Samomatic

This came as a little surprise today. Thanks to an anonymous tipster who showed me that some one by the name of 726stephen in the Chinese Twitter site Weibo has been living my life for the past few months by copying photos/stories from my blog. I thought this is quite funny and took some screenshots to share!

As you enter his page (http://weibo.com/726stephen), you discover that he is a handsome Caucasian male that lives in England. He is also fluent in Chinese and loves emoticons! Wait, doesn’t that photo look awefully familar to my shot in Barcelona?

Hrm the background looks like the Maple Leaves in Toronto. He’s got the same post too and tries to protect it by splattering his name right across the image.

This is the part that really makes me angry. If you can read Chinese you can read the comments. In English it goes like this.

Friend: Nice! Please teach me.
726stephen: You need to rely on your feelings and heart. Can’t teach you.
Friend: I know I have no talent…
726stephen: You just need to take more to get it.

A quick look through his previous posts show that this has gone on for some time. I have circled the images that were stolen.

So 726stephen, if you are reading this. This is a cease and desist warning!

Back on the ship, we arrived in Barcelona and were taken aback by this busy city compared to some of the previous stops.

The interior of Catedral de la Santa Cruz y Santa Eulalia, also known as Barcelona Cathedral. The cathedral construction started in the 13th century.

Wandering through the different neighborhoods, this is definitely a city filled with culture and art.

Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, Church of the Holy Family was Gaudí’s most ambitious project. Construction started in 1882 and still ongoing to this date.

The Nativity Façade dedicated to the birth of Jesus, was the first façade to be completed in 1930.

After touring the Sagrada Familia, we walked uphill towards Park Güell.

View of city and the bay from the highest point.

Viaducts built on a slope as a retaining to support the structures above.

One of the unique buildings designed by Gaudi in the city.

Las Ramblas, the famous walking street for tourist and locals alike. Street performers, boutiques, and sidewalk cafes line both sides of the street.

Ending at the waterfront, we stopped for a Catalan seafood dinner!

Next day we made the stop at Palma de Mallorca on the island of Majorca.

Filled with narrow cobbled streets, we really enjoyed walking through the old part of town.

Carmen bought a pair of shoes here, only to find out it is mismatched later on!




Back on the ship, the city in the background.

Next day is a day at sea as we make our way back to Civitavecchia, where we started.

My favourite activity was the belly flop contest, with ratings given out by the ship’s crew!

Farewell, Mariner of the Seas!

I had the opportunity to take some photos at the Morrison’s home on Oct 2nd, just as Caeden was turning 3 weeks old.

It was a lot of fun shooting with Ian and Nikki, who were extremely accommodating and easy going.

What a cozy room for the baby!

Big yawn from the baby, though he is resisting sleep to see what all the fuss around him is about!

Finally he nods off….for a few minutes.

But he wakes up and looks around for the familiar faces. Daddy picks him up to soothe him.



Some toys made the relatives, so awesome!

The moment he is held by his mom he is peaceful and dozes off.

It is amazing how we were all so tiny at the beginning!

Arriving in Cannes in the French Riviera, most recognized for its annual film festival that started in the early 1930s.

The Mariner of the Seas could not dock directly so water taxis transferred all the guests to/from the city to the ship.

We spent a couple of hours wandering through the narrow passages in the old town with a basic map taken from the information booth.

The Cannes Harbor, it is a popular resort destination for the rich and famous. The harbour is lined with luxurious sail boats.

Taking a break in a café and enjoy a morning coffee.

Around noon the excursion took us about an hour away to Galimard Perfume Factory in Grasse, the world’s perfume capital.

A guide took us on a tour around the factory and the steps in creating a perfume. Quite a convoluted process from ideation to products on shelves!

The ‘organ’ for the nose, someone who can identify over 2,000 scents, to play with the scents and mix new fragrances.

Saint-Paul de Vence is one of the oldest medieval towns (dated from 11th century) in the French Riviera.

The medieval fortified village was packed with tourists. However, turning away from the busy main streets we were able to find some quiet spots and appreciate the beautiful details.

But then we got lost and had to run to catch up to the bus! So don’t deviate too far from the main street…

The next day we arrived in Ajaccio, the capital city of Corsica and the birthplace to Emperor Napoleon.

Near Ajaccio are many sandy beaches so we packed our bathing suits and sunscreen!


In the afternoon we explored the city, which is built along the slope of the hill.


Apparently there are some amazing hiking/biking trails across the island, makes me want to go back!

Back on board! Till next time!