Saint Stephan's Cathedral (The Stephansdom)

Modern high altar with a representation of the stoning of St. Stephan.

Gilt pulpit (18th cent.), crowned by the church personified in Ecclesia.

The Cathedral of St. Stephan: A view through the nave toward the altar.

The moving casing of the gigantic great organ bears the Lamberg coat-of-arms and hides both the largest and smallest pipes.

The Residence of the Bishops

The square is bordered in the north by stately residential buildings, on the south side by the Neue Residenz (New Residence), the newer palace of the bishops, and on the west side by the Gothic east choir of the Cathedral as well as the Marshall's house which juts forth beside it. The Wittelsbacher Fountain, which was built in the Baroque style in 1903 to commemorate the annexation of Passau to Bavaria 100 years before, stands in the middle of the square. The column of the fountain is topped by Mary as the Queen of Heaven and patron saint of Bavaria, on whose lap the boy Jesus is seated. 3 angelic figures at their feet symbolise Passau's 3 rivers. The figure with the heads of grain in her hair is the Danube, which flows through the fruitful Bavarian alluvial plain. The figure with the pearls in her braids is the Ilz, in which fresh water mussels flourish even today that, in turn, produce valuable pearls. Last but not least, the figure wearing the Tyrolean hat is the Inn, which originates in the Alps.

The Loreley

Still today, mention of the Romance of the Rhine conjures up a picture of the mighty state rock between Kaub and St. Goarhausen called the Loreley. Downstream the river was squeezed into its narrowest and deepest point; even in the 19th century, reefs and rapids made it extremely dangerous for ships and rafts to pass this point, so a tree bells warning told the crew it was time to pray. Moreover the rock was already famous in the early Middle Ages for its good echo, thought to be ghostly voices.

No wonder a multitude of legend was woven around the rock, the most famous of which is that of siren called Loreley, who bewitches the hearts of sailors with her unearthly beauty and her enchanting voice. The sailors look up at the rock to catch sight of the charming maiden, forgetting for just a moment the dangerous rapids and reefs. Their boat is dashed to pieces and they sank beneath the waves for ever.

This is what happened also to the young Erbgraf (heir to the Count's title) von Rheinphalz, who is lured to his doom in this way. His father orders that the witch on the rock be caught or killed. When soldiers bar the way back into her cave, she calls on her father, the Rhine, to help her.

Huge, foaming waves rise up out of the waters and carry the maiden away. Since then she has never been seen again. But sometimes, when the moon is shining bright, a mysterious singing is to be heard, described by Romanticist poets. Heinrich Heine's Song of Loreley, set to music by Slicher, made the Loreley Rock famous all over the world.

Rhine River Cruise

This was taken during Columbus Day weekend. This is my 3rd time to ride the cruise but because my mother and sister in-laws visited us for the weekend; we took them to see Rhine River. Because the weather was not cooperating, it was terrible, cold and raining; we just stayed inside and played cards even the kids played cards also so they won't get bored. We still had a good time during our cruise.

The Mauseturm and the ruins of Burg Ehrenfels

Here's some info about the castle:

On the Rhine island at Binger Loch the pretty little Mauseturm strikes our eye. It was probably built in the 13th century as a lookout tower for Ehrenfels Castle, which in spite of its towers and outworks had no view of the Rhine to the north. This is where the tower's name came from since mausen means to be on the lookout, the way a cat is on the lookout for a mouse. Legend, however, has another interpretation: the hardhearted Bishop Hatoo is said to have sought refuge in the tower from a horde of mice; in vain, the mice swam after him and devoured him.

The tower and Ehrenfels castle were partly destroyed by Swedish troops in 1636 and then completely ruined by the French in 1689. The Romanticist on the Throne, King Friedrich Wilhelm of Prussia, had the base of the outwork propped up and repaired and then the tower rebuilt in 1855 in Neo-Gothic style. From then on until 1974 the tower served Rhine navigation purposes as a signal station.

The ruin in the midst of the vineyards above the Mausenturm is what is left of Burg Ehrenfels. The castle along with its subsidiary buildings, used to stretch right down to the Rhine, the final building right next to the river being the customs house.

It was built around 1215 as a customs fortress and passes into the possession of the archbishops of Mainz around 1270. Because of its strategic importance, the archbishops of Mainz around 1270.

Because of its strategic importance, the archbishops had it reinforced many times and used it as a hiding place for Cathedral treasures in times of war.

Ehrenfels has remained a ruin since it was destroyed by the French (1689). With its mighty curtain wall facing the hillside flanked by towers, it is one of the most impressive constructions along the Rhine.

This castle is not open to the public due to danger of collapse.

Buchingham Palace

Me and my daughter posing in front of Queen Victoria's statue, behind it was Buckingham Palace during summer vacation. It was cloudy and luckily it did not rain so we started to walk again to see more museums, churches and other nice and historic places.

Stonehenge in England

Stonehenge has fascinated people for hundreds of years. This mysterious structure of giant stone blocks in southern England receives more than 1 million visitors each year. Although no one is certain, experts believe people built Stonehenge in ancient times as a tribal gathering place and religious center.

Archaeologists suggest that Stonehenge was built between 2800 and 1500 B.C. in three separate stages. Overtime, people changed the look of Stonehenge. They added to and rearranged the enormous stone blocks. Archeologists believe the stones originally sat in three rings with two horseshoe-shaped structures in the center.

Only parts of the third ring and horseshoe center remain today. Some of the center stones stand 22 feet (6.7 meters) tall and weigh 30 to 40 tons (27 to 36 metric tons).

Dublin

Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland, has one of the loveliest settings in Europe. On Dublin Bay, the Town of the Hurdle Ford--Baile Atha Cliath in Gaelic--is sheltered on the north by the rocky mass of Howth Head. The River Liffey flows through the center of the city and is crossed by many picturesque bridges. The name Dublin is derived from tne Gaelic word of black pool:dublinn

Dublin has produced some of the world's greatest literary figures. Most notably, the city was the home of James Joyce, nearly all of whose writings are based in the city of his birth. Also born in Dublin were Oscar Wilde, who attended Trinity College, and Jonathan Swift, who served as Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral. George Bernard Shaw was born at No.33 Synge St. in 1856. Other well-known Dubliners include Edmund Burke, Thomas Moore, James Stephens, Sean O'Casey, Samuel Beckett and Richard Brinsley Sheridan.

Rhine River Cruise

These photos were taken last 2 weeks ago during our trip to Rhine River cruise. The cruise started at Bingen port to St. Goar. We stopped at St. Goar and have some ice cream and took some pictures. St. Goar is a small city but wonderful. Full of castles both side of the river. Very nice city....

Have a nice day to y'all....

4th of July Weekend in Partnach Gorge

These photos were taken last weekend for our 4th of July celebration. We walked for more than 2 hours from the camping site to the Partnach Gorge. We got lose many times but we still found it and when we got there, it was beautiful and amazing site. It was worth it to walked that long and even though I was tired and sore for walking it was worth while. We ended up walking because the trip from Edelweiss Lodge and Resort was full and so we decided to walk instead of driving because the receptionist said that it only takes 45 minutes to walk. Since I want to have an exercise that day, we planned to walk. I was pissed because we always missed the turn and it took us more than 2 hours to get the Partnach Gorge. It was really beautiful and I was planning to go back there next time we go there (maybe next year!). I recommend to all people who likes to hike and see the wonderful God made.

Have a wonderful day y'all.....

The Lion King Live show...

These photos were taken last June during our 1 week vacation in London. It was my first time to see Live show, it was great experience.

Dublin, Ireland

Me, my daughter Leera and my husband's niece Eclipse posing at Dublin Zoo in Ireland during our 1 week vacation in London. The kids were having fun seeing african savannah animals. Eclipse even making face about the giraffe, he he... The weather was hot and thank God it wasn't raining at Ireland when we went there. Irish people said that the weather there is always raining 7 days a week. It was really nice day at Dublin.

England

"Cambridge University"

"Westminster Abbey"

These photos were taken during our trip in United Kingdom or England. We spent our Christmas and New Year with the help of my sister in-law. She is station in Lakenheath, England. She showed us how beautiful London is. We did enjoy our stays there.

Have a nice day...

Beautiful Flowers

"Apricot Parrot"

"Yonina"

These are my favorite flowers during our trip in Keukenhof, Holland last year. April is the best time to go to Holland because it's tulips season. You will find all sort of tulips and flowers. During that time, you will also see what they call it carpet flower. On the farm, they planted different kind of flowers with different colors. It was beautiful....I even bought some tulips there (Holland) on the way home but I was disappointed because they don't sell the one I want. I still bought different kind but it was small not like the one you see on Keukenhof Garden. The only thing it was worth it to buy was the Dahlia and I planted in front of our yard. Just one Dahlia, it grew a lot of flowers. I've learned that Dahlia doesn't grow all year long, once it died during winter, it won't grow anymore.

Luxembourg

This is the Notre Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg, nothing alike in France. When we went inside, it was small. We stayed inside for less than 15 minutes after I took some pictures. It was hot and sunny day when we were there so we didn't really stay long (Luxembourg) because the heat was draining my energy. This photo was our second trip because our first one, I deleted my pictures accidentally. It was excited when it was your first timer in a place you haven't been but if the place wasn't that good you don't want to go back. Since I don't have any pictures, I forced my husband to drive to go back in a boring country just to have another boring photos! That's my opinion only!!!!

Have a nice day to y'all....

Stockholm, Sweden

My daughter{Leera}, my cousin's wife{Krystel} and me posing inside the Vasa Museum in Stockholm, Sweden. Sweden is very nice country and courteous people. I missed our trip in Sweden and hopefully before we go back in USA, we will see Sweden again for the last time. Staying here in Europe was the best stationed we have been. It's memorable, good and bad experience and most of all, enjoyable...Taking pictures or videos are the things you need for your trip to reminded that you have been in that places or country and you've enjoy every trips....I didn't regret staying here in Europe because not just you're having fun on your trips, I'd also met some good people and friends!

Collectable Crystals

These photos were taken last April in Innsbruck, Austria during my daughter's spring break . I took these photos because I'm a collectable person. I collected some good stuffs but these one couldn't have it because the price is way too expensive so taking these pictures just reminding me that I can't have everything I want, he he...I have been a member of Swarovski crytals since 2003 and I remembered when first time I started to collect, they only sells christmas decorations, disney characters, different kind of fishes, insects and animals. But now they expanded their imagination by doing or making more jewelry and they even have shoe and bra(???). Good thing, I didn't see any underwear??? he he...What else they could think of next??? I guess the bra is also just diplay because if they wear it, how they will wash it or maybe just one time use? ha ha ha...he he he....Remember the Victoria's Secret most expensive underwear and bra that made of diamonds? I remebered when Heide Klums wore it, did she own it or what? I told my husband if he has a million dollars and buy me that lingerie, I won't wear it because once I wear it, I won't be able to display because it's been used!!!!

Have a wonderful summer day....

Marienbrucke or Marien Bridge

Marienbrucke or Marien Bridge- As a child Crown Prince Ludwig had already grown to love the beautiful scenery of the Schwangau arca, including the dramatic waterfall in the Pollatschlucht above Neuschwanstein. This gorge with its steep rocky walls had already been "discovered" by Maximilan II's generation as a beauty spot. The wooden railings of the bridge that spans it, the Marienbrucke, were replaced by Ludwig II during the building of Neuschwantein by the present elegant, cantilever construction made of iron. "The view from up above is enchanting, especially the view from the Marienbrucke of the castle, which will far outshinc the Wartburg for all its acknowledged merits of location, architectural splendour and magnificent paintings," wrote King Ludwig II in a letter in 1881.

Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle- Between 1869 and 1886 King Ludwig II of Bavaria had Neuschwanstein castle built on the Swan Rock, high above the beautiful Alpsee Lake and close to the thundering waters of the 45 meter high Pollat Gorge. The castle was designed by Eduard Riedel, the stage-painter Christian Jank and the architect Georg Dollmann. With its pointed towers, tall and slender, Neuschwanstein is a fantasy realized in stone. On May 13th 1868, the 23 year old King wrote to Wagner: "I intend to rebuild the old castle ruins of Hohenschwangau by the Pollat Gorge in the genuine style of the old German knightly fortresses....the spot is one of the most beautiful that one could ever find."

The 5-story castle, built in Romanesque style using the Wartburg castle as a model, is with its many scenes from Wagner's stage-world, the embodiment of a romantic, medieval castle.

Lohengrin and Tannhauser, the Song Contest(in the Wartburg), Parzival's Grail and many other heroes and sages of the German middle ages come miraculously to life on the walls of Neuschwanstein.

On 9th June 1886 a State Commission traveled to Hohenschwangau to remove the King. 3 days later, King Ludwig II made his last journey from Neuschwanstein to Castle Berg. On 13th June, Ludwig was found drowned under mysterious circumstances in the Starnberger Lake.

Hohenschwangau Castle

This is Hohenschwangau Castle where King Ludwig II's parents live

Hohenschwangau Castle- standing on a wooded hill between two beautiful lakes-the Alpsee Lake and the Swan Lake. Hohenschwangau was originally the seat of the Lords of Schwangau in the 12th century.
Ludwig's father, Maximilan II, bought the ruins as Crown Prince in 1832 and had them rebuilt and romantically decorated by the designer and stage-painter Domenik Quaglio in the style of the middle ages.
Ludwig II spent a large part of his childhood and youth in Hohenschwangau Castle. It was here that he first came into contact with the saga of the Swan Knight Lohengrin, through the murals by Michael Neher and Lorenz Quaglio, and like his father, he came to feel a close bond to the Knights of Schwangau and their history.

Linderhof Castle

Linderhof Palace- Built according to the Baroque and Rococco styles, Linderhof Palace, also known as the "The Royal Villa", is situated in Graswang valley in the vicinity of Cloister Ettal, and the "Passion-Play Village" of Oberammergau. This relatively small but richly endowed palace is set in parkland and gardens, covering a total area of almost 200 acres which blend perfectly with the impressive mountainous landscape.

Both the palace and the park represent fine examples of the varied and diverse lifestyle of the 19th century. In the gardens are to be found examples of French, Italian, and English horticultural and landscape styles, together with buildings such as the Moorish Kiosk, the Moroccan House, the "Hunding's Hut", and the "Hermits Hut", and the world-famous Venus Grotto. The palace itself portrays a glorification of absolute monarchy. The style of the palace draws on the great epoch of the french Baroque and Rococco rulers, principally the period of Louis XIV. and Louis XV. of France.

The rich and often ornate gold and silver decorations serve as "Picture Frames" for the works of art. Pictures, mirrors, statues as well as valuable fabrics and materials compete for the attention of the visitor. The royal rooms and chambers appear as precious jewel boxes which are almost too rich and too beautiful to live in. A fitting atmosphere for "The Last True King", (Paul Verlaine). The monarch spent the last eight years of his life almost exclusively at Linderhof Palace, which was always his favourite domicile. Ludwig visited France several times, especially the Palace of Versailles, in order to find inspiration and impetus for the overall design and construction of Linderhof Palace.

Me and my family posing in front of King Ludwig's Castle the Linderhof. One of the King's favorites and finished castle.

Southern garden-area with ornamental pool

Austria

What a beautiful nature....These were taken last spring break April 3, 2009 coming from Neuschwanstein Castle going back to our hotel in Edelweiss. There is a still snow on the Alps of Austria.

Parade at Europa Park

Parade. All Europa-Park performers on stage at once; that only happens during the great Europa-Park Parade. Cheerful clowns, Peter Pan, dancers and Euromaus with his friends all take part with their brilliant costumes and parade through the streets of themed areas on lovingly decorated theme floats.

Pretty Women and very nice dress

Beautiful Ladies...

Is she lovely?

Lovely couple (kuno)

Pretty Mermaid

Moula Rouge or dancer (I'm not really sure)

Me posing

Cheerful Clown