Will not be uploading on here anymore, please go check out my other blogs!

Please visit my other blogs for I will not be posting anymore on this blog.

Travel: WanderlustwithAlice.com
Beauty: Wanderbeautywithalice.blogspot.com
Creations: Wandercreativitywithalice.blogspot.com (coming soon)

Thank you so much for understanding! I am trying to create a name brand for myself and Ecilaluvitall is just too confusing and hard to remember, so I decided to change it to something more real and catchy! =)

After this year, 2013, this blog will be deleted! Thank you for those that have passed by here or have read this blog continually for showing your support. It means the world to me!

Lick Observatory

It was one of the first mountain top astronomical observatory in the world, and to this day it still holds the 3rd largest refracting telescope (91 cm reflector), right behind, C. Donald Shane Telescope (3 m reflector) and Automated Planet Finder Telescope (2.4 m reflector). 

The companies behind the engineering and science of the telescope are Warner& Swassey Company, and Alvan Clark &  sons. However, the man behind the money, whose fortune allowed this construction to take place is  James Lick, who was the richest man in California back in the 1870s.

Lick Observatory is located on top of Mt. Hamilton. The drive to get there can be interesting depending on which road you decide to take. If you choose its original road, Mt. Hamilton Rd, you will find yourself making hundreds of sharp turns on a narrow steep path, that can be scary at times. This road was originally built for horses and mules, not cars.

After braving the drive up you will be awarded by an incredible view of the valley below, as well as, a decent size village to explore on top. 

The village consist of a police station, one-room school house, and a post office. Not too long ago, there were as much as 26 families that took residence here, but due to a lost of funding, life on Mt. Hamilton has dwindled. 

Before construction

The observatory consists of multiple telescopes now. Two are available to be viewed for free by visitors. The Visitor Center and Observatory Main Building that houses James Lick telescope is open at noon to 5:00 PM, where every half hour or so there is a free docent presentation about the Lick Telescope and the history of the Observatory. James Lick actually never lived to see his telescope finished, but his body was actually buried right beneath the telescope. His tomb reads, "Here lies the body of James Lick."


Come visit my new blog that I update at least twice a week! WanderlustWithAlice.com

XOXO Alice

SeaCliff State Beach, Aptos, CA

What an incredible view! The name "SeaCliff" suits this beach well, for the beach is between the ocean and a steep hill. Visitors enter the beach from the bluff side, and as they make their way down to the sand, they are met with an incredible view of the ocean. What a great image while hiking down!

This beach is a popular spot for beach camping enthusiasts. There is a personal area for RUVs parking, and each happy camper adds their own little homier touch to their designated areas. I even saw one with a tiki-bar set up near the car's door! The beach also have a array of beach houses along the beach end, between Seacliff and its neighboring beach, Brighton State Beach.

In the middle of the beach is a pier with an old looking object at the end. As you get closer, not only do you realize it is a freighter ship made of concrete, named "The Palo Alto", but there is also this pungent smell coming from the ship itself. As you brave the walk towards the smell, and realize that seabirds have long claimed this ship to be their own. Unfortunately, the birds leave a lot of surprises along the deck. For more information of "The Palo Alto", click on the link provided. 

SeaCliff is a great beach to bring man's best friend, with miles of sand for the friendly canines to run in, the dogs are free to go wild (lease necessary). With the tide bringing in treasures, while also taking away sand, it is easy to find pieces of shells and special rocks wherever you step. If you look hard enough, whole shells, as well as, fossil-rocks can be found. Now isn't that a special treat from a special beach.

XOXO Alice

Chinese New Year Parade

Pictures are from 2012 Parade

I heard the chiming of symbols, the consistent rhythm of drums and the marching of the feet, I know the first wave of paraders are just around the corner. Sure enough, after a few anxious micro-seconds came the first car, and then some flag wavers, characters on stilts, a section for our friendly firefighters, and finally one of the many Chinese dragons, Chinese New Year's Mascot. The dragon is the Chinese symbol for good luck and fortune, among other Asian countries.

Every February in San Francisco, Downtown holds one of their annual parades in celebration of the coming year for the Chinese. The Chinese make up nearly 8 percent of San Francisco's population with an Asian population of 23.3 percent. With San Francisco being home to the largest China town in the Western countries, I got to say, this parade is a big deal, with its firecrackers and all! 

A few hours back, the streets are in chaos, trying to prepare for the upcoming parade. The benches and fences are being set up. The police force is trying to navigate cars to go a different route, making sure the streets are people-safe. You can see early-birds marking their territory to watch the show, which I admire their patience and bravery for sitting out in the freezing cold for the next few hours. However, I do recommend picking your desired spot within a good half hour before the parade starts, because once it does, good luck with being able to see anything!

Look at their spikes!!!

The parade itself was festive. There were at least a dozen different dragons, in all colors, shapes, and sizes that walked by. Each made an entrances with gongs, drums, and symbols. Lantern structures added a nice touch to the lighting, especially when the sun started to set, and a gloomy shadow swept through the city, the lanterns added back the lost, warm colors. Church groups, school marching bands, and even little toddlers dressed as little red dragons (so adorable) took place in the parade.

This year, 2013, the year of the Snake, the parade is on Saturday, February 23rd on 730 Sacramento Street, San Francisco. Hope you can make it! 




XOXO Alice

Related post: Chinese Fish Market
                    Chinatown, San Francisco

Foodie Favs: Cherry!, Santa Clara, CA

From the outside, there is a huge red Cherry logo on the restaurant's roof, and once you step foot into the place is a huge painting of some cherries. Okay, we get it, this place is called Cherry, but it is a Japanese Restaurant with its focus on sushi dishes...good sushi, I must add!

The ambiance is calm here, with dark furniture and flooring, giving it an elegant vibe. I got to say, this is perfect for a dinner date or even a business dinner. With a back room and a front room full of tables, yet spacious, there is always a table open, without a wait. Service is quite attentive in the front room, however, a little lacking in the back, something they should definitely work on, since I remember it took forever to receive my check. 

Yellowtail Sashimi

My usual order

Nowadays, I order-to-go here, and here is what I order each time: A dragon Roll, a plate of Yellowtail Sashimi, and a Philly Roll, and another random roll. Their prices are decent, around $12-$18 for fancy rolls, and $5-$7 for the simple rolls. Their fish taste fresh and the sushi chefs are careful for the most part in0 keeping their rolls neatly made, which, personally for me , visual display is a big deal. 


If you are in the Santa Clara area, I highly recommend in coming here for dinner. It's located on a main road of El Camino Real, so it is an easy access.

For more information, here is their website: Cherry Sushi
  Happy Eating your Heart out!
XOXO Alice

Leaving 2012 -- Into 2013

And the ball drops!

2013 is finally here, and I am so excited for what's to come! 2012 had been a great year and it was mainly due to the fact that I got things done! I told myself that 2012 was my year to finally go for my dream with no excuses. So I re-started my blogs with a vengeance and I have to admit, even though I am nowhere near to where I want to be, I did make progress and I followed through! All that matters, is that I tried, not necessarily the hardest but I didn't give up like I usually do or get bored. That's me, getting lazy or bored, and then start on a new project, well...none of that anymore! 

So 2012, I got things done! 2013 is where I continue onto the pace I have set myself, and amp it up a few more notches, because 2013 is hustle year. Hustle, Hustle, Hustle, and Plan, Plan, Plan, and Work, Work, Work!!!!! 




So expect at least one new post every week here!
Expect two or more new posts on WanderlustWithAlice every week!
And expect a new travel video or travel vlog every month!

These are my goals and I expect to follow through, like 2012! 

So what are your resolutions for 2013?? Comment below and let me know!!!!!

XOXO Alice

Marine Mammal Rescue Center

From far away, in a small fenced-off tiny swimming pool, lays two sea lions, side by side. They look asleep, content and comfortable, but what the naked eye cannot see is the psychical pain these two sweet looking sea lions are going through. One has been shot in the face by allegedly a fisherman, and the other is blind from cataracts.