Carolyn Walking Miles 凱琳家居與旅遊

Please Pick Your Travel Destination (in blue) or Relocation City (in purple red)

2009-03-17T17:00:00.000-07:00

請選擇您的旅遊目標(藍色) 或計畫移居城市(紫紅色)

2009-03-17T16:57:00.000-07:00

1/22/2007 11:00am
坐倫敦希斯洛機場快捷列車到倫敦市中心的佩丁頓火車站只要15分鐘.

一出車站, 就看到滿滿的古典英國黑色計程車. 雖然在美國很久了, 但好久沒有這種到了國外的感覺. 好棒和興奮的感覺油然而生.

It only takes 15 miutes from the London Heathrow Airport to Downtown London Paddinton Rail Station via the Heathrow Express train. As soon as we stepped outside, we immiditely were greeted by tons of the tradition classic black London taxis.

Both of us lived in the North America for 15 years; yet this is the first time I really felt we are like foreigners.

2007/11/22 11:10

從火車站到旅館只有15 分鐘(沒停停走走的話10 分鐘)。短短的幾個街口，就已經讓我愛上了倫敦這個美麗的城市。

It only took us 15 minutes to get to the hotel from the train station (without stopping we could have made it in 10 minutes). I felt in love with the beautiful city right from the beginning.

2007/11/22 11:15am
倫敦的每一個街口地上，都會有提醒行人該看左邊或右邊的標誌。可見得來此的外國人很多，而有防止不習慣左車道所作的安全措施。

We figured it was because there are tons of foreigners in London and they are not used to the left side walking, they had to paint the streets to warn the pedestrians to look right or left to watch out for the traffic.

2007/11/22 12:30pm

我們星期三半夜搭隔夜班機，所以星期四一早就到。我們知道要到下午才能拿鑰匙，所以計畫今天是搭倫敦當地的 BIG BUS TOUR 廣義地遊覽全城。這裡是我們訂的旅館　London Elizabeth　五天四夜旅館加紐約倫敦來回機票，兩人　$1700USD。我們的房間是在地下一層有小院子的一個小房間。附有免費無線上網。房間很小卻很溫馨。

2007/11/22 1pm

可以上車再買票所以很方便。在車上可以休息又可以觀光。第一天這樣的安排是一舉兩得。我們今天走的路線是藍線。明天是紅線及搭泰晤士河的遊船。

在夏天的車票是24小時到期。我們此時是淡季所以票延長為48小時。划得來。

2007/11/22 2:30pm

在車上風還是蠻大的。但因為第一天忘記把帽子從箱子拿出來。我們有帶薑湯粉，後來回旅館舒服地喝了還好沒感冒。

2007/11/23

第二天我們再搭 BIG BUS TOUR 但在 Marble Arch 換紅線。因為今天比較有體力，所以換了球鞋好把倫敦走遍遍。

2007/11/23 10:00am

常常在懷疑，為何很多成人白天都不用在辦公室裡做事。。。

2007/11/23 10:00am

離開 big bus tour 的車後, 我們就往白金漢宮反向走。在飛機上剛好看到旅遊介紹美麗的 James Park 於是決定走進瞧一瞧。

2007/11/23 10:30am

果真名不虛傳。我想我們的相片可以解釋一切。倫敦人真的好幸福。

2007/11/23 10:39am

好特別。我們好驚訝這麼多種的鳥可以舉在同一個地方。（可以篦美的大概就是加州的MONTERAY 了）

2007/11/23 10:40am

好親切喔

2007/11/23 10:45am

好美的顏色（我沒調過喔）。

2007/11/23 10:50am

走到了。可惜我半路找廁所浪費了時間可以看到換衛兵的位子都找不到了。

11/23/2007 11:30am

我是真的沒想到，他們奏的樂非常現代，幾乎像是百老匯　雨果的＂悲慘世界＂裡那樣好聽的音樂。

I love their music. It's not as traditional as how I thought it would be. It's very modern - I thought of Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables"...

11/23/2007 11:00am

白金漢宮衛兵交接完畢散場時... 可惜沒佔到好位子, 所以看不到實際交接, 只看到衛兵進場跟出場.

We arrived too late (because I had to go to the bathroom) so we didn't get a good spot to see the actual Guard Exchange. We only saw the parade when they getting in an out of the Palace... We will come back again to see it soon!

2007/11/23 1:30pm

想起爸在我這個年紀的時候第一次出國就是到倫敦出差，在大笨鐘前照相。我在想，爸媽那時已經有我和弟弟了，我們的這個年代，晚婚的還真不少。

Big Ben reminds me the photo that my father took when he left the coutry for the first time for a business trip in London. That time I was already 3 or 4 years old and my brother was also born. Generations really change a lot in between...

2007/11/23 4pm

這就是常被一般人誤會為倫敦鐵橋的塔橋。這是塔橋不是倫敦鐵橋。不知道旁邊的 TOWER OF LONDON是一個古蹟；但是時間太晚，我們也來不及進去。

2007/11/25 6pm

我們從大英博物館過來早下了一個公車站，卻有一個意外的驚喜。原來教堂後方如此壯觀。那正面不是更。。。

2007/11/25 6:30pm

好像還是後方好看。

2007/11/25

照完相後還是很早，我們決定再搭公車去皮卡迪里。停手很熱鬧。5英鎊的車今天應該賺回來了。台北的公車站跟倫敦的一樣告知車子多就會到達。

2007/11/25

好熱鬧。可是感覺有點亂，不喜歡待這於是就越走離這越遠。居然走到了。。。中國城！！通常對唐人街的影響總是髒髒的，沒想到倫敦的好乾淨。這大概是我最喜歡的一個唐人街了。請看下一號介紹。

11/25/2007 8:00pm

到倫敦沒有想到要來中國城。在最後一天居然可以來一個驚喜。像之前講的，通常對唐人街的影響總是髒髒的，沒想到倫敦的好乾淨。這大概是我最喜歡的一個唐人街了。吃到好吃的水餃和餛飩呢!!

We thought the last day would be kind of just reviewing what we visited... but surprose!! I ran into China Town, where we didn't thought to visit! It was actally nice to see that there is a clean China Town around the world.

11/26/2007 10am

最後一天早上，像是住在倫敦的市民一樣輕鬆地逛了旅館旁的海德公園。看到很多人在餵鳥，我們也跟上。這裡鳥的種類真的不少。盼餵鳥餵得很開心。

This is the last morning of our London Trip. We had a very relaxing walk in the Hyde Park right next to our Hotel. We saw many people feeding the bird, and we didn't want to waste our over bread, so we ... : )

11/26/2007 10:30am

戴安娜王妃紀念碑是一個水泉池。像是一頂美麗又高雅的皇冠。每一個角落的水流都不一樣：對，會反流。很精心的設計。不過四周開起來很冷清。。。不知道是不是故意的。。。

Princess Diana's Memorial is actually a fountain. It's just as as elegant and beautiful like Princess Diana. The flow of the water is actually different at every each turn. Brilliant Design. However, the landscape seems a little too bare... almost depresssing... not sure if this is done on purpose...

11/26/2007 11:30am

這次旅行四天，我們待一家旅館（後方白色那棟有藍色頂篷的）。地鐵，公車，及倫敦觀光巴士都在隔壁而已。

很感謝神安排一切。原本我們要取消計畫而且氣象都說這幾天都會下雨，結果除了一個晚上在下雨，其他都是好天。再幾個小時就要離開了，開始捨不得了。。。

We stayed here for the entire vacation. Its right next to the Big Bus Tour Stop, the Underground Lancaster Gate Station on Redline, and many regular City Buses.

Really am thankful to the Lord for He has arranged everything. The weather was supposed to be rainy but it also ended up to be sunny.

We started to miss London very very much...

Marina Park by Lake Washington, Kirkland, Seattle 西雅圖華盛頓湖旁的科克蘭 - "COSTCO好事多" 的故鄉

2009-03-04T12:29:00.000-08:00

Kirkland　離西雅圖開車約十五分鐘，是　Costco 好事多的家鄉。好事多也用 Kirkland 城市名作他們出廠的品牌。由於這裡環境優美，景色有山有湖，因此房地產界蓋的都是層層疊起的公寓。這十一月份時婆婆來看我們是拍的。畫面一開始可以看到有一對年輕人來此拍攝影外景。那天溫度不是太高，但是已經有人坐在板凳上曬著太陽打盹了。湖水很清澈，在春秋交際時，遷徙的雁子都會在此棲息然後再度上路。

到西雅圖了解環境

2009-02-05T16:08:00.000-08:00

當初為了遷徙到西雅圖，老公新上任的公司在搬去前邀請我們到當地了解環境，好讓我們能妥善準備我們的遷移，並有心理準備。4 天的行程，來回飛的第一天和第四天就花在路上了，第二天是公司請的經紀人帶我們了解的西雅圖的地域。第三天是老公的表姊的經紀人帶我們去看了6 個房子，了解住屋格局和社區。

可能長程旅行加上時差的關係，我們睡的早起得也晚。但還是利用了這短短時間，幾乎可以說已經對大西雅圖摸得徹底了。我們很喜歡 KIRKLAND，因為它面湖而且街道離水邊很近。BELLEVUE 是第二選擇，因為它有點太安靜。基本上兩個地方都很好，只是看有沒有適合我們的房子了。

西雅圖就像舊金山的縮小本。有山丘的起伏，只是角度沒有舊金山那麼誇張。同樣沒有大範圍的公共交通工具，只是通勤距離沒有像舊金山灣區那麼遠。有乾淨的中國城，只是沒有像舊金山灣區有那麼多的泡沫紅茶店。西雅圖的郵輪和遊船多的不得了，好喜歡透過市區街道看船在遠遠的海灣上通過。

我最驚訝的是通常很多人都以為西雅圖區只會下雨，但是天氣好的日子真的很多。西雅圖的人也非常環保，道路很乾淨，乾淨到水一點汙染都沒有。他們也很愛運動，不管那一季節，都能看得到如照片中划獨木舟的運動員或蓮花旁划小船的對對情侶呢！

Central Valley Trip 死谷之旅

2009-01-20T19:48:00.000-08:00

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6 位旅行者
1 台 SUV
越過了 10,000 英呎高的 Sierra 雪山
穿過了低於海平面 282 英呎的 Death Valley 沙漠
在華氏 32 度穿著棉襖
在華氏 87 度穿著 T Shirt
聽似人所計畫的普通探險
卻是又一次的來經歷神刻意不簡單的安排

難得一生中
在前不見古人後不見來者浩蕩的沙漠中
同心的 6 人
分別於 4 地
我們有靠著信心獨行 4.5 個鐘頭者
我們有靠著禱告盼望安靜等候者

今後兩天會寫出這經歷
感謝我們的神

Princeton University in New Jersey 紐澤西州普林斯頓大學

2009-01-18T12:23:00.000-08:00

美國有八所常春藤聯盟大學：Brown University 布朗大學，Columbia University 哥倫比亞大學，Cornell University 康乃爾大學，Dartmouth College 達特茅斯學院，Harvard University 哈佛大學，University of Pennsylvania 賓夕維尼亞大學，Princeton University，普林斯頓大學，Yale University　耶魯大學。這些學校都在美國東岸，並且離紐約市都不遠。

上次來到紐澤西州普林斯頓大學，是學姊的先生在這裡讀博士的時候。到他們家聚完餐，他們特地帶我們到校園中逛一圈。記憶中最深刻的是，普林斯頓的學生有個傳統，就是家世好幾代都在此完成學業。學校不知道有多少角落佈滿了一個家族一個家族的紀念碑或拱門。看了一看他們刻在名字旁的科系，原來很多都是讀政治的。政治真的是靠關係，若沒有家族背景，關係的建立就比較難。但也突然覺得，儘管美國政治很民主，裡面似乎還是不免存在著一些些套關係的黑暗。

第二次來到這，是老公第一次搬到紐約來時。因為我自己本身讀的設計學院，是位於紐約市中心，沒有校園，只有一段街道是政府為了我們學生安全而開的步行區，所以一直很羨慕像普林斯頓這樣的大學有著美美的綠色校園。他們的建築不但有歷史，連裡面收藏的也都是滿了歷史。看見這裡的學生外表其實跟我們並沒有什麼不同，但是未來落腳的地方可能跟自己差得很遠。我們後來要去找愛因斯坦的家，可惜沒有找到；但卻意外地來到了校園旁美麗的卡內基湖。夏天的東岸很綠又很藍。這樣的一幅風景，正是最好的證明。我們靜靜在湖邊稍愜，便悠哉地離開了。

Sky @ Rego Park, New York City 紐約雷哥公園的天空

2009-01-17T23:14:00.000-08:00

對於一個愛好大自然景色的人來說，紐約可以是一個很無聊的城市。但我和老公很幸運，在紐約的這段期間，住在一棟公寓的最頂樓四樓，每個方向看出去都沒有遮蔽物，所以我們有無限的日出和日落可以享受－不用特地去海邊或山上，否則說實在也太遠了。面對西邊，可以看到以曼哈頓為背景的日落。

倒不是有很多人像我們那麼會跑到頂樓去放鬆自己（大概把之前住在舊金山面對自然放鬆的習慣帶過來了）每每下班做完運動吃晚飯，就到頂樓和老公一起看夕陽聊天。週末的早晨，也會來這作體操，新鮮地打開一天。我們最後在紐約的一年裡，拍了不少夕陽的相片，以及一次難得的月全食。我們真的很珍惜在雷哥公園的這段期間，就是因為我們找到了一個心中的世外桃源。

New York City can be boring if one is more fond of natural scene. I am one of those people. Fortunately, the place that we used to live was on the top floor of an apartment building in Queens, facing all directions without any obstruction. That means we had free sunrise views and sunset views with Manhattan cityscape as the backdrop.

Not a lot of people went to the roof top, for some reason. But it certainly was our place to vent our stress after a full day of work. My husband and I would just chat after dinner, or do light exercise during weekend mornings. We captured numerous sunsets and even a lunar eclipse. This place that we lived, was definitely an Utopia in our heart.

Taipei City Lin-Jiang Traditional Market / Tong-Hua Night Market 台北市臨江市場通化夜市

2009-01-06T13:22:00.001-08:00

台灣是一個位於太平洋邊上的一個海島。每天早晨，傳統市場的魚販會在一大早就去和當地漁夫收購當日捕獲新鮮的魚。一般來說，台灣的家庭還是以來傳統市場的貨源，因為貨物不但新鮮，價錢更是比超級市場經濟實惠。

在農曆新年來的時候，因為家家都要辦年貨，買裝飾，故傳統市場是畫家和書法家們賣字帖給每一人家最好的地點。相片中是一位沒有手指的殘障青年，作品極為精緻，他的畫攤是最受歡迎的。

每到傍晚，當傳統市場攤販賣完了貨，此地就轉變成為零售店和小吃夜市。台灣的小吃滿著當地風味，量又小，可以吃好幾攤。夜市真的是適合朋友或家庭便餐閒逛的好地方。農曆年的時候，大紅燈籠高高掛，更讓人覺得溫馨。

Taiwan is an island by the Pacific Ocean. Each morning the seafood vendor would gather fresh product from local fishermen who went out that early morning. The traditional market opens as early as 5am. Taiwanese typical family would still prefer this traditional type of market since the items are fresher and the prices are cheaper than the supermarket's.

It is often seen during the Chinese New Year, artists sell their holiday calligraphy on the streets. The traditional market would be the best place for them during this time because each household is buying large amount of food, supplies, as well as decoration. This young artist is in fact handicapped with no fingers. but his work is sensational, and his stand has the most customers than any others.

Each evening, the Traditional Market turns to be a Night Market when all grocery vendor finished their sale for the day. Night market consists of various eateries and shops for household goods. Food are authentic and small portion (so we can eat as many as we want), makes it a good place for friends or small family to have a light dinner or just to hang out. During Chinese New Year, Lanterns are lit, make the place even more welcoming.

Snow fall in Greater Seattle during the last two weeks of year 2008.　西雅圖２００８的大雪

2009-01-05T13:38:00.000-08:00

真的不敢相信在這麼暖的低地西雅圖，人行道的針葉樹上可以堆這麼多雪。聽說上次西雅圖下這麼大的雪，並且隔天沒融，是在二十年前。整個城市，雪白一片，像極了原野之地。市郊的路上幾乎看不到一台房車，反而都是卡車或是四輪驅動的休旅車。西雅圖有兩個原因而不能除去這麼多的雪。一是因為之前提到的－西雅圖正常是不會下如此大的雪，而且下的雪，隔天也融了，所以沒有有效的剷雪機制（比如鏟雪車數量少）。二是，西雅圖以環保出名。由於融雪的鹽會流到河裡，破壞生態，　所以連鹽也不灑。故此，到處都是乾淨的厚厚白雪。沒有人看得出哪裡是人行道的界線，哪裡是路，除非踩滑了才急忙回到人行道上。

西雅圖跟舊金山一樣是丘陵地形。所以路因為沒除雪，之後結成了冰，成了危險地域。很多沒有四輪驅動後車鍊的人，根本連車庫都出不去。有些人就算開出去了，還會拋錨在路邊，只得棄車，另找幫忙。能在家上班的都留在家，不能出門，並且公司也不開門的，政府還補貼當天的薪水。感覺大家都在為這場雪奮鬥著呢。

儘管有著許多不便，一片銀白的風景，真的好美好美! 以前住在紐約時的雪，不論是大小巷道，隔天早上就立刻被剷了或化了，路邊總是滿佈泥濘和水窪。住在舊金山時，若要看雪，就要上山，但還不一定親眼看到落雪的美景。

總歸，這樣的一場大雪帶給了我們美麗的白色耶誕。上次西雅圖有白色耶誕還是在１８８６年，一世紀前呢！以前在紐約時，最喜歡晚上下這樣大大的雪，然後跟同學在外面聊天，讓柔柔的雪片飄透過昏黃的路燈，落在臉上，好不愜意。這樣的感覺依然記憶猶新，　而在西雅圖竟能意外的享受到，真開心！不過大家也還是很慶幸雪終於停了，寧願對付已經習慣的著名的陰天。

I couldn't believe there was so much snow piled up on the everygreens in the low land Seattle. People say it was 20 years ago when they saw snow here that didn't melt in one day. It felt like like the entire city was a countryside because everywhere was snow white. There is nearly no sedan we could see in the suburban streets, but trucks and four-wheel-drives. There were two reasons why Seattle couldn't remove such of big snow. One was clear and as mentioned - normally there is not enough snow so the resources (such as the snow removal trucks) is limited to clear the entire city. The other reason is Seattle is famous for its Enviromental Protection. In order to prevent the salt (for melting the snow) went into the rivers, resulting in damaging the biologic system, salt wasn't used. Snow is everywhere and no one could really tell where the streets or sidewalks were until stumbled.

Since Greater Seattle is also famous for its hilly terrain, the icy roads became hazard zones. There are many people without a four-wheel-drive, or car has no traction control, or has no wheel chains. They had hard time getting out of their homes. Many also had their car stalled half way on the route. They just abandoned the car and get other help. Most of the people stay at home. For those who can not work remotely from home, the City actually refund people if their office were not open that day. It felt like everyone is doing their best to survive the snow.

Despite all the inconvinence, the scenery was absolutely beautiful. In New York City where we lived for quite a while, the entire streets, including those in the suburban areas, snow would be purposely melted with salt right away so the sidewalks and streets are clear but they instantly become mushy and muddy. In San Francisco Bay Area, where we alos lived, the only time to see the snow would be when we went up to the Sierra Mountains ski resorts, but not necessarily we could witness the snow falls.

In all, this is the first White Christmas with more than 1 foot of snow since year 1886, more than a century ago. It is absolutely a memorable season. I can still recall when I was in College in New York City, my friends and I would sit under the street lights, chat while the snow danced through the gloomy yellow light and finally fell on our faces. It was relaxing and a happy memory. It was a nice surprise to enjoy it again, and this time, in Seattle. Although it was beautiful, we are all glad that it is finally over. Two weeks are enough for most of the people, and all rather have the overcast since both the government and the people can cope with that better.

Thai Ginger　泰金爵

2008-01-08T23:01:00.000-08:00

之前招聘老公的公司讓我們在從紐約搬去西雅圖去前，給了我們一趟免費的旅行來認識當地環境好為搬家找房子作準備。我們知道我們想住離公司近的地方，而公司又是在西雅圖市郊，所以就決定這趟不花時間在西雅圖，而著重在公司附近的雜貨店，餐廳，等等。

當我們到的第一天，藉由勞工的新老闆介紹，找到了瑞德蒙鎮中心的＂泰金爵＂。當天其實我很累沒有什麼味口，只想吃口味清淡一點的牛肉湯河粉。老公道是餓得很，想吃得多又有變化的菜。

當我們一踏進餐廳，就被它舒服的室內裝潢（手工木雕的桌子與屋內架構，稍暗的光線，還有每張桌子上的新鮮小蘭花）給放鬆了下來。座位也跟隔壁的鄰居有不錯的空間不會打擾到彼此，很適合一個人或兩個人一起來吃的小桌，到五到六人的小聚會都行。

我點了牛肉河粉－湯頭非常香，並且量剛剛好，很舒服滿足。老公點了家常豆腐和醬蝦－味道非常道地，蛋白質和蔬菜的比例非常平均，很充實的量。自此以後，我們只要有機會，就回來打打牙祭－價錢是不太便宜。我特別喜歡他們的牛肉湯河粉和黃咖哩雞燴飯。

價錢，菜單，和路程，請按：泰金爵

While we "tested drive" the relocation to Redmond, WA (sponsored by my husband's company) , we knew we wanted to live close to the company campus so we stayed local instead of going into Seattle for food, grocery shopping, etc.

It was when we arrived the first day, we found "Thai Ginger" in Redmond Town Center through my husband's hiring manager. I didn't have much appetite because I was tired and just wanted to have a warm rice noodle soup with light ingredient in it. My husband was pretty hungry and wanted variety.

As soon as we went into the restautant, we feel relaxed by the calming decoration (hand crafted wood furniture and structure, dimmed light, and little orchid on each table). The seating is very comfortable with good room apart from other tables. It is a place good for one or two people, and also good for small gatherings.

Finally I ordered Beef Noodle soup. It was very flavorful, but didn't stuff me - very satisfying. My husband orderd shrimp and tofu, with very anthentic sauce and balanced portein and vegitables. Since then, we went there whenever we are at the Town Center - but it is a little pricy. I particularly love their Rice Noodle Soup (chicken and beef), and the Panang Curry chicken over rice.

Price, Menu, and Directions: Thai Ginger

Phillips Seafood, Baltimore, Maryland 巴爾提摩飛利浦海產餐廳

2008-01-06T16:13:00.000-08:00

It was at the end of our 5-day family trip on the east coast. Our last stop was having lunch at Baltimore, Maryland. We purposely picked Phillips Seafood before we headed home to New York City. my husband and I came here 2 years ago and we fell in love with Pillips Seafood's' every thing made of crab.

"Phillips Seafood" faces the Baltimore Harbor water front, therefore, the scenery is just fun. There are seating at the balcony, as well as by the window. We both time picked seats by the balcony to enjoy the breezing summer air.

They always served their onion bread first - large, soft, and warm! Although it is not very flavouful, we didn't want to stuff ourselves with just bread anyway (maybe this is the their intention!). We immiedately ordered one crab cake for each of us. The cake is full of crab meat, and there was not a taste of flour or any other substitute ingredient - just the sweetness from the meat. We didn't use the sauce because it would ruin the wonderful aroma. It is pretty pricy - $12 a piece, but it was totally well worth it! We had it both time when we came here.

We also ordered their crab. It was fresh, huge, juicy, and tender. No need to reach for the butter or sauce again at all!

After the satisfying lunch, we took a relaxing walk along the harbor and shot some photos for memory. We now live in Seattle but hopefully some day we will go back there again.

Price, Menu, and Directions: Phillips Seafood