European Rail Travel

        Trains in Europe are a great way to travel. You can hop on a local from Paris to Amsterdam or Brussels in the Paris airport and see the countryside. On first class you can get lunch or a beverage served to you.

            In Italy you can board a train that looks like an airplane and travel at 120 kph from Rome to Venice. Great way to go. We have also taken a local from Venice to Verona which is quick and cheap.

            Needless to say that getting around England and Scotland is a pleasure by train, Especially good for a guy who usually drives and only sees the left side of the road. All Aboard!

"Free" toiletries at hotels

The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa

            Most hotels believe that you will take all of the free toiletries provided. We often bring them home in order to give them to our local homeless helpers. Yesterday I was looking for a small tube of skin cream to carry with me. The tube I found was from the David Livingstone Lodge in Zambia. The ointment itself is made in South Africa, but the tube reminded me of the time we spent along the Zambezi River at the lodge. The photo above is one I took of workers mending the roof. Lovely place and great for kids. 
 

Outside the National Gallery in London

I think most Americans are a little amazed by the noble statue of

George Washington in Trafalgar Square in London.

He was a British Citizen and did well for himself.

He stands as a major force in British history. 

We are no longer at war with England.

 

I'm not going swimming

While in boats along two of Africa's rivers, I saw these two characters swimming. The elephant was in the Chobe River and the hippo in the Zambezi. I am sure that the crocs are worse, but the thought of making these guys mad was enough to keep me out of the water. They were certainly fun to watch from a safe distance.
 

Barcelona - city of towers and art

Another great work of art in a tower, Barcelona Spain.

 

Sir Michael the knight of Florence

             Admittedly this is not a great photo, but it brings back memories. In a elegant restaurant in Florence Italy with friends, as part of the entertainment two of us were "knighted" and ask to find the treasure of the city.  I had had my share of Italian red wine and accepted being chosen along with my tablemate. Then we rode our horses around seeking the treasure. I found it, but too late. I lost. (He, by the way, is a physicist at a USA installation in New Mexico - not allowed to tell you where.) Obviously he is better on a wooden horse.
 

Macro and Micro Prague

        Two photos of Prague: the top one of the famous Astrological Clock in the old town and the second one of a soup lunch in the café at the Museum of Art. I cannot tell you what the sodas were although very good. Too the soup was welcomed on an October Day.

 

Portland. Oregon USA

            We have a home in Portland Oregon near our family. It is in what is called Multnomah Village a small gathering of interesting shops and good food. Every year they have what is called Multnomah Days. There is a parade (not the last two years because of COVID) and a street market. Lots of fun. The photo here is representative of the liberal bent of the area. There are any number of social and political groups represented in the parades and all year in the community.
 

Lake Louise, Alberta Canada

The hotel at Lake Louise Canada.

Lovely place to stay or just have a drink in the bar.

 

No Bucket List

On Safari in South Africa 

    There is no "bucket list" for me and traveling. I suppose at one time I had a few places I wanted to see, but people keep showing me where they had gone and my family had their lists too. So, I went with the good ideas and the wants of those with whom I  travel. It has turned out wonderfully. I never would have gone on safari in Africa without my grandson choosing it as a designation. I am not sure where I might have gone, but Africa was so far away and I had little knowledge of it. His choice became my choice and off we went. Great trip.                        

 

Unsuspected dangers

                This photo is of the harbor in Honfleur France. It is a lovely city. I took this photo on Fete National (Bastille Day). The Ferris wheel was inviting, but I did not go. My wife and granddaughter went with friends. It looked safe from the ground.

                As it turned out the doors to the capsules did not lock and would swing open. There were no seatbelts. It would be easy for someone horsing around to fall out. No one did at that time.

                I am one that rarely worries about danger anywhere, but realize that safety in the United States is sometimes better regulated than in other countries. It is good to remember.
 

The Small Planet We Share

            It is not unique for me to point out that from space or even 35,000 feet you cannot see boundaries.  Looking down you do not see each country in a different color as they are on school globes. We are really in this together. Climate change is effecting everyone. War in one part of the world means new things in another. One rogue leader can change the whole world in a heartbeat.

            Those of us who travel, who vote, and are ambassadors from our culture make a "world of difference".  (Photo is of the backseat screen of an A380 Airbus during an Air France flight from San Francisco to Paris.)
 

Raven at The Tower of London

        In this blog has been several themes not the least of which has been to look for the small, average, or common things as we travel. This lone raven is part of the famous flock at The Tower of London. In general, this is not a National Geographic photo, but it reminds us of a day when we checked off a box in our destinations' list. 

        Here are some hints about visiting The Tower that are also useful for other locations. 1) Get there early. There will be a line even then, but get there at opening. The ceremony is fun, as well. 2) Head to the White Tower right away. It is toward the back and is where the crown jewels are. You will be there almost alone as others look at things close to the entrance. 3) Listen to the Beefeaters tours. They are inside and outside of the chapel as well as other spots. 4)  As you will be getting there around 10 am, go to the café on the grounds and have lunch at noon. 5) Be sure to go up the rampart on the river side and get a photo taken of you with the Tower Bridge in the background.

 

A Card In Your Wallet You Don't Want

        This card can be found on the internet and is provided for use at TSA checkpoints in airports. I carry one as I wear leg braces and have an ICD in my chest. I should not go through a machine that uses magnets. It doesn't keep me from being patted down every flight. When I did not have an ICD and left off my braces in Verona, they still knew I should have something on my leg. I think it is in their computer. In any case, this card just indicates that you need to be pulled aside and vented in a different way, it does not keep you from being checked completely,
 

Monte Gordo, Portugal

        One of the prettiest beaches I have been to is on the coast of Portugal at Monte Gordo. My Spanish tells me that the name means 'fat mountain' or 'large mountain'. I never saw a mountain. I guess I should have turned around, but my eyes were on the sea and the white sand. We had lunch there at a place which might be characterized as a fish shack, but was very nice.  
 

The Charles Bridge, Prague CZ

 

        This photo is of the tower one walks through to get on the Charles Bridge in Prague. It is famous as a pedestrian crossing of the river and a romantic place from which to view the city. A large number of sculptures line the span and a leisurely walk is encouraged by the view and the crowds. Like the Chain Bridge in Budapest and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco it is iconic. Verona has its own as does Florence and most cities located on a river. There is something special about linking two side of a body of water.

Crematorium at Dachau Prison Camp

    Not a pretty sight, the crematorium at Dachau is a reminder of what prejudice does that is evil.

(Photo by Marietta McLellan)

 

Transit Station: Seville Spain

    We were lost in the twisting streets of central Seville when we came upon this walk-through sculpture which is part of the transit station. Soaring overhead, it is a magical experience to see it. It must take up nearly a city block. We sat in its shade before asking a man how to get to the city center. Rather than explain, he walked us there. If we had not met him, we might still be walking aimlessly.
 

Window to the Dolomites

Window, La Villa Italy

(Captive plants)

 

Eggs near the Seine

        We have rented flats in Paris. Cheaper than hotels for three people and allowing us more freedom, the flat means cooking our own breakfast. We would not miss the great French food for lunch and dinner. 

        There are small grocery stores all around the neighborhoods, We can pick up a loaf of bread, some eggs, coffee and pepper. Yes, pepper. The eggs are free range and tough to break. I use a knife with force. The bread needs nothing. The pepper is necessary because in the flats we have rented there is none. Salt yes, pepper no. So we buy a shaker of white pepper - can't find black pepper. Because it is small and with not much missing, we toss the shakers in the suitcase. 

        Looking around as I was cooking breakfast this morning, I picked up the white pepper shaker with instructions in French and used it on my Eggland's Best. It brought back a flood of good memories of a great city.

        The photo above includes the roof top of our flat that was near the Eiffel Tower, which is where I took it looking down. The Seine is at the center - as it is THE center of Paris. We were on the Left Bank this trip.
 

It is the people

    This is a lovely Scottish castle opened to visitors by the owners who need the money to keep it. The utilities alone are high. There is also a beautiful garden. But the owners' story was much more interesting, It made me think of others I have met: a physician in Scotland who had done a residency at the same time I did my clinical work in San Francisco, a salesmen who bantered and kidded back in forth at a BNB in Ireland, a merchant in Florence that thought us the meaning of Pinocchio, a cab driver in Vienna who gave me a free tour on the way back to our boat in the harbor. I can think of almost one or two special encounters in every place I have gone. It is fun to collect new friends.

Trip Envy and Loch Ness

    Urquhart Castle overlooks Loch Ness from a point jutting out into Loch Ness in the Highlands of Scotland. I have visited there before, arriving by rental car from the city of Sterling. This time, the photos show the views from the water. We were on a chartered research craft doing an educational tour of the lake "looking for the Loch Ness Monster". It is assumed that the monster is an easily identified object/fish. That aside, it was wonderful to be on the lake watching the vast array of  electronic sensors.

    I am currently watching the trips of friends of Facebook: one to Spain and one to France. While we have been to both for extended periods of time, their trips focus on areas that I hoped to see. One particularly is a hot air balloon ride in the Loire Valley. For us, the best parts of our trips have been to get with some of the locals and let them teach us something. We have had classes in baking, cooking, and gelato making. We have sheered sheep, looked for monsters, watched for ghosts, and built African shelters.

    On your next trip - no matter where - I suggest investing a half day in an educational adventure. 

 

Memories in the details

Photo: Lily pads in the fountain at Butler House, Kilkenny Ireland. I am sure that many people just focus on the big things during their travels. There is nothing wrong with that. You bring home photos of the Eiffel Tower, the leaning Tower or the White Tower in London - big things. I look at these famous landmarks too. Yet, I am drawn to the average and the ordinary. I will come home with a photo of a dog from Murano Italy or a door in Barcelona. This picture of some lily pads intrigued me. I am not sure why, but there it is. 
 

The Carousel, Paris

        On the far side of the large court at the Louvre is The Carousel. We use the entrance near there to beat the crowds into the museum. Now, if you are looking for a merry-go-round there is one that is not far away, but The Carousel is named that for the various animals at the top over the arch. The photo here was taken in July which will indicate the popularity of this area in the summer.
 

Another Tapas Photo: Barcelona Spain

Tapas is catching on in the United States.

It is a great way to send the afternoon break.

In the U.S. it has become dinner/supper.

 

Glacier National Park

     "Going-to-the-sun" road" can be travelled by personal car (which we did) and also by one of the famous red buses (which we also did ). The road is a little scary, but well worth the trip. It is a beautiful experience with views of the valley. Glacier Park, in itself, is a good place to spend a few days. You can also get to Waterton Park in Canada, as well.