Trip to the US: Stanford University

The Stanford University offers a more "architectural" & nature-like sights, which are fantastic. I think we've only been to 1 part of it, but it was still good that we actually got there! We've still MUCH to explore...perhaps another trip ;)

Some of Stanford's Best Athletes - World Record Holders! *wow*

Track & Field/Stadium 

With such a lovely environment, I'm sure all the "smarty" students here would be even smarter (brains would probably tick better here...hahaha)! A great environment to study & relax in between studies + play sports & enjoy university life with friends....*dreams*

Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research 

There were fruit trees right outside the building (as above)!

I think they're either oranges/grapefruits/lemons...they're still yellowish-orange, so I'm not sure which kinda tree this is since I've never seen any of such fruit trees back in Malaysia :P

Hoover Tower

We were led to this tower by the lovely sound of the bells chiming out a song that sounded familiar, yet I've no clue of the title...hahaha...this tower was completed in 1941 to mark the 50th anniversary of Stanford University. It has a carillon of FORTY-EIGHT bells which chimed out the beautiful music that filled the air on that sunny evening! *love* You can actually go on a tour to the top of the tower, which will cost you $2.00 from 10:00a.m. - 4:00p.m. daily.

Lovely lovely evening

I LOVE the view of the sun rising/setting...the ray of sunlight bursting through the clouds is just perfect to make my heart leap with joy & excitement :D 

I found this 'cute' :P

Lawn...renovated...? Never came across such a phrase back home...haha... 

These trees are MIGHTY!

Wait 'til I get to Yosemite...kekeke...these trees will be dwarfs! 

If I'm not mistaken, this is the center of arts studies... 

Center for History Studies

Such intricate art-work... 

This is one of my FAVOURITE photos - NON-edited!

Managed to get this straight from the camera...LOVE THE BURST OF COLOURS - sun-light!!! 

At one of the building's corridors...looks like a good place for photos ;)

If I'm not mistaken, this is the Department of Slavic Languages & Literature.

I am in Hawaii...not! :P

Looks quite like it, eh? 

Fountain outside the library..since 1934!

100 years & counting...fuh! Such rich history... 

Hello America :D

After attempting to take more than 5 shots, I finally managed to get this one taken just perfectly. 

It has been an interesting "self-tour" walk around this part of the famous Stanford University in Palo Alto area. We took approximately  1.5 hours just walking around, taking photos & being mesmerised by the unique buildings, the architecture & the natural elements/plants as well. I would say that it's a must see if you happen to be here (especially if you like the sight of old buildings). There's nothing really much at Palo Alto, but this is something that you'll definitely not get back in Malaysia, so enjoy it to the max! :D


I doubt I'll ever get to enter Stanford *not a smarty*

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Trip to the US: Stanford Shopping Center

One of the few things that you can do if you happen to be in Palo Alto is to pop-by the Stanford Shopping Center. It has all sorts of shops & restaurants, some of which we also have back in Malaysia e.g. Gap, Ralph Lauren, & California Pizza Kitchen, to name a few.

The most amazing thing, in my opinion (as a person who LOVES flowers) are the variety of flowers planted around the shopping center! The flowers were in FULL BLOOM! How I wish we had such things back home, but we don't... :(

I think these are foxgloves :D SO PRETTY!

Look at the row of flowers....ahhh....shooou naaiiiseee..

More flowers :)

Large rose...isn't it pretty?

They also have the Sigona's Farmers Market, which offers an abundance of fresh & dried fruits, fresh vegetables, wine, nuts, & more!

Cheeeeeeesssseeeeee......

One of the many brands/shopping areas in the Stanford Shopping Center

There's a shop that sells all sorts of kitchen-related items: my dream kitchen!!

I would LOVE to have my own kitchen with a stove, oven, baking equipment, & a larder full of food items, spices, & sauces that I can use for cooking! *dreams*

Good quality pots & pans would be great! 

And not to forget, a good set of knives! Ah...dream dream... 

There's nothing really WOW about the Stanford Shopping Center, but it does offer most of the basic things that you'll need if you're there for work/leisure. Up next, I'll share some photos on my little "tour" at the well-known, IV League university, Stanford University! Stay tuned ;)

Just the basics will do,

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Trip to the US: Lunch at Babbo's Pizzeria, Stanford Shopping Center

After checking into the hotel, we headed out for a bite. It was around 4pm at that time & we weren't sure what's good around the hotel area & what restaurants/diners are still opened at that time. It was supposedly our lunch by the way...

One of the nearest malls is the Stanford Shopping Center. The shopping centers here are unlike the malls that we have back in Malaysia. It's more alike the strip malls - no aircon & individual shops/restaurants. It didn't really matter that the shopping centers here do not have aircon since the weather's cool during this time of the year :) The outdoors is like 16C aircon back home!

After going around for a while, we decided to just try out Babbo's Pizzeria. The little Mediterranean/Italian restaurant looks simple, quaint, & the variety of food served here looks more appealing compared to the other restaurants that are still open.

The small entrance into the restaurant

They have a bar inside

Wood-fire oven & open-concept kitchen

That's where they make their pizzas ;)

This restaurant is apparently opened since 1989. It's part of Hungarian-born Paulette and Lazlo Fono's local dynasty, the sister restaurant to Bravo Fono, also at the mall. [info taken from paloaltoonline].

Not sure if this is the owner...hahahaha...

Part of Babbo's Menu

Appetizers & salads from $8.95/serving

Fish & seafood salads from $18.95/serving

Focaccia Sandwich from $15.95/serving

Pizzas from $14.95/serving

Babbo's Specialities from $20.95/serving

Mains/Entrees from $15.95/serving

Complimentary bread (with cheese sprinkled on top)

We were served with this first, & it's something to keep the customers going if they're feeling hungry while waiting for their food.

Caesar Salad ($11.95/serving - with chicken +$5.00, with prawns +$6.00)

House Caesar dressing with anchovies, Parmesan cheese, garlic croutons

Here's a large plate of fresh & large leaves that are really juicy! The salad's loaded with cheese, which made the supposedly healthy salad quite "fattening"...hahaha...the garlic "croutons" are basically really toasted garlic bread - fragrant & nicely seasoned...but kinda hard (although yes, they're crunchy) :) Anchovies were REALLY salty though...hahaha...the portion of salads here are good for sharing especially if you're a small eater/if you're a typical Asian like me :D

Pizza Babbo ($15.50/serving)

A Mediterranean Special. Feta cheese, oven roasted tomatoes, mozzarella, pesto & black olives.

Wood-oven "personal size" pizza - DELICIOUS! If you love cheese, this pizza is ALSO LOADED with cheese...hahaha. Although this pizza didn't have any meat, but the taste of the pizza is just nice - a medley of flavours: sweet, savoury, sourish (from the tomatoes). Their personal pan is twice the size of the ones we have back in Malaysia...it's like our regular-size pizza.

Lunch for 2 persons costs $36.34

It's a tad expensive for the items that we ate, but thank the overall taste, service & experience is good.

Yup, that's all the both of us had! We weren't THAT hungry & I guess we were still trying to get adjusted to the time & culture there. If you happen to be in Palo Alto for work or leisure, this place isn't too bad to pop-by for their salads & pizza (especially if you love cheese! They're extremely generous with cheese).

Babbo's Pizzeria

717 Stanford Shopping Center

Palo Alto, CA 94304

USA.

Tel: (+1)(650) 321-1488

Business hours: Daily 11:00a.m. - 10:00p.m.

Ratings:

Presentation: * * * 1/2

Price: * * *

Environment: * * * 1/2

Taste: * * *

Service: * * *

Overall:

Noms,

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