Lyon, France – Ville de Lumière

April 6, 2018 Paul F.J. Aranas Ph.D. Travel Art, Beauty, Catholic, Culture, Food, France, French, History, Lyon, Photography, Religion, Spirituality, Travel, Video

These Islands by Danny Couch

February 20, 2018February 20, 2018 Paul F.J. Aranas Ph.D. Travel Aloha, Beauty, Culture, Hawaii, Inspiration, Islands, Love, Music, Nature, Ocean, Outdoors, Photography, Spirituality, Travel

Working from Lyon, France

February 19, 2018 Paul F.J. Aranas Ph.D. Travel Art, Beauty, Catholic, Culture, Food, France, French, History, Language, Lyon, Outdoors, Photography, Religion, Travel

I recently returned from beautiful Lyon, France, where I worked for a month. It was great to be in France again and I look forward to returning in May. I stayed in a renovated apartment in a 16th century building (in historic Vieux Lyon, a UNESCO world heritage site). It had a unique staircase, which was built without a core.

a rue Lainerie staircase | source: Photo-Seb.net

Here are some photos that I took during my stay:

in Gallo-Roman Theatre

Vieux Lyon and Fourviere Hill

The Saône

built around 15 BC

renaissance courtyard walls looking up from the kitchen window

Vieux Lyon

Vieux Lyon courtyard after passing through a traboule

The Rhone

on bridge over The Saône. There was a flood watch.

Vieux Lyon square next to the apartment

men playing boule ball near a merry-go-round.

free zoo at Parc de la Tête d’or

Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière ceiling

after Mass at Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière

The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière

The Grande Roue at Place Bellecour. It changes colors with various artistic designs and images.

Crossing The Saône looking at Fourviere Hill

Lyon at night

vendors selling books, arts, and crafts

cobblestone pedestrian street in Vieux Lyon

walking back down to Vieux Lyon. There is also a great Funicular that will take you up and down the hill.

Statue de la République, Place Carnot

street music group at Place Bellecour

The Lion at the Bistrot de Lyon

near the apartment a few days before I left. For a minute…. thought it was for me… but no, it was for world famous chef Paul Bocuse from Lyon who had just passed away.

Projected animation paying tribute to Paul Bocuse…1500 of the best chefs in the world attended his funeral at St. Jean Cathedral dressed in their whites.

Family Trip to Waikiki

December 27, 2017 Paul F.J. Aranas Ph.D. Travel Beach, Culture, Drink, Family, Food, Fun, Hawaii, Honolulu, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Travel, Vacation, Waikiki

A week ago, I took my parents on a Hawaiian vacation. We stayed in a Honolulu apartment, a block from Waikiki beach. My father is rehabilitating from successful neck surgery.

A few of the highlights from our trip were the visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center and the awesome show “Ha, the Breath of Life,” drinking a delicious non-alcoholic Hakka at Yauatcha, almond-pineapple-coconut croissants at the b. patisserie Waikiki International Market Place, and crepes with fresh local fruit at Arrancio di Mare.

I also enjoyed getting up early and taking my boogie board in the warm ocean water. On Saturday night, I went to the oceanfront Rumfire nightclub at the Sheraton-Waikiki, where the atmosphere was friendly and full of energy.

Here are some photos from our trip: