Dingle Harbor, The Irish Republic

All photos by Mike McLellan, unless otherwise noted.

 

Narrow Streets in Amsterdam call for narrow cars

...and short ones too.

 

Boardwalk to viewing deck at Pigeon Point Lighthouse, California USA

A quiet Monday at the San Mateo County Beach: Pigeon Point Lighthouse.

About 100 yard from the parking lot, them path gives way to the boardwalk out 

and around the fog horn building (at the right) to the lookout platform. Here you can watch the 

birds, seals and often a whale or two.

 

In Africa: Which is most dangerous?

 

While the cheetah appears more dangerous than the wild dog, the dogs run in packs and

are much more dangerous. Not that you want to try either one according to our guide.

(Top photo by Marietta McLellan, Bottom photo by Mike McLellan)

 

Four Day Layover in Brussels on the way to southern Africa

Brussels in the headquarters of the European Union and a pretty city with lots to see.

We stopped there via Paris on our way to South Africa and Botswana (etc.). It is

a city of art and we hired a tour driver for the day to see the sights. 

He knew where all the good waffle places were.

 

In the Dolomites, Sud Tyrol, Italy

 Nine years ago, Mr. Cool went for a walk at the top of the gondola that comes straight up out of La Villa, Italy. The top includes a cafe, ski area and the beginning point for a long cross-country skiing area. While in the summer, it is at altitude and cool. Note that it is no where near the top of anything except this intermediate mountain. La Villa is a wonderful, tiny village, where we stayed several  nights headquartered for traveling around the Sud Tyrol (South Tyrolean Alps) of Italy, We drove the area in a rental out of Verona. Also visited Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and the Italian Lakes in a loop of driving. Retirement is nice. (Photo by Marietta McLellan)

Palm Springs? Nope - Lismore, The Irish Republic

There are palm trees along the southern coast of Ireland and in Scotland, as well. The shells on the beaches are much the same as those on the eastern coast in the USA. The Gulf Stream from the Caribbean nicks the southern USA and goes right across the Atlantic to the British Isles. I would not have guess the nature of southern Ireland.

Bratislava, Slovakia

Bratislava, the capitol of Slovakia is a city of statues including that of Ronald Reagan*   who was credited with helping bring down a divided Central Europe. Lots of fun art.

Bratislava became capitol of Slovakia when it divided from the Czech Republic.

*Ronald Reagan 

 

How did you get here?

We spent three weeks driving around the Irish Republic. (Lower Ireland). We flew into London for a week's visit.  We landed at Heathrow. Making our way to the taxi stand we followed the signs that said "Arriving from Ireland" and we followed it. You understand we were actually not coming from "Ireland" (Northern) which is part of the British Empire. We walked in got a taxi and had a good time. When we got ready to fly back to Dublin and then to San Francisco, we came to passport check and security. The issue was that we were not actually admitted to England. No stamp. We got a stamp in and out and left for Ireland ,,, I guess we don't look like spies or smugglers.

The Alhambra as seen from the gardens

The Alhambra requires reservations in advance. Most reservations are scooped up by

guides and as you are better off with a guide, go ahead and book one. Arrive early

and look around, visit the bookstore/gift shop. This is an all day adventure anyway,

so plan for a day and then take the tram down using the extra time to see Granada 

around the tram stop. I have a photo just like this graphic, but am using this Spanish

art print as the colors are pretty.

Street Artist painting: Barcelona Spain

We were fortunate enough to meet an artist painting a watercolor of  this

bridge between the cathedral and the priest's home.

Shortly after our purchase he moved along.

 

Atop the Olympic Hill: Barcelona

Atop the same hill that the venue of the Summer Olympics can be found

in Barcelona, you will also an old fortress. The fort has great views and

it is easy to see why they would install a cannon to keep themselves safe. 

The opposite view from the one above is that of the harbor.

 

The New Firth of Forth Bridge (behind the not so new), Between Edinburgh and Glasgow

We have driven over this new bridge in both a car and a bus as well as passing under the old bridge on the way to the islands out in the forth (bay). Three bridges here: two for autos and one for trains.
 

The Edinburgh Whisky Experience

Just a corner of the Whisky Experience in Edinburgh Scotland.

You get to taste test four of the 5,000 bottles in the collection and keep the glass.

 

Wrong Palace

At Buckingham while action is at Winsor. 

 

The garden of the palace, Paris France

The garden near the palace in the guest area  there are small beds with flowers, but is mostly devoted

to walking paths among the trees. As I look at this, I am reminded of the description that 

E.A. Poe made about Spring. He defined spring as when it is summer in the sun and winter in the shade.

 

The "Eyes" have it...

All around the world, communities are building large Ferris wheels. The most prominent is likely the London Eye which detracts from the Thames near Westminster. Other countries have their own large or small. Paris has a small one -- open air -- in the central garden as part of the amusement area. Note that this one s well as the one in Honfluer is not very modern or safe.  I don't1 think much of them. I prefer the carousel 

Storytelling

When traveling we seem to be able to take an ordinary experience and turn it into an anecdote.

Collecting stories is one reason why I travel, but not as important as how traveling

changes me. It is true re-creation.

Take a simple event like coming to the Eifel Tower and looking at the long line for the elevator. 

I carry a cane because of long problems with my legs. I sometimes wear braces. At the

Eifel Tower, this last time, I was using a cane and as we approached the line a nice young man directed us away to another area. This area was not populated and a straight shot to the elevator.

Granted, it was welcome. 

This act of kindness is now an anecdote.

 

Vienna, Austria

Vienna is a beautiful, clean and welcoming city that is a center of culture and 

science over the generations. It has a great amount to see.

When we were there last, I had a problem walking. We managed to tour much of the great center

city, the palace and the art gallery. But, instead of touring in the afternoon, I took a taxi back

to the ship we were on in the Danube. The taxi drive was mazing to me. I was sure the driver did not know where he was going. I saw all the important sites and passed beautiful buildings and 

gardens and suddenly were at the pier. It was very reasonable in price and just what I needed.

I was ready for the orchestra concert that evening.

 

Street Lights: Barcelona

 

This street light is just one of my collection. I have photos from various cities around Europe. I do not know why.

The Carousel, The Louvre, Paris

 Do you want to visit the Louvre? The Carousel Entrance is usually not a long line and much quicker. When entering this way, you will also pass some nice shops and the huge food court with meals from around the world. (The Entrance is on the main street near the Carousel.)

Pig Joint -- delectable?

This is a pig joint (one leg or the other) served with dumplings (the round potato like objects to the left)and cooked cabbage. This is considered a great meal in Germany.  This is my dinner in Munich.

It is ok, but hard work to get to the meat. The dumplings are good. I like most things to eat and always

try new things. The beer was good. The meal was a 'c' for me.

Waterton Lake, Alberta, Canada

Looking south from the Prince of Wales Hotel toward the United States.

The border lies in center where lake meets shore.

 

The Roman Aqueduct, Segovia Spain

 

Two views of the Roman aqueduct that greets people at the bottom of the hill

leading to the central part of Segovia. This is a beautiful city perched on a

hill top which affords it a view of friends and foes all around.

Features of the city ae the alcazar, cathedral, great views and

some very good places to eat.

Durnstein, Austria

Durnstein Castle, Photo by Mike McLellan

 

Neuschwanstein Castle: South of Munich

 

Bavaria is a pretty area in the Southwest corner of Germany.

The mountains provide a beautiful back-drop to the quaint villages.

These same mountains frame this familiar castle and climbing the

grade behind the castle allows for this iconic photo.

Municipal House, Center City Prague

Home to a couple of cafes and an American Bar the Municipal House stands to one side of the

tower marking the entrance  to the pedestrian area of the central city of Prague.

We spent a week one half block away from here in a great hotel.

 

The Grand Canal, Venice, Italy

Photo by Mike McLellan

 

Good Friday: Crucifix, Pietro Vecchio, Verona Italy

 

Railroad Museum and Steam Train: Jamestown, CA