Our China Trip Cancelled

Okay. Our trip to various provinces in China has been cancelled - maybe - postponed. Because of the government ban, the government issues, and the coronavirus we are heading to Panama and the rain forests.

The Rock Of Gibraltar

 FROM THE OUTSIDE.

FROM THE INSIDE, 

Large caves and miles of tunnels.

Screen on the back of the seat

I enjoy (probably too much) the screen on the back of the plane seats. I do watch movies, but much of my time is watching the progress of our trip. I also learn a little geography. On the screen it may indicate what is below, and many times, on a clear day, I can look out the window and see it. Most often, the clouds (because we are flying about 35,000 feet) make me unable to see the ground.

I have a question and welcome an answer. A flight on WOW (yes, I know they do not exist any more) we flew from CDG to Edinburgh. On the coast of France I looked down on a very pretty little island. I wanted the name. Map-It and Goggle Earth does not have it... I have searched. Anyone know the name?

The Thing To Do In Paris

Eat.

La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona Spain

Gaudí was not the first and not the last architect to work on this 

wonderful church in Barcelona, but his was the great influence..

It is nearing completion.

We often see exterior shots. These interior shots are marvelous.

Photos by Mike Mclellan

Namesti Republiky, Prague

The Namesti Rebubliky (Square of the Republic) is a large open area in Prague. It marks the boundary of the Old Town and The New Town. Only a block from our hotel we passed through it going to the Municipal House or the other important squares of the Old Town. This photo shows a movable piece of art. To the left is the market of handcrafted items (seen below). Behind the photographer are two large department stores. To the far right is the short walk to Wenceslas Square.

The most meaningful photo in Paris

On our half block walk to the Louvre from our rented flat.

Americans in Paris.

The picture you must have taken in Paris

In Paris, old car, in front of Eiffel Tower,

Hi! everyone at home eat your heart out.

Horse and buggy for rent: Seville, Spain

      Seville is a great city with a charming old town center. There is a cathedral with the tomb of Columbus and a large alcazar. Excellent tram transportation runs through the center, but if you like you can take a horse and buggy as your taxi. Lots of excellent places to eat and interesting shops.

Gibraltar Guards

Don't mess around with these guys who guard the Rock of Gibraltar.
Photos by Mike McLellan

Edinburgh Scotland Zoo

A panda eats and eats and sleeps. Below, one of the hundreds of penguins who go out for a stroll around the zoo. The zoo is on a hill and is a good amount of exercise.

Napoleon's Tomb in the old military hospital. Paris

Not exactly like Kennedy's gave in Arlington with the simple single flame.

The Palace, Madrid

             The gates to the Royal Palace in Madrid. Across from the Cathedral, it is a great visit.

Details of the Alhambra, Granada, Spain

 Note the lead between the parts of this pillar in the Alhambra.

Due to this being earthquake country, the lead allows the parts to move without breaking.

 Lots of light and the building, itself, is art.

Tile detail.

Follow up. More photos from cooking class in Barcelona.

Cooking Class in Barcelona

     Down what appears to be an alley and into a charming building, we found a beautifully appointed kitchen. We were to learn how to make the national dish of paella. Took a bunch of us to do it. You will note in the top photo that the wine glasses were empty. This was my contribution to the cooking process. I opened the wine and poured it. Okay, I did stir a little, but mostly focused on the wine.

      

The Scottish Highlands

In the Scottish Highlands on the way to Loch Ness and Inverness and the ancient battlefields.

Scots and Water

Scotland is pretty much surrounded by water and has much fresh water inside.

Boats and ships are everywhere.

The bottom photo is from a bridge at Fort Augustus, one of my favorite places.

The view is out along the canal leading out to Loch Ness.

Oregon (USA) Coast near Tillamook

The coast is clear........

Balmoral Castle, Scotland

Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, near the village of Crathie, 

6.2 miles (10 km) west of Ballater and 6.8 miles (11 km) east of Braemar.

Ballater is a lovely town and our first choice as a place to stay.

It also is the train stop.

Balmoral is the Scottish Country Home of the Queen. One room contains many of the paintings of the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh,  who is very good.

Driving in Amsterdam

First hint: don't.

In Amsterdam everyone rides a bike or walks. A car is a liability. Plus, the picture above

is of the only car I would recommend.  You might see a large car now and then, 

but not often. We did take a taxi and it was a Mercedes, with a driver that 

knew what they were doing.

This same goes for London, Paris, San Francisco and New York.  

All large cities are tough to drive in and worse to park.

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls from the Zambian side. The view from Zimbabwe is actually

a little better, but much harder to get to. You need a visa.

Stables in the heart of Vienna

"Manhole" covers

 Ireland

England

Two of my rather large collection of cover photos

What do you bring back?

     These are photos of the cats of the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. We did not bring back a cat, only a photo.

     We do not buy much on trips as we have other ways of remembering our adventures. But, today as I was getting ready to leave the house I realized that I have bought some things. I have on a shirt purchased in Granada Spain (ran out of clothes and sent things to the laundry). Over the shirt is a sweater from Munich Germany (I was cold. The sweater cost 10 Euros.) Around my neck is a nice scarf that was also 10 Euros and was purchased in Prague (I was cold there too.) Socks, underwear and pants are all from the United States although they have traveled to other countries along with my shoes. Today's shoes are my worn and comfortable walking shoes. Oh, in my pocket is a knife I bought at the large department store in Paris. I am a buying of utilitarian objects. No trinkets for me.

Lake in Saint Stephen's Green, Dublin

A wonderful urban park.

Photo Mike McLellan

Mont-Saint-Michel, Brittany, France

Photo by Mike McLellan from the causeway. 

Notre Dame at Night

A quick shot as we traveled along the Seine in central Paris. Notre Dame lighted. A month or so later it burned leaving a hulk. There is debate now about if it can be rebuilt or not. The debate alone is sad.

Ronda, Spain

To say that Ronda, Spain is built on the edge of a canyon is an understatement. Views in all direction are wide and straight down. It is a pretty town and worth the short out of the way drive to see it.

Where to in 2020?

Thinking about the beach? This one is Monte Gordo, in southern Portugal. Beautiful.