ART OF CRUISING THE CARIBBEAN - 4

"The landscape with its bold, intense colours, dazzled and blinded me." - Paul Gauguin

WELCOME TO SANTA LUCIA This is a very lovely and peaceful island. The first European who settled in Sta. Lucia are the French. Today, there are still many traces of French influence in this island. I am sure if the famous French painter, Paul Gauguin had been to this island, he would have immortalized it on his masterpieces. I know he lived in Martinique Island for a while before settling in Tahiti. When scouting for a movie set as stand-in for Tahiti, the island of St. Lucia is a close choice. They look like twin sisters. I have not been to Tahiti, but after gazing at many Gauguin's paintings of Tahiti, I can say I had seen it.PAUL GAUGUIN Is one of my favorite artists. Early in 1891, when French post-impressionist painter Gauguin left France for Tahiti, his home for the reminder of his life, he began a series of paintings depicting the beauty of island life in the South Pacific Seas. He was enchanted with this magical place. One of my favorite paintings of his is the above painting entitled "Tahitian Mountains." When he painted it, he said...." the landscape dazzled and blinded me." It's a stunning scenery with spectacular mountains and lush vegetation. He painted the mountains in deep brown and orange, palm trees in deep yellow and ochre, and trees in verdant green.

LOVELY SANTA LUCIA! This is like discovering Paul Gauguin's "earthly paradise (Tahiti)." But this other "earthly paradise" is (Sta. Lucia) located in the Southern Caribbean. You don't have to travel the distance to appreciate this island. Just look at the many paintings of Paul Gauguin about Tahiti, and you have a dream-like vision of this paradise. Well, I couldn't think of any artist who is more qualified to paint Sta. Lucia's landscapes/seascapes and guide us around the island than Paul Gauguin. He left us many of his dramatic imprints and colorful brushstrokes on many of the worlds most beautiful paintings of paradises. Let's look and savor this island with his delicious and inspiring brushstrokes.

S................................STUNNING, SINCERE

A...............................ADORABLE

N...............................NATURAL

T...............................TWINKLING

A...............................AGELESS

L...............................LOVELY
U...............................UNIQUE,UNUSUAL

C................................CHARMING, CREATIVE, COOL

I.................................INTERESTING

A................................AMAZING

STUNNING WELCOME AND VIEW This island is as lovely and stunning as a sincere saint named Lucia. Here's a stunning view of the island and our cruise ship from a photo stop. Everybody will be inspired to be an artist even if you had only done paint by numbers or did coloring books. This dreamy paradise will inspire you where ever you go around the island.
ADORABLE ISLAND AND COUPLE Enjoyable royal breakfast at our cruise ship (Crown Princess) before the 7 1/2 hours tour of Sta. Lucia island. The view is also adorable from this spot. NATURAL BEAUTY ON EVERY SIDE Sta. Lucia is a natural beauty inside and outside. The tour was a leisurely drive around the island, feasting our eyes with awesome views of the crystalline and colorful ocean. This natural setting will surely be a life changing experience for everybody. You don't have to be an artist, poet or musician to be awestruck by the natural beauty of Sta. Lucia. TWINKLING AND SPARKLING OCEAN VIEW AROUND THE ISLAND This scenic east coast took our breath away. We had a photo stop on this rugged but picturesque Atlantic coastline. Just being here, and the mixture of the ocean and the rocks come together, it's really a spiritual experience. To be around a place that the Master Designer (God) created that is this huge, it's a little bit humbling. A new sparkling view can change your perspective in life and put twinkle in your eyes.
AGELESS This awesome view is ageless and will transport you to a Paradise. Who said, there is no paradise on earth? This earthly paradise is a real place where time and age do not exists. Once you saw this place and reached the peak, your worry will disappear, smile will be sweeter, and outlook brighter. That's why you'll feel........ ageless.

LOVELY TOGETHER This is a lovely view from the top of an electric power house. The lovely view of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea merging together will remain in our memories and hearts forever. Traveling two by two is the best way I know to climb the mountains of life. Each plateau is special, and when you and your mate stand together, each achievement is doubled in joy.
UNIQUE Ever seen a drive - in volcano? We did! We journeyed to Sulphur Springs, the world's only drive in volcano. Only in Sta. Lucia could you drive a car through a dormant volcano.

Real life is not always mountain -top experience. Sometimes life is flat like going through a dormant volcano. In art variety and texture make a painting more interesting. So is it in real life. Variety is the spice of life.
UNUSUAL We're not so far away from the volcano. A close up of the unusual volcano. The sulphur smelled........... awful but the different textures are worth a peek.
CHARMING BALENBOUCHE ESTATE This French estate is one of the few surviving original plantation in Sta. Lucia. It is surrounded with sprawling tropical gardens with colorful flowers and fruit trees. A charming place for an artist studio but not easy to maintain. It's versus painting or owning a huge estate that's burdensome to maintain. I'd chose a small loft or space, where, I'd be free to paint and do whatever I like to do.

CHARMING ESTATE PLANTATION HOUSE Its colonial architecture dates back to the early 19th century and rooms are furnished with antiques from around the same period. Traces of a pre-Columbian presence are also evident at the estate and include rock basins, petroglyphs, and a collection of artifacts.
CHARMING TROPICAL MANGOES Reminded me of Gauguin's mango paintings. When he lived in Tahiti, he painted lots of juicy mangoes plucked off the tree - in deep yellow, orange and red. What fruit has the combined flavor of very ripe peaches, apricots and pineapples? Why, the mango, of course. The green mangoes will turn yellow or orange when ripe. If you've never tried one, you're in for a tropical treat. Varying in size, shape and color, mangoes offer a juicy yellow-orange flesh with a rich taste and spicy aroma.
CHARMING AND COLORFUL PAPAYA TREE Gauguin loved to paint the papaya tree too. Many of his landscapes are dotted with papaya trees. I love to eat papaya but never painted one. Someday???????????? COOL TAMARIND TREE AND FRUIT The color of tamarind is brown -from light to dark brown. Not very colorful to paint but very delicious fruit to eat especially for conceiving women.

COOL THATCHED HUT Americans call this type of house "thatched hut." But in my heart and mind, it will always be my small "nipa hut." Seeing this nipa hut transported me back to my roots, to our small town and province in Victoria, Tarlac (Philippines). It also reminded me of many Filipino paintings. Gauguin painted this hut too. Usually this cool nipa hut is a popular subject in tropical places.

COOL AND CHARMING VILLAGE Love this charming setting. Reminded me of a Philippine village or Hawaiian village. The village is a colorful riot of tropical flowers and trees. It makes you want to take off and play like little kid again. Let's start doing finger-painting, huh?

COOL AND CUTE NIPA HUT. Reminded me of my birth place. I was born during World War II and hospitals were closed. One day, my mother told me..."All of my children were born in the hospital except you. You were born inside a simple nipa hut." During that time, I felt sorry for myself. But after traveling so many Paradises, I discovered that the thatched hut is a symbol of paradise. Isn't a nipa hut more charming than a sterile, white hospital? A nipa hut is surrounded with whispering palm trees, swaying mango trees, breezy bamboos and pretty papaya trees. Wow! It's a humble dwelling and birth place, but you know what, I would never exchange it for a high-tech hospital. This is as close to paradise as you can get.
INTERESTING The magnificent Pitons (twin peaks) rising over 2,600 feet above the azure waters of the Caribbean. This is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

IMPRESSIVE The Pitons are impressive site and here's a photo taken during one stop......."Wish You're Here!" With travel, our minds become more curious and creative, our hearts more powerful and our spirits more joyous.

P.S. The peaks reminded us of a famous landmark. Bora-Bora? Bali-Hai? Nope! Wake up! This is Sta. Lucia. AMAZING OCEAN COLORS You'll never get depressed here even if you're surrounded with many different kinds of blue colors. Let me count the blues-aqua, aquamarine, azure, blueberry, cerulean, cobalt blue, cobalt, indigo, lapis lazuli, dark blue, light blue, medium blue, navy, navy blue, Prussian blue, powder blue, robin's-egg blue, ultramarine, sapphire, sky blue, turquoise. Now you know as many kinds of blues, you can start painting your room blue. It's a calming and relaxing color. You'll have a good night sleep and dream of many more "Paradises" to come.

FAREWELL THOUGHT: When you come to Paradise, leave your laptop, alarm clock and cell phone at home. When you return, everything will be recharged, especially YOU! Just once in a life time, everyone should have the opportunity to taste Paradise. Till our next tour!

ART OF CRUISING THE CARIBBEAN -3

"The art of seeing nature is a thing almost as much to be acquired as the art of reading Egyptian hieroglyphics." -Constable

BEAUTIFUL BARBADOS It is one of the few Caribbean islands solely colonized by one nation, England. No wonder, you'll hear English names like Worthy and Hastings or that you find a Trafalgar Square here. But look around and you'll know you're not in London. Barbados is rich and fertile tropical fields meet a glistening azure sea.

JOHN CONSTABLE was a leading English landscape painter. He is known mainly for his paintings of the rural areas of Southern England. Constable emphasized such environmental features as the appearance of the sky and clouds, and the effects of lights and shadow on the landscape. He believed such features in a painting reflected nature accurately. Constable fresh style influenced the Impressionist painters. Constable used vivid colors in many of his earlier paintings. After his wife died, he painted a number of dark, moody pictures that reflected his depression. There is no other artist more qualified to be our imaginary tour guide of Barbados than Constable. Let's trust his artistic eyes, so we can see natural landscapes at its best.

B.........................BEAUTIFUL
A........................ATTRACTIVE, ALIVE, ALLURING

R........................REJUVENATING

B........................BATHING BEAUTY

A........................ARTISTIC

D........................DELIGHTFUL

O........................OLD-FASHIONED
S........................SPECTACULAR

BEAUTIFUL BRIDGETOWN With colorful buildings. this small downtown will transport you to Trafalgar Square in London. Sometimes called "England in the Caribbean." This town is graced with such sights as Heroes Square and the Houses of Parliament. But it's the vibrant Caribbean colors that makes this island beautiful to the eyes.

ATTRACTIVE BARBADOS LANDSCAPE This attractive rural setting will get your attention and inspire you to start painting like the Impressionists artists. The Impressionist don't see and paint things as they are, but as how they feel about it. You don't have to be as skillful as Constable. You can paint like the impressionist. Paint what you feel.

ALIVE! What will make you feel more alive in this island? Not Starbucks coffee! But swaying palms and colorful Caribbean beach towels with vibrant patterns and prints. Think bold colors - deep orange, red, blue, purple and green. All these palette of colors are not imaginary. Just look around you and you'll see naturally bold colors dancing everywhere. Bright colors send the eyes dancing and the heart pumping.

REJUVENATING SUNSET Nothing is more rejuvenating to the body, soul and spirit than basking in the colorful glow of a legendary Caribbean sunset. This, I thought, is what Heaven is like, a vast expanse filled with beauty. Everywhere, I looked, my vision was filled with dizzying array of orange and yellow in every shade, tint, gleaming in a kaleidoscope of dazzling sunset color.

BATHING BEAUTY Oh beautiful! Just beautiful! This beguiling huge rock is named after a beautiful woman named BATHSHEBA. If you remember your Bible story, Bathsheba was the bathing beauty that made King David fall into sin. You'll feel good when you look at "Bathsheba" but men "Beware!"

ARTISTIC ROCK This artistic, natural rock is created by Mother Nature. Not even Michelangelo can create something like this.

DELIGHTFUL OCEAN VIEW This is a real gem you won't want to miss, and become part of the delightful cutting-edge seascape. Many of the beautiful views shown on my blog were photographed by my husband. This view is taken 800 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. My husband is not an artist but has a good photographic eyes. Photography is one of his hobbies. With practice he is able to capture, delightful Barbados landscapes and seascapes in just few seconds. Its ironic that it took Constable months or years to paint his many English landscapes. During his time, there was no digital camera yet.

OLD-FASHIONED CHURCH Visited and discovered St. John's Church perched 800 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. This old church reminded us of Westminster Abbey in London. This is a mini-version of that great cathedral. Like the Abbey this very old church has tombs inside and is surrounded with grave yards. It looks creepy if not for the beautiful ocean view below.

OLD-FASHIONED GRAVEYARD This graveyard is artistically landscaped with creepy-looking trees. I wonder why artist don't paint graveyards.

SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF THE CARIBBEAN FROM BARBADOS This spectacular view of sky and sea is a nice stand-in for a Constable painting without the palm tree and a ship. Although this is not a Constable painting, the setting truly inspired me. There are other ways to be inspired but for me the SEA is number one. The place I feel more serene and relax are always by the sea.

PARTING THOUGHT: I read a story about a man who picked up an old, dried-out starfish. With great care he put it back in the sea. He said, "Oh, its just dried out but when it gets moisture again, it's going to come back to life." Many times, we get to the point where we sort of dry out, and all we need is a little more moisture to get started again. For me, after a cruise and seeing vast ocean, I am raring to get back to my easel, paintbrushes and writing. My creative juices started flowing again.

ART OF CRUISING THE CARIBBEAN -2

"Remember that imagination is the faculty of the soul and that when it suggests new pathways to us we are being invited to explore the territory of the soul in ways that certainly change and re-enchant us." - Caitlin Matthews

PUERTO RICO (OLD SAN JUAN) - This is one of the places my husband and I dreamed of seeing someday. It's unbelievable we finally reached this dream destination. This"new pathways" which opened to us is worth exploring. In the process, it certainly changed and re- enchanted our imaginations and souls. This island is just 100 miles long and 30 miles wide. Puerto Rico is an island bursting with variety. It has mountains to climb, rain forests to hike, a cosmopolitan metropolis for dining, fine museums, quaint villages, colorful architecture that begs to take pictures.

U.S. TERRITORY Before it became a U.S. territory in 1898, this small island spent 400 years as a Spanish possession. Today's vibrant Puerto Rican society is an exuberant blend of native Indian, Spanish and African culture, with a generous helping of modern Americana. Puerto Rico is always lively and never, ever-boring. Rapid-fire Spanish is the dominant language among the 3.8 million inhabitants, but English is widely spoken and friendliness is the order of the day.

PAUL KLEE He ranks among the greatest and most original masters of modern painting. Klee's thousands of paintings and drawings are masterpieces of fantasy, wit and invention. His paintings are filled with childlike symbols and writing that hint at a mysterious inner vision of the world and its inhabitants. He said, "One eye sees, the other feels." How about inviting an artist like Paul Klee to be our imaginary tour guide in Old San Juan? Why him? Paul is not an ordinary guide. Most tour guides talk non-stop. Paul is different - very imaginative and witty. He suggested that when you see the world, you have to use both eyes, one for seeing, the other for feeling. That's the way to to have a balance outlook. Now, let's see this old city through the perspective of a modern artist. I think it's interesting mixing the modern eye with old-fashioned feeling .

P......................PETTY, PANORAMIC, PRECIOUS

U......................UNIQUE, UNUSUAL

E......................EXCITING, ENIGMATIC

R......................RAVISHING, RESTFUL

T......................TERRIFIC, TASTEFUL

O......................OLDIES, OCEAN-FUL

R......................RICH

I.......................INTERESTING, INVITING

C......................CHARMING,CALM

O......................OPULENT, ORIGINAL

PRETTY Welcome to Old San Juan (Puerto Rico). Yes, Old San Juan is like a pretty elderly woman. Surely, it's the old lines, marks and antiquities that makes this city very pretty and interesting. NO kidding! In the same thought, I think an elderly woman can also be pretty and age gracefully without hiding her lines or wrinkles. Fort Morro never had a face lift after 400 years and remained pretty as it is. Feeling pretty has something to do with our attitude toward aging. It is no longer about how old you are. It's about how old you feel. In the art world, we use different lines-straight, diagonal or curve to create pretty paintings and designs. Paul as a contemporary artist never painted portrait. While the Renaissance artists painted detailed portraits. Paul often used lines to impart symbols and mystery in his modern paintings which are beautiful despite of mostly suggestive lines.

PANORAMIC This is the panoramic view of the ocean surrounding Fort Morro in Old San Juan. This pretty fort is built along the ocean. Good for romantic strolling, sunset-watching, relaxing or just feeling the balmy Caribbean breeze. See the different shades of blue from sky to sea - sapphire, indigo, turquoise, aqua, azure, etc. This blue palette are often used by many artists to make your world and mind calm and restful.

PRECIOUS This treasured and precious monument was a tribute to Christopher Columbus, who was the first explorer to sail through the more than 50 beautiful islands and cays in the Caribbean. Who created this sculpture? I have no idea, but he was as great as the image he sculpted.
ENIGMATIC Oh yes! Old San Juan is an enigmatic, living, and breathing city, filled with intriguing colorful shops, fine art galleries, charming hotels and restaurants. Its enigma magnetized us and many tourists plus cruisers flocking to this island. Many tourists appreciated the handcrafted works and paintings of local artists and were buying and collecting them. I look for something simple or complicated, that someone put a lot of thought into making. You'll also feel like you're back to the Old World (Europe) as you walked the narrow and rickety cobblestone streets. Think you're in Old Italy or Old Paris watching by - gone artists recreating their masterpieces.

EXCITING In this town , graceful and colorful colonial buildings are painted in bright pastels. The best way to get around the old city is on foot, since parking is very limited and expensive within the historic city. In touring this old city, we exercised not only our eyes and heart but our feet, as well. Be always curious and insightful. See beyond the box and feel like the Impressionists painters. Bright colors will make you feel good, as you see this old city glowing with radiance.
RAVISHING Seeing this ravishing ocean from Fort Morro will re-connect you to the past. This place is rich in history. While here, you'll imagine walking with senoritas and senoritos strolling through history. What a wonderful way to get acquainted with the Old City.

RESTFUL What a place to get away! I recommend leaving. As long as you are in your home, something will keep you busy. The laundry piles up, e-mail messages wait to be answered, the kitchen sink is full of dishes, the garden needs cutting, and the weeds thrive in the flowerbeds. The phone rings and even if you don't answer it, you fret about whether it is an emergency. To be fully inspired, you have to trade your home space for something extra-ordinary. A restful scene will make you feel less stress and more creative.

TASTEFUL To walk the ramparts of historic Fort Morro in the Old San Juan is a step back in history. In fact, you'll feel transported to the Caribbean of Spanish Colonial lore throughout the old city. You'll feel hungry too from non-stop walking. Your feet will ache and beg you to stop. What to do? Take time to eat refreshing and tasteful Caribbean cuisine at Cafe Amapola. The tapas are "simply deliciosioso." This Cafe is located between Fort Morro and Fort Cristobal, facing the charming Caribbean ocean.
TERRIFIC! What a terrific painting! This huge hibiscus flower will greet you happily upon entering the cafe. You know how it feels to walk into a welcoming restaurant. Something about the painting or decor makes you feel good and comfortable. Think happy complimentary color- red and green. Complimentary colors give lots of excitement. Just by looking at this pretty painting the bright colors will send your eyes dancing with the swaying palms and breezes. You don't have to splurge on a pricey Pina Colada. Save your $6.00 for nice, handcrafted jewelry made by local artists.

OLDIES BUT GOLDIES How does it feels to be strolling among the old ramparts of historic Fort Morro? It feels like strolling among old buccaneers and pirates of the Caribbean, I guess. But today, you can see and savor many golden historical memories. Some will give you the creeps.OLDIES BUT GOODIES Here, you can see canons, bastions, powder houses and most of all the wall that surrounds the city of Old San Juan. This system of defense is a reminder of Spain's power and significance of Puerto Rico, the guardian of and the front door to the wealth of the Caribbean, centuries ago.
OCEAN-FUL This inspirational ocean setting is soothing to the eyes. It is not over-rated that the Caribbean ocean is flowing with many different shades of blue - from light blue, medium blue to dark blue. It surely gives artists an ocean-ful palette of blue colors. So many choices for the artists. Blue is a calming color, and the Caribbean has all the blue colors you can imagine.
RICH This richly colored yellow El Convento Hotel is formerly an old monastery. It is converted into an old-fashioned hotel. Very interesting place to stroll with lovely garden, restaurants and art display. It will made you feel serene. The old monastic feel is still there.INTERESTING What an interesting architectural detail! This is not an old grave but an entrance to somewhere?. What a nice marbleized color combination - yellow ochre with black and gray! These natural colors are obtained through the passing of centuries. A natural process of aging.
INVITING Another interesting architectural detail. This handsome tower reconnects us to the Old Intramuros in Manila but this one is more massive and far more grander. The Spaniards fortified this fort to the "max" that no enemies were able to destroy it.
CHARMING Another charming view of the tower. This is the narrow passage leading to the look-out. WOW! You'll see a charming and calming blue ocean around. What do the Pyramids of Egypt and Manchu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas high in the Andes, have in common with the forts of Old San Juan? All are monuments whose splendor enriches each of us, and all are World Heritage Sites, whose exceptional universal cultural value has been recognized by the international community. This World Heritage Sites have been pledged by their nations to be preserved and protected, with the support of the entire nation, for future generations as the greatest treasures of humankind.
ORIGINAL This is the original site, where the famous Pina Colada was created by Don Ramon. Cheers to this beautiful, old city of San Juan!

TO SEE IS TO BELIEVE When you see something, you believe it right? Hopefully, as you see these photos you have a better perspective of Puerto Rico and that you believe how pretty it is. Let's start listening to Paul Klee. Let's see the world with one eye and feel with the other. What you see will only be meaningful if you have emotional attachment to it. If you see it without any feeling, it's nothing. Till our next tour.

ART OF CRUISING THE CARIBBEAN - 1

"AS THE MIND CLEARS, THE EYES SEE MORE." - From Four Seasons Resort

ENRICHMENT AND INSPIRATION As an artist these are my main goals in taking a cruise or vacation. As I said before, I get my best ideas and inspiration for my painting while on a vacation. I get energized and inspired that I could hardly wait to get back to my easel and paintbrushes. Although painting is not my primary source of income, it's my passion. I feel fulfilled and happy, when I am painting or creating. On the other hand, if I don't travel, routine depletes me of my creative energy. So I need to travel to clear my mind and spirit of clutter, tension and routine. But most of all to enjoy a creative life.

CHARMING CARIBBEAN Last February of this year, my husband and I took a cruise to the Southern Caribbean. Although this was our third cruise to the Caribbean, indeed it was still an exciting trip. As you know, we are island addicts and never got bored visiting as many islands. Prior to our seven-day cruise aboard the Crown Princess we stayed in Puerto Rico, where we embarked on our cruise.
HYATT HACIENDA DEL MAR IN PUERTO RICO This is the vacation club where we stayed to re-energize our bodies and refocus our minds. It is true that as the mind clears, the eyes see more. Life is gracious and unhurried at this beachfront destination located on Puerto Rico's famed Dorado Beach. Hyatt Hacienda del Mar is the perfect place to call home away from home - on the water, surrounded by tropical splendor and steps away from a wealth of relaxing activities and amenities. Come and join us and see this place through the imaginative eyes and point of view of an artist.

H....................HOSPITABLE, HANDSOME, HAPPY, HEAVENLY
Y....................YUMMY
A....................ALIVE
T....................TANTALIZING
T....................THRILLING


D....................DAZZLING
O....................ORDINARY (NOT)
R....................RADIANT
A....................ALLURING
D....................DARLING
O....................OPULENT

HOSPITABLE Think outside the box. See and look at a vacation place beyond its number of stars. Being a Hospitable Host outshines even the finest -five -star hotels like Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton. Hospitality is subjective. Welcome to the Hyatt Vacation Club! Yes, this luxurious vacation club chain is very hospitable, friendly and not too formal. They go out of their way, to pamper their guests without being robbed of too many tips.

HANDSOME Of course my husband couldn't surpass the "handsomeness" of this Hyatt Vacation Club. As they said......"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." If you ask me what I think about this guy, I'd say..."Si! (YES!)..... he's handsome. He would be a good subject for a portrait painting.

HAPPY According to research the happiest people in the world are those who build sand castle. Where else do you build a sand castle but on a white sand beach? Then invite Michelangelo and Rodin in your imagination. Play and sculpt sand castle together for hours. I bet, you'll be the happiest people in the world. It's an artistic adventure worth your time.

HAPPILY and merrily pose beside a sand castle. If you can't own a real Castle, this is the next best thing to having one. Living in a castle is not a guarantee that you'll be happy. Building a simple sand castle will bring you more happiness, because you'll not be burdened with a huge mortgage payment. You'll have more time to enjoy a creative life.

HOSPITABLE RECEPTION...........and of course very attractive lounge. The receptionists have romantic tones and musical voices with Spanish accents. Most Puerto Rican's are bilingual. Part of the task of the arts is to overcome border (language barrier).

HEAVENLY VIEWS Having a heavenly time from our balcony. What is more inspiring to an artist than a heavenly views with countless swaying palm trees and azure ocean beyond. I don't know about you, but this is my idea of Paradise. I am itching to paint, but when on vacation, it's my break time.

HEAVENLY PANORAMA Am I DREAMING? NO!!!!!!! This is a living colorful paradise set in Hyatt Dorado Beach.

YUMMY Indulging and craving for Japanese Food? This is Paradise but we get hungry too. Time to feast our bodies. Let's have teppanyaki dinner at the Zen Garden Restaurant inside the resort. The food is so...... ......yum....yummy. The cooking show was entertaining and the service ...... so good.

ALIVE This place is sooooooo.....alive with beautiful and colorful tropical flowers. Think complimentary colors (red and green) with tint of yellow. Complimentary colors will make you feel alive. No wonder, while on vacation, everything look brighter, bolder, and more beautiful.

THRILLING Whoever designed this waterfall is a very talented person. What is more thrilling that hearing the sound of running water from this exquisitely man-made waterfall? In Japan, the running of water is a ceremony. Everybody would listen. The sound of the falling water would be almost overpoweringly thrilling. I think of how many people run water in the sinks every single day and never hear it. When was the last time you listened to water and looked at a waterfall? It's thrilling! If there's no waterfall around, open the faucet in your home and listen. Isn't that thrilling?
TANTALIZING Electronic engineers could design a powerful water-dam but only an ordinary landscape designer or architect could built a tantalizing and wonderful water-fall like this?

DAZZLING See........ a dazzling display of natural beauty - dancing blue-green ocean, swaying green palms, blue sky, and white waves. What a dazzling and colorful scenery for future landscape paintings!
ORDINARY? NO way! The countless native palm trees and fresh green coconuts look ordinary but not here in the Caribbean. When you see acres and acres of palm trees they look amazing in huge numbers. This island is surrounded with countless of extraordinary palm trees in all kinds of heights, sizes, shapes, colors, postures and perspectives. I can see great beauty and inspiration on palm trees. It's not an ordinary subject to paint. I have seen lots of good art works about the palm trees and they are inspiring and wonderful.

ORDINARY? Nope! The palm trees may look ordinary but I find the them fascinating subjects for my paintings. The palm trees have many slim and creative lines with angles that could be twisted anyway I like to paint them. I could paint the palm trees as colorful as the Caribbean, with many vibrant colors. This is the impressionists way of painting a palm tree. You paint it not as you see it but how you feel about it.

RADIANT On a clear day............you can see forever. What do you see when the mind is clear? Blue sky, turquoise ocean, azure waves, green palms, red hat, tropical red blouse, white sand, and radiant smile. Learn to see like an artist. Notice the colors around you and you'll have a radiant life bursting with creativity.
ALLURING What is more alluring to an artist than relaxing on a secluded and serene beach? At this time (February) it was less crowded. This kind of setting jump starts my creative juices and gives me many ideas for future paintings.
ASTONISHING! Would you believe that there is natural gigantic rock on the beach awaiting for us? This is really an astonishing beautiful Caribbean hideaway. This is a perfect place for seclusion. I crave this kind of seclusion to be able to focus on my painting. Wish I can take this rock back home to California but it's only a fantasy. Wake up Artist!

DARLING Yes, this Hyatt Vacation Club is a...... darling including the artist standing before you.Oh my darling! Oh my darling......Ebb Tide! What will we do without artists in this world? It will be a dull world, huh?

OPULENT Yes, this vacation club has 3 huge swimming pools and two huge Jacuzzis. We preferred this secluded Jacuzzi with covered patio. A tired artist and a stressed-out husband needed all the pampering and relaxation from this kind of paradise before embarking on a cruise and then going back to reality. After four days in paradise, our minds are cleared and our eyes are ready to see more of the beauty of the Caribbean.