LA 베니스 비치

Connected to and south of Santa Monica Beach is the Venice Beach. There is a change in atmosphere when you move from one to the other. The former has a resort-beach feel while the latter a carnival-like atmosphere, very much like Phuket's Patong Beach.

I only have a day in LA and between going to the beach and Hollywood, the beach was probably a better choice.

Venice Beach Skate Plaza

The land of the free does have rules and regulations

Sun-filled beach

Huge murals can be found around the beach and this particular one is "Venice Kinesis" which features goddess Venus in beachwear.

Can't figure out the end of the beach

Linnie Canal, one of the few remaining man-made canals around. One needs to have deep pocket to live by it.

LA 산타모니카 해변

After work, it's time to hit the beach.

It seems summer has extended its stay in LA. The day was clear and sunny although it was temporarily interrupted by sea fog in the afternoon. I was told it rarely rains in California as its climate is that of a desert.

It is always a rejuvenating experience to be at the beach.

Santa Monica Beach, LA. End of trail but start of paradise.

Pacific Coast Highway (below), a thousand km long road that runs parallel to the Pacific Ocean.

Pacific Ocean. No word to describe.

치킨먹고갈래?

One night before leaving San Francisco I had Korean chicken for dinner. It is as authentic as it can be because the outlet is run fully by Korean Americans. I ordered 10-pieces garlic soy sauce "Gangjung" old school Korean crispy chicken and it proved to be an excellent choice.

A cozy, informal restaurant serving quick, home-style Korean-American street food

The question of the day: Korean fried chicken or Gangjung chicken?

Garlic soy sauce "Gangjung" chicken glazed in layer of sweet and tangy sauce

Left San Francisco. Sunset at Bakersfield today.

클램 차우더

I am back at Pier 39 for its clam chowder. If you ask how it tastes? 엄지척! (thumb up) but I did not gobble down the sourdough bread bowl that came with it. The soup is thick and creamy and comes with handsome serving of clam meat. The mild sour taste of sourdough bread helps to enrich the flavor of the soup. The bread crest is firm enough to hold the soup well without risk of making a mess.

Pier 39 is a very crowded place. In order to find a seat, I need to go at an "awkward" time, i.e. a time too late for lunch and too early for dinner.

At Pier 39, you can enjoy both sea view and city view

I am back for you, clam chowder

Price of clam chowder is $8.99 before tax

Clam chowder, a must-try if you visit Pier 39 or Fisherman's Wharf

눈부신 햇빛

I enjoyed a day filled with California sunshine but the day was neither hot nor warm; it was windy and chilly. The clear and high blue sky of autumn made everything pops. This kind of day is perfect for sightseeing.

My day started at the busy Ferry Building Marketplace, took a break to watch sun-basking Californian sea lions at Pier 39 and ended at the Golden Gate Bridge. There was a lot of walking but probably not enough to burn away the 900 calories from the "World Famous Hot Fudge Sundae" I had earlier at Ghirardelli Chocolate.

Alcatraz Island across Pier 39

Californian sea lion-watching crowd at Pier 39

Vintage F-line streetcars at the Fisherman's Wharf

An idyllic day filled with California sunshine

A coffee truck by the sea

Clear blue sky of early autumn at the Yacht Harbor

Sunset at North Pacific Ocean

Finally, the Golden Gate Bridge

Château de Villandry

If there is one compelling reason why you should visit Château de Villandry, it has to be its Renaissance gardens. Not just one garden but many. In my opinion, even the gardens of Château de Versailles pale in comparison. Château de Villandry is the nearest chateau to Tours but it is still 17km away.

Looking down at the "love garden" from the belvedere. The love garden comprises four squares each depicting a theme of love.

A moat runs around the chateau with ornamental gardens on both sides

There are many vantage points which give breathtaking view and of one of which is on top of the chateau

Garden with geometric patterns formed by low hedges and flower beds

Entering the vegetable garden where real vegetables are grown with flowering plants featuring at corners and fringes

Neat layout of vegetable plots

A refreshing view of lavender garden with water fountain on a hot sunny day

Lavender and chateau - a great combination

A wide-angle view of the lavender garden with the Saint Etienne Church of Villandry (not part of chateau) at the back

Grapevines covered walkway, providing relief from the blazing summer heat

Bunches of green grapes hanging over my head

The Sun Garden

Visitors taking a rest at the belvedere

Box-shaped lime trees like those seen at the back, lined the walking paths

Unobstructed view

Another vantage point

Inside the Chateau

View of the Chateau from the entrance /exit

Towards the farmyard

Château du Clos Lucé

Four hundred metres down the main street from Château d'Amboise is the Château du Clos Lucé. When it was said that Leonardo da Vinci spent the last three years of his life (1516-1519) there, I was sold.

King Francis I of France held Leonardo da Vinci in high regard. Leonardo was invited as a guest of the king and bestowed the title - "First painter, architect and engineer". The king offered Château du Clos Lucé to Leonardo as his residence and paid him a princely annual allowance asking only in return for the pleasure of hearing him talk.

It was said that Leonardo lived happily in this residence. Shielded by the affection of the king, Leonardo was free to dream and work, pursuing his various passions like painting, and producing engineering and architecture drawings. He even organized celebratory events.

In the autumn of 1516, after Leonardo accepted the royal invitation at the age of 64, he crossed the Alps with his disciples and brought from Rome, three of his favorite paintings - Mona Lisa, the Virgin and Child with Saint Anne and Saint John the Baptist. Today, these three paintings can be viewed at the Louvre Museum.

Château du Clos Lucé - the place where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last three years of his life

The building facade of red brick and limestone was built in the 15th century

The meeting between Leonardo da Vinci and the Cardinal of Aragon in 1517 was re-created with virtual reality technology

The Renaissance Great Hall was Leonardo da Vinci's reception room. All the furnishings date from the Renaissance period.

The Renaissance Terrace has a cafeteria, souvenir shop and a rose garden

Walking through the rose garden

Mallard ducks make Leonardo's garden their home.

Leonardo's engineering drawings were given life around the garden

Getting ready to ride my bike back. One advice: Don't cycle from Tours to Amboise, take the train instead.