Gibraltar: more than a rock

        You may recall that England and the colonies were at war in the 1770's. England held the entry to the Mediterranean Sea by controlling the small piece of land called "Gibraltar". It order to keep the patriots (and French) from attacking they began drilling tunnels in the rock. At various places in these tunnels they created openings for their cannons. Today, a visit to the Rock includes walking these tunnels. I was surprised that this huge place was much like Swiss Cheese.

(In top photo you can see Spain and the runway for the airport.)
 

Don't Monkey Around

                Isn't he cute? Let me tell you a story about my encounter with a baboon. We had been hiking along the rim of the  Zambezi River in Zambia and happened upon a shack selling cold drinks and snacks. Given the heat, we stopped. Two folks sat across from me working on a bag of Oreos. I was across from them on the bench having a Coke. Suddenly from out of the thicket a baboon of about 100 pounds charged us. He was at my back so I did not see him. He saw the cookies and I was in his way. He hit me full force and knocked me a fair distance and the women across jumped back leaving their Oreos behind. That's all he wanted. As I dusted myself off and felt for bruises, the man at the shack came out with a broom and shouted at the baboon who took the Oreos into the bush. The young man smiled and said, "It's okay. He does it all the time." Not so or at least not me.

 

The Smoke That Thunders: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

        "The Smoke That Thunders" is what it is called in the local languages. It is fitting. A visit to Victoria Falls will be long remembered. A few of our party took a helicopter flight over the falls and then down the Zambezi River canyon. Others hiked along the edge of the drop. You can visit it from the Zambia or Zimbabwe sides. You need a low-cost visa to get into Zimbabwe. Indeed the smoke thunders. You will know you are there a long time before seeing it. For your visit bring along fresh water and a poncho. The poncho is needed if you don't want to get wet... you will still get wet.
 

Amsterdam Bridges

    We hear a good deal about the canals of Amsterdam. They do make the city unique, but we forget that with the canals come bridges. Depending on the channel these bridges may be stationary or open wide to allow barges through. The one above swings up out of the way. Both canals and bridges make a water tour interesting in Amsterdam.

 

The Olympics Is Are Cortina, Italy

If you have ever gone to an Olympics or even to a site where they have been, there is a certain awe about them. Some are in disrepair but it does not rob you of the vision of great athletes doing amazing things. We have been to many. Yet, one real standout for us was Cortina in the Dolomites of northern Italy which as been the site of two Winter Olympics. This photo shows flower festooned hotel with the wonderous mountains in the background. 

 

Street Lights

    I have dozens of photographs from all over Europe of street lights. Each country or even city has their take on what one should look like.  Some are actually gas light convert to electric. Others are more modern made to look like old ones. The one above is in front of a church in Paris.
 

Train Travel In Europe

We have taken a bullet rain from Rome to Florence and then again to Venice. Quiet and fast. We have taken the slow train from Venice to Verona. Seeing the sights. We have taken the train  from Paris to Brussels and back along with one from Paris and to Amsterdam. We caught a narrow rail across the width of England's Hadrian's wall. There was also the flyer from Carlyle to London. Munich to Dachau was serious, Spain from Barcelona for Madrid nearly flying. The trains are on time and welcoming. Don't judge European like those in the U.S.A.

(Here we are waiting for the train from Tuscany to Paris.)