About
I am a Filipina living in France. Because of my husband’s job, we get the chance to travel and live in different places principally in western Europe. And even without a job, the travelling bug in us takes us into exploring other places, living away from home more often than staying in our own home in France. Through our travels, I get to experience a lot of things - sometimes funny, sometimes frustrating, sometimes mind-blowing, because this continent, despite being a very expensive place, is amazingly steep in culture and history. It is very beautiful as well!
My other passion, besides traveling, is photography. I have accumulated gazillions of them - all taken of my travels - and the time has come that they must see the light.
My photos and my stories make up this website. It is my pleasure to share them with you. Enjoy reading!
mariadams
36 Comments »
Vince on 14 May 2009 at 10:04 pm #
Nice travel page, I thought you would also be interested in a travel community. The site is http://www.explorephilippines.net
Happy traveling
ysmem on 24 Aug 2009 at 9:31 am #
Hi Ms M.
congratulations on your website
thank you for sharing your wonderful pictures & experiences with us
keep posting for more:)
Carol on 27 Aug 2009 at 7:31 am #
Hello Miss Adams?!
Nice website about European countries.Very informative and the pictures are very clear.
Thanks for posting and sharing us your experiences about Europe.
Regards from Carole
mariadams on 28 Aug 2009 at 8:11 pm #
Hello ysmem
Thanks for the congratulatory message! It’s my pleasure to share my stories with the world.
Regards,
Maria
mariadams on 28 Aug 2009 at 8:14 pm #
Hello Carole
Nice to receive a comment from Germany! It’s one of the countries in Europe that are close to our hearts.
Thanks for the compliments!
Bubu on 25 Sep 2009 at 8:52 pm #
Hello Mariadams:
It is wonderful to finally see the person behind this magnificent website!
Congratulations!
All the best,
Bubu
mariadams on 07 Oct 2009 at 4:48 am #
Hello Bubu!
Thank you for the compliments! I saw your message a while back but had no chance of acknowledging as we had been on the road for more than two weeks - yes, another driving adventure which took us to 4 countries - UK, Italy, France, and Switzerland (Greece, where we originated is the 5th). It’s nice to see new places but sometimes you just cringe for the comfort of your own home, hehehe!
yomiuri on 19 Oct 2009 at 7:45 am #
hi maria. congratulations on your new website!
mariadams on 19 Oct 2009 at 8:16 pm #
hello Yomiuri
You found me, finally… Thanks for visiting!
tinlee on 01 Dec 2009 at 1:40 pm #
hi there,
thanks for all the info that u shared with us..
i saw your thread on pex..it’s so addicting that i finished the 100+ pages in 1 sitting. and now it makes me want to call u ate.
i hope that i can also travel someday and put to use all the stuff i learned through your posts…
i am a full time employee and a part-time student..it might be a long way to go for me..but i am optimistic.:)
godspeed to you and your family!!
mariadams on 02 Dec 2009 at 11:21 am #
Hi Tinlee
Of course you can call me ate
I’m glad that you find my thread addicting!
Until ten years ago, I never dreamed of coming to Europe even for a visit! And definitely never imagined myself writing about my travels and sharing it to the world.
I was a full-time employee and a part-time student in my younger days, too, so at least we have something in common.
Who knows, one of these days you might find yourself walking the streets of Paris and writing your travelogue infront of the Eiffel Tower! Nothing is impossible if you work hard to attain your dreams.
tinlee on 06 Dec 2009 at 4:08 pm #
hi ate maria,
thanks a lot for the encouragement..at least now, someone, aside from myself, believes that i can make it..someday.
i just want to share (everyday seems like a battle, i bruised and i bled. but i feel so lucky to feel good as new again every morning and have never felt more ready to face a new challenge).i promise that i will work hard and keep the faith.
thanks for being an inspiration.
i am just curious..do you ever miss home?
merry christmas in advance!
-tinlee
mariadams on 09 Dec 2009 at 2:48 pm #
Hello Tinlee
Yes, life is a continuous battle for everyone. Nobody is spared. It’s happening to us. We see it in our neighbours. We see it in the people we meet in our travels. That’s why they travel because they want to change their situation in life.
We only live once and we are not sure for how long, so while we are able to, let’s work on realizing our dreams. After all, it is us who can change our life for the better. Nobody will.
Do I ever miss home? If you are referring to the Philippines, yes of course. I’d love to go home once a year if I can, especially that my son prefers to lead his life there than in Europe. He’s working now so he’s starting to build a life for himself. And my real home… It’s always with my husband. Life is good with a life’s partner. At least you have someone to plan your life with and to enjoy travelling with.
Whoah! I got carried away here, hehehe!! Hope you will continue visiting
Arla Toledo on 23 May 2010 at 6:40 pm #
Hi Mariadams!
Nice photos! So clear, so artistic! Some subjects are so insignificant to think but because you have taken it beautifully, the subject became meaningful. You’re such an artist!
Sincerely
arlatoledo
mariadams on 23 May 2010 at 11:33 pm #
Hi Arla
I’m blushing….thanks very much for the compliment! Europe can turn everyone into an artist, what with its mind-blowing sceneries, interesting people, amazing sights, sounds and aroma. Thanks for visiting.
Sincerely
Mariadams
Charito Basa on 09 Jul 2010 at 12:17 pm #
Hi Mariadams,
Your photos are great! I see them as if I’ve travelled with you. Salamat for sharing these!
Charito Basa
Rome
mariadams on 10 Jul 2010 at 9:13 pm #
Thanks, Chato!
I just love photography, and no doubt, I am in the right continent for this passion!
Maria
Charito Basa on 24 Sep 2010 at 3:13 pm #
Hi Maria,
I sort of got lost in this special connection. Was busy with community (FIlipino) advocacy and development works.
If you happen to be in Rome, please let me know. I can walk you to different places.
Best regards,
Chato
mariadams on 25 Sep 2010 at 2:40 pm #
Hi Chato!
It’s been my dream to be in Rome…so close yet so far….
Thanks for the invite! And if you happen to be in Paris, I’m just a message away….
Take care,
Maria
mimay on 13 Jan 2011 at 9:42 am #
just thought of landing a job the same as your husband’s. would you mind sharing? i’ve been yearning to travel around the globe. ^^
Vangie on 17 Feb 2011 at 1:33 pm #
Hi Ms. Mariadams,
Sobrang amaze ako sa mga travel experience nyo ?. Dream ko din marating ang mga napuntahan nyong lugar specially Europe countries, mahilig din kasi ako magtravel, pero local travels lang nung nasa Pinas pa ako. Pero di ko pa naman ginigive up ang dream ko na yun, kaya nga nung makapag trabaho ako dito sa Qatar last 2009, medyo nag level up na ang mga gusto kong puntahan, kaya last year during Ramadan days 1st try ko travel overseas eh Dubai,since medyo malapit lang naman un dito sa Qatar, kaya sobrang happy ako makita yung mga pics nyo sa Dubai na kuha nyo recently lang, prang feeling ko andun lit ako ?. Nabasa ko po kasi ung name nyo sa isang thread sa PX, kaya hinanap ko itong site nyo na to, gusto ko rin po sanang humingi ng advice. Kasi plan ko po ulit mag travel this coming Ramadan days (August). Meron po kasi akong Auntie sa Paris (resident), at early this year nagkaron lit kami ng communication after so many years, at biniro ko cyang gusto kong mag tour don for 1 week. Gusto ko sanang mag apply ng VISA on my own as tourist, dahil ayoko naman cyang abalahin sa mga requirements doon, me ipon naman ako to show sufficient funds (hopefully enough). At payo nya din sa kin na wag ko daw sabihin na me kilala ako dun, kasi sabi nya mas na dedeny daw yung mga nag apply pag cnasabing me kilala kasi nga marami daw ang nag TTNT doon. Ask lang ko po sana kung mas ok nga po ba yun? And would USD 1000 would be enough as “show money” for a 1 week tour in Paris.. Sorry sobrang haba po ng message ko. Your advice would be highly appreciated.
Thanks po.
Vangie
mariadams on 18 Feb 2011 at 9:05 pm #
Hello Vangie!
Thanks for your nice comment! I really wish you can come to Paris this August, it’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world and it’s one destination every other person would like to go to once in their lifetime!
Having a relative (or a friend) in Paris (or anywhere in France), who has a regular employment and lives in a flat/house that is big enough to accommodate you can be a big “plus” in your Schengen visa application. All she needs to do is to go to the local Mairie and apply for an Attestation d’Accueil (Certificate of Sponsorship) for you as this is one requirement for the visa. She may have reasons why she would refuse to sponsor you but as an alternative, you can book a hotel and get them to issue you a Certificate of Confirmed Booking and submit it alongside your visa application documents. As to the “show-money”, you have to submit your last 3-month bank statements that are “active” and must show sufficient funds for which, USD 1,000 is more than enough, I think. You can also submit copies of your credit card/s plus Travel Insurance. Please check the website of the French Embassy and find out about their Schengen Visa Application requirements.
I wish you good luck and please don’t hesitate to come back to me as soon as you get your visa. I can give you tips on how to maximize your Parisian trip!
Best regards
Ate Mariadams
Vangie on 19 Feb 2011 at 8:05 am #
Hi Ate Mariadams,
Thank you, thank you for all your advices. I keep that all in mind.?
It’s too soon, but I’m really excited for this trip.?
Take care and God bless to you & to your family.
Please continue to be a blessing to everyone.??
Best Regards,
Vangie?
mariadams on 21 Feb 2011 at 10:00 am #
You’re welcome, Vangie!
Please feel free to send me a message. Take care and hope to see you regularly on this site. You can also subscribe for regular updates!
Ate Mariadams
Ruth Waldrop on 20 Apr 2011 at 12:34 am #
Hello Ms. Adams,
Just wanted to tell you how much i enjoy reading your posts here
Your writing has so much heart and soul. Your passion for travel shows through.
Our world is getting smaller and smaller. More people should get to see more places in their lifetime. But travel is so Expensive!
I am currently based in the USA (where there are so many places I have yet to see), but the call of Europe grows stronger by the day. But like most people, I am waiting for “the right time” to take up travelling, as my comfort zone right now is within the confines of a busy work schedule. Not to mention raising two teenagers. My husband and I often dream of going to France, Italy, and the UK, among a long list of dream countries to visit. We’re not waiting til retirement though LOL. Nor are we waiting for the planets to align with each other a certain way before we begin our journey. Maybe, we’re just waiting for our children to be ready, be ready to absorb travel, to appreciate it.
You said your son would rather live in the Philippines? Ah, the legendary hospitality can’t be found elsewhere in the world. Was that home to him as a child? or, maybe he has seen so much of the world that choosing the Philippines is like his sanctuary, a temporary respite.
How long have you been away from the old country? You said you do miss the motherland. I’ve been gone for so long I miss even riding the jeepney from Diliman to Quiapo :-0
–Ruth
ANILY on 17 Nov 2011 at 7:39 pm #
Hello Ms. Adams,
“A few weeks ago I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I made”
This is the quote which brought me to your website. I was looking for autumn quotes to go with my travel photos that I want to post on facebook. I have recently travelled United States, the UK, Switzerland and France, a few weeks ago to be exact..and just like you I am a shutter-happy person and have collected loads of photos. I’m also a Filipina working as a Medical Technologist in the Kingdom of Bahrain here in the middle east. Travelling and photography became my passion since I came to Bahrain. I have travelled other middle east countries and asian countries as well. And I love posting my pictures with quotes on my facebook account so others can see. Actually dream ko rin magkaroon ng travel website just like the one you have but I don’t know how to do it…As I was browsing your pictures..I was so amazed..I can relate to you in so many ways…Europe so far is the closest to my heart. I fell in love with Switzerland and France…Though I have seen the US and the UK first before nothing has prepared me for such beauty and perfection. You are so blessed to have travelled a lot and so do I. I hope to hear and learn from you. Many thanks.
Anily
mariadams on 20 Nov 2011 at 8:10 pm #
Hello Anily,
I am so touched by your words….. Not only that we have the same interest for travel and photography, we also share the same passion for writing our joyful sentiments. You write creatively so I encourage you to write your own travel site.
Let me share with you a site I found on the web which speaks exactly about my passion for photography:
“CAN PHOTOGRAPHY BE AN ADDICTION?
“I do it for a living, I do it on my breaks, days off, vacation… Sometimes I wonder if I ever have a day off or if I have a job. Is addiction one of the job hazards? Should it be added to the list of things to seriously consider when you’re thinking of turning pro? Or is it simply pure happiness?”
……………totally addicted. The snick-click of my camera gives me a feeling of satisfaction. I don’t go a day without a camera in my hand. I got nervous when my camera was inaccessible due to a recent earthquake–so I borrowed one for a day. Husband so does not understand–says my priorities are wrong….
(comment by a certain Terry regarding above article. It speaks so much of my own addiction..hehehe!!!)
Anyway, I am typing this from a Bed and Breakfast hotel in Tuscany (Italy) where H and I are currently working as volunteer helpers in exchange for food, accommodation, immersion in Italian way of life, learning the language, Italian gastronomy not to mention the running of a hotel, meeting people and keeping fit (doing hotel maintenance work is good exercise!). So far, so good….we are enjoying the experience extremely well particularly that part where we have the chance to assist and observe an Italian chef preparing gastronomic meals at rapid speed, 5 courses for a big number of people! It’s like watching Masterchef Live at close range!
But the bottom line is, we just want to do something different….still incorporating our foremost love which is travel, but this time, with a purpose! We have been tinkering with the idea of relocating to Italy and this adventure is a good way to start the transition!
Thank you so much for the kind words and hope to hear from you again. By the way, I’ve worked in Bahrain some years back before transferring to Dubai, and finally moving to France. We were in Dubai in February this year, I invite you to browse on my February 2011 postings to check on the photos.
Take care and talk to you again soon!
Maria
Laurie Jo Miller Farr on 31 Jan 2012 at 1:24 am #
Superb photos.
Congratulations and thank you for sharing.
Am I able to use any photos, with a credit for travel articles that I write?
You will see some of my articles on my blog, address listed here.
I will follow you from now on!
Thanks in advance for your reply and permission, if at all possible.
Kind regards,
Laurie
mariadams on 31 Jan 2012 at 2:42 pm #
Hello Laurie
Thank you for the compliments! I am extremely delighted to catch the fancy of a professional travel writer! You are very welcome to use any of my photos with a credit to my site (www.mariadams.com).
I travel extensively around Europe and Southeast Asia and have a huge library of photos which have not been published online so if you have any particular theme or country you are interested in, or you have any special research requirement or assignment I may be able to help you. I am an aspiring travel writer but photography is my passion. My dream is to publish a book of photographs and travel stories.
Best regards,
Maria
Janette C. on 24 Apr 2012 at 2:57 pm #
Congratulations on your beautiful and interesting website..
I stumble upon your website thru your post in Pinoy Exchange. I find this very interesting especially for me who are starting to plan our family trip to Paris on a budget. I haven’t explored this yet as at the moment it is late evening already. In the coming days, i’m sure i’ll read a lot from here. Pls. keep posting esp. for us who haven’t been to Europe.
Kudos!
your new fan,
Janette C.
mariadams on 26 Apr 2012 at 4:55 am #
Hi Janette!
It’s readers like you who come forward that keeps my inspiration going.! Welcome to the site and please feel to ask questions if you need some help in planning your itinerary. I’m typing this from a hotel room in Padua and my days are full, as always, so my apologies for not responding to you earlier……Thanks and hope to see you here more often
Maria
Marie on 14 May 2012 at 9:43 am #
Hi Maria,
Been reading a lot of materials about traveling in Europe. So glad I happen to stumble upon your blogsite thru Pinoy Exchange. It is so informative, and you keep it interesting with your humorous style of writing. You should write a book one day and get it published
I am also passionate about traveling. This time, the travel bug has caught me real bad
In fact, I will taking a sabbatical soon and spend 3-4 months backpacking across Europe. It’s going to be a long trip (read: huge expenses) so will be staying in hostels to stretch my budget. Thinking also of doing a bit of WWOOFing.
Because I am woman in my 30’s who will be traveling alone, my loved ones are concerned for my safety. It will be my first time in Europe but I have done a few solo traveling in the past e.g. USA, Fiji, Hong Kong and it all went well. It would be different this time because there will be lots of walking/commuting around carrying a huge backpack, and of course - the language barrier.
I wonder what’s your take about my upcoming journey/adventure. Salamat and hope see you in my travels
Catherine on 15 May 2012 at 10:43 am #
Hi Mariadams!
Ako nga pala yung nag post sa PEx about wanting to meet you and Neodyn!
I’m living in Harrow. Not part of Central London (Zone 4 eh) but I’m just less than 15mins away by tube from Zone 1
Ok! Will definitely share Olympics & diamond juilee celebration pics!
I’ll definitely follow your blog!
mariadams on 15 May 2012 at 4:35 pm #
Hi Marie,
Yeah, it’s always been my dream to put “A Pinay in Europe” on paperbound version. Thank you very much for the encouragement! Now, I must put my act together and start writing that book! Time waits for no one….
I admire your decision to go on a 3-4 month solo backpacking trip across Europe! “Huge expenses”, yes! This continent is very expensive and how ever you scrimp on food, it’s the accommodation, transport and unexpected expenses that will make a huge hole on your pocket! WWOOFing is a great idea! There’ also the Helpx org. where H and I volunteered for one month to work at a Bed and Breakfast hotel in Tuscany last November in exchange for food, accommodation and heating (it was getting to winter that time!). We gained a lot from this experience - learning Italian culture, how to run a hotel, how to cook a 5-course meal for 25 people in just two hours, speaking Italian like an Italian and a lot more. There was also the opportunity to visit awesome places nearby such as Siena, Florence, Lucca…. Hence, I really encourage you to do a bit of this but limit it to 1 or 2 weeks at a time! It’s the best way to get immersed in European culture and it’s free!
About your concern on safety, it’s generally safe. I’ve been travelling on my own, exploring courtyards and empty streets all in the name of photography but haven’t encountered anything nasty so far. Just beware of pickpockets which are rampant in big cities, otherwise you will be okay. I see a lot of solo lady backpackers everywhere I went, they stay in hostels where they meet travelling ladies like themselves and it’s fun to exchange stories!
The language barrier - as long as you do your homework which is to learn those simple phrases and they will take you a long, long way! Buy a phrase book. Anyway, the best language is body language and you will never go wrong! Just don’t smile at French men as they will take this as flirting…hehehe!!
Good luck and pls let me now if you are travelling around Paris or somewhere near so we could arrange to meet up for a café or a bit of touring around!
Best regards,
Maria
mariadams on 15 May 2012 at 5:00 pm #
Hi Cath!
Nice blog you have there! You take very nice photos, felicitations!! With your eye on good photographic subjects, I look forward to your shots of these London events.
Thanks for visiting me here and really hope we could meet up in the future!
Take care.
Catherine on 15 May 2012 at 6:59 pm #
Salamat!!! It’s a very good feeling knowing it came from one of the people who inspired me to share my passion for travels.