Airports - half way there

I suppose that only a few people like airports. I am one of them.

This photo is the Air France boarding area at CDG near Paris.

Portland International (PDX) is beautiful but hard to get around.

SFO in San Francisco has a super International Terminal.

My least favorites so far have been Frankfort and Edinburgh, and Newark.

Loved the new one in Livingstone Zambia.

Most important is people watching. Let's guess where the folks are from and where they are going. With few exceptions it is easy to guess when we know where the flight is going 

and we still can be wrong.

We never know, but it dispels the boredom. 

 

The Parliament Building in Budapest

I tried to straighten this photo and did not succeed. 

This lovely building fronts on the Danube. Our ship was moored for the night just to the right.

In the morning we began to go up the river which allowed this photo.

The building reminded me of the memorial in  Rome.

It looks a little like a Victorian wedding cake.

 

Prague CZ -Look up.

This photo is of a church that opens on a square in the old town of Prague. It is one example of hundreds of buildings lending itself to the city being called the "City of Spires". When walking around the palace at the top of of the hill, one can look out on the city and see how it got its nickname.
 

Tale of two men

Canada from the roadside. It would be nice to have it.

    Interesting to explore the geopolitical history. Mr. Trump wants Canada; in 1939 Adolph wanted Poland. Mr. Trump wants Greenland; Adolph wanted Hungary. Mr. T wants the Panama Canal; A wanted France. T looks at immigrants as destroyers of culture; A looked at the Jews. Both may meet the same end.

 

High Above Budapest: The Monument to Liberty and Freedom

This was taken with a long lens as it is on a high hill above Budapest.

It was originally erected on appreciation to The Soviets for liberation from the Nazis.

It is today dedicated to all those who fought for liberty for Budapest.

Interesting how history changes.

 

The Scottish Parliament

Interesting that the Scots chose to place their Parliament across the street from Holyrood.

Holyrood is the Scottish home of the monarch.

This is a room of light, modern and newness.

I wonder if the building changes the attitude?

 

 

Newgrange and the Winter Solstice

This is a huge berm on a field north of Dublin.

It is said to be older than the pyramids.

In the middle/right of the photo are people ready to go inside.

There is a narrow passageway at the end of which are some marks in the stone.

On the Winters Solstice the light coming through the passage illuminate's these drawings.

December 21 is the rebirth of the sun, the longest night of the year.

The Romans and other cultures celebrate it.

The best way to visit Newgrange is to take a bus tour out of Dublin.

This tour also stops at other interesting sites.   

 

The Church of Vera Cruz, Segovia: The Knights Templar

This is the Church  of Vera Cruz

The Knights Templar were a French military order of the Catholic Faith 

founded to defend pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem.

This was part of their by-laws. Note that it looks like a fortress.

 

Segovia, Spain

This photo of Segovia Spain was taken from the wall of the Alcazar.

This is a town that is walkable and filled with history.

It is Spanish. It is Moorish. It is unhurried. 

 

Bellagio Italy: Road Trip

We left our passports in the safe of the hotel at Lake Como.

We did not discover this until we were near Verona where we were catching a plane for Paris.

We had gone through Bergamo on the way and had to go back again. That is 2.

The passports were waiting for us in the hand of a caring hotel owner. Thanks.

We turned around and came to Bergamo (home of San Pellegrino water). That is 3.

We got lost and stuck on a side street to a busy road. 

So many cars and we had to go across traffic to make a left turn. Trapped.

The school crossing guard who directed us the right direction got out in the street and stopped traffic.

Thanks to all we made it to Verona on time.

Photo is of Bellagio on Lake Como.

 

 

Melk, Austria

The view of Melk looking down from the monastery's court yard.

Melk is a city along the Danube near the Wachau Valley.

The city dates to before 831 AD

 

Half Penny Bridge after the rain.

The Half Penny Bridge which actually goes by The Ha'penny Bridge

spans the Liffey River. Maps should show it as the Liffey Bridge.

It is a cast iron pedestrian walkway between central Dublin and Temple Bar.

This photo was taken just after the rain had passed.

I guess it keeps the men leaving the pubs from drowning. 

 

What to take and what to leave behind when going to Europe

Famous landmark of Seville, Spain - people have mixed emotions. I like it.

    I am sure that everyone has some suggestions about what to take and what not to take on a trip overseas. Some will say  take a plastic bag or pack light or remember your list of medications.

    All good ideas. I suggest you take a sense of humor. Something will happen that is unplanned and the surprise can be fun. Take an open attitude. It is hard to find ranch dressing in London. Try the house dressing. Don't think you know it all. You don't. You are there to learn and grow. Keep your opinions to yourself. Sure, the French are often aloof and the Spanish can talk loudly sometimes. All of those things are not true. The French are warm but busy in the cities. The Spanish are full of life.  Do not expect everyone to speak English. Many do. It does not help for you to raise your voice and repeat yourself if they only speak German. Relax. Sense to speed of life and join in.

 

The Chain Bridge in Budapest

Budapest is a great place to visit. There and many things to do and see.

(You can head to the Rudas Bathes, not nude anymore, you need to wear at least a thong.)

It is one of the special Eastern European cities.

The photo above was taken from a small ship docked on the Pest side of the Danube.

At night the lights are special and important too is the Chain Bridge with unites 

Pest and Buda. In daylight you can see the detailed colorful tiled roofs.

 

Botswana

While camping in Botswana there was a tree just outside our tent.

(We were not without anything. They call it glamping.)

I did not take much note of the tree  until there was a marvelous sunset.

It lit up everything with an orange glow.

 

The Dolomites

I got a bottle of water for the way up to the plateau overlooking La Villa in the Dolomites.

Thought I would use it as a prop. 

The Dolomites are a unique part of the Italian Alps and a long time goal for me.

We recommend it for those going to Northern Italy. 

 

Trains in Europe

Taking trains in Europe is a great way to go.

While we often drive a car in Europe we have taken the train in England, Scotland, France, The Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Spain and Germany. We have never been disappointed.

The trains are clean, fast, and reliable. 

We found the personnel to be very helpful and friendly.

If you are traveling to see point A and point B and don't worry about the miles between them

the train is an excellent way to go.

 

Sculpture in Europe

My favorite is Donatello's David. (Florence)

The most moving is Mary Madeline, a wood craving by Donatello. (Florence)

Everywhere you look, there is a wonderful statue.

Michelangelo's David is a show stopper.

But, I would share this photo from Liechtenstein. Two dogs.  (Vaduz)

Of interest too is the statue of Ronald Reagan in Bratislava. (Slovakia)

 

Firth of Forth, Scotland. Guys taking a rest.

A really nice tour is one that takes a small boat on the Firth. You see an abbey and watch sailboats.

You go out under both of old train bridge and the newer auto bridge.

At this  buoy we stopped to say "hi" to a group of guys that work the Firth.

 

Rodin's Garden, Paris

The Rodin Museum is not as popular as some other places in Paris. It is worth a visit.

The Museum  is his old home. The gardens are full of his larger works

whereas the house is full of smaller pieces. 

There are many works not seen elsewhere.

Altamont West of Tracy California USA

Central California is situated between the Sierra Nevada and the Coast Ranges.

This effects the weather as the Coast Range blocks much of the rain on the west side of the valley.

This means that the Altamont is mostly grasslands.

Bright green in the Spring it turns to gold in the Summer.

This photo was taken from a friend's ranch looking northwest.

 

Monet's Garden Giverny France

Waterlilies in Monet's garden. It is a short drive from Paris by car

(or by tour bus) and well worth it.

Ronda Spain

Ronda Spain is famous for the bridge that links the two halves of the city.

On the internet there are thousands of photos of that bridge. I took many from the bridge and of the bridge although we drove many dead ends to get the best spot. Ronda is more than the bridge it is a wonderful city with culture and nice people. The bottom photo is the statue outside of the bull ring.

Flowers everywhere and to the left of in the photo is a wonderous walkway along the cliff.

 

Fantastic Pie Shoppe In London

Some people describe English food as bland or not as good as other places.

It may be that they live on pasties or stop at a full English Breakfast -

although I think the full English Breakfast which stays with you until Tea Time is super.

Let me give you a pointer. A few streets over from the British Museum there is an excellent pie shoppe.

I don't mean pumpkin or apple. 

I mean steak and ale, Shepherds, pork. and even one misnamed "dragon".

 (Dragon is spicy but not like Mexican food in California.)

The restaurant is upstairs from a pub on Rathbone Street.

If that doesn't draw you, close by are an Indian place, Thai place and an Italian.

We encourage you to try the pie shoppe. 

 

The Village of La Villa, Northern Italy as seen from aerial tram

In the Dolomites in the Southern Tyrol it is easy to be captivated and always look up.

The rock formations and mountains are wonderful.

We stayed in the village of La Villa in the heart of the Dolomites.

One morning we took the tram to the top of a hiking and ski area.

Looking down - for once -  we saw the base of the mountain.

This was taken with a telephoto lens.

The top of the tram at the bottom.

 

Not the Leaning Tower of Pisa

This is the Duomo or church next to the Leaning Tower.

It would certainly be  a destination save for being close to what everyone comes to see.

Th Duomo is leaning in this photo because the photographer was leaning.

 

Notre Dame reopens

This is a photo of Notre Dame taken from a boat on the Seine.

We have been to the church twice and went to two worship services.

It was drab and filled with smoke the times we have been there.

It is now clean and sparkling. You would never guess it is the same place.

 

Churchyard at St. Canice's Cathedral Kilkenny Ireland

A pleasant walk from the center of Kilkenny is this old, but lovely, church.

It features a tower (as do castles and fortresses).

The church yard is filled with graves as are most of similar places.

Inside, an officer of the church gave us a tour. It is nicely kept. The proud point for the guide was to show us the crypt in the wall where Barack Obama's relative is buried. Obama's mother was from Ireland. He knew we would be interested as we are Americans. He was right.

Do I always end up in churches and graveyards? Seems like it.  

 

Happy Saint Andrews Day: The Cathedral of St. Giles, Edinburgh

If this place looks solemn that is because it is.

St. Giles is the birthplace of the Presbyterian denomination.

The pulpit was held by John Knox who brought the Reformation to Scotland.

As I read history, he brought the worst of it and left the best behind. 

Happy Saint Andrew's Day - Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland.

 

Horse Guards, Vienna

Some of you have seen and visited the Horse Guards in London.

They are an attraction.

When we were walking along a passageway in Vienna we saw their horse guards

getting ready to patrol. Great looking animals.

 

Autumn in Austria -- Vienna

Vienna is a place of art, music and history.

I will cover some building photos.

But this wall caught my eye first.

 

Christmas Markets - Munich Germany

Not waiting until Thanksgiving (they don't celebrate it anyway) the street markets in Munich were getting ready for Christmas. It was October. There were non-Christmas items too. We have been to street markets in many cities (Paris, Prague, Livingstone South Africa, London, etc.). The most fun were in Munich and in a small town in Northern Italy. Local crafts beat other souvenirs. 

 

The attack of the baboon -Victoria Falls Zambia

The newscast today says that visitors in southern Africa have been having issues with baboons.

I had a violent encounter with a baboon in Zambia. He was violent and I was encountered.

I was at a small shop with two others taking a break. I had a Coke and they had cookies.

Seemed peaceful sitting by Victoria Falls.

Wham! I got hit blindsided by a baboon and he grabbed the cookies and was gone.

He was about 90 pounds but I was not hurt.

Only startled.

The shopkeeper came out with a broom and chased the baboon.

He returned to tell us that it happens often.

Not to me.

 

A street in Brussels

On the way to South Africa with my grandson, I told him that instead of a 

25 hour flight we would fly to Paris and he could choose another place to go for

a few days.  His family name is Flemish so he choose Belgium and more specifically Brussels.

Good choice. The home of the European Union. 

 

Elephants - Southern Africa

It is one thing to see elephants in the zoo  and another to see them without a fence.

On safari our guides had radios and heard from other drivers where the animals could be found.

These two, which seemed friendly, where not far from camp.

 

The view from Montmartre in Paris

From Montmartre one can see a different side of Paris.

Usually we see Montmartre looking up at the cathedral but looking the other way

we see a more modern skyline. Tall modern buildings in the distance may surprise us.

 

The Royal Mile, Edinburgh Scotland

 

The building with the clock is the tollhouse. 

It is almost to the Palace of Holyrood House which is one end of the Royal Mile.

At the other end is Edinburgh Castle and between them is St. Giles Cathedral.

Many people stop their visit at the castle. We suggest a walk down the mile for a special experience.

However, this is touristy. That is not bad, but there is much to see on side streets and to the Mound. 

Plaza de Espana, Seville

The benefits of getting lost.

Seville is a wonderful city with its Alcazar and its great sites. It is friendly and welcoming.

We set off on a walk through the park and botanical gardens not far from the central city.

We had gotten lost the day before and found special things and special people.

This day we  we were lost and happened upon the Plaza de Espana a place of art, water and relaxation.

The wide sheltered walkways are covered in colorful tiles.

And there, to the right, is one of my favorite things to photograph. A light pole.

 

Scotland

Two photos of the Firth of Forth railway bridge from the Edinburgh side.

I was standing at the quay ready to board a small boat to tour the area.

There is lots to see from fortified islands to sailboats to seals.

Fun experience if you are ever there.

 

Surprises good and bad

Wherever we have gone in Europe we have been surprised by art.

From a statue of Ronald Reagan in Slovakia to the great masters in Italy.

This statue, however had me wondering. It is just on the steps of the state museum in Munich.

I thought it odd and was surprised to be told to look closely.

Aha! It is Bacchus the god of wine and fertility.

I am not sure how attractive to women he is. 

 

 

A380 forward mounted camera

I take photos out of the windows of airplanes. The ones of Greenland look like a white circus tent.

When we fly overseas we usually leave at around 4pm. Thus we can see the Sierra and much of the upper Midwest. Out of San Francisco it is green, white, beige, green and would be blue over Hudson's Bay if it were not dark. Time to get some sleep, but photos of cities from 35,000 feet are cool.

The photo above was not taken out of the window.

The A380 has a down camera and a front focused one on the tail.

All you need to do is take a photo of the video screen on the seat in front of you.

An aside, unhappily Air France is stopping the use of the A380. 

 

Out our Paris window

Why a garbage truck?

My grandson loved garbage trucks at the time so I took photos of them in at least four countries.

This one also includes a small grocery store (behind the hood of the truck.. see fruit.).

We needed to go to the store regularly because we were cooking breakfast in our rented flat.

We have done this a number of times and because the flats have not had pepper for eggs

we brought home pepper shakers. Always white pepper.

The eggs were from free range chickens and the shells took a major whack to break them.

We did not bring any eggs back. 

 

Sex Workers

This may seem like a strange topic, but it is a collection of glimpses of the center of some cities.

Travelers know of the reputations of places like Bangkok and Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is in the final stages of moving their red light district out of the central city.

Amsterdam's district was a major tourist attraction.

But, there are also obvious other places where this sort of thing is seen.

My wife and I were having lunch it a plaza in Madrid. Two "lovely" young women dressed

for work made an office at the top of the local metro stairs. A man protectively watched the action from the shadows. Over a lunch hour, the woman took several walks with men who seemed to be strangers.

Prague has a large massage parlor very near the Municipal House (see above).

It is right in the famous plaza heralding the Astronomical Clock.  

Lots more sightings.

While seen in U.S. cities, it is more open in these European countries.

You don't have to look for  it, It finds you.

 

African safari

On safari you may not see all of the Big Five as leopards are hard to spot.

You can, however see the migration of Zebras or a tower (yes, that is what a group is called) of giraffes.

Later at the Chobe we watched the migration of hundreds of zebras going south.

VENICE on foot

 Excuse the lack of photo here. I seem to have misplaced my chip of Venice. However that does not change what I would like to say.

Venice is a wonderful visit and will be made more wonderful with the absence of the large passenger liners. The size of these ships changes the skyline and their movement erodes the piles which hold the city up. We suggest that without a cruise you will see more and do less damage. Plus you will see Venice without boat loads of people with cameras and wearing shorts. 

If the larger ships are in port you need to get up early and walk the streets and bridges before the cruise people come shore after their breakfast.  Take the vaporetto out to Murano or Burano during the day. In the evening after the people go back to the cruise ship come back to the city for dinner and wonderful long walks. The restaurants are busy at lunch. You will discover a small cafe with good food and wine in the evening. You will, however need to wait until after 8 pm when the Italians usually dine.

On our visit we discovered a good restaurant in The Ghetto (not what Americans think. It is Jewish). We waited until evening and walked back there from our hotel. The place attracted Italians. We then went for an evening stroll to the Opera House. Warning: the souvenir shops will be closed. Buy your glass on Murano.  

Central Pedestrian Square: Innsbruck Austria

Innsbruck is a lovely city and very walkable in the central old town.

On a Sunday in the summertime, the people are out and enjoying the sun.

Innsbruck is another city in our visits of Olympic sites.

 

Victoria and Albert Museum in London

The V & A in London is a favorite.

The British Museum is large and beautiful with its new rotunda but

The Victoria and Albert focusses on art more than artifacts.

The photo above is of a blow glass sculpture hanging in the entry.