Throwback Thursday: Around Belmont

I may, for sometime, have been raving about how I love being in San Mateo, CA. But for a time before that, for a couple months or so, lodging in San Mateo wasn't available for us. For the time being, we were living in its neighboring city, Belmont, CA. It was May of 2012...

The Oracle compound. Belmont, CA.

At the end of the day after work we'd hit highway 101 going south from Fashion Island Boulevard and exit at Ralston Ave., head towards Marine Parkway and from a distance see the magnificent Oracle compound. Notice how their buildings resemble the schematic symbol for a database: Round cylinders. At the intersection we take a right at Shoreway Rd. After a short curve we take a left at Sem Lane and we arrive at our home away from home- the Extended Stay hotel in the area. It's not exactly 5-star accommodation (I now realize how silly I sounded asking about how much to tip the bellhop. Thing is, such hotels don't have one.), but it's actually a nice place. Fairly complete amenities for everyday stuff. 

Our home away from home- Extended Stay America.

Usually our work ends around 4PM or 5PM tops. After work before turning in for the night if I don't feel too tired I usually go out and explore the nearby areas. It's actually a quiet and interesting place. With a camera in hand I go out on a walk. Sometimes, I'm stuck with chores though. Which is still good. Everything is new to me.

Laundry Room. Yes it may seem mundane but it's here that for the first time in my life I have operated a coin-op washer and dryer. The place is decently maintained and there are some interesting brochures as well.

Feel like exploring but don't know where to go? This may help.

Here's some stuff I saw while exploring the area... I got as far as discovering a nature trail, which would've been suitable for a good jog, a Nob Hill Foods in the area where we get our groceries and got to walk around the Electronic Arts campus as well. (Nope. No pictures of those. I haven't had my camera yet at the time.)

Shoreway Rd beside highway 101.

Around the area we're in the place has a lot of stuff like this. Looking back, I regret not taking advantage of this. But then again, I'm not comfortable in the idea of working out in public.

Pull Up Rings? I don't really know how to use these things. They look interesting to me in pictures though.

The 8PM lawn shower. Yes. 8PM. Sunset is around 8:45 PM on May. For the first month or so that really messed with my body clock. It's 7 PM and I'm taking an "evening walk" but it looks like a bright afternoon. As the weeks progressed the days became shorter and more "normal" for me. It was a very interesting experience while it lasted though.

I took this picture by around July already... Sunset.. at 08:17 PM. To someone like me that has been so used to seeing sunset at around 6 PM, this is surreal.

This path leads to a nature trail. It lets me go "off road" on my evening walks. I'm glad I didn't encounter any snakes or anything as dangerous.

Here are the rest of the stuff I have:

Until then, let's get lost and wander! :)

Throwback Thursday: Around Belmont

I may, for sometime, have been raving about how I love being in San Mateo, CA. But for a time before that, for a couple months or so, lodging in San Mateo wasn't available for us. For the time being, we were living in its neighboring city, Belmont, CA. It was May of 2012...

The Oracle compound. Belmont, CA.

At the end of the day after work we'd hit highway 101 going south from Fashion Island Boulevard and exit at Ralston Ave., head towards Marine Parkway and from a distance see the magnificent Oracle compound. Notice how their buildings resemble the schematic symbol for a database: Round cylinders. At the intersection we take a right at Shoreway Rd. After a short curve we take a left at Sem Lane and we arrive at our home away from home- the Extended Stay hotel in the area. It's not exactly 5-star accommodation (I now realize how silly I sounded asking about how much to tip the bellhop. Thing is, such hotels don't have one.), but it's actually a nice place. Fairly complete amenities for everyday stuff. 

Our home away from home- Extended Stay America.

Usually our work ends around 4PM or 5PM tops. After work before turning in for the night if I don't feel too tired I usually go out and explore the nearby areas. It's actually a quiet and interesting place. With a camera in hand I go out on a walk. Sometimes, I'm stuck with chores though. Which is still good. Everything is new to me.

Laundry Room. Yes it may seem mundane but it's here that for the first time in my life I have operated a coin-op washer and dryer. The place is decently maintained and there are some interesting brochures as well.

Feel like exploring but don't know where to go? This may help.

Here's some stuff I saw while exploring the area... I got as far as discovering a nature trail, which would've been suitable for a good jog, a Nob Hill Foods in the area where we get our groceries and got to walk around the Electronic Arts campus as well. (Nope. No pictures of those. I haven't had my camera yet at the time.)

Shoreway Rd beside highway 101.

Around the area we're in the place has a lot of stuff like this. Looking back, I regret not taking advantage of this. But then again, I'm not comfortable in the idea of working out in public.

Pull Up Rings? I don't really know how to use these things. They look interesting to me in pictures though.

The 8PM lawn shower. Yes. 8PM. Sunset is around 8:45 PM on May. For the first month or so that really messed with my body clock. It's 7 PM and I'm taking an "evening walk" but it looks like a bright afternoon. As the weeks progressed the days became shorter and more "normal" for me. It was a very interesting experience while it lasted though.

I took this picture by around July already... Sunset.. at 08:17 PM. To someone like me that has been so used to seeing sunset at around 6 PM, this is surreal.

This path leads to a nature trail. It lets me go "off road" on my evening walks. I'm glad I didn't encounter any snakes or anything as dangerous.

Here are the rest of the stuff I have:

Until then, let's get lost and wander! :)

Monday Memories: Viva Las Vegas!

Oh yes. Viva Las Vegas! The buildings, the food, the lights, the lovely ladies, the beautiful sights, the interesting concepts and the ever-amazing Strip. Las Vegas is indeed Sin City (I found one that caters to my favorite sin there. An all you can eat sushi place.). But there's actually more to it than the obvious stereotype. Las Vegas is actually a lovely place.

It doesn't look like much from here, but the lights at the horizon would be The Strip.

Zooming in from the picture above gives this. Okay, I didn't "zoom in" I just changed lenses.

Up close, it actually gets colorful and more dynamic. Instead of just shooting from a distance I actually went there. The Strip area is best visited at night when it's at its most colorful thanks to the lights that paint everything in different hues.

Lights! Lights everywhere!

Part of The Strip as seen from an overpass.

Where do you want to lose your money for a chance to win big?

Bellagio Hotel and Casino

The Cosmopolitan building has an interesting set of lights. It reminds me of Tron.

Assuming the slot machines at the airport aren't a dead giveaway in reminding you. Yes, you're in Las Vegas. Don't expect to find true love there though. They'll love you as much as you can pay them.

I oftentimes find myself wishing that I had more money at the time. I would've watched some shows
(No, the wholesome ones. Not the ones with dancing ladies that lose their clothes.)

There are actually lots of theaters in Las Vegas. Here's the exterior of one of them.
The painted on clouds are a nice touch.

Here are the rest of the pictures I have from the time:

Until then, let's get lost and wander! :-)

Monday Memories: Viva Las Vegas!

Oh yes. Viva Las Vegas! The buildings, the food, the lights, the lovely ladies, the beautiful sights, the interesting concepts and the ever-amazing Strip. Las Vegas is indeed Sin City (I found one that caters to my favorite sin there. An all you can eat sushi place.). But there's actually more to it than the obvious stereotype. Las Vegas is actually a lovely place.

It doesn't look like much from here, but the lights at the horizon would be The Strip.

Zooming in from the picture above gives this. Okay, I didn't "zoom in" I just changed lenses.

Up close, it actually gets colorful and more dynamic. Instead of just shooting from a distance I actually went there. The Strip area is best visited at night when it's at its most colorful thanks to the lights that paint everything in different hues.

Lights! Lights everywhere!

Part of The Strip as seen from an overpass.

Where do you want to lose your money for a chance to win big?

Bellagio Hotel and Casino

The Cosmopolitan building has an interesting set of lights. It reminds me of Tron.

Assuming the slot machines at the airport aren't a dead giveaway in reminding you. Yes, you're in Las Vegas. Don't expect to find true love there though. They'll love you as much as you can pay them.

I oftentimes find myself wishing that I had more money at the time. I would've watched some shows
(No, the wholesome ones. Not the ones with dancing ladies that lose their clothes.)

There are actually lots of theaters in Las Vegas. Here's the exterior of one of them.
The painted on clouds are a nice touch.

Here are the rest of the pictures I have from the time:

Until then, let's get lost and wander! :-)

Confused Wondering Learner

A bit of shameless plugging here. Not too long ago I've been more active in my other blog. For all non-travel related stuff please do check out Confused Wondering Learner.

Confused Wondering Learner

A bit of shameless plugging here. Not too long ago I've been more active in my other blog. For all non-travel related stuff please do check out Confused Wondering Learner.

Monday Memories: Rolling With The Crew

It was that Sunday in July last 2012. Sundays are usually ho-hum for me. But this particular Sunday was special. I got to spend the day with my cousin, a bona fide car enthusiast. He met up with his fellow enthusiasts for a Sunday drive. When they gather, the parking lot becomes a car show ground. And I mean a real car show for car enthusiasts - one that's all about the cars and without the ridiculous amount of women distracting you trying to look all cute and pretty getting in the way. Not that it's a bad thing, it's just distracting.

The ride getting there. I was very lucky to have the opportunity to ride shotgun in this thoroughbred.

We met up with the other guys at a local mall parking lot. From there they hung out a bit and decided to drive a few miles to another location for lunch. It's awesome to see these four whelled beauties gathered in one place. Here are some of the snaps I managed on that day.

Inside The Mustang: It's a big car, but it's not exactly spacious inside. Love the clean dash and central console though.

M3. I think that badge would be impressive to those that recognize it.

Renesis Inside.

The interior of this particular Corvette looks rather dark and subdued...

... A stark contrast to how it is outside. Loud yet elegant.

To me this screams "Gundam!" This Evolution looks both sporty and elegant. No loud racer wannabe decals to spoil the overall look.

And yes, there was also a Porsche. It's as elegant as they come.

I got lucky enough to have a close look at this beauty. She looks sexier in the metal.

This babe has a big one. And she ain't shy in flaunting it- The monster inside.

This particular beauty is special. That venomous snake emblem is a hint of it.

Under the Cobra's hood

I wonder if this helps the driver get on the CHP's good side and talk his way out of a speeding ticket.

I remember these in Gran Turismo. Never thought I'd see them for real.

There are others that I haven't mentioned yet. As usual, the rest of the pictures can be found here:

Until then, let's get lost and wander! :-)