The places we explored
“BETWEEN THE PAGES OF A BOOK IS A LOVELY PLACE TO BE”
History
THE PHILIPPINES: MIGRATION, TRADE, COLONIALISM & WARFARE
The Philippines had been colonized by Spain for over three hundred years, followed by annexation by the United States for forty-eight years after the Spanish-American War. Then came a short occupation by the Japanese during World War II, the end of which finally resulted in peace and the country’s liberation. Prior to colonialism, trading with neighboring countries had been carried out by the native Filipino people even before the Spanish came. But colonialism forever changed the lives of the natives, both in terms of culture and mentality. These changes were both good and bad, depending on one’s perceptions and understanding. For the “Old World” empires, competing for maritime trade with Asia, the Philippine archipelago’s strategic location could not have been better.
Hiking Trails
TRAILS WORTH TREKKING: MY NOTABLE HIKES
This book is a memoir about Hermann’s adventures in the world of mountains. It is not a hiking guidebook, but rather a narrative describing the most memorable hikes he has completed in various places around the world. Insight into the locales where these hikes have taken place adds some local flavor to the narrative. He shares these memories both in words and photographs that he and his wife, Vien, have taken while wearing out many pairs of hiking boots.
Travel Books
A ROAD TRIP IN ITALY: FROM THE ALPS TO THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE RENAISSANCE
It had been several years since Vien and Hermann went on a road trip abroad. But after the world shut down to most traveling due to the pandemic (COVID 19), and them afterwards moving to another state, they were back exploring once again, this time in Italy. Their journey began in the Alps in northern Italy, down to Emilia-Romagna, then over the Apennines to Liguria and finally to Tuscany. For three weeks they explored rich historic towns, hiked in the Alps with friends, and tasted the local food. Throughout their journey, they encountered unexpected hiccups but also discovered fantastic hidden gems.
ROAD TRIP IN THE BRITISH ISLES PART II: SCOTLAND
Scotland’s tumultuous history and the country’s dramatic landscapes is what made this two-week road trip for Vien and Hermann worth remembering years afterward. From the Lowlands to the Highlands and back, they found interesting places to explore – ancient sites, monuments, cathedrals and churches, castles and hiking trails. Also on this trip they indulged their palates with delicious local foods, including game meat and the traditional haggis, without breaking the bank.
Throughout their journey they found that most historic sites they visited in the country are, somehow or other, interconnected with the Scots’ historic struggle for independence from the British – the abolition of the monarchy, the battles of the rightful heirs to the throne, the Union of the Crowns and the Scots’ religious and mythical beliefs.
ROAD TRIP IN THE BRITISH ISLES PART I: IRELAND
The Emerald Isle’s rich history, which began way back in the Stone Age and continued through the years of the English rule to the present day, is what made this trip for Vien and Hermann an enriching journey. For two weeks, they immersed themselves in everything Irish, exploring the southern half of the island. Follow their path as they visited fascinating ancient sites, fantastic churches and cathedrals, interesting castles, charming towns and fishing villages. They visited parks and national parks, tasted delicious local food and found out what it was like to converse with friendly locals and laugh at their humor.
IBERIAN ROAD TRIP: PORTUGAL & SPAIN
Europe has always fascinated Vien and her husband Hermann as a place to explore. On this journey, they did not do any hiking or exploring of nature’s wonders. This time they focused on discovering amazing historic sites, conversing with the locals and eating delicious gastronomic delights. For three weeks they explored Iberia, starting in Portugal, “The Land of Discoveries”, then crossing the border into Spain. After exploring the region of Extremadura, the birthplace of some of the famous conquistadors, they crossed back again into Portugal. Follow them as they discovered incredible historic sites left behind since Neolithic times by the Romans, Moors and the early Christians. Oh! They also took a train ride up the Douro Valley, the wine country of Portugal. Port anyone? This might be their best road trip yet in Europe.
NEW ZEALAND “THE LAND OF THE LONG WHITE CLOUD”
Vien and her husband Hermann ventured on another road trip, this time in New Zealand, “The Land of the Long White Cloud”. They lived in a camper van (except for the first four nights staying with friends in Auckland), staying from one camp to another as they worked their way down from central North Island to the South Island. They explored parts of the country’s unique and diverse natural wonders – beaches, waterfalls, lakes, thermal features, rain forests, volcanoes, glaciers and fiords. In between, they visited historic towns, tasted the local food and experienced the local Maori culture.
A ROAD TRIP: SWITZERLAND & GERMANY
Vien loves going on a road trips with her husband Hermann, mostly here in America. But this time they decided to do a road trip abroad, most particularly in Europe. They started in Switzerland, passing by Austria to Germany and then back to Switzerland. Vien and Hermann explored not only the popular historic sites but also out of the way places where few tourist go. They tasted the local food, hiked in the Alps and experienced a car mishap. This book will take you on their three week journey and you will learn about history, the food, the medieval towns, churches and castles as you follow in their footsteps.
Garden Books
THE AGONY OF GARDENING: THEN WHY DO I STILL LOVE IT?
As any garden lovers can relate, gardening is not always easy. There are challenges that gardeners need to face – weather, critters, soil, to name a few. It might be a different experience gardening where you live. What I wrote here are the things that I and my husband experienced gardening in Colorado while we lived there, and what we are now experiencing since moving to San Diego County. Two different states with two different sets of challenges. Despite of it all, we enjoy doing it. The benefits of gardening are endless, and we get to eat freshly picked tomatoes.
OUR GARDEN: GARDENING IN COLORADO
Gardening in Colorado is quite different from other states. For one, we have long cold winter months and a short hot summer season. The compilation of this photobook is according to what we (Hermann and I) experienced living and gardening together for eleven years in Colorado. We are neither horticulturists, nor expert gardeners – nor are we trying to be. We just love to garden and share it with you to enjoy and learn something. For those who read my travel books, you know that my husband and I love taking photos. This book has pages of pictures of beautiful and colorful flowers of our garden from spring to fall. As well as small animals that visit our garden; birds, bees and butterflies. Browsing through the pages will make you want to create your own garden; if not, then just enjoy looking at our garden in this book. Enjoy!
Other books by Vien R. Guenther
BOOKS CREATED WITH PHOTOS TAKEN BY HERMANN AND VIEN DURING THEIR HIKING AND TRAVEL ADVENTURES. NATURE’S BEST WAS CAPTURED HERE, ALL PAGES ARE BRIGHT, COLORFUL & INFORMATIVE
Vien R. Guenther 