Twitter Update Back From The Road… Day Five Aug 7th 09 Tucson AZ

"Mission San Xavier" The Indian Reservation, originally uploaded by Fun Lilliy.

Mission San Xaviar Tucson Arizona

- Well its time to catch up on day 5 of my trip. I woke a bet overwhelmed because I wanted to see #Tucson and had a day and a half to do so.

- There was a travel book on #Tucson in the hotel. So I flipped through it. I mainly was interested in seeing landscapes & desert plants of AZ

- I found what I was looking for and a few extra. In #Tucson there are 2 major parks "The Catalina State Park" and "The Tucson Mountain Park"

- More importantly there was "Saguaro National Park". Which had the Desert Plants landscape and it is a national preservation area as well.

- I am always interested in unique old building architectures and historic sites that lead to choose to see "San Xavier Indian Reservation"

- My last choice for the day was going to be near sunset to be able to enjoy the panoramic view of #Tucson was the scenic ride up Mont. Lemmon

- I marked everything with the plan route on my trusted paper map. I was set to go. First breakfast, it had to be a real western breakfast.

- I went to Denny's had a nice waitress who called me honey & got the lumber jack special. I was only able to eat 1/2 of it but it was hearty.

- My plan was to go west... then down south... then east... then come back down the mountain in time to see a movie... then calls it a day.


http://twitpic.com/e1vx5 - My first stop heading towards "Saguaro National Park West"

- The frustrating part was that along the road there were no good areas to stop the car to get the great shots I was interested in, I managed.


http://twitpic.com/e1yek - I took loads of photos as much as I can at "Saguaro National Park" west #Tucson #AZ

- I will be uploading all my trip photos soon to my account on flickr.

- After I reached the end of the park I turned back made more stops, took more photos, and started to head south to The Indian Reservation.


http://twitpic.com/e217j - I was interested in one building "Mission San Xavier" which building began in 1783 and finished in 1797


http://twitpic.com/e233w - Inside the building "Mission San Xaviar" #Tucson #Arizona

- After walking around checking out the local craft shops that had great silver jewelry. It was time to head back to the city & take a break.

- After a late quick lunch and the cold drink break it was time to head north east to Mont. Lemmon up to the top curvy road drive.


http://twitpic.com/e25qo - The scenic curvy road drive up to the top of "Lemmon Mountain" #Tucson #AZ


http://twitpic.com/e26pp - The skyline panoramic view of #Tucson #AZ city below from "Lemmon Mountain"


http://twitpic.com/e29ae - Finally at 8000 feet reached the top to #Summerhaven Village at Mont. Lemmon #AZ

- The weather was much cooler on top of the mountain than below in the city. It was nice to walk around take a nice break after the long drive

- The sun was about to set and I didn't want to drive down the very curvy road to the city in the dark so started to head back. Enjoyed view.

- I started the drive and annoyed some of the drivers because I wouldn't go fast. I was scared to tip over to be honest when going into curves

- I was down before it got really dark and was able to get to the movie theater in time to see "Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince"

- I sat and my head was still spinning from the long drives all day. It was nice to sit back and relax with pop corn and a big cold drink.

- By the time I was in my room I was more than ready to sleep with my day cloths on. With that I conclude my day 5 of my trip and tonight too.

- I hope you enjoyed the photos on my twitpic page. More soon. Goodnight and good luck ... write to you soon.

Twitter Update Back From The Road… Day Four Aug 6 09

LaEncantada Mall Tucson Arizona Aug 2099, originally uploaded by Fun Lilliy.

La Encantada Shopping Centre Tucson Arizona

- Well back from the road. I had a hard time for a few days with finding a good Internet connection to last my attention span before I gave up about 24 hours ago from web

- I am glad to see the Su.pr kept my twitter busy and still got some visits to my site when I was totally away from Internet.

- I am going to recap a bet on my activities when I was missing in action for the past 8 days. the last post on my site was Aug 6 09

- I was preparing to go to #Tucson that day. And I did, I rented a car. Man! it was great to be back on the wheel again, its been a year.

- Always ask for a small economy car you save on gas in the US and in Arizona you really need a car to get around to all the scattered places.


- http://twitpic.com/dsze9 - It felt great to touch the wheel again and to go out on the open road from #Phoenix to #Tucson great drive.


- http://twitpic.com/dt0ce - This is me trying to catch the image of my rental car on the back of this very shiny truck while driving. Dangerous!


- http://twitpic.com/dt1hy - I opened the radio and found a station playing country music. I thought to my self "Perfect!" goes with #AZ

- You really can get lost in your thoughts in a road like that and clear your mind. Take the Route #AZ 143 South 1 and 1/2 hour desert drive.

- But it was hard to concentrate on the drive once the unique #Arizona Saguaro Cactus started to appear. People probably thought I was drunk.

- #Arizona really has unique desert plants different than what’s in KSA desert but they did have Barshomy there too :) drank cactus juice conc.

- All in all it was a good drive a bet sunny but with the car AC felt tolerable. Till I got to #Tucson and Map Quest directions got me lost.

- I was determined to only use the maps given by the car rental co. & use the directions of Map Quest, but at the end bought a map for $4.50

- That's after driving around in circles for more than an hour. I got feed up and gave in to get a real map. Which as turned out needed later.

- Ok, to cont with the events of Aug 6 (Day 4 of the trip). I finally got the paper map and asked directions from a nice lady in @Walgreens.

- I had before I left #Phoenix made reservations online at an @applestore with a genius bar @ La Encantada Mall at #Tucson to fix my MacBook.

- My MacBook had been down for a few months and I didn't want to take it to any one in #Jeddah they didn't have the same kind of support.

- But having bought the apple care when I bought my MacBook which turned out its a must. In one hour my MacBook was fixed and I took with me.

- I love that @applestore is located at a mall like LaEncantada http://bit.ly/hzAfs I had time to get Gelato at Frost http://bit.ly/qYL1K


- http://twitpic.com/dx95g - While waiting for my MacBook to get fixed I walked around & explored La Encantada Mall #Tucson


- http://twitpic.com/dxatf - The view from where I was sitting eating my delicious gelato at Frost "The Best of The City"

- By the time I was ready to go it was sunset and the drive on Skyline Drive looking at #Tucson below was stunning. I had wished I could stop.

- But I was getting tired and more than ready to get to #Courtyard #Tucson Hotel which was easier to get to with the paper map in hand.


- http://twitpic.com/dxdli - Finally I saw the bed which I was so glad to see and really happy to be able to call it a day.


- http://twitpic.com/dxfgb - The room at Courtyard #Tucson Williams Centre http://bit.ly/ErqSW love their comfy beds.

- With that I conclude day 4 of my trip and also my day here. Good night everyone or good morning depends on where you are. Write to you soon.

Twitter Update from The Road… Day Three Aug 5th 09

Phoenix China Town Aug 2009, originally uploaded by Fun Lilliy.

China Town Phoenix AZ (across the street from my hotel)

- Checking out China Town "Cultural Center" in #Phoenix #AZ , their website http://www.phxchinatown.com I can see it from the window now7:26 PM Aug 5th

- Good morning twitter world from #Phoenix #Arizona, Weather partly cloudy 38oC feels like 37oC, UV index 3 moderate, Humidity 22%, WSW 10km/h7:31 PM Aug 5th

- I am jet lagged woke up 8 hrs ago at local time 2 am. That is bad! I am going to try to hold strong and not sleep early tonight to fix it.7:33 PM Aug 5th

- Its 10 hrs difference between here #Phoenix and #Jeddah , time here now is 9:35 am where its 7:35 pm in Jeddah :(7:36 PM Aug 5th

- The first thing I saw on TV when I opened it today I found two news, one is a good ending, The return of the two female American journalists7:42 PM Aug 5th

- Brought back by former president Bill Clinton after they were held in North Korea and sentenced to 12 years of hard labor the other news 7:47 PM Aug 5th

- Is a woman hater who went into a woman dance class yesterday and started shooting at a Pittsburgh health club which he was a member killed 37:53 PM Aug 5th

- That's why I usually try to avoid opening the news in the US. That man had a blog where he hinted to his plans in someway. That is scary.7:57 PM Aug 5th

- RT @EverywhereTrip: Backing up your photos on the road http://su.pr/1iZYIe8:40 PM Aug 5th

- Great post if you are a travel photographer, RT @EverywhereTrip: Backing up your photos on the road http://su.pr/1iZYIe8:41 PM Aug 5th

- Watching "The Kite Runner" on TV, I ve been wanting to see this movie since it came out but never got around to see it, same with the book .about 20 hours ago

- @DonatiFamily its on Show Time right now. Its really good very emotional. Great directing.about 20 hours ago

Twitter Update From The Road… Day Two 4/Aug/09

Radisson Phoenix Arizona Aug 2009, originally uploaded by Fun Lilliy.

- Well, just arrived Phoenix Arizona... dead tired. I can never sleep on the plane… So glad to see the bed and a room with free internet :)

- Can’t twitter much... its as hot and sunny here as in Jeddah Saudi Arabia just not humid as in Jeddah...

- I am really excited about this trip.. It’s the first time I see the city I was born in since I was a small child. I don’t remember anything.

- I have loads of work tomorrow need a really good night sleep... so signing off… write to you soon.

Twitter Update From The Road... Day One Istanbul

Holiday Inn Airport North ISTHotel Aug 2009, originally uploaded by Fun Lilliy.

- Well Good Morning from #Istanbul !! I just arrived took a hotel supposedly near the airport but took 20 min to get there.

- First the free shuttle bus to the hotel has specific hours it starts from 7-9 then 11-1 of course didn't know, I arrive no bus bec it was 9:10

- then had to take a taxi who didn't know where the hotel was or so he says went up and down streets tell I saw the hotel and pointed it out

- he could have just taken the highway and we could have gotten there faster. I ended up paying 24 TYL instead of what should have been 15 TYL

- The Holiday Inn airport north hotel is a very comfortable hotel but in the middle of nowhere. Construction on one side & a highway on other

- Friendly staff. free cable Internet service. spacious rooms. I think they said they have shuttle bus to take to city center at specific hrs

- Very clean not much view from the room. No walking distance to cheaper lunch around. U will need a car to get to anywhere. Quick service

- I haven't slept on the plane from #Jeddah to #Istanbul. Will place the dark shutters and sleep. Have early flight tomorrow morning.

- The airport was busy lots of tourist coming & leaving #Istanbul. I always come at quieter times. Summer very crowded airport with busy buses

- #TurkishAirlines were very helpful bec I am still in crutches. Very fast wheelchair service and helpful staff till the pickup area outside.

- Here in Istanbul its 11:23 am, weather partly cloudy, temp 29oC, UV index 6 high, humidity 48%, with wind NE 16km/h

- AC is on... the room is cool... dark shutters are closed... the bed with soft pillows is calling... write to you soon...

- I am trying to learn #Turkish and this is "A brief history of The Turkish Language" post http://su.pr/5TAkGc

-

- http://twitpic.com/cmxwq - The view from window at the Holiday Inn Airport North #Istanbul, Good that I have a lot work today and have t ...

-

- http://twitpic.com/cmy4f - The view from my window this is the middle view.

-

- http://twitpic.com/cmydw - But very comfortable bed and yes soft pillows @holidayinn

-

- http://twitpic.com/cmynp - I am twittering @holidayinn #Istanbul and feeling hungry after my long nap.

- OK should I go down and have dinner or just order in room service. I have loads of work to finish before I leave tomorrow. hmmm

- Thinking room service and later for a drink or lobby watching. My favorite in room service order is usually a club sandwich for some reason

- What is your favorite room service order twitter world?

- Great free cable Internet connection here @holidayinn #Istanbul loving it.

-

- http://twitpic.com/cnaxy - Changed my regular room service order from a club sandwich to Spaghetti Bolognaise @holidayinn #IST yummy...

- Getting tired, called for a wake up call, placed my own phone to ring. Good night everyone from here #Istanbul 22:20.. time to sign off..

Stay connected with me here and/or on twitter while I am on the road. I am @funlilliy and this is my twitpic.

That’s it for now...

Don’t forget to subscribe to this blog by clicking the RSS Feed button above on the sidebar.

Write to you soon...

On The Road & Microblogging... Till Aug 14th 09

I am going away again within a few days for my next trip to Arizona where I was born passing through Istanbul of course. It will be a very busy trip and packed with things to do and see. I will not be able to regularly and actively blog on this site with my usual style, searched, and packed with photos posts.

As an experiment and Inspired by Jon Rawlinson Productions Blog where he posts his twitter microblogs on a post every day (microblogging is a form of active blogging through out the day when you come to think of it) I will try to do the same depending on access to an internet connection on the road, finding free wifi, and making the time to sit in an internet cafe to upload my pictures and posts. I haven’t yet figured out how just to do it right away into a post. If any one has thoughts on the matter then please place a comment below or twitter me @funlilliy with a message.

I think the main goal is to try to involve my regular readers on this site who are not active followers on twitter or who might miss my twitter posts depending on the time of day they log in to their accounts with my active travel. Kind of a way to connect with both readers and followers. It is also a way to document my travels as they happen with my thoughts as they flow in and get twittered to look back at them when I will be writing and editing my future posts on this trip.

Photos, I will continue to post "My Travel Photo of the day" on my twitpic from both my collection and from the road also depending on my access to internet. I always try to post my shots right away into my flickr account when ever I can on the road so not to lose them.

That also goes for "Learn Turkish Phrase of the day" which will continue on twitter.

I hope that you will like the microblogs that I am going to place effort in making them more useful to everyone.

Stay connected with me here and/or on twitter while I am on the road. I am @funlilliy and this is my twitpic.

That’s it for now...

Don’t forget to subscribe to this blog by clicking the RSS Feed button above on the sidebar.

Write to you soon...

Travel Video... Watching Chickens in Olympos Turkey

In Cirali and Olympos it is a common scene to see chickens and chicks running around the grounds in restaurants and hotels gardens. I just had to take a video.