Amusement parks do not only cater to families, they also make for an awesome venue for a date with one's significant other. I was lucky to have experienced it both ways! Opened in 2010, Universal Studios Singapore is the first and only Universal Studios theme park in Southeast Asia and is a must visit when in SG. Located on Sentosa Island, a massive resort playground just south of mainland Singapore, USS covers almost 20 hectares; small by Universal theme park standards but packed with all the crowd favorites. It is also part of the larger Resorts World Sentosa complex, which includes a casino, SEA Aquarium, and several luxury hotels. A note from the writer: this is a pre-pandemic tale with additional post-pandemic photos. Here's a pic of us back in 2019. And our return in 2023, this time with the little guy.  Going in the middle of the week seems to be the perfect strategy for beating long lines! Singapore's legendary heat is no joke! Thankfully, shade is plentiful and ...

In the battle for the fate of the Iberian peninsula, one city stood as the final stronghold of Islamic rule, Granada. This is the story of how one of history's greatest power couples conquered its crown jewel, united their respective kingdoms, and funded voyages that led to the discovery of the Americas; transforming not only Spain but also the world. However, one cannot fully appreciate the city without learning about its bloody history. A note from the writer: this is a pre-pandemic tale. Today's journey takes us from Seville to Granada; an enjoyable ride given Spain's highly connected and efficient rail system. In fact, Spain has the most extensive high-speed network in Europe, offering fast and convenient travel between major cities. I much prefer train rides / long drives to air travel. Apart from the considerably less stress involved, one gets to experience a little bit of the country more. And one has time to reflect and ponder, which are among my favorite past times...