories from around the world.

There’s nothing more awkward than a giraffe trying to drink water. Spread-legged and thirsty, this young one hurries to take a drink while his partner stands guard.

And they definitely were smart to take turns, while the other watches for predators, because not long after they took off, the hyenas came around for some water too.

The wildlife in Botswana was amazing. I just can’t wait to go back!

Where was your favorite safari?

The post Reflection #584 – Giraffe in Botswana appeared first on Reflections Enroute. If you like this, read more at Reflections Enroute - Travel photos and stories from around the world.

The Würzburg Residenz took over 50 years to build in the late 17th to early 18th centuries.  Built to house the Bishop-princes of Franconia, it was lavish and extremely expensive.  Unfortunately is was all but destroyed at the end of World War II, and now only a few rooms remain that are original.  These are the  the Vestibule, Garden Hall, White Hall, Staircase and Imperial Hall.  All others had to be reconstructed using photographs.

To enter the main part of the building, you must buy a ticket (currently 9 Euros), but there are a few parts that you can visit for free.  The first is the gardens, which are locked after dusk, but open all other times.  And the second is the baroque Hofkirche or Court church that was consecrated in 1743.

Once you enter and join your tour group, you will go through the Vestibule to the staircase.  The stairs are very shallow as it was important for the genteel folk to take their time climbing or descending the staircase.  The Vestibule is big enough for the horse-drawn carriages to come right in for pick up and drop off.  No need for anyone to deal with the outside elements.

The ceiling of the staircase is painted in a huge fresco depicting the four known continents of the world.  The one pictured is North America.  Note the native princess riding in on an alligator.  Pretty impressive, huh?

The frescoes were painted by the Venetian, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, and if you look closely over the statue’s shoulder you will see him peeking out over the ceiling’s corner at his creation.  (I love little things like this!)

Even though, I don’t think the Würzburg Residenz is the most exciting World Heritage Site that I’ve ever visited.  It certainly is worth the trip.  They have an English tour each day at 11:00 in the morning, and I would highly recommend taking it to learn of all the little stories and the exciting history of the building.

The city of Würzburg is also a great stopover while doing other sightseeing in Bavaria or Germany, in general, but more about that later!

Have you been to Würzburg?  What did you think?  Did you visit the Residenz?  Or at least the gardens?

The post UNESCO World Heritage Site – Würzburg Residenz appeared first on Reflections Enroute. If you like this, read more at Reflections Enroute - Travel photos and stories from around the world.

Mongolia – Father and son walk together to go check on their horses in the Orkhon Valley.

Turkey – In a time-honored tradition, the son is apprenticed to his father to learn a skill and a trade.

Cambodia – Father, or maybe grandfather, and daughter make fish paste on Tonle Sap Lake.

Japan – A father talks his little girl into “fishing” for a new pet.

Tunisia – Dad and daughter accept the morning’s delivery.

Peru – Jim, Traveling Dad Extraordinaire, and our two daughters hike a trail in the Sacred Valley.

Happy Father’s Day to one and all!

The post Happy Father’s Day – Photos of Fathers in 6 Countries appeared first on Reflections Enroute. If you like this, read more at Reflections Enroute - Travel photos and stories from around the world.

Topping the hill in San Francisco, you can see why kids love a good fire truck! Red and shiny, fast and heroic, here come the firemen to save the day, whether it be to put out a scary fire or to save a shivering kitty who is up a tree!

The post Reflection #583 – San Francisco Fire Truck appeared first on Reflections Enroute. If you like this, read more at Reflections Enroute - Travel photos and stories from around the world.

I love ancient history.  I love imagining myself living in Ancient Mesopotamia, or Egypt, or China.  I just think it’s fascinating, and that’s why I strongly suggest that you visit the Pergamon Museum located on the Museum Island (Museumsinsel) in Berlin.

After living in Turkey and visiting the sights such as Çatalhöyük, Miletus, Hattuşa, and Pergamon (Bergama) made a visit to this museum a must for me.  The Pergamon alter is what the entire museum is named after, and boy is it impressive in size.  It dwarfs the room as you climb up it and look down at all the other visitors.  So impressive!

The Pergamon houses three museums: the Collection of Classical Antiquities, the Museum of the Ancient Near East and the Museum of Islamic Art.  All sport stunning exhibits and are well worth waiting a little on line outside.  We did not have the pass, or preordered tickets, but we went in December, and we stood on line for about 40 minutes.  I would certainly plan ahead and buy your tickets ahead of time so you do not have to wait on line.  It is so much easier.

The next museum that I would not miss if I were you, is the relatively new DDR Museum.  It is extremely popular, but luckily stays open until 8 pm, which is great because when everyone clears out for dinner, you can almost have the museum to yourself.  There is a lot to read in this museum.  It has tons of information.  I  couldn’t possibly read and retain everything that was there, but there were some stand out exhibits that really stick with you.

The DDR or Deutsche Democratische Republic is the name the East Germans had for their country from the end of World War II until German reunification in 1992.  The museum very diligently lets the visitor experience what it was like to live in such a repressive regime.  Everything from home life, school life, jobs, free time, travel, being in the military, nothing is missed.

Many of the exhibits were interactive, such as sitting in an East German car, the Trabant or opening the cupboards in the kitchen of an East German home.  There were closets, drawers, films, things to touch, listen to, and watch.  I just love going to a museum such as this, because you feel you are involved in the information.  It makes it so real.

Don’t miss either of these two museums in Berlin.

Have you been to Berlin?  Which were your favorite museums?

The post My 2 Favorite Museums in Berlin appeared first on Reflections Enroute. If you like this, read more at Reflections Enroute - Travel photos and stories from around the world.

When you climb to the Acropolis in Athens and look out, you feel like you are on the top of the world. I get that feeling when I look at this photo as well.

It is such an imposing, powerful structure. The columns standing straight and tall, carrying such heavy loads. I just love it.

Have you been to the Acropolis?

The post Reflection #582 – Acropolis in Athens appeared first on Reflections Enroute. If you like this, read more at Reflections Enroute - Travel photos and stories from around the world.

Angkor Wat is just one of those places that all travelers must go. They must. I loved it. It’s everything I love about Asia. It’s exotic, impressive, dilapidated, and has colorful monks walking around. Really, what more is there to life?

Have you been to Angkor Wat?

The post Reflection #581 – Angkor Wat appeared first on Reflections Enroute. If you like this, read more at Reflections Enroute - Travel photos and stories from around the world.

The Galapagos is such a fantastic trip. I truly believe every traveling family needs to make it there. It’s not just a place for kids, but it is a perfect kid vacation.

The science connections alone are enough to go there, to see the Darwin finches and the Galapagos tortoises along with so many other species, up close and personal. But you have to do it on a boat, which is fascinating for kids as well. Then there is all the activity, hiking, snorkeling, boating, and swimming. It’s so much fun!

Have you been to the Galapagos?

The post Reflection #581 – Heron in the Galapagos appeared first on Reflections Enroute. If you like this, read more at Reflections Enroute - Travel photos and stories from around the world.

Two of my favorite things, birch trees and beehives. I don’t know why I’m compelled to take photos of beehives. Rarely is there much activity around them. I just really liked these, mostly for the colors. It’s so springy.

These are the types of scenes I love capturing when Jim and I are just driving around the countryside. There is always a destination, but so many fun ways to get there. I just love to yell, “Stop!” so I can jump out of the car.

We love road trips, and we’re embarking on a pretty long one this summer…in just a few days!  We’ll be heading through France and Spain, maybe hitting southern Portugal, Gibraltar, and a Meditteranean island. I can’t wait!

What are some of your summer plans?

The post Reflection #580 – Birches and Beehives appeared first on Reflections Enroute. If you like this, read more at Reflections Enroute - Travel photos and stories from around the world.