The view from Montmartre in Paris

From Montmartre one can see a different side of Paris.

Usually we see Montmartre looking up at the cathedral but looking the other way

we see a more modern skyline. Tall modern buildings in the distance may surprise us.

 

The Royal Mile, Edinburgh Scotland

 

The building with the clock is the tollhouse. 

It is almost to the Palace of Holyrood House which is one end of the Royal Mile.

At the other end is Edinburgh Castle and between them is St. Giles Cathedral.

Many people stop their visit at the castle. We suggest a walk down the mile for a special experience.

However, this is touristy. That is not bad, but there is much to see on side streets and to the Mound. 

Plaza de Espana, Seville

The benefits of getting lost.

Seville is a wonderful city with its Alcazar and its great sites. It is friendly and welcoming.

We set off on a walk through the park and botanical gardens not far from the central city.

We had gotten lost the day before and found special things and special people.

This day we  we were lost and happened upon the Plaza de Espana a place of art, water and relaxation.

The wide sheltered walkways are covered in colorful tiles.

And there, to the left, is one of my favorite things to photograph. A light pole.

 

Scotland

Two photos of the Firth of Forth railway bridge from the Edinburgh side.

I was standing at the quay ready to board a small boat to tour the area.

There is lots to see from fortified islands to sailboats to seals.

Fun experience if you are ever there.

 

Surprises good and bad

Wherever we have gone in Europe we have been surprised by art.

From a statue of Ronald Reagan in Slovakia to the great masters in Italy.

This statue, however had me wondering. It is just on the steps of the state museum in Munich.

I thought it odd and was surprised to be told to look closely.

Aha! It is Bacchus the god of wine and fertility.

I am not sure how attractive to women he is. 

 

 

A380 forward mounted camera

I take photos out of the windows of airplanes. The ones of Greenland look like a white circus tent.

When we fly overseas we usually leave at around 4pm. Thus we can see the Sierra and much of the upper Midwest. Out of San Francisco it is green, white, beige, green and would be blue over Hudson's Bay if it were not dark. Time to get some sleep, but photos of cities from 35,000 feet are cool.

The photo above was not taken out of the window.

The A380 has a down camera and a front focused one on the tail.

All you need to do is take a photo of the video screen on the seat in front of you.

An aside, unhappily Air France is stopping the use of the A380. 

 

Out our Paris window

Why a garbage truck?

My grandson loved garbage trucks at the time so I took photos of them in at least four countries.

This one also includes a small grocery store (behind the hood of the truck.. see fruit.).

We needed to go to the store regularly because we were cooking breakfast in our rented flat.

We have done this a number of times and because the flats have not had pepper for eggs

we brought home pepper shakers. Always white pepper.

The eggs were from free range chickens and the shells took a major whack to break them.

We did not bring any eggs back. 

 

Sex Workers

This may seem like a strange topic, but it is a collection of glimpses of the center of some cities.

Travelers know of the reputations of places like Bangkok and Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is in the final stages of moving their red light district out of the central city.

Amsterdam's district was a major tourist attraction.

But, there are also obvious other places where this sort of thing is seen.

My wife and I were having lunch it a plaza in Madrid. Two "lovely" young women dressed

for work made an office at the top of the local metro stairs. A man protectively watched the action from the shadows. Over a lunch hour, the woman took several walks with men who seemed to be strangers.

Prague has a large massage parlor very near the Municipal House (see above).

It is right in the famous plaza heralding the Astronomical Clock.  

Lots more sightings.

While seen in U.S. cities, it is more open in these European countries.

You don't have to look for  it, It finds you.

 

African safari

On safari you may not see all of the Big Five as leopards are hard to spot.

You can, however see the migration of Zebras or a tower (yes, that is what a group is called) of giraffes.

Later at the Chobe we watched the migration of hundreds of zebras going south.

VENICE on foot

 Excuse the lack of photo here. I seem to have misplaced my chip of Venice. However that does not change what I would like to say.

Venice is a wonderful visit and will be made more wonderful with the absence of the large passenger liners. The size of these ships changes the skyline and their movement erodes the piles which hold the city up. We suggest that without a cruise you will see more and do less damage. Plus you will see Venice without boat loads of people with cameras and wearing shorts. 

If the larger ships are in port you need to get up early and walk the streets and bridges before the cruise people come shore after their breakfast.  Take the vaporetto out to Murano or Burano during the day. In the evening after the people go back to the cruise ship come back to the city for dinner and wonderful long walks. The restaurants are busy at lunch. You will discover a small cafe with good food and wine in the evening. You will, however need to wait until after 8 pm when the Italians usually dine.

On our visit we discovered a good restaurant in The Ghetto (not what Americans think. It is Jewish). We waited until evening and walked back there from our hotel. The place attracted Italians. We then went for an evening stroll to the Opera House. Warning: the souvenir shops will be closed. Buy your glass on Murano.  

Central Pedestrian Square: Innsbruck Austria

Innsbruck is a lovely city and very walkable in the central old town.

On a Sunday in the summertime, the people are out and enjoying the sun.

Innsbruck is another city in our visits of Olympic sites.

 

Victoria and Albert Museum in London

The V & A in London is a favorite.

The British Museum is large and beautiful with its new rotunda but

The Victoria and Albert focusses on art more than artifacts.

The photo above is of a blow glass sculpture hanging in the entry.

 

Veteran's Day 2024

When our granddaughter as 12 we took her on her choice of trip. We have done this with all four of of our grandkids.  They have taught us a great deal. Madison chose Paris and then a longboat down the Seine to Normandy. At the beach we had opportunity to place a wreath at the memorial and to try and imagine what it all could have been like. It is a solemn place, but one where we celebrate those who have served. I did not serve in the military because of my legs, but my three brothers-in-law did. 

I appreciate what they did.  

 

The Altar in the cathedral in Cortina d' Ampezzo

 

Cortina is a city  in the Dolomites.

It was host to the Winter Olympics and will be again in 2026.

They are sharing the event with Milan.

This a a lovely church that welcomes people to worship.

Tower of St. Martin's In The Field

This is a large church at Trafalgar Square in London.

We have worshipped there twice on separate trips.

Their orchestra and choir are known worldwide.

In most churches when the postlude starts people leave.

Not here. People stay and listen to the grand organ and applaud at the end. 

 

Ferris Wheel at Honfleur France on Bastille Day

My granddaughter and my wife decided that this would be a fun thing to do.

It was, but the gondolas had no seatbelts and their doors did not lock.

It was more of an adventure than first thought.

The sky cleared for the traditional fireworks.

 

The Cloister of Saint Wandrille Abbey, France

I am always drawn to the cloisters of monasteries and abbeys.

This is the part that allows walking outside even in bad weather.

It is an area around a garden for walking and prayer.

My favorite is The Iona Abbey on the isle. But this one in France is interesting in that it was more closed and leads to the chapel where we experienced a program of Georgian chants. 

This abbey is one of the oldest ecclesiastical structures in France.  

Scotland the Brave

A castle/ manor house open for visitors:

Cawdor Castle near Nairn, The Highlands.

When people think of Scotland they may remember William Wallace or Robert the Bruce.

They think of bagpipes which were implements of war.

There were many battles and wars, but today the battle is for tourist dollars.

It is an easy and excellent visit.

(We have done  it by bus, train, and driving (on the left) in an automobile. 

 

Flower Market in Munich

Those of us who live near San Francisco or Seattle have seen flower vendors on the streets.

All around Europe there are these places to buy flowers.

Paris has a whole section near Norte Dame devoted to them.

In other countries there are nearly always places to buy flowers.

I suspect that it is because in the central city of any nation, there is little room for gardens.

It is a way of bringing the outdoor in.

 

Inside the Rock of Gibraltar

This is a cave and those are seats.

It looks solid but it has large chambers for a variety of uses from music to war.

The first tunnels were for gun placements during America's Revolution in 1776.

 

One Horse-Power Carriage in Seville

We have seen them in Germany, Italy, and Spain. These carriages are tourist ready vehicles

to take folks to view the central city. This one is in Seville. The ones in Florence can be found

near the Baptistry. It think it is more fun to watch than ride.

 

The Air Above The Alps

In the Italian Alps and the Austrian Alps we saw many people hang gilding or

using small motors with parachutes. The updrafts make it a good sport.

  

 

When we are traveling we like to go to worship on Sundays.

It is not that we are so religious as we wish to see what other churches are like.

These two photos were taken in Norte Dame We worshipped there twice.

We also have worshipped at St. Martin's In The Fields, London, twice - great music.

Of other note for us was St. Giles in Edinburgh.

Lots more and we learned a great deal about how we are very much alike.

 

Seville still likes Columbus

Christopher Columbus is no longer a big deal in the United States.

We know he didn't discover America although he did sail to the Americas.

But, two places that still celebrate him are Barcelona and Seville Spain.

Barcelona has a tower with a statue of Columbus pointing to America 

- only it posts more toward Africa.

In the big cathedral in Seville has his tomb.

 

Field of Sunflowers in Tuscany, Italy

When traveling it seems to me to be the little things that excite me.

Sure the Forum in Rome or the Edinburgh Castle are impressive.

Yet while everyone is looking there I people watch and look at dogs and see flowers.

 

Princess of Wales and Kensington Garden.

If you are trying to see all of the high spots of London you may miss some of the best of it.

Starting at the monument for Prince Albert erected by Queen Victoria 

take the Princess Diana walk across Kensington Garden 

you will see where busy Londoners can come to rest.

Along the way you will see this sculpture of Peter Pan (playing the pan pipe).

 

Castle Neuschwanstein Castle

Taking a bus from Munich is an easy way to get through the heart of Bavaria 

and to the base of the hill  upon which Neuschwanstein castle sits.

There is a shuttle from the base to the top or you can take a horse cart ride.

While the castle is wonderful, so is the view from there.

Our visit was in October just as the Fall color was coming out.

This photo was more about the color than the castle.

A glen on the walk down.

 

Rhino charge

One of the most frightening encounters with a wild animal was not in Africa.

It was when our car got charged by Jack the Rhino at Wildlife Safari in Winston Oregon.

 

The Tongabezi Trust School, Zambia

While in Zambia we visited a (very) rural school. We brought them books and school supplies.

Our group included four youngsters who had been pen pals to the Tongabezi students.

Here they are out in the recreation area spending time.

Our kids put on entertainment for the African school and they proved entertainment for us.

The students of the school speak English as well as a tribal language.

They have lessons on computers although when we were there it was three students to one unit.

Education for all.

 

Lismore Ireland by surprize

This is a "Close" or courtyard in Lismore Ireland.

When we are going to drive in a country (and I have driven nine in Europe)  I start with Google Earth.

I try to drive the roads or at least the cities and towns. It is fun, not work.

We had planned on driving from Kilkenny to Cobh but started seeing other places to stop.

We were only half way when we decided to call it a day.

I had "driven" Lismore on Google. I had checked out the BnB's just it case.

It gave me the opportunity to drive directly to our choice.

We were not lost, just taking a detour on our adventure.

This photo hangs on our wall.

 

Saint Canice's Cathedral Kilkenny Ireland: Obama's lineage

We know President Obama's father was from Kenya and his mother from Ireland.

In Kilkenny Ireland there is a cathedral called St. Canice's. A nice walk from the castle it dominates one end of the central city. In the crypt, buried in the wall, is Obama's relative on his mother's side. 

They are proud to say President Obama is really Black Irish but made in America. 

 

A view of the Alcazar (Castle) in Seville Spain

 

The Alcazar in Seville is lovely.

An Alcazar is a Moorish or Muslim fortress. There is one at the Alhambra in Granada

and another in Seville. They are beautifully decorated.

This photo shows a tower seen through the trees at Seville. Seville is a great visit.

The Muslims held land in southern Spain and left behind some wonderful places.

Now: if you try to get tickets to visit the two Alcazars and are unable to do so, sign up for a guided tour.

The tour guides buy up the tickets. We had reservations in Granada but just got in line in Seville and were offered a guided tour with a group. Yes, you pay a little more than the ticket price.

There are a number of other photos in this blog.

Fall along the Danube (Austria)

Taken this same date is a photo of the beginning of color change along the Danube in Austria. 

We had flown in from Connecticut expecting fall color there, but the first frost had not come.

So, as we travelled down the river we had hoped to see some color -no luck.

Our timing would have been right the former year, but not this one.

Planning sometimes does not help. still pretty even at that.

 

The Chapel of Trinity College, Dublin

 

Walking around the campus of Trinity College in Dublin I meet a young student

who saw my Rotary International lapel pin. He was in the process of applying for and International Fellowship from Rotary. We had a nice chat about the program and he directed us on our tour of campus. I am guessing he was on Work Study. This is the chapel at Trinity.

Favorite Museums

My favorite museums during travels:

The Apartheid Museum  in South Africa, The Bargello in Florence, The Uffizi in Florence, The Victoria and Albert in London, The Museum of Modern Art in Prague, The Borghese in Rome, The Musee d'Orsay in Paris, The Musee Rodin in Paris, The National Gallery in Edinburgh, the Prado in Madrid, The Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco, and the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. 

Others will be featured here. 

 

Canals and Bikes: Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a city with many personas. It is known on one hand to be free wheeling with sex and drugs. On the other hand it is a lovely city of churches, waterways, and International trade. It has a very walkable central city. It is a city with more bicycles than people, and you will notice that when walking around. The canal maintenance people will tell you that an equal number of bikes are in the water. Getting into Amsterdam by train lets you see what the rural areas of Netherlands look like.
 

On African Safari: Botswana/Zambia

Sunset on the Zambezi River.

This photo was taken from a boat just west of Victoria Falls near the city of Livingstone. 

It is one of our last nights having traveled on this trip: through Paris, Belgium, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and home through Amsterdam. We realize that most people do not have the time to do this. And... when done we were tired. But it was a great adventure. Most of it we planned on our own. Tours are great, but we always add on before and after.

 

Top ten favorite places in Europe

 The Tyrolean Dolomites

Fort Augustus, Scotland

Verona, Italy

Seville, Spain

Kilkenny, Ireland

Kirkcudbright, Scotland

Prague, CZ

The Dolomites, Italy

Budapest, Hungary

Vienna, Austria

Paris, France

Caledonian Canal and Ft. Augustus Scotland

We have visited Fort Augustus twice. The first time we stayed at 

a hotel owned by the family of Chris McLellan. They were wonderful people and it is a nice bed and breakfast. Nothing beats an English/Scottish breakfast. I personally like black pudding and haggis. Not everyone's favorites.   In only a few hundred yards are the locks that control the Caledonian Canal as it dumps into Loch Ness. This photo is taken from the bridge at the lock looking at the Loch. ( A couple of words that sound alike.)This is one of my top ten favorite places.

 

The Treasury of the Residenz Palace Munich

The unheralded museums of Europe.

We are museum groupies. We find ourselves in lesser known places.

For example a visit to the Museum of Modern Art in Prague on a weekday means no crowds.

One we found interesting is The Treasury in Munich.

Here you will see the Crown Jewels on Bavaria and more 

 

Newgrange, Ireland

Newgrange was built by Stone Age farmers, the mound is 279ft in diameter and 43ft high, an area of about 1 acre. A passage measuring 62ft leads into a chamber with 3 alcoves. The passage and chamber are aligned with the rising sun on the mornings around the Winter Solstice.

Easiest is to take a tour out of Dublin. You will see other sites too.

This site may be older than the pyramids of Egypt.

You can go into the mound to the spot where the Winter Solstice sun aligns.

The passage way is narrow. Some folks have trouble fitting. We did not. 

The Famous Temple Bar, Dublin Ireland

The whole area goes by the name of the bar.

Beer and music in many venues.

 

Fascinating Water: Banff to Jasper, Alberta Canada

The drive from Banff  to Jasper is wonderful.

Of interest to me, everywhere on the drive you see water a vibrant 

shade of blue. It occurs due to the dust left from the grinding

of the receding glaciers.