Angels in hiking bootd

 

 I have often talked about the fact that we do not worry about getting lost. We do get lost often, but our experiences have been good. We were on a walk in Seville. There are wonderful parks and interesting places. But as it was getting late we wanted to get back to the center of the tourist area so we might take the tram back to or hotel. First off we came to this (we think) beautiful structure. We found amazing. While looking  around we saw a likely helper and asked how to get where we wanted to go using mostly our hands to communicate. Surprisingly he was an American Expat living in Spain. He said  follow me. Around corners through narrow passages and streets away we went to our desired destination. Very grateful to our guide.

Venice Italy

 

This was taken from our hotel window. It shows some of what Venice looks like.

We enjoyed long walks after the tourists went back to their ships.

It is quiet even romantic. The thing that strikes you is the vast number of visitors in Venice and the burden it places on space. They have issued day passes to help but when we were there the crowds during the day were large.

Hint: great little cafe in the Ghetto.

Cheetah Reserve, South Africa

The Cheetah is related to the Leopard. It is smaller but one of the fastest land animals. It is built for speed and for capturing its prey.

Beautiful, they're not something I would try to outrun.

Then again, I cannot outrun most animals. 

 

Union Square San Francisco

            We live within the Great California Valley, but we are close to Yosemite and San Francisco. SF is known as "The City" around here and we go in several times a year. We volunteered in China Town, ran the Bay to Breakers, gone shopping, walked the Goldengate Bridge, visited many world-class museums and so much more there. Due to the high cost of housing, it is great to visit taking rapid transit and living in the valley.
 

Choosing an Airline

Air France at SFO

            We are frequent flyers on Air France and Alaska Airlines. We have flown many others. One outstanding airline that we only flew once was South African.

            The flight may not be the deciding factor for you, but a good flight helps make it a good trip. We have flown long haul from San Francisco on several  carriers and Air France stands out for us.  Some of the others were fine, one or two made a 12 hour flight seem  like a 12 day flight. Because of where you are going, sometimes you do not get a choice. We are fortunate in that we often choose carrier over price.  One surprise was flying Jet Blue across the U.S. It was both lower cost and an excellent flight. Ask your friends.  Look at reviews. Study their website. Choose your carrier.   For example, I did not expect much from Virgin to London and was pleasantly surprised. I also have been disappointed in Delta. Maybe one flight is not enough to judge, but it is for me.

 

Let's say that you wish to "Pop-in" for a wee bit of Scotch

You will have the choice of thousands of bottles in Edinburgh.

            You just don't walk to  the Scotch Museum. You must prepare:

1) Are you sure that is where you want to go? 2) Have you researched it on the Web? 3) Have you found your passport with more than six-months until it expires? 4) Having decided on a date buy plane tickets. 5) Call your credit card and tell them that you are going. 6) Call your cell-phone provider and asked about your phone. You my need a different sim card. 7 How are you getting to the airport and back? 7) Plan on how much cash to get at the airport ATM in Pounds. 8) If there is any chance at all, Get travel insurance (Your credit card may do this for expenses charged on it. 9) You do not need a VISA or shots to get into Scotland. 10) Print your itinerary and give it to neighbors and relatives. 11) You will not need a car, but if you want to go someplace else you need to rent it. 12) Carry Wet Ones to clean your seat hands and seat belt. See you when you get home

Lighthouse on the Oregon USA coast

You may not make them out, but there are people in the light

getting a view of the Pacific Ocean.