I am Lara Croft in Venice.

VENICE= My childhood dream fulfilled. Let's just say I played Tomb Raider a lot when I was a little kid and Venice was my favorite level. It was quite emotional being in this place. I used to have dreams living inside a venetian home and being afraid of sleep walking into the water then waking up, swimming into the ocean, and finding myself swimming around the world. Since I have a thing for the ocean I always find it amusing how this entire city is built on water. The structures are solid eventhough floodings are a common problem. It's been around for so long. I am amazed by the history and the way of living in Venice. I loved it. I didn't want to leave. The house that we stayed in was a true venetian home. We were only only a few steps away from the famous rialto bridge. Every morning I walked to the fish market and bought fresh meat and produce to cook for Mady & Mundo. Underneath our place was a mini deli. We bought wine every night. I am still drinking wine now. In fact the other day on our cruise spent entirely at sea Mundo and I killed 3 bottles. Haha. It'll be pretty hard adjusting back home without the variety of cheap yet good ass wine! It's a good thing we live next to BevMo! I can go on and on. There were so many tourists from all over the world and it is no wonder why Venice is the most visited town in Italy. It is not only romantic, beautiful, and full of history but it is a town where you can walk and find hidden streets. At the end of it will you will always find the canals filled with bridges that are inter connected yet separate from one district to another. There are courtyards and endless fascinating quads right in the center of these hidden streets where you see Gondolas and boats turned into water taxis. There's something about small and short bridges. You can appreciate the destination after working your way through the maze.

Cinque Terre, Italy

Monte Carlo

Our last days in France

Beach Bummer International

I have been to a lot of beaches all over the U.S. and in the beautiful islands of the Philippines however I would like to say that this town is on a whole new level when it comes to my beach bummin' community experience. It ain't just a pretty beach with warm ocean water. It is unbelievably gorgeous with high cliff mountains as your panoramic backdrop and not to mention the seafood is so DAMN fresh that you can still taste the salty ocean water in it. It is that good. I've had mussels every night. The oysters are no joke. I feel like I am eating right of the fisherman's boat as they reel in their shellfish. I still have to go after the fried fish. That'll be for tomorrow. The architecture isn't anything like in Paris. I almost feel like we're already in Italy. It makes sense, we're close to the border. There are definitely Italian and Spanish influences here. It was so nice to sun bathe, swim, drink more wine and eat more gelato and not have to walk so much or take the subway. My husband knows me well. I can adjust to anything but if there is one thing that makes me truly satistifed it is the warm clear ocean water and the tropical climate, I am in heaven. Move over islands of Hawaii, Florida keys and perhaps Palawan in the Philippines, French Riviera is my thing now. I am kidding but really though this place is the bomb diggity. I am embracing every sunbeam and every moment that I am here with my family. The 6 hour grueling train ride while sitting backwards was well worth it. Mady enjoyed it! She loved looking out of the window. There were horses, cows and a whole bunch of animals as the train passed through the countryside. I got most excited when I started seeing the coastline. I have a special place in my heart for the water. It's insane how pretty it is out here and yet everything is so easily accessible even by public transportation. I guess that's Europe for you. Tomorrow we will be taking the bus to Monaco, the smallest country in the world. I'm curious to see how dressed up people will be especially in the bus. Once we get into town everyone will probably be in their Ferrari's and crazy expensive outfits so we got to fit in. I have to dress up my husband in 80 degree weather so we can access the Casino in Monte Carlo. His chucks and t-shirts aren't going to cut it. Mundo is straight up playing poker on his iPhone right now. Maybe he can win us some $$ tomorrow. He.He. Wish us luck! It's a good thing the beach is right across the street from our place because at the end of the day I feel most at home near the water. In the meantime, we might as well visit the surrounding cities. Nice, I will be waiting for your sun rise at the crack of dawn.