What happens if you are ten minutes late?

 Some of my favorite YouTube videos are those where a passenger gets to the gate after the door is closed and demands to get on the plane. How many times do the airlines have to say that in most airports you need to get there one and a half to two hours early for domestic flights and two or more hours early for international flights? It takes time to park, get luggage checked, tickets ready, walk to the boarding area and get on the plane. I have had to wait in the boarding areas a good deal and listen to some of this first hand, but I am always early so I can relax a bit before getting on the plane. In fact I like hanging out in the lounge if there is one. Do not think that an airline is picking on you, they are trying to keep a schedule for everyone else. They need people to make connections.  They have a certain place on the runway for takeoff. It is just the way it is.

Famous Blue Church of Bratislava, Slovakia

Down or up the Danube, a stop in Bratislava is a treat.

Nice city with loads of public art.

(Photo by Marietta McLellan)

 

The Chapel of Trinity College, Dublin Ireland

     As part of every busman's holiday, I have to stop in at every church and chapel.  This is the chapel at Trinity College in Dublin.   We were visiting while touring the island by car. Dublin is a nice city full of life. The college is no different. When we arrived at the school, a young man greeted us. He was obviously like I was in graduate school - part of the public relationship staff. One thing he noticed about me, was my Rotary International pin.  He was excited to meet a Rotarian as he was applying for a full fellowship in education through our organization. 

     I have met Rotarians around the world and have had meetings with some. It is fun to be part of a group that draws from people in all countries and walks of life.

     Trinity College is the home of The Book of Kells, and a wonderful library. 
 

Fruit vendor, Los Ramblas, Barcelona Spain

The markets all over Europe are fun to visit. The colors of this one were amazing.

 

The Royal Palace, Madrid Spain

This is pretty much a museum and also a music venue,

Don't expect to see any royalty.

Still, it is worth a visit along with the cathedral across the plaza.

 

Inside The Rock Of Gibraltar

Stalactites  in the cavern inside The Rock.

One of many miles of tunnels in The Rock.

 

Hall, used for concerts and events, in The Rock.

     Gibraltar is a nice place to visit with its British center city and its long history as a landmark and fortress. Certainly, when one thinks of Gibraltar, the Rock formation aside the sea's entrance to the Mediterranean comes to mind. It was viewed as the end of the world at one time.

     The surprise is that it is not solid. We even talk about "as solid as the Rock of Gibraltar", but is not true. It is full of natural and manmade holes and tunnels. It was carved in places for cannons and gun emplacements.  It is a place to explore as much as look upon.

     For me, I wanted to see it and not just drive it. There is a road to the top, but you need to keep your eyes on it and not anything else. So, we hired a driver for the day. He was highly recommended. He showed us the whole of the  place along with much of the day looking around The Rock.

     From the date on the photos, you can see that it has been 5.5 years since we were there, but it is still a vivid memory.

But, Paris is a busy place

 This is a photo I took from a bus while in Paris. People tell me that Paris is too busy to visit. I suppose every big city is. It is busy because it is beautiful. If you do not like crowds visit Needles California.

Glacial Lakes in Canada (Alberta)

Rangers at various lakes describe those that are created by glaciers as having rounded

borders from the cutting action of the ice. Too, these lakes have a wonderful blue-green

color from the glacial dust that flows in.

Taking the Icefield Parkway from Calgary to Jasper is a beautiful drive.

 

Along the Danube

Loads of pretty places along the river.

We took a long boat cruise down and back over ten days and it was great fun

 

Roof Tiles in Budapest

     The Hungarians are famous for their tile work. This is easy to see as one looks out across the city toward the Danube. This building is crowned with these roof tiles  seen from near and far.
 

Walking across the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California USA

The bridge is straighter than this photo makes it look!

I commuted this bridge when attending Graduate School.

 

CDG Paris Airport

The Alaska Airlines waiting are in the Portland (USA) Airport has artificial plants hanging

down to cut the cement and chrome of the average airport. The waiting area above belongs to

Air France in CDG Paris. The greenery is real. This addition is aimed at the same issue

as PDX. All large airports are hard surfaces and echoes. They look cold. Many use green

carpet or blue walls to soften the look, but this does not help much. The attempt by

Air France is a welcomed fix.

 

Famous clock in Central Prague

This clock (and being there on the hour to hear it) is akin to the 1 o'clock gun

in Edinburgh or the chimes at Notre Dame.

People line up and wait.

It is located in the old square in Central Prague and part of a good tour in the city.

We spent a week in and around the square visiting sights and going to concerts.

Prague is a busy and modern city with a long history.

 

Birds posing at Kensington Garden, London UK

There were still three empty spots for any birds that would like to rest.  The water feature is in Kensington Garden in London. We checked the bus schedule and were dropped off on one end and then caught another bus at the other. A good hike. It was warm and overcast. The birds needed the rest.
 

City Hall, Barcelona SPain

The debate in many cities about refugees is countered by a simple sign on the City Hall in Barcelona.

 

MacLellan Castle, Kirkcudbright, Scotland

This is a stock photo. I have taken others, but most not this good.

The MacLellan Castle is located in the Southwestern corner of Scotland in the town of

Kirkcudbright (pronounced: "kirk-coo-bree").

It is a fishing village and more due to its harbor. It is a relatively short drive to

Carlisle and to Castle Kennedy.

It is central to the Novel; "Five Red Herrings".

 

The Chobe River and Chobe National Park

Arriving in Botswana by air from Johannesburg, we took a small boat in the

Chobe River to be introduced to the Chobe National Park.

The river begins as a spring and ultimately joins the Zambezi.

The Chobe is full of life. On islands one sees caped buffalo and birds aplenty.

This young elephant was taking a bath near one of the islands.

I often tell how I got a certain photo with a long lens, but this photo was

as close as it appears. The elephant paid little attention to our boat or to me.

 

Ship in Amsterdam harbor and a whale's tail

One of the things a person can do in Amsterdam is to take a sighting boat along the

various waterways. The canals and harbor are  rich in sights. We did not take one of the

large tour boats. Instead I had reserved our places on a small boat (electric to

stem pollution) with The Dam Boat Guys. They are  some locals who

take tours and actually can go where the bigger boats cannot go. The drivers and tour guides

are just as colorful as the city.

Great fun.

 

A close friend went to heaven while we were traveling

Close friend and fellow USA traveler

went to heaven while we were away

R.I.P. Duncan The Dog

 

 

Mount Shasta, California

We just got back from a round trip flight to Portland from Sacramento California.

We  are equal distance from Sacramento, Oakland and San Jose. Our preferred airport

is San Francisco when we fly long distances or out of the country, but for short

flights, we have used all three of our closest airports,

We like Sacramento as it is not as busy, although it does not have

as many choices for flights. And, the flights to Portland, Seattle and Vancouver BC

go over our favorite mountain, Shasta.

Renting Cars In Other Countries Than The U.S.

Small Mercedes used to drive Italy, Austria, Germany. Liechtenstein, and Switzerland 

     We have rented a good many cars in the United States. We have used a variety of rental companies. But, when it comes to renting overseas we use AutoEurope. We have rented in Italy (see above), Ireland. England, Scotland, Canada, and Spain. Most times we rent for two to four weeks for a road trip.

      It is not difficult to drive on the left if you have a co-pilot who yells at you periodically. The Alps are fun to drive. Spain is like driving in California except for the road signs. The Autobahn is easy if you keep pace. 

      Don't be afraid of it.

 

Explore Prague By Tram

Prague has a good network of trams to take around the city.

One of them takes you out to the Museum of Modern Art

As a glass artist, I am attracted to everything fused, blown or drawn.

Here is a piece in the Museum of Modern Art.

The day we were there it was not busy at all

and they have a pleasant cafe which serves a good lunch.

 

Normandy, France

It was a rainy day on the Normandy Coast. We had visited the American Cemetery 

and the beaches. We had ridden there in a WWII army transport truck. The day was

both fun and solemn. Toward the end of the day we visited the chateau above. This

photo is of the covered entrance to the courtyard. To maintain and care for this home,

the owners have opened a winery with grapes from the property. They also have a small

museum on the site. It was informative to see the home of a local family.

 

Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands

This photo of Balmoral gives you an idea of the "castle" which is actually a manor house.

The arched area on the far left is the entry for arriving guests out of the rain.

Behind this entry is a large gallery with a good deal of art - some painted by Prince Phillip.

The Prince was a very accomplished painter.

The tower like structure on the right is what would be called a "keep" in a real castle.

The keep is the place to run and ascend to safety from enemies.

On the rear of the castle is a large stable (Elizabeth is an avid horsewoman). 

The stable area is also a garage.

This is an excellent visit (when the family is not in residence) and an easy drive from

several nice B&B's in Ballater ( a lovely town in the Highlands ). 

If visiting Ballater, make sure you go to the train station for a history lesson. 

You will also wish to visit the church across the road from the entrance to the estate. 

This snapshot was taken from the garden near the greenhouse. 

That is my wife - center - descending the steps into the garden. 

 

Christopher Columbus: good guy or bad?

 

In the United States (and I suppose in the West Indies) Christopher Columbus is now less of a hero as he was when I was young. In years past, he was celebrated as the one who discovered America in 1492.

In the last years, many have challenged this hero concept and told a story of taking land and fortunes which were not his to take.  Besides, they note he did not discover America, but really discovered certain islands in the Caribbean.

Now, when you arrive in Barcelona Spain, you get a different picture. And, in the photo above you see Columbus' crypt in the cathedral in Seville. In Spain he is celebrated for bringing Spain into worldwide conquest and riches. How he did this, no one seems to care.

This is, however, a lovely tomb in a beautiful cathedral. 

The flowers were fresh and the  locals appropriately solemn. 

On a drive outside La Villa Italy

The roads through the Sud Tyrol are fun for a guy like me to drive.

There is lots to see and a good deal to miss while keeping your eyes on the road.

There are many great circle routes to take and places to visit.

The folks speak Italian, Laden, German and English (the younger ones) and

are happy to see you.

 

From the second level of the Eiffel Tower, Paris

I like this picture (sort of proud of it) as it shows the Eiffel Tower from the Eiffel Tower plus

the wonderful buildings and gardens across the river. 

 

Barcelona Spain: Gaundi designed park

Only a few flowers in nature are blue. This bush had plenty.

This park is along a residential street in Barcelona. There is a large park with creative buildings and walkways up on a hill which gets all the traffic (you need a reservation for a specific hour). But, this small park is lovely. It contains a stable, flower gardens and a trebuchet*.

It is on the Hop On Hop Off bus route. 

*Look it up!