tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47284954833075162622024-03-18T21:26:10.270-07:00Diane's TravelsDianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626364476155545127noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728495483307516262.post-26266634945994038742023-08-25T16:45:00.063-07:002023-09-15T10:56:52.051-07:002023 Alaskan/Canada Tour<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Tuesday, July 4, 2023<br /><br />Scott and I went on a 13-day tour of Alaska Wednesday (7-5-23), kicking off with a 3-night ocean cruise from Vancouver, Canada to Skagway, Alaska along the Inside Passage, which is the entire region of Southeast Alaska, as well as British Columbia. Our cruise ship was the Holland America Line’s MS Volendam. After the first few days on the MS Volendam the rest of the trip was on land.<br /><br />Tuesday was a long, uneventful, and uncomfortable flight from LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to the Vancouver International Airport (YVR). We stayed at the nice Hotel BLU which is in the middle of everything. We opted to go to the Bloedel Conservatory and the VanDusen Botanical Garden instead of shopping, which appears to be the major pastime for tourists here.<br /><br />The Conservatory was fascinating, birds and bushes. Mostly showy Macaws and some parrots. Then a few other smaller birds flying around. The plants were mostly labeled, the most notable was all the ones named after metal, cast iron plant, aluminum plant, and another one that I don't remember. We saw one critically endangered tree, the Wollemi Pine, but it’s not a true pine tree according to my research, but interesting reading about this tree.<br /><br />Then Scott and I hiked to the Botanical Garden which was also beautiful and not as cool (temperature wise). After the Botanical Gardens in NY, these were kinda small but still beautiful. The most notable thing there was 2 totem poles that I didn't photograph (rats!). and lots of mostly abstract sculptures on lawns in big open spaces. Total miles for the day about 5. That was a lot for Scott who doesn't clock more than 1 on a normal day. We took a city bus from there back to downtown. We waited at a bus stop and a bus whizzed by us causing me grave concern, but Scott didn't despair and the next one stopped. The lady bus driver said that the stop had been discontinued but she took mercy on us. Thank goodness. Just another travel adventure. <br /><br />Back to the hotel for you guessed it, gin and tonics to beat the heat, and then to Yaletown (the south side of the downtown Vancouver peninsula) for dinner at a fabulous Indian restaurant. It was a restorative day being in nature and beauty after the hecticness of the 3 weeks getting ready to leave for this trip. <br /><br />The following 4 photos were taken at the Bloedel Conservatory.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZxZGKgLZOCTCD8vHGpj9hPHUBdWk4XpGVa1-DVRfuf1U7cysuZEven7ygAJYojQggSH5tG7q6lFHaM70aOqP-2EU56b7W4vryOS4K1smBdXBlIOCy59uj_WJ_wChBeDZYdAtKpPU8u5yimZy432NGzNKnianogDnBgUqqRKWEFNLwvdoH_hYERX7kJCA/s2688/IMG_8328.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZxZGKgLZOCTCD8vHGpj9hPHUBdWk4XpGVa1-DVRfuf1U7cysuZEven7ygAJYojQggSH5tG7q6lFHaM70aOqP-2EU56b7W4vryOS4K1smBdXBlIOCy59uj_WJ_wChBeDZYdAtKpPU8u5yimZy432NGzNKnianogDnBgUqqRKWEFNLwvdoH_hYERX7kJCA/s16000/IMG_8328.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Diane at Bloedel Conservatory</span></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IENNHQU9EFjpMJyBX8k2zSGXe--EEFeZZaDhp2HTUmRtY3vwL7rzTlDvmF3vg8GMN-fedL7g8gLFSrQnjWiCl5pBupEZgSOiUb4ovlhG7s7sYj8ieMQslDEgQnMd1GXvIp1bD9_Gf315QcyPOKWqzwwXBoyG7r0Q7Rcqsw-Wih4C4lcSJ7BG9hDXw7b4/s2688/IMG_8335.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IENNHQU9EFjpMJyBX8k2zSGXe--EEFeZZaDhp2HTUmRtY3vwL7rzTlDvmF3vg8GMN-fedL7g8gLFSrQnjWiCl5pBupEZgSOiUb4ovlhG7s7sYj8ieMQslDEgQnMd1GXvIp1bD9_Gf315QcyPOKWqzwwXBoyG7r0Q7Rcqsw-Wih4C4lcSJ7BG9hDXw7b4/s16000/IMG_8335.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Wollerni Pine<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-y6GvPgZXCXUty0aMJnCGpUu513j_BSV0VxYdNP10vG7qsIrCZOJMbh6yRdrjRBT-bldxdaYYqUcz0RiiWbItnmiYesySObwtJdVHqdwu75mOmcVXb3Jk574SAOGTnFOd_M_eL8G9t6EFUrSS04dev5tU5mdSYD_r4GaiW8rbjB9qArKmP9n7D1NhD0f/s2688/IMG_8340.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-y6GvPgZXCXUty0aMJnCGpUu513j_BSV0VxYdNP10vG7qsIrCZOJMbh6yRdrjRBT-bldxdaYYqUcz0RiiWbItnmiYesySObwtJdVHqdwu75mOmcVXb3Jk574SAOGTnFOd_M_eL8G9t6EFUrSS04dev5tU5mdSYD_r4GaiW8rbjB9qArKmP9n7D1NhD0f/s16000/IMG_8340.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: View of the gardens</span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutIQlMTqj7JAWPgTwPWwdOFTcy9qelPJ6uW_tdj9TLihBtejoyNx1mTwRkrMK201uSmzYPsIdsOT2w36Ed3hAeV6ZUonKNgAQZ_9KTw7J3p0ZlzyxgSBG-v4Sx83E6hhMPQNDriIYmOv29HXyPAi1LDFqql9Ww2XS4QchLmMfBXSoo6HgTrTR7g1o4tUj/s2016/IMG_8345.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutIQlMTqj7JAWPgTwPWwdOFTcy9qelPJ6uW_tdj9TLihBtejoyNx1mTwRkrMK201uSmzYPsIdsOT2w36Ed3hAeV6ZUonKNgAQZ_9KTw7J3p0ZlzyxgSBG-v4Sx83E6hhMPQNDriIYmOv29HXyPAi1LDFqql9Ww2XS4QchLmMfBXSoo6HgTrTR7g1o4tUj/s16000/IMG_8345.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: View of the gardens with the fisheye lens</span></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The next 3 photos are from the VanDusen Botanical Garden.</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMxv3oJ16M_zQwJ2rwLm_El8xuKBYk0UAwZMCKmMqLCIt6zqGXrLeSL_FDsKnCIxJwggrzNOFPu21Eh7GGAPHOwpwpNiDb9SLv6rHy5f9SUVjvTu1-jYMgtQoAfp5Epp2643TpgeZreWE0BkG9-ryEeQhZM0NfAQCC4yQ2Txg0LeBO5vNSbcd0fqH3OEl/s2016/IMG_8351.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMxv3oJ16M_zQwJ2rwLm_El8xuKBYk0UAwZMCKmMqLCIt6zqGXrLeSL_FDsKnCIxJwggrzNOFPu21Eh7GGAPHOwpwpNiDb9SLv6rHy5f9SUVjvTu1-jYMgtQoAfp5Epp2643TpgeZreWE0BkG9-ryEeQhZM0NfAQCC4yQ2Txg0LeBO5vNSbcd0fqH3OEl/s16000/IMG_8351.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Entrance to the VanDusen Botanical Garden</span></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvDGlYRAl-ZmYHl8myJEeoST3JZOt3oTYnNajPx-JY2Be4_H45GKS7hZvLD5KpicZD8r8kqaltbnFK1hf_TGhAwmB6-ItcKycSAD-IKCYzu7XS1mvg50T80Q3g7aTZY0eOWX0-LaHjXghtKHdoUKeqTzk_LLqe0313g8mmwpFx1Yn9N6dKRZvoeOgEFJn/s2016/P1030015.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvDGlYRAl-ZmYHl8myJEeoST3JZOt3oTYnNajPx-JY2Be4_H45GKS7hZvLD5KpicZD8r8kqaltbnFK1hf_TGhAwmB6-ItcKycSAD-IKCYzu7XS1mvg50T80Q3g7aTZY0eOWX0-LaHjXghtKHdoUKeqTzk_LLqe0313g8mmwpFx1Yn9N6dKRZvoeOgEFJn/s16000/P1030015.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: Diane under a Chilean Rhubar Leaf</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfUgYf_ZHcLsueD2HN2jzIHcYAH_A2UJ0j962f8aDIzbmylT1Z2cC5iOV6V6no2eTPvMnn3jP7sFj0RKolbemLGbhtLyvicQUCsPqRnGgnSuLLPjZ__KDtcQS9T5NoTD7P0mEkPopsFxgUX2hBvRxb5hG0SbMDo5pgG20fc1I5UApKDyXO3XdjJgTPIDr/s2217/P1030041.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2217" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfUgYf_ZHcLsueD2HN2jzIHcYAH_A2UJ0j962f8aDIzbmylT1Z2cC5iOV6V6no2eTPvMnn3jP7sFj0RKolbemLGbhtLyvicQUCsPqRnGgnSuLLPjZ__KDtcQS9T5NoTD7P0mEkPopsFxgUX2hBvRxb5hG0SbMDo5pgG20fc1I5UApKDyXO3XdjJgTPIDr/s16000/P1030041.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Another plant of some kind</span></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Day 1: Wednesday, July 5, 2023: Sail from Vancouver, B.C.</b><br /><br />This ocean portion is a cruise in the Inside Passage and stopping at Tracy Arm Inlet, Juneau and then debarking at Skagway, all in Alaska.<br /><br />The land portion will be a few days in Skagway, followed by a trip to Frazer, Whitehorse, Minto, Dawson City, Fairbanks, Denali National Park, and Anchorage, but more on these when they happen.<br /><br />Below is a map illustrating this trip.</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSloK3-8VbaGTbMXi-s1dpNtGt9w7p8zIiYX5xa1LE6wI_n2ANVaR7qLMHVMsSdFxo-eCxYn12QxasFNhrztQMEXskp6vtANNHD3kHOXb4tyxVvY1TRxUcChCWrBx1FlBVx_jMV72CFslGw6GGaHCNlGdWt7onpRWlBcclZ-N473zsaiTOJn3OQ1p_dYya/s1200/Map-13%20Day.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSloK3-8VbaGTbMXi-s1dpNtGt9w7p8zIiYX5xa1LE6wI_n2ANVaR7qLMHVMsSdFxo-eCxYn12QxasFNhrztQMEXskp6vtANNHD3kHOXb4tyxVvY1TRxUcChCWrBx1FlBVx_jMV72CFslGw6GGaHCNlGdWt7onpRWlBcclZ-N473zsaiTOJn3OQ1p_dYya/s16000/Map-13%20Day.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Map of our trip</span></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />The following photo is a picture of our cruise ship, stolen from the Internet.</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZbB_enmit5_qMqvKVVrgJE3s8X2JffSRPn_Qqf4RzdpFyQq32ojdmv0ljaU-QhxiRD-_tLGSZCpNJ67kY2o6LygW2XDXbWlrfBMq47oP8_1wm7FWMSDIi0JG9cCo_cnsi6F3F6p80g7Hpg9lcwQ3o25GMG-baGxaLhV5mZ7Zgj9tU1NsUWsMsYWdm2Yk/s2016/MS_Volendam.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1337" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZbB_enmit5_qMqvKVVrgJE3s8X2JffSRPn_Qqf4RzdpFyQq32ojdmv0ljaU-QhxiRD-_tLGSZCpNJ67kY2o6LygW2XDXbWlrfBMq47oP8_1wm7FWMSDIi0JG9cCo_cnsi6F3F6p80g7Hpg9lcwQ3o25GMG-baGxaLhV5mZ7Zgj9tU1NsUWsMsYWdm2Yk/s16000/MS_Volendam.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Photo of the MS Volendam, from the Internet</span></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Our plan was to leave our luggage on the ship and adventure forth. However, Scott had a major deal to attend to, so we were later than we expected and didn't get to eat on the ship, so off to a slow-not-so-rousing start.<br /><br />We did get through the organized chaos of getting our luggage on the ship, but not us, as once on the ship you can't get off. <br /><br />The location of the ship's terminal (Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal) is on the edge of Gastown, a famous section of Vancouver, named for Captain John "Gassy Jack" Deighton, an early hotel owner in Vancouver. We wanted to see Gastown's famous landmark, the steam-powered clock. We walked into Gastown wondering where the clock was, with a stop at a stunning native art gallery. Then along the main drag there it was, the steam-powered clock. We waited for it to spew steam at the 45-minute mark and then due to hunger pains we returned to our ship. See photos below.</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhq49cIJTKxauQDGbbQT7Kx6SHrUrtaAmNcCzvWj3edd5T82rS9qRw0kxfoEtXSAEO8Epj8r4_t5L-hMrRNm-FyB4-bHKOyc2-Ozu1qJOJe55nMxsM8bk8sDP-uAiaA4K-onK8BMrrSMPCjMWz-Fn6WUA1-zzA2ylhcG88gLQ2uTSQLQICBgU4YISwoquq/s2451/IMG_8360.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2451" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhq49cIJTKxauQDGbbQT7Kx6SHrUrtaAmNcCzvWj3edd5T82rS9qRw0kxfoEtXSAEO8Epj8r4_t5L-hMrRNm-FyB4-bHKOyc2-Ozu1qJOJe55nMxsM8bk8sDP-uAiaA4K-onK8BMrrSMPCjMWz-Fn6WUA1-zzA2ylhcG88gLQ2uTSQLQICBgU4YISwoquq/s16000/IMG_8360.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Steam-powered clock</span></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFE8zuW1kDxzRENkJYVTyIDGom_A2eX811byjW1we57uTssW7UmsTmQkyceFw38INuLhHmrQcbjTwN-bbuaR7BwKdUMWXFn7bidFWCYLgsd9J_s-EPsNkuvD-n4TcsXhvlIBczEEaS6QZSF9qbwXrYpyOKelFVDfkpGr2f-RD52VJTWMjsHZJxHWJJqrY/s2016/IMG_8356.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFE8zuW1kDxzRENkJYVTyIDGom_A2eX811byjW1we57uTssW7UmsTmQkyceFw38INuLhHmrQcbjTwN-bbuaR7BwKdUMWXFn7bidFWCYLgsd9J_s-EPsNkuvD-n4TcsXhvlIBczEEaS6QZSF9qbwXrYpyOKelFVDfkpGr2f-RD52VJTWMjsHZJxHWJJqrY/s16000/IMG_8356.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: Inscription</span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After a too large lunch and a nap, we navigated the WiFi and went to the sail-away party. I wish we'd had time to go to Stanley Park, a magnificent green oasis in the middle of Vancouver. but we didn’t. <br /><br />After that we went to the Ocean Bar to negotiate the bar package. Everything but water from the tap requires a signature on this type of tour, so we decide to invest in not only the alcohol but the bottled water and individual coffee. We made the purchase and discovered we could have 15 drinks a day, including the non-alcohol ones, so it was an assumed drunken voyage. After signing up at the bar, we had yep, gin and tonic. When we were ready to leave the barman said, "<i>Wait, you can't go, you have 14 more drinks to go."</i> So, that's our new joke, after 2 coffees and a bottle of water this morning, I announced, "<i>I've got 12 more drinks to go today.</i>" Guess it's time for a glass of bubbly, don't you think?<br /><br />Leaving Vancouver on Wednesday we cruised in the Strait of Georgia (named after King George III), the body of water separating Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia. After the Strait of Georgia, we entered Queen Charlotte Sound (named after the wife of King George III), then into Hecate Strait (named after the HMS Hecate, a ship used by Captain George Richards).<br /><br />Scott had carefully selected our cabin on the ship's starboard side for the views. Ha ha, the weather was socked in all day, not a good day for views, or taking photos. So what do you do when you can’t view anything. You learn to braid your hair. More or less, mostly less, as my attempts were messy, but I’ll practice.<br /><br />Then you eat and drink and go to a show and set your clocks back from Canada time to Alaska time. Only your Apple Watch doesn’t change so you have to calculate every time you look at it. <br /><br />We went to a gems lecture which was interesting, but mostly a sales pitch. Didn’t buy any tanzanite (a very valuable, very rare gemstone). Sources say the tanzanite is 1000 times more rare than diamond!<br /><br />Speaking of the cabin Scott selected for us, I haven’t taken any photos of it but attached is an illustration downloaded from the Holland America Line website which shows what our cabin looks like. </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3q5BtcMJ2bgv_H5eQLk6sKaz8mt42Dhoess__RVS5P1BiIQgk2Cu7uLl7YKu5XZ6iOJTkXRIF0av9TO0sZysTdRI_IG2yWECUJOdQMZ7NcXXAQBu6d3I5Nd7nv06yDM4vMFleDlZAKXTW76eIJmpBsfyrJ_TVa8ANr-SVoE8jXbPE7mhqTFbMzi9ufP0/s900/Cabin%202575.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3q5BtcMJ2bgv_H5eQLk6sKaz8mt42Dhoess__RVS5P1BiIQgk2Cu7uLl7YKu5XZ6iOJTkXRIF0av9TO0sZysTdRI_IG2yWECUJOdQMZ7NcXXAQBu6d3I5Nd7nv06yDM4vMFleDlZAKXTW76eIJmpBsfyrJ_TVa8ANr-SVoE8jXbPE7mhqTFbMzi9ufP0/s16000/Cabin%202575.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: What our cabin looked like</span></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The next photo shows the archway to the boarding area of our ship.</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZxSB30Xa3VuXh3P81kyMDUrGuHOo-1ZhVM-vUtfIvTnsJdeuvGR3yUYuBkF-uYjqU7DdXHop8RIYaNxsyWTxnxZTHPan3Dd6BehMAaZPIi3yRgGg4WaRp8czcon2nht4_f97c3ID8_LnhvBYk68ZfjUqA2vSLnUBehOfNS-Xwr_Qf_0c_LshKFSUpacr/s2016/IMG_8361.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZxSB30Xa3VuXh3P81kyMDUrGuHOo-1ZhVM-vUtfIvTnsJdeuvGR3yUYuBkF-uYjqU7DdXHop8RIYaNxsyWTxnxZTHPan3Dd6BehMAaZPIi3yRgGg4WaRp8czcon2nht4_f97c3ID8_LnhvBYk68ZfjUqA2vSLnUBehOfNS-Xwr_Qf_0c_LshKFSUpacr/s16000/IMG_8361.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Archway to boarding area</span></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br />The following 3 photos show images leaving the harbor with one photo showing our last view of the Vancouver skyline. The lighthouse in one of the photos is at a place called Lighthouse Park.</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidFqBzQPsbFSkieD53WT6NHg92V_3DB119PnruyZVSZ9qgencHLbGNhe2Yvd6iBTFiveDQD_Kpzi2pcJ4jzfcKw8rYS8QEqkzwobKCVQD7pfXJugNsacLmNRg0_wJUi5zIBf5EiPedJvoQ8SAK-bC1nErHLdHWjCFOQznkJLyNmW_4RgHDR_OCkRriIlY/s2016/IMG_8362.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidFqBzQPsbFSkieD53WT6NHg92V_3DB119PnruyZVSZ9qgencHLbGNhe2Yvd6iBTFiveDQD_Kpzi2pcJ4jzfcKw8rYS8QEqkzwobKCVQD7pfXJugNsacLmNRg0_wJUi5zIBf5EiPedJvoQ8SAK-bC1nErHLdHWjCFOQznkJLyNmW_4RgHDR_OCkRriIlY/s16000/IMG_8362.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Leaving the harbor</span></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipoXJ_0pUnnXoJSTZsn9QdwPU-abYeZPq8dGUHF9NTLHgQsUAmaBP83_q4fovfDpHyq3opqkb08LRoWqves3jqO3fnLo97l_yIUY8q7vHzlC8OthTHAksvmwWrcl6JlYo9oMnqbrExahNw29jPd7TmZs2Cf_RuwWlnvstm0X6wSWA2a2DuPdB9Yee8MOX/s2016/IMG_8363.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipoXJ_0pUnnXoJSTZsn9QdwPU-abYeZPq8dGUHF9NTLHgQsUAmaBP83_q4fovfDpHyq3opqkb08LRoWqves3jqO3fnLo97l_yIUY8q7vHzlC8OthTHAksvmwWrcl6JlYo9oMnqbrExahNw29jPd7TmZs2Cf_RuwWlnvstm0X6wSWA2a2DuPdB9Yee8MOX/s16000/IMG_8363.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Vancouver skyline<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BtdypHFghq2y5605o3Hti8QK5Sh-VjKwazMcF7bWzMNtbz_3ScGXCwbYd44jISYFyhLb9OhbdWT9cnxh-YcftjmrhZ1rsPGoIB9top2mqWUY4mt4uV7gEHivHLWwutyZMWYqrGbn57ORov8mpq0gbnSTLSYxItXclLq2g6W5iMhjEq1CeTI33OvadUZT/s2016/IMG_8364.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BtdypHFghq2y5605o3Hti8QK5Sh-VjKwazMcF7bWzMNtbz_3ScGXCwbYd44jISYFyhLb9OhbdWT9cnxh-YcftjmrhZ1rsPGoIB9top2mqWUY4mt4uV7gEHivHLWwutyZMWYqrGbn57ORov8mpq0gbnSTLSYxItXclLq2g6W5iMhjEq1CeTI33OvadUZT/s16000/IMG_8364.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Lighthouse</span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>Day 2: Thursday, July 6, 2023: Scenic Cruising The Inside Passage, Cruising Only </b></span></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thursday was listed as a Sea Day, but it really wasn’t a sea day, mainly straits, sounds, etc. part of what is known as The Inside Passage.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The first photo was taken in the Strait of Georgia, close to Keats Island.</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3oh1jhG6fN_35v2D12H695HA0AijNQn-RL0npQZuOnLXX7LSujb9oP7KKKyl7ZwpD2dQbegWItxyYau-bXa-G9Wirsbc2IiFk_8fv8i-vQvxjAGiXuhCAPmT-CfX1dNVdvRnn4yHwUSg-WhAnws57IFvssNWtx-rLLu-6_ybEcXPBO0cLpJaUomFUL3XL/s2688/IMG_8365.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3oh1jhG6fN_35v2D12H695HA0AijNQn-RL0npQZuOnLXX7LSujb9oP7KKKyl7ZwpD2dQbegWItxyYau-bXa-G9Wirsbc2IiFk_8fv8i-vQvxjAGiXuhCAPmT-CfX1dNVdvRnn4yHwUSg-WhAnws57IFvssNWtx-rLLu-6_ybEcXPBO0cLpJaUomFUL3XL/s16000/IMG_8365.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: In the Strait of Georgia</span></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The next photo is of yours truly and my braids, photo taken on the ship while in the Hecate Strait.<br /></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nq6ZskZvFZXqeT2jwtiLJ1ewjytc08pAzNVgYxRYz4APFJAMFdgLKw_G4s3xYshQg3UM9EPvqBg-V5o_632mEoQG1D3eqgblfEzsLJLF3a3-fGq-52k9KeDY57n7wIw6woz4cM8EaX6LO4-6Zz-1ZZ9lylhbD6m1ZBFymsfTm7hnG2IY5-yOklcQ_xoz/s2688/IMG_8372.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nq6ZskZvFZXqeT2jwtiLJ1ewjytc08pAzNVgYxRYz4APFJAMFdgLKw_G4s3xYshQg3UM9EPvqBg-V5o_632mEoQG1D3eqgblfEzsLJLF3a3-fGq-52k9KeDY57n7wIw6woz4cM8EaX6LO4-6Zz-1ZZ9lylhbD6m1ZBFymsfTm7hnG2IY5-yOklcQ_xoz/s16000/IMG_8372.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: My braids</span></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>Day 3: Friday, July 7, 2023: Tracy Arm Inlet </b><br /><br />While on the ship heading to Juneau, we attended 2 lectures that were very informative about whales and the Iditarod which were great. We arrived in Juneau later than expected because of weather and maybe a ship-related problem along the way. Juneau is all about tourism and government and there is no way in or out except by air and sea, no roads!.<br /><br />Once we docked most people rushed to get off the boat, we waited because we didn't want to get in that long line.<br /><br />Mendenhall Glacier is considered one of the most beautiful glaciers in the U.S. and Alaska’s top tourist attraction, and many folks on our cruise booked seaplane tours over the Mendenhall Glacier. But Scott and I had seen larger glaciers on our 2020 Antarctica cruise, so we didn't spend the $300+ each to do that. We had a map of Juneau so we mapped out things to see and took off.<br /><br />We saw the The "Windfall Fisherman” statue, a life-sized bronze Alaskan brown bear with a salmon between its front paws. Very lifelike. The bear photo was a neat installation near the state capitol building. It was created to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Alaska Statehood. <br /><br />We saw the William Henry Seward statue honoring him for his "Seward's Alaska Folly," but he showed all the naysayers in the end.<br /><br />We walked along the beautiful waterfront until we came to the street that took us to the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, it was gratifying. Lots of history on the region's history with native culture exhibits and pioneer relics. They had a film about the Tlingits, indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast, and it was sad and informative.<br /><br />A main exhibit at the museum was children's robes, handwoven with goat wool and bark. One of the attached photos shows this. The museum also had a film about the Treadwell Gold mine (the biggest gold mine of its time) and some other mines and their impact on the area. By the way, Scott had mined for gold at one point in his life.<br /><br />We also walked by the Empty Chair Memorial for the Japanese that were interned in WWII, the Empty Chair refers to a student, John Tanaka, Juneau High School’s 1942 valedictorian, who was relocated a month before his graduation. very sad.<br /><br />We also walked by the Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church built for the Eastern Europeans that missed home and were working in the area. No Russians were involved, which cracked me up. <br /><br />Juneau is very hilly so we got to go downhill going back to the ship. We watched the sea planes come in and sure enough we saw some of our ship pals get off. They gave their trip to see Mendenhall Glacier a thumbs up! <br /><br />Back to the ship to pack and reorganize so we didn't have much to carry with us, and to go to breakfast at 6:30. UGH. We made it! Off to Skagway. <br /><br />Below are a few photos of things I mentioned above.</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zvvVz2qfp1kNaNUw_WJLCMJlwvjlTGNh9O58QFB8mPVDVoekoQwO-UwMOe8LK5uV1UmLtJl3mUKyFdWqc64v08L_fF10ob-Drds6c-l2JGd7SrK60RhaTGR7HuWuKq7L5EgDU2B5HjbSnaY2HcFHss9HJ7GeXCiVC4nOvCwlgWGitIaUKPPDaPV2Sk1l/s2016/IMG_8376.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zvvVz2qfp1kNaNUw_WJLCMJlwvjlTGNh9O58QFB8mPVDVoekoQwO-UwMOe8LK5uV1UmLtJl3mUKyFdWqc64v08L_fF10ob-Drds6c-l2JGd7SrK60RhaTGR7HuWuKq7L5EgDU2B5HjbSnaY2HcFHss9HJ7GeXCiVC4nOvCwlgWGitIaUKPPDaPV2Sk1l/s16000/IMG_8376.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Diane at sea, before Juneau, in Stephens Passage, somewhere around Tracy Arm</span></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74Lc1H72ShDQ9-YdE_LtEbtSkCrvs8GkX9O39ehaXsbmBWpZHYz3CLY0O0Viz6UvI_TSTa-6YoA0IwUcQG7UFJ45nnN3p94kCyK0vGGDbDIT7LcwO5zhHiNKZr-wXJOZYHPP8vzGXug_okeOPknru9v0BD9FZSdmgEtFslfKKOmFftWyawh0Z7ZceU_Mp/s2016/IMG_8378.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74Lc1H72ShDQ9-YdE_LtEbtSkCrvs8GkX9O39ehaXsbmBWpZHYz3CLY0O0Viz6UvI_TSTa-6YoA0IwUcQG7UFJ45nnN3p94kCyK0vGGDbDIT7LcwO5zhHiNKZr-wXJOZYHPP8vzGXug_okeOPknru9v0BD9FZSdmgEtFslfKKOmFftWyawh0Z7ZceU_Mp/s16000/IMG_8378.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Welcome to Juneau sign, near the Juneau Cruise Ship Terminal</span></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16CwtGFpk0V-FG5bPSO1qPSuzvXUCpspY01rVuu0M5LHAmgIFvz-ZGzpM43UBi8otQ2krpSa4E3UyxV6wMgBJl_2W7pbqft-JpRJBN45avsNoSCaaxogNRgRzm6TK1t14xvrpWoPZ8ab9TooiZnJKEI8ehbLk1xaaf3mksY4ufu0sEyO9oJTbPCbxIPmF/s2016/IMG_8381.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16CwtGFpk0V-FG5bPSO1qPSuzvXUCpspY01rVuu0M5LHAmgIFvz-ZGzpM43UBi8otQ2krpSa4E3UyxV6wMgBJl_2W7pbqft-JpRJBN45avsNoSCaaxogNRgRzm6TK1t14xvrpWoPZ8ab9TooiZnJKEI8ehbLk1xaaf3mksY4ufu0sEyO9oJTbPCbxIPmF/s16000/IMG_8381.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: The Windfall Fisherman statue<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwc18dhjpFFHNA7PLCb2CQSySV9JLwubfaG0Etd8MB-CUNM4XAgjxdF-CKv3gmeWl8skyEEQKnjeXB1TimeyrLIuicX9LSjwdVAQtiW5aVbsebsL6_PcJpYucJz0FyAzclSPGMazpmrNXL4T3DSqY5lxDt-H4aWyoycf3Mj1VAl2eHcUR3LlA5W_w0WoI5/s732/IMG_8382.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwc18dhjpFFHNA7PLCb2CQSySV9JLwubfaG0Etd8MB-CUNM4XAgjxdF-CKv3gmeWl8skyEEQKnjeXB1TimeyrLIuicX9LSjwdVAQtiW5aVbsebsL6_PcJpYucJz0FyAzclSPGMazpmrNXL4T3DSqY5lxDt-H4aWyoycf3Mj1VAl2eHcUR3LlA5W_w0WoI5/s16000/IMG_8382.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: The William Henry Seward statue</span></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFAshycSKmlt7-plCjQp_8CJT79RayrO997jdlq73JkeIOFR3Fhj-6c_o3C1lByaT1fmE91ZgNU-ng5b4EUnB1WkAqr1CHqeH6YvQN_55GX5ITiECqZ_AWl-iQeslnu0oKrrgQQjh5LJixJp2GtJbk5NRCr55DQVLYFBoWRQg-ed1JY697fVEirIXAa-h/s732/IMG_8382.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PialuB-8mxqXbRtEPIAbmmjjdaFjcmLD8tdBpkJPlUFlcm5ToOoYhpig-4zXQ5QZaY6a5pZ1ZhD_Fofvs6VGYiUpG8w8hhFY4bWGJT1QP7Ns8WcxrxJv6KER5rV0J1xYgM1jLuAbXQHKt14kwcwNJyS4LTNguVHqy8rnXdJhzhqTdJSlzs3dpzXVye-4/s2016/IMG_8384.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PialuB-8mxqXbRtEPIAbmmjjdaFjcmLD8tdBpkJPlUFlcm5ToOoYhpig-4zXQ5QZaY6a5pZ1ZhD_Fofvs6VGYiUpG8w8hhFY4bWGJT1QP7Ns8WcxrxJv6KER5rV0J1xYgM1jLuAbXQHKt14kwcwNJyS4LTNguVHqy8rnXdJhzhqTdJSlzs3dpzXVye-4/s16000/IMG_8384.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Exhibit at Juneau-Douglas City Museum</span></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The next photo needs an additional explanation.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> It was from a very cool exhibit at the museum. You could pick a fish and take a photo like you caught it, and learn about the fishing industry. I chose the halibut because it was BIG! It wasn't all that heavy but I tried to look like I was straining to hold it up. </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvG0CfnCu3qO3DON9Dwri4H5OeWDMdjN_gnLbcPUaHN90z1jcvT1tUlgWVVnSWUbWuWfTXvfGgtkQbRWPZg1dAqF61CPGv987kVd6WgXf2OSvjLur8iwmdHCYLT-iFrs3zn907L_iCHraz5cY0N4-4Se4EsBvrRaMQN-hNcKkmlbyRP9EPxHSEEGUlCrm/s2941/IMG_8388.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2941" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvG0CfnCu3qO3DON9Dwri4H5OeWDMdjN_gnLbcPUaHN90z1jcvT1tUlgWVVnSWUbWuWfTXvfGgtkQbRWPZg1dAqF61CPGv987kVd6WgXf2OSvjLur8iwmdHCYLT-iFrs3zn907L_iCHraz5cY0N4-4Se4EsBvrRaMQN-hNcKkmlbyRP9EPxHSEEGUlCrm/s16000/IMG_8388.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Diane and big fish</span></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGk7tN9PGLPapqsvQhVjEPxkaifimIIEiES-kC7t_GqtCPzDhl1ihOgTr8obGHiwnUHu7HXcf22dXCIvJs1sUvrsZ05MuiCsUPLAsE4zM_hR1mEqRyk_i25R96Iwn4XoOxv-4S13F2RZSXmtETudugOikG4aVq9E9L2zw9rndml1EjHOR9BTOlpAZgqo7/s776/IMG_8390.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGk7tN9PGLPapqsvQhVjEPxkaifimIIEiES-kC7t_GqtCPzDhl1ihOgTr8obGHiwnUHu7HXcf22dXCIvJs1sUvrsZ05MuiCsUPLAsE4zM_hR1mEqRyk_i25R96Iwn4XoOxv-4S13F2RZSXmtETudugOikG4aVq9E9L2zw9rndml1EjHOR9BTOlpAZgqo7/s16000/IMG_8390.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Empty Chair Memorial</span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw18YfBaVDt1zNTE-CUjSCmwIrnsY1_wrjBkqETNcIqhsy4GtiqfFEivOC5wgNgLPI-tyAs_ll33TSF-_H26YPMSRa2IpagKkfPc4ncfYxJr1zPT8z9Eh0ar4vxJ-MvJZDK5DnAQZon4_OIOdfl-4hmI5C4OmND4u4D_TsGqgyr-h3Y7q2s7PkeqRq-img/s2688/IMG_8392.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw18YfBaVDt1zNTE-CUjSCmwIrnsY1_wrjBkqETNcIqhsy4GtiqfFEivOC5wgNgLPI-tyAs_ll33TSF-_H26YPMSRa2IpagKkfPc4ncfYxJr1zPT8z9Eh0ar4vxJ-MvJZDK5DnAQZon4_OIOdfl-4hmI5C4OmND4u4D_TsGqgyr-h3Y7q2s7PkeqRq-img/s16000/IMG_8392.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: This photo shows how hilly our walk was</span><br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rLJseHJOAKTh0FgYtN2Pd09f8gExAlZ5AlgttK-Fw6XdwQmohenE0FQhgGcmWXoer1KI46CulvS_JotKDCjh824sbGFzF5UbiRg5taJnj-U1Tf_vXAFSJWGMH2RfTjoPijX1beNNvzBaQ8RLlYrs9kQS59qo229932KFJ3tcQmh4ekbz4unqTmN4pMCC/s800/IMG_8391.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rLJseHJOAKTh0FgYtN2Pd09f8gExAlZ5AlgttK-Fw6XdwQmohenE0FQhgGcmWXoer1KI46CulvS_JotKDCjh824sbGFzF5UbiRg5taJnj-U1Tf_vXAFSJWGMH2RfTjoPijX1beNNvzBaQ8RLlYrs9kQS59qo229932KFJ3tcQmh4ekbz4unqTmN4pMCC/s16000/IMG_8391.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church</span></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>Day 4: Saturday, July 8, 2023: Debark Ship Skagway, Alaska, US</b><br /><br />We left Juneau Friday night when we were re-organizing our suitcases and discussing the bill with the desk who promised to make adjustments and did. I managed to get up and ready for breakfast etc to make the 7:30 call. It was a hurry up and wait deal so I could have been more relaxed. But Skagway is beautiful. There are 3 docks for large cruise ships, we docked at the Broadway Dock, which is situated at the end of Broadway St.<br /><br />Saturday in Skagway we had a funny, raconteur bus driver named Jimmy, who enjoyed my banter and said, "I like sassy women." I love that. <br /><br />We went to the Gold Rush Cemetery. Let's just say it wasn't the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. There was a bad guy named Soapy Smith that was buried there but off to the side so his spirit didn't pollute the rest of the residents. They had fences around some of the graves to keep the spirits in as well. It was fascinating and fun. The most chaotic one I've ever seen and I go to cemeteries whenever I'm in a new place and have the time. <br /><br />We drove through the 8-block long town of Skagway with the highlight being the Red Onion Saloon that used to be a brothel and has tours guided by some of the ladies, not the original ones I assume. $10 for a tour of the rooms. <br /><br />Then we came back to town and went into the shops and had a beer and a tasty chowder: potatoes, bacon, halibut, salmon and something else. Very filling. And more galleries and stores and the Museum. Also very interesting. A series of videos of the worst tragedy of the West Coast, the sinking of the steamship Princess Sophia in 1918. It was an awful story.<br /><br />And a lot of information about the Klondike Gold rush and the many people that came. 100,000 but only 10,000 made it to the gold, and the horrible conditions and hardships they endured. And the building of the narrow gauge railroad that we get to take on Monday. I learned that they chose the narrow gauge 3 feet instead of the normal 4' 8" I think because they needed a smaller turning radius and it was less expensive too. <br /><br />I'm going to say this, the stories of the mistreatment of the natives and the Japanese, and the hardships of the men trying to get to the gold, are offset by the beauty of the sea, the mountains and the forests. It is stunning. I'll add, I'm grateful I wasn't a lady in that brothel for sure, Those guys didn't look like I'd want to snuggle up to them. <br /><br />Attached are a few photos from this day.</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_AeMJUMDY8UV-65GpYQl1O1s46KmRQPtN19Dj7vT17pv8I-4qfH_Kq0XpiJacgJtMye3Aow5KaETb7_mOywE9zZ26bIeGCFirBYoAS5TVjuO2LmHQ3WYuJcI6dkmGW_uum10bzicV8yx9Rjz4EfYaBG-Tw75C-I0T3TFOzPSQ7caGpV2M7nz29mce2TQ/s2688/IMG_8394.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_AeMJUMDY8UV-65GpYQl1O1s46KmRQPtN19Dj7vT17pv8I-4qfH_Kq0XpiJacgJtMye3Aow5KaETb7_mOywE9zZ26bIeGCFirBYoAS5TVjuO2LmHQ3WYuJcI6dkmGW_uum10bzicV8yx9Rjz4EfYaBG-Tw75C-I0T3TFOzPSQ7caGpV2M7nz29mce2TQ/s16000/IMG_8394.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Gold Rush Cemetery<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytYIYwZ6TA63W6BnkEUcwwIsv-DWrscD2TCD141kX9B1St5lE6ekcgMIkgyT8zNVLQvRHYl6-v3SWdjK4WpCrMxyLnY-C5QLwbOdwKXKHPYJsxUso1t3nXUpxYEin12o4MhGWOTOTsV2RESjnX4pBFZP5B1F_ZwifmSchKk9ly-m3mhvJxs6CnNuB4OAf/s2016/IMG_8397.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytYIYwZ6TA63W6BnkEUcwwIsv-DWrscD2TCD141kX9B1St5lE6ekcgMIkgyT8zNVLQvRHYl6-v3SWdjK4WpCrMxyLnY-C5QLwbOdwKXKHPYJsxUso1t3nXUpxYEin12o4MhGWOTOTsV2RESjnX4pBFZP5B1F_ZwifmSchKk9ly-m3mhvJxs6CnNuB4OAf/s16000/IMG_8397.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: View of our ship at the Broadway Dock, our ship is the one to the far left. The one to the far right is the Sapphire Princess<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Ic1vLiOaqXGtHmtq6aXPDbQDSDzMxCLqFrLHXmbHWFUYWanzI59-GZuueYCDI0kySVRHeylPLr0FLxD5ChDTSuUCX3nF9Cnngb409SFziQTiqTGmIMif6aetkySKY9bR1yFXhzmLsHHAue-Do1i_NDxjhldPljMEhTRpsR1jtohkwAZEU7iXKdcyuzhY/s800/IMG_8399.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Ic1vLiOaqXGtHmtq6aXPDbQDSDzMxCLqFrLHXmbHWFUYWanzI59-GZuueYCDI0kySVRHeylPLr0FLxD5ChDTSuUCX3nF9Cnngb409SFziQTiqTGmIMif6aetkySKY9bR1yFXhzmLsHHAue-Do1i_NDxjhldPljMEhTRpsR1jtohkwAZEU7iXKdcyuzhY/s16000/IMG_8399.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Above: Large black & white photo mural at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center, located in the historic White Pass & Yukon Route depot</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIvvvab_1EUENMm5pqECzSfTLyqTNUOli-y7E18_-wkTZVXT_8abnQDKHT44BSANyth4AsQ9XXSys9HskdWfBCWOS2rRp9PrlojmUdef6cL-LIL04FQ16UTm5RiPr29GNx4MU31afqTM-sLe47RpzkNDlD5Cc68SkklbdDtrkYt-ycv91lLnVwy4NXR55/s800/IMG_8400.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIvvvab_1EUENMm5pqECzSfTLyqTNUOli-y7E18_-wkTZVXT_8abnQDKHT44BSANyth4AsQ9XXSys9HskdWfBCWOS2rRp9PrlojmUdef6cL-LIL04FQ16UTm5RiPr29GNx4MU31afqTM-sLe47RpzkNDlD5Cc68SkklbdDtrkYt-ycv91lLnVwy4NXR55/s16000/IMG_8400.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Above: View of Broadway Street</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOUSBxjnRTuosn8CMLksulkGj8mv6EtYp9VoPDqY9_zPYh3T_UBjUOguPy7IKDVMKzvWlmwRpTXfKUmcCbgf6hfnraPHfD40Nt69C0KPwQ-hHZ0EPEYv-3YUDHrVnE3wMPtnrtiOTCvuFsKZypqsmn5dewzP6v-zb-v5TBhNbWMsOK203bILTPZ689a29/s640/IMG_8404.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOUSBxjnRTuosn8CMLksulkGj8mv6EtYp9VoPDqY9_zPYh3T_UBjUOguPy7IKDVMKzvWlmwRpTXfKUmcCbgf6hfnraPHfD40Nt69C0KPwQ-hHZ0EPEYv-3YUDHrVnE3wMPtnrtiOTCvuFsKZypqsmn5dewzP6v-zb-v5TBhNbWMsOK203bILTPZ689a29/s16000/IMG_8404.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Above: Yours truly at a Skagway mural</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVr8qpt-7JCeHYhwQ1WZxGPTqvPT46DgKpMCUxKCo2cfcGASxlnrrXoXROQlXIVH2DZYqRVrmLz2oqvC_l7is_UMDLJcUqGk136H3Ufjbe7dbMP7NxWRVfQdTmsZyIHdPFdnj3RlsFzIBCpvTs0DqV7bbR_t2836pZMYDVyxrW7LewKeA3d0Y2nQJ3npOZ/s800/IMG_8405.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVr8qpt-7JCeHYhwQ1WZxGPTqvPT46DgKpMCUxKCo2cfcGASxlnrrXoXROQlXIVH2DZYqRVrmLz2oqvC_l7is_UMDLJcUqGk136H3Ufjbe7dbMP7NxWRVfQdTmsZyIHdPFdnj3RlsFzIBCpvTs0DqV7bbR_t2836pZMYDVyxrW7LewKeA3d0Y2nQJ3npOZ/s16000/IMG_8405.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: The Red Onion Saloon<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nXCWxryR32d4dWpA1cJqtfIpPerVz4l1g1o53EF0sPltBO92g04Vlz2HIaSCmjdlg0tGF-gYFN3-iIZNVi9Licjldpozt6uqNOP2sCN1gNJJzkBlGv78nQopcyDRADIkzabmGcL1u4Mm_w9SdRdLmT6pdoCCLdnDMejcMydDbdgipQWeTbcJCO82s9yV/s800/IMG_8406.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nXCWxryR32d4dWpA1cJqtfIpPerVz4l1g1o53EF0sPltBO92g04Vlz2HIaSCmjdlg0tGF-gYFN3-iIZNVi9Licjldpozt6uqNOP2sCN1gNJJzkBlGv78nQopcyDRADIkzabmGcL1u4Mm_w9SdRdLmT6pdoCCLdnDMejcMydDbdgipQWeTbcJCO82s9yV/s16000/IMG_8406.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: Sign at the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>Day 5: Sunday, July 9, 2023: Skagway-Day At Leisure </b><br /><br />Sunday was Scott’s and my second day in Skagway, our itinerary described this as “Skagway-Day At Leisure.” Below are a few photos from Sunday in Skagway.<br /><br />Photo #1: The Days of 98 Show, a 1-hour show that celebrates the lawless days of the Klondike Gold Rush, with music, can-can dancers and rowdy humor. The can-can dancers reminded me of the can-can dance I did in Bourge, France on a cruise in 2022. Anybody remember that photo? <br /><br />Photo #2: Stampeder Statue (stampeder is someone following a stampede for a gold rush), statue of an exhausted gold rush era miner and his dog, at the Martin Itjen House, erected in 2017.<br /><br />Photo #3: B&W photo of old mining camp & stampeders. The despair of the stampeders that came for the gold and suffered what seems like unbearable hardship.<br /><br />Photo #4: Looking up (north-east) Broadway St., you can see the Red Onion Saloon in this photo.<br /><br />Photo #5: Rotary Snow Plow Number 1. The red object on the right is the retired snow plow used by the White Pass & Yukon Railroad. My googling fingers tell me “It was last used to clear the tracks in 1964 and moved to the museum 4 years later. They revived it for a special exhibition run in 1998…” Engine 52 on the left, believed to be the first engine to reach the White Pass Summit in February 1899 came to the museum in 2014.<br /><br />Photo #6: An aerial view of Skagway I found on the Internet (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Skagway_aerial_view.jpg, required for legal reasons) </span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGYGStn3bImwl2h41I1IAne94YxD-kOh3dKJ_cIQtehtw1kqBVifLlkOEALBJvLg7SSYHNZV9HHr8AmgXQzkKDUh9xMa7-IvxvhXbe-ue4XIBmQkehHsAXN0kfJgH1N5tFAQAPYyDeiV12B_v2rj9KjwB2RN9_J3jLJYKiPwYykF7UUQ1X5u8dg9iy22Z/s800/IMG_8408.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGYGStn3bImwl2h41I1IAne94YxD-kOh3dKJ_cIQtehtw1kqBVifLlkOEALBJvLg7SSYHNZV9HHr8AmgXQzkKDUh9xMa7-IvxvhXbe-ue4XIBmQkehHsAXN0kfJgH1N5tFAQAPYyDeiV12B_v2rj9KjwB2RN9_J3jLJYKiPwYykF7UUQ1X5u8dg9iy22Z/s16000/IMG_8408.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Above: Days of 98 show</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiruJ-R6MNwbiVK2joFC5AzHL39agkA4gqzAwTzyR2oxEs1WmUvShvWgdPF3GahK7EsO0vVi7YE6x_xVCOiGJk9HcWl3dcHYdvh4cvXJyihr_rrytjARNt9en514nNRpr_5bhrqn-o_n6sRHj56UBPkeBa0iogntHiyYKmpBcOx30VNuWgX38_WxrpAB83/s800/IMG_8409.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiruJ-R6MNwbiVK2joFC5AzHL39agkA4gqzAwTzyR2oxEs1WmUvShvWgdPF3GahK7EsO0vVi7YE6x_xVCOiGJk9HcWl3dcHYdvh4cvXJyihr_rrytjARNt9en514nNRpr_5bhrqn-o_n6sRHj56UBPkeBa0iogntHiyYKmpBcOx30VNuWgX38_WxrpAB83/s16000/IMG_8409.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Stampeder statue<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZfYgBn4SwrKKsq43QdnD4b2MbgfB4atvAzAizcFwH2Jj8rfyIRYT1GplXMUpWObqw7kx2n_JxqvCItYHDoIJKK85EnQjw881VvPzSIfNH63kflKV37gxrLWrcjs03qBIEK7ZEWlP42EFQKWh98jx5Eby3iLX3_I6ImlKKZGCKOcOkGHmDdeug2wpzQrj/s900/IMG_8410.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZfYgBn4SwrKKsq43QdnD4b2MbgfB4atvAzAizcFwH2Jj8rfyIRYT1GplXMUpWObqw7kx2n_JxqvCItYHDoIJKK85EnQjw881VvPzSIfNH63kflKV37gxrLWrcjs03qBIEK7ZEWlP42EFQKWh98jx5Eby3iLX3_I6ImlKKZGCKOcOkGHmDdeug2wpzQrj/s16000/IMG_8410.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Black & White photo of old mining camp<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRThtH5eDcoi9OZCYVnDAiXT466nWOjXldDOTCxZjXMAl9m0qbD74JB6Z1m4yP7svCICqDpPMzWAGJ_rekxPMv8q7yiy92KR7yPXvh8xoov5QfN5PnExBhaDae5UfkgNSA_dnaqF5lcLmcRSaz1M1qJCWvY_hyCZp30IczhERBtECOGuOahrzM9Hiro1kg/s1200/IMG_8414.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRThtH5eDcoi9OZCYVnDAiXT466nWOjXldDOTCxZjXMAl9m0qbD74JB6Z1m4yP7svCICqDpPMzWAGJ_rekxPMv8q7yiy92KR7yPXvh8xoov5QfN5PnExBhaDae5UfkgNSA_dnaqF5lcLmcRSaz1M1qJCWvY_hyCZp30IczhERBtECOGuOahrzM9Hiro1kg/s16000/IMG_8414.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Looking up Broadway Street<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYJbSpAezcc6CuGHAtFpj7srDycIaZEZS7C675XAp_FGb7NsyUL2Kab_TfwG7Ef0iwbft9Zc3XwJWFVQjXOWM1VFk0VzrTOvSpcBg2B3AmY062Gm8EueRC1u0g8pN67q64LOVUDNjoKh_cEnlNaklYZsP6RuFf7sePWqTHQf_Vn5DgQG4RdxuspZ1cPtR/s800/IMG_8416.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYJbSpAezcc6CuGHAtFpj7srDycIaZEZS7C675XAp_FGb7NsyUL2Kab_TfwG7Ef0iwbft9Zc3XwJWFVQjXOWM1VFk0VzrTOvSpcBg2B3AmY062Gm8EueRC1u0g8pN67q64LOVUDNjoKh_cEnlNaklYZsP6RuFf7sePWqTHQf_Vn5DgQG4RdxuspZ1cPtR/s16000/IMG_8416.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Rotary Snow Plow No. 1<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibe7KJtbAVBmaiAd5RaLHJjfEbIBQihoBvHH7dnHaQC03aO4gd0aj_328Ne6hZ4894nZ3dmhPRuRExTEsy29ftz-5kALZ9o97ba54fs0Vn00-aUt8cXaU42TuH3oNpE0Gg8J_0EeJmkBV9sSJsC6t4ZMt4_iacFmwuLGrzdsH4eRiF8z_gkQdu2kzfyYr3/s1280/Skagway_aerial_view2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibe7KJtbAVBmaiAd5RaLHJjfEbIBQihoBvHH7dnHaQC03aO4gd0aj_328Ne6hZ4894nZ3dmhPRuRExTEsy29ftz-5kALZ9o97ba54fs0Vn00-aUt8cXaU42TuH3oNpE0Gg8J_0EeJmkBV9sSJsC6t4ZMt4_iacFmwuLGrzdsH4eRiF8z_gkQdu2kzfyYr3/s16000/Skagway_aerial_view2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Aerial view of Skagway<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <br /><b>Day 6: Monday, July 10, 2023: Skagway to Whitehorse by train</b><br /><br />The train ride Monday morning from Skagway, Alaska to Fraser, Yukon Territory Canada on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway was really exciting. I spent most of the trip on the back of the train leaning outside trying to catch photos of the engines pulling the train. The only time I could do that was when we were on a curve and something didn't obstruct the long view. Since we were in the last car, it took a while from the announcements that such-and-such is on your right for us even to get to see what was there. The engines were pretty far away from where Scott and I were. The big excitement was when we went over trestle bridges and into tunnels. We went through customs in both the USA and Canada. <br /><br />The scenery from the train was spectacular. It wasn't just about the engines, although that interested me a lot. The first 6 photos below were taken on the train. <br /><br />At Fraser, they picked us up on a motor coach (aka bus). And we traveled to Whitehorse, hearing again the stories of the stampeders crossing one of the two passes over the mountains. It is an awesome and long story filled with hardships and determination. Those guys mostly, but some women made the trip as well. They had to carry a ton of stuff over the passes, meaning that they had to go up and down those mountains multiple times. The Mounties checked to be sure they had a year's supplies.<br /><br />The motor coach driver Jimmy was well-informed and entertaining. He said his job was to drive and ours was to look for animals. I didn't get to see any whales, and I missed the first animal but did get to see a bear, a moose, and a bald eagle.<br /><br />We stopped at a First Nation village (Carcross) for a break, beautiful scenery, and an excellent visitor center. The metal sculpture of a caribou was an entrance sign and interesting because I didn't realize that caribou had such interesting antlers. Not sure they are this elaborate but I haven't seen a real caribou to confirm. “First Nation” is a Canadian term used to describe Aboriginal peoples of Canada.<br /><br />And we stopped at Emerald Lake, it and many others are protected by the Canadian Government because they have "marl" on the lake bottom and it reflects the sun back causing the lakes to have many exciting colors. We were hazy so we didn't get some of the colors, but you get the drift from this image. Gorgeous. <br /><br />Our destination for Monday night was Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Named Whitehorse because part of the trip the stampeders took was through a series of lakes including some major rapids. Once set was so high the waves looked like the manes of white horses. Thus the name of the city, which is now the capital of the Yukon. It is the only city in the Yukon that has stop-and-go lights. <br /><br />The speed limit on the highway is 90 KMH (about 56 miles per hour), but Yukoners don’t pay attention, but our driver Jimmy did. <br /><br />In Whitehorse, Scott and I opted for a tour of the S.S. Klondike, one of 250 stern wheelers that took supplies and passengers to Dawson City and brought back Galena, an ore containing lead, silver, copper, (and maybe nickel not sure about that). These wood fired steam-powered vessels used a cord of wood every 15 minutes going downstream and 15 going upstream when loaded with the ore. There were people who stock piled the wood on the shore and they stopped to pick it up.<br /><br />It was amazing the hard work it was to run the steam ships and to load and unload the ore in 125 pound bags, all manual labor plus feeding the huge logs into the fire chamber. They also had to stop and collect mail and passengers along the way. Loaded they only drafted a meter of water. The Yukon river is very shallow in some places and deep and fast in others, 17+ knots per hour. I found the equipment pretty interesting. The ship was later converted to diesel and then when made a historical site converted back to the original steam engine. <br /><br />Below are a few photos I took on this trip.<br /><br />The following photos were taken while on the train.</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-IrYysHby7IKlLLcEzQ5VwniuuUcJUC0l2EK4HGYLKQi-IMXSMkThVH6EZLg1gz1fQ8nK93ChflLFbL93MKM-CgXDG9Vx2Z8IjzDUpNkwupTzCIoUkwmTCnEToy3V8HGHmt8NNhs0a1EWndY1l9YpQgzX_V_8Gi9cNLy1sdyOhpReRpZ3M1RKKFeNUQQ/s2016/P1030104.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-IrYysHby7IKlLLcEzQ5VwniuuUcJUC0l2EK4HGYLKQi-IMXSMkThVH6EZLg1gz1fQ8nK93ChflLFbL93MKM-CgXDG9Vx2Z8IjzDUpNkwupTzCIoUkwmTCnEToy3V8HGHmt8NNhs0a1EWndY1l9YpQgzX_V_8Gi9cNLy1sdyOhpReRpZ3M1RKKFeNUQQ/s16000/P1030104.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Above: Train going around a bend, note the engine</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgKvTk-zyMIcGnmk12l4pE0JLBV30ynVyamNCyPo2g2tuJTnY70OZ4L8Nvw7NHK0UnXYP2lg8cGRoigtR6yBAzC8oJXMY4qxTJUIE5VAOVzQLdquU5-rrBpR2tRHmYcxKN5aGo1gAB48V4AW5jTGVXhraTuPEpRLPw4ZWfMHafBLD1um5RkvW8fNHRsY8/s2016/P1030148.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgKvTk-zyMIcGnmk12l4pE0JLBV30ynVyamNCyPo2g2tuJTnY70OZ4L8Nvw7NHK0UnXYP2lg8cGRoigtR6yBAzC8oJXMY4qxTJUIE5VAOVzQLdquU5-rrBpR2tRHmYcxKN5aGo1gAB48V4AW5jTGVXhraTuPEpRLPw4ZWfMHafBLD1um5RkvW8fNHRsY8/s16000/P1030148.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Train going through a tunnel<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_PqasMBdzbz0WsXwS2PbDb1m9mWyE9UjJoT_T0YAVY_ISbVR7hJd5XVZ5B7G05ChJKvs1Tvg9mdtyqbqqPzDXMY6CKVTW1GHvczAw_dMUjC7rkYj2wcn2N3EGganWj9nFPiMg6zUQAwbTkj-x4AJWFUUs7Vpq_DlamjAtUCOkdMVTSd67dN8mFCdXBSt/s2016/P1030179.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_PqasMBdzbz0WsXwS2PbDb1m9mWyE9UjJoT_T0YAVY_ISbVR7hJd5XVZ5B7G05ChJKvs1Tvg9mdtyqbqqPzDXMY6CKVTW1GHvczAw_dMUjC7rkYj2wcn2N3EGganWj9nFPiMg6zUQAwbTkj-x4AJWFUUs7Vpq_DlamjAtUCOkdMVTSd67dN8mFCdXBSt/s16000/P1030179.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Train crossing a bridge<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2M-mQuVZV7b_Sg62xI3hXWzBvOG7n7-0crxnNm4i2yemsOPkcQJxayjBVGEJUZvXybcGxGzGr8VHNiXnudu1AabV80n7VQEpKiVNAGWRDWSc-2-0BSb-WRgvOclv0e2PtkX7Ea1lK_VNjhE9Fv91CoGeh2aJnnHPaxHVJDYARzkPeel3K44u39597WXZ_/s2016/P1030215.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2M-mQuVZV7b_Sg62xI3hXWzBvOG7n7-0crxnNm4i2yemsOPkcQJxayjBVGEJUZvXybcGxGzGr8VHNiXnudu1AabV80n7VQEpKiVNAGWRDWSc-2-0BSb-WRgvOclv0e2PtkX7Ea1lK_VNjhE9Fv91CoGeh2aJnnHPaxHVJDYARzkPeel3K44u39597WXZ_/s16000/P1030215.jpg" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ03XylRlO4czBTcMeNkb53ew-CcHeHx_j2_KZaQdgp0S-FiGfU11vVM0-kFPXbPjRN4mEGAczbVv7nWCV1uTqCZ_urDiWZGbkhqQaGYZnespDByft5qWgP1ZzkTNkLawvum89m2hYo3TyWRYJxGcShl6KHnP-Vyj-6VsrK6j5lujOmjRmDLIpE5AuonzY/s2016/P1030217.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ03XylRlO4czBTcMeNkb53ew-CcHeHx_j2_KZaQdgp0S-FiGfU11vVM0-kFPXbPjRN4mEGAczbVv7nWCV1uTqCZ_urDiWZGbkhqQaGYZnespDByft5qWgP1ZzkTNkLawvum89m2hYo3TyWRYJxGcShl6KHnP-Vyj-6VsrK6j5lujOmjRmDLIpE5AuonzY/s16000/P1030217.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpfwoPbuA3nIZ8MbHDjvuznLW5luL5yNGw_rBeRuuu5CmW2FUDvIbSXXFYT3IQ3NFYs9Wf2YnhsdVPiybYUyO3nrxRk426P6SGHF1Rmq8aG6iJ72ceq4BrJp4LzbAlXGQAszEKX8UzI5vLLKE7axzv2LF8Mq2Fa-vbQqtKCn0w6g6OwQcMJsguaVh8oz6/s2688/P1030230.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpfwoPbuA3nIZ8MbHDjvuznLW5luL5yNGw_rBeRuuu5CmW2FUDvIbSXXFYT3IQ3NFYs9Wf2YnhsdVPiybYUyO3nrxRk426P6SGHF1Rmq8aG6iJ72ceq4BrJp4LzbAlXGQAszEKX8UzI5vLLKE7axzv2LF8Mq2Fa-vbQqtKCn0w6g6OwQcMJsguaVh8oz6/s16000/P1030230.jpg" /></a></div><br />The next photos were taken on the coach ride from Fraser to Whitehorse.</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MlrSQZrtU6OUNR8e7FVT4x3xhu5jaq1xSh_Gwf0WAo8SGjs-bLCg4D1VBZ0OAkoB0FaaWcRCVmykx_zHSt96buDF1MIk3KBytdERnrCwkW7prU7dQTYg8OEHJ9-_KWSkKASiQGc52vbFrOtS6IKYTlk2q1arBhnz7I-61Vtv1AzCMgFg2BFgy-VmcUE5/s2016/P1030240.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MlrSQZrtU6OUNR8e7FVT4x3xhu5jaq1xSh_Gwf0WAo8SGjs-bLCg4D1VBZ0OAkoB0FaaWcRCVmykx_zHSt96buDF1MIk3KBytdERnrCwkW7prU7dQTYg8OEHJ9-_KWSkKASiQGc52vbFrOtS6IKYTlk2q1arBhnz7I-61Vtv1AzCMgFg2BFgy-VmcUE5/s16000/P1030240.jpg" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkRsB1sM98C-A5j1psOkq9HxyxSw6xfxc83jsLp2AHj-lE5Camb1FA6apY4S0sehSo_ZIyzYmcKUqvley8VyXt6MXemhUXmET648__XQ4-f-ysHOk6j7EjCOosFNZ9mNZZhNTnEyIAU9Sot3LIOE9HiwWUE7CdBP3NM_b7E75TLeiEwSNww6Cq-1gs13P/s2271/P1030241.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2271" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkRsB1sM98C-A5j1psOkq9HxyxSw6xfxc83jsLp2AHj-lE5Camb1FA6apY4S0sehSo_ZIyzYmcKUqvley8VyXt6MXemhUXmET648__XQ4-f-ysHOk6j7EjCOosFNZ9mNZZhNTnEyIAU9Sot3LIOE9HiwWUE7CdBP3NM_b7E75TLeiEwSNww6Cq-1gs13P/s16000/P1030241.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Entrance sign at Carcross<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iNe6Oo8yBsaiqRd4TH6D7hRFH6QNuRkbTvnKCCTw8zDHa2Us6rqLSJE6C8wCsLQMwxuFg6AMdleIlhLHxbsFnQRUBPwgGhTNl4mJmS7xlLnj9cL7TkFcSXLw7djB1fpr4PsPCWrqAcXMJVHmFydo3gUHeZPmsaILMMZ2MIEaTuMKEHT13v_HWdFZLxaM/s2016/P1030242.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iNe6Oo8yBsaiqRd4TH6D7hRFH6QNuRkbTvnKCCTw8zDHa2Us6rqLSJE6C8wCsLQMwxuFg6AMdleIlhLHxbsFnQRUBPwgGhTNl4mJmS7xlLnj9cL7TkFcSXLw7djB1fpr4PsPCWrqAcXMJVHmFydo3gUHeZPmsaILMMZ2MIEaTuMKEHT13v_HWdFZLxaM/s16000/P1030242.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Carcross visitor center<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6pL7tBhQNdgy1eGriV2JKT3E0pek6pDw9r_sO7b3NqNrGtvSuB9RnoftUBF7XN0H3RQoUgcSLee2ZPFssL28FFAxAJZumWBbqFOsTnQaQjn6GLKX2xUeH2JDoZEAyIce46wFJhlSQaKmryAABwCwTmP2sga-oxZieBk-OA1v83mVmkP64fRvDT4judk2/s5184/P1030256.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6pL7tBhQNdgy1eGriV2JKT3E0pek6pDw9r_sO7b3NqNrGtvSuB9RnoftUBF7XN0H3RQoUgcSLee2ZPFssL28FFAxAJZumWBbqFOsTnQaQjn6GLKX2xUeH2JDoZEAyIce46wFJhlSQaKmryAABwCwTmP2sga-oxZieBk-OA1v83mVmkP64fRvDT4judk2/s16000/P1030256.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Emerald Lake<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuChfrGNB8hLYbMmYurElOfyypB0aUBJ-IVRFHkdXnbV5hd-U9VDtEc-PRrFK9Dt_r5f-9N_c7ubDatTtdJ4X2PrymkZauy76XP5l9Dw9Tlo5XMvEoD03lYqrea8qeegduXpYbI5CvgeK7jFi_JyI1z6UyHhlBuUQb3Pqehjt9oyXyhpQ7u88T1zMZxKB/s2016/P1030263.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuChfrGNB8hLYbMmYurElOfyypB0aUBJ-IVRFHkdXnbV5hd-U9VDtEc-PRrFK9Dt_r5f-9N_c7ubDatTtdJ4X2PrymkZauy76XP5l9Dw9Tlo5XMvEoD03lYqrea8qeegduXpYbI5CvgeK7jFi_JyI1z6UyHhlBuUQb3Pqehjt9oyXyhpQ7u88T1zMZxKB/s16000/P1030263.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Engines on SS Klondike<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzQToDLkxz4HMhF24umiW39WHguOgYrfylum4vjFsogjKeUJS30uGiFvchdJPojcEewbThONBlf1NJOOLXeW4eyaJoS_im8NkxdxNf9AgbYkvNA_XM1LjF9_g3AmTwdiRFBn1a6-VeNe7Djgc2r_iN3i_z1ew29cuR6wAneSkgLTGmEC558anD_cn4YsR/s2016/P1030268.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzQToDLkxz4HMhF24umiW39WHguOgYrfylum4vjFsogjKeUJS30uGiFvchdJPojcEewbThONBlf1NJOOLXeW4eyaJoS_im8NkxdxNf9AgbYkvNA_XM1LjF9_g3AmTwdiRFBn1a6-VeNe7Djgc2r_iN3i_z1ew29cuR6wAneSkgLTGmEC558anD_cn4YsR/s16000/P1030268.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: SS Klondike<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>Day 7: Tuesday, July 11, 2023: Whitehorse to Dawson City by bus</b><br /><br />Tuesday was a long, long day as our coach ride took us from Whitehorse to Dawson City.<br /><br />We took the Alaska Highway out of Whitehorse but turned onto the Klondike Highway after a few miles. The Alaska Highway was paved with normal road stuff (asphalt), the Klondike Highway paved with what they called chip and seal, less expensive than asphalt. From our coach it didn't look so different, but chip and seal is basically what it looks like, and needs regular repair because the sealing coat weakens in the rain and it gets gravelly. I learned more about road building as well. The US and Canada build roads differently.<br /><br />And toward the end of the day as we got closer to Dawson City and further into the Klondike Wilderness, the roads got worse and worse. But the trip was so interesting that I didn't get out my Kindle that I had carefully charged up. Our coach driver Jimmy kept up a running informative monologue. We passed through several burn sites. In Yukon they don't fight the fires, they let them burn themselves out. They regrow in 40 years, but in the first few years, the fireweed comes in (the pink-to-purple flowers in the photo in yesterday’s email), then aspens and birches that can't grow when the spruces dominate the forests. Somewhere I saw that there are 3 kinds of forest fires, ground fires, surface fires, and crown fires.<br /><br />Jimmy told us about the road when it was horse-drawn and how road houses got built. $1.50 for food and drink and $1.50 for a room but you could sleep inside for nothing, I think that's how it went. We stopped at the Tagé Cho Hudän Interpretive Centre (see attached photo of Jimmy our driver at one of the old roadhouses). <br /><br />Later in Minto, Yukon, we had lunch at a First Nation stop, not too photogenic except for the bald eagle in the attached photo. Kind of far away, so it's a little blurry as I took this photo at 60X zoom (30x optical and the rest digital) handheld. “First Nation” is a Canadian term used to describe Aboriginal peoples of Canada.<br /><br />Then into Dawson City. After we settled in at our hotel and bought our season pass to Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall (Canada's oldest casino), we went to dinner at the Drunken Goat Taverna. Good enough food considering we are really in the wilderness. The owner is Tony. a Greek. I said good night to him in Greek and he corrected me and said, “...you say good afternoon until you are ready to leave." And then we couldn’t leave, he talked about himself and Dawson for 1.5 hours. At least he bought us another glass of wine. <br /><br />Below are a few photos:</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8t1hJymLYb1IVPc0fRuQUKw5v9RU53sFytd634TPkOipHxRosXV_2KmxfLqix3dRg3PBkdSU9gZaCHl8lcsknLFR3KUGQlrAFpIJVp7KwQSBf5C26GeBUfsmXrQb1DXjWAaDGBx88oxv4P4WpWpe9R3RrJkwzZpX2VeEMw-SjTKBdWGlWI9A70MT7WnO/s4032/IMG_8419.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8t1hJymLYb1IVPc0fRuQUKw5v9RU53sFytd634TPkOipHxRosXV_2KmxfLqix3dRg3PBkdSU9gZaCHl8lcsknLFR3KUGQlrAFpIJVp7KwQSBf5C26GeBUfsmXrQb1DXjWAaDGBx88oxv4P4WpWpe9R3RrJkwzZpX2VeEMw-SjTKBdWGlWI9A70MT7WnO/s16000/IMG_8419.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Above: <span><span>One of the few traffic signals in the Yukon, this one was taken Tuesday morning as we left Whitehorse.</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxI0Xh-6q2Za6De6TEyci2fwj3aYZcM1SDidL4JVEdoCTdsCkeSXRqTNRDLbx7Lv26o-SWa7Fzyz3ou6_PVlEDy2jXzPUK7e7dMgYeYD-BNf1NTFei1WK5zD8Dr5M7J77J0Cy4jx953_qjjhvsTvYzv6yU56lbXKOmjgeaWcQhPDBMGtHIjkd1Vm7_--U/s2016/P1030279.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxI0Xh-6q2Za6De6TEyci2fwj3aYZcM1SDidL4JVEdoCTdsCkeSXRqTNRDLbx7Lv26o-SWa7Fzyz3ou6_PVlEDy2jXzPUK7e7dMgYeYD-BNf1NTFei1WK5zD8Dr5M7J77J0Cy4jx953_qjjhvsTvYzv6yU56lbXKOmjgeaWcQhPDBMGtHIjkd1Vm7_--U/s16000/P1030279.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Above: Jimmy, our driver at roadhouse<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6YAoAmSQIY7FDId_hSjgQ3YDVFq9YEFGI0eWwJhzG2TARp_lFJkLj5N5kwA94eqTyaOBLZ9XYKF_8ey9JsUPYx7waK09ZIYMcHc8hjZjHrhcZYukf6XHlPZvIVxEa2edIfwgi9sGvspvj3q2623xdWcntv807GSupwZn6qr1LiabTPAeJ8P6Y57E-MiV/s2016/P1030286.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1907" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6YAoAmSQIY7FDId_hSjgQ3YDVFq9YEFGI0eWwJhzG2TARp_lFJkLj5N5kwA94eqTyaOBLZ9XYKF_8ey9JsUPYx7waK09ZIYMcHc8hjZjHrhcZYukf6XHlPZvIVxEa2edIfwgi9sGvspvj3q2623xdWcntv807GSupwZn6qr1LiabTPAeJ8P6Y57E-MiV/s16000/P1030286.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Bald Eagle in tree<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /><b>Day 8: Wednesday July 12, 2023: Dawson City, Day At Leisure</b><br /><br />Scott and I are now in Dawson City which is in the Yukon territory of Canada, that is we are not in any of the 10 Canadian Provinces, but one of the three territories. We’ve been in Canada since we passed the White Pass Summit on our train ride out of Skagway, Alaska. We left Skagway Monday morning on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway and rode it to Fraser, British Columbia, Canada. At Fraser we took a coach to Whitehorse where we spent Monday night, and then to Dawson City where we are spending Tuesday night.<br /><br />Below is an illustration found on the Internet. This illustration gives a good overview of the area, from Skagway to Fraser. If you look closely on the illustration I have added yellow rectangles where Skagway, White Pass Summit, and Fraser are. Plus I added yellow rectangles showing where our ship docked in Skagway, and where the Gold Rush Cemetery is that I mentioned in an earlier email. The red line indicates our train ride route from Skagway to Fraser. The total train ride distance was about 28 miles, and took somewhere around 5 hours, plus or minus.</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7c0GJPW9kNNd89joHiSYkJ0VgZHpD2lKZEauuG44UfwArTMYDS8W5kkIWdhG8j_xR8FcH0AQdNWva_J_5lXDqWG-thSieTeMZjpKajylmOJVMYyJOACq94Isbtbgelwjehlp-S-exbYTPk7gD0-lw4BbKmpV0SxjqpJ6Y6MKUjzRPnm-n-unQYDFJOwks/s1718/Whitehorse-Fraser2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1718" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7c0GJPW9kNNd89joHiSYkJ0VgZHpD2lKZEauuG44UfwArTMYDS8W5kkIWdhG8j_xR8FcH0AQdNWva_J_5lXDqWG-thSieTeMZjpKajylmOJVMYyJOACq94Isbtbgelwjehlp-S-exbYTPk7gD0-lw4BbKmpV0SxjqpJ6Y6MKUjzRPnm-n-unQYDFJOwks/s16000/Whitehorse-Fraser2.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: <span><span style="font-family: arial;">Overview of the area, from Skagway to Fraser.</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />I’ve already mentioned that on Tuesday in Dawson City we went to shows at Diamond Tooth Gertie’s Gambling Hall (Alaska’s first casino). Diamond Tooth Gertie was a famous dance hall queen and got that name because she had a diamond attached to her teeth, the casino was named in her memory. <br /> <br />Dawson City was also a gold rush town so there were lots of bars and women to entertain them, they called it mining the miners And they still mine gold there. When we arrived, we bought a “pass” to the shows at Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall. The pass let us go to all the shows while we were there, 2 shows per day. <br /><br />The weather was warm, not hot, we did have air conditioning which we turned on for a while, but later turned it off and opened the window. It got down to 58F degrees at night.<br /> <br />Wednesday morning we hightailed it over to the visitors’ center and booked 2 tours, a historic tour and a tour to Robert Service’s cabin. The historic tour took us into a restored bank, post office, and Red Feather saloon. Lots of history around those places, the most unpredictable was in the saloon of course. About how they would cheat the miners out of their gold. <br /> <br />Robert Service, often called the Bard of the Yukon, was a prolific writer and poet and I love his poetry about Alaska, very light and fun. I memorized The Shooting of Dan McGrew many, many years ago and performed it a few times in NYC, in the lower level of the Lamb's Theater, and my church cabaret. Other guests on this tour mentioned The Cremation of Sam McGee as their favorite. <br /><br />The Robert Service Cabin is now part of the Klondike National Historic Sites in Dawson City and it was home to him for many years, and where he wrote much of his poetry. The cabin is a 2-room, log cabin with a double door entrance, with a front porch covered by a gable roof. At the cabin, a talented lady read many of Service's poems for us. The complete poem of Service’s The Spell of the Yukon was painted on the side of one of the buildings in the complex. The highlight of my day was visiting the Robert Service cabin. <br /><br />Attached are some photos from the historic tour and Robert Service’s cabin.<br /> <br />That’s not all…. later that night we went to the Downtown hotel for supper and to have the Sour Toe Cocktail at the Downtown's Sourdough Saloon. The drink is gross, you'll have to google it for a description as I don't want to sully this write-up. But it's a rite of passage sort of ritual. I have 2 videos, I’ll add them to this journal.<br /><br />Only 3 of the 42 members of our group tried the Sour Toe Cocktail, Scott and I were 2 of the 3, but' we both survived. Then on to Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall for the 8:30 and the 10:00 show. The first show was a typical Can-Can type show; the second show, a musical. I’m spoiled living in NYC, so the musical show wasn’t so great. Attached are a few photos from the Sourdough Saloon and Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall. Note that I was on stage with the shows cast in Photo #6.<br /><br />Then back to our hotel, the Westmark Inn, to pack our stuff for an early morning luggage out. As we left the room Thursday morning, I realized I’d left our room key in the coin pocket of my jeans which were in the suitcase. It was a brass key, not a plastic card, and the hotel was adamant about its return. So there I was unpacking and repacking on a wooden board over the dirt road in downtown Dawson City. Did I mention there are no paved roads in Dawson City.<br /><br />And Scott and I left Dawson City Thursday and flew to Fairbanks to continue our Alaskan trip.<br /><br />Attached are some photos from our day:</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbYSMtkR9esAzz1PRtT-HqBrNH6RnVDWudHGiap4zGvTP4iDtwyfZAkhTVLYb87ifx20MO0sjp3-TsQBE0RbjTbBcr68LrCKZFzBvyhxXKy4d-tqT9jDAG-GNwxRohbZnwskB78Qt6yj9uX7UJzyJPIicchrJ4yfEzxGaH66rID3Iiq7EB3nFTpxhY0RI/s2016/IMG_8440.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbYSMtkR9esAzz1PRtT-HqBrNH6RnVDWudHGiap4zGvTP4iDtwyfZAkhTVLYb87ifx20MO0sjp3-TsQBE0RbjTbBcr68LrCKZFzBvyhxXKy4d-tqT9jDAG-GNwxRohbZnwskB78Qt6yj9uX7UJzyJPIicchrJ4yfEzxGaH66rID3Iiq7EB3nFTpxhY0RI/s16000/IMG_8440.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: <span><span style="font-family: arial;">The Red Feather Saloon</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2oAYyRtgWvllB45nKMdTNeotRzjb3iy80PZEtIn4_O2gccWOMDpJJ9WmipFbTqGOQyG8Z8b9JLqWraKj4r4rK8Qy7kFaQcLPQXjLs1JeWdmlsS8cbOHe6eDHz1lkoSTSr9ny-GJ-Wq5cPH4PUgUBnqnEXV2JwSVIGqc0us__o1CESPG2o3Mptu4cvszS0/s2016/IMG_8444.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2oAYyRtgWvllB45nKMdTNeotRzjb3iy80PZEtIn4_O2gccWOMDpJJ9WmipFbTqGOQyG8Z8b9JLqWraKj4r4rK8Qy7kFaQcLPQXjLs1JeWdmlsS8cbOHe6eDHz1lkoSTSr9ny-GJ-Wq5cPH4PUgUBnqnEXV2JwSVIGqc0us__o1CESPG2o3Mptu4cvszS0/s16000/IMG_8444.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: <span><span style="font-family: arial;">The Post Office</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZU8XkaOM1HlOVa0jGCArDdN1OP5cDCbLqy6z7QH7-FlRhpBNd6HXUP5G99Ggy4weKGInUG-TW4B7oCHNZD4QdZx_xN3Lxp6t3WWOQc4FPF-TPFMoOh9LBa4B8S2GUV1LotLOzwd0Ay46ncnYjIAWCwszq6MCA3Ak5plHE5a6s9ovtpdJk9C3s-lILHhR5/s2131/IMG_8449.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2131" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZU8XkaOM1HlOVa0jGCArDdN1OP5cDCbLqy6z7QH7-FlRhpBNd6HXUP5G99Ggy4weKGInUG-TW4B7oCHNZD4QdZx_xN3Lxp6t3WWOQc4FPF-TPFMoOh9LBa4B8S2GUV1LotLOzwd0Ay46ncnYjIAWCwszq6MCA3Ak5plHE5a6s9ovtpdJk9C3s-lILHhR5/s16000/IMG_8449.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: <span><span style="font-family: arial;">The Flora Dora Hotel, </span></span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">...and yours truly. </span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnx4FeJItC9NQOtAe1coB0i8LOaEascEz1Zmmg8hKKVYK8_40H-wuk9yLoJsKIcpsCuWmPFNfklCbtmDkknY0FZGgjAiOJV-seE0DdT1WahbdaYWlDXmjVzzSzstGpD_SbH0kY9ws3xm2Q30KApf0SkqnrvjUyKQe6FPEhvQR0dEM1Dx8H4JxFVhuMfyu/s2688/IMG_8451.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnx4FeJItC9NQOtAe1coB0i8LOaEascEz1Zmmg8hKKVYK8_40H-wuk9yLoJsKIcpsCuWmPFNfklCbtmDkknY0FZGgjAiOJV-seE0DdT1WahbdaYWlDXmjVzzSzstGpD_SbH0kY9ws3xm2Q30KApf0SkqnrvjUyKQe6FPEhvQR0dEM1Dx8H4JxFVhuMfyu/s16000/IMG_8451.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: <span><span style="font-family: arial;">Robert Service Log Cabin</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtedkobe60gyAV4feYXtR250w8AJjEftQvQ0rHxPje7glMdJH3FEfaH7MtWbpEmojkE258ibVfnBJgFsVHksHxStdESZWc1WP0TJOIOT_P_KuUK9NJwnjdzkZmChnotsAI1nfbnTTfQetDzPZL9f1ol6F9MNbioECyfBwXcn00AvIO7xPCkT8h2d81y5U/s2016/IMG_8466.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtedkobe60gyAV4feYXtR250w8AJjEftQvQ0rHxPje7glMdJH3FEfaH7MtWbpEmojkE258ibVfnBJgFsVHksHxStdESZWc1WP0TJOIOT_P_KuUK9NJwnjdzkZmChnotsAI1nfbnTTfQetDzPZL9f1ol6F9MNbioECyfBwXcn00AvIO7xPCkT8h2d81y5U/s16000/IMG_8466.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: <span><span style="font-family: arial;">The crowd at the Downtown Hotel's Sourdough Saloon where Scott and I had our first and last Sour Toe Cocktail.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy5Pbev62Gg_is94vIgneAI5TMwSXoyqqPUI_3rAwL-jcJpHbQlQmxfttyKLcFnfzaEmpXHQj4bIPxqBRnlxsWfq_SL-zF3L3Lv_QeWJh4naveCnspSpS21_hyg1Vr8EupIfCXDX-vbZhDOKzDeFTzXTjYBtsrMHpBmy8BpZEMKojv0SJUhdsusr_Y3h6/s2217/IMG_8467.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2217" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy5Pbev62Gg_is94vIgneAI5TMwSXoyqqPUI_3rAwL-jcJpHbQlQmxfttyKLcFnfzaEmpXHQj4bIPxqBRnlxsWfq_SL-zF3L3Lv_QeWJh4naveCnspSpS21_hyg1Vr8EupIfCXDX-vbZhDOKzDeFTzXTjYBtsrMHpBmy8BpZEMKojv0SJUhdsusr_Y3h6/s16000/IMG_8467.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: <span><span style="font-family: arial;">The cast at the show at the Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall, ...and yours truly. </span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Also below are two videos, one of Scott and one of me drinking the Sour Toe Cocktail.</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzr_Fh2u3eHL_Fb4hOEmQTWrPNqjwPpN1lWjBUPEtIgm_tpDEonlEGeBJDkx2JKaA8zuiNav8HtyRtT7g_jJA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyihIf5Gl6Qcz-rfO3V-XXkrMjx6Xz-54YvWD7PObh8qo3JHwsxhPiAmxMOoLMy5GEKbW0haogdAs8OiELRWQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /><b>Day 9: Thursday, July 13, 2023: Airflight from Dawson City to Fairbanks <br /></b><br />In Dawson City, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA ) screening for our flight was done on a folding table under an umbrella. Fortunately the rain held off until after my suitcase was closed and loaded on the luggage truck. <br /><br />After leaving the charming Dawson City, Alaska Scott and I flew on a Boeing 737-500 to Fairbanks, Alaska, where we stayed the night at the Westmark Fairbanks Hotel. The 737-500 is an old lady for sure, they first entered service in 1990. It was an uneventful flight, an uneventful drive to our hotel, and an unremarkable hotel.<br /><br />Once in Fairbanks away from the hotel, Scott and I visited the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center which had excellent exhibits that tell the story of life in Interior Alaska.</span></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Below is a photo of a statue known as the </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"Unknown First Family," by Malcolm Alexander and located in the Golden Heart Plaza on the Chena Riverfront. The statues stands </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">18 feet high with water cascading over it into the surrounding
pool, the statue has been dedicated to all the Alaska families of the
past, present, and future.</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Y-CCqpntiiu0kbX0umACqtwBfBEIb83Ahwc5aF7go0WQFI1pdZ5Fmce56-jPAK4i690HJvQHqkoaAV_llAPLu89ieXD5v-Gnjny5kQZV0VMzG5kXJ-mhtNfN1MmwEvHZwif_UqAtVo7j9-t1I5MzWQnAR5ZYmVfGc40DWwjxSovjovzxAMUgY576vW4P/s4032/IMG_8491PSE.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Y-CCqpntiiu0kbX0umACqtwBfBEIb83Ahwc5aF7go0WQFI1pdZ5Fmce56-jPAK4i690HJvQHqkoaAV_llAPLu89ieXD5v-Gnjny5kQZV0VMzG5kXJ-mhtNfN1MmwEvHZwif_UqAtVo7j9-t1I5MzWQnAR5ZYmVfGc40DWwjxSovjovzxAMUgY576vW4P/s16000/IMG_8491PSE.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: <span><span style="font-family: arial;">"Unknown First Family" statue<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br />But our visit to the museum and the </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">Golden Heart Plaza </span></span>was just a quick visit as we had signed up for a sternwheeler riverboat cruise on the Discovery III, one of 3 sternwheelers owned by a family that had been running them for 7 generations. </span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9raSl-VoPyGfj3XvmZUuVNzOeU9ndT8SvME3x6ySi-EWsNyFyXf8jWcqw3lzhg3iipIBMuUoWAPcTrpLmwFZB2o-etJ4BJyA2CDGrjTVo8Rx0cqIk0bFZkB1oKZ9K_XoKKMp9KLC6TKDGoT3b77GziWT8lqBr_Ik732sMSrvGNLKGOhNB_EmC81zwsQZ/s1255/Discovery%20III.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="811" data-original-width="1255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9raSl-VoPyGfj3XvmZUuVNzOeU9ndT8SvME3x6ySi-EWsNyFyXf8jWcqw3lzhg3iipIBMuUoWAPcTrpLmwFZB2o-etJ4BJyA2CDGrjTVo8Rx0cqIk0bFZkB1oKZ9K_XoKKMp9KLC6TKDGoT3b77GziWT8lqBr_Ik732sMSrvGNLKGOhNB_EmC81zwsQZ/s16000/Discovery%20III.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: <span><span style="font-family: arial;">Discovery III on the Chena River (taken from Wikipedia)</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Our captain was female, yay. Those riverboats are amazing, they don’t draft a lot of water and they carry very heavy loads. In the days of the gold rush, there were 250 of them moving among the rivers carrying ore, passengers and freight before the winter to the various cities in the interior. <br /><br />The 3 1/2 hour cruise on the Chena and Tanana Rivers consisted of a (1) Bush Pilot Demonstration, (2) a visit to the Trail Breaker Kennel, and (3) a visit to a replicated Athabascan village.<br /><br />The Bush Pilot Demonstration was a Piper Super Cub taking off and landing on the Chena river. This particular plane was a Piper Super Cub, a 1952 PA-18-125 model (71 years old!). <br /><br />Attached are a couple photos of the bush pilot and his Piper Super Cub we saw.</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41GjG7smFDI7S3zYCiqs14kdNqMUaNToSTnR2zLKE461f8TiQpdXqYwW_40mQPpeoqKZ83S_NaWaxE4oG0glwQb7HpvuJzSX6bnuDMHew0jR5DtVzpfBxU1dzA6rbcqqAVVr-qQvU8xJMCfoQhMB8ai0tRDOIxp4BavMhlI7DMuh8I-YSDTzuxdf6CRR9/s2016/P1030301.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41GjG7smFDI7S3zYCiqs14kdNqMUaNToSTnR2zLKE461f8TiQpdXqYwW_40mQPpeoqKZ83S_NaWaxE4oG0glwQb7HpvuJzSX6bnuDMHew0jR5DtVzpfBxU1dzA6rbcqqAVVr-qQvU8xJMCfoQhMB8ai0tRDOIxp4BavMhlI7DMuh8I-YSDTzuxdf6CRR9/s16000/P1030301.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: <span><span style="font-family: arial;">Bush Pilot Demonstration</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvqW-SBQwRiQ0sr1eVEen25NDLo6z_EqM7lIsW66FLQ7wCoukCf3TZxi7MQhiE7xjf970JqKjAnu_8EF2TIM-v8RzOFAbexFMZ1uPMRjEsfoJ55Axn8oAgBKQWO5xL63pPzSlwujwPyLml-TEGD8siepf_MENcYE-o3dwA8tpRkn5ytPRf2tNvPFP6oZI/s2016/P1030302.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvqW-SBQwRiQ0sr1eVEen25NDLo6z_EqM7lIsW66FLQ7wCoukCf3TZxi7MQhiE7xjf970JqKjAnu_8EF2TIM-v8RzOFAbexFMZ1uPMRjEsfoJ55Axn8oAgBKQWO5xL63pPzSlwujwPyLml-TEGD8siepf_MENcYE-o3dwA8tpRkn5ytPRf2tNvPFP6oZI/s16000/P1030302.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: <span><span style="font-family: arial;">Bush Pilot Demonstration</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table> <br /> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Some
of you may know that Scott was once a pilot and owned his own plane, a
1965 Cessna 150. He only had about 140 hours in that plane but has
several interesting stories about those days.<br /><br />Scott says the
Piper Super Cub is sort of the Model T of airplanes, had great short
field characteristics, and could carry a lot of cargo weight. He also
says the first Piper Super Cubs in 1949 had only a 95 hp engine while
the 1952 model we saw had a 125 hp engine. Scott says bush pilots liked
the Super Cub because it was a simple plane as they had to be able to
fix anything on the plane if they ran into trouble in a remote location,
like landing on a glacier.<br /><br />Although Scott thinks the Piper Super
Cub is a great plane, he preferred his Cessna 150 because it was much
more comfortable and had better instrumentation.</span></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">At the Trail Breaker Kennel we saw a dog sled demonstration by the husband of the late Susan Butcher who bred dogs and won the Iditarod four times. She bred an amazing lead dog, Granite, who was the runt of the litter and everyone said to give him away, but she didn’t. She wrote a book titled “Granite” about it. Very inspiring like “The Little Engine That Could.” Susan passed away in 2006 at the age of only 51.<br /><br />It was fascinating how excited the dogs were to pull the sled, jumping up and down, barking, so excited to pull. That is a trait that is bred into the sled dogs whether they are racing dogs or working dogs. The racing dogs, Alaskan Huskies, are smaller and leaner than the working dogs. The Malamutes dogs which I always thought were the racers, are not. They are bigger and heavier and are more of a freight-hauling dog, not normally used for racing.<br /><br />After visiting the Trail Breaker Kennel we continued down river to the merging of the Chena and the Tanana Rivers where we visited a Native American (Athabascans) replica village. We learned about fish, furs, caribou and living on the land. I’m grateful to be able to sleep in a New York City high-rise, and NOT on a fur spread on top of spruce branches in an open tent at 40F below zero. <br /><br />Below are a few more photos.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfWjm-xMJTsK_K7wBzshRduhtr8imBG_dIsRRv4zl22-qjNYTlBzymUlm90XuZS9qMTlPuRxx7tPBynl0O9O8bCQVIG73tQ6h0xgCCCYEA9rVpwkwBGU6aBZ6Ir76XHZXeGSyl1KS5gFUWwtehf3G-I2IbyfFzYpWHxN14sqSjFe_kVSKS_c95t2rwu0a/s2016/P1030305.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1099" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfWjm-xMJTsK_K7wBzshRduhtr8imBG_dIsRRv4zl22-qjNYTlBzymUlm90XuZS9qMTlPuRxx7tPBynl0O9O8bCQVIG73tQ6h0xgCCCYEA9rVpwkwBGU6aBZ6Ir76XHZXeGSyl1KS5gFUWwtehf3G-I2IbyfFzYpWHxN14sqSjFe_kVSKS_c95t2rwu0a/s16000/P1030305.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: <span><span style="font-family: arial;">Trail Breaker Kennel, along the Chena River</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizbET_eUFcemfFkNrJlsxMtytQ6As0npnqyEi5cBD_fW8bNjPgixP1oiIMo3b2yRxmmudeHhOXjaBemoUBuHo2_s0T83Sh2Tm5dVLJDp1rvnEqNOw8jpgFKdrdtzHbijxypa65Yug5_14cl28NIARwm3VHUDmKWgXJ7xp2iVKITueqWMymX-YxXAFDF32/s2016/P1030321.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizbET_eUFcemfFkNrJlsxMtytQ6As0npnqyEi5cBD_fW8bNjPgixP1oiIMo3b2yRxmmudeHhOXjaBemoUBuHo2_s0T83Sh2Tm5dVLJDp1rvnEqNOw8jpgFKdrdtzHbijxypa65Yug5_14cl28NIARwm3VHUDmKWgXJ7xp2iVKITueqWMymX-YxXAFDF32/s16000/P1030321.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: <span><span style="font-family: arial;">Athabascans tent (with fur spread on top of spruce branches)</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>Day 10: Friday, July 14, 2023: Tour of Gold Dredge Mining <br /></b><br />Friday morning, we toured the Gold Dredge #8 mining district in Fox, Alaska, a little north of Fairbanks. The tour kicked off aboard a replica of the narrow-gauge Tanana Valley Railroad. The first stop on the tour we listened to a talk on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, an 800-mile oil channel that runs right through the Gold Dredge #8 mining district. This pipeline system has been in operation since 1947 and delivers crude oil from the north slope of Alaska to Valdez. This system was the world's largest privately funded construction project when it was built. Below is a photo of one of the 48” diameter pipes.</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNcSd-uZNOdwcma2LmstzeAT32NgSzBxaMvggI77nM4WbETpH3MMZcFdlTrel6d08VEZspjzy833XxKnSoC7e9DDGIdGqbouPBBoOGh881WH9C-cssi4Z1ymI9D8ape3V11IJHvyuq5T62qs8AETntvsQy7_vv0e_sLDVf8tzydAJH89LwL5Mk0JpD_Uz/s2688/IMG_8473PSEcropR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNcSd-uZNOdwcma2LmstzeAT32NgSzBxaMvggI77nM4WbETpH3MMZcFdlTrel6d08VEZspjzy833XxKnSoC7e9DDGIdGqbouPBBoOGh881WH9C-cssi4Z1ymI9D8ape3V11IJHvyuq5T62qs8AETntvsQy7_vv0e_sLDVf8tzydAJH89LwL5Mk0JpD_Uz/s16000/IMG_8473PSEcropR.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: <span><span style="font-family: arial;">Typical Trans-Alaska Pipeline</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br />After the presentation of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline we continued on the train ride through the historic mining area. One definition I found on a dredge is as follows, “A dredge is a device which "vacuums" up water and gravel from a stream or river and then directs the discharge through a riffle box where gold and other heavy objects are trapped.” The following is a photo of yours truly “working the dredge."</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUHa87OEXEy1vrjh21kUZipsttqXT8E7k6bInuuCt_h6TGfshmxgiJbSDel6hxYiltHFOk-Ww538ACgfAv9TqiECPVm5wmM5HNHInMBfBLDwgkcAWZlIh6GqBtuVui_2kuDp87KJhChN-cmPJFAGGApnJFz5I1ODr4J7mY55SFQl_pOTaZBYO0aUMdDJQ/s2688/IMG_8489.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUHa87OEXEy1vrjh21kUZipsttqXT8E7k6bInuuCt_h6TGfshmxgiJbSDel6hxYiltHFOk-Ww538ACgfAv9TqiECPVm5wmM5HNHInMBfBLDwgkcAWZlIh6GqBtuVui_2kuDp87KJhChN-cmPJFAGGApnJFz5I1ODr4J7mY55SFQl_pOTaZBYO0aUMdDJQ/s16000/IMG_8489.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: <span><span style="font-family: arial;">Yours truly working the dredge</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br />Scott and I eventually got to try our luck at gold panning, washing soil or gravel in a pan with water and having the gold separate out due to its higher specific gravity. Each guest got to keep the gold they panned. I panned $15 worth and Scott panned $16 worth. Below is a photo of my pan with my $15 gold mother lode, but you’ll have to look closely.</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQ19f2FgF-js7GS0drkkdpc8pavo8j_lU28Y4MhiHhKJVxhXifWwmNfHPcSyRk9cJ25mx9ybqXslPoHdF8APgapI4xluK8qxLXO9g2tcawe3ayT8ie-SzFF-IcJmQXe4JyhDvZV7O8TPlGPL44nK0XoaYX-N4l3WRKgS6cBeA6Oo20J-F7tADhcuvlrlp/s2346/IMG_8483.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2346" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQ19f2FgF-js7GS0drkkdpc8pavo8j_lU28Y4MhiHhKJVxhXifWwmNfHPcSyRk9cJ25mx9ybqXslPoHdF8APgapI4xluK8qxLXO9g2tcawe3ayT8ie-SzFF-IcJmQXe4JyhDvZV7O8TPlGPL44nK0XoaYX-N4l3WRKgS6cBeA6Oo20J-F7tADhcuvlrlp/s16000/IMG_8483.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: <span><span><span style="font-family: arial;">My $15 gold mother lode</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br />Below are a few more photos:</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yd0dnp925GhqTlndNAOXTG7oYRbHqN6MitGo4b1_EwBNu5kly7CB-7cTut-OKJtKpVhFukACZdPEuEyKdfkH8OahbJZxF7R5z4ipF6xBlJOGNfME8ijHaS4e0R8hYdLcUA0fdLbdO9GQXZI1ckDzLyuKkMUWkNAVNC51hQlREAt5OC16cm0U4kDgXTh-/s2016/IMG_8482.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yd0dnp925GhqTlndNAOXTG7oYRbHqN6MitGo4b1_EwBNu5kly7CB-7cTut-OKJtKpVhFukACZdPEuEyKdfkH8OahbJZxF7R5z4ipF6xBlJOGNfME8ijHaS4e0R8hYdLcUA0fdLbdO9GQXZI1ckDzLyuKkMUWkNAVNC51hQlREAt5OC16cm0U4kDgXTh-/s16000/IMG_8482.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Above: <span><span>Gold Dredge #8</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLl2GqKRS_kgHQtHMn7f9xDFkaTkMA7eE0iP7iTB6nWzmGiJlIp-NVhTigfpKcCWpjj7aMIKXPThgTn6AUaazKED9nhSHhYVVdKkL0kX8FLeaEzmQeQzKExZdLAO2a81QElFsR_QBtukA6QDhmC3qWcQf93VAJrpgA9Tbny7gUffCz4lBDtRvtPz8Cznr/s2016/IMG_8482crop.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLl2GqKRS_kgHQtHMn7f9xDFkaTkMA7eE0iP7iTB6nWzmGiJlIp-NVhTigfpKcCWpjj7aMIKXPThgTn6AUaazKED9nhSHhYVVdKkL0kX8FLeaEzmQeQzKExZdLAO2a81QElFsR_QBtukA6QDhmC3qWcQf93VAJrpgA9Tbny7gUffCz4lBDtRvtPz8Cznr/s16000/IMG_8482crop.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Above: Crop of above Gold Dredge #8</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEyBy8s1dQQfYX_d3e6kD88cUoIATO-0gFyZqX6RjK-9NHsQOkVnS8rdoGLqYYhSMOrGB4YJtmBqitCDFJllIGSv7OrB_l0cb9iScWuJG2WUMEj0t1tpg4ivekDcjgiTWiUoXDqnRQ5cEnYrF4DjXCNMfe_qK5LOOvDYRCIlyPBTYjbooys7FhLiLhtFt/s2688/IMG_8490.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEyBy8s1dQQfYX_d3e6kD88cUoIATO-0gFyZqX6RjK-9NHsQOkVnS8rdoGLqYYhSMOrGB4YJtmBqitCDFJllIGSv7OrB_l0cb9iScWuJG2WUMEj0t1tpg4ivekDcjgiTWiUoXDqnRQ5cEnYrF4DjXCNMfe_qK5LOOvDYRCIlyPBTYjbooys7FhLiLhtFt/s16000/IMG_8490.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Above: Large gears inside Gold Dredge #8<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span><span style="font-family: arial;">After our tour of Gold Dredge #8 we boarded our coach and headed for Mckinley Chalet Resort where we would stay Friday night.<br /><br />Saturday we are scheduled to start the Tundra Wilderness Tour in the Denali National Park.<b> <br /></b></span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Day 11: Saturday, July 15, 2023: Tundra Wilderness Tour </b><br /><br />Today we were to do the Tundra Wilderness Tour. This tour by bus is touted as the premier tour of Denali National Park and Preserve!<br /> <br />The day dawned overcast and gloomy with 50F+ degree weather. Scott and I weren’t expecting to see the mountain Denali with weather like that, as seeing Denali itself isn't a guarantee since it is often shrouded by clouds. Denali is the tallest mountain in all of North America. The First Nation people who inhabit the area around the mountain referred to the mountain as Denali for centuries. The United States government recognized the name as Mount McKinley (after former President William McKinley) in 1917, but in 2015 changed the name back to Denali.<br /><br />There is only one road that leads into Denali National Park and that is the Denali Park Road. Stretching 92 miles, a personal car can only drive the first 15 miles. Beyond that, you’ll have to charter one of the Denali National Park bus tours.<br /><br />We had a wonderful Tundra tour that went 43 miles into the park wilderness. The bus driver had great stories to tell and was good at spotting animals. Of the "the Big Five" mammals of Denali - wolves, caribou, Dall sheep, moose and bears; we saw caribou, Dall sheep, and moose, but no wolves or bears.<br /><br />We saw a moose early on, munching away at the foliage. She was fairly young according to our driver. We were all giddy with excitement, however that was the last one we spied.<br /><br />Along with the wildlife we saw some beautiful purple pine cones on some spruce trees.<br /><br />I said we saw a Dall sheep, ...sort of, I was unable to get a good view of the Dall sheep from where I was seated on the bus, but it was easily visible through the camera on the bus, with the drop down screens. I did take a photo of the Dall sheep on the drop down screen, but this is certainly not a satisfactory photo of a Dall sheep, but that's what I have and I’ll show it with this email for no special reason. It’s not satisfactory from the standpoint that if I wanted to see a Dall sheep on a tiny screen I could have stayed home and watched a Dall sheep YouTube video on my iPhone. <br /><br />After the Dall sheep and down the road a bit we squinted our eyes to see a pair of caribou, But they were so far away, it would have been better to take a photo of a photo. I cropped and enlarged one of my photos, it is very pixelated. Again, it’s what I have.<br /><br />There were lots of Arctic ground squirrels which are very important in the food chain for all the predators, the squirrels are very cute and cautious. A porcupine turned his back on us and we encountered some birds, but it was a wonderful 5-to-6 hour drive into the total Alaskan wilderness.<br /><br />There are two smaller peaks next to Denali and were referred to as Denali’s wife and child by the First Nation people. Unfortunately we didn't get to see them on our tour.<br /><br />The Denali Sled Dog Kennels house the sled dogs that are used to patrol the park for much of the year, when the park is snow covered. The kennels are open to the public and you can meet the dogs.<br /> <br />The bus dropped us off at the visitor center and we stood in line to see the sled dog demonstration with the promise that we could pet the puppies. Well, those “puppies” were the authentic Alaskan Huskies and gorgeous, every one different. As soon as the puppies are born, they start handling them so they are used to people. And as they grow, they are evaluated to determine what they can be trained for. So they learn early to work together with people and other dogs. Each one is treated differently and all are petted a lot.<br /><br />We met the dog "Topo" who is the dinner bell, he starts barking when it is dinner time. We met "Jewel" who is a fabulous lead dog we were told. We met some dogs that were shy and some that were gluttonous for affection. Then the howling started as the sled came out and they wanted to pull. One man from India commented "I have oxen on my farm, I wish they were as excited to work.” This visit with the Denali sled dogs was brief but fun. <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The positions are lead dogs, swing dogs, team dogs, and wheel dogs. The lead dogs are usually 2, but can be 1. The swing dogs help the lead dogs make sure the sled goes left or right, useful with big teams. There can be several pairs of team dogs, depending on the size of the team. The wheel dogs need to be even-tempered since the sled is right behind them<br /><br />After this tour was over Scott and I went back to the McKinley Chateau Resort and saw a nice sunset.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQM11h_pB8FqhqdekYVJvtYRX7RxPKQEQ00FbrWbwxU2KVPFpaSEsaEaLOD7AHFD0sRGC51EgWlq9hL5wgWIJSTh3gZLh20ytaOsL1dL15vxzF7tGFjkdUL9x0tth0G5cLntwPmOKxNosj00SSgWmmgc_23JsTpJAqV5Xk4Dn15OCGghv1EWY6P6ixMbK/s1600/Map-1600B.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQM11h_pB8FqhqdekYVJvtYRX7RxPKQEQ00FbrWbwxU2KVPFpaSEsaEaLOD7AHFD0sRGC51EgWlq9hL5wgWIJSTh3gZLh20ytaOsL1dL15vxzF7tGFjkdUL9x0tth0G5cLntwPmOKxNosj00SSgWmmgc_23JsTpJAqV5Xk4Dn15OCGghv1EWY6P6ixMbK/s16000/Map-1600B.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: Map showing the Tundra Wilderness Tour</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Below are a few photos.</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZt74_9FZ99v885cmXB0hYdbBcLw0DL5Th8sFz-d32mz598s22OGAvUn--EI3XagRtvrtkobRpTvk6yieQxoeCjBihFDtJPrDZALdUyFJ-aX4j1qmiJn3MF4xQXqjMyq9LGQdUEGR570OtFrp9CMiTqgBrBMnPQwQSPWLZ9yCla5WklEoTPXcvs_pC4qMa/s2016/P1030335.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZt74_9FZ99v885cmXB0hYdbBcLw0DL5Th8sFz-d32mz598s22OGAvUn--EI3XagRtvrtkobRpTvk6yieQxoeCjBihFDtJPrDZALdUyFJ-aX4j1qmiJn3MF4xQXqjMyq9LGQdUEGR570OtFrp9CMiTqgBrBMnPQwQSPWLZ9yCla5WklEoTPXcvs_pC4qMa/s16000/P1030335.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Above: <span><span>The moose we saw</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYb-eD8zgBVML0hcXHI4uNcEzEDV7NSVydracZ6u9KfZGlgtyK16bwp33CBXW1fSszMSZKP5KY0wRHnUlfh4C1jvEAj6JFerO8IEmXK-pNcTutb--EX0z-Q7sGu_sBNr8iOYkR59Z3oZpHywFguScxN7ovt1TnIUOKDVTiWVBWrBVMX7xUJ3WJPyiopMSa/s2016/P1030347.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYb-eD8zgBVML0hcXHI4uNcEzEDV7NSVydracZ6u9KfZGlgtyK16bwp33CBXW1fSszMSZKP5KY0wRHnUlfh4C1jvEAj6JFerO8IEmXK-pNcTutb--EX0z-Q7sGu_sBNr8iOYkR59Z3oZpHywFguScxN7ovt1TnIUOKDVTiWVBWrBVMX7xUJ3WJPyiopMSa/s16000/P1030347.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Above: <span><span>Purple pine cones</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQEMIomAR2YaWrH03pHbEOdwTbHSJLwkPXpOK-CEeqeV3bHO-YWEsG3lsz1dYjxkUaTk6YFlZmF6n9m59N96DJgFj83A-GiXlXYJN5k31jJHJmJU7e4yLYfLIcDjSUErrYS9uhmwp_HRQ0FPUJO1CG-dae5AzB5YvXLqzni4h21xi_arMS7pDdXdJrAD-/s2016/P1030348.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQEMIomAR2YaWrH03pHbEOdwTbHSJLwkPXpOK-CEeqeV3bHO-YWEsG3lsz1dYjxkUaTk6YFlZmF6n9m59N96DJgFj83A-GiXlXYJN5k31jJHJmJU7e4yLYfLIcDjSUErrYS9uhmwp_HRQ0FPUJO1CG-dae5AzB5YvXLqzni4h21xi_arMS7pDdXdJrAD-/s16000/P1030348.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: <span><span style="font-family: arial;">The Dall sheep we sort of saw<br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmBqeb1xkKB0SdpvT0b4w61EiU0zvEqkFd_Vz0w3x03nEhrxFi9fk275oAvX52mHJEGuEUjqlmw2BPRmc1H8CTwplE1f8ol-W7o_jc4nHPZ73lFh_xP2q-_izu000ChS9V6j9wI-cmvd4QK5Ix1d2DhWaoSMoyhAExbeGvbZ476FMEyjF8CTlR09ZD-3x/s2112/P303552.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmBqeb1xkKB0SdpvT0b4w61EiU0zvEqkFd_Vz0w3x03nEhrxFi9fk275oAvX52mHJEGuEUjqlmw2BPRmc1H8CTwplE1f8ol-W7o_jc4nHPZ73lFh_xP2q-_izu000ChS9V6j9wI-cmvd4QK5Ix1d2DhWaoSMoyhAExbeGvbZ476FMEyjF8CTlR09ZD-3x/s16000/P303552.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Above: </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Arctic ground squirrel</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BUfWuyA_Woh7K3wdixlMrfhVaz37lCccdQD6wjisIVy1CGeesMFHaB65CUh7BPkbi_qwkFoHpR2MdnoZcEG859n0Gw84gJmXlb4L_WNSh64G2EMj8pUxYgqPHkRtT4zFfiCme1vR8sLWdND_yFXnrkjpyYwozmVeJ038oui_2lvaK9LaGuTddWoPGlxx/s2016/P1030354.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BUfWuyA_Woh7K3wdixlMrfhVaz37lCccdQD6wjisIVy1CGeesMFHaB65CUh7BPkbi_qwkFoHpR2MdnoZcEG859n0Gw84gJmXlb4L_WNSh64G2EMj8pUxYgqPHkRtT4zFfiCme1vR8sLWdND_yFXnrkjpyYwozmVeJ038oui_2lvaK9LaGuTddWoPGlxx/s16000/P1030354.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: <span><span style="font-family: arial;">Pair of caribou</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFE_nRF-S1dAypOBo2Bbx2Pj8U_BIaRT2qHwroPsG52T8xOrFdZdg-sa38FTTPZ2AFos5r8Z4nAUMrG_SUbdbkKXFh7rTV6QEoDU874dlHhFC7Gx2O_bo-_gcrKEiIvR9iNwD5WeoFI2qpgL_wOz8mrcXBxlU65G2Rj0EnNpMZmDDe_Wdp7NQA42mW4c_g/s2016/P1030382.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFE_nRF-S1dAypOBo2Bbx2Pj8U_BIaRT2qHwroPsG52T8xOrFdZdg-sa38FTTPZ2AFos5r8Z4nAUMrG_SUbdbkKXFh7rTV6QEoDU874dlHhFC7Gx2O_bo-_gcrKEiIvR9iNwD5WeoFI2qpgL_wOz8mrcXBxlU65G2Rj0EnNpMZmDDe_Wdp7NQA42mW4c_g/s16000/P1030382.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: <span><span style="font-family: arial;">Panorama of mountains and clouds</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The following 3 photos are of some sled dogs, beautiful animals!</span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwstupm_q-hPBXXFJGTdMh5e4JaWTHuWm3gKAB5T1xy8t8Y9nyH3IT3VewK3AkZdBs-7zHtBRoYdyhm6As7q9ZuiAkRzxKIbXG1YI-CrJhYOhv3AJtUeGQ08Auwuid1hsDOUyoIDroAKojnFHg_f5ffAe2X--zLZamOXFUCOKuUYYTyKSjM-nF3YieWIES/s2158/IMG_8506.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2158" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwstupm_q-hPBXXFJGTdMh5e4JaWTHuWm3gKAB5T1xy8t8Y9nyH3IT3VewK3AkZdBs-7zHtBRoYdyhm6As7q9ZuiAkRzxKIbXG1YI-CrJhYOhv3AJtUeGQ08Auwuid1hsDOUyoIDroAKojnFHg_f5ffAe2X--zLZamOXFUCOKuUYYTyKSjM-nF3YieWIES/s16000/IMG_8506.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: <span><span style="font-family: arial;">“Throne” sleeping on his house is a wheel dog, wheel dogs are the ones closest to the sled.</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdiyUxkZRNJPbLbWdUdTKelM0WE3Ck0CbIdfuskLU4KQ87QSKssvWN-58DA1p8CFLMIls5ulJB5XDCW4-2LXREL6fd5yPwss-JZwW_ETd1wC4qD0bQzfZ3T_LpvDxQosm9ODShB8EFMr7YZhIhMAjMzcmwz3gb_Z12zQdJJF6Uo1PKGw_f22zkFb8wUFN/s2688/IMG_8507.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdiyUxkZRNJPbLbWdUdTKelM0WE3Ck0CbIdfuskLU4KQ87QSKssvWN-58DA1p8CFLMIls5ulJB5XDCW4-2LXREL6fd5yPwss-JZwW_ETd1wC4qD0bQzfZ3T_LpvDxQosm9ODShB8EFMr7YZhIhMAjMzcmwz3gb_Z12zQdJJF6Uo1PKGw_f22zkFb8wUFN/s16000/IMG_8507.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: <span><span style="font-family: arial;">Sled dog</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBqqYhVM7pYsjYgcZO3JFcup-3j1nCkUtrSgy6_kJtjAVlKFoMKROk8fUGss1cpdMaWZI9UvSnB6NsJxWek0sslGeUk0y2ZkUGzj37T-NFhFoNzoh6sofTggofSztuqUsoIhGWLoq8TX1aNk4NlP896NuwrTqm25iaq4AL-ZEG0gjlKPd0J0iXM7e1TJU/s2016/P1030397.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBqqYhVM7pYsjYgcZO3JFcup-3j1nCkUtrSgy6_kJtjAVlKFoMKROk8fUGss1cpdMaWZI9UvSnB6NsJxWek0sslGeUk0y2ZkUGzj37T-NFhFoNzoh6sofTggofSztuqUsoIhGWLoq8TX1aNk4NlP896NuwrTqm25iaq4AL-ZEG0gjlKPd0J0iXM7e1TJU/s16000/P1030397.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: <span><span style="font-family: arial;">Sled dog</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENoev0v3yvBqd-OMo1aWrTZ2DogujZNcGN3eTsTiE3jzI4taSK_2om9pFtgkWhAQ_nPZ8wxpJzTcR2UnkBgsSQODlK7m408FVlA1L9ho0tE24endM_Y6yVeEXU7Lj4OFEwXjZDdpOXZ-908H9RHGC22XJtRA4dDqG9tE89rnQ7tiYiXgTi8AWdnPexvPB/s2016/IMG_8508.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENoev0v3yvBqd-OMo1aWrTZ2DogujZNcGN3eTsTiE3jzI4taSK_2om9pFtgkWhAQ_nPZ8wxpJzTcR2UnkBgsSQODlK7m408FVlA1L9ho0tE24endM_Y6yVeEXU7Lj4OFEwXjZDdpOXZ-908H9RHGC22XJtRA4dDqG9tE89rnQ7tiYiXgTi8AWdnPexvPB/s16000/IMG_8508.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: <span><span>Sunset back at the McKinley Chateau Resort </span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Below is a 10-second video of the dog sled demonstration Scott and I saw.</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx-j-diRZMqWz0yStmhJilQTGHNjksobYyeKNSHvSVccJy8myKi74Foy76o7BZWD1hZthj43Mq9J1KzZQXjJw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <b> </b></span></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Day 12: Sunday, July 16, 2023: Denali Day At Leisure </b><br /><br />Sunday we did inconsequential stuff then went to the Visitors Center to look at the amazing exhibits and then on a Ranger Walk. Still foggy and rainy so no viewing of Denali again. Pooh! There are lots of trails to hike but no information just exercise, we opted for the information and it was good. The ranger brought props like photos of how it looked when it was built, golden eagle feathers, etc. The eagle feathers are huge like 2 ft. long, see attached photo. We spent 2 hours walking 2 miles. It was beautiful. No Northern lights either. Too foggy and too much daylight.</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8so-UEM75hLksf9OVg0y6zATGQ37aB-Knt70mXTFKjO6L8hc81SsKJTLr9OItHgTjf4gp59hAzdb66cNkbD-CdC0qdx_MQhB5r5fYDbTlV94_i7DqDyyIKUefcObDd7G4CSd0-vE97_WpVi5ELaxQ5c9MjG-gWsS7by9shUfJAqyixVxgxCyVVRZJzyh/s2016/P1030402.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8so-UEM75hLksf9OVg0y6zATGQ37aB-Knt70mXTFKjO6L8hc81SsKJTLr9OItHgTjf4gp59hAzdb66cNkbD-CdC0qdx_MQhB5r5fYDbTlV94_i7DqDyyIKUefcObDd7G4CSd0-vE97_WpVi5ELaxQ5c9MjG-gWsS7by9shUfJAqyixVxgxCyVVRZJzyh/s16000/P1030402.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: <span><span style="font-family: arial;">Ranger and eagle feather from Denali walk</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>Day 13: Monday, July 17, 2023: Train ride from Denali to Anchorage</b><br /> <br />This is our last day of the tour. Leaving the McKinley Chalet Resort, our suitcases came out at 7:00am, not exactly a late check-out, eh? Off to the Alaska Railroad - Denali Park Depot for a train ride on the McKinley Explorer to Anchorage. McKinley Explorer is operated by Holland America Line and Princess Cruises. </span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllajluf6iE0bCDzzYfV03BDGtm1lOgisdCLOsr-my4ihph226Gz80IjIs5hjYiaEG_56lo_tI6462ywGiE7HsQ69L8oAc7enLqGoq1x756F6YL1bfzYLhJZOE0HjB9Ic02qYsPdOBM77ssijaomYnKaV2Ne5eKh01KIeKKVCg-SCUdiTxhv32-yHLHSJ-/s2016/IMG_8510.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1915" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllajluf6iE0bCDzzYfV03BDGtm1lOgisdCLOsr-my4ihph226Gz80IjIs5hjYiaEG_56lo_tI6462ywGiE7HsQ69L8oAc7enLqGoq1x756F6YL1bfzYLhJZOE0HjB9Ic02qYsPdOBM77ssijaomYnKaV2Ne5eKh01KIeKKVCg-SCUdiTxhv32-yHLHSJ-/s16000/IMG_8510.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: <span><span style="font-family: arial;">A drink I had at the McKinley Chalet Resort Monday morning. I counted this as a salad.</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We thought it was a 5-hour train ride, tricked us, it was 9 hours. Better than a bus. McKinley Explorer train cars have two levels, with all passenger seating on the upper. The upper level is a domed car with wide open vistas and a stand-up comic narrator plus a formal dining car. Quite comfortable and we knew most of the folks in our group so lots of conversation standing in the aisles, no seatbelts. The views were spectacular and we did get to see Denali through the trees. We saw winding rivers and went over bridges that were close to 300 feet high. Twice we had to move to a siding and another car zipped past going the other direction. The big challenge again was to capture a photo of the engine going around a curve. See photos below.</span><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFR7dbpZoZWvImWBpMsejIdvcc-BH1iXS8gt37139U4y8M4QFcyFwYU9w0OVWWxZG7mWFJB_XZKxAGUUCXZTbo7uK9T1ZQd2pcYRuQ_vAzyUmVS9uQk1F9nwCZv74NqEij03FnoISlWIPe2H9kW4uIpxwH2sL5IEBuKnUL5C802EQ9uAHNRDLAeZj72Vo5/s1070/Map.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1070" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFR7dbpZoZWvImWBpMsejIdvcc-BH1iXS8gt37139U4y8M4QFcyFwYU9w0OVWWxZG7mWFJB_XZKxAGUUCXZTbo7uK9T1ZQd2pcYRuQ_vAzyUmVS9uQk1F9nwCZv74NqEij03FnoISlWIPe2H9kW4uIpxwH2sL5IEBuKnUL5C802EQ9uAHNRDLAeZj72Vo5/s16000/Map.png" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Map of our train ride from Denali Park to Anchorage<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImiDuvLsWT5uWnXEacq9TsgDYbaVjnREvIhDauTcSQ1NYMGZ1dY-kEHDlMIMy51dHQYtoLd5cdk1NUQzn6BcU56Bycp_JoDVhb3FFZAA1udd5ak-kCcKOny_h8sINzjdf7eMYP-ILUibRrmmqYviFPP24L2tiutj2qIOaRKzYB15sCGH1XOLs5vZXrPG5/s2016/P1030479.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImiDuvLsWT5uWnXEacq9TsgDYbaVjnREvIhDauTcSQ1NYMGZ1dY-kEHDlMIMy51dHQYtoLd5cdk1NUQzn6BcU56Bycp_JoDVhb3FFZAA1udd5ak-kCcKOny_h8sINzjdf7eMYP-ILUibRrmmqYviFPP24L2tiutj2qIOaRKzYB15sCGH1XOLs5vZXrPG5/s16000/P1030479.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: <span><span>Finally, our first view of Denali, from the train ride</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUWqJYWnI2aK21YPaJQxN-UkBWLRahvv0pzU_qcySq4nciFZeGy17IgWXctlT-5j16iry8mElaeylgAj6NHJHDXyYzwixyiJkNbFvKC6oJ9BbZgbSHfG78sB_tn1FeOejf3m9hr0V6EJfwyLolw4zfKS9piFhIH1DasyeRS5udaDHMIE-l2LRgR-kVsbL/s2016/P1030487.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUWqJYWnI2aK21YPaJQxN-UkBWLRahvv0pzU_qcySq4nciFZeGy17IgWXctlT-5j16iry8mElaeylgAj6NHJHDXyYzwixyiJkNbFvKC6oJ9BbZgbSHfG78sB_tn1FeOejf3m9hr0V6EJfwyLolw4zfKS9piFhIH1DasyeRS5udaDHMIE-l2LRgR-kVsbL/s16000/P1030487.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: Note train engine going around a bend</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfec_4XpTR9Q7f-RBucMvMj6T00FNN6AfB19SNYnKr2hs9ElLPeYvCGlGQhukXg9xMacPkpGy3I9WEpQyac-GcnONgo9AR7HOT17OKtZFjJVOSpvMWXuG3KjmcTyHQVJd0Fr1-2ci4u4Petlx20xINaUTHoKrWNjRV3rZUagAPH2rFTBp9cEkvhILxxusD/s2016/P1030494.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfec_4XpTR9Q7f-RBucMvMj6T00FNN6AfB19SNYnKr2hs9ElLPeYvCGlGQhukXg9xMacPkpGy3I9WEpQyac-GcnONgo9AR7HOT17OKtZFjJVOSpvMWXuG3KjmcTyHQVJd0Fr1-2ci4u4Petlx20xINaUTHoKrWNjRV3rZUagAPH2rFTBp9cEkvhILxxusD/s16000/P1030494.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: Crossing over a river on a bridge </span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally we arrived in Anchorage. On our way to the Westmark Anchorage Hotel, we passed over Ship Creek, they were careful to spell it for us. We could see a lot of people fishing for salmon. One guy had at least 2 fish that were huge. Many try to catch enough fish and shoot enough game so they do not have to buy meat all winter. BTW, most things in the grocery stores are about 30% higher than in the lower 48. Snacks and breakfast stuff cost $40+. <br /><br />We went to the famous Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse for supper. It is one step nicer, well maybe half a step nicer, than a dive bar. Live entertainment and lots of cameras on ESPN. Fun and a must-do in Anchorage. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">That ended our 13-Day Alaskan/Canada Tour, but we elected to spend a few additional days in Anchorage before returning home.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>After the 13-day tour: Spending a few days in Anchorage<br /></b><br />Tuesday morning Scott and I had breakfast at a local café where airline pilots and local folks came. Scott had a reindeer sausage omelet. A funny experience, the owner was the chef and there wasn't anyone to serve. You ordered at the counter, the chef announced when your order was ready and named it. Everyone got theirs, ate at a table, and then took their plates back to the counter when they were done. Reindeer sausage was actually quite common, so almost everywhere you could get it. It didn't taste very different so I didn't bother after my first try. Buffalo chilli was the same disappointment. <br /><br />Later we went on the Trolley Tour was a great orientation and in Earthquake Park, we saw a moose and a mosling? Or is it meese for both of them? They told us people needed to be 100 yards from a moose. There are all sorts of things they teach you to do if charged by a moose or a bear, i.e., run from a moose, stand up tall for a bear. We had to stay in the trolley, but some folks were only maybe 50 ft from the moose. They got better photos, I’m sure.<br /><br />One of the other interesting things about Alaska is that 1 in 5 residents has a pilot’s license and many more fly without one. There are small planes all over like a Walmart parking lot. There is a spectrum of planes, some heavy-duty like the de Havilland Beavers, some more like the family station wagon (Cessnas), and then the smaller Piper Super Cubs. The Pipers are ubiquitous as they can be repaired by hand. They have a pipe frame and are covered with canvas. We heard one had most of the canvas ripped off in an accident in the rough so the pilot/owner got cases of duct tape and fixed it up enough to fly it back to repair it properly. Much of Alaska is accessible only by air or dog sled. especially in the winter. <br /><br />After the trolley tour, we looked in some shops around a little bit then headed to the Anchorage Museum where they had an extensive and excellent exhibit about the First Nations communities. There was also a big show of photos of the centennial of the Alaska Railroad. On the way out we discovered a room full of black and white images of the mountains and glaciers from the 30-70’s by Bradford Washburn. They took my breath away. (https://www.washburngallery.org) I did take some B&W photos of his photos.<br /><br />We changed from the Westmark Anchorage Hotel to a B&B with no breakfast, hence the grocery store, and had dinner at 9:00pm watching the sun set at 11:00pm.</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFny7e6a_G58Wa_w_Wg13HeOpw2saXtNr4nKUvQYBxCe1e7xO3Ta4pValfgkPRwBQq9Hh0JZqlcQRWQsUyEXv2XW64Ygb3UeO0AYSCzcOLMzJDwzKt_3JYgd_QTSJ7jXzmGP0rwDaTo16xH4rUm__oQlwR5ydKhWz8N5oXPz2bHJzWgysUUo9wrgYWchlE/s2016/IMG_8534.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFny7e6a_G58Wa_w_Wg13HeOpw2saXtNr4nKUvQYBxCe1e7xO3Ta4pValfgkPRwBQq9Hh0JZqlcQRWQsUyEXv2XW64Ygb3UeO0AYSCzcOLMzJDwzKt_3JYgd_QTSJ7jXzmGP0rwDaTo16xH4rUm__oQlwR5ydKhWz8N5oXPz2bHJzWgysUUo9wrgYWchlE/s16000/IMG_8534.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: Woman taking photo of moose in Earthquake Park</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruo6wM4gheEySpQ0pvNvDUa4pEuGWEEFGqgZRwFWA6LWZviTYV8yDqTyGU56_gFLYSgNfufYgwtJdDGcyujiaQOoo8sPMFn15yS1Z_ql0EFyhVuGaBAoPjajslPxLU70ZKmtKdy0gB7wllxB6Icg9T6uYDozfqtUH5ZesMAqZKHG2AvrWYu_N8Wt6bFEq/s2016/IMG_8544.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruo6wM4gheEySpQ0pvNvDUa4pEuGWEEFGqgZRwFWA6LWZviTYV8yDqTyGU56_gFLYSgNfufYgwtJdDGcyujiaQOoo8sPMFn15yS1Z_ql0EFyhVuGaBAoPjajslPxLU70ZKmtKdy0gB7wllxB6Icg9T6uYDozfqtUH5ZesMAqZKHG2AvrWYu_N8Wt6bFEq/s16000/IMG_8544.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: </span></span>Planes in private lot sharing control tower with the commercial airlines</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcj1U-Qlujt4oO4vTHKSlsslKpoqa9QZE2m7L0qrYTrEiyxiNDMMCVIWyV6vnpI9tDpLuMxNwWiBGDyc5sg8YVMX6LtR5Sinj1rkyvYQVJ6Go76aZP_GaSlX35VuLMdL7UPCOu1lcElaAwY5n2l9r4LVMZR4MgjhyruM1ZRyCY4xvUagQq6B2P7TI5ISTy/s2688/IMG_8548.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcj1U-Qlujt4oO4vTHKSlsslKpoqa9QZE2m7L0qrYTrEiyxiNDMMCVIWyV6vnpI9tDpLuMxNwWiBGDyc5sg8YVMX6LtR5Sinj1rkyvYQVJ6Go76aZP_GaSlX35VuLMdL7UPCOu1lcElaAwY5n2l9r4LVMZR4MgjhyruM1ZRyCY4xvUagQq6B2P7TI5ISTy/s16000/IMG_8548.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: </span></span>Diane at a downtown gift shop (...asking the bear to eat Scott)<br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfImkZBCwX8NVpbmGorFFkN0ZgJkzbejaJ3fYuD6AKravgl9HNS_4oThHZ5HNxpF1_px3iI8z-bWMdtbTQzNwiVF1CRImUuET7u7aTyFm8cCMgzltPz1h0dZbklYyN0w6dQaDlIgDB6Fc-ZqGcVtsBUt3v92dmp5pGvJjJPxn0RSYjJBUpnNpcerXTxAmc/s2688/IMG_8547.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfImkZBCwX8NVpbmGorFFkN0ZgJkzbejaJ3fYuD6AKravgl9HNS_4oThHZ5HNxpF1_px3iI8z-bWMdtbTQzNwiVF1CRImUuET7u7aTyFm8cCMgzltPz1h0dZbklYyN0w6dQaDlIgDB6Fc-ZqGcVtsBUt3v92dmp5pGvJjJPxn0RSYjJBUpnNpcerXTxAmc/s16000/IMG_8547.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: </span></span>Scott at a downtown gift shop (...struggling with the bear so he doesn’t get eaten)</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCp_5Y6oEK6M0A72PuvBmDemvcolcXqWAM2d8V6yxPmkXPFCeNa5Wx21Y_t6aRzXsx3eEmOuOeB0BfBw-0EBVVhZ22FYlI5aC4-Vg-rLTxDcAcjl4VmqqeTJk9zSvUrn4mVzJ0IttUXunV85-Wq8xVvS53sQULOu4SsaSMzmpZZ1koxhNQwOJ-docEKu5d/s2016/IMG_8549.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCp_5Y6oEK6M0A72PuvBmDemvcolcXqWAM2d8V6yxPmkXPFCeNa5Wx21Y_t6aRzXsx3eEmOuOeB0BfBw-0EBVVhZ22FYlI5aC4-Vg-rLTxDcAcjl4VmqqeTJk9zSvUrn4mVzJ0IttUXunV85-Wq8xVvS53sQULOu4SsaSMzmpZZ1koxhNQwOJ-docEKu5d/s16000/IMG_8549.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: </span></span>First Nation replicate cabin at the Trolley Terminal <br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4UgHDBwhZV42qL87nD42Llio377u4gOZHeVokhO6-Kqv0tI3cOKvw1c-Wl61kxfQNXD1taB3-HPIuiYJ9WOs42ZWS9RaVHsiK5V0KNP-fBkJxvEgTMvVtrSGqVaMh0_o02tXE1-dZbXZqra2rxQHdE27KDp3Ngg9veYkO79H379RzOVDmWItI6BpSB9P/s2688/IMG_8550.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4UgHDBwhZV42qL87nD42Llio377u4gOZHeVokhO6-Kqv0tI3cOKvw1c-Wl61kxfQNXD1taB3-HPIuiYJ9WOs42ZWS9RaVHsiK5V0KNP-fBkJxvEgTMvVtrSGqVaMh0_o02tXE1-dZbXZqra2rxQHdE27KDp3Ngg9veYkO79H379RzOVDmWItI6BpSB9P/s16000/IMG_8550.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: </span></span>Multi-colored bear statue at the Historic City Hall</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOZJ3ls30bAVLmwBhsUs2DB_NvKXBeMmYhL8JtKzi64FzkVMMr89-KZODXhH5hRDhpyY3Ze8-U0iX5Z7KkNiy0zaBxoLI8LXr1-yxn3yKL42aOrPyf0vJAh99xU_Xtfw21ZDaX9RHWo1qaKaqArAY3uC1_laVq8V-H0Jk0oBXiaZYlkB2AJ1MglmYrmfT/s2688/IMG_8559.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOZJ3ls30bAVLmwBhsUs2DB_NvKXBeMmYhL8JtKzi64FzkVMMr89-KZODXhH5hRDhpyY3Ze8-U0iX5Z7KkNiy0zaBxoLI8LXr1-yxn3yKL42aOrPyf0vJAh99xU_Xtfw21ZDaX9RHWo1qaKaqArAY3uC1_laVq8V-H0Jk0oBXiaZYlkB2AJ1MglmYrmfT/s16000/IMG_8559.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: </span></span>My photo of a photo at the Anchorage Museum, depicting the Alaska Railroad 100 year anniversary</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rWJpaASPPua8cibFfJlKxPqRcBDXnWXay6v6gzas09s9vmcfF_fvQA_dmKVL4btrMj70cZNvjU7YE_ItB3j07TU71sSRsFlOsYUjjEE_SI_re0TqdkJRscNQVxS3cpAYHad2H76VKnqULFRYI43GLNeF7q2NsQYDa-daevz1UUlgT-yYWbz5J7qdiT45/s2688/IMG_8561.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rWJpaASPPua8cibFfJlKxPqRcBDXnWXay6v6gzas09s9vmcfF_fvQA_dmKVL4btrMj70cZNvjU7YE_ItB3j07TU71sSRsFlOsYUjjEE_SI_re0TqdkJRscNQVxS3cpAYHad2H76VKnqULFRYI43GLNeF7q2NsQYDa-daevz1UUlgT-yYWbz5J7qdiT45/s16000/IMG_8561.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: </span></span>Haida mask in the Anchorage Museum, Haida were indigenous people</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-f6a_k6GNgOLVibSv1NSJ1v7uXimZC5EU89MlSbH2eXriQBhfZKG1wGeTsbt90RGBv_MbxLZDuEVJZneRH_WSfwS2bibPxRk2lToNdguqArx2v-_hsOIRLLkcy6werlAJF0ipzuCxbmP2v63JjUdrVHIdkuLGzb4LtO_gHhXnsWcEvfewd29_7tU3jGs/s2688/IMG_8562.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-f6a_k6GNgOLVibSv1NSJ1v7uXimZC5EU89MlSbH2eXriQBhfZKG1wGeTsbt90RGBv_MbxLZDuEVJZneRH_WSfwS2bibPxRk2lToNdguqArx2v-_hsOIRLLkcy6werlAJF0ipzuCxbmP2v63JjUdrVHIdkuLGzb4LtO_gHhXnsWcEvfewd29_7tU3jGs/s16000/IMG_8562.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: </span></span>Tlingit cape at the Anchorage Museum, Tlingit were also indigenous peoples</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimD_EB1XHeyuNDoI3mApUbON0av85TZpB4NJ0oQi6DOFp5YDvZm6gwzIN-ROl_xIrrpLb-IO4sOEX9VMFR_CwgZW4LfUjOPvs4Bh19leE6GinoktO6XfvlB9t3CVofMgqwS0bCPi441rL12Rn23DIRYfcPcjsvJkP5vqIUV9fljBhIWTKPWxCaU-8NRdss/s2688/IMG_8568.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimD_EB1XHeyuNDoI3mApUbON0av85TZpB4NJ0oQi6DOFp5YDvZm6gwzIN-ROl_xIrrpLb-IO4sOEX9VMFR_CwgZW4LfUjOPvs4Bh19leE6GinoktO6XfvlB9t3CVofMgqwS0bCPi441rL12Rn23DIRYfcPcjsvJkP5vqIUV9fljBhIWTKPWxCaU-8NRdss/s16000/IMG_8568.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: </span></span>My photo of a Black & White image of Denali by Bradford Washburn, at the Anchorage Museum <br /><br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After Anchorage, we flew back to California, and I eventually returned to NYC. </span><br /><br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /><br /></span>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626364476155545127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728495483307516262.post-3322289704639456172023-01-02T09:34:00.086-08:002023-01-08T18:36:20.696-08:002022/2023 Caribbean Cruise<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>My friend Sara and I signed up for a 11-night cruise of the Eastern Caribbean islands, originally scheduled to leave Thursday night (December 22, 2022) and returning on January 2, 2023 morning.<br /><br />The Eastern Caribbean islands are favorite cruise ports for many of the large cruise lines. Originally our 6 Ports of Call (not counting New York City) were (1) Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), (2) San Juan, (3) St. Thomas, (4) Philipsburg (St. Maarten, Netherland Antilles), (5) St. John’s (Antigua), and (6) Tortola (British Virgin Islands), then back to New York City. Four of these days will be sea days. Our New York City Port of Call is at Pier 88 at 48th street and 12th avenue on Manhattan’s West Side, the Manhattan Cruise Terminal.<br /><br />Our ship is the <i>Norwegian Gem</i>, one of the larger cruise ships I’ve been on. As a rule I like the smaller cruise ships but we wanted to go during the holidays and this is what was available. </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Below is a photo of the <i>Norwegian Gem</i> grabbed from the Internet (NOT my photo), taken in 2018 in Italy. Just a reminder of what our ship looked liked, so I don't forget.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>The <i>Norwegian Gem</i> is the fourth ship in the Norwegian's <i>Jewel</i> class, her sister ships are the <i>Norwegian Jade</i>, the <i>Norwegian Jewel</i>, and the <i>Norwegian Pearl</i>. All the ships in this class are similar with one primary difference being the giant murals on the sides of their hulls. <br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>The name <i>Gem</i> stems from the beautiful art work on her hull, all gem stones.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvvCdLKTA99f5p80bBchlLkZypHpfX_AyYgWW8GnvyiJ1q2m25VxLfUgCGouTJDy3pb0zDK30j0OeDWW-Y7SqGh98ClKJavoHi8zPu-biDIUeu4N3Tr80JLJzphGUUaxqscom75oQK9Y7JSIoeZEV7bRWiGBvQfEgBX4Vo-_72LEkOwWydv2hA_aqsQ/s2016/Norwegian_gem_in_Sicily_2008-2016p.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvvCdLKTA99f5p80bBchlLkZypHpfX_AyYgWW8GnvyiJ1q2m25VxLfUgCGouTJDy3pb0zDK30j0OeDWW-Y7SqGh98ClKJavoHi8zPu-biDIUeu4N3Tr80JLJzphGUUaxqscom75oQK9Y7JSIoeZEV7bRWiGBvQfEgBX4Vo-_72LEkOwWydv2hA_aqsQ/s16000/Norwegian_gem_in_Sicily_2008-2016p.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Norwegian Gem in Italy, 2018.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><b></b></span></span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><b>Day 1 and 2: December 22/23, 2022: (Thursday/Friday): Pier 88, Manhattan Cruise Terminal</b><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>But
our cruise hasn't started off all that smoothly, actually it hasn't
really started yet, the cruising part that is. We had hoped to have
sailed by this time but the “unseasonably cold weather” hit New York
city. Our planned sail time on Thursday was postponed due to the
preholiday winter storm (Winter Storm Elliott) that hit New York. The
city was pummeled by wet and windy weather, the winds and waves too high
for the ship to sail. So I don’t have a lot to report at this time,
plus the WiFi is almost non-existent. I’m having trouble emailing and
even texting.<br /><br />Our current estimated sailing time is now Saturday morning (24th) at 9 am.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWHWvUJzQ7Z2NYemp7zPH5KE6KhavdIIwJd010ND8wurS0Fv0On6mgSPLwA3qQoHE_7IuJXxF-6Vb88j0ndHWXJ4B_WtvtySnSmXpaMtVKRvO55MHRwalouTYfxl1oJNHoyz1xjs7sDdlziQazYfFXCJBckSSvwv5ExG-7LqNM9Bz4-__khBnl-PmDA/s1200/Gem-Map.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWHWvUJzQ7Z2NYemp7zPH5KE6KhavdIIwJd010ND8wurS0Fv0On6mgSPLwA3qQoHE_7IuJXxF-6Vb88j0ndHWXJ4B_WtvtySnSmXpaMtVKRvO55MHRwalouTYfxl1oJNHoyz1xjs7sDdlziQazYfFXCJBckSSvwv5ExG-7LqNM9Bz4-__khBnl-PmDA/s16000/Gem-Map.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span><span>Map from the Norwegian Cruise Line website showing our originally scheduled stops.</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRR5EDogsZSYJXhoqy15Ef9wCC86_z_5sbBVxur5gdmfZ9XeYcAhBAP8hBN_v53gWTDY98-B3bTd1_UwBy6PeNNvRLJZA3usVgTeRyf_jFxv0uIbO1lQYQgiCDmNpHrAaupJZXTIjEhhru0j_ORbZ4T3I_9n9yyd13ZTJ4EITIbRFtKY_VIoxXeovYOQ/s1600/Norwegian%20GemD419e-Cabin%205008.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRR5EDogsZSYJXhoqy15Ef9wCC86_z_5sbBVxur5gdmfZ9XeYcAhBAP8hBN_v53gWTDY98-B3bTd1_UwBy6PeNNvRLJZA3usVgTeRyf_jFxv0uIbO1lQYQgiCDmNpHrAaupJZXTIjEhhru0j_ORbZ4T3I_9n9yyd13ZTJ4EITIbRFtKY_VIoxXeovYOQ/s16000/Norwegian%20GemD419e-Cabin%205008.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Above: A photo of our ship, the <i>Norwegian Gem</i>, showing where our cabin is located on Deck 5</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">. Note, NOT my photo, taken from the Internet.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span>Below is a photo of part of our cabin on Deck 5. In the window you can
vaguely make out the <i>Regulus I</i> cruise missile that was recently
restored. An Allison turbojet engine powered this missile. I worked
for the Allison Engine Company at one time. But not when this engine was
designed, that was before my time, way before my time.</span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwVKRgo3CSF-0egm0rar0Av37Crg1oHW-jBNWfYGoOSaqUcV2hVEMtbGdIwtNf3xjac0R7BIWmbFrUiCe5Piuudojf7zKw4fZaV9OMwJaYiX6lfOFVwdgJU59fs9104BqGZ7MfUSJnz9AXGJ1GgkSWOgQz9tqUWy2AdB8mJAq4DiQWly5MN8X3pPYcw/s2048/IMG_7760.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwVKRgo3CSF-0egm0rar0Av37Crg1oHW-jBNWfYGoOSaqUcV2hVEMtbGdIwtNf3xjac0R7BIWmbFrUiCe5Piuudojf7zKw4fZaV9OMwJaYiX6lfOFVwdgJU59fs9104BqGZ7MfUSJnz9AXGJ1GgkSWOgQz9tqUWy2AdB8mJAq4DiQWly5MN8X3pPYcw/s16000/IMG_7760.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Part of our cabin (5008).</span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span>Below are a few more photos, all taken from our ship moored at Pier 88. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSLxbybhaz63nJTRbgO3vRXEdTdFUEYD8JAiBbAKC-0TfT81afNm0tjV1yZ13ibEaf7rhR_kW_N7K4C20Lz1TV3hFVOLcySi8aQOwWjckEoBOJkv03_0eBs7NH2TRoJ8XFzoZkevLml9E_htEX9c8ngty8IVmSc-0HDbY0jwvVwwSUxGBFOZunoeCcw/s1920/IMG_7758.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSLxbybhaz63nJTRbgO3vRXEdTdFUEYD8JAiBbAKC-0TfT81afNm0tjV1yZ13ibEaf7rhR_kW_N7K4C20Lz1TV3hFVOLcySi8aQOwWjckEoBOJkv03_0eBs7NH2TRoJ8XFzoZkevLml9E_htEX9c8ngty8IVmSc-0HDbY0jwvVwwSUxGBFOZunoeCcw/s16000/IMG_7758.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Yours truly getting ready to board the <i>Norwegian Gem</i>.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrYWF8wiNLDJL052BN__9bQYST5uc2oWbui37O6K7yg47R69cEJIY7PEjZIFGAEOPFcxNlWlcq1UdQW2P9G9wW9m1AuQYW7MJr64pTY0N8ZjZ6xd4Q_loX2-fMcaUpCLC5pOidpGFR05b-d84LD_T3X__7sckpzkeO0U9ve44oLgkLtj69hisebg7UQ/s2048/IMG_7761.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrYWF8wiNLDJL052BN__9bQYST5uc2oWbui37O6K7yg47R69cEJIY7PEjZIFGAEOPFcxNlWlcq1UdQW2P9G9wW9m1AuQYW7MJr64pTY0N8ZjZ6xd4Q_loX2-fMcaUpCLC5pOidpGFR05b-d84LD_T3X__7sckpzkeO0U9ve44oLgkLtj69hisebg7UQ/s16000/IMG_7761.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span><span>Photo
taken from our ship looking at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
on Pier 86. Shown in this photo is the <i>British Airways Concorde</i>.</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tnNTDdIHtMiEVobaBSkXERuyc1lrlPHPtTsoY9976AhvrQmoMkn1fB4HpcdFvz9yRj8gXcGimMpYpIabPwk_Xnot3bxs_ALh6zxKpb0KnqpMQPGh_CFWL0Fg7BcDdEjQZ1YVcMQYqk7FOBNpmbG6ZLnll-CH6dO1gC3rQO_ulHjpQIuUZ-87eLQTJA/s2016/IMG_7762.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tnNTDdIHtMiEVobaBSkXERuyc1lrlPHPtTsoY9976AhvrQmoMkn1fB4HpcdFvz9yRj8gXcGimMpYpIabPwk_Xnot3bxs_ALh6zxKpb0KnqpMQPGh_CFWL0Fg7BcDdEjQZ1YVcMQYqk7FOBNpmbG6ZLnll-CH6dO1gC3rQO_ulHjpQIuUZ-87eLQTJA/s16000/IMG_7762.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span><span>Photo
taken from our ship looking at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
on Pier 86. Shown in this photo is the <i>SR-71</i> aircraft (toward the left).</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6uLQpdK-eAeSpl8AlrYOrjTu8coCIQ353LOwEI860y2FR4mfDS0Zb0vaLHA55rZU6_XqJ2yON7AssuuUTnnRUTWq6hCmCUKwDIB0smv8cmxvrSJJtTvKa4MCPA0To_gkbpEcX1vz9-j7VE1hnMlv33ORiT2DjlQd0URPPahLC4wYSoG96aRrjAEqTQ/s2016/IMG_7762crop.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6uLQpdK-eAeSpl8AlrYOrjTu8coCIQ353LOwEI860y2FR4mfDS0Zb0vaLHA55rZU6_XqJ2yON7AssuuUTnnRUTWq6hCmCUKwDIB0smv8cmxvrSJJtTvKa4MCPA0To_gkbpEcX1vz9-j7VE1hnMlv33ORiT2DjlQd0URPPahLC4wYSoG96aRrjAEqTQ/s16000/IMG_7762crop.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span><span><span><span><span>Crop of the above photo, better view of the <i>SR-71</i> aircraft.</span></span></span> </span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><b>Day 3: Saturday 12-24-22: Finally leaving New York</b><br /><br />Today is Saturday and our ship is finally sailing towards the Caribbean Islands, our ship left Pier 88 this morning around 6:45. It was still cold, about 9F, there was steam coming off the water, and rainy.<br /><br />Our ship will now be heading straight for St. Thomas, so we will be skipping the Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic) and San Juan port of call as originally scheduled. We will be at sea now until Tuesday afternoon (27th).<br /><br />I did take a few photos this morning as we were leaving, these will be the last land photos I will be able to take until we get to St. Thomas.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eHU85kJIQA43iKRtzRh9CceY69Kp2SOi6v-mkNzADNWUHyD4ZbpZyxHTvSdu362b2JTd10thsfLIGBm-SyrwQp5QlBV8Qgo1ObYNAvCcOO-jLnZocqvpUdOsLvoGUgdMJrBV27fWC1fYZYw4QdICUIgNcpJBFW-3-8Poi7rfnbLlwhbGqoOhuKPxjA/s2016/IMG_7772.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eHU85kJIQA43iKRtzRh9CceY69Kp2SOi6v-mkNzADNWUHyD4ZbpZyxHTvSdu362b2JTd10thsfLIGBm-SyrwQp5QlBV8Qgo1ObYNAvCcOO-jLnZocqvpUdOsLvoGUgdMJrBV27fWC1fYZYw4QdICUIgNcpJBFW-3-8Poi7rfnbLlwhbGqoOhuKPxjA/s16000/IMG_7772.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span><span>A photo of the Statue of Liberty as we sailed by, a little blurry as my iPhone didn’t get a good focus on the statue.</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>The photo below was taken
as we were going under the <i>Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge</i>, this bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the United
States, 60 feet longer than the <i>Golden Gate Bridge</i>. Once we passed this
bridge we entered the Lower New York Bay and into the Atlantic Ocean.</span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-Lh-RBGwUgX7BKU1bw7KOXS2jRNiEq827z_h5Ic48mc34rDvDmu4qlaFhHN6cPNoS7nXRZyat9keXJpzg4JpEOvES4pmw87uOcJkag2EsJXWcISoOtGnxAIq9gQgRhlFmZkTy4wMYw4lfLv01AJDFJg1FcuLyA6tJT6bdiT2zbb2EsbatjRxP8ATrg/s2048/IMG_7773.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-Lh-RBGwUgX7BKU1bw7KOXS2jRNiEq827z_h5Ic48mc34rDvDmu4qlaFhHN6cPNoS7nXRZyat9keXJpzg4JpEOvES4pmw87uOcJkag2EsJXWcISoOtGnxAIq9gQgRhlFmZkTy4wMYw4lfLv01AJDFJg1FcuLyA6tJT6bdiT2zbb2EsbatjRxP8ATrg/s16000/IMG_7773.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span><span>Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGN4usJYkJpQBw8UchYXDhfNfZ6nULuynz_XcLRgpwd6G9ybA_nNvvAOsIZ6Hv2xAHuiBTkO4A2ibAktjrhA2AGMl6T2VijmYIqCAtVv8SFNMxxg8GjCrA4jSmHtHoy2jP52GG9ehJyqxINIcFOMJbLwPfj2i0pR7jWmLpJwMKCzW2aiEd-k5xBIa_2A/s2048/IMG_7774.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGN4usJYkJpQBw8UchYXDhfNfZ6nULuynz_XcLRgpwd6G9ybA_nNvvAOsIZ6Hv2xAHuiBTkO4A2ibAktjrhA2AGMl6T2VijmYIqCAtVv8SFNMxxg8GjCrA4jSmHtHoy2jP52GG9ehJyqxINIcFOMJbLwPfj2i0pR7jWmLpJwMKCzW2aiEd-k5xBIa_2A/s16000/IMG_7774.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span><span>Another photo taken through the window of our cabin showing the ocean getting kind of rough. Whew, this is gonna be a ride!</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span></span></span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>The boat in the above photo is the Pilot No. 2 out of New Jersey, one of the two station boats, the Pilot Boats New York (Pilot No. 1) and New Jersey (Pilot No. 2). The boats are part of the Sandy Hook Pilots Association that provides pilotage services to ships entering or departing the Port of New York/New Jersey on a 24-hour basis, 365 days of the year in all weather conditions.<br /><br /><b>Days 4 ans 5: Sunday & Monday (12-24-22 & 12-25-22): At sea</b><br /><br />Sunday (Christmas Day) and we are out to sea. Nothing new to report for today other than waves and more waves with 40 mph winds, and eating, drinking, sleeping and feeling frustrated over the lack of WiFi (can’t send photos and barely able to send text, can’t send text to android phones at all). The lack of WiFi may get even worse as we are about to enter the Mythical Bermuda Triangle. :o)<br /><br />At our pier in Manhattan another Norwegian ship was moored and also delayed by the winter storm, the <i>Norwegian Getaway.</i> The <i>Getaway</i> is much larger than our ship the <i>Gem</i>, according to the Norwegian site the <i>Getaway</i> holds 68% more passengers than the <i>Gem</i>. And the <i>Getaway</i> is even “small" compared to other cruise ships.<br /><br />Because of the sailing delay our ship is offering onboard credit as well as a discount on a future cruise as compensation for the 2 missed ports of call (Dominican Republic and San Juan).<br /><br />Monday, still out at sea.<br /><br /><b>Day 6: Tuesday, 12-27-22: St Thomas (US Virgin Islands)<br /></b><br />Sara and I finally made it through the Bermuda Triangle safely, our ship docked Tuesday morning at St Thomas (US Virgin Islands) at Charlotte Amalie in the Havensight Harbor.<br /><br />When we landed Tuesday we were excited to walk on land again after two days on the sea coming from New York city. And it was nice to have cell phone service again and we were told there was good local WiFi. I didn’t know I was a WiFi addict until now. I’m so stressed, Scott texted I should join WiFi Anonymous.<br /><br />Anyway, Sara and I walked around in the area around the ship and joined a family from Cape Verde for a tour, which was half the price if we had booked a similar tour through the ship. Our tour vehicle was called a taxi, but was an open air tourist van. We made 3 stops climbing to the highest peak in St. Thomas, called Mountain Top.<br /><br />Our first stop was a spectacular view of the harbor and surrounding islands. The 2nd stop was at Drake's Seat, more wonderful views through some haze including Tortola, the largest of the British Virgin Islands and Virgin Gorda, the third-largest island in the British Virgin Islands. The third stop was at Mountain Top, the home of the world famous banana daiquiri. We each had a banana daiquiri at 10:30 am, they were very good.<br /><br />On the way back down the steep windy road we came to the town of Charlotte Amalie which had a few Government buildings and more shopping. Shopping is the official pastime of the islands. Then we went back to the shopping area near the pier and the mostly unsuccessful quest for WiFi. We found a bar that gave us WiFi for the cost of a drink but that was later in the day after a frustrating quest and not enough time to do the email and the downloads. <br /><br />We had a fun show on the ship and a tasty dinner, and then the ship left for Saint Martin (French: Saint Martin; Dutch: Sint Maarten) in the Dutch West Indies.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Below are a few photos from today.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9AdzVvPIJXm-5MbZqNp0cxbNaVHXlaYHF2d4RI9RrEUaX8tz2TmfZq5CArfPxIeomrei40o1dDCLj_t746pzXYAocsZMG3AvxZIFkrb8qvYkQrF4NBPKMN-a1C5B-JrVyK9XRTCzi_ZCy8MNRtOTzNdSxwA8-827rCr0YY341_6bolSDDhtgWjl9Gg/s1200/Ships%20camera.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9AdzVvPIJXm-5MbZqNp0cxbNaVHXlaYHF2d4RI9RrEUaX8tz2TmfZq5CArfPxIeomrei40o1dDCLj_t746pzXYAocsZMG3AvxZIFkrb8qvYkQrF4NBPKMN-a1C5B-JrVyK9XRTCzi_ZCy8MNRtOTzNdSxwA8-827rCr0YY341_6bolSDDhtgWjl9Gg/s16000/Ships%20camera.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: </span><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;">This photo is from the ship’s camera shortly after we docked, NOT my camera of course. </span><br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRnikvd8hGMbxCi25e78wG9TuF5eilnjJ2Ur7ffWSGQdS61HmfgNp4wh_bGUA0UcY7bE3ShcdFnA2Wx1fLOjNySv9RXlFMDZsxK908t-cOPpgsCpX6tm3LITvlmjjtnu2QvW2L6iBkruR0utGXN5SPjuyBxvrGRbOYP-Q4SZZXD15t9hyOiQG37twGQ/s2048/IMG_7796.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRnikvd8hGMbxCi25e78wG9TuF5eilnjJ2Ur7ffWSGQdS61HmfgNp4wh_bGUA0UcY7bE3ShcdFnA2Wx1fLOjNySv9RXlFMDZsxK908t-cOPpgsCpX6tm3LITvlmjjtnu2QvW2L6iBkruR0utGXN5SPjuyBxvrGRbOYP-Q4SZZXD15t9hyOiQG37twGQ/s16000/IMG_7796.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: </span><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;">This photo is of Sara and me at a colorful sign at the Havensight Harbor.</span><br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>The following 3 photos were taken from the Charlotte Amalie Overlook, about halfway from the Havensight Harbor and the Magens Bay beach.<br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>The first photo below shows the Havensight Dock, the closest docking spot to Charlotte Amalie and within walking distance to the main town of St Thomas. The ship on the left (front) is our ship, the Norwegian Gem. The 2nd (middle) ship is the Norwegian Escape but I don’t know what the 3rd ship is.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTC26Ka_4uT-UZvHcbfpcSaWTVrQJhs4UcwyzX13DGyiEvpRB_kFgNPXwS2s4uf2NESnWoxgtkoz2XgMwF4werJuPW3R1VLuaAj-PsR_bCTJGAmsFqz8gwzlLlbUVy83GxyKdrPnvqIbQO1B61sYxyMz720xxq8Wdhp50b-q7B1JFRJigSr9WY0cY3A/s1280/IMG_7797.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTC26Ka_4uT-UZvHcbfpcSaWTVrQJhs4UcwyzX13DGyiEvpRB_kFgNPXwS2s4uf2NESnWoxgtkoz2XgMwF4werJuPW3R1VLuaAj-PsR_bCTJGAmsFqz8gwzlLlbUVy83GxyKdrPnvqIbQO1B61sYxyMz720xxq8Wdhp50b-q7B1JFRJigSr9WY0cY3A/s16000/IMG_7797.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span><span>Havensight Dock.</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>The next photo is just a general view of Havensight Harbor and surrounding islands.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QyFrW7dBKQDgoa5UKNODBPd6bKkFGfEX7mZ9K2ay9yD74om2F8Bw4pnT2lhYHny9Qy1a3KEn_VAL6FjYbtzmM8HSD7Pjd7NbaNrlAf7UrHUVWdpsSHG73FV2qOGPm4g5zp0SMFD07jc9exbap6D8hvgIfLxkuf2PA0SzIe3KWwQydKvZtjmNuja7Cw/s1024/IMG_7798.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QyFrW7dBKQDgoa5UKNODBPd6bKkFGfEX7mZ9K2ay9yD74om2F8Bw4pnT2lhYHny9Qy1a3KEn_VAL6FjYbtzmM8HSD7Pjd7NbaNrlAf7UrHUVWdpsSHG73FV2qOGPm4g5zp0SMFD07jc9exbap6D8hvgIfLxkuf2PA0SzIe3KWwQydKvZtjmNuja7Cw/s16000/IMG_7798.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Havensight Harbor.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>This next photo is a bird's-eye view of Magens Bay Beach, said to be one of the world's most beautiful beaches and I believe it. 1.5 miles long, beautiful indeed, full of local folks as well as tourists, with music every so often.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzxXa5sjpR2pBkPQ6dKniZuKE9AKCIfgMQ-zXd1XMZkesge9FrIIcZbWkriAMiGgsCzAdAiQQgaoXcCI9qHhExp3rskW7uzV6l98m6lHOIorj0GL52NJ_QO2ae_rkYKMshcKT-lDUQPL2pjhm7IKwJIfw0EgBsj5wJXLsbphX6F36WMwX2oqzcu1mEQ/s1024/IMG_7800.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzxXa5sjpR2pBkPQ6dKniZuKE9AKCIfgMQ-zXd1XMZkesge9FrIIcZbWkriAMiGgsCzAdAiQQgaoXcCI9qHhExp3rskW7uzV6l98m6lHOIorj0GL52NJ_QO2ae_rkYKMshcKT-lDUQPL2pjhm7IKwJIfw0EgBsj5wJXLsbphX6F36WMwX2oqzcu1mEQ/s16000/IMG_7800.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Magens Bay Beach.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Tuesday night our ship left Havensight Harbor, and our next stop will be St. Maarten, scheduled to arrive early Wednesday morning.<br /><br /><b>Day 7: Wednesday, 12-28-22: Sint Maarten</b><br /><br />Wednesday morning we landed in Sint Maarten, the Dutch side of the Saint Martin island. We were looking forward to this stop as Sara is a first generation American of Dutch heritage and speaks the language.<br /><br />What makes this island unique is that it consists of two countries. The north side is the French side of the island and is called St Martin. The south side is the Dutch side of the island and is called Sint Maarten. The scenery that we saw was nice but didn't come close to the scenery I saw at St. Thomas. The town of Philipsburg was organized along the beach. Some of the sidewalks were still covered with sand blown up from the recent hurricane.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Below is a photo of yours truly at the colorful Welcoming sign at Sint Maarten.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGL-h5APVsMOvcsC5C01tMCP6bDUgG6yzYMwDPKtUTBlNbWXXunnGsv_p4CvsJZed4XsIpG7SwHIvBZd9gfo0dba9i-izSyCUGTrGx0JIF644Y6V8K1eF3f1FBqrHFEKCHYK-pCklSxTqIVRfLAaLvYN5StUXIk47BBkqMO4hY-EcsNaME9wKkZfotXQ/s1600/IMG_7814.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGL-h5APVsMOvcsC5C01tMCP6bDUgG6yzYMwDPKtUTBlNbWXXunnGsv_p4CvsJZed4XsIpG7SwHIvBZd9gfo0dba9i-izSyCUGTrGx0JIF644Y6V8K1eF3f1FBqrHFEKCHYK-pCklSxTqIVRfLAaLvYN5StUXIk47BBkqMO4hY-EcsNaME9wKkZfotXQ/s16000/IMG_7814.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Diane at Sint Maarten.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Below is </span></span><span><span>a photo of the part of the beach area in Philipsburg.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhppniyFrLSAtDncsrbGmiDda8yCBiYu3jVdB9bbOyF5FpEGaJUvcH3Sc2RUVVmAyeaH02kgG42wh06XHIqf6YyqfuevG031tIhW9OLEQlT2xPMHzI-CG0Yx2VdZp2-tX5mykfY3ecGtRvGSgBRc7A2UdCJlk3sTiQfXdk8nK3G-1bmRxEFvBWdllrbQ/s2016/IMG_7823.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhppniyFrLSAtDncsrbGmiDda8yCBiYu3jVdB9bbOyF5FpEGaJUvcH3Sc2RUVVmAyeaH02kgG42wh06XHIqf6YyqfuevG031tIhW9OLEQlT2xPMHzI-CG0Yx2VdZp2-tX5mykfY3ecGtRvGSgBRc7A2UdCJlk3sTiQfXdk8nK3G-1bmRxEFvBWdllrbQ/s16000/IMG_7823.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Beach area in Philipsburg.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Four big cruise ships were in port this morning, our ship, the Norwegian Gem, was the smallest. The other three ships were the <i>P&O Cruises Britannia</i>, the <i>Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas</i> and the <i>Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas</i>. The <i>Wonder of the Seas</i> is the largest cruise ship in the world by gross tonnage. The <i>Harmony of the Seas </i>is the third largest cruise ship in the world by gross tonnage. I’ve included a photo below that I took of the ships. </span></span><span><span><span><span>From left to right are the <i>Norwegian Gem</i>, the <i>Britannia</i>, the <i>Wonder of the Seas</i> and the <i>Harmony of the Seas</i>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbY1D51H_M52SXThmM2mE1yddc3KWRg0AhfJg2d5K6yCgxdewG8db3xhewjrYkza_MdRsaRtN13aXczXETz7wbJILfELwnPA-IKB4L1lWSix098h37ze5kxjudsSh_mpweRSfyD-Q42fcdc6zlmQWlENAzPzXkJ-i6r4u-7Rd8S5u8uUyTINUoEvhxA/s2016/IMG_7833.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbY1D51H_M52SXThmM2mE1yddc3KWRg0AhfJg2d5K6yCgxdewG8db3xhewjrYkza_MdRsaRtN13aXczXETz7wbJILfELwnPA-IKB4L1lWSix098h37ze5kxjudsSh_mpweRSfyD-Q42fcdc6zlmQWlENAzPzXkJ-i6r4u-7Rd8S5u8uUyTINUoEvhxA/s16000/IMG_7833.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: 4 ships at the Port Sint Maarten, our ship on the far left.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Plus at Port Sint Maarten they have a Live Streaming Webcam, so also below is a screenshot from that webcam, annotated with the names of the four ships.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFf2DX8XS-MIbCKOG4nGWH6tkVMDh1O8RXUKFnA_l0IKc4oNxzAHEj9V6Y62hFo8vwJ4oVAuHcUu3P5JvsQ2IsZNXEFCo0y5NNTDbh-D6yvCVcqUWfzkuBlUBeLFkJtTrKtNeIIn2aKpC5KeT4TaUFmszkptMeZUGyuzoollEoP_Nq5t7zyrtFcR4-A/s1200/4%20ships%20in%20dock.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFf2DX8XS-MIbCKOG4nGWH6tkVMDh1O8RXUKFnA_l0IKc4oNxzAHEj9V6Y62hFo8vwJ4oVAuHcUu3P5JvsQ2IsZNXEFCo0y5NNTDbh-D6yvCVcqUWfzkuBlUBeLFkJtTrKtNeIIn2aKpC5KeT4TaUFmszkptMeZUGyuzoollEoP_Nq5t7zyrtFcR4-A/s16000/4%20ships%20in%20dock.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Screenshot from the port webcam.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Below is another screenshot from that webcam, just zoomed out to show more of the harbor.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXHhZm50elLqBkb8LwjozftbsgGFCcy5Ey4lKOLn92QypQ5fbAFb09HO-lVfkEjO28MPcLb_Kf9pr6__Pq4fjslGAEnDyTSU23YFWXh1Lsto7IDNLDKDLVy_X3YodErDcgrLfwMcZznhG0dFPy7SpkG1VWW0JqIGUCEq0b09sSiwKVWiJJ7fX_n9-lw/s1200/4%20ships%20plus%20beach.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXHhZm50elLqBkb8LwjozftbsgGFCcy5Ey4lKOLn92QypQ5fbAFb09HO-lVfkEjO28MPcLb_Kf9pr6__Pq4fjslGAEnDyTSU23YFWXh1Lsto7IDNLDKDLVy_X3YodErDcgrLfwMcZznhG0dFPy7SpkG1VWW0JqIGUCEq0b09sSiwKVWiJJ7fX_n9-lw/s16000/4%20ships%20plus%20beach.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Another screenshot from the port webcam.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>The <i>Wonder of the Seas</i> has the "tallest slide at sea" called the <i>Ultimate Abyss</i>, and I would love to go on that water slide.<br /><br />Sara and I didn't rush but we were among the first wave of passengers into town. We stopped at the Amsterdam Shoppe so Sara could look for Dutch Gin. They had it and she got to talk Dutch to one of the owners. In Phillipsburg along the beach were stores and bars. </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Below is a photo of some of the wildlife we passed after leaving the ship.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFgKUTw1OMGfumBE4XPlvrSSJbmvL-WjEUJ_l_JXVIgiX0dezibLpNqDRRoNY9ociT7-TxnbaRdNzQF7fRvHaTPJbcPZDn1mUATMKABpAIt03k7X4Kfo4s10165gwd0WGef3GEEx6AzOHCNkRhbar3WzEv9d1sa2FSa7Jph-ecl8uU-0mCJLbXKoRcg/s2688/IMG_7831.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFgKUTw1OMGfumBE4XPlvrSSJbmvL-WjEUJ_l_JXVIgiX0dezibLpNqDRRoNY9ociT7-TxnbaRdNzQF7fRvHaTPJbcPZDn1mUATMKABpAIt03k7X4Kfo4s10165gwd0WGef3GEEx6AzOHCNkRhbar3WzEv9d1sa2FSa7Jph-ecl8uU-0mCJLbXKoRcg/s16000/IMG_7831.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: Iguana we passed.</span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Below is a crop of the above photo, giving a closer look at the Iguana.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcY-Eekw74X3Hgxmt-pLJy0QOZXAB7bZIRcXegPf0hSHTRPvKngpxjC1pGTxXSo_epAQCKgllUQXjwfRjIyTeYg8ysBsKKxv__V974Tiu7_lPhTrIG0jd2DvfVK8CVog0VZugeiUqN7auhg_Rsu6VbYY3CXDfjy0n28IioeXmRPZkiEC3hKYxilYeYA/s1520/IMG_7831crop.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="1520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcY-Eekw74X3Hgxmt-pLJy0QOZXAB7bZIRcXegPf0hSHTRPvKngpxjC1pGTxXSo_epAQCKgllUQXjwfRjIyTeYg8ysBsKKxv__V974Tiu7_lPhTrIG0jd2DvfVK8CVog0VZugeiUqN7auhg_Rsu6VbYY3CXDfjy0n28IioeXmRPZkiEC3hKYxilYeYA/s16000/IMG_7831crop.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Iguana, crop from above photo.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>We found the Sint Maarten Museum, small but interesting with info about the Arawaks and the Caribs that Columbus encountered, the indigenous groups. <br /><br />The highlight of the day for me was a man looking at faded photographs on the wall of National Heroes. One photo was of his great grandfather that he'd never met and another of his great uncle that he had met. He grew up in Sint Maarten but had lived in Holland for 8 years and had moved to Aruba. He and Sara had a grand time speaking Dutch.<br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkzPc-T-9SzKyarMnwm398l8evfr9noXSj7qiHQ8WIS-sKYIE1e13cSMjBh4h_D8Ewc9FpV59X-2mVjzjznxWvfC2XdqyiwD-q58KiCP_-n9cdN_H-mosu4ZGqbJyyrBIED3kFJUaQiRGKfPbs1IxVUANsX0h-UpQyr4lAZZeNopCTukXyHE6O3tLPQ/s2688/IMG_7828.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkzPc-T-9SzKyarMnwm398l8evfr9noXSj7qiHQ8WIS-sKYIE1e13cSMjBh4h_D8Ewc9FpV59X-2mVjzjznxWvfC2XdqyiwD-q58KiCP_-n9cdN_H-mosu4ZGqbJyyrBIED3kFJUaQiRGKfPbs1IxVUANsX0h-UpQyr4lAZZeNopCTukXyHE6O3tLPQ/s16000/IMG_7828.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Local man viewing some of his relatives on the National Heroes Wall.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Later we did some shopping and headed back to the ship. After lunch I went out in search of WiFi, found a little for $7 an hour. Then it rained like it can only rain in the tropics. Wave after wave. I managed to get back to the ship between waves with only wet feet. After that pretty much the same; drinks, show, dinner, and then back to our cabin. <br /><br />We left Sint Maarten Wednesday night and headed for St. John's, Antigua.<br /><br /><b>Day 8: Thursday, 12-29-22: St. John's at Antigua</b><br /><br />We arrived Thursday morning at Antigua, docking at the Antigua Cruise Port in St. John's harbor. Once again we moored next to a larger cruise ship, this time the <i>Celebrity Millennium</i>.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>The
photo below is a screenshot from a camera at the port that captured our ship, the
ship on the right. The ship on the left is the <i>Celebrity Millennium</i>. Just throwing this screenshot in for no special reason.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfBZfiXoPz8o-OUkUf-8OhwojjdvwpIXorpKpU4Vp6_72NmltQxKsVaPGxH-MgS_0YKLKdT8QzqO5d05TE_aQGId8jFbrLHdPKpf9H9kpR0nzt3oWe2mFJyzPdw1Cqit2T6wNxgmKlJ0aI0p9hkepNLxcJENBcIyo3m9-oJhguY4eW4unwXAUx8eliA/s949/Port%20Camera-Day%208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="949" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfBZfiXoPz8o-OUkUf-8OhwojjdvwpIXorpKpU4Vp6_72NmltQxKsVaPGxH-MgS_0YKLKdT8QzqO5d05TE_aQGId8jFbrLHdPKpf9H9kpR0nzt3oWe2mFJyzPdw1Cqit2T6wNxgmKlJ0aI0p9hkepNLxcJENBcIyo3m9-oJhguY4eW4unwXAUx8eliA/s16000/Port%20Camera-Day%208.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Below is a screenshot of the path our ship took from Sint Maarten to St. John's. I was asleep so I don’t know what this was about. The screenshot is from Cruise Mapper, an online ship tracking site.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkaEuADee9HskftE9oBVN7TEGqYk2VgFRx06TJpgZhWFhbzpezW7Hj2KgTczkr4VwjrkHBCreHeHQEM7KVQuw_C-7a03Uf7eEVBZMO6fdLzvjU_1r67BHNwg4TGYSoGXYGmBrToo4Yy5V_XtA9yjXghZA-IvspFCOyL1BysFRl7N-p0JpwD7cg_Jx4w/s900/CrazyPath.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkaEuADee9HskftE9oBVN7TEGqYk2VgFRx06TJpgZhWFhbzpezW7Hj2KgTczkr4VwjrkHBCreHeHQEM7KVQuw_C-7a03Uf7eEVBZMO6fdLzvjU_1r67BHNwg4TGYSoGXYGmBrToo4Yy5V_XtA9yjXghZA-IvspFCOyL1BysFRl7N-p0JpwD7cg_Jx4w/s16000/CrazyPath.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Crazy path our ship took.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Below are some additional photos from the day.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmrVV9XpDoe2YztGoXykQiU1kFT9IkpKt6M1OkLhv_WqXcaX4y8Vv9wveHnIIQ23XXK7Rj9ygV9RnrRPYW8TqUBrcFrxwmn6ZHUqYnuxMAIop5uCu57LvKQIIZnAVtNCr4yKZZSRiL00-VyYeThCm07HOXJg7WSYUBByyeLvkoUK1qcWefAKAnb3Afw/s2688/IMG_7835.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmrVV9XpDoe2YztGoXykQiU1kFT9IkpKt6M1OkLhv_WqXcaX4y8Vv9wveHnIIQ23XXK7Rj9ygV9RnrRPYW8TqUBrcFrxwmn6ZHUqYnuxMAIop5uCu57LvKQIIZnAVtNCr4yKZZSRiL00-VyYeThCm07HOXJg7WSYUBByyeLvkoUK1qcWefAKAnb3Afw/s16000/IMG_7835.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span><span>A photo of Antigua Cruise Port area, taken from our ship.</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Below was </span></span><span><span><span><span>a
little surprise in our cabin from our cabin steward. Cute eh? We call
the elephant <i>Delilah</i>. The cabin steward did a monkey also, the monkey's
name is, you guessed it, <i>Samson</i>. Towel art is amazing.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0Hf9NFOxSmvwGTj3bOGDDVMCLgMX3L5ZQXg8TMOVd7IG7jufJPp8OODUpfednJ9FWcJQGperL4Wh5WOk299tNB6TGaSmlvMDlgY-euIVlpyl5hNbKVuxGbarvn0yEUFDaHg_Q5wc7XmZIWAAfzrEDQCi6AtpG0YZZfiibM5E7KtaQMkxV6DQrebqtw/s2688/IMG_7838.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0Hf9NFOxSmvwGTj3bOGDDVMCLgMX3L5ZQXg8TMOVd7IG7jufJPp8OODUpfednJ9FWcJQGperL4Wh5WOk299tNB6TGaSmlvMDlgY-euIVlpyl5hNbKVuxGbarvn0yEUFDaHg_Q5wc7XmZIWAAfzrEDQCi6AtpG0YZZfiibM5E7KtaQMkxV6DQrebqtw/s16000/IMG_7838.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: </span><span><span><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Delilah</i> the elephant.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SvYrnaLJWgyhCLecT6uJ8GNSzmJpAGXDW3_9n3_jNVjw-fGQiDJVvP3KVik75DywTlF34qztejXZWJEevvGWcvgdN0o-Kx08ARLTUIBrquwKhFOdRe09fSB660JDv_jxlSebTieXZqoRN519958yCadKgDT7qYstnebukej1b8CHFmjzkUUH7jN_wg/s2688/IMG_7839.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SvYrnaLJWgyhCLecT6uJ8GNSzmJpAGXDW3_9n3_jNVjw-fGQiDJVvP3KVik75DywTlF34qztejXZWJEevvGWcvgdN0o-Kx08ARLTUIBrquwKhFOdRe09fSB660JDv_jxlSebTieXZqoRN519958yCadKgDT7qYstnebukej1b8CHFmjzkUUH7jN_wg/s16000/IMG_7839.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Above: Photo from the cemetery at St. John’s Cathedral.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span>Below is a photo of the gate to the Botanical Gardens. We went there because Sara is a volunteer at the New York Botanical Gardens.</span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINi6FG-dBI02_708xUDaetR1DwOA19dMX2BkhOzu-h28ALoahDm61lJrsm3wW9WLajQFttrLQlciIbEpqtOSqxXhWkUHYiLAqE7Dc0QgDtEl4ZPmOT9o3KCqgbiHLQpmicxd9WxmPGMqy4eeXbZUguSi__9bIu8BekBiWgs36PTCxYlgdRXYaDN-bsw/s2016/IMG_7841.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINi6FG-dBI02_708xUDaetR1DwOA19dMX2BkhOzu-h28ALoahDm61lJrsm3wW9WLajQFttrLQlciIbEpqtOSqxXhWkUHYiLAqE7Dc0QgDtEl4ZPmOT9o3KCqgbiHLQpmicxd9WxmPGMqy4eeXbZUguSi__9bIu8BekBiWgs36PTCxYlgdRXYaDN-bsw/s16000/IMG_7841.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Gate to Botanical Garden.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span>Below is a photo of scripture from the Rastafarians at the Botanical Gardens. I
love the “<i>Sin is the root of all evil</i>” sign. I thought it was the
definition.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmwzOqs9BmSrFTvQF8Xsc_Pmg8hl5JH2IjKNUUMBGvPc-rQk9s6AJO6RuvyBG-tzO3yEHC-1NXoxsR7u3o4rSGp7MEOVB_bW1aNmmiWY52nSKIozgY_i7pLFLMX09ExYCesyoUqoUzBP35lNoRUzz32qByL4AXaPmlWThuE75lsmwYFm36UEKhs2MkA/s2688/IMG_7843.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmwzOqs9BmSrFTvQF8Xsc_Pmg8hl5JH2IjKNUUMBGvPc-rQk9s6AJO6RuvyBG-tzO3yEHC-1NXoxsR7u3o4rSGp7MEOVB_bW1aNmmiWY52nSKIozgY_i7pLFLMX09ExYCesyoUqoUzBP35lNoRUzz32qByL4AXaPmlWThuE75lsmwYFm36UEKhs2MkA/s16000/IMG_7843.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span><span><span>“<i>Sin is the root of all evi</i>l” sign.</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>We left St. John's Thursday night heading for our 4th and last stop in the Caribbean, Tortola, the largest of the British Virgin Islands. We will arrive there Friday morning.<br /><br /><b>Day 9: Friday, 12-30-22: Tortola, British Virgin Islands</b><br /><br />This morning our ship arrived in Tortola, the largest of the British Virgin Islands, our 4th and last stop in the Caribbean on this cruise. The ship started the thrusters (small propellers that help maneuver a boat sideways, while docking or mooring) at O-Dawn-Thirty and we were cleared to leave the ship by 5:30 am. Way too early for me, but it was so noisy Sara and I got up anyway. <br /><br />Sara and I finally left the ship about 9:00 am, 81F degrees, 80% humidity, we would have left earlier but we had to wait for it to stop raining. Tortola appears to be very clean and organized. Sara and I had a mission. Yep, another Botanical Garden, the Joseph Reynold O'Neal Botanic Gardens. This one was good, it is affiliated with Kew Gardens in southwest London. Some folks from England are coming next month to work here. <br /><br />Growing up in Florida I recognized a lot of the plants, they had snowball vine and another snow something. I had Google identifier on my phone so I am now a professor of botany. I recognize one plant as the same as we had in our front yard in Florida, Hibiscus tiliaceus. It was small but lovely and of course Sara had a fabulous time, I mentioned yesterday that Sara is a volunteer at the New York Botanical Garden.<br /><br />As we left the gardener told us about a shuttle that would take us to the Government Museum. We went to the corner to wait and sure enough it came. As we were traveling along at a high speed of 3 mph, a lady we met while waiting said "rain's coming.” The driver got out and pulled down plastic zippered panels. It was toasty with all the locals and us.<br /><br />On the way we had to get out at a hospital and walk another block, then press a button on a green fence and supposedly it would open. We did but nothing happened. So I said the magic words "<i>Jose sent me</i>," still nothing happened. Then from the shadows a guard appeared and told us our information was inaccurate, we were supposed to go another block on a different road, but he’d let us in anyway. <br /><br />We met up with a delightful couple from Long Island. She’s a MD waiting for US residency in Grenada and he’s in a Masters program hoping to get a PhD in psych. Fun, Fun. We waited for the cart but had to walk back to the ship.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>And I've learned something very important on this cruise and I have a T-shirt to document it, and that is "If you drink rum before noon you are a pirate, not an alcoholic."<br /><br />As I write this the ship's horn just blasted, so we are on our way back to New York City, and the silence of the seas for 2-3 days.<br /><br />We are due back in New York City Monday morning (January 2nd, 2023).</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Below are a few photos from today, the first two from the Botanical Gardens and the rest some random shots from the ship.</span></span><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8O6aoJY8vDqqK3OqSK6Zxoay-RWY6ck0oWoCH1ySuS-d9ybf75Cy4HzqVkuBLG0EoEHBJW3RtlsgAqwcEXnLl5Z7pA1mD1ALBbsp6xzIDydo93eu20P566jGHk2g_0SV074j-8dsEdEKqfocDqoLBOAXZGRbLNjG63OnMi3Ejf9mylnSoiPw4IlqDCA/s1200/IMG_7860.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8O6aoJY8vDqqK3OqSK6Zxoay-RWY6ck0oWoCH1ySuS-d9ybf75Cy4HzqVkuBLG0EoEHBJW3RtlsgAqwcEXnLl5Z7pA1mD1ALBbsp6xzIDydo93eu20P566jGHk2g_0SV074j-8dsEdEKqfocDqoLBOAXZGRbLNjG63OnMi3Ejf9mylnSoiPw4IlqDCA/s16000/IMG_7860.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span><span>Yours truly at the Botanical Gardens.</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczbksQdIdn7ciQJZGyfRU5KrP1vg--mMmF2gV2xVQT2tFhCCVqMZxqiCqxis8BiSlgEiNvpYoJ40iZNsnAym9D4seGzlEk7iaRyJGr_IUIGl4At96tYwaEeoL2YMev_do25tS6Grhmc0ZAAWKDJ6KASJ20qX7Te33Mf1OK6CIzkjKuUv3LPS4F1PE-w/s1200/IMG_7852.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczbksQdIdn7ciQJZGyfRU5KrP1vg--mMmF2gV2xVQT2tFhCCVqMZxqiCqxis8BiSlgEiNvpYoJ40iZNsnAym9D4seGzlEk7iaRyJGr_IUIGl4At96tYwaEeoL2YMev_do25tS6Grhmc0ZAAWKDJ6KASJ20qX7Te33Mf1OK6CIzkjKuUv3LPS4F1PE-w/s16000/IMG_7852.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Botanical Gardens.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span> </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquMWxm1ApXDB_mHAK0IUjmAkHeC58tRewJgeSWPwpBQDhZP49yhY4skey8yZ8lpMH88GHyz-HuP2DeKCwTHKXj29dmVbbdcI1dkxQIzm0Oes7OJpI8r8QVEe7v1kpGq4LPZhrnp6PltIeWuS2X-ru2xPVBXG3_-5em3cKegdGMUCNymcfWSC60Qua3A/s1200/IMG_7864.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquMWxm1ApXDB_mHAK0IUjmAkHeC58tRewJgeSWPwpBQDhZP49yhY4skey8yZ8lpMH88GHyz-HuP2DeKCwTHKXj29dmVbbdcI1dkxQIzm0Oes7OJpI8r8QVEe7v1kpGq4LPZhrnp6PltIeWuS2X-ru2xPVBXG3_-5em3cKegdGMUCNymcfWSC60Qua3A/s16000/IMG_7864.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Panorama.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRo4P4ZA11Yz5IKPR-yPo1Ij4r9aoPDDI9OsJ69wg4EhGpjuNIXZnEkrdvJLSc49zZG9BuvbDMOFxrOdDckZCCHXLsnZT1ocwPN6iTch1b2DkenN9KslOQ4jQhQaQsmuK6CO5DbQTxpepzWxp3Oylyk0pNNfEzSVtyi33vsBCBQIxTgP9NsEx0jauu-g/s1200/IMG_7865.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRo4P4ZA11Yz5IKPR-yPo1Ij4r9aoPDDI9OsJ69wg4EhGpjuNIXZnEkrdvJLSc49zZG9BuvbDMOFxrOdDckZCCHXLsnZT1ocwPN6iTch1b2DkenN9KslOQ4jQhQaQsmuK6CO5DbQTxpepzWxp3Oylyk0pNNfEzSVtyi33vsBCBQIxTgP9NsEx0jauu-g/s16000/IMG_7865.jpg" /></a></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: View from top deck of ship.</span><br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk78AvnVwaZtocNiN0kj_PI7x2cn9xdWkL20t_h5KWHbDPyZzX316kZBb48ILeF_bD3WK0b7xoEOiodGupMeHd_fEP3EwC_GZpLfRfnaq_iVKsOU9gqXWvMR8fR2YGowJo5JvopTRQ1TKAMJGL2Lab-nvlPfxJc0vUwmG2i_BCkP5G8MSFBhQsTOENiQ/s1200/IMG_7867.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk78AvnVwaZtocNiN0kj_PI7x2cn9xdWkL20t_h5KWHbDPyZzX316kZBb48ILeF_bD3WK0b7xoEOiodGupMeHd_fEP3EwC_GZpLfRfnaq_iVKsOU9gqXWvMR8fR2YGowJo5JvopTRQ1TKAMJGL2Lab-nvlPfxJc0vUwmG2i_BCkP5G8MSFBhQsTOENiQ/s16000/IMG_7867.jpg" /></a></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Another view of the ship.</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZOejKd_egDLY2JLA22OzPCK9-4JdVceScDFEoCZHeTOaJOdFctXeZZGdaMMgrxXRLrXxW-S9HNSl6hyPUe5Exfb_BmgyUfQVTN-NRGDJ6GWMUmDNBcEdMKpSPWnUpR1CNvCJz5Ay9hUCgLXqr0gVQB5BSiaK20lLWkxfNy0aD7BM8lOsHpBPFK5lKA/s1200/IMG_7868.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZOejKd_egDLY2JLA22OzPCK9-4JdVceScDFEoCZHeTOaJOdFctXeZZGdaMMgrxXRLrXxW-S9HNSl6hyPUe5Exfb_BmgyUfQVTN-NRGDJ6GWMUmDNBcEdMKpSPWnUpR1CNvCJz5Ay9hUCgLXqr0gVQB5BSiaK20lLWkxfNy0aD7BM8lOsHpBPFK5lKA/s16000/IMG_7868.jpg" /></a></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Leaving the port.</span><br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXg2hRue9XMpmYM9DWKWqXL8JPwUmekCLg255vA1iHwB69zR5ABQnTt7WiXjaMzR7utrofVewUuqmTwDxkDCMuSzte49_kDCPgZ3gSM4C--iEbeDybPr5gTsQIdKngnCTXuSADAcLK45NJsUxNI1iIoHKEpdp77wuvf3q7WXhAPDJuQujFCbr_oaXCA/s1200/IMG_7869.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXg2hRue9XMpmYM9DWKWqXL8JPwUmekCLg255vA1iHwB69zR5ABQnTt7WiXjaMzR7utrofVewUuqmTwDxkDCMuSzte49_kDCPgZ3gSM4C--iEbeDybPr5gTsQIdKngnCTXuSADAcLK45NJsUxNI1iIoHKEpdp77wuvf3q7WXhAPDJuQujFCbr_oaXCA/s16000/IMG_7869.jpg" /></a></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Pilot boat.</span><br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMv1XQnwixEs6xuuWBqmnd83dFS2GnvGHc2JSMxH4JhPcQaYnMPOpFj0UWD2MCSEMS8qtncl_jULohHZCHc4O7nizQNI9F_y-GPOBMEwQfE4RAOQreDMt8aujiZ-aFOkyng7uwrvCkwci2beVOf2RN1OUE_YcpFyHI6ale8SuQKK80T73ooU4UMG7HUA/s1200/IMG_7871.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMv1XQnwixEs6xuuWBqmnd83dFS2GnvGHc2JSMxH4JhPcQaYnMPOpFj0UWD2MCSEMS8qtncl_jULohHZCHc4O7nizQNI9F_y-GPOBMEwQfE4RAOQreDMt8aujiZ-aFOkyng7uwrvCkwci2beVOf2RN1OUE_YcpFyHI6ale8SuQKK80T73ooU4UMG7HUA/s16000/IMG_7871.jpg" /></a></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: Pilot boat.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>The pilot boat in the last two photos had a hard time keeping up with us, with our ship’s wake. Fascinating. The last three photos were taken as we were leaving of course.<br /><br /><b>Day 10: Saturday, 12-31-22: Leaving Tortola, heading Home</b><br /><br />Last night we left our last stop (Tortola) on this Caribbean cruise and headed back to New York City. We are scheduled to arrive Monday morning (1-2-23).<br /><br />Not a lot to report today, I did go to an art auction, the only art I really liked was $7,600, so I wasn’t a buyer for that. I wonder how I could get some of my art in this arena? I have no photos from the art gallery but there are some nice photos at the Norwegian Gem Art Gallery at the following URL, <a href="https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/shiptour.php?r=3405">https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/shiptour.php?r=3405</a>. Once there scroll down and click on images for larger images and slideshow.<br /><br />Today we were just cruising in the Atlantic Ocean, or perhaps I should say the infamous Bermuda Triangle? As of this writing our ship is about to exit the "Bermuda Triangle." See map below.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EJRT-3Fybxmw1fyVs-EQZZY5yvHHqjG9uQH552yHqUWIu2gX4zvd-KFWpPL7gYS-WxWTJUhbYBHmtHAHQEUGKXp_aJtGWYxkNwVid_Ftgnl6Aelrg7vEDrkWsX0JDAWiGd3rQmOhtcYb8r0r7tMSK_8Hft4sM3lvSIlxKFLKrZwLFACwOGL0yOHeSg/s698/Bermuda%20Triangle.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EJRT-3Fybxmw1fyVs-EQZZY5yvHHqjG9uQH552yHqUWIu2gX4zvd-KFWpPL7gYS-WxWTJUhbYBHmtHAHQEUGKXp_aJtGWYxkNwVid_Ftgnl6Aelrg7vEDrkWsX0JDAWiGd3rQmOhtcYb8r0r7tMSK_8Hft4sM3lvSIlxKFLKrZwLFACwOGL0yOHeSg/s16000/Bermuda%20Triangle.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Map showing our position at the time of this writing.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>The next photo is from the ship's camera, just a view of the bow of the ship and the Atlantic Ocean at the time of this writing. Just thought I'd throw it in to show part of the "Bermuda Triangle."<br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbgpGw_SgcbUBMD7qrFmQBLtXJN1yBwl60s1NAbqYC24_tuMahqyq1arnR5dAIJE-RG8fqAXFWft0tRIfnBeTZdKwkr3I3ckaBZekRlpKYj9i1yKBU2ebBsa4k9XI707iTGEBeo6yQBi1-K6Q7GdtPMqCAgzji9QkyMDnsyuVaMj72MbTI8L_07eLKA/s818/Day%2010%20Screen%20Shot%202022-12-31%20at%201.49.18%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbgpGw_SgcbUBMD7qrFmQBLtXJN1yBwl60s1NAbqYC24_tuMahqyq1arnR5dAIJE-RG8fqAXFWft0tRIfnBeTZdKwkr3I3ckaBZekRlpKYj9i1yKBU2ebBsa4k9XI707iTGEBeo6yQBi1-K6Q7GdtPMqCAgzji9QkyMDnsyuVaMj72MbTI8L_07eLKA/s16000/Day%2010%20Screen%20Shot%202022-12-31%20at%201.49.18%20PM.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: From the ship's camera, in the Bermuda Triangle.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>So far the only thing I’ve seen disappear is the strength of our WiFi signal, with trouble sending text and photos, and even the loss of metadata and resolution (pixel size) in some of the photos. I don’t know if that latter part is due to the WiFi signal, but it’s happening for some reason. It only seems to happen with a weak connection.<br /><br />About the Internet/WiFi connections on this cruise, as many of you know Internet on cruise ships is provided primarily by satellites, and satellite service is often spotty for various reasons.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>I read that if you want the fastest possible cruise WiFi, then head to the Caribbean as WiFi is generally the strongest on cruises in the Caribbean. Something about “<i>...with so many ships visiting the region, maritime communication company SES Networks has placed several satellites in medium orbit above the area in order to create the maximum possible coverage…</i>"</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>So the article read anyway, but for whatever reason I certainly did not have good Internet/WiFi connections on this cruise. There was major grumbling about the WiFi situation among other passengers also.<br /><br />But as my friend Martha wrote one day, “<i>Enough of the @##$$$& WiFi</i>”<br /><br /><b>Day 11: 01-01-23: Sunday: At sea, heading home</b></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Nothing special to write about, just a nice social day.<br /><br /><b>Day 12: 01-02-23: Monday: Back at Pier 88, Manhattan Cruise Terminal </b></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Not much going on other than I have poison ivy from my visit to the Botanical Gardens in Tortola. The doctor told me what to do about it, but it hurts and itches, and is red and blotchy.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>As we docked this morning there was a figure captured by the ship's camera, wearing a long black cloak with a hood, it looked strangely like the Grim Reaper. Whew, I'm glad this cruise is over. 😊<br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrk1y6jo-fJK4DiosavYjit3Rkh42UWHC5j_NYiXEC2w-dyCdPV0AERsV3Qqsn2WkR9Kqb2_wg7uZBlaKa2c08F1b_Iv_xKlKVZXjep61oYNkoSgNAfAX7ly-v2M0doJJFMnAbakyZTeitTIGs2NlrkVUsi99EGBwLPIkru0P50fppb82Tz7yH7MJcA/s810/Grim%20Reaper.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrk1y6jo-fJK4DiosavYjit3Rkh42UWHC5j_NYiXEC2w-dyCdPV0AERsV3Qqsn2WkR9Kqb2_wg7uZBlaKa2c08F1b_Iv_xKlKVZXjep61oYNkoSgNAfAX7ly-v2M0doJJFMnAbakyZTeitTIGs2NlrkVUsi99EGBwLPIkru0P50fppb82Tz7yH7MJcA/s16000/Grim%20Reaper.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Photo from the ship's camera after docking.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Below are three photos I took from the ship after we docked, just some general photos.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2oACkpbusTI-zugLwkxhMNV7w8cJ7w1xkNO032rNbDsohCKLH79d6Hku1dWHVo1QJpRf5tv5DVZbJja8tskMewM4RdIPSAS9aPRJFyNgX7Yxd7zldwTNBCtsJraAjsGhdVcwEN-fI8_Vrbny6masaho8N4_xXsKmiSw_9mGWyXWQ1QSILyMq21jbPg/s1280/IMG_7875.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2oACkpbusTI-zugLwkxhMNV7w8cJ7w1xkNO032rNbDsohCKLH79d6Hku1dWHVo1QJpRf5tv5DVZbJja8tskMewM4RdIPSAS9aPRJFyNgX7Yxd7zldwTNBCtsJraAjsGhdVcwEN-fI8_Vrbny6masaho8N4_xXsKmiSw_9mGWyXWQ1QSILyMq21jbPg/s16000/IMG_7875.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: NYC skyline.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8DPCR_5Km__Mnuzv4_WCLOgNmtN14t-ptmKS-6WdP9jO4gbgJH4t8B2NkLzH5pAna1hwaTFgRk4cTdu596lu4w0XVt3RJOJrHhnNPlgoCMxfBkcu6UWRLiOooFuCvJe4nRNiDsqEEqJBCp9NxuvTl1QbISWCkpspqcQw09I9lIBWaXVRzUWwkriVIQ/s1280/IMG_7876.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8DPCR_5Km__Mnuzv4_WCLOgNmtN14t-ptmKS-6WdP9jO4gbgJH4t8B2NkLzH5pAna1hwaTFgRk4cTdu596lu4w0XVt3RJOJrHhnNPlgoCMxfBkcu6UWRLiOooFuCvJe4nRNiDsqEEqJBCp9NxuvTl1QbISWCkpspqcQw09I9lIBWaXVRzUWwkriVIQ/s16000/IMG_7876.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Note the Vessel at Hudson Yards. </span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3v4eyH_qQrUfs7iTwiLxg9kQTVNKqcjMGYcuG7_q0JrVJPjefsvPYiWR_z68mnSdV-0elh8ju7xY7jJbScy22JhV233iFNK4pKIfdAwEXWmCb7ez4f1wtzwclKW2fk-XGEz7APcEkZp9-VEYNSp0cTitVfWJGmMPmDOf0woyM_TCqmciivJfIjfX_1Q/s1280/IMG_7878.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3v4eyH_qQrUfs7iTwiLxg9kQTVNKqcjMGYcuG7_q0JrVJPjefsvPYiWR_z68mnSdV-0elh8ju7xY7jJbScy22JhV233iFNK4pKIfdAwEXWmCb7ez4f1wtzwclKW2fk-XGEz7APcEkZp9-VEYNSp0cTitVfWJGmMPmDOf0woyM_TCqmciivJfIjfX_1Q/s16000/IMG_7878.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: <span><span>Another photo
taken from our ship looking at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
on Pier 86. Shown in this photo is the <i>British Airways Concorde</i>.</span></span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Cruises are always nice and I enjoyed this one, Sara was an excellent traveling companion. But it's always nice to get home of course.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>All these photos can also be found at my Google Photos site at the following URL <a href="https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipMM6mbkkTmowo0B87aAnTP2ul0BXMjWSCzBhq4l">https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipMM6mbkkTmowo0B87aAnTP2ul0BXMjWSCzBhq4l</a>. </span><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /></span></span>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626364476155545127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728495483307516262.post-29993482703453866922022-08-13T19:50:00.001-07:002022-08-18T09:45:03.639-07:002022 Georgetown<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span>Day 1: August 6, 2022 (Saturday): On the road again</span></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>I am here in Maine with my artist
friend Martha, we come every year to paint and make art. We are in a little
village called Five Islands on the island of Georgetown. Five Islands
is one of six small villages on Georgetown Island, the villages are Five
Islands, Georgetown, Bay Point, Marrtown, West Georgetown and
Robinhood. The village of Five Islands gets its name from being on Five
Islands Harbor which gets its name from being surrounded by five
islands. We will be here 7 nights.<br /></span><br />I was up at 6:00 Saturday morning, caught an Uber at 7:30 to Grand Central and met Martha at the Stamford, Connecticut train station at 8:56 for our drive to Five Islands at Georgetown. The first stop in our drive is always Donut Delite for breakfast food. Mine was a yummy cranberry walnut chicken salad on WW toast.<br /><br />Second routine stop is the Ruby Road TA stop for gas. Martha loves laughing at me and I do my best to keep her chuckling. The next photo shows me and a Shell oil membership card that gave me a 5 cent per gallon discount. Martha just goes <i>Pffft</i> when I do things like that, not realizing that it is for her entertainment.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEAZUiZpsb5F3HZeGyvPvWSSR9jSoqPWn9HkJENiBvR9j5QccRBiEGNktks0SLCpsbV85vtdw77flVnVBqWxvFN-V4UwbU7q2edIzIX9u16JNhYA2Jn9MWE2R5y_RfCLbFb4XgWbKHVFhz57ViRNYOqj5z4axJoFuuoULFlS7VeOAthtXyXcFWEnsgQ/s2016/IMG_7399.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEAZUiZpsb5F3HZeGyvPvWSSR9jSoqPWn9HkJENiBvR9j5QccRBiEGNktks0SLCpsbV85vtdw77flVnVBqWxvFN-V4UwbU7q2edIzIX9u16JNhYA2Jn9MWE2R5y_RfCLbFb4XgWbKHVFhz57ViRNYOqj5z4axJoFuuoULFlS7VeOAthtXyXcFWEnsgQ/w480-h640/IMG_7399.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Diane at Ruby Road AT.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Third stop the New Hampshire liquor store for you guessed it, gin. And some carbordeaux wine, aka wine in boxes. The drive was long and hot.<br /><br />Sometimes the car said the outdoor temp was 98F degrees. Inside we were comfy. Love Martha's Subaru Forester. One of the traffic back-ups was in Maine, when there were firefighters and trucks extinguishing a brush fire on the embankment of an overpass, the rubbernecking was nuts.<br /><br />Fourth stop the Circle K gas station at Topsham, ME, where we leave the Interstate to go to Bath and on to Georgetown, and our home at Five Islands. At the pump I got another <i>Pffft</i> from Martha, when I said I was going to apply for a membership card to get a discount on gas there too.<br /><br />We are staying at the same VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner) at Five Islands as last year, but in a different cabin. Last year we were on the hill, this year we are on the water. See the following two photos These are markups from photos I found on the Internet, I forget the source and would credit the photographers if I could remember the source.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNNEW5ZVCs-Y740s6bxyfNxdzkSQrRN2jmxY1EMzCVgBqVFFFcGV1Z25H9lC0PLyMnlqiDb9aMq4NhqCF6VKkcqG1Hw3gpDZuyScHROFMCjsK7mEZKTBZ2tD1baixPnzAopSWUNk9E9XoqIMmrae448MTgAYaMrRobgSaOacVm3_peSHOiDUc7C3D9Q/s1280/CottageLocation1-2022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNNEW5ZVCs-Y740s6bxyfNxdzkSQrRN2jmxY1EMzCVgBqVFFFcGV1Z25H9lC0PLyMnlqiDb9aMq4NhqCF6VKkcqG1Hw3gpDZuyScHROFMCjsK7mEZKTBZ2tD1baixPnzAopSWUNk9E9XoqIMmrae448MTgAYaMrRobgSaOacVm3_peSHOiDUc7C3D9Q/w640-h360/CottageLocation1-2022.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Aerial view showing out cottage location this year.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8nkJJZUIHQJ2nasyVZnxyxFnchDlSDxr197V0q6Xlj5aqNoEcJRbTvPLWs9veJCCF6ESGlbAGvDkuB4X8kMkXLoXoYdXTd_x2ngtfqOpLZ3xONQPhzd98UDh_OtjYEwfAqiJGhwH08_Qc4Prkba2a3McO1OSISr2xXNHPLRy5LDd-yFIG43j7rZDPg/s1024/CottageLocation2-2022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8nkJJZUIHQJ2nasyVZnxyxFnchDlSDxr197V0q6Xlj5aqNoEcJRbTvPLWs9veJCCF6ESGlbAGvDkuB4X8kMkXLoXoYdXTd_x2ngtfqOpLZ3xONQPhzd98UDh_OtjYEwfAqiJGhwH08_Qc4Prkba2a3McO1OSISr2xXNHPLRy5LDd-yFIG43j7rZDPg/w640-h360/CottageLocation2-2022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Another aerial view showing our cottage location this year.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />After we unloaded the car, we sat on our porch to have gin and tonics and look at the view. Some boaters came by and asked to take a short cut across our lawn (all big rocks) and we watched as they partied and took off for Boothbay for dinner. Then we walked to the Five Islands lobster company (on the dock) for dinner. We were sort of late after the gin and tonics so they were out of a lot of stuff, Martha had scallops and I had haddock. YUM. We’ll go earlier tomorrow so we can have clams or lobster.</span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span><span>Following are 3 photos that show our cottage, </span></span><span>the Five Islands Harbor as viewed from our porch, and </span><span><span>the dock area where the Five Islands Lobster Company is located, also as viewed from our porch.<br /></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3JuuL9uxZDgUZ0PF-n6h9RgCU_4vxBcoy66YSUYLUdAsLbD30kkEQ014Vhp-jfv7kiAdaC__-PlVkocmrebSpGzhVsJDriqQP1o1yvY4RzSerirGQOwxNPWbcGSbUkuFxILh057etZjNqo7SyXARxnubRoEFijSJvLkxbHhCuobRlHpfHXz9HTr0gw/s2016/IMG_7407.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3JuuL9uxZDgUZ0PF-n6h9RgCU_4vxBcoy66YSUYLUdAsLbD30kkEQ014Vhp-jfv7kiAdaC__-PlVkocmrebSpGzhVsJDriqQP1o1yvY4RzSerirGQOwxNPWbcGSbUkuFxILh057etZjNqo7SyXARxnubRoEFijSJvLkxbHhCuobRlHpfHXz9HTr0gw/w640-h480/IMG_7407.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Our cottage on the harbor.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKplfY8GTS33ZkLXaCopNfGUBaGYhWPphg5Ru1LVqtdyt6iUlXD7O62kYE-G8Jr5gmY5FEfcdJLjNMz2t3A0QRO32NlxkLCZisfJvRulvIP98iEGKKtK2ldGO5fbtrlGWbHQF-fJbioy_NgVJQrQsoTo37fwsneaSmtT9Nbib6pHp_Znwu_CJyRNJCQ/s2016/IMG_7404.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKplfY8GTS33ZkLXaCopNfGUBaGYhWPphg5Ru1LVqtdyt6iUlXD7O62kYE-G8Jr5gmY5FEfcdJLjNMz2t3A0QRO32NlxkLCZisfJvRulvIP98iEGKKtK2ldGO5fbtrlGWbHQF-fJbioy_NgVJQrQsoTo37fwsneaSmtT9Nbib6pHp_Znwu_CJyRNJCQ/w640-h480/IMG_7404.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: The harbor from our porch.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimn-6848H8ymyZ6FgJhSF-II8xX7c2nbxRw9AjeQfLYWJVFojifduniGh3ROxZZv0PdzxLyamrVf2oEeg5s3aDOBU-FOhaMuemshRuMEVuNNuERU6d3GRTisOX6fgOdtg8HKWGZtbYXU-dtoCwRGHmoIp3v5acO2mJYR6ohkTTfuPesKzYQAbyErJTA/s2016/IMG_7406.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimn-6848H8ymyZ6FgJhSF-II8xX7c2nbxRw9AjeQfLYWJVFojifduniGh3ROxZZv0PdzxLyamrVf2oEeg5s3aDOBU-FOhaMuemshRuMEVuNNuERU6d3GRTisOX6fgOdtg8HKWGZtbYXU-dtoCwRGHmoIp3v5acO2mJYR6ohkTTfuPesKzYQAbyErJTA/w640-h480/IMG_7406.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Five Islands Lobster Company, photo from our porch.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 2: August 7, 2022 (Sunday)</b><br /><br />Sunday was a laid-back day. I didn’t realize how weary I was coming back from my Florida visit, then my Indianapolis visit, then packing to come to this part of heaven. I spent most of Sunday on the porch watching the boats, the waves and the folks that came for the lobsters. <br /><br />I took more photos of the harbor and the Sheepscot River and read a new-to-me book called “Drawing Scenery: Landscapes and Seascapes” by Jack Hamm. I tried some of his exercises whilst sitting on the porch, looking at the scenery. It was so exhausting, I had to take a nap.<br /><br />For dinner, Martha and I went back to the Five Islands Lobster company and stood in line forever, then abandoned the idea of getting the lobster dinner and went to the shorter line and had the best lobster roll ever. Just as we brought our suppers home, a boat with 100 or more people showed up and got in line for their lobster delights. Whew, we made it just in time. I wonder how long they had to stand there for their food. Martha laughed when I explained how I would organize the tour for their pleasure by ordering the lobsters ahead. She just said, “<i>Diane, this is Maine</i>!” <br /><br />Attached are a few photos from Sunday.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjub-ilim7D-7So0RBfGD72h6Wrw4V7f__VJE5zrgFi9uqUbSpQPSLnIhPK2dKkjKx3oVcVncmdIaDeYjeyZeOZyrqi0cX1i-nIUKCmQWmsG8FT0gGVN0OL_bknrQroenfBx_KAjZSgEjM_cKeNDwB1Z8S5zEQOcY7SqfOKvfQhXy1f1UwLJLqTP-d5EA/s2016/IMG_7408.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjub-ilim7D-7So0RBfGD72h6Wrw4V7f__VJE5zrgFi9uqUbSpQPSLnIhPK2dKkjKx3oVcVncmdIaDeYjeyZeOZyrqi0cX1i-nIUKCmQWmsG8FT0gGVN0OL_bknrQroenfBx_KAjZSgEjM_cKeNDwB1Z8S5zEQOcY7SqfOKvfQhXy1f1UwLJLqTP-d5EA/w640-h480/IMG_7408.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: The harbor and Sheepscot River.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy64MCQdZcOz-5nMsc2YwapLU7VWeUuSTd1s4kbmYj0btpNRhibHgjT_wZ48W2Wb4nwBEr2SWvQq99uSyF5q30SlqV4vfc5ZJrfY2ovDWSOpu2aST76La66tbhRjJbsoFTWCgSLH7P1Qeq1-BWfRCReNJqhRFkikmAjDerOJ4fesod9uxjOdrLAFAF5g/s2016/IMG_7415.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy64MCQdZcOz-5nMsc2YwapLU7VWeUuSTd1s4kbmYj0btpNRhibHgjT_wZ48W2Wb4nwBEr2SWvQq99uSyF5q30SlqV4vfc5ZJrfY2ovDWSOpu2aST76La66tbhRjJbsoFTWCgSLH7P1Qeq1-BWfRCReNJqhRFkikmAjDerOJ4fesod9uxjOdrLAFAF5g/w640-h480/IMG_7415.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: The harbor and Sheepscot River (Maiden Island in background).<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCCoG7DRLlWIehzgJ-_4SYlxG99ox9H6oyIfvqbABqgM-UeuQAdfbfnnJcp6pqUTU3C-aMnIUZDjm55ob8JugAxGSvR4RRONIGllDUZaH_iAR8xg0m8UN4dHduw5vFbLZTfLGIy-rGovcxvxJwd_PFzMOYu_VphZHJy6ujnaR4FhyEVZcKF6w6BRPyA/s2016/IMG_7418.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCCoG7DRLlWIehzgJ-_4SYlxG99ox9H6oyIfvqbABqgM-UeuQAdfbfnnJcp6pqUTU3C-aMnIUZDjm55ob8JugAxGSvR4RRONIGllDUZaH_iAR8xg0m8UN4dHduw5vFbLZTfLGIy-rGovcxvxJwd_PFzMOYu_VphZHJy6ujnaR4FhyEVZcKF6w6BRPyA/w640-h480/IMG_7418.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Front of the Five Islands Lobster Company where we had dinner.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJv0mwujxN1qpAhRi9ODe9I_WsxosmjyKXNqpsH_Zs415r5BRlajpE6Y59tbNB7SvK5npxajlSiPgCB-JxxBFYY1PexcVD5aV4Kx0lZ4Zkx9LG7YyWGttEk0vLNFshXbr8JM7J55_bCwetP7NF1k71EcRA1bkZw4tG9jXHKqf9OoDbksj6bsyDt8XQQ/s2016/IMG_7419.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJv0mwujxN1qpAhRi9ODe9I_WsxosmjyKXNqpsH_Zs415r5BRlajpE6Y59tbNB7SvK5npxajlSiPgCB-JxxBFYY1PexcVD5aV4Kx0lZ4Zkx9LG7YyWGttEk0vLNFshXbr8JM7J55_bCwetP7NF1k71EcRA1bkZw4tG9jXHKqf9OoDbksj6bsyDt8XQQ/w640-h480/IMG_7419.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Some boats at the Five Islands Lobster Company dock.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY33GwEcHdYzw7JG3qr-zIaYKt2ywEYND3JaqL3VJJ4BqSnWqUCm-xrLo5e7ZDeSGtLI1Sug0b8qSlMNlv3czl-suz-0TryEofKWOw0EPIvGGNIb6mIPHkNadiHsBPdhQ-vkAz9gTT52lVOhwo9eZzUgwdmk8zyRpkvwqekTiJYEq30VPHskmqz3_YQQ/s2016/IMG_7421.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY33GwEcHdYzw7JG3qr-zIaYKt2ywEYND3JaqL3VJJ4BqSnWqUCm-xrLo5e7ZDeSGtLI1Sug0b8qSlMNlv3czl-suz-0TryEofKWOw0EPIvGGNIb6mIPHkNadiHsBPdhQ-vkAz9gTT52lVOhwo9eZzUgwdmk8zyRpkvwqekTiJYEq30VPHskmqz3_YQQ/w640-h480/IMG_7421.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Other side of the Five Islands Lobster Company of just the red building.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOoLrD6WzS0wjsf8xXEoJya6tersTBbC1H8eDXNjKLmAYdWOft2g7YocrVRPZc7FrmTSTLvnlMkSjKJ80CJ875Wko08ff8Mj0rSNzyB7R-ex-p1qjndlb41abV2YWhZwAGLOQTdhCuMuWdIyArwaAw6uGqyI4cYnYKQH8F6yojQPmk035oRk9P5iOgw/s2016/IMG_7424.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOoLrD6WzS0wjsf8xXEoJya6tersTBbC1H8eDXNjKLmAYdWOft2g7YocrVRPZc7FrmTSTLvnlMkSjKJ80CJ875Wko08ff8Mj0rSNzyB7R-ex-p1qjndlb41abV2YWhZwAGLOQTdhCuMuWdIyArwaAw6uGqyI4cYnYKQH8F6yojQPmk035oRk9P5iOgw/w640-h480/IMG_7424.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Looking across the Five Islands harbor towards Maiden Island.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloq73e6nGrf364MxqJ1L5j9WCsekT-ZGevH6_63BczRP3qJ73WCFSYP8nBa3YItAMKdIf2fKzodiaMPloYhaHbnNy9sATA5I5Lx3xKBpGSyvyZo90kgE7Ks_s5InkuBXWFpNvH1SFaxdMlmz1j9r6vc3f9SB33NTqpaVpJDRGFnmqYn65HKFomsvAng/s3000/AerialViewFiveIslandsHarbor2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloq73e6nGrf364MxqJ1L5j9WCsekT-ZGevH6_63BczRP3qJ73WCFSYP8nBa3YItAMKdIf2fKzodiaMPloYhaHbnNy9sATA5I5Lx3xKBpGSyvyZo90kgE7Ks_s5InkuBXWFpNvH1SFaxdMlmz1j9r6vc3f9SB33NTqpaVpJDRGFnmqYn65HKFomsvAng/w640-h426/AerialViewFiveIslandsHarbor2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: View showing three of the five islands that make the Five Islands Harbor. I forget where I got this photo or I would give credit. I added the names of the islands.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span>Day 3: August 8, 2022 (Monday</span></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Sunday night I went to bed early and Monday morning when I woke up, it was foggy and fabulous. All photographers dream about fog. <br /><br />The harbor was busy, it was cacophony with all the lobster boats loading up and taking off to mind their traps. Many of the rather portly “lobstah men” wore waders in their boats. It is a messy business. <br /><br />After I wrote some and ate breakfast, I went on a long walk to get more fog photos. I was too late as most of it was gone, but did get a few, but the reflections in the water were beautiful. I spoke with a “down east” lady (that’s a Maine term) who was sitting on her porch while the roof of her house was noisily being torn off, to be replaced. It had been 80+ degrees on Sunday and was in the mid 70’s yesterday. I commented to her that it was a better day for the roofers to be working like that. She responded, “<i>It’s too hot today too, it’s not supposed to be like that here.</i>” <br /><br />By the time I finished my 4-mile walk, Martha was up; I reported on my trip over a toasted bagel. We painted in the afternoon. Her paintings were lovely, mine were torn up by me. I’ll do better today. Mr. Jack Hamm and his “Drawing Scenery: Landscapes and Seascapes” book didn’t help me enough. Maybe it made me worse.<br /><br />It rained and cooled way down in the lower 60’s, so we had to close all the windows and get out our woolies. Martha brought a puffy poncho in camo and even ate dinner in it. The lobster house had a limited menu so we ate steak at home, it was good too.<br /><br />Attached are a few photos from Monday. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>The first four were taken early in the morning of some foggy landscape. <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbnUg8_9a6qOSJXATuITSrOV2r4dszWaQyBxdCHHpoaArMt8rHcR1Nswqz9JxKUxMvDozyEOKHMhvNQRGy1tqf8eUvwcWdgabZCZLCVyRgDJZ7A1c7rv0GJaueBGoBwBtlvghwWX4JFDCd1c57E9DwBoi8tvv8bKRQlX9dSL2HD7x5nfmIkF6Utoevg/s2016/IMG_7431.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbnUg8_9a6qOSJXATuITSrOV2r4dszWaQyBxdCHHpoaArMt8rHcR1Nswqz9JxKUxMvDozyEOKHMhvNQRGy1tqf8eUvwcWdgabZCZLCVyRgDJZ7A1c7rv0GJaueBGoBwBtlvghwWX4JFDCd1c57E9DwBoi8tvv8bKRQlX9dSL2HD7x5nfmIkF6Utoevg/w480-h640/IMG_7431.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Two boats on a foggy morning.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qr5EidZz46t4Lmuhu9sSfyAP1YF77tMjlHyvH23wYiF3WBSnwG0qFtMWCdW01QWp-g7Yw5bFLvGNJvCD91Qmxe-T0TnR87N5bkX3Hye00pT6GcURRrwwExU_pUnGr3oVD-upbDnTqE8Ij-R32Mu8_gvSY2-MWQltsi0pb7fKwBTVKj7GaWwGWFQ0BA/s2016/IMG_7433.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qr5EidZz46t4Lmuhu9sSfyAP1YF77tMjlHyvH23wYiF3WBSnwG0qFtMWCdW01QWp-g7Yw5bFLvGNJvCD91Qmxe-T0TnR87N5bkX3Hye00pT6GcURRrwwExU_pUnGr3oVD-upbDnTqE8Ij-R32Mu8_gvSY2-MWQltsi0pb7fKwBTVKj7GaWwGWFQ0BA/w640-h480/IMG_7433.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Foggy morning.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpshXeuMINW14f8ewPpkxMn3ECJH6SNyIQK7zb96i_MfsmvDQKmJsheHldlzzPc6AovOv3vvSGdZhgnuNtGHLE1YKe-Rwwu3ElJVsx32rns2WtVrW__VtTsNkXzKEPkN9qoRr09JDRIAQdqiHwqjWpIvVldrzW14qSAGccsqYEklGK4M0XEMi5DT9Vcw/s1312/P1020579.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="1312" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpshXeuMINW14f8ewPpkxMn3ECJH6SNyIQK7zb96i_MfsmvDQKmJsheHldlzzPc6AovOv3vvSGdZhgnuNtGHLE1YKe-Rwwu3ElJVsx32rns2WtVrW__VtTsNkXzKEPkN9qoRr09JDRIAQdqiHwqjWpIvVldrzW14qSAGccsqYEklGK4M0XEMi5DT9Vcw/w640-h480/P1020579.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Foggy morning.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbsJKprnMFO-DczC5ZFXkieST8Ph8VbCSQi-fTgFrL0gtdYQJJlZhyX8fNN5ZcpSYS91XGZHdUXVV0Yxp8qCnrsD8TJHj-qMWECb6QYTeUODIEeQy8wkv6Eqm4SSstsGa4TnuZe4Pvx4QCaiaZoArmHsQFZZszLcQuXjUscNEqC-8kncCQ3HrqCb7Bg/s2016/P1020596.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbsJKprnMFO-DczC5ZFXkieST8Ph8VbCSQi-fTgFrL0gtdYQJJlZhyX8fNN5ZcpSYS91XGZHdUXVV0Yxp8qCnrsD8TJHj-qMWECb6QYTeUODIEeQy8wkv6Eqm4SSstsGa4TnuZe4Pvx4QCaiaZoArmHsQFZZszLcQuXjUscNEqC-8kncCQ3HrqCb7Bg/w640-h480/P1020596.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Two youths fishing.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The next photo is another early foggy morning photo, of one of the “lobstah men.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsJy99Za-cZGSYDC_8dnwQEmxFdYReWloK0Og1GLPfpIkFerJN3KC76928DZ6wgdikqRsZ_RrhUhaa2YZqoTp7dJ3QPMkVwDI6BIiSOl-PQfWGZZ9T7BUaFmT4zxyq_AAj_EyczikjiRYHAkv0DE4FlCnCu0xXEv0TmYLWWWT2xVng4nz1C-EuTWuSg/s1280/P1020584.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="982" data-original-width="1280" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsJy99Za-cZGSYDC_8dnwQEmxFdYReWloK0Og1GLPfpIkFerJN3KC76928DZ6wgdikqRsZ_RrhUhaa2YZqoTp7dJ3QPMkVwDI6BIiSOl-PQfWGZZ9T7BUaFmT4zxyq_AAj_EyczikjiRYHAkv0DE4FlCnCu0xXEv0TmYLWWWT2xVng4nz1C-EuTWuSg/w640-h492/P1020584.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: "Lobstah" men.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Next are 4 photos I made on my morning walk, notice the reflection in the water in the first photo.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxn93EyTJC5vufa8CeHtx3GhpzrfodYvV8nClmKn8fIaFwFEUtNqzT7znBqClCQeuDHw8SF3SBEC-oibkICFWel7rQkLKO4lC-Fe5idjocrv-Dcu1VKnMvzVIj_01JQMnIX9egmRkLKsx6Y-nZtLnpj6JokSXaQJ9loEEZFrvmu4Zx8GXcNoSk_eDsg/s1312/P1020610.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="1312" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxn93EyTJC5vufa8CeHtx3GhpzrfodYvV8nClmKn8fIaFwFEUtNqzT7znBqClCQeuDHw8SF3SBEC-oibkICFWel7rQkLKO4lC-Fe5idjocrv-Dcu1VKnMvzVIj_01JQMnIX9egmRkLKsx6Y-nZtLnpj6JokSXaQJ9loEEZFrvmu4Zx8GXcNoSk_eDsg/w640-h480/P1020610.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Reflection in the water.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBGD7AhsQOBhasmMJ-VPOMr6S2u8UubEsirEd7kBsAFNnLGQ4r8KxPKXgVSWQwESyBZzplgz9gKg8KHVeBrri52gtYJSPehAVgmfo22TbaXFh84cIWg3Hpj-ctA9W52bc505Ntlc9rUfzRmavqWeUHoikUyHLlSB5J-iWRHjQsZ45xm-bpypzr8P0Ww/s2016/IMG_7434.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBGD7AhsQOBhasmMJ-VPOMr6S2u8UubEsirEd7kBsAFNnLGQ4r8KxPKXgVSWQwESyBZzplgz9gKg8KHVeBrri52gtYJSPehAVgmfo22TbaXFh84cIWg3Hpj-ctA9W52bc505Ntlc9rUfzRmavqWeUHoikUyHLlSB5J-iWRHjQsZ45xm-bpypzr8P0Ww/w480-h640/IMG_7434.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: South side of the Five Islands Lobster Company red building.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HQr9eBKgfSte2f1_wj0DdgHbiqqZArejG4U3V3UNyAfaEbVZkFs0xK_2_t4Ff4Zc5MsvWOArd-qje4QfE9PFDfb4KNJ99jCZtjpw9Pa6ZGDD8WW-CSUfa6KU20Sns_i7xnZXNkc2L56p3mqCghtW1ltRpbgvZgNy9svQqx_fs1TOpCc-VlShEiETgw/s2016/IMG_7436.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HQr9eBKgfSte2f1_wj0DdgHbiqqZArejG4U3V3UNyAfaEbVZkFs0xK_2_t4Ff4Zc5MsvWOArd-qje4QfE9PFDfb4KNJ99jCZtjpw9Pa6ZGDD8WW-CSUfa6KU20Sns_i7xnZXNkc2L56p3mqCghtW1ltRpbgvZgNy9svQqx_fs1TOpCc-VlShEiETgw/w640-h480/IMG_7436.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Flowers in a garden. Hydrangeas? </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9XxyD0shSJ3HwZSplg0gHf0LXRSSjR5b8Xg01x-MLlw24e2OfCx8klhHSlHDGf_uWhUz54vBc_BN2M9RQEuyZWROdcbEBgQkzWAoy8tCgDTRifxQBwiBrz-9lNkYl6JxvvtQ6zebo_rThGhlNPZdCLsyq3q6RNXMSf_-9AkqOouR0yO9PwJzy0PNjg/s1312/P1020620.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="1312" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9XxyD0shSJ3HwZSplg0gHf0LXRSSjR5b8Xg01x-MLlw24e2OfCx8klhHSlHDGf_uWhUz54vBc_BN2M9RQEuyZWROdcbEBgQkzWAoy8tCgDTRifxQBwiBrz-9lNkYl6JxvvtQ6zebo_rThGhlNPZdCLsyq3q6RNXMSf_-9AkqOouR0yO9PwJzy0PNjg/w640-h480/P1020620.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Small cabin on a trail on my morning walk.</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The next and last photo for this morning is of Martha in camo and her morning coffee. <br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF08sKDMTuFGdsX4XfUr19upUcGyhQ_YD4K8rFQ4kCdoljeoEJhg_eCFm6areVwLKPKqFPX2LauJF_1Yd7zg_Eu-DKqcKXPx_c2GEEnjY83Hv81c2x0H3INUj3xWTavS5aW8NKcknJZriNCJuqhxv9KeaGq2K12HK-rxNkMvsbehEOWCNz2sDpBSIhVA/s2016/IMG_7442.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF08sKDMTuFGdsX4XfUr19upUcGyhQ_YD4K8rFQ4kCdoljeoEJhg_eCFm6areVwLKPKqFPX2LauJF_1Yd7zg_Eu-DKqcKXPx_c2GEEnjY83Hv81c2x0H3INUj3xWTavS5aW8NKcknJZriNCJuqhxv9KeaGq2K12HK-rxNkMvsbehEOWCNz2sDpBSIhVA/w480-h640/IMG_7442.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Martha in camo and her morning coffee.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 4: August 9, 2022, Tuesday</b><br /><br />It was a dark and stormy night on the Maine coast. When I woke up the rain had departed briefly and in its place on the rooftop by my window sat 8 small birds that looked like mini robins. I couldn’t get my phone or camera out fast enough to capture it. It rained off and on all day, causing Martha great consternation. She was worried that the Lobster company would close and we couldn’t get our lobster dinners. More on that later.<br /><br />There was no fog so the photos don’t really look as good. The following photo I call "Surfs up. Well not so much,” and was taken standing outside our cottage looking out on the harbor.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBU2FFnJM3xdQ1IIV424bR3g1quV5Ufak3w4nmx-Hw7zwfPGUCNLYp8qwasogz8XQOfaZIWu-YWmNZJXpkqLLVWk4NCl_RCakMWan7gFezqvMMDHCZPaK06zUdWaneJMzLaspMch1_lM_ZMuGmNQav0QbJdZr_-1HVCBOE_RLSgjD0gODjrcG0hDfng/s2016/P1020638.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBU2FFnJM3xdQ1IIV424bR3g1quV5Ufak3w4nmx-Hw7zwfPGUCNLYp8qwasogz8XQOfaZIWu-YWmNZJXpkqLLVWk4NCl_RCakMWan7gFezqvMMDHCZPaK06zUdWaneJMzLaspMch1_lM_ZMuGmNQav0QbJdZr_-1HVCBOE_RLSgjD0gODjrcG0hDfng/w640-h480/P1020638.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above "Surfs Up. Well not so much." </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;">We
didn’t plan on painting plein air as we have this wonderful porch
looking over the harbor, so we didn’t bring our little painting tables.
The next photo is of the outside of our back porch, I was standing down
by the water to get this photo.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22SVw97HPr6Aczz9tWj9rbaL1s-2JtQeGLVrJCsPYrsdhF-jbBbAuq5CUdXRnbVE4-q6sAgo6kSaxUMLzz3XNDsLS4FcwpvPX9nkj3BzfMjRTNC8J6I2L-iD3rqsMOcC7AWg3A4iag2oSh7fLAiGPkVZ_3zDjFwbExLmA-rqL-SpD7u5goj7Jaw-kwg/s2016/IMG_7445.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22SVw97HPr6Aczz9tWj9rbaL1s-2JtQeGLVrJCsPYrsdhF-jbBbAuq5CUdXRnbVE4-q6sAgo6kSaxUMLzz3XNDsLS4FcwpvPX9nkj3BzfMjRTNC8J6I2L-iD3rqsMOcC7AWg3A4iag2oSh7fLAiGPkVZ_3zDjFwbExLmA-rqL-SpD7u5goj7Jaw-kwg/w480-h640/IMG_7445.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Our back porch.</span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />As far as my painting goes, the next photo shows how I coped. This is my less than ideal painting studio. What you can’t see is the twisty and the tape I had to use to make the rack stand up. Note the improvised table.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_4egOh0gVAj8PukG33i3k4xR4hI8x3jgKZ-dQeD9h8yrAsq33ySIW3OQTcnlbZVzznQeIO491R3z90pzB2POei-Zk-1sT0vc-gcJtYWCaZaI5BNybeRaK1VTKCYLq2l7Cm93rXyhdCyYjgT1LW9I0AiOzjK6lmbcgO1OxDTap9wLaaGLPDKx1nzPaA/s2016/IMG_7463.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_4egOh0gVAj8PukG33i3k4xR4hI8x3jgKZ-dQeD9h8yrAsq33ySIW3OQTcnlbZVzznQeIO491R3z90pzB2POei-Zk-1sT0vc-gcJtYWCaZaI5BNybeRaK1VTKCYLq2l7Cm93rXyhdCyYjgT1LW9I0AiOzjK6lmbcgO1OxDTap9wLaaGLPDKx1nzPaA/w640-h480/IMG_7463.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">Above: My painting studio.</span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />The following photo shows the entertainment of the day, the lobstah men. We watched them come and go and unload their catch. What interested me was how back breaking the work is with no winches or other assists with the boxes of lobsters. They moved them a few at a time from a box on the ship to a box to be used on the dock. After they filled the dock boxes they floated them in the water keeping the catch alive until time to be sold, cooked and eaten.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGt4WPykhErHljRUeu7FWfHvGzskIdkmdsmL02Y5X2-dHYVkZrbpdqqo51nOZofkg5nG3_9A0DnT87KfnUddRlpPM8eAHhHRKat8yvX_xAHAX5dLEZCGK66qWyaCpbnwy3smd9_UavvYAromHdAGvfmOm0hv_o8qhVPNfPzzDztIgkH5h83NlFJ42MQ/s2016/IMG_7457.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGt4WPykhErHljRUeu7FWfHvGzskIdkmdsmL02Y5X2-dHYVkZrbpdqqo51nOZofkg5nG3_9A0DnT87KfnUddRlpPM8eAHhHRKat8yvX_xAHAX5dLEZCGK66qWyaCpbnwy3smd9_UavvYAromHdAGvfmOm0hv_o8qhVPNfPzzDztIgkH5h83NlFJ42MQ/w480-h640/IMG_7457.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">Above: "Lobstah" men.</span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />Between rain showers, I took my exploratory walk along a road more traveled by cars than my ideal. It was curious. From porches with no houses, to gingerbread houses that looked more like Martha’s Vineyard than Maine and then the junky house with a front yard that made me laugh out loud. See the next photo.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwzmPUBRFdx7LWkfNF4GiE5mWOADSt6-YH4ya8nDkepU16Zocaoy57AZHuSF9weEEz9saUhpERNyrSFFrUHeAPodWEOUrA_HgbSj3qRXbexw1_GERhxpvosBYHthcruRB9yjBiqwVbcbkU7qTLUOFUt0SRa-Q75Xu_wqngNC9pTMxHFjjbWdlNOpDyA/s2016/P1020645.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwzmPUBRFdx7LWkfNF4GiE5mWOADSt6-YH4ya8nDkepU16Zocaoy57AZHuSF9weEEz9saUhpERNyrSFFrUHeAPodWEOUrA_HgbSj3qRXbexw1_GERhxpvosBYHthcruRB9yjBiqwVbcbkU7qTLUOFUt0SRa-Q75Xu_wqngNC9pTMxHFjjbWdlNOpDyA/w640-h480/P1020645.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Junky yard.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Martha was so concerned about the rain that she went and asked if they would be open later. They told her to check at 3 p.m. They said they’d be open but then….. about 4:30 there was no line and no one ordering so Martha panicked and we went early to order our dinners. I had to ask about the difference between a Hard Shell Lobster and a New Shell Lobster other than the obvious; the obvious was the answer. When the lobster sheds its shell, it grows a new one; and it takes awhile for it to harden. They looked the same to us, but the lobstah men knew the difference. The lady said that with the New Shell Lobster there isn’t as much meat but it is easier to get and sweeter, so I ordered a New Shell Lobster. (Mine was bigger than Martha’s and cheaper too). Even though we waited a while to eat; they were kept warm in special bags so the butter didn’t even harden. Martha wrestled with hers and even got shell chips on the floor. She complained and complained. Friday when we go back, she’s getting a New Shell Lobster too.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 5: August 10, 2022, Wednesday</b><br /><br />I woke up to no fog this morning, but there was a high tide which was nice. The tide must be about 10 feet which makes for good photos. It was cloudy all day too. The first 2 attached photos are a couple of high-tide photos. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTh2uRncgqBzF5c49MhAMGKFl-Qk8LhQoTwyfLr2ACETJZ_yUl8rEccVOeS__hF1V2PuLChk2iek6qV8u5YVzZP8oveDPBNIf3sUT_UScrdfMzYMoKtlckUIYW2dTykmicv-fsLMl9FtitrsKHKHt1W2XqCsXhuL_RFt_aZctmcX0zDTEcU2pzrOJYfw/s2016/P1020649.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTh2uRncgqBzF5c49MhAMGKFl-Qk8LhQoTwyfLr2ACETJZ_yUl8rEccVOeS__hF1V2PuLChk2iek6qV8u5YVzZP8oveDPBNIf3sUT_UScrdfMzYMoKtlckUIYW2dTykmicv-fsLMl9FtitrsKHKHt1W2XqCsXhuL_RFt_aZctmcX0zDTEcU2pzrOJYfw/w640-h480/P1020649.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span style="font-size: large;">Above: High tide photo.</span><br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iMHeyDbuqB3LqqY8OlrAauS6mkZTV-W3Sj3UHlBy_NFMx_NtkVxiLajejVm5OKXZsH3DWaiuyzGaWu3wz9NhfqXbz6J_kK4EHE0AqaV06wiHDSs5wo2gY0FqKO4Y39pca1xDkHTt-beMNs3lyiVTz9ONKlOPtmA2lU6P371TlZYDMGsAhiXl2fyy1A/s2016/P1020650.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iMHeyDbuqB3LqqY8OlrAauS6mkZTV-W3Sj3UHlBy_NFMx_NtkVxiLajejVm5OKXZsH3DWaiuyzGaWu3wz9NhfqXbz6J_kK4EHE0AqaV06wiHDSs5wo2gY0FqKO4Y39pca1xDkHTt-beMNs3lyiVTz9ONKlOPtmA2lU6P371TlZYDMGsAhiXl2fyy1A/w640-h480/P1020650.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Hide tide photo (love this little blue boat).</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today
was an artsy-fartsy day. I did an acrylic pour, this is the messiest
thing I've ever attempted. I had a construction bag, cups and plastic
knives and Elmer's glue and Floetrol (a pouring medium) and well a big
mess as you can see in the following photo. I was hoping to get results
sort of Paul Jenkins-ish (an American abstract expressionist painter).
I think he had more practice before he got into museums. I got mixed
results. <br /></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZfEyAjwblyKaXCMdPf4Vxgyg9s3bJ6k5gJe0XDKPHGfo2c1lgTFjG-m7YZouRAAJBaENfz0gQjbkfQ8vhXMdDNztlsy3og1eFQIl-FdCe07pH0O4-W28d4vkmulzU65BB7U-wbq_kaWJXSiQb6OH9AdMpV8M-YtDZX3c9tnLsGNZtjX5D-b6TiCseQ/s2016/IMG_7470.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZfEyAjwblyKaXCMdPf4Vxgyg9s3bJ6k5gJe0XDKPHGfo2c1lgTFjG-m7YZouRAAJBaENfz0gQjbkfQ8vhXMdDNztlsy3og1eFQIl-FdCe07pH0O4-W28d4vkmulzU65BB7U-wbq_kaWJXSiQb6OH9AdMpV8M-YtDZX3c9tnLsGNZtjX5D-b6TiCseQ/w480-h640/IMG_7470.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Acrylic pour process. Photo by Martha.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPc6MMyaC900D8lAouDSvJ9oiLPN4Bu5XAVGrbsIRolvb-3-XQAAXKkDhJNzKet1W9AQZQ0Du5khx2ebYV03D8UdbgMDuzkO6xwkIFMsq8Cz7McTePbH4S2lpIIJ0ON_hPmLm02kaN-a8enXw3v0LFm6rn5xtk4INqfhB-_bOYgheu3p6xvC9X4VibA/s2016/IMG_7477.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1458" data-original-width="2016" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPc6MMyaC900D8lAouDSvJ9oiLPN4Bu5XAVGrbsIRolvb-3-XQAAXKkDhJNzKet1W9AQZQ0Du5khx2ebYV03D8UdbgMDuzkO6xwkIFMsq8Cz7McTePbH4S2lpIIJ0ON_hPmLm02kaN-a8enXw3v0LFm6rn5xtk4INqfhB-_bOYgheu3p6xvC9X4VibA/w640-h462/IMG_7477.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span style="font-size: large;">Above: One of my acrylic pours.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Under
Martha's influence, I did some J.M.W. Turner (an English Romantic
painter, printmaker and watercolourist) reproductions. The next photo
is a Turner original (“Stormy Sea Breaking on a Shore").</span> <br /></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzVVG6EFDTD_IKZXRjpCFFYLe46mhjbT8jtUme_gq3hERjHRyV1_4o0rSX4y3RvNjcN70obX6SMg2D1bxqAtfexRpvDFaQswjRc_3BTH7gDwjn5BIJ-FQ8rGklE9sNFKWcgvMDyQdI_Gv8STtyOl1z-bsVYQXWEKPj2qw9-f7rR-Y711g2pXMlTjcoQ/s2016/IMG_7473.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1404" data-original-width="2016" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzVVG6EFDTD_IKZXRjpCFFYLe46mhjbT8jtUme_gq3hERjHRyV1_4o0rSX4y3RvNjcN70obX6SMg2D1bxqAtfexRpvDFaQswjRc_3BTH7gDwjn5BIJ-FQ8rGklE9sNFKWcgvMDyQdI_Gv8STtyOl1z-bsVYQXWEKPj2qw9-f7rR-Y711g2pXMlTjcoQ/w640-h446/IMG_7473.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Original by J.M.W. Turner.</span><br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The following photo is my reproduction. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VJxbv-syfybIC4XL0H9dD9V-14BW_sYu78ga-mBjH3lNk7ZnjQ-DWuXzN6T_aii2RDLbT-E6_tuNEj2f3YorF383krld2hqhZnZ1-t_DqPVWgiJsnwUtkrv8mFlN101olc43ZOldkRcc0rIF8Zg8d16Z-8Fe3uI2jiyuFM_Z7Vs8ItQCs5lcw-b9Kw/s2016/IMG_7478.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VJxbv-syfybIC4XL0H9dD9V-14BW_sYu78ga-mBjH3lNk7ZnjQ-DWuXzN6T_aii2RDLbT-E6_tuNEj2f3YorF383krld2hqhZnZ1-t_DqPVWgiJsnwUtkrv8mFlN101olc43ZOldkRcc0rIF8Zg8d16Z-8Fe3uI2jiyuFM_Z7Vs8ItQCs5lcw-b9Kw/w640-h480/IMG_7478.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span style="font-size: large;">Above: My reproduction of the J.M.W. Turner painting.</span><br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Thursday, I plan on doing one of my photos from yesterday (the “Surf's Up” photo) in Turner's style.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I also spent time working on a personal commission.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br />The Five Islands Lobster Company was closed so Martha cooked a sumptuous dinner and I went to bed early. Being creative takes a lot of energy I guess.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 6: August 11, 2022 (Thursday)</b><br /><br />Not much happened Thursday. It was gray when I woke up and gray when I went to bed. Mostly I worked on paintings although I have nothing to share in photos yet. The dismalness of the day completely discouraged my normal exciting walk, and avoided the omnipresence of the goldenrod that exacerbated my sneezing attacks.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlEQM8gPYseB9Z9CZSfe5t0jbTaSubzktBmhDVJy-4Cci7DFLeCW4_5ygGSd9eDXrFgKGTucoooA6tDf8GKnPJKWOFni-QLREq6UsWaOOy2PfZmWO7VUzBAY4uPzqOQ39X6nU67X9JjriggpSP1X11T1GeImhG6Vj9Yzm4RfJKaxtvSWsRSM2FULlcg/s2016/IMG_7482.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlEQM8gPYseB9Z9CZSfe5t0jbTaSubzktBmhDVJy-4Cci7DFLeCW4_5ygGSd9eDXrFgKGTucoooA6tDf8GKnPJKWOFni-QLREq6UsWaOOy2PfZmWO7VUzBAY4uPzqOQ39X6nU67X9JjriggpSP1X11T1GeImhG6Vj9Yzm4RfJKaxtvSWsRSM2FULlcg/w640-h480/IMG_7482.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Goldenrod blooming.</span><br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />I’ve always thought the goldenrod was the most highly allergic weed in the East, but a friend just told me that it was a myth that goldenrods cause allergy symptoms.<br /><br />Anyway I spent the day inside our cottage except for a visit to Bath. There was no big ship to ooh and aah over, but the big crane was in full view. We went to Highbrow, a recreational pot store, for Martha to get some sleep aids and to the grocery for tonic, so much for the vices.<br /><br />Then we painted, Martha has done some very nice watercolor views and I keep painting and washing it off. <br /><br />At about 6 pm, we saw the long line for the lobster dinners at the Five Islands Lobster Company but undeterred we joined the line. It took a long time but it was successful and we enjoyed our fine, red repast. See the next two photos.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_e-jMctqbsCg7Vz48kMXRWpGc4VsCsHshxX4cPd6_R8FhXFfL0rzjI4PKXw5XEX3GccCGBNkMEnKpE_rwgX3jFwAjZ1lQYUxl2nuTHMTgi3tQ4Z3tYXgTRL0wIeZ0aH_QodhAFobaXLoh/s2016/IMG_7480.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1698" data-original-width="2016" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_e-jMctqbsCg7Vz48kMXRWpGc4VsCsHshxX4cPd6_R8FhXFfL0rzjI4PKXw5XEX3GccCGBNkMEnKpE_rwgX3jFwAjZ1lQYUxl2nuTHMTgi3tQ4Z3tYXgTRL0wIeZ0aH_QodhAFobaXLoh/w640-h540/IMG_7480.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Line for dinner at the Lobster Company.</span><br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuKnuihWX7zQUTk7lk_wTpCxAfDov-5qGH2quon8f3MJiQGBhc6_1G3isRERGOb4oIpXGmQa1FcdHNql1fE4p26fbNz_ui6YHfrBKFSZAypgwL5854lYANZQtry7xVDs2iGOHuKK4y1nYfqMgpiXMvg5uqrFeiXa7h4lQ3apykfwPz-xnvxOwdxiXkg/s2281/IMG_7481.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2281" data-original-width="2016" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuKnuihWX7zQUTk7lk_wTpCxAfDov-5qGH2quon8f3MJiQGBhc6_1G3isRERGOb4oIpXGmQa1FcdHNql1fE4p26fbNz_ui6YHfrBKFSZAypgwL5854lYANZQtry7xVDs2iGOHuKK4y1nYfqMgpiXMvg5uqrFeiXa7h4lQ3apykfwPz-xnvxOwdxiXkg/w566-h640/IMG_7481.jpg" width="566" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Mr. Lobster.</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Speaking of lobsters I saw in the news today where a Red Lobster restaurant in Mississippi recently found an orange lobster among the others — just a few weeks after another Red Lobster location in Florida also found an orange lobster. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span><span>The next photo is of Martha and one of her watercolors.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcopdPyDjSkqayQ32HCv8dKRh8AzxuTXqqFkmvsFs19Iy8-gqQTMqjoCUujVtikWyCEISR3GYzz0bkZ_imAx5K8fu8wigfAJb9hslJyuixtSV1rAxIsygwXh7N0pHRG75uGNWfL9aG2EZ4tiM0QwcVlLjKC_2VArxNFwusZ5AhsDPiT59gc8pJkQmGdA/s2016/IMG_7483.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcopdPyDjSkqayQ32HCv8dKRh8AzxuTXqqFkmvsFs19Iy8-gqQTMqjoCUujVtikWyCEISR3GYzz0bkZ_imAx5K8fu8wigfAJb9hslJyuixtSV1rAxIsygwXh7N0pHRG75uGNWfL9aG2EZ4tiM0QwcVlLjKC_2VArxNFwusZ5AhsDPiT59gc8pJkQmGdA/w640-h480/IMG_7483.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Martha and one of her water paintings.</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>The next photo is just a crop of the first photo, Martha does excellent work as you can see.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QRjycFJQeBtK3uIBkfcH3JPf0PvcHbgx1NyRjLtZij9i0QGokg2rp-JJEKUPIgbzvmko5t9rvxImRnHhC0IGvHWEoMd49xLgoe2Tc09dTnBJ5HlArNZMavL3YyIQ0KHUGeujq1XEEfU-ifAADgI395-QXYXJ1a45FbeVZYGC1jpy4p5VVYzCT-iMwA/s2016/IMG_7483Crop.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QRjycFJQeBtK3uIBkfcH3JPf0PvcHbgx1NyRjLtZij9i0QGokg2rp-JJEKUPIgbzvmko5t9rvxImRnHhC0IGvHWEoMd49xLgoe2Tc09dTnBJ5HlArNZMavL3YyIQ0KHUGeujq1XEEfU-ifAADgI395-QXYXJ1a45FbeVZYGC1jpy4p5VVYzCT-iMwA/w640-h480/IMG_7483Crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Crop of Martha's water color.</span><br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span><br />Martha and I were disappointed that we didn't get to see the last supermoon of the year Thursday, the Sturgeon Moon, due to the clouds. Maybe Friday. <br /><br />Maybe tomorrow will be sunny and more active and I'll have something more interesting to share. I did get some personal insights during the day so it wasn't a total loss.<br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 7: August 12, 2022 (Friday)</b><br /><br />Friday was the very nicest day of the entire stay. Sunny, dry breezes. Half the boaters in Maine took the day off. It was a parade in front of our porch. It was so nice I was either on the porch or on the rocks all day. Just like you imagine it to be. <br /> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">No photos from Friday until the most gorgeous sunset. It was pinker, or better said more pink, than the 2 photos below show.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrj50N_BMQEq302Au4kpXUVD-Tn0hdKZHKBJDrhdg-6mRmYcc4ofcKJVUMU3FiDFk2DUspd1thmi3rdqOUiE_3L0zC3rMoSoOUZ2z0U01NYiZDrYL8m3PNU0TFx7YythprUugOZcw5p49De-IhTNzOQfsVpr8EQet37ZXHUN7QVFtP_wrnIIYUmL3DDQ/s2016/IMG_7485.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrj50N_BMQEq302Au4kpXUVD-Tn0hdKZHKBJDrhdg-6mRmYcc4ofcKJVUMU3FiDFk2DUspd1thmi3rdqOUiE_3L0zC3rMoSoOUZ2z0U01NYiZDrYL8m3PNU0TFx7YythprUugOZcw5p49De-IhTNzOQfsVpr8EQet37ZXHUN7QVFtP_wrnIIYUmL3DDQ/w640-h480/IMG_7485.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span>Above: Friday sunset.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZreQRfjjNoAcjlg5zUu8DMDBL-3IA9EGtCiW_ymFNDhBS152NllrSDu1xx3O572aSkwxYTitsg4Aryjs5v-w0TpmX_DvyoasNaM5VqQydzwuJonYbA44wVs09e1Velk7n1VcKrueGKSemTnBybiFolXBnlO6vUsMnO8hYJX8dcQs8aOF3uDM9nLURw/s2016/IMG_7487.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZreQRfjjNoAcjlg5zUu8DMDBL-3IA9EGtCiW_ymFNDhBS152NllrSDu1xx3O572aSkwxYTitsg4Aryjs5v-w0TpmX_DvyoasNaM5VqQydzwuJonYbA44wVs09e1Velk7n1VcKrueGKSemTnBybiFolXBnlO6vUsMnO8hYJX8dcQs8aOF3uDM9nLURw/w640-h480/IMG_7487.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Friday sunset.</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I was sad Thursday night because I missed the supermoon due to the clouds. Living in Greenwich Village I never get to see astronomical events. Well I got to see this supermoon (known as the Sturgeon Supermoon) on Friday night. So exciting. See photo below.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtWjuXxCRPBI5JXKAI-3sl8OS65RG9-a1ewcSVgqLoN3CMCJSkfW2DhOTsPgHWsr_6jw5sK6kTbQc526BzsvAFctF6GmQii63ILvRgOGY7YHh5Y6eHTFI5g5quqnFev3AyXfGQKa2KIry60fdwjQL9RLmHzC-ngOBvTqOQ49n90Ip1T0OoEve-q2cBA/s2187/IMG_7488.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2187" data-original-width="2016" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtWjuXxCRPBI5JXKAI-3sl8OS65RG9-a1ewcSVgqLoN3CMCJSkfW2DhOTsPgHWsr_6jw5sK6kTbQc526BzsvAFctF6GmQii63ILvRgOGY7YHh5Y6eHTFI5g5quqnFev3AyXfGQKa2KIry60fdwjQL9RLmHzC-ngOBvTqOQ49n90Ip1T0OoEve-q2cBA/w590-h640/IMG_7488.jpg" width="590" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Friday's supermoon.</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Then off to bed Friday night for a 6:00 am wake up alarm Saturday morning for the long ride home.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 8: August 13, 2022 (Saturday): Heading home.<br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Martha and I were so efficient that we left 28 minutes earlier than planned. As we drove over the Sagadahoc Bridge on US1 over the Kennebec River, we waved goodbye to “our” big crane at the Bath Iron Works (photo below) and headed to our homes. </span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNHLNhe1Hx2DTUJU82AV9lCKJX6_c5AQjs_7D07dVsDbc0A39NUT3q0qgrFjAa53xUjUMsXPVG1P-6CNVz0Ourd_fkJrxW1H7Nc_FZ-16cu_7yjw8xzyJ8-tx4dVJs8Mxxo-STEzNwuMZoiFJtVIq6xs5qi7wjAEZ10kyGxrFszpyS-ZBH_r84SITPw/s2016/IMG_7500.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNHLNhe1Hx2DTUJU82AV9lCKJX6_c5AQjs_7D07dVsDbc0A39NUT3q0qgrFjAa53xUjUMsXPVG1P-6CNVz0Ourd_fkJrxW1H7Nc_FZ-16cu_7yjw8xzyJ8-tx4dVJs8Mxxo-STEzNwuMZoiFJtVIq6xs5qi7wjAEZ10kyGxrFszpyS-ZBH_r84SITPw/w640-h480/IMG_7500.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span style="font-size: large;">Above: Landmark Bath Iron Works crane that towers over the city that we waved goodbye to.</span><br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">_______________</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">PS: About whether goldenrods cause allergies, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>I did a little googling on the Internet Saturday morning and found that "<b>Ragweed triggers allergies; in most cases, goldenrod doesn’t.</b>”</span><br /><br /><span>One source stated “<i>So why does goldenrod get blamed for causing our allergies when it’s really ragweed? Ragweed blooms at the same time as goldenrod (between July and October). Unlike goldenrod, which is much showier and more conspicuous with its bright yellow flowers, ragweed has nondescript flowers like most wind-pollinated plants that most people don’t notice. So when people start sneezing and they see the blooming goldenrod, they assume that’s the plant that’s responsible. The inconspicuous ragweed flies under the radar and the goldenrod inaccurately gets the blame, and that has gotten passed on through word of mouth to the point where it’s a widespread, but incorrect, belief.</i>”<br /><br />PS #2: Also, I am grateful to my friend Lowell in Scottsdale, Arizona for helping me put my emails of this trip together as it is tough for me to do by myself when on a trip. I text and/or email photos and words to Lowell as I have the time, and he gathers them and puts them all in one Gmail for daily mailing to friends and relatives.<br /><br />A big thank you to Lowell! <br /><br />PS #3: Attached is a photo of me taken by Martha that Lowell altered with an app called Prisma (transforms your images into “paintings"). Isn’t it fabulous? Makes me look good too. Thanks again Lowell, and Martha also of course since she made the original photo.</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKcezWSfWe-lxEq31h7DGoOMEGlaWQB1wUEzW7PGSvAQS1uu7AKBUI2kih3Bk2M898OBiphws04jakdsYM0aJ9eeY2g8M4bDIgava9dInZ5mNBGXo9jHtWPWOlasNf4MKYwTY0kgylYkok_CEPPBmc5ZRu-1t14TdW5uj-wisQ6__VbxVvK6KDFkjLg/s1314/Prisma.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1314" data-original-width="928" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKcezWSfWe-lxEq31h7DGoOMEGlaWQB1wUEzW7PGSvAQS1uu7AKBUI2kih3Bk2M898OBiphws04jakdsYM0aJ9eeY2g8M4bDIgava9dInZ5mNBGXo9jHtWPWOlasNf4MKYwTY0kgylYkok_CEPPBmc5ZRu-1t14TdW5uj-wisQ6__VbxVvK6KDFkjLg/w452-h640/Prisma.jpg" width="452" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Above: Prisma "artwork."</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;">All of the above photos can also be found in my Google Photos album at https://photos.app.goo.gl/ivFGaZe6PXfBm2co6.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626364476155545127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728495483307516262.post-87856067230050847982022-04-19T09:33:00.004-07:002022-05-17T19:38:49.512-07:002022 France<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>This entry is about Scott and I going to France on a 7-day driving tour from Paris to Bordeaux, followed by a 7-day river cruise tour called “Bordeaux to Bordeaux." We left on 3-27-22 (a Sunday) from the US and flew all night, me from New York and Scott from Los Angeles, we both arrived at the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Monday (3-28-22) morning. It took a long time finding each other at the airport as both of us had cell phone issues and our planes arrived at different times. <br /><br />We finally solved our phone problem and rented a small Fiat car. When I say small, let's just say only our backpacks fit in the back seat. We began the ostensible 4-hour drive to Mont Saint Michel (a city island), which took closer to 6 hours.<br /><br />The photo below had me puzzled. With the rotating brushes I thought it was a vertical car wash, then I saw it working. It was slowly going down the road washing the street signs. Only the French! It also caused traffic to slow down.</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFIG5NW_ESZ7358p-s4HbKD2br6YiAJCTYJPHiPcqPzmwqARgKX2tS0DpBjdbnPSl2sKBGCaiju2vzLjzhz8gw1oUYzvUFAhgwWVWEfr8mqXAA91e8oIah6KXs5H3BuObCBeOb5M7JnfrkMxblsjxZ5w63bZoGEaDq_g8vhNqYL3YMUWpmpPfuJk1lw/s2016/IMG_6691.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFIG5NW_ESZ7358p-s4HbKD2br6YiAJCTYJPHiPcqPzmwqARgKX2tS0DpBjdbnPSl2sKBGCaiju2vzLjzhz8gw1oUYzvUFAhgwWVWEfr8mqXAA91e8oIah6KXs5H3BuObCBeOb5M7JnfrkMxblsjxZ5w63bZoGEaDq_g8vhNqYL3YMUWpmpPfuJk1lw/s16000/IMG_6691.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Street sign washing vehicle.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>On our drive the countryside and villages were charming but we didn’t stop for photos, maybe we'll get some countryside photos later, in Brittany or the Loire Valley. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br />We finally got to Mont Saint-Michel and found the parking on the mainland and the shuttle bus. The following photo is our first view of Mont Saint-Michel. Wow!</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqWaGpMm57HrQxxRroRl2UmIKwMNbpf0W00XcavHAajBfWVjHe-XOYTujL8WXaatKH40uOWgHQA5SjiJT6bNqvzbI-w7gqBPBmb4qflxf3dVIeuPTuIOZVxQvrh7wAlqXnow7NvTUI4jkrRYKhg8FzgiyLSIckzQycNSzzey6dWYWFyXUCjLYVwCoUg/s2016/IMG_6699.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqWaGpMm57HrQxxRroRl2UmIKwMNbpf0W00XcavHAajBfWVjHe-XOYTujL8WXaatKH40uOWgHQA5SjiJT6bNqvzbI-w7gqBPBmb4qflxf3dVIeuPTuIOZVxQvrh7wAlqXnow7NvTUI4jkrRYKhg8FzgiyLSIckzQycNSzzey6dWYWFyXUCjLYVwCoUg/s16000/IMG_6699.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Mont Saint-Michel.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Then we walked on the boardwalk to our hotel, the Auberge Saint Pierre, where we stayed two nights (Monday & Tuesday nights, France time). The Auberge Saint Pierre is a 14th-century half-timbered house located on Mont Saint-Michel island. We have one of the smaller rooms so we are saying to each other “excuse me” a lot, or in French, "excusez-moi.”<br /><br />The photo below shows the route from the mainland parking lot to the island, you can see the route the shuttle buses take and the walking route. To think this place was surrounded by water not that long ago and could only be accessed at low tide.</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlATDlDcJPldo5eniB1kARKgdNHdmubI1p5hhnF_urEndbJpDXGaA1Q-vcRqsEXBslzsJdbW7OUhQHSI_TWhNKDZbC4zrDYvZ6JfCK5a2m7Rs-wSYEq6vnvz-LaVPVZGVT9yGKlXntyfhw89YYH3b8Hgw9Lm1d2YEDdmAueV5Zuz0YWZvcjjxhDPT5A/s2016/IMG_6719.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlATDlDcJPldo5eniB1kARKgdNHdmubI1p5hhnF_urEndbJpDXGaA1Q-vcRqsEXBslzsJdbW7OUhQHSI_TWhNKDZbC4zrDYvZ6JfCK5a2m7Rs-wSYEq6vnvz-LaVPVZGVT9yGKlXntyfhw89YYH3b8Hgw9Lm1d2YEDdmAueV5Zuz0YWZvcjjxhDPT5A/s16000/IMG_6719.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: A view of the route from the parking lot.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <br />The next photo shows some seagulls, they are “dangerous" here, they attack tourists for their food. Reminded me of the Alfred Hitchcock movie, “The Birds!” </span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82Mi7n_-zhgT3kadJDqqQa6XFgZAnLjGADZLZ9qWaPL3Mv3kas4rL64t04m5XDz9h7Tk2knOM7v9rWcYS0uY6YHygA2u5y_pVggA8XLKUINTP4Rxq43NmtDEYpxPPJPK1rXdCqL1ZBtpCwazAsd7wBDfeK1NuPFFC8NmE72IVzuOYHIjeGnGCZvbp0g/s2199/IMG_6723.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2199" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82Mi7n_-zhgT3kadJDqqQa6XFgZAnLjGADZLZ9qWaPL3Mv3kas4rL64t04m5XDz9h7Tk2knOM7v9rWcYS0uY6YHygA2u5y_pVggA8XLKUINTP4Rxq43NmtDEYpxPPJPK1rXdCqL1ZBtpCwazAsd7wBDfeK1NuPFFC8NmE72IVzuOYHIjeGnGCZvbp0g/s16000/IMG_6723.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Seagulls looking for an easy meal.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The photo below is of yours truly, I just can’t get away from mudflats. First Panama City earlier this year, now France. These are only submerged about 12 times a year. They bring in silt (not mud) to add 3 inches to the land every year. </span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXktTbhDLIv2QcK5nCvKXH2h__BS_U2pLZtodVfYnRfyaRSwSYRZQ4BlNHs7j-4VEqrMVNvzF0EOsCgWg25tkqi6XujAo29b1FpA99GZFQc3_7GMbrBxRvhmd9vMyEQTAj1R0AExGZdByBd4VoXjTHd91j01VkMHa6e5bZ-mMFDBF81V0YokbP2NrbQ/s2688/IMG_6724.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXktTbhDLIv2QcK5nCvKXH2h__BS_U2pLZtodVfYnRfyaRSwSYRZQ4BlNHs7j-4VEqrMVNvzF0EOsCgWg25tkqi6XujAo29b1FpA99GZFQc3_7GMbrBxRvhmd9vMyEQTAj1R0AExGZdByBd4VoXjTHd91j01VkMHa6e5bZ-mMFDBF81V0YokbP2NrbQ/s16000/IMG_6724.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Looking at the mudflats.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br />The next photo was taken inside Mont Saint-Michel, one of the old dining halls.</span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMD-N-0ZVIZ-w3lcBzVwJCptdI1QkUggPdustjkyn1fgvf3xpNoMLIndo2fB_RZYVlKYZ1qizGxWm1fYN_KfIQ6rrHbseJSv1I6ZL6u8rECa_IHK9xESk-o45l42yBKxXIwXld72nJ7x1GmC8cYtP0wG-m-KGzSXFgZArdr5KwBGdPo-ExHPkvMSPN7Q/s2016/IMG_6729.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMD-N-0ZVIZ-w3lcBzVwJCptdI1QkUggPdustjkyn1fgvf3xpNoMLIndo2fB_RZYVlKYZ1qizGxWm1fYN_KfIQ6rrHbseJSv1I6ZL6u8rECa_IHK9xESk-o45l42yBKxXIwXld72nJ7x1GmC8cYtP0wG-m-KGzSXFgZArdr5KwBGdPo-ExHPkvMSPN7Q/s16000/IMG_6729.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Old dining hall at Mont Saint-Michel.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <br />The following photo is again of yours truly with a view of the Mont Saint-Michel Abbey, photo taken from the ramparts around the island. </span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRAPIzZyPIrh7TaNp3Fg_DhNpk1cEI-iRXUbef1QBUWWXiWIayDVcTK9qlEfRtrGmHrocYXy83Nub39DvMfOwyUL-E1cJJqtPjEpr5WZo_ogbBqCUvrUmmiBvfqAd3U03YL36Ch1QepWXhHL_TWMUq_nvx1jCdvA8AR3L67GIh4-CNz7LLRBKw3VnTg/s2793/IMG_6732.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2793" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRAPIzZyPIrh7TaNp3Fg_DhNpk1cEI-iRXUbef1QBUWWXiWIayDVcTK9qlEfRtrGmHrocYXy83Nub39DvMfOwyUL-E1cJJqtPjEpr5WZo_ogbBqCUvrUmmiBvfqAd3U03YL36Ch1QepWXhHL_TWMUq_nvx1jCdvA8AR3L67GIh4-CNz7LLRBKw3VnTg/s16000/IMG_6732.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: A view of the Abbey (background) at Mont Saint-Michel.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><b>Wednesday (30th): Cancale and </b></span><span><b><span>Saint-Malo and </span></b></span><span><b><span><span>Côte de granite rose</span></span></b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>After the 2 nights at Mont Saint-Michael, we left in our luxury limo (see photo below) and headed to Cancale.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7j2WKBHPkAJ8MUT8N1xPak4XkTGaBQXiiqwZ2xQscLjc04HnNmDuCPTbOuqKAz4ni20-unQQdjcz79x0uRSC4mGS0QdxmDlOUQ3M2ONi-ey9ayoo4p4TOV2CV98Z3cCnvFbLBg6vCOY2CslFzn8pfNteUFRvpkhmvLEFU4VYeEOqfYC8bzuFzxqpFw/s2016/IMG_6747.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7j2WKBHPkAJ8MUT8N1xPak4XkTGaBQXiiqwZ2xQscLjc04HnNmDuCPTbOuqKAz4ni20-unQQdjcz79x0uRSC4mGS0QdxmDlOUQ3M2ONi-ey9ayoo4p4TOV2CV98Z3cCnvFbLBg6vCOY2CslFzn8pfNteUFRvpkhmvLEFU4VYeEOqfYC8bzuFzxqpFw/s16000/IMG_6747.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Our rental car.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>On our drive into Cancale we saw lots of oyster men going out with their gear. Once in Cancale we did the perfunctory task of having white wine and oysters as shown in the next photo.</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2iJx-E6Lg2poqKquVBr4odZOGkFbYO7Czr_mcpEoStvA0e8kSevF0_UgcEakWN1AQDR0qpB_H0Cau80kvimV2dDS2CHwVpyCl1s64INcMowd_wm3sWVKAqICy2IAF5oR3XzCl7oaaOtE7Ytfn3W9j1gx58QOIHdVK7QZK2D1PObRpxerfHxcTZ-2ZxA/s3471/IMG_6752.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3471" data-original-width="2975" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2iJx-E6Lg2poqKquVBr4odZOGkFbYO7Czr_mcpEoStvA0e8kSevF0_UgcEakWN1AQDR0qpB_H0Cau80kvimV2dDS2CHwVpyCl1s64INcMowd_wm3sWVKAqICy2IAF5oR3XzCl7oaaOtE7Ytfn3W9j1gx58QOIHdVK7QZK2D1PObRpxerfHxcTZ-2ZxA/s16000/IMG_6752.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Wine and Oysters.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>You can see the oyster beds behind me in the above photo. The cars behind me are oyster beds also, the oysters are not growing there, they are "resting." Actually they are in storage. Who knew they stored oysters before they sold them? We had 2 kinds of oyster for breakfast with our wine, the usual kind and the local kind with flatter shells, more solid and less salty.<br /><br />After Cancale we drove to Saint-Malo, a place totally destroyed in WWII and rebuilt to look like it did before the bombing. It looked old to me but the books all say it was totally rebuilt. We went to the Cathedral of St Vincent and walked the rampart.. See next two photos.</span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cdItFi5Jv9hcLkjeNjHQn_vC4U1yYfq-pODtz7s9TsLwunPiw8iiiL7dBJl1oEk2S7fx9G_lrsbLtCIAxHaAt6NRQJ0NnHPyvtuxpUWD922z0ocEBJYX2qNx-eVoEF0ytvSFagSAKKUtVxgqd_XP-vK402jNQlPmPqrxxDqo4JoqPKzsCs9pStI_sw/s2688/IMG_6754.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cdItFi5Jv9hcLkjeNjHQn_vC4U1yYfq-pODtz7s9TsLwunPiw8iiiL7dBJl1oEk2S7fx9G_lrsbLtCIAxHaAt6NRQJ0NnHPyvtuxpUWD922z0ocEBJYX2qNx-eVoEF0ytvSFagSAKKUtVxgqd_XP-vK402jNQlPmPqrxxDqo4JoqPKzsCs9pStI_sw/s16000/IMG_6754.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Window at St. Vincent Cathedral.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnq4zoyVX4wfOoHniX0IBZXzgr3oVzgNmRGTvmLPPbm0SevqSKHiBqHlTX_S2ueVzQ4AAyAd8TtGMPy36vo-9Rzickr26YV4V4tAEXSZ4OcfWoA5ke-7W3geXWB921JBZ6T3EUa50wZjsZZcI2RBBaxIDOp432twXCGddP0ey19E8PaUG-Wr3eWQJD-A/s2688/IMG_6756.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnq4zoyVX4wfOoHniX0IBZXzgr3oVzgNmRGTvmLPPbm0SevqSKHiBqHlTX_S2ueVzQ4AAyAd8TtGMPy36vo-9Rzickr26YV4V4tAEXSZ4OcfWoA5ke-7W3geXWB921JBZ6T3EUa50wZjsZZcI2RBBaxIDOp432twXCGddP0ey19E8PaUG-Wr3eWQJD-A/s16000/IMG_6756.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Diane on the rampart at Saint-Malo<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>In St. Malo we learned about the Corsairs in France, pirates in the name of their respective kings. One Pirate, Rene Duguay-Trouin, was so successful he captured 3500 commercial vessels in the name of his king. He was made an officer in the French royal navy. He is buried in the Cathedral of St. Vincent in a crypt next to Jacques Cartier, who discovered Canada. Isn't that amazing?<br /> <br />After Saint-Malo we drove to see the Côte de granite rose (or Pink Granite Coast in English). The sun came out for a nano second but it was cold-d-d-d-d and windy-y-y-y and we had a hard time finding the coast. There were some great rock formations (see next 2 photos but not what I expected, like the Maine coast only pinkish.</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwc5Os45SDLra1DouGplyamHEyolGD6OIERwSOQJdvPBREgg62D4sEwzWjRuqKAGU2qMGGG2tv84LWb8SPNw2UGUjhNadTuk5k2Q_HmnMLQhtjZIkyLcqJuyYvgUBQcc3cUmKL5l6oV8rJ34BmgISeTUc2M2pHNpyhgjdGSJ2FxVWp82T3LEvNtsjrHA/s2016/IMG_6757.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwc5Os45SDLra1DouGplyamHEyolGD6OIERwSOQJdvPBREgg62D4sEwzWjRuqKAGU2qMGGG2tv84LWb8SPNw2UGUjhNadTuk5k2Q_HmnMLQhtjZIkyLcqJuyYvgUBQcc3cUmKL5l6oV8rJ34BmgISeTUc2M2pHNpyhgjdGSJ2FxVWp82T3LEvNtsjrHA/s16000/IMG_6757.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: <span>Côte de granite rose rock formation.<br /></span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4G_LLcJ3L8jfTazx8zpOnrato00sTYAE00yuvlLY59pL8EV9CNWhAHybq8NlgjfFvy5_hNmrsk0FE7ZhGPHgn25SZYyqMdjixxIXQVRxulPb55wiJ60aBtX57SqTFKdRqiYOJacv-dHhkmsVOG_L1tKRm_uyFccYL7XaqkeHdcfEVBrW8XLalYJnAA/s2016/IMG_6758.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4G_LLcJ3L8jfTazx8zpOnrato00sTYAE00yuvlLY59pL8EV9CNWhAHybq8NlgjfFvy5_hNmrsk0FE7ZhGPHgn25SZYyqMdjixxIXQVRxulPb55wiJ60aBtX57SqTFKdRqiYOJacv-dHhkmsVOG_L1tKRm_uyFccYL7XaqkeHdcfEVBrW8XLalYJnAA/s16000/IMG_6758.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: <span>Côte de granite rose rock formation.</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>After the Côte de granite rose Wednesday we stayed at a hotel ibis in Lannion, just outside of Côte de granite rose, ibis is a French brand of economy hotels. Scott and I had dinner at a good place next door called Breizh Shelter. Scott had the duck.<br /></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><b>Thursday (31st): Carnac</b> </span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>At </span><span><span>Côte de granite rose</span> we
got off to a late start for Carnac because the Internet was good, we finally got to
Carnac about 2:30 pm. It was cold and sleeting one minutes and sunny
and cold but not so bad the next. <b><br /></b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>We went to Carnac to see the famous Carnac stones, which are the largest collection of megalithic standing stones in the world. See the next 5 photos The stone in the last photo with me is called the "Manio Giant,” or “Géant du Manio” in French. I was overwhelmed at this site. How did they do this in the neolithic times without machinery? The next to the last photo is a tomb, the "Dolmen de Kermario.” The stones are 7000 years old. There are several theories why these stones were placed here, but nobody really knows for certain.</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrtWuoNBHzesDhW2a57ZiWXRKJGrtf-HwqwLezRSUfYtQiAhBQxNG9lTC33aNEQDINvlykmALgLd9dZ2Kt1h-s9FNV6Z4WyjPRDzhvVFKmJG8tPwKpnz7IC6TUe0Yx-OgzQOffAnLHSuGDRnV-UMMPlCix_j1xXHrExbLTD8cbYBxQJgxap0GR061Cw/s933/The-Carnac-Stones--.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="933" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrtWuoNBHzesDhW2a57ZiWXRKJGrtf-HwqwLezRSUfYtQiAhBQxNG9lTC33aNEQDINvlykmALgLd9dZ2Kt1h-s9FNV6Z4WyjPRDzhvVFKmJG8tPwKpnz7IC6TUe0Yx-OgzQOffAnLHSuGDRnV-UMMPlCix_j1xXHrExbLTD8cbYBxQJgxap0GR061Cw/s16000/The-Carnac-Stones--.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Aerial view of the Carnac stones. This photo from the Internet, https://www.ancient-origins.net/sites/default/files/field/image/The-Carnac-Stones--.jpg<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPO7m9Zc-ev77jdEPh_0dsowrFTVf8276FC9oSZE-bh-QJrhQ-Tl9VzBLNUdYBqZYROENDRXBbhdLD8Y5KBW94NoiaEwSzXnMdugrws7KZmAfktUZ17rFPTajFWYBr-HMDOnNgWI6_XUF3TbtRjqjcpT0mRwwO2WdkJNWF2pQWIL73FSwJ9s28rv45A/s2016/IMG_6767.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPO7m9Zc-ev77jdEPh_0dsowrFTVf8276FC9oSZE-bh-QJrhQ-Tl9VzBLNUdYBqZYROENDRXBbhdLD8Y5KBW94NoiaEwSzXnMdugrws7KZmAfktUZ17rFPTajFWYBr-HMDOnNgWI6_XUF3TbtRjqjcpT0mRwwO2WdkJNWF2pQWIL73FSwJ9s28rv45A/s16000/IMG_6767.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sSLI32_HK66EQ-k0rQcu6eOULW06imNd-1YoyBwgr2OoxhOIFUw9NsqU12hykNebxW0RlkEGmn_YMcacE4CQ4wCBM89MX0p1Oci--CsvnBc7msLI7gugbKaCdqtzpFJQkb7-k-JVTfj5GbfLhltigoa3tPlzLYw3jxoTbWyFoLJURgX8s0hQfwP5Cg/s2688/IMG_6771.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sSLI32_HK66EQ-k0rQcu6eOULW06imNd-1YoyBwgr2OoxhOIFUw9NsqU12hykNebxW0RlkEGmn_YMcacE4CQ4wCBM89MX0p1Oci--CsvnBc7msLI7gugbKaCdqtzpFJQkb7-k-JVTfj5GbfLhltigoa3tPlzLYw3jxoTbWyFoLJURgX8s0hQfwP5Cg/s16000/IMG_6771.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDIRFXA3_co4jd56tXUjGuHp-fcSerUr4Sc26S9X9UYyZwbG9KeoOotRMHm4YIQL2BDY2z0WXDcJ2m7vvghEwR_WElA0HAJf2J-zRBpklQFEkcSDfFF61HYIBxKlKrQ8YxyVvcNUsLvq78D0A_aeaDalbfaLhojSP1aqQn3uuSTC0XjGn1iXV6XhfTA/s2016/IMG_6773.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDIRFXA3_co4jd56tXUjGuHp-fcSerUr4Sc26S9X9UYyZwbG9KeoOotRMHm4YIQL2BDY2z0WXDcJ2m7vvghEwR_WElA0HAJf2J-zRBpklQFEkcSDfFF61HYIBxKlKrQ8YxyVvcNUsLvq78D0A_aeaDalbfaLhojSP1aqQn3uuSTC0XjGn1iXV6XhfTA/s16000/IMG_6773.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: A<span> tomb, the "Dolmen de Kermario.”</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXfcphlmV5Lj3nmIdqCVN5lNHBvEz5Euzs_bUGOJG1_aAZjCwK2SK-OZTgKCRTAJtBnTB1tB1W1gbimKPPixTGZD7inEAxNjJk16LCGcmjznF3QgVGt0KeJGeAs6VCimc95Z-_HYokrRvifEmblR0bTk-gkTd53KNubXgSHXdcB_r7tdgbKLxNcYAGQ/s2688/IMG_6774.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXfcphlmV5Lj3nmIdqCVN5lNHBvEz5Euzs_bUGOJG1_aAZjCwK2SK-OZTgKCRTAJtBnTB1tB1W1gbimKPPixTGZD7inEAxNjJk16LCGcmjznF3QgVGt0KeJGeAs6VCimc95Z-_HYokrRvifEmblR0bTk-gkTd53KNubXgSHXdcB_r7tdgbKLxNcYAGQ/s16000/IMG_6774.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: <span>The "Manio Giant"</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span><span><span>The
Carnac stones are in what they call alignments (rows). Around 3000
stones in several fields. The youngest stone is 2600 BC, and comes from
the Neolithic period. I suggested to myself that maybe this is the
origin of tombstones as we know them today. <br /></span></span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>When we were trying to find the stone known as the Manio Giant, we got lost because the sign was facing the other direction and we missed it. We were walking back when Scott twisted his ankle. He felt it start to go so he fell down on purpose to take the weight off and not make it worse. I was way ahead of him looking for a trail. A car pulled up beside me and told me “my husband” had fallen down and I’d better go back to help him. I did and we finally found someone to direct us to the sign we missed so we found the Manio Giant. I’ve forgotten how high, I think maybe over 20 feet. After all of that it was a bit of an anticlimax. I said to Scott, I think I’ll sing that Peggy Lee song “<i>Is That All There Is?</i>"</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><b><span>Friday (April 1st): </span></b><b><span><span>Chateau Chenonceaux</span> </span></b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Today was a visit to the Chateau Chenonceaux. Don’t ask me to pronounce it, but it was rated a "don’t miss by 4 guidebooks" and was magnificent. Built and added onto and remodeled by a lot of French Royalty after salacious affairs, murders and deaths by war. A lot of folks to keep track of. Fascinating who did what to it and why. Built over the River Cher it was useful many times especially in WWII as an escape route from occupied France to free France. <br /><br />The chateau has beautiful fresh flower arrangements in every room, I tested them because I couldn’t believe it. The chateau was used as a hospital in WWI to care for the soldiers. Lots of famous artists represented. Murillo and believe it or not Peter Paul Rubens were my faves. <br /><br />Attached are a few photos from the chateau. The kitchen was very interesting, see the picture of the stove.<br /><br />It was 34F degrees outside and close to that inside. A good day for an inside event.<br /><br /></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZQ20ouJlLcwL_-li7G0oPahsst4S83A4K9CmgwbtvG0ETcGBnQLOsr8yRCwmytbQOuqn33CnWGx8IcnrWePws_jPsak_nc9BRoqWuc6QV3f0knIyudPVpaPGLRlftbb8UgvxXf7_ME-OaadJ5WqEOpTv1BIBZ_YyGvMt44UtqZ1Ah8zVp9buZEW9BA/s2016/IMG_6776.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZQ20ouJlLcwL_-li7G0oPahsst4S83A4K9CmgwbtvG0ETcGBnQLOsr8yRCwmytbQOuqn33CnWGx8IcnrWePws_jPsak_nc9BRoqWuc6QV3f0knIyudPVpaPGLRlftbb8UgvxXf7_ME-OaadJ5WqEOpTv1BIBZ_YyGvMt44UtqZ1Ah8zVp9buZEW9BA/s16000/IMG_6776.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: <span>Chateau Chenonceaux.</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0a0vQdiMfHaGZMGvns9UGNwtAHF035073aAfNI7uvJe6DjKqd7DgJd42F1bOwiBoD-aOdm9fMNVVKrgeQ9uYK85gbVkYX3PcER2lSoHFN8KKtgoz5K1bZWfhwRhhOsJ0TIWBk7m3SADDKcSsKZHiJ5NLfWEVH1AZvKkFt7i2Hr4A-Izmgm4d0d4_lPQ/s2688/IMG_6777.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0a0vQdiMfHaGZMGvns9UGNwtAHF035073aAfNI7uvJe6DjKqd7DgJd42F1bOwiBoD-aOdm9fMNVVKrgeQ9uYK85gbVkYX3PcER2lSoHFN8KKtgoz5K1bZWfhwRhhOsJ0TIWBk7m3SADDKcSsKZHiJ5NLfWEVH1AZvKkFt7i2Hr4A-Izmgm4d0d4_lPQ/s16000/IMG_6777.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Inside <span><span>Chateau Chenonceaux.</span></span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykADcG-WpU4rFzH2rFGRtCrZ7-uV4jXOXdnBtwJfLytFbyQ_OTq4MOcWSsSBaBdK0I88DQLxBF01jEQhrWFU63vdhSugusLSfI_dPYEhUE_BKHIOfb45okn7ttM0xePzYJSsLVH8Ro6kpgelPpPDqDZq797efvxMFbacbuz8wH1Vn37i2NbR-4fBGYQ/s2688/IMG_6780.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykADcG-WpU4rFzH2rFGRtCrZ7-uV4jXOXdnBtwJfLytFbyQ_OTq4MOcWSsSBaBdK0I88DQLxBF01jEQhrWFU63vdhSugusLSfI_dPYEhUE_BKHIOfb45okn7ttM0xePzYJSsLVH8Ro6kpgelPpPDqDZq797efvxMFbacbuz8wH1Vn37i2NbR-4fBGYQ/s16000/IMG_6780.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: <span><span>Kitchen at Chateau Chenonceaux.</span></span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /><br /></span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoC_NlY579m22Lg5ust97fnQTeg3ppDUKPIPfKQ_ZANphnmKACweG_eYzldldsJzu-W4wYO78yWF6-oHExaNCdVYo-goL8b_VZk2MWwmoql0j9uncGruMawTsmV7Bvac4PDjZYeyOLPIqPYsXs5c1ufqWZFrWGzLykuYkxNavmH8sp9uK6nCC8DcxfVg/s2016/IMG_6785.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoC_NlY579m22Lg5ust97fnQTeg3ppDUKPIPfKQ_ZANphnmKACweG_eYzldldsJzu-W4wYO78yWF6-oHExaNCdVYo-goL8b_VZk2MWwmoql0j9uncGruMawTsmV7Bvac4PDjZYeyOLPIqPYsXs5c1ufqWZFrWGzLykuYkxNavmH8sp9uK6nCC8DcxfVg/s16000/IMG_6785.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: <span>Chateau Chenonceaux</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>After
leaving the chateau, we were driving in snow (see next 3 photos) on the
way to Sarlat to see the cave paintings on Saturday. Maybe, if we can make
it through the snowy driving. Welcome to Spring in France!</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHWpNHnmnaHQL-eU2LKULx6gV3RJS7Ok9rcTwb74loPXSIPBGRiSmYd3shW7pFV1xLsqk76xWk9efDJnxjlc9V41HhvrbjU1QD2mNoabOFnJj2358albCpW0syGCB20JLo8J-x5q1Mjy7_cdQUs_QORlFCZFe7wLMN1jTv3R8PcIFt418WWjE5xsy2Q/s2016/IMG_6788.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHWpNHnmnaHQL-eU2LKULx6gV3RJS7Ok9rcTwb74loPXSIPBGRiSmYd3shW7pFV1xLsqk76xWk9efDJnxjlc9V41HhvrbjU1QD2mNoabOFnJj2358albCpW0syGCB20JLo8J-x5q1Mjy7_cdQUs_QORlFCZFe7wLMN1jTv3R8PcIFt418WWjE5xsy2Q/s16000/IMG_6788.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhVD1NUghbinc9MIIN9GhUQMuEw9Q9tRIK73u0VLltWPjD5usb2Pn8lDxNmo6RgVIN50Px6K0tOhdxHIuC0QDSOErcSI0EQoFaqdRqnc3vGgp9y3rSY-cvOBCeafQg5vlkKmNGt-6so1TOHoiPh_17cAu5LBxw1CyoTS0TgFYM9_U6oa6JD3UsIILhQ/s2016/IMG_6789.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhVD1NUghbinc9MIIN9GhUQMuEw9Q9tRIK73u0VLltWPjD5usb2Pn8lDxNmo6RgVIN50Px6K0tOhdxHIuC0QDSOErcSI0EQoFaqdRqnc3vGgp9y3rSY-cvOBCeafQg5vlkKmNGt-6so1TOHoiPh_17cAu5LBxw1CyoTS0TgFYM9_U6oa6JD3UsIILhQ/s16000/IMG_6789.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: It’s beautiful and scary.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAoe9Fa_ya2AbX4_-sVek8A6CikHF6YQrYcIDVuUFS5E3oITDarnMHRrXJI1bv86en0r-OHgm1F_MI9FUmBiGhv-MEjWxg7ckZTBdr0om-rzVJEcwwz2MF4x2Fle11ETJNtEUzYXMo_88UXfAMKI318V63QC9NBtvA6wle_uSRITC3PU1l8toN81LFog/s2145/IMG_6790.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2145" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAoe9Fa_ya2AbX4_-sVek8A6CikHF6YQrYcIDVuUFS5E3oITDarnMHRrXJI1bv86en0r-OHgm1F_MI9FUmBiGhv-MEjWxg7ckZTBdr0om-rzVJEcwwz2MF4x2Fle11ETJNtEUzYXMo_88UXfAMKI318V63QC9NBtvA6wle_uSRITC3PU1l8toN81LFog/s16000/IMG_6790.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Hazardous driving. We have 71 miles to go.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><b><span>Saturday (April 2nd) </span><span><span>Lascaux International Center of Parietal Art.</span></span></b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Today we went to see the prehistoric cave paintings at the Lascaux International Center of Parietal Art. The cave was discovered in 1940 by four teenagers. In 1963, the French government closed the cave and tourists now see a near perfect replica, located right next door to the original cave. The actual cave was closed due to fear of being damaged by human sweat and breath. It was an amazing introduction with a lovely, mostly English speaking guide. The reproduction process of the replicate was interesting as well.<br /><br />The art is estimated to be about 20,000 years old. The big takeaway for me was how similar the people’s lives were to today. They painted the animals they saw as exotic and not as the animals they ate. There were no human remains, they buried their dead elsewhere. And the people were as tall as we are today, and not stooped over. No photos were allowed so you’ll have to go to the Lascaux website to see the images of the cave paintings.<br /><br />Later we drove back to Sarlat-la-Canéda, went to Le Pub Sarlat for a bite, then to the tourist office for a walking tour map. I must say this is a really good looking town! I could paint in a different spot for a year if I lived here. If I could speak French even with an accent I’d love to come to this town and do just that.<br /><br />After our walking tour, we had our first nap of the whole trip. NICE! <br /><br />I’ve had enough entrecôte and frites for a lifetime. Everything else on the menu was tripe, sheep’s head, lamb heart, etc. Not for me!<br /><br />Below are a few photos from Saturday, two from Lascaux International Center of Parietal Art (no photos allowed inside remember) and five from our walking tour of Sarlat-la-Canéda. <br /></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeB14tgB72nj_cjdj5fAD-8WGdM3J_rnHPWOZH3xHT4NsVRTq7fFqxUGyeNLEzPAmvLVSp_Q_N0E5C9p1UVRiNcH4HRDVAN29c9bLHxO73YIHnnvZeNqgl3JH2vOQlo7iGg4pScYk14eC80S2d6awszn6dsm7zfUPNwjh9FneU6uQHV66lgfUR8CPjyg/s2016/IMG_6798.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeB14tgB72nj_cjdj5fAD-8WGdM3J_rnHPWOZH3xHT4NsVRTq7fFqxUGyeNLEzPAmvLVSp_Q_N0E5C9p1UVRiNcH4HRDVAN29c9bLHxO73YIHnnvZeNqgl3JH2vOQlo7iGg4pScYk14eC80S2d6awszn6dsm7zfUPNwjh9FneU6uQHV66lgfUR8CPjyg/s16000/IMG_6798.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Lascaux International Center of Parietal Art.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_EHPjpBD9pVrZI6Xru3aNo74UuFtBVABae_bY07SWMETOAa9yx32yoNWGE4bGoI3IH5mCsCDQvtuBoRZ4fy3yW6VwUy3Mm_BrCBXJMXNArqp7sTxnoHxnie4cT5UEWu8_MPkR7qbIrK4fiK0s4dGH1y82HWBzKCZHe_f1yEIqpa_jm-C5psZzhIT4g/s2688/IMG_6799.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_EHPjpBD9pVrZI6Xru3aNo74UuFtBVABae_bY07SWMETOAa9yx32yoNWGE4bGoI3IH5mCsCDQvtuBoRZ4fy3yW6VwUy3Mm_BrCBXJMXNArqp7sTxnoHxnie4cT5UEWu8_MPkR7qbIrK4fiK0s4dGH1y82HWBzKCZHe_f1yEIqpa_jm-C5psZzhIT4g/s16000/IMG_6799.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Lascaux International Center of Parietal Art.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRVY84VbBTBcckxkNh25WRQKNbg0rkATh3Rlu2Kpd2Obyjn1l_7ssMlh3DnaVMH97AX4wMkhrIt2soYdL_XtHC7VL-5jQ_QV3YcukPPbQZoN1-HsoQwlDrtLlF2QRRc8IzlPHstmu4bvl5bZMTm6avoRlIqUPfbQjju2_mMaVuGwky8a9epoKfAYQiQ/s2688/IMG_6801.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRVY84VbBTBcckxkNh25WRQKNbg0rkATh3Rlu2Kpd2Obyjn1l_7ssMlh3DnaVMH97AX4wMkhrIt2soYdL_XtHC7VL-5jQ_QV3YcukPPbQZoN1-HsoQwlDrtLlF2QRRc8IzlPHstmu4bvl5bZMTm6avoRlIqUPfbQjju2_mMaVuGwky8a9epoKfAYQiQ/s16000/IMG_6801.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: <span>Sarlat-la-Canéda.</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcRuknuB5zV1PR2fAlGmyt27XiB3Brz9-3CpY2bS-C3VBSmfKEOZuRGYuyOVzaqpQ34SvSc5wJ9b2RXqrvlyE8fVF21xTTAzZ7lTx5CN6Dh12MGItcspx9rXqvdzvdAl3RBjQVkWKxXo5Lt7cmmuUxOYD0otZYY9AOkZXLEvk7dDqnuiJC_5AtyhSiA/s2688/IMG_6802.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcRuknuB5zV1PR2fAlGmyt27XiB3Brz9-3CpY2bS-C3VBSmfKEOZuRGYuyOVzaqpQ34SvSc5wJ9b2RXqrvlyE8fVF21xTTAzZ7lTx5CN6Dh12MGItcspx9rXqvdzvdAl3RBjQVkWKxXo5Lt7cmmuUxOYD0otZYY9AOkZXLEvk7dDqnuiJC_5AtyhSiA/s16000/IMG_6802.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: <span>Sarlat-la-Canéda, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>the Lanterne des Morts (background) stands </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>just behind the </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Cathédrale of St-Sacerdos</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6_ul2p81N9lfxIK7OulOMWt8b8eoAwbuvyToLWUalBYB5zBmSPjChtXrmJC7CA2AQ1mI-yKkl3OruPSakkZbtc0-uy9GtMTxr1jsalvJSOsxx6SMqIg3f5g_VIWXIzkM1lB-f3LdBY3ucwhEetB-sJUgzOQSWprl9bNdBOLcxc48ZfiZkBJ4WJNNug/s2688/IMG_6808.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6_ul2p81N9lfxIK7OulOMWt8b8eoAwbuvyToLWUalBYB5zBmSPjChtXrmJC7CA2AQ1mI-yKkl3OruPSakkZbtc0-uy9GtMTxr1jsalvJSOsxx6SMqIg3f5g_VIWXIzkM1lB-f3LdBY3ucwhEetB-sJUgzOQSWprl9bNdBOLcxc48ZfiZkBJ4WJNNug/s16000/IMG_6808.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: <span>Sarlat-la-Canéda.</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqukahKQpydZtlmHmo27jxnlY1rUHD9in_PitaFnU_Gax8rI7JvcMMgTb_JKEroNasL2yOXvBRgFI9_C9pmPjOtLYPVYciACh8PQ6y-PZ0WJbHZeU9Ob8j6oHPYSWtSEGHrNctzBO9PcrH49mLj-aiIrL_b8LL0TjX0zE984WK8bUMaSC8zBZroe_7kA/s2688/IMG_6809.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqukahKQpydZtlmHmo27jxnlY1rUHD9in_PitaFnU_Gax8rI7JvcMMgTb_JKEroNasL2yOXvBRgFI9_C9pmPjOtLYPVYciACh8PQ6y-PZ0WJbHZeU9Ob8j6oHPYSWtSEGHrNctzBO9PcrH49mLj-aiIrL_b8LL0TjX0zE984WK8bUMaSC8zBZroe_7kA/s16000/IMG_6809.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: <span>Sarlat-la-Canéda, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>the Tower of St-Sacerdos in the background.</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The photo below is of a poster I saw on a wall on the start of our above walking tour. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>I loved the image so made this photo and plan to
send a printed copy to a motorcycle friend of mine after I return to the US, as some
sort of wall art work, perhaps one of those canvas prints.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6otWe5BolDG8xjOz5fFD1e6H2kM5LFauOyyLBDQ8Y-Fa7h0CwBzs5KEJxEtKz1BRYrGeONedF3WHS-WqMVhUmmiIgpv_doxoKAW9Bj72apMqXbADPS8SIR6-wLbByA4kWYybHMvS5IdG4peIGkLlvmnG30YgSGiE8j5mW731Nt5hFDCqG4yhVe-sk7g/s2016/IMG_6800.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6otWe5BolDG8xjOz5fFD1e6H2kM5LFauOyyLBDQ8Y-Fa7h0CwBzs5KEJxEtKz1BRYrGeONedF3WHS-WqMVhUmmiIgpv_doxoKAW9Bj72apMqXbADPS8SIR6-wLbByA4kWYybHMvS5IdG4peIGkLlvmnG30YgSGiE8j5mW731Nt5hFDCqG4yhVe-sk7g/s16000/IMG_6800.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Poster I saw on our walking tour.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>After Sarlat-la-Canéda we drove to Les Eyzies, where we got to go to a cave with real cave paintings. The guide spoke French, so it was a little difficult to understand. To preserve the paintings only 80 people a day are allowed in the caves in very small groups. These cave paintings are only 15,000 years old. The paintings were less spectacular than what we saw at Lascaux, but had many things in common, bison, stags, no landscape, no people really. No photos allowed again. </span></span></span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br />After Les Eyzies we headed for Bordeaux to meet up with the river cruise ship. It was tricky to get to the Quai des Chartrons (a stretch along the Garonne river), but we made it and then discovered that we couldn't drop off the car at the train station, we had to take it to the airport, which was another adventure, but we made it after circling and Uber got us back to the ship in time for drinks, orientation and dinner. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><b>Sunday (April 3rd)</b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The cruise we were on was through the </span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Uniworld Boutique River Cruise and the ship was the S.S. Bon Voyage, 362 feet in length and holds 124 guests (62 cabins) plus a staff of about 50.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Below is a photo of the ship taken from the Internet, plus an illustration showing the deck plan. We were in cabin 227 on the Medoc deck.<br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7Sn86seY7VjfiSBHAkAW9dV2vCVLLAILPhfnzGYwTp6IOcG6fZu-eCMy4V0uiCji_4tkVyolpSgDzggoCjsLKWOaST0DQisY5_1F6lCEz00f9qz00QnMTX8XctJcWI-sAi83zNxInplzERgMMjnc34d-EJSmJ7WFWc-BdNey0vYAziunmPNkA9Yxfw/s1200/SS%20Bon%20Voyage-3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7Sn86seY7VjfiSBHAkAW9dV2vCVLLAILPhfnzGYwTp6IOcG6fZu-eCMy4V0uiCji_4tkVyolpSgDzggoCjsLKWOaST0DQisY5_1F6lCEz00f9qz00QnMTX8XctJcWI-sAi83zNxInplzERgMMjnc34d-EJSmJ7WFWc-BdNey0vYAziunmPNkA9Yxfw/s16000/SS%20Bon%20Voyage-3.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Our ship, the S.S. Bon Voyage, photo from the Internet<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /><span></span></span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUIyZVhpPUthIEI3hClnypQOYxSrGfMHbFhKNFsxTjMmj0gaoCt6JtK6Z13HvM84wJilEiA8WSMIlhYi4d6mGsKCQFT4IdKPcnofS7QFldhpsWvgFrFxMT2A7oxQpkJjv1-JeH72Iq_LQpd1_ZVliJIX5x3_A2CwP29rTCIeiPY6GUh9PHlO1Rg8zRg/s1735/Deck%20Plan.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="1735" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUIyZVhpPUthIEI3hClnypQOYxSrGfMHbFhKNFsxTjMmj0gaoCt6JtK6Z13HvM84wJilEiA8WSMIlhYi4d6mGsKCQFT4IdKPcnofS7QFldhpsWvgFrFxMT2A7oxQpkJjv1-JeH72Iq_LQpd1_ZVliJIX5x3_A2CwP29rTCIeiPY6GUh9PHlO1Rg8zRg/s16000/Deck%20Plan.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Deck plan of our ship, the S.S. Bon Voyage.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /><b>Monday (April 4th): Blaye & </b></span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Bourg</span></span></span></b><br /><br />Monday was great, we sailed Sunday night on the Garonne River to a small town called Blaye, located on the Gironde estuary (where the two rivers Dordogne and Garonne meet). Even though Blaye is a small town, they were cleaning the streets (See next photo). I can't get over the cleaning they do. unlike NYC. </span></span></span><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpeGhIADrbdShgnB4-c6osONvogQeSCjV1z0MagPn2tOJztYs2_lFLoOEIC7dKHz7ORNmhQBvBSbaJhzgkkbUl5u_gTfk_MFqIxw0QMi1Hqd-XiYnDaJ5PZ6sXlqT1KSE6Ku1LrqcZn8vzfU032gudbbXPsJxBTDXSKENOzjhN4nTA88Ma40_KmrsAw/s2688/IMG_6818.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpeGhIADrbdShgnB4-c6osONvogQeSCjV1z0MagPn2tOJztYs2_lFLoOEIC7dKHz7ORNmhQBvBSbaJhzgkkbUl5u_gTfk_MFqIxw0QMi1Hqd-XiYnDaJ5PZ6sXlqT1KSE6Ku1LrqcZn8vzfU032gudbbXPsJxBTDXSKENOzjhN4nTA88Ma40_KmrsAw/s16000/IMG_6818.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Street cleaning in Blaye.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br />Blaye has a fortress, but we opted not to tour the fortress, instead to go to a wine cellar ( La Petite Cave) and artist studio. The owners were charming and 3 glasses of wine at 10 a.m. was crazy. See next two photos.</span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5I5SIxTRr7EfYAtGse7Qe3t_62a-aFE2HegDoeCgYvBJAZmq8AAHxrTHfQ7qap5MH6WWZuT_ApwCS48r7-ju3KSdkXnzMdHmhynVRjgLQsxf1D64KVXUnOhL6XOfht9JTTRMh0sxFq625I3VkHYWTOW_B73sbGPzLshCJ2bUIv9Cwrigy3gnHgVM_Hw/s2016/IMG_6829.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5I5SIxTRr7EfYAtGse7Qe3t_62a-aFE2HegDoeCgYvBJAZmq8AAHxrTHfQ7qap5MH6WWZuT_ApwCS48r7-ju3KSdkXnzMdHmhynVRjgLQsxf1D64KVXUnOhL6XOfht9JTTRMh0sxFq625I3VkHYWTOW_B73sbGPzLshCJ2bUIv9Cwrigy3gnHgVM_Hw/s16000/IMG_6829.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Art studio in Blaye.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /> </span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4GYVOESL9z-PeSf7j1A-Z4GVkdUo8i-scJGlWMlk0ry8expeHnAso4APbt7CG0k4ni8HqhZImNU4pLDV6E3fWzH6teCk_0MZuV5dDumS7GgKYYR-spJmbHVBi97qNW61ucWCvmI0fld-w-gvpLVi6umtx-n8o7lo8W9R_kATVKOPGZwwUOW9LxVMsQ/s2688/IMG_6841.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4GYVOESL9z-PeSf7j1A-Z4GVkdUo8i-scJGlWMlk0ry8expeHnAso4APbt7CG0k4ni8HqhZImNU4pLDV6E3fWzH6teCk_0MZuV5dDumS7GgKYYR-spJmbHVBi97qNW61ucWCvmI0fld-w-gvpLVi6umtx-n8o7lo8W9R_kATVKOPGZwwUOW9LxVMsQ/s16000/IMG_6841.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Wine cellar in Blaye.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The next photo was taken at the dock where our ship was. That’s me doing my best Captain Morgan pose, that's our ship, the SS BonVoyage, in the background.</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEZXNju9UlLiAWlx9JNJVzVPfc2hkxN1DX_MdSe_0jwjGlKen2MSp_E-ucK7T6ky-YWwsZM8Obm2FzxgmniKH9-5uYm_cjJV53ouzb9QumFvfGtdIoHQibRksN9bpBKfY76z_CNYcQVs2uzhuFCTSIgDB6ZsMWuqK6r9rfpLn-aRfazO1pW8OBJwRGQ/s2016/IMG_6843.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEZXNju9UlLiAWlx9JNJVzVPfc2hkxN1DX_MdSe_0jwjGlKen2MSp_E-ucK7T6ky-YWwsZM8Obm2FzxgmniKH9-5uYm_cjJV53ouzb9QumFvfGtdIoHQibRksN9bpBKfY76z_CNYcQVs2uzhuFCTSIgDB6ZsMWuqK6r9rfpLn-aRfazO1pW8OBJwRGQ/s16000/IMG_6843.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Dock at Blaye, and the SS Bon Voyage.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br />Then we left Blaye and went to another town, Bourg, about 9 miles south of Blaye. Also a lovely town. See the following photo.</span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaI6qLHvriqGvOWdIE37WQI9LB8U0Mf-Ailm6h6Xaba98z-kWS-LoWb7KVFEZaTaJj1KM_yhpB2tEMzNUX0d6Y3-TeURBHP4K6Z_hkCkhi06ElwrqbZc1ceaOVdCAfivKjvwr3zSmFGp5G_NeIRxI5IE75_KFBSxQvZ6wntthDWIfCZU7nFyasI60Bg/s2243/IMG_6844.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2243" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaI6qLHvriqGvOWdIE37WQI9LB8U0Mf-Ailm6h6Xaba98z-kWS-LoWb7KVFEZaTaJj1KM_yhpB2tEMzNUX0d6Y3-TeURBHP4K6Z_hkCkhi06ElwrqbZc1ceaOVdCAfivKjvwr3zSmFGp5G_NeIRxI5IE75_KFBSxQvZ6wntthDWIfCZU7nFyasI60Bg/s16000/IMG_6844.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: From the town of Bourg.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <br />After touring Bourg, we headed back to our ship. Back on the ship we had a short lecture about French bistro and a demonstration by a can-can dancer. She was very cute, well spoken and fun. Can-can dancers take 5-10 years of ballet and jazz. The places like the Moulin Rouge only hire tall women, so our dancer worked in other places. She brought extra can-can skirts with her so the audience could try it. Someone had to break the ice so I said, I'd try it. A new friend from England decided to join me. We laughed so much and tried some of the moves, like the corkscrew. All of the moves had names that represented what they looked like, cannon, etc. It was fun and a nice man took our photos. See the following photo.</span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_V4XyD7RKIjWUAu_YKCii8S598teAKz_R9Qr3-xmQ4hZh4SoAlyJbMKOVCWojEuI0Li6v6apOgxVTG8IbXc3GdgJRPyAiBCbUXCUpryMUXOSvM5fQsXPSJ9Qff3c7kMXcNNNSeg_IiRUlirJKc8ks48PqH5qBkR_fydeG_bPQZaKqkcPxBEdnPfwXNg/s2688/IMG_6853.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_V4XyD7RKIjWUAu_YKCii8S598teAKz_R9Qr3-xmQ4hZh4SoAlyJbMKOVCWojEuI0Li6v6apOgxVTG8IbXc3GdgJRPyAiBCbUXCUpryMUXOSvM5fQsXPSJ9Qff3c7kMXcNNNSeg_IiRUlirJKc8ks48PqH5qBkR_fydeG_bPQZaKqkcPxBEdnPfwXNg/s16000/IMG_6853.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Doing the can-can.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>I did that same high kick earlier this year in the clear waters of the gorgeous Golfo Dulce when Scott and I were in Costa Rica. </span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Scott is doing fine with his ankle, he’s doing a lot better now but wisely opted to not put on a skirt and do the can-can high-kick with us.<br /><br />The food and wine on the ship is great, one of the many reasons I like to travel by ship. I’ll write a little more about the ship and our cruise later.<br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><b>Tuesday (5th)</b><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Tuesday we made a trip to the famous Medoc region to visit several chateaus and see the wine making process. There are over 10,000 chateaus in the Bordeaux area. We didn’t get to visit all of them of course.<br /><br />The following photo shows a view taken from the top of the new tower built recently at the Saint-Julien-Beychevelle chateau to keep watch over the vineyards. <br /></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7jev_GgxeWLLqNfpghjAgUZSkgAEeCvvrg68f0Lb7mAdtRnpFmV2JiMRa6Dvp_mX4Apv6-AR629hpBSvpfXaxUCQwwXr3e6-ZnrjUYMGSErhaJqV7p2jWv40lsmg5V72jjsVP_KG6mWMR6WUaz53fJF_bsP4zZKm8uKSDHlhnfTYJnr8FQYdg8oxqQ/s1200/IMG_6878.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7jev_GgxeWLLqNfpghjAgUZSkgAEeCvvrg68f0Lb7mAdtRnpFmV2JiMRa6Dvp_mX4Apv6-AR629hpBSvpfXaxUCQwwXr3e6-ZnrjUYMGSErhaJqV7p2jWv40lsmg5V72jjsVP_KG6mWMR6WUaz53fJF_bsP4zZKm8uKSDHlhnfTYJnr8FQYdg8oxqQ/s16000/IMG_6878.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Saint-Julien-Beychevelle chateau </span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVlLXyKq0XamEp5DQEN1v6tJLTYAOvHFdJgruPuzZTY7w94-oM351ACyDoZ6NwoDi7Yk8AepDRj8GjPhsL4v8jA5Iq5XjNLOz-LxmOOYX1RKdRvi3PoLF89gXl_zEaeuwEHf8CMdqQtEK3KxU5A2mgx87ijNz2hQ-C98u0LaI-1qgPj6eUFP8nGUTgw/s1200/IMG_6878.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The next two photos were taken inside the Saint-Julien-Beychevelle chateau, showing the big vats where the pressed wines ferment and the oak barrels where the wine is aged. There was a huge computer screen that showed the temp and humidity in each of the vats. Interesting and very specific and scientific. </span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgy3XBkrzY2y4WSOct185aaZfIRNHNnPCpKJVW43Gz1Y-Fdcq6q4s8-ZA8qA0nCXeppEqTn6jehWSv1_DgqDtddDnzozpvE2-7_kyDot1oGHpHy2sqeCfHl0veFkFpl5L7SWpsAkEhif5RLm_nz_-zB3D_HzKaEq-qYMH6CwHBKg8M3-9wqjUgzTywKQ/s1200/IMG_6888.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgy3XBkrzY2y4WSOct185aaZfIRNHNnPCpKJVW43Gz1Y-Fdcq6q4s8-ZA8qA0nCXeppEqTn6jehWSv1_DgqDtddDnzozpvE2-7_kyDot1oGHpHy2sqeCfHl0veFkFpl5L7SWpsAkEhif5RLm_nz_-zB3D_HzKaEq-qYMH6CwHBKg8M3-9wqjUgzTywKQ/s16000/IMG_6888.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Vats of wine fermenting.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuciGw_wTWBzeryw4zjpftiR7WqYA6CPEgstyewCrkeTo0YKsf6mSEsYXU57N9ZkieAaNg1QVbNnIRT_0ULOdLA28vcNI58OBQK6j3bR6G5bW-zRk78MnbaEPnzEnETfheE7D3fvFOO7iDpb7QeTXBoen3MZMDKSRyCrMj9j2cfHWPb2FVXLXdcrkKA/s1200/IMG_6890.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuciGw_wTWBzeryw4zjpftiR7WqYA6CPEgstyewCrkeTo0YKsf6mSEsYXU57N9ZkieAaNg1QVbNnIRT_0ULOdLA28vcNI58OBQK6j3bR6G5bW-zRk78MnbaEPnzEnETfheE7D3fvFOO7iDpb7QeTXBoen3MZMDKSRyCrMj9j2cfHWPb2FVXLXdcrkKA/s16000/IMG_6890.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Barrels of wine aging.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The next photo shows some wine bottles at the Saint-Julien-Beychevelle chateau.</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNlpOACJl9T1JOeQTWnsxNFzeT5DjVRSgw_kfGDExuUuMebYIZLGgTg210shTrtvB-VcMVWI5KXBjxOpTRmDqKopjC26yLEBjPUQneri5krDoANXSjeMvMtcVwre2b_m8cc0O_nAQwnyGDHot3HMi99OaQzyOezs66EPjd3l0Dd7wuvJUoStDGC-Umg/s1600/IMG_6895.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNlpOACJl9T1JOeQTWnsxNFzeT5DjVRSgw_kfGDExuUuMebYIZLGgTg210shTrtvB-VcMVWI5KXBjxOpTRmDqKopjC26yLEBjPUQneri5krDoANXSjeMvMtcVwre2b_m8cc0O_nAQwnyGDHot3HMi99OaQzyOezs66EPjd3l0Dd7wuvJUoStDGC-Umg/s16000/IMG_6895.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Wine at Saint-Julien-Beychevelle chateau </span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The next two photos were taken at the Château Cos d’Estournel.</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAN6qC_kB5dEVmCvFVgqiEIDp6Dh-CT7r-FCLROyvuSXoFSLGZDWet1GH325UP9roB-3CGF3Wzgn5-ny0Qx6dolh5Rmf4i9Y8vtvZHZY3bIBjiUQsuGzw1-LCY-f1WPOGZq4h6JAbocvgff2ahVoDJR4Q_RAuMw0fctGLQaFnA75uaRfD2oC3sDJYgg/s2016/P1020480.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAN6qC_kB5dEVmCvFVgqiEIDp6Dh-CT7r-FCLROyvuSXoFSLGZDWet1GH325UP9roB-3CGF3Wzgn5-ny0Qx6dolh5Rmf4i9Y8vtvZHZY3bIBjiUQsuGzw1-LCY-f1WPOGZq4h6JAbocvgff2ahVoDJR4Q_RAuMw0fctGLQaFnA75uaRfD2oC3sDJYgg/s16000/P1020480.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Château Cos d’Estournel.</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbkCDf2S51jK9DJDuY0pdXv6L4nDvpCwrA-Vul52u2N1shMV96PMgX-yH6cM7Nf9G88_PrM4-Jo1P5slaDh1mW3_EXh9NUjweOs_JGYfge9i5xxAnjL4OaZi1mZugA3ZP8etV539eFNVnLQZVZuKta2jNQGMLNZMvYdb-n1_xxazlAUUPDcDRsBPFvA/s2016/P1020479.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbkCDf2S51jK9DJDuY0pdXv6L4nDvpCwrA-Vul52u2N1shMV96PMgX-yH6cM7Nf9G88_PrM4-Jo1P5slaDh1mW3_EXh9NUjweOs_JGYfge9i5xxAnjL4OaZi1mZugA3ZP8etV539eFNVnLQZVZuKta2jNQGMLNZMvYdb-n1_xxazlAUUPDcDRsBPFvA/s16000/P1020479.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Vinyard.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br />The following photo was taken at the Chateau Lafite Rothschild.</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6xlpSu1Z78FJGFZlc86sd_BrWkmHKBQunf4OVGjizzw5_i1A1TOZGQqQxPVJ4BUUwrkuPvgVf68MU9w3cmfCd22bWddKQbOUWdSgP_YCniGksZOvmXZ1QR25p3SX7WhL-2y2tBcxgs7uTWZVvP5zBmDwnZHY8DIkI5g6J8WzTeXCHTwcGwTjrWzlDw/s2016/P1020481.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6xlpSu1Z78FJGFZlc86sd_BrWkmHKBQunf4OVGjizzw5_i1A1TOZGQqQxPVJ4BUUwrkuPvgVf68MU9w3cmfCd22bWddKQbOUWdSgP_YCniGksZOvmXZ1QR25p3SX7WhL-2y2tBcxgs7uTWZVvP5zBmDwnZHY8DIkI5g6J8WzTeXCHTwcGwTjrWzlDw/s16000/P1020481.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Chateau Lafite Rothschild.</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>We returned to Fort Medoc for raw oysters and white wine. We were so busy enjoying the refreshments we forgot to take photos.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Scott's ankle is about 80% back to normal. Being injured or ill is never fun, especially on a vacation. Friends Dayle and Larry are currently on a cruise from Miami to Lisbon and other destinations. On their 4th day Larry started feeling badly, tested positive for Covid and was isolated in a special cabin for 7 days until he tested negative.<br /><br />I’m reminded of my own experience in 2014 when I was hiking the Camino de Santiago. On day 7, walking out of Irache, Spain I had an issue with my left leg, a hamstring pull. I had to take a few days off from hiking and spent a few hours in the emergency room in the hospital at Logroño. But I was eventually able to complete my walking journey (with my leg taped up) and received my Compostela (the certificate you receive at the end of your walk). Wow! Has that really been 8 years ago?</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><b>Wednesday (6th): Cadillac, France</b><br /><br />Our 3rd stop on the Bordeaux-to-Bordeaux cruise was at Cadillac (pronounced cady yak), France. The photo below is the view when I woke up Wednesday morning. The day cruising on the rivers had this Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot type sense, except his skies were more interesting than the gray, misty-to-rainy skies we saw. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOc-MfY6XbmvJxaVa5MFEt9Xx59sYS29fD_3paE_AjuuCeDIHIDAKViAFn90r9EiZ7M6Y_AtwJRQY9XPewrfQ6oXowCG2DnIbdTcDphJJ3ouQk8kG0E7iHvMqwg7h760vuseBHiqJfst372m_rbxeZXelUvPcXtsAmcuX6u7qadtyhRb4c6q3o-yPI6A/s2016/IMG_6896.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOc-MfY6XbmvJxaVa5MFEt9Xx59sYS29fD_3paE_AjuuCeDIHIDAKViAFn90r9EiZ7M6Y_AtwJRQY9XPewrfQ6oXowCG2DnIbdTcDphJJ3ouQk8kG0E7iHvMqwg7h760vuseBHiqJfst372m_rbxeZXelUvPcXtsAmcuX6u7qadtyhRb4c6q3o-yPI6A/s16000/IMG_6896.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: View from the ship.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <br /><br />The next photo is the Château Malromé, home of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s mother where he died at the age of 37. It is located in the Saint-André-du-Bois village. </span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKVwbnWhQhSvIgprREHa5KAK4ZmCt_Ccr30cOjItFd1315X6IWnvy9fQiGo0U9qFzYEgkXwaPX-CuHqxK9oPVmVcVqIL2aPzQVJe4zphnHvzPFHFemGLgncqKDlmPP1Q-HigyItwAOUgOK_1IZC_vpPw_azvewDI_6Iv2nFY10aq6locamZXrjIXx4Q/s2016/IMG_6899.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1663" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKVwbnWhQhSvIgprREHa5KAK4ZmCt_Ccr30cOjItFd1315X6IWnvy9fQiGo0U9qFzYEgkXwaPX-CuHqxK9oPVmVcVqIL2aPzQVJe4zphnHvzPFHFemGLgncqKDlmPP1Q-HigyItwAOUgOK_1IZC_vpPw_azvewDI_6Iv2nFY10aq6locamZXrjIXx4Q/s16000/IMG_6899.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: <span>Château Malromé.</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <br />The following photo is one of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s early portraits of a horse, his father was a horseman and Toulouse-Lautrec started sketching and painting horses when he was 8 years old. </span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1bxikuZWnX3ogMoYKgjVM780mYXSxCbiPa6YVxT82bpg3a3hmahTvDevknJjxbr6d_A-sj4eAOEshl8G4B-pUoOFkIgDJ57H8dT3a4jfDgfUDDWEpqkbTjwsQypaXKqRZ3ZRBzdsiFd5oSvGyCdDa-ZLLUvaEUh3ABIFUZG4jZ1MwjrjWm74egjfJQ/s2016/IMG_6903.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1725" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1bxikuZWnX3ogMoYKgjVM780mYXSxCbiPa6YVxT82bpg3a3hmahTvDevknJjxbr6d_A-sj4eAOEshl8G4B-pUoOFkIgDJ57H8dT3a4jfDgfUDDWEpqkbTjwsQypaXKqRZ3ZRBzdsiFd5oSvGyCdDa-ZLLUvaEUh3ABIFUZG4jZ1MwjrjWm74egjfJQ/s16000/IMG_6903.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <br />The next photo is a portrait of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec by someone else.</span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8P3qSzuJ6nZZ9mw4WstGCOn_iOUSSrloRSZxBh_6zLzBPgFRH6GBcKz3TB998YVJN0_BMr7kVggB7j97VMUl-zigcZI3fqTm5Mo6oO73RolUpl7XcR6rcHU6itZmWq9_4wwp34PABlK8C-Jy9-Lg6t41DEBtP92Vpe2L2f2jgpCLvHS3td36LtvDggw/s2016/IMG_6904.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1762" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8P3qSzuJ6nZZ9mw4WstGCOn_iOUSSrloRSZxBh_6zLzBPgFRH6GBcKz3TB998YVJN0_BMr7kVggB7j97VMUl-zigcZI3fqTm5Mo6oO73RolUpl7XcR6rcHU6itZmWq9_4wwp34PABlK8C-Jy9-Lg6t41DEBtP92Vpe2L2f2jgpCLvHS3td36LtvDggw/s16000/IMG_6904.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: <span>Portrait of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <br />The photo below is the lawn of the Château Malromé, this photo taken from inside through a window.</span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoLAqxvj-9mFvJiLcSMMYy8sYtsqKhFbnwlaTrrxtCDUk4h4UZvzE2zs4m3DQlrY4OG2xM3kdWt6vad7w4PFaOtKv6SHGDNbrhB7zw8plbiWopuWKeF-aqJKihkm8sZR18w1SUUh7NqdBcTKTqfOmpIn41vxfhGhugRCVn531N2WxE0Y-jG6gRbT5DA/s2688/IMG_6905.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoLAqxvj-9mFvJiLcSMMYy8sYtsqKhFbnwlaTrrxtCDUk4h4UZvzE2zs4m3DQlrY4OG2xM3kdWt6vad7w4PFaOtKv6SHGDNbrhB7zw8plbiWopuWKeF-aqJKihkm8sZR18w1SUUh7NqdBcTKTqfOmpIn41vxfhGhugRCVn531N2WxE0Y-jG6gRbT5DA/s16000/IMG_6905.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: <span>Lwn of the Château Malromé.</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br />The following photo is a copy of a painting by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, of the Paris cabaret scene. Toulouse-Lautrec is in the painting toward the back. The woman at the table may be Jane Avril, a French can-can dancer made famous by Toulouse-Lautrec through his paintings.</span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEith5KRGCJg9Wx3G23oeTaVH8MuvH6SMm6UGD27UUMDX1N1Uy6koWIOSknUjUu58LYgBnJuPXvGzXqBk-vqm2RFGD5kYPNdM-3hKkNpf08--LNRmnRFl56zel6I-yMPmnltAgZrJQHqWmgo0YjkvZOixGpiXQFiD1VPxP_lRadJqrzhwDpd7KfhvIQP4Q/s2016/IMG_6906.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEith5KRGCJg9Wx3G23oeTaVH8MuvH6SMm6UGD27UUMDX1N1Uy6koWIOSknUjUu58LYgBnJuPXvGzXqBk-vqm2RFGD5kYPNdM-3hKkNpf08--LNRmnRFl56zel6I-yMPmnltAgZrJQHqWmgo0YjkvZOixGpiXQFiD1VPxP_lRadJqrzhwDpd7KfhvIQP4Q/s16000/IMG_6906.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: <span>Painting by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <br />The photo below is a sketch by Toulouse-Lautrec. When the Frenchman who tried to build the Panama Canal failed and millions of people lost their savings by investing with Ferdinand de Lesseps. It was an enormous political scandal and Lesseps and others went to trial. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec went and sketched the proceedings. It was so interesting to me because it was something I’d read about prior to my Panama Canal crossing in January of this year. </span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBllps4OFk_Ki0R67S02ij_xA9ldrlRsQ66g2vXIdWvK6fy0NAIUBhqMgL1f1_TpiHAsBSW3dySxvajaA57jcBQztGKiuNjpMq5rf9kGm7ZVWWJC6XnVLmJyl6IrMerTkZ6pdIuFofhzWMtc3FsRM6YWS7Pgf_NVxVOPmZX-sv-Zp2_rCDb_nrgCcYA/s2016/IMG_6907.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBllps4OFk_Ki0R67S02ij_xA9ldrlRsQ66g2vXIdWvK6fy0NAIUBhqMgL1f1_TpiHAsBSW3dySxvajaA57jcBQztGKiuNjpMq5rf9kGm7ZVWWJC6XnVLmJyl6IrMerTkZ6pdIuFofhzWMtc3FsRM6YWS7Pgf_NVxVOPmZX-sv-Zp2_rCDb_nrgCcYA/s16000/IMG_6907.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: <span>Sketch</span><span> by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec</span><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <br />The following photo is an original sketch of a red haired woman by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.</span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWziQF6mtaPsRp2tH1WIXz35FvRfSRGDt9ua6ae73RbMoIqju2QMiKyZM6fKkt3dc3VEBv_V6dBl6V0o3g2pVxZ1ZA-9VB2030g0n7Zrac8csBhCq38icUThK3EyFruykn_x6dEIcsZ5vd_LdHfHKC_bFWeqRhl1FLZdZgFj_j6OxNtUVKDOcfWKUNA/s2688/IMG_6910.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWziQF6mtaPsRp2tH1WIXz35FvRfSRGDt9ua6ae73RbMoIqju2QMiKyZM6fKkt3dc3VEBv_V6dBl6V0o3g2pVxZ1ZA-9VB2030g0n7Zrac8csBhCq38icUThK3EyFruykn_x6dEIcsZ5vd_LdHfHKC_bFWeqRhl1FLZdZgFj_j6OxNtUVKDOcfWKUNA/s16000/IMG_6910.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: <span>Sketch</span><span> by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec</span><span> <br /></span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <br />After the Château Malromé we went to the bar Les Pellerins in Verdelais, France to learn about Absinthe (next 3 photos), the beverage that drove 1000 Frenchmen crazy. The table in the photo shows the tools for the ritual. There is absinthe in the glass. You put the slotted spoon on top of the glass with a cube of sugar, then put that under the fountain with a very slow drip of water to dissolve the sugar. You can add more water if you like. It tastes like ouzo.</span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIse8k1Xj1XFInfNLl98qu69GWrdUiPSXjTZoWSZOjuplvZ4-t4GcszJBglR8zFTLZLHNU7zubZrJpRbhX91dR3fqhEMs2_aAjn8AdHfhUZgLvnZt214ikW7LQu6cIoMPuYl2ATFYLGBKZ2t3FZqSaZTvqmuwa2IBipLBr5yu30CqDOPqnYiDryn_f8g/s2688/IMG_6922.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIse8k1Xj1XFInfNLl98qu69GWrdUiPSXjTZoWSZOjuplvZ4-t4GcszJBglR8zFTLZLHNU7zubZrJpRbhX91dR3fqhEMs2_aAjn8AdHfhUZgLvnZt214ikW7LQu6cIoMPuYl2ATFYLGBKZ2t3FZqSaZTvqmuwa2IBipLBr5yu30CqDOPqnYiDryn_f8g/s16000/IMG_6922.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: <span>Les Pellerins bar in Verdelais</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvDYqdb5MimO44ZbFzQ4QpMjwrCi9z5uta-nlfpQfC5yghwJxJn4fllheP-YDrbHVQG8vprGtNUUxcDUDszLZrD5yAMvHXE3Iu3EoRWPelJHpVfjspbIMtQfTO1OfF0kVK-S-uKtJuoYZBAIAso5p5adh5KCjtLnWE9xp8C_8ICPVB9Wv4P_mJMgmMw/s2688/IMG_6915.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvDYqdb5MimO44ZbFzQ4QpMjwrCi9z5uta-nlfpQfC5yghwJxJn4fllheP-YDrbHVQG8vprGtNUUxcDUDszLZrD5yAMvHXE3Iu3EoRWPelJHpVfjspbIMtQfTO1OfF0kVK-S-uKtJuoYZBAIAso5p5adh5KCjtLnWE9xp8C_8ICPVB9Wv4P_mJMgmMw/s16000/IMG_6915.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: <span>Table for Absinthe.</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW825keyHd5oLGyhsehTWY4d3Y43eqjeuNDy7HPwvHSLuG5OP75uie9_j6cUvdgwC1inY3sTM8Z0_DRh63BZMGuG7yyOtwB1R1To_4GNww8iiAp9sI9RygsQ3ThR7LiTDoULfdGVrzXDsnUzuudjiofTE5XWAVPNx1bWqabUgcDFMbMCnl5l7zwN6_7Q/s2688/IMG_6916.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW825keyHd5oLGyhsehTWY4d3Y43eqjeuNDy7HPwvHSLuG5OP75uie9_j6cUvdgwC1inY3sTM8Z0_DRh63BZMGuG7yyOtwB1R1To_4GNww8iiAp9sI9RygsQ3ThR7LiTDoULfdGVrzXDsnUzuudjiofTE5XWAVPNx1bWqabUgcDFMbMCnl5l7zwN6_7Q/s16000/IMG_6916.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: Diane and Scott drinking Absinthe.<br /></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br />The next 2 photos show Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s grave and plaque, and the Tombe de Toulouse Lautrec, at Verdelais.</span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkq2uyRAkp4YHiSyRLU8YCwcoYy3lR4BPIv255_AfCnpT571J2-XPIPy059tCGpLNtP6RHr6vHGRYIlKnsA3XQJr5jM6ma8w3w2cxeBBnpRjNrhf0ItikblCMJAbJLDFi42nWt_qm0Xol-8zOKbEVHcDPvMkTq0cdcagmA5jvBozBwyBBU7HRiwndtKQ/s2016/IMG_6918.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkq2uyRAkp4YHiSyRLU8YCwcoYy3lR4BPIv255_AfCnpT571J2-XPIPy059tCGpLNtP6RHr6vHGRYIlKnsA3XQJr5jM6ma8w3w2cxeBBnpRjNrhf0ItikblCMJAbJLDFi42nWt_qm0Xol-8zOKbEVHcDPvMkTq0cdcagmA5jvBozBwyBBU7HRiwndtKQ/s16000/IMG_6918.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: <span>Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s grave and plaque</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5NN2lCNcofwQttG8GYFtQPV_681D4gHgLOsclobs-gsQwY2IWJD4SFtBsAmVKkzTuIZruUAerSxeiIUSGPX8H9ZBMAYtRxgWtyuIGIkFSR9fe4krm1XIXtj9IrcmUowgmYz49QPHE0dH86pJ1JBOYn9sdNkRiRQcBx1bujaBuUXY2k2La6TwSKm03Q/s2688/IMG_6919.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5NN2lCNcofwQttG8GYFtQPV_681D4gHgLOsclobs-gsQwY2IWJD4SFtBsAmVKkzTuIZruUAerSxeiIUSGPX8H9ZBMAYtRxgWtyuIGIkFSR9fe4krm1XIXtj9IrcmUowgmYz49QPHE0dH86pJ1JBOYn9sdNkRiRQcBx1bujaBuUXY2k2La6TwSKm03Q/s16000/IMG_6919.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Above: <span>Tombe de Toulouse Lautrec</span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <br />The last photo below is of a new plaque in the Cathedral a Virgin Maria in gratitude for saving some from the pandemic. </span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FS1cianIYq_tH_huHSSJf5kUZsQvfH6aBfRbOHpcJq0imo3OldTyWjpMTR8EbVRXf3Jx7MRmSHoKj2c41Pv2SY1h7fPojbTChD_DmPvteZNf_Z5KrYzQU2Jn9jFU5NKQWm9hxDI8NrHRnMQYRMFjYKgI60f6PDtI3t9VbLc61JApUkWPYlQZU43JLw/s2688/IMG_6921.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FS1cianIYq_tH_huHSSJf5kUZsQvfH6aBfRbOHpcJq0imo3OldTyWjpMTR8EbVRXf3Jx7MRmSHoKj2c41Pv2SY1h7fPojbTChD_DmPvteZNf_Z5KrYzQU2Jn9jFU5NKQWm9hxDI8NrHRnMQYRMFjYKgI60f6PDtI3t9VbLc61JApUkWPYlQZU43JLw/s16000/IMG_6921.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: <span><span><span>Plaque in the Cathedral a Virgin Maria.</span></span></span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /><b>Thursday (4-7-22): </b></span><span><b><span>Saint-Émilion</span></b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>This day we visited the village of Saint-Émilion, France, a world heritage site, known for its world-famous wineries, fine wine, beautiful architecture and great monuments.<br /> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The photo below shows my view when I work up Thursday morning, an arch bridge over the Dordogne river.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bMtCvsutZ-ZcFuoMcgZNVe0Yks0CG4CFinH1fl3i7DxbrTzEKrYPYf_q1o2mTjPu7AWMcPYdH72nfQYcjV3e4Y1eZM75L9BU0AVU779vZaI435C0IWJzNEnT3AqPoBRRfm9shjyvfmBlpASe2B57adyVsBnWqhEy04vRPcJp7oSVgoYENOqOfvY6Fw/s2016/IMG_6924.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bMtCvsutZ-ZcFuoMcgZNVe0Yks0CG4CFinH1fl3i7DxbrTzEKrYPYf_q1o2mTjPu7AWMcPYdH72nfQYcjV3e4Y1eZM75L9BU0AVU779vZaI435C0IWJzNEnT3AqPoBRRfm9shjyvfmBlpASe2B57adyVsBnWqhEy04vRPcJp7oSVgoYENOqOfvY6Fw/s16000/IMG_6924.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>An arch bridge over the Dordogne river.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <br />The next photo shows part of the city wall in Saint-Émilion, from the 12th century I think. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpT8kHsMzCSms-ExmydAEPVCHdQBxi7EYfsimE6FqE3ZczidUNwV6TVKkfHEpQJMQs4pGbJQU6_l5UuL_u_kkYcxp-CuPbplCsLRC_a_XbQ8YCJ1m8SbnTrcUn-7WKV85nMMhA_uptkRHPkIUjQBe3GByZ4l2coMgkmLvF2w-oeVKOkQtI2U9HsFjWg/s2016/IMG_6925.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpT8kHsMzCSms-ExmydAEPVCHdQBxi7EYfsimE6FqE3ZczidUNwV6TVKkfHEpQJMQs4pGbJQU6_l5UuL_u_kkYcxp-CuPbplCsLRC_a_XbQ8YCJ1m8SbnTrcUn-7WKV85nMMhA_uptkRHPkIUjQBe3GByZ4l2coMgkmLvF2w-oeVKOkQtI2U9HsFjWg/s16000/IMG_6925.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: <span>Part of the city wall in Saint-Émilion.</span></td></tr></tbody></table> </span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The following photo shows an aerial view of the Saint-Émilion village square where all the markets and politics took place and still do.</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqL3dQ5Iqllzr102xcN5rpAxfXSbdofMDtXon0pAbN3SOUzOQgap9b2pIkClauKnNzBIV330VQp7Qj6fOf2ZTj3qeG01yYu5t5Cc9EZ--1oqnGc-hSM05TP8kywdJ1WZrnGdGJ1l_bhA8rMAkGsugurW5zjRBl7PTG-Zysh__7eTdy7RFbPJRtWI_-lQ/s2069/IMG_6927.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2069" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqL3dQ5Iqllzr102xcN5rpAxfXSbdofMDtXon0pAbN3SOUzOQgap9b2pIkClauKnNzBIV330VQp7Qj6fOf2ZTj3qeG01yYu5t5Cc9EZ--1oqnGc-hSM05TP8kywdJ1WZrnGdGJ1l_bhA8rMAkGsugurW5zjRBl7PTG-Zysh__7eTdy7RFbPJRtWI_-lQ/s16000/IMG_6927.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>Aerial view of the Saint-Émilion village square.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Below is a photo that shows the church and town bell tower that is weighing down the underground church established by a monk named Emilion. </span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5JGG6DPkUqkuv378K-pEPA8pZb0ha5s2hfOf1E7cYiroZaseuJiKOlG7GGKZ52lqpWFFdXKZFo5wqGkq1E9L05mss5NmMDjvWMBXDBQLIx--N0x41BxriF-RPnVo3nI4Jthys5wsyEBobSkRi1McWf5X1mkZh4RwgKJ0W_nSUJ2EHlJyvpLTIGI3Sw/s2688/IMG_6932.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5JGG6DPkUqkuv378K-pEPA8pZb0ha5s2hfOf1E7cYiroZaseuJiKOlG7GGKZ52lqpWFFdXKZFo5wqGkq1E9L05mss5NmMDjvWMBXDBQLIx--N0x41BxriF-RPnVo3nI4Jthys5wsyEBobSkRi1McWf5X1mkZh4RwgKJ0W_nSUJ2EHlJyvpLTIGI3Sw/s16000/IMG_6932.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>Church and town bell tower.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The photo below shows the former entrance to the subterranean church where the bell tower is collapsing. Because this is all limestone and soft and when it rains it is porous and gets weakened.</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0yoKLS_sUcW_rrcY_ngz0Vovdy9iC-6wbzxiekH-P1oEpLXyl2F_WFrS37f4DfSCmgkv1OsmhyIV7UAVM0MD-FqzsCcctH7UVaDXi5VYpnuCQpiMoKXRZD2kjAtyAPg8YpWF9zqIbi4RiGnJustdv0LrzGrFNB8jePn03aw9HUIMOIIPV7yjgLn5NZw/s2688/IMG_6933.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0yoKLS_sUcW_rrcY_ngz0Vovdy9iC-6wbzxiekH-P1oEpLXyl2F_WFrS37f4DfSCmgkv1OsmhyIV7UAVM0MD-FqzsCcctH7UVaDXi5VYpnuCQpiMoKXRZD2kjAtyAPg8YpWF9zqIbi4RiGnJustdv0LrzGrFNB8jePn03aw9HUIMOIIPV7yjgLn5NZw/s16000/IMG_6933.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>Former entrance to the subterranean church where the bell tower is collapsing.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The next photo shows a vineyard in the middle of the medieval town of Saint-Émilion.</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSfTtCPSQkH0NAvqz2pj97GI57L8Z3dDsdAXRnC6J6eQevu728hxyKlNzdyDE8ymNVCclt-F_PzZPglDT7Qgy96SQsNKEwg3xwbDJdwzOhfL-gQM6A-ziuPT6vQhITEI0R7657-885NXKYPEStS2lONb5aje00NKwyKL4yv3IQAwDJ0BiiqTI09atRQ/s2688/IMG_6938.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSfTtCPSQkH0NAvqz2pj97GI57L8Z3dDsdAXRnC6J6eQevu728hxyKlNzdyDE8ymNVCclt-F_PzZPglDT7Qgy96SQsNKEwg3xwbDJdwzOhfL-gQM6A-ziuPT6vQhITEI0R7657-885NXKYPEStS2lONb5aje00NKwyKL4yv3IQAwDJ0BiiqTI09atRQ/s16000/IMG_6938.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>A vineyard</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <br />Below is a photo that shows a local wine, I loved the label. </span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZHNo8N7AmxiHKEwz57A3stMfEBwkMl-hTO4mGGScAH_9_RWcLeWSYLDrwLZeo4QW1g6wGeq8B6DOCIF14SdkBNcDbYFnBY0FjyfmmGBsSO5DQIjb_URMcwQou9AmCd0o8zxy85Oub4TEgwJoC2MbyHgUKtAdWouBsTrvugVdt7KKDluTZO_3F4mOYQ/s2688/IMG_6941.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZHNo8N7AmxiHKEwz57A3stMfEBwkMl-hTO4mGGScAH_9_RWcLeWSYLDrwLZeo4QW1g6wGeq8B6DOCIF14SdkBNcDbYFnBY0FjyfmmGBsSO5DQIjb_URMcwQou9AmCd0o8zxy85Oub4TEgwJoC2MbyHgUKtAdWouBsTrvugVdt7KKDluTZO_3F4mOYQ/s16000/IMG_6941.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>A local wine</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <br />After Medoc, who would have thought another wine region would be interesting; this was the best. Saint-Émilion was nothing until this guy named Emilion got caught stealing bread to give to the poor. He was allowed to take wood home from his job with a rich guy, but got caught with bread under his coat. The rich guy forced Emilion to show him the wood and when Emilion opened his coat the bread had turned to wood and when he got home it was bread again for him to give away. (I thought this seemed like the basis for Jean Val Jean in Les Miserables) So Emilion left and went someplace else and some other miracle happened, he walked into a fire and came out unscathed or something. This happens so often in these saints' lives. So Emilion fled again and joined a monastery, then left and came and lived in this grotto for 13 years when some of the monks came and started the church. Lots of folk lore. <br /><br />After the town tour which you can see in the attached photos, we went to a winery located in town. It was the best tour, small group so I asked a lot of questions, like about the French oak barrels and the corks. It was fascinating. When you think about all they have to do to send bottles around the world in addition to making the wine. We were over 30 feet underground where they store the barrels, the whole area is filled with these underground caves. At one point the guide said we are under the actual vineyards. I said well then where are the roots, so she took us to a very dark unlit area and there were roots coming into the ceiling of the cave. We didn't buy any of their wine, that 's the point of the show, but lots of people did. <br /><br />Scott and I went to a local place for lunch with wine and charcuterie (a French term for a branch of cooking devoted to prepared meat products). It was great. Then back to the ship. Rainy and windy by the way. </span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br />This was Thursday. Wonderful cold and dreary day!</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><b>Friday (4-8-22): Libourne, sailing to Bordeaux</b><br /><br />Libourne is a large city close to Bordeaux (20+ miles), many people live in Libourne and commute to Bordeaux to work. It was another lovely day, we went on a city walking tour and the open-air farmers’ market in the town square called Abel Surchamp Square. The market sells fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, flowers, cooked food like roasted chicken, paella, sausages, couscous, etc.<br /> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The photo below was taken from inside a supermarket called Carrefour Contact, looking out towards the open-air farmers’ market at the central square. The market is open only 3 days of the week (Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays).</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nRXDz_FtOM2h8JwLr5O93sSX6aHD_DSi75lNn1a7xjJ87dIm7uMc0jFzX7OmCgv2oiiF5mR_UbWcICxCvajLVpyRYSP6SDbpD2Wb1i8QUVQh69O0PB8kcbkO-QcLVpCPwvX7K6IXK99fQky2MVGbaAacqmh99IegBsr9Hfeq6iqVgn1dATilaAxaMQ/s2688/IMG_6949.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nRXDz_FtOM2h8JwLr5O93sSX6aHD_DSi75lNn1a7xjJ87dIm7uMc0jFzX7OmCgv2oiiF5mR_UbWcICxCvajLVpyRYSP6SDbpD2Wb1i8QUVQh69O0PB8kcbkO-QcLVpCPwvX7K6IXK99fQky2MVGbaAacqmh99IegBsr9Hfeq6iqVgn1dATilaAxaMQ/s16000/IMG_6949.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>Looking out towards the open-air farmers’ market.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <br />The next photo shows a snapshot of one section of the market, showing some nice looking vegetables.</span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOFwFLDd7BvmjbcslaHoi1eeiK0zTrNzLVvjAwEuWeuVOubWKsYlgOoRj0YrRjj_jNOLP_tgut9QaMcZDnkcWR6X7U_8Vqo-WMnxwgMLc3n5d0XT-xbMn3WWlBfWE5EcOqUzhDEV4RU9E3kPb8yhUaN-8GlNoEeku8WtSzew8Aj9rEqnK2ExBhZMmYQ/s2016/IMG_6951.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOFwFLDd7BvmjbcslaHoi1eeiK0zTrNzLVvjAwEuWeuVOubWKsYlgOoRj0YrRjj_jNOLP_tgut9QaMcZDnkcWR6X7U_8Vqo-WMnxwgMLc3n5d0XT-xbMn3WWlBfWE5EcOqUzhDEV4RU9E3kPb8yhUaN-8GlNoEeku8WtSzew8Aj9rEqnK2ExBhZMmYQ/s16000/IMG_6951.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>One section of the market.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Below is a photo shows asparagus in the market, famous in the area for white asparagus, very tasty with olive oil. I had some for lunch.</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOdfdXXcKPT-b_BYipnHfJpWEMD9ZNmOLC7MJHlowDO2QLom-H1o51TCejo9H3K7OFEbZZs9rowubC5C98bWm20ShnHMZt6eQgxOe6HbpkJUT3RU8SzIhQHO2GlBlivsJ5zQY1WidzU8wSrZuHc6CUocIKuA1tEnyd8MpxLM49H2tIu7zye7K-cOkYw/s2177/IMG_6955.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2177" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOdfdXXcKPT-b_BYipnHfJpWEMD9ZNmOLC7MJHlowDO2QLom-H1o51TCejo9H3K7OFEbZZs9rowubC5C98bWm20ShnHMZt6eQgxOe6HbpkJUT3RU8SzIhQHO2GlBlivsJ5zQY1WidzU8wSrZuHc6CUocIKuA1tEnyd8MpxLM49H2tIu7zye7K-cOkYw/s16000/IMG_6955.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>Asparagus in the market.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <br />Following is a photo showing yours truly at the market selecting scarves.</span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpclqIFR5UDD_0NeUwms727S_dithOng2U1Ct-ar16w2jfRkNixi_qi4gXF7TdMPxtSj8BVUB9nj5unaI8qpi8ETlhfqa82qAZvvV4NnG2Jn7SUvJB3KIrmoHwYg8IX-UbUnAKcJkMMGQpxcyA8MdhptWu8505rsvcUq2Rob_7cIMe1gXjekYYvwD2g/s2331/IMG_6957.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2331" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpclqIFR5UDD_0NeUwms727S_dithOng2U1Ct-ar16w2jfRkNixi_qi4gXF7TdMPxtSj8BVUB9nj5unaI8qpi8ETlhfqa82qAZvvV4NnG2Jn7SUvJB3KIrmoHwYg8IX-UbUnAKcJkMMGQpxcyA8MdhptWu8505rsvcUq2Rob_7cIMe1gXjekYYvwD2g/s16000/IMG_6957.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Diane at the market.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <br />On our walking tour we had a lovely guide who had patience with everyone stopping to shop or ogle stuff, including yours truly. After herding us together we went to a fabulous gallery called Maison Galerie Laurence Pustetto (Laurence Pustetto Gallery House), owned by a woman named Laurence Pustetto, who had lived in Paris and done famous brand label marketing. She had exquisite taste; the items in her gallery were very exciting. She opened this gallery in 2020. She was taller than me and had feet bigger than Scott’s, with fabulous shoes, black and white loafers with very thick soles. I intend to look her up on the Internet once I get back to New York. The following two photos tell some of the story, it was a wonderful stop. <br /> </span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The photo below shows some artwork I especially liked at the Maison Galerie.</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFa550yP4ubY2BNLgWlnZDIfwATfBcqfvG8WN9W2qGIi3gumh0JQTDfk-X5K5taF6CeeI0cLcxdaDQ99SHQtZYWgpICEIBv93Tlj6L8JJFniVevYhC1nxsDA5sIm_eYFhhV6FDC1LYpUhRLG39chW_F5tqPF4C5XKejF2O7KqfMDQyIfdLiZ83FCzCg/s2688/IMG_6979.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFa550yP4ubY2BNLgWlnZDIfwATfBcqfvG8WN9W2qGIi3gumh0JQTDfk-X5K5taF6CeeI0cLcxdaDQ99SHQtZYWgpICEIBv93Tlj6L8JJFniVevYhC1nxsDA5sIm_eYFhhV6FDC1LYpUhRLG39chW_F5tqPF4C5XKejF2O7KqfMDQyIfdLiZ83FCzCg/s16000/IMG_6979.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>Artwork at the Maison Galerie.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The next photo is of a concrete light at the Maison Galerie that also caught my eye.</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmwTVBI4b4FAkHviyA2O8lj-NSPHglJwzZcr3iZ1LlUWwkasF1Te_oxH9vnWckHZavTPM-DlhYAYA_OUaRvGzYcjrsef2TRj_tIPIFhx670CsthJmqBJsOEbFynfdkJVASzkOg1J9aFM3gZNVa-1qlDWR8yxY-0U_tNqg9tzR1FG4uklLlCzq0Wpilw/s3024/IMG_6980.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2951" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmwTVBI4b4FAkHviyA2O8lj-NSPHglJwzZcr3iZ1LlUWwkasF1Te_oxH9vnWckHZavTPM-DlhYAYA_OUaRvGzYcjrsef2TRj_tIPIFhx670CsthJmqBJsOEbFynfdkJVASzkOg1J9aFM3gZNVa-1qlDWR8yxY-0U_tNqg9tzR1FG4uklLlCzq0Wpilw/s16000/IMG_6980.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>Artwork at the Maison Galerie.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Then a new friend from England and I went to the Fine Arts Museum. The artists for the most part were French, duh? Many of them were dead but local. Not as exciting as the Maison Galerie. Then back to the ship for lunch, the white asparagus. YUM! And then our ship headed back to Bordeaux, where our river cruise originally started.<br /><br />At 3:00 pm we had an opportunity to paint and drink Medoc white wine on the ship. My painting process was taking too long so I won't finish it until I get home.<br /><br />This was in a room on top of the ship that is usually open-air for drinks, but because of the lousy weather wasn’t open-air. Well, the wind was so strong, anyone that went had a bodyguard. The guy leading the group was used to normal watercolor painters that do very specific detailed drawings etc. Not for me. We talked for a while and he moved on. <br /><br />On the way back to Bordeaux we had the Farewell dinner on the ship, with everyone dressed up, a lovely dinner and a Great Gatsby entertainment evening. It was so much fun. <br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The next photo is of Scott and me on the ship during the Farewell dinner, we were back in Bordeaux when this photo was taken.</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkX0uE5RB7NyrTy1ELn1R2T4tGkWwpDzQtCFV4bErPBiWqvyOi8gPMQKbuKIipTQFlyXrTV60EKo8ObEI6Kn0JQhCQ92MQAvNKw7XLXAa0NHPZps6ZUL4L83cY55TU6KDSomjf6vPMte9NLH2R8R5gzgViWEcRGH1cQTUitpzYW9r_i3bUjYntdoP8A/s2688/IMG_6999.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkX0uE5RB7NyrTy1ELn1R2T4tGkWwpDzQtCFV4bErPBiWqvyOi8gPMQKbuKIipTQFlyXrTV60EKo8ObEI6Kn0JQhCQ92MQAvNKw7XLXAa0NHPZps6ZUL4L83cY55TU6KDSomjf6vPMte9NLH2R8R5gzgViWEcRGH1cQTUitpzYW9r_i3bUjYntdoP8A/s16000/IMG_6999.jpg" /></a></span></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Above: <span>Scott and Diane on the ship during the Farewell dinner.</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The following is another photo from the Farewell dinner, another passenger.</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWRsSs9UI0sITr-Xrm9SiW2W4UNCI1S5FQebBtbX5agF1P1bWVu_khAZzHW-NwS82mJzTmxjohumTcDzng0L40musRGPVdfKqgtkDDmkuRAumxqEFhqOUgNcsDHftRSpuS2tdcMPgLJ9PAq4z0FrFOFEJpJWTIWbeESD43KhYUKlgCvHup99pfikong/s2688/IMG_7002.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWRsSs9UI0sITr-Xrm9SiW2W4UNCI1S5FQebBtbX5agF1P1bWVu_khAZzHW-NwS82mJzTmxjohumTcDzng0L40musRGPVdfKqgtkDDmkuRAumxqEFhqOUgNcsDHftRSpuS2tdcMPgLJ9PAq4z0FrFOFEJpJWTIWbeESD43KhYUKlgCvHup99pfikong/s16000/IMG_7002.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>Another photo from the Farewell dinner, another passenger.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <br />By the way, our guide we had in Saint-Émilion lives in Libourne and has a wicked sense of humor. We chose her whenever we could. her name was "NAT a ly," that's how they say it.<br /></span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><b>Saturday (9th)-Monday (11th): Bordeaux, France</b><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>After sailing from Libourne to Bordeaux Friday and having our Farewell dinner on the ship, Saturday morning we had a wonderful tram ride and walking tour with our favorite guide "NAT a ly.” She grew up in Bordeaux and told us many special things. After the tour and lunch on the ship, we had to take our COVID-19 test to be able to fly home, scheduled for Sunday, April 10th. <br /><br />It was very stressful thinking about this test and sure enough, all that anxiety was not for naught. Both Scott and I tested positive, without symptoms. I'd said to Scott what if one of us tests positive and he said, the other one goes home. Well, we were both sent to our rooms and were not allowed to leave until noon on Sunday. It felt like a very tiny room since it was for 22 hours. The ship personnel brought us drinks and food and were very nice. They found us a hotel (far away from the ship, true but kidding) at the Hilton Garden Inn close to the train station. It is interesting that quarantine here allows you to go outside but not dine inside. They don't seem to check up on you nor do you have a Scarlet Letter “C" on your forehead. We had a Thai dinner at The La Boca food court next to the hotel and will no doubt eat there a lot until we can come home. <br /><br />The weather is warming up so maybe an outdoor cafe will be on our path for a different dining delight.<br /><br />I'm happy I get to wear a short sleeved shirt and not all my layers. The weather on this trip has been so variable<br /><br />Well, this is the end of our 2022 France journey. Not sure when I'll be able to report that we are on our way home. We have COVID-19 self tests to use until they are negative, then we go to a pharmacy for an official document. The airfares home are now higher than the round trips when we booked. We hope some of our travel insurance covers this. <br /><br />I keep thinking a forced stay in Bordeaux shouldn't be considered awful, so I keep looking for the gift. I'm ready to resume my life in NYC, but there's a message here. Thankfully, we are not really ill. <br /><br />Below are a few photos from the last few days, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.<br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The photo below is of a plaque we saw on a building Saturday, of the Spanish artist Francisco Goya. He came to France to escape troubles in Spain and died in Bordeaux. There is a statue of Goya a few blocks away, The story goes that Spain eventually wanted his remains to come home, so they exhumed him only to find his head was missing.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4E8YG1gKIFPtLMtay3Vmap_fJPSuHUFNWHWn4-sBW0qwPjI--e0VwCsaM54KMgVTOpOlG9eW1gjscvTK3h_2MwV8zv-RFOQtq1eA1ICdNedP5lqd81tTCVW0fQS622RZFTbtHUDy-UYZVZi2vBpMN-KY0n2ukKcdb8WgwHeHszbCuYJka0OhZYkMd8Q/s2471/IMG_7008.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2471" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4E8YG1gKIFPtLMtay3Vmap_fJPSuHUFNWHWn4-sBW0qwPjI--e0VwCsaM54KMgVTOpOlG9eW1gjscvTK3h_2MwV8zv-RFOQtq1eA1ICdNedP5lqd81tTCVW0fQS622RZFTbtHUDy-UYZVZi2vBpMN-KY0n2ukKcdb8WgwHeHszbCuYJka0OhZYkMd8Q/s16000/IMG_7008.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>Plaque of the Spanish artist Francisco Goya.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The next photo is of the Plaza Gambetta. In 1883, its current name was adopted to honor Léon Gambetta, a republican statesman who defended France during the Franco-German war of 1870. During the French Revolution, Place Gambetta was the location of the city’s guillotine. </span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaPNC7cszndleCJRm_9jjzoaWcp9jdYcoqEpnB9ItVOogvFfDneqJKVDzb9g6kdsQQE4yVG9Kl1riP3uVwFZOnUScf9Zy6P0yRjZFzaZ0Tly7BvBZtBO2kS2tFSu7LNwSVDiGXo2-p7hykM8AULTAPIxUlrGn4xC0UkqakpxoAlX6V4V3rVY6-_OIKQ/s2688/IMG_7011.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaPNC7cszndleCJRm_9jjzoaWcp9jdYcoqEpnB9ItVOogvFfDneqJKVDzb9g6kdsQQE4yVG9Kl1riP3uVwFZOnUScf9Zy6P0yRjZFzaZ0Tly7BvBZtBO2kS2tFSu7LNwSVDiGXo2-p7hykM8AULTAPIxUlrGn4xC0UkqakpxoAlX6V4V3rVY6-_OIKQ/s16000/IMG_7011.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>Plaza Gambetta.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Below is a photo that shows some funny looking baskets hanging over the tables in an outdoor cafe where we ate, and the cafe next door has different ones. I asked what they were and no one knew so the guide went in and found out they are bird cages, eww! Would you want a bird cage over your cafe table?</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpqL1Pj28fADx3ieGvO8yhDove8ZlIk56DBm3S01YpKwhIVojP5amAhmP76VieQrA3AJL_OC8xhoo4cjXXs7aeoYEIjjfdzS4P5g9TJupabwsiU4wUqx_MYfDJmEBDddnF5YGtF7JM8C4cOpJPjk7fhPsekLjWaBpbWBVuJRtGelvCHw9lGhV_mDXJw/s2688/IMG_7014.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpqL1Pj28fADx3ieGvO8yhDove8ZlIk56DBm3S01YpKwhIVojP5amAhmP76VieQrA3AJL_OC8xhoo4cjXXs7aeoYEIjjfdzS4P5g9TJupabwsiU4wUqx_MYfDJmEBDddnF5YGtF7JM8C4cOpJPjk7fhPsekLjWaBpbWBVuJRtGelvCHw9lGhV_mDXJw/s16000/IMG_7014.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>Bird cages.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Following is a photo that shows a couple of symbols we saw on our tour Saturday. The upper symbol in this photo is for the Camino de Santiago Frances (aka The French Way), which I did in 2014. The main starting point of the French Way is Saint-Jean Pied-de-Port in France but you can start the walk basically from any place on the Camino. Some people fly into Bordeaux and then take the train from Bordeaux to Saint-Jean Pied-de-Port, but a few hardy souls will walk to Saint-Jean Pied-de-Port from Bordeaux, about 140 miles. Others, like myself, fly into Madrid, Spain and then go to Saint-Jean Pied-de-Port by train/bus/taxi. <br /><br />The bottom symbol is for the Bordeaux Patrimoine Mondial (Bordeaux World Heritage).</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tWIOis_Q7imjjPaxY9t0Kk7uES9wwsFmi43dXLLygZwwmpam1F9sqKmRDEwkkBrgqrIUL9tpLQkxOHinNDi3kRibeyFdoCAwLpAOh9QM9ngB4w3JQM6AdG4dmRqxNt0O6XevzHZgse-u5eXKK14fxvQQbe6EuoXOXsJsZa-SEwBLKkmJ4OO6C2gtog/s2688/IMG_7017.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tWIOis_Q7imjjPaxY9t0Kk7uES9wwsFmi43dXLLygZwwmpam1F9sqKmRDEwkkBrgqrIUL9tpLQkxOHinNDi3kRibeyFdoCAwLpAOh9QM9ngB4w3JQM6AdG4dmRqxNt0O6XevzHZgse-u5eXKK14fxvQQbe6EuoXOXsJsZa-SEwBLKkmJ4OO6C2gtog/s16000/IMG_7017.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>Symbols on s buildng. </span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The next photo shows yours truly at the Plaza de Parliament, a beautiful square. Its name is due to the fact the city's first Parliament was situated here from the mid-15th century until it was abolished, towards the end of the 18th century. The entire square is surrounded by buildings that conform to a plan set out for the whole city. It is beautiful and calm. It seems that when the city was rebuilt after some war, they used the same city planners that planned Paris, so the cities are very similar in layout. N-S, E-W grid etc. </span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-P0GOJ_ErBSQUILme325T2H4LIxHPAuDeE9bx5I5OSEY3yXEw0xL0vJCvlYgn7F1uzf8MxQjEUU0UrkD3bN1w7TZJEJFbL-OGWzXt7Unb4EvUXCVtu6Dz6BQgC3aM_FYaFbZ6-AeD6BzeBgqNtKQMpDWtaqWGiAs5-coSqu2E9kv4xvzFAbSYnnqfPA/s2628/IMG_7025.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2628" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-P0GOJ_ErBSQUILme325T2H4LIxHPAuDeE9bx5I5OSEY3yXEw0xL0vJCvlYgn7F1uzf8MxQjEUU0UrkD3bN1w7TZJEJFbL-OGWzXt7Unb4EvUXCVtu6Dz6BQgC3aM_FYaFbZ6-AeD6BzeBgqNtKQMpDWtaqWGiAs5-coSqu2E9kv4xvzFAbSYnnqfPA/s16000/IMG_7025.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Diane<span> at the Plaza de Parliament.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Below is a photo showing the inside of the La Boca food court Sunday night where we ate.</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJS833XO4mN1SQhKW23dOEFkJ_gkRc_pwd_dSJZb3SZWyPBKT6WCwOhhR9Lq2unifz8LPOgxr7-GPsSUyzsyuEx6ZXl5KH2zDWJs16QvvWaWOUGjNWXo1rx1DjjL6Oe4hN_sxwuQ_vvRtCJxlCT4b8D3ievszA1UFjYw505q3kFSkXziKNagbaQqJvnw/s2688/IMG_7026.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJS833XO4mN1SQhKW23dOEFkJ_gkRc_pwd_dSJZb3SZWyPBKT6WCwOhhR9Lq2unifz8LPOgxr7-GPsSUyzsyuEx6ZXl5KH2zDWJs16QvvWaWOUGjNWXo1rx1DjjL6Oe4hN_sxwuQ_vvRtCJxlCT4b8D3ievszA1UFjYw505q3kFSkXziKNagbaQqJvnw/s16000/IMG_7026.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>Inside of the La Boca food court.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Following is a photo that shows my view Monday morning from the Hilton hotel, the black thing in the front is the top outside of the La Boca food court.</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoJDUqumg1S8SvhxopeFV2ynOO_TPyxoFr7JM_y6qt8JzRNLQzAO5TbQAroKoOH3nBhAsI7uS4rPoaNNpUUMxpWdhIrM-WxqpeZJHpSUPOXDK_jm-rmgRlwz0sP2eabD-nlOqTbXmMU_568fF00oUCBksbpOgzQQBKhUa1dmjEKdzY7NADRCQojRf7A/s2101/IMG_7027.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2101" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoJDUqumg1S8SvhxopeFV2ynOO_TPyxoFr7JM_y6qt8JzRNLQzAO5TbQAroKoOH3nBhAsI7uS4rPoaNNpUUMxpWdhIrM-WxqpeZJHpSUPOXDK_jm-rmgRlwz0sP2eabD-nlOqTbXmMU_568fF00oUCBksbpOgzQQBKhUa1dmjEKdzY7NADRCQojRf7A/s16000/IMG_7027.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>Morning from the Hilton hotel.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><b>Tuesday (4-12-22): Bordeaux, France</b><br /><br />On Tuesday, the sights we saw included (1) La Cité du Vin (The City of Wine), (2) an interesting sculpture called the Spaceship of Bordeaux, and (3) Les Bassins de Lumières (The Pools of Lights).</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The photo below shows the La Cité du Vin (The City of Wine) building, this tour of this museum was interesting, lots to learn, an educational tour through the world of wine, from 6,000BC to today.</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMjg0Ul-iVkJxtqPnohzHdHpLqbJiLlaP5ACEryb6ZFbA2JrLZkRtHafk0g3YDNzqvqyFSiVPfoOxqNt4FkiTcusgSgOp6LjZVCPbBufDyWihxL0hmg6_o-wcAXTWLK1wTqlfo0XQQpH8sN0bKn11VRUImmq_0xESapP7YNDIgifDbE9sJixyJI8x6A/s2016/IMG_7030.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMjg0Ul-iVkJxtqPnohzHdHpLqbJiLlaP5ACEryb6ZFbA2JrLZkRtHafk0g3YDNzqvqyFSiVPfoOxqNt4FkiTcusgSgOp6LjZVCPbBufDyWihxL0hmg6_o-wcAXTWLK1wTqlfo0XQQpH8sN0bKn11VRUImmq_0xESapP7YNDIgifDbE9sJixyJI8x6A/s16000/IMG_7030.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>The City of Wine</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The next photo shows the Spaceship of Bordeaux which we saw on our walk after La Cité du Vin. The Spaceship is a sculpture by British artist Suzanne Treister and part of Bordeaux’s public art. The massive 55-foot in diameter spaceship sits in the Bassin à Flot district of Bordeaux. </span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacrnXIMSaBOPGxdamV-JCr8QjGLAi9tuAXdsbJ6sKQT-Qh6UXBC_3vL0hm8Ln2ZBqfrTUtrqM_Kh85a9P3kLL4uQZ9uDsp35B7DpAa6lfLIKncYDbkTSpTNfhcjE4RtYitDbD9c-Lf7B86zZwxhBzSDKJNdn-0HSqAiC-xEh3XNAl-3oBI0iaTim8yw/s2016/IMG_7031.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacrnXIMSaBOPGxdamV-JCr8QjGLAi9tuAXdsbJ6sKQT-Qh6UXBC_3vL0hm8Ln2ZBqfrTUtrqM_Kh85a9P3kLL4uQZ9uDsp35B7DpAa6lfLIKncYDbkTSpTNfhcjE4RtYitDbD9c-Lf7B86zZwxhBzSDKJNdn-0HSqAiC-xEh3XNAl-3oBI0iaTim8yw/s16000/IMG_7031.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>Spaceship of Bordeaux</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <br />We then took the tram and met some friends from our ship and went to Bar Vin for Foie Gras and wine between our La Cité du Vin and Les Bassins de Lumières tours. <br /><br />The next two photos are a couple of snapshots from Les Bassins de Lumières (The Pools of Lights). This place was awesome. There are quite a few YouTube videos available on this place, it is the world’s largest digital arts centre in a former submarine base, and has dazzling visual effects. The main exhibit was about Venice but the one I was most impressed with was titled “Cell Immersion,” about the microscopic world of Humans. It blew me away. Blood, sinew. neurons etc. amazing. These two iPhone photos from the “Cell Immersion” show don't do it justice of course, but the show was amazing, note the people in the photos to get a sense of the size of the videos. </span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHJpNAu3YjTfxjyXjWxLcc5T-uGg3OUgmoSyjA_aEnYLk_7k6lsco-phFpraJC6CA6RdSDWstIbQWaM2moouezgplq5ZzWhls0aC2Jti3RHfvsjSgsKdB3MUAVmElvT1goEGh5oIceReE4wgu90GoubuuoTVfw7yPdosmVOB-ObInD7I7tYdq-07vtA/s2016/IMG_7032.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHJpNAu3YjTfxjyXjWxLcc5T-uGg3OUgmoSyjA_aEnYLk_7k6lsco-phFpraJC6CA6RdSDWstIbQWaM2moouezgplq5ZzWhls0aC2Jti3RHfvsjSgsKdB3MUAVmElvT1goEGh5oIceReE4wgu90GoubuuoTVfw7yPdosmVOB-ObInD7I7tYdq-07vtA/s16000/IMG_7032.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>iPhone photo from the “Cell Immersion” show.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6E9Pqc0y9zXY-9j22pfCql5Vzk0RMUmWgy8zSHydKNqQqkrE7bGjAZZE906K-2b7xJ7QzFqLN1Cti1u-cxhs-tkaqBG-skuIjbDbqO0jKsR40W8ATvcP2Kll7dze9rNScvYZ_7ls21CRNIHxdSM9UmhH6z-rOvylhbVP_PJABQHIzA1yZPkvJ8UCgOA/s2016/IMG_7034.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6E9Pqc0y9zXY-9j22pfCql5Vzk0RMUmWgy8zSHydKNqQqkrE7bGjAZZE906K-2b7xJ7QzFqLN1Cti1u-cxhs-tkaqBG-skuIjbDbqO0jKsR40W8ATvcP2Kll7dze9rNScvYZ_7ls21CRNIHxdSM9UmhH6z-rOvylhbVP_PJABQHIzA1yZPkvJ8UCgOA/s16000/IMG_7034.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>iPhone photo from the “Cell Immersion” show.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The show about Venice was also excellent, about the artistic and architectural treasures of the city of Venice. See a 37 second YouTube video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XMuL1GjVy8 if interested</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><b>Wednesday (4-13-22)</b> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>On Wednesday we walked by the "Monument aux Girondins," an impressive monument to the Resistance during the French Revolution, the monument is an angel breaking her chains. The Girondins were members of a political faction during the Revolution. See the photo below for a photo of the </span><span><span>"Monument aux Girondins."</span> </span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9S4R4uxChWEBvhUYgkDzSiWfRpnKvG877V2IVO6TMKtvugh98c421wK-12ukbV03gmcXUtTHKU6X6nH6Vy6LSfYi5ijZQJ3o7qG2o64YRPqm7eTTzhMyLODelh4HbAuGijLEgpuzrSA2Xv4x7ifQvvmfQRZWnFzk4uLcUYNfOyfO6B7p6vHQPxkmIcQ/s2394/IMG_7039.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2394" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9S4R4uxChWEBvhUYgkDzSiWfRpnKvG877V2IVO6TMKtvugh98c421wK-12ukbV03gmcXUtTHKU6X6nH6Vy6LSfYi5ijZQJ3o7qG2o64YRPqm7eTTzhMyLODelh4HbAuGijLEgpuzrSA2Xv4x7ifQvvmfQRZWnFzk4uLcUYNfOyfO6B7p6vHQPxkmIcQ/s16000/IMG_7039.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>Monument aux Girondins. </span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> <br />The next photo shows the Basilique Saint-Michel with its incredible tower of 276 steps which the pilgrims used to climb but is no longer open to climbing. The Basilique Saint-Michel is on the pilgrim's path to many places including the Camino de Santiago. We sat in an outdoor cafe for a French beer, YUM. </span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNPHwf6XosrmvjFthu-s8gVn6pQeewms3dgyAypKqABDsYjIY7ol1JbxIKthl4esFOhP8NpBj1Uif5dnRbtKlBym6hUXGfqYQ7gwngO3w7nqKeKQVDfWfHYOxSAWUFaJoVMRC2s181w59KT8rsrNJhsfZsusweMUj2M09KDktfLwG0fvaxMv6zpkU0Q/s2688/IMG_7041.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNPHwf6XosrmvjFthu-s8gVn6pQeewms3dgyAypKqABDsYjIY7ol1JbxIKthl4esFOhP8NpBj1Uif5dnRbtKlBym6hUXGfqYQ7gwngO3w7nqKeKQVDfWfHYOxSAWUFaJoVMRC2s181w59KT8rsrNJhsfZsusweMUj2M09KDktfLwG0fvaxMv6zpkU0Q/s16000/IMG_7041.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>Basilique Saint-Michel</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>After the Basilique Saint-Michel we went to the Thelonious Jazz Club, the most amazing harmonica I’ve ever heard. The group called themselves Jangles as in Bo. But the guitar players kept changing. And in one set there was a guy playing something like an accordion except it only had buttons, no keys. See the following photo from the </span><span><span>Thelonious Jazz Club.</span> </span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_8ClGbKCFNKSVWjYmwiJ9GlBc45rGAOugNWa0UnSfrw9tPGMiUPk_e1cYjOGK6rd7BYfcshprXZyUQu5U4IfUeaHNuFZyCrGvQD6NJtVYccVgC_GR6GpgQnPAPhP38Ca5rb8FdHR_Hz5C4Wo0YjDW3_VTL_RhoKE3Y9WilE07-E83p3e7djmt7Ijvg/s2016/IMG_7054.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_8ClGbKCFNKSVWjYmwiJ9GlBc45rGAOugNWa0UnSfrw9tPGMiUPk_e1cYjOGK6rd7BYfcshprXZyUQu5U4IfUeaHNuFZyCrGvQD6NJtVYccVgC_GR6GpgQnPAPhP38Ca5rb8FdHR_Hz5C4Wo0YjDW3_VTL_RhoKE3Y9WilE07-E83p3e7djmt7Ijvg/s16000/IMG_7054.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>Thelonious Jazz Club.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>We are planning to take the TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse, the high speed train) from Bordeaux to the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and spend the night there. That’s so we don't have to get up at O-dawn-30 to get there for our flight. They say to get there 4 hours ahead of time. AARGH!!! The airport is short staffed because of COVID-19, so everything is in a queue. And some friends who are now at the airport are confirming the length of the lines. <br /> <br />Makes you wonder about international travel until this all pandemic stuff calms down, which it will. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span>Thursday (4-14-22): Bordeaux, France</span><span><span> </span></span></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>I'm testing negative as of now with my self test kit but Scott is still positive as of today, but he feels ok.<br /><br />I
just learned we can get more self test kits for 6 Euros (about $6.50 US
dollars), so we'll test again before tomorrow (Friday), we both have to
test negative from a pharmacy to fly home on Saturday, which is our
current plan. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. <br /><br />Although we are forced
to stay here, France is loose about quarantine and masks in general, so
we can move about somewhat. We are dutifully wearing masks and are
frequently the only ones.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span>Last Entry (Written on Tuesday the 19th after arriving home on Sunday)<br /></span></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>This is the Final Chapter in the saga of our French road trip, our river cruise and our COVID-19 quarantine.<br /> <br />Both Scott and I made it home on Sunday (17th). I was really kind of out of it most of Monday. Then my refrigerator died, and I had to work through the mental haze to buy a new one. I'm waiting for the delivery as I write this. <br /> <br />So here is a brief description of the travails of travel during the time of COVID-19. After a nice Thursday in Bordeaux with our friends from England, we had an interruption in our stay at the Bordeaux Hilton Garden Inn hotel Friday morning. At 3:24 am the fire alarm went off. I looked out the window and there were lots of people milling about most with jeans and sneakers on, so we did the same. We stood outside until 7:03 waiting for the French fire department and police to declare it was safe to go inside. It was 50F degrees, so chilly isn't the word for it. <br /> <br />We decided that we wanted to be closer to the Paris Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG), so we bought tickets on the TGV (the high-speed rail line) from Bordeaux to Paris, we didn't have to test negative for COVID-19 to go on the TGV. The room at the Paris Holiday Inn Express Paris at the airport was ok, bigger than the ship's cabin that we did the river cruise on, but without the nice wine deliveries. Scott still tested positive for COVID-19 Sunday morning, so we decided we'd go and see if we could get regular tests and not the home fast tests. The pharmacist at the airport was very nice. He said if you are getting positives on the home tests, for sure you'll get a positive on a regular test.<br /> <br />We told him about testing a week earlier, etc. He suggested we go to the clinic at gate 17 and see if they would give us a "get out of jail" letter. We'd heard that if the onset of symptoms was 10 days earlier, and you have no further symptoms, that it was a possibility. Off we went and found the clinic. The doctor completely understood and gave us the letters because our symptoms were more like 14 days earlier. He was by the way an anti-vaxxer. Go figure. So we made our flights. <br /> <br />It was an 8-hour flight home plus the 6-hour time change, plus all the stress, oh by the way the Paris hotel had no hot water for 2 days, so it was cold showers or as I call it splash-a-roos.<br /> <br />I slept most of Saturday on the flight home, so couldn't sleep Sunday, hence being a zombie on Monday.<br /> <br />Below are a few photos from Friday and Saturday while still in France. <br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The two photos below are from Friday morning from the Bordeaux hotel showing the crowd outside the hotel, and one of the many fire engines.</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRTVx4hdOuCivjlZs9nxZJ88htIVonzOiKyl-Dv8KGDLXECqbKsQ9FcSSmEhlETtr_U9zTRZ33JDG9YrOHk7U9Bixf5ItEfjcYyjrx33qm_rrlXeD2_QBW3YZRPdB73mI_InCXLDkeie6wnaLXZGf99IfZXKvwZEaGtj4Nbsj4k984mPJFf-9833DaA/s2016/IMG_7057.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRTVx4hdOuCivjlZs9nxZJ88htIVonzOiKyl-Dv8KGDLXECqbKsQ9FcSSmEhlETtr_U9zTRZ33JDG9YrOHk7U9Bixf5ItEfjcYyjrx33qm_rrlXeD2_QBW3YZRPdB73mI_InCXLDkeie6wnaLXZGf99IfZXKvwZEaGtj4Nbsj4k984mPJFf-9833DaA/s16000/IMG_7057.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>Friday morning from the Bordeaux hotel.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiel7RR7AvPPpzw6EsLhmxQ8ngJB2PcUK8pVxOnjpJK8pgLx4fblYgJYyeaDDNvltV7HZixhhzyc8_1RCnucuqTXZeN7VuiEnUJ9g1orL0gdTz0AsoBztt71ZYYI0SkReYjylgZjoV24BXBQSyrI6JtdTrV6_BQLYimwhfrOB-Dz2EHIqvAkMFofuKQ/s2688/IMG_7058.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiel7RR7AvPPpzw6EsLhmxQ8ngJB2PcUK8pVxOnjpJK8pgLx4fblYgJYyeaDDNvltV7HZixhhzyc8_1RCnucuqTXZeN7VuiEnUJ9g1orL0gdTz0AsoBztt71ZYYI0SkReYjylgZjoV24BXBQSyrI6JtdTrV6_BQLYimwhfrOB-Dz2EHIqvAkMFofuKQ/s16000/IMG_7058.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>Friday morning from the Bordeaux hotel.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table> </span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Below is a view of the Arc de Triomphe as we drove down Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris Friday afternoon, the photo taken from inside the Uber as we drove to the hotel at the Paris airport.</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaupZdygo3jl46TALb_i5h17tbjqLjZMdcLXUI6yRc2cbJA_2VSAWGyD9vtxeKUr-LJb3qFy2ZTeKhKi4OtFd7-47ZlIY3OYr_m7P8csEQtdKo5lEJWnWXsPjRGRxhaWgXx_H9AKZ0yq9AbiMuc3N8hearpk-5lKNbZWnl8w35z9JY1GbXhaXfbkNMA/s2111/IMG_7062.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2111" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaupZdygo3jl46TALb_i5h17tbjqLjZMdcLXUI6yRc2cbJA_2VSAWGyD9vtxeKUr-LJb3qFy2ZTeKhKi4OtFd7-47ZlIY3OYr_m7P8csEQtdKo5lEJWnWXsPjRGRxhaWgXx_H9AKZ0yq9AbiMuc3N8hearpk-5lKNbZWnl8w35z9JY1GbXhaXfbkNMA/s16000/IMG_7062.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>Arc de Triomphe in background.<br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Below is my view Saturday morning from my room at the Paris Holiday Hotel. The tower in the foreground is the Terminal 1 control tower at the CDG airport. The tower in the background is the Terminal 3 control tower. CDG has 3 control towers.</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQdRD-d2kebyQJqxX6Khy3ActNXvE9vhz7wOQ4Fgql8a2JYF1OBD2vLz7y4QB9Wk9s7RMJFVtC3Zf3ZgMFFaAJihw-6I0a8x76MMQUNP-YcYPm8umqrG3tG4Zuc594gC886yc8J8MxzwpwqECI6TxHe4lJINm11lsZTaco7RVq5e9CZHYUE-SEAAXaw/s2688/IMG_7067.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQdRD-d2kebyQJqxX6Khy3ActNXvE9vhz7wOQ4Fgql8a2JYF1OBD2vLz7y4QB9Wk9s7RMJFVtC3Zf3ZgMFFaAJihw-6I0a8x76MMQUNP-YcYPm8umqrG3tG4Zuc594gC886yc8J8MxzwpwqECI6TxHe4lJINm11lsZTaco7RVq5e9CZHYUE-SEAAXaw/s16000/IMG_7067.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>my view Saturday morning from my room at the Paris Holiday Hotel.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The next and last photo is yours truly in the Paris hotel room Saturday night, doing an email before our flight on Sunday. </span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljRZtkjzMXxgldMrvNn5V02BhCCztBwm-R-_SOHNki78D0nEGZyapqCHKXp-z3rtJIemhNijdn65aTmwhd-r3W3JCB8Pw5pfvbaBog1RxkeVgB5MU0IXb9Ad6sYa83CtzTAGilLrzYPIsgSgFi307Hg6Rt-ocC7wzzSAD1ExTe6AoXFXtnxyWR0Go8w/s2688/IMG_7070.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljRZtkjzMXxgldMrvNn5V02BhCCztBwm-R-_SOHNki78D0nEGZyapqCHKXp-z3rtJIemhNijdn65aTmwhd-r3W3JCB8Pw5pfvbaBog1RxkeVgB5MU0IXb9Ad6sYa83CtzTAGilLrzYPIsgSgFi307Hg6Rt-ocC7wzzSAD1ExTe6AoXFXtnxyWR0Go8w/s16000/IMG_7070.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span>Diane at the Paris hotel room.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Once home that first hot shower sure felt good. All's well that ends well, now if only that refrigerator would come. Or as they would say in France, </span><b><span class="Y2IQFc" lang="fr"><i>Tout est bien qui finit bien, maintenant si seulement ce réfrigérateur arrivait.</i></span></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Y2IQFc" lang="fr">Note: All of the photos in this journal can also be found at my Google Photos site, at https://photos.app.goo.gl/M1U6VrgMaVLXVK3g7</span><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /><br /></span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span></p><p></p>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626364476155545127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728495483307516262.post-4238871303762520702022-02-11T09:29:00.013-08:002022-02-12T17:26:40.213-08:002022 Costa Rica & Panama Canal Crossing<p><span style="font-size: medium;">This entry is about a 7-Night Costa Rica and Panama Canal cruise on the Le Champlain that Scott and I took starting January 30, through February 7, 2022. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">See https://photos.app.goo.gl/AUmy8iJErh78fKo99 for just the photos. <span> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>The following map shows our itinerary for this trip.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFyjyiTSEmhXvisuEVjXWzQrAYAGFGYKaBJ2KB518ce-y7cg62gJA9Tbtcpe05u9m_wNWl7kbSCmDXmL0U2J38XGy7TDYxqwWl50umnoEWD0XPITBTMBQgORxZtmzPZXNYbV0NZdUsh5GgXXoJDHsknDdANGm76ZP6PQUxl5S3cyScyLj14ndeHaQwsQ=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1280" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFyjyiTSEmhXvisuEVjXWzQrAYAGFGYKaBJ2KB518ce-y7cg62gJA9Tbtcpe05u9m_wNWl7kbSCmDXmL0U2J38XGy7TDYxqwWl50umnoEWD0XPITBTMBQgORxZtmzPZXNYbV0NZdUsh5GgXXoJDHsknDdANGm76ZP6PQUxl5S3cyScyLj14ndeHaQwsQ=w640-h402" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Itinerary<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span>The next attachment is a picture of our ship, the Le Champlain, taken from their website.</span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgt_yb7VUSBJD5yP4bko3dwi49c043u86w3Rt4oE7qQzYKNZ2C08kdywTCeIkt5nfMhMBz8UqSwaTFqfyHAUkoHbZFlnaarV5TTkALghz897rpavYyAJipkBQ4D9Bnism9J9lkAQYuQ9haAZJ59MoAikf_3U8K8FG6zrlh6tvm69vgcmuf7StufOnu2nA=s1000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="1000" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgt_yb7VUSBJD5yP4bko3dwi49c043u86w3Rt4oE7qQzYKNZ2C08kdywTCeIkt5nfMhMBz8UqSwaTFqfyHAUkoHbZFlnaarV5TTkALghz897rpavYyAJipkBQ4D9Bnism9J9lkAQYuQ9haAZJ59MoAikf_3U8K8FG6zrlh6tvm69vgcmuf7StufOnu2nA=w640-h352" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Our ship, the Le Champlain.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> </span><br /><b>Day 1: Sunday, January 30, 2020:</b></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We flew into San José, Costa Rica (from Los Angeles), and checked into the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belén. It was a very long total flight for me, A few days before we left Los Angles I flew from New York City to Los Angeles to meet up with Scott </span><span style="font-size: medium;">because I was worried about the weather on the east coast. Turns out I was right as that Nor'easter came in. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Originally we were scheduled to fly from Los Angeles to Dallas and then to San José, Costa Rica. But the airline rescheduled our flight from Los Angeles to go through Miami (not Dallas) and then to San José, Costa Rica. So I took 2 cross country flights when I could have just gone to Miami. But I would have had to shovel New York City snow before a flight to Miami.<br /><br /><b>Day 2: Monday, January 31, 2022:</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We toured San </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>José</span> and later embarked our ship, Le Champlain, at Puerto Caldera, but we haven’t left the dock yet. During our San </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>José</span> tour we went to the </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>National Theatre of Costa Rica and the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum. After that we had lunch at the Arc Restaurant. </span><br /><br />The following attachment is a photo of The Allegory of the Coffee and Bananas, a funny mural painting on the ceiling of the National Theatre of Costa Rica. The painter was European, had never been to Costa Rica, had only been told about the country, told that coffee and bananas were the crops and that beautiful women picked the coffee. The painting has white women in gowns and hats with the coffee that never grows at sea level.<br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibbEP37hrAf4DfV3OgDL3OXe7TH_ZQ5afjiNBKfnWHMFSHvBBGCplTWmDUuVjVa-4UXA0vpTkxAmbhUzCAbcBkZ2E8mCCwm8BsY6-2NomdHbEvpVOZKFPQToSi12Z4SMMBGcvQwzgUYkQ74xIwr37xa2Ecj_gCoFuI_od-ELCYuPxK-VQ7sfygHbZSeQ=s1512" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibbEP37hrAf4DfV3OgDL3OXe7TH_ZQ5afjiNBKfnWHMFSHvBBGCplTWmDUuVjVa-4UXA0vpTkxAmbhUzCAbcBkZ2E8mCCwm8BsY6-2NomdHbEvpVOZKFPQToSi12Z4SMMBGcvQwzgUYkQ74xIwr37xa2Ecj_gCoFuI_od-ELCYuPxK-VQ7sfygHbZSeQ=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Painting, The Allegory of the Coffee and Bananas.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The next attachment shows the mountain ring of volcanoes that surround San José. <br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMgOr-pUqmMfhOlHTWlSroJ_UCRRZ0h1CPoqobZwyVhgbloZzz4LJgnamkVFIb4O-0IS4f3Eg_vbsiyCvhGq4NVWRQdf-m3LnOxka4gqjg-d1E2W42H9K22SJ0862ArQDPnbL5goWzTWiEDiOiUXbVdeI8fcC1ITQjjpSgSLdChgigGt3Bk7ldKNOudg=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMgOr-pUqmMfhOlHTWlSroJ_UCRRZ0h1CPoqobZwyVhgbloZzz4LJgnamkVFIb4O-0IS4f3Eg_vbsiyCvhGq4NVWRQdf-m3LnOxka4gqjg-d1E2W42H9K22SJ0862ArQDPnbL5goWzTWiEDiOiUXbVdeI8fcC1ITQjjpSgSLdChgigGt3Bk7ldKNOudg=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Volcanoes around San Jose.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The next attachment shows the infinity pool on our ship. Looks like it would be easy to fall overboard, fun, eh? <br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6SQ-NjjHozhleCe6-BX8AH3vwN5DeQ2BQAJTrD6FbdgVMW0enLf_BiJHQz9PZbXDNI9bRzfDxdvYG_44fUikP9VML9WeF2wHJLO5t8MPgGLjk668ySpDL3yOsBaYiLR237HrmibzObqfRkLFNaMYRjRqX9-0p_8abwerG26dh72KdSzEyrd3fgTpAaw=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6SQ-NjjHozhleCe6-BX8AH3vwN5DeQ2BQAJTrD6FbdgVMW0enLf_BiJHQz9PZbXDNI9bRzfDxdvYG_44fUikP9VML9WeF2wHJLO5t8MPgGLjk668ySpDL3yOsBaYiLR237HrmibzObqfRkLFNaMYRjRqX9-0p_8abwerG26dh72KdSzEyrd3fgTpAaw=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Swimming pool on the Le Champlain.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The following attachment shows a view from our cabin on the ship, we were still docked at Puerto Caldera when this photo was taken.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtYZ8y6PBA9cm7tvvLjntexmrLCLgDG7ZEJdQ8FTgnr5yhwtWfSK974EoWAf2O3lrGrGkD5UN4huS0jyzFnMAB94mDE4mcZt-sXcZci6ylpAhu9gFJJKrA0mHLOYMJBpOEGLRpWXt1-a3uYzbtzDZMjK_faSK6FjhmcA1H6VlfTiqcQkASD41jPPg99g=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtYZ8y6PBA9cm7tvvLjntexmrLCLgDG7ZEJdQ8FTgnr5yhwtWfSK974EoWAf2O3lrGrGkD5UN4huS0jyzFnMAB94mDE4mcZt-sXcZci6ylpAhu9gFJJKrA0mHLOYMJBpOEGLRpWXt1-a3uYzbtzDZMjK_faSK6FjhmcA1H6VlfTiqcQkASD41jPPg99g=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: View from our cabin.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Day 3: Tuesday, February 1, 2022: Curú National Wildlife Refuge / Tortuga Island</b><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In the morning Scott and I took a walk in the Curú National
Wildlife Refuge on the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, attached are 4
photos of the flora. We saw monkeys, deer and birds, but were too far
away for good photos. This place is fabulous!<br /></span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In
the afternoon we went snorkeling on Tortuga Island, but didn’t take any
photos. Tortuga Island is named for the tortoise-like volcanic rock
formations. Fascinating marine life!<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Also attached is a map showing the general location of Tortuga Island to <span>Curú National Wildlife Refuge.</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">At night we went to the Captain’s party, a dress up event. Fun! I enjoyed eating food from all the main food groups, candy, cake, ice cream, and pie!<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUdB6_aA_ZpD3nMKsZAvKW4qnlX5ZVZFxnAKXPgzA94xKUtZesYT366MI73EcAiypSaexAv_D41c2fk8XmtFrcsSnMoVR7XbileH-CzgFbwX3P_og2eJECy7KdkeeuhCWrninFQGxh3F0QRZKas30z6rkeHNVXLhhE2djX4dAMrv5C3JaJyQ4ji_e5aw=s2016" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUdB6_aA_ZpD3nMKsZAvKW4qnlX5ZVZFxnAKXPgzA94xKUtZesYT366MI73EcAiypSaexAv_D41c2fk8XmtFrcsSnMoVR7XbileH-CzgFbwX3P_og2eJECy7KdkeeuhCWrninFQGxh3F0QRZKas30z6rkeHNVXLhhE2djX4dAMrv5C3JaJyQ4ji_e5aw=s16000" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjp88CgQ00XFDbL1OZo_xtoCnQa0W94ypbdrAjqp3Rv3v6tFk2fFQuzP0-UDPzWOSkFlo_kxUwDJV0Z-vX0XaUA57PcGxghjt_wsoo1QdCO2WAUUCAeG6Jh63ZVQVAnh2L34us8lKHkbZ5CVnmPBmbeWjZXdAM-AQ2fK6hGWEbSjLKnXiFkCCf7-5su-g=s2016" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjp88CgQ00XFDbL1OZo_xtoCnQa0W94ypbdrAjqp3Rv3v6tFk2fFQuzP0-UDPzWOSkFlo_kxUwDJV0Z-vX0XaUA57PcGxghjt_wsoo1QdCO2WAUUCAeG6Jh63ZVQVAnh2L34us8lKHkbZ5CVnmPBmbeWjZXdAM-AQ2fK6hGWEbSjLKnXiFkCCf7-5su-g=s16000" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBaZ_li7RMNc80xkFTYHyVA7C3YlPYbWcGRn5sCcBrX16zT5Ba8VwNbg6Gg5ttSeH1GECb1mNRVGBYV3uXXu9oa6GlZWv5iheB3EjoTPCFel_-yNMQX3s3u1vXjfliYqYRyiAVICwX_6844DsId-Gau7S8zm8oKWSoQpBEjISs8yUvpzb1I2h-lRqAOQ=s2016" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBaZ_li7RMNc80xkFTYHyVA7C3YlPYbWcGRn5sCcBrX16zT5Ba8VwNbg6Gg5ttSeH1GECb1mNRVGBYV3uXXu9oa6GlZWv5iheB3EjoTPCFel_-yNMQX3s3u1vXjfliYqYRyiAVICwX_6844DsId-Gau7S8zm8oKWSoQpBEjISs8yUvpzb1I2h-lRqAOQ=s16000" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0VSxJzLpgQz_5dikGN9Va8C4TEgt1dfaCDGlvlTcF76idSHnxU8qtB_jODfXYP17UfGSIS6Ld1iUZ5YW9H-wNYi562pIgNnOmyvMkN0FwxJByD4zhSGWkNfDbAiVgwR58VVfzk42XCCBhfBMaDF2mBS0Q8vCge54MIF8iHEqXf3Xul24fuSlp43Lq4w=s2016" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0VSxJzLpgQz_5dikGN9Va8C4TEgt1dfaCDGlvlTcF76idSHnxU8qtB_jODfXYP17UfGSIS6Ld1iUZ5YW9H-wNYi562pIgNnOmyvMkN0FwxJByD4zhSGWkNfDbAiVgwR58VVfzk42XCCBhfBMaDF2mBS0Q8vCge54MIF8iHEqXf3Xul24fuSlp43Lq4w=s16000" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkIOlCaFqJP_E9cLSx1v7ULzA1yFdvToiLEgUpr6bw6D8StRq4vDbtpmOSnIBsO35JAwyNhWkVl1R2g3SPcWoMGfPWBDsUvPDsRAgpPcKoYXeSrQPlUdGNSBHA4BWOJMA7xFn_NVWzWQISSlttLIOBIfxGpOh411skYE45-6todXnsST63_qEgXt4n_w=s1484" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1484" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkIOlCaFqJP_E9cLSx1v7ULzA1yFdvToiLEgUpr6bw6D8StRq4vDbtpmOSnIBsO35JAwyNhWkVl1R2g3SPcWoMGfPWBDsUvPDsRAgpPcKoYXeSrQPlUdGNSBHA4BWOJMA7xFn_NVWzWQISSlttLIOBIfxGpOh411skYE45-6todXnsST63_qEgXt4n_w=s16000" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Day 4: Wednesday, February 2, 2022:</b><br /></span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Today was our visit to the small town of Quepos to tour the
Manuel Antonio National Park. The park is a tropical paradise, a
combination of a rainforest teaming with animal life, 3 beautiful
beaches plus coral reefs. We had to show up at 6:45 am to get on a
tender boat that was bouncing so much that the stern kept coming out of
the water like it was being hit by a tsunami. This park is very popular,
they took our temperature twice and sprayed our hands twice with
disinfectant, plus we had to show ID to get in. The line to get into
the park was long at 7:30 am as can be seen in the following photo. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDgAfBkC0EF6iIMiMRPZwY6VQ20VHBFOzzEaEjSKuCruHFMW4dk6DoqFc_gQ7NojOczT1FTF3FH5thwaYjJS0GD5N0jl-Pe4KQbHR5DTK2lznjDDexgVsXHvVg6SbP5b0CFgXaFyRK2AFvfQj6EYRcAPLl-8htwTIn0zI66tJQBJxR0DKXmFhX6i8Uqg=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDgAfBkC0EF6iIMiMRPZwY6VQ20VHBFOzzEaEjSKuCruHFMW4dk6DoqFc_gQ7NojOczT1FTF3FH5thwaYjJS0GD5N0jl-Pe4KQbHR5DTK2lznjDDexgVsXHvVg6SbP5b0CFgXaFyRK2AFvfQj6EYRcAPLl-8htwTIn0zI66tJQBJxR0DKXmFhX6i8Uqg=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Line waiting to get in.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The park is beautiful, one year it was named by Forbes as
one of the world’s most beautiful parks. This is the dry season on the
west coast of Costa Rica which means no rainfall for 6 months.
Although here in the park they get 30 extra inches a year and the dry
season is shorter. </span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The
literature says there are more than 100 species of mammals, 300 ls
species of birds and an array of reptiles and amphibians. We saw many
of the animals, but some of the animals were tough to photograph,
especially the sleeping sloths. We saw both 2 and 3 toed furry balls
that didn’t make a good photo. Also land crabs, tenting bats and an
agouti, a large brown rodent that blended into the background. <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The following photo is a 100 year old bamboo plant, but no pandas.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2uAlEgFgdBKC6_VFMKIXXGqCV9Xs8Yh0U1H4W3NaeOKn9Gqa0ChdrNC7aDmioSnlt7wrEezzJvWnwtNRUNZ9mRU6X0zdu_Cvul1cjnXvpnfD7WXPtW_43R4z6f9D_LQpij4Z-f1eP2qlUwsGtS2UB-9RT-VYZV-lAZ4F8KY0oFfAYqPFDTiMZKRUq8A=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2uAlEgFgdBKC6_VFMKIXXGqCV9Xs8Yh0U1H4W3NaeOKn9Gqa0ChdrNC7aDmioSnlt7wrEezzJvWnwtNRUNZ9mRU6X0zdu_Cvul1cjnXvpnfD7WXPtW_43R4z6f9D_LQpij4Z-f1eP2qlUwsGtS2UB-9RT-VYZV-lAZ4F8KY0oFfAYqPFDTiMZKRUq8A=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: 100 year old bamboo plant<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Capuchin
monkeys all over the place. Very cute and clever, you’ll recognize
them in he next photo as the "organ grinder" monkey.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhREfbfNwmSiZXLEz6hGqp3BpACgmS8MNM97A6fNE_MQ_6-LIVyyu9xCLzy_oTc5g2b775UDBGFa-4_yLgADT7roxuvYVHIi0OsiPe4RNJBKPQULkc5zsHa1Od3ompES-b16SM283sIapJlx5LfZULtR4VxUm_gh-YK6DcfCKH87uyXrSWCZlDtpgDuKw=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhREfbfNwmSiZXLEz6hGqp3BpACgmS8MNM97A6fNE_MQ_6-LIVyyu9xCLzy_oTc5g2b775UDBGFa-4_yLgADT7roxuvYVHIi0OsiPe4RNJBKPQULkc5zsHa1Od3ompES-b16SM283sIapJlx5LfZULtR4VxUm_gh-YK6DcfCKH87uyXrSWCZlDtpgDuKw=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Capuchin monkey.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We also
saw howler monkeys, but couldn't get a good photo, but we could surely
hear them. <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>I
did get a shot of a female spiny iguana (next photo). Not sure
how one tells the gender, I was just told this one was a female.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimiyBEfkCOkE6PLr5q-yIj0EpmB1oo8WZfSaHIWzOE65iAqoqQbWwsnDGBcuLHcq2HNkm5C8dq8cWhHgIwIqidnQL1WNa-J8xmMP-BE6hSwkoMwIA58i2SXYG6zQ2Xd-R94_ODl2MFV3Tazvv36C2TcAxOw4CuQ-WanGx-WgIkTUUsJmo3hj4JlSM0AQ=s1512" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimiyBEfkCOkE6PLr5q-yIj0EpmB1oo8WZfSaHIWzOE65iAqoqQbWwsnDGBcuLHcq2HNkm5C8dq8cWhHgIwIqidnQL1WNa-J8xmMP-BE6hSwkoMwIA58i2SXYG6zQ2Xd-R94_ODl2MFV3Tazvv36C2TcAxOw4CuQ-WanGx-WgIkTUUsJmo3hj4JlSM0AQ=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Spiny Iguan</td></tr></tbody></table></span><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The mountain range shown in the next photo goes to 6,500 feet and runs all the way to Panama, it divides
the country in half for climate, culture, economy and ecology. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvG20cjscrCFNCA95kSmxi6oKmrWVJL2vj8245p2_adcsihtkvnm5HhD3cbsTL2nmAzWUNsAxUk6yX2K1VHcbFblKtOdXep-VcFtNSq0Gs6c-7uKE92wVHpk8rJAqwyGeKwqezbuCH3QkSoO4YEJd8kcjCJu95lj_ToEruRuQMywcx9OKmlbZieXHFfA=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvG20cjscrCFNCA95kSmxi6oKmrWVJL2vj8245p2_adcsihtkvnm5HhD3cbsTL2nmAzWUNsAxUk6yX2K1VHcbFblKtOdXep-VcFtNSq0Gs6c-7uKE92wVHpk8rJAqwyGeKwqezbuCH3QkSoO4YEJd8kcjCJu95lj_ToEruRuQMywcx9OKmlbZieXHFfA=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Mountain Range.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>This photo shows what they said was a white jaguar. I have trust issues now. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxv5BkXIFxiWH7TQ0iEl13cI1_cakSiYK8BzUKAyC6q04r4VW2Xfrr4ckAuwvwlFYcAlNcXaeL8u8pdOJ2Fny1vv3KQEREg-k7zPJMdVsmEjDeehkse7qBOmCYAPFC2FuPYe3nYAbWdQ5j1XNo13H0uOhRb9y4CS4xC5iAmSagv5sOsgiIjatoVyVu3A=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1239" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxv5BkXIFxiWH7TQ0iEl13cI1_cakSiYK8BzUKAyC6q04r4VW2Xfrr4ckAuwvwlFYcAlNcXaeL8u8pdOJ2Fny1vv3KQEREg-k7zPJMdVsmEjDeehkse7qBOmCYAPFC2FuPYe3nYAbWdQ5j1XNo13H0uOhRb9y4CS4xC5iAmSagv5sOsgiIjatoVyVu3A=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Just a dog on the beach.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <br />The next photo shows a cayman, which is in the alligator family. Alligators live only in freshwater and are found only in the Americas and China. A relative of alligators are crocodiles that can live in both salt and freshwater and are found in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia. You’ll need to look closely at this photo as the cayman is mostly submerged in the water.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaep1ZvHYXv6d3FjqhwGAbOeTzmFe5FwZziSC8_smKYYA-bDDgukNcmShoXfJWIrYzMy1miuGfzTY6XtsAcE7VHzogbba4rI6XxbGO8PIcJL6CqGtlDPuDKQaSMj5HC7VxvrCAGNxNDeAOIyTiFVkm01q19Dpa4ienyLa0k1-LnYBpm7DNDXZrKcmmJQ=s1512" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="1512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaep1ZvHYXv6d3FjqhwGAbOeTzmFe5FwZziSC8_smKYYA-bDDgukNcmShoXfJWIrYzMy1miuGfzTY6XtsAcE7VHzogbba4rI6XxbGO8PIcJL6CqGtlDPuDKQaSMj5HC7VxvrCAGNxNDeAOIyTiFVkm01q19Dpa4ienyLa0k1-LnYBpm7DNDXZrKcmmJQ=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Cayman.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span><br />The following photo shows the Cacao fruit (center of the photo), yep the seeds inside are what gives us chocolate, ...one of the major food groups.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDpqx7k6j-yns7TP8EnT1QByceAI9djGyluqAcbJoDWwAWYQpxfL6WNdKILDnGsZCRc3ygHIgbFXgF66DFRBiut9me4AwicLlwHfHQGAinjul0soJWtmYVaCVyJeOAZ3EM7WyJYo_62ja5VsP3KTLP-AM9sbiPg_6ELvp4IYHi1Qh1d0ZUkKCRoOTClQ=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDpqx7k6j-yns7TP8EnT1QByceAI9djGyluqAcbJoDWwAWYQpxfL6WNdKILDnGsZCRc3ygHIgbFXgF66DFRBiut9me4AwicLlwHfHQGAinjul0soJWtmYVaCVyJeOAZ3EM7WyJYo_62ja5VsP3KTLP-AM9sbiPg_6ELvp4IYHi1Qh1d0ZUkKCRoOTClQ=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Cacao fruit.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>This photo shows Mama Long Legs. How they know it isn’t a Daddy awes me. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDQlf7T13J8hyZrwSqiAm6krsG7G40graWVBW_zBk9NUELTjLMyT3C-3e2PJlt3v_KEJ0fqf25jDlZ4NexreDnBtFmJociN2_XjkF9cbUPoo9UDIZ12LJjYBQzJsZpO345JN4xCTlD6WfNFtWJkzR3bic0ztq2yj8l3u2p30ICf96NGsXMpOBWwVWV-g=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDQlf7T13J8hyZrwSqiAm6krsG7G40graWVBW_zBk9NUELTjLMyT3C-3e2PJlt3v_KEJ0fqf25jDlZ4NexreDnBtFmJociN2_XjkF9cbUPoo9UDIZ12LJjYBQzJsZpO345JN4xCTlD6WfNFtWJkzR3bic0ztq2yj8l3u2p30ICf96NGsXMpOBWwVWV-g=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Mama Long Legs.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>This video shows some leafcutter ants. The leafcutter ants are a highly developed community. The workers will carry these leaf cuttings many kilometers to the nests which are huge and house hundreds of thousands ants. They store the leaf cuttings until they get a fungus which they eat. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='632' height='525' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz3MwmDL_kUjs1acLe__a8QGeJKRHr5ykXCHYBZobDi31Q3cFsDzy-xhLihHIsQxk1Q5aBSG_c-dJJvs7i64Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div> <br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><b> </b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><b>More from Wednesday, February 2, 2022:</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><b> </b><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Just something interesting to me on the subject of botany.<br /><br />The
Costa Rica red leaves in the attached photos are the opposite of red
leaves in New York. In New York we see red leaves when the energy is
being pulled away to prepare the plant for winter. Here in Costa Rica
the red leaves are new growth<br /><br />It seems there are so many animal
species that like eating young tender sprouts, so some plants don’t put
chlorophyll in the new leaves (which would turn them green) until they
are better developed, this helps protect the new leaves as most leaf
eaters think red is poison, so they leave them alone. Who knew leafy
plants were so smart? <br /><br /></span></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Another
interesting subject to me is trees without bark. Where I live in New
York some trees shed their bark in a heat wave to cool off. Some Costa
Rica trees shed their bark to keep air plants and parasites from
attaching to the trunk. Who knew trees were so smart?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">See the following photos.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgztXYkgVoMHzZT386p4MLvlOtaw4vOu8vIqUXQtibCurOvBEIsSM762E1tVqmY5P8tirEeICLH6drsgIqOU9dhp4j4rGAf5DQ2aw63bE7u6L8ZQ1X2HxOTyFcLozIpnYxY_eKNGosKf__EJmEwy6QSx6Dc1EMu8TmyL_z3ngdBMDrjRMoSlNs8qrLNjA=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgztXYkgVoMHzZT386p4MLvlOtaw4vOu8vIqUXQtibCurOvBEIsSM762E1tVqmY5P8tirEeICLH6drsgIqOU9dhp4j4rGAf5DQ2aw63bE7u6L8ZQ1X2HxOTyFcLozIpnYxY_eKNGosKf__EJmEwy6QSx6Dc1EMu8TmyL_z3ngdBMDrjRMoSlNs8qrLNjA=s16000" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi880gUdleFrw62HH7HNFeSqEq5gBjA7jSLjRqfrz3DiS483tFBIdv_D1F0orm2TNWBpgVw1rCjIuJVL4F3V-WMgnhq7aHY6LHxSPpNPlnpM6PxXjESIs-4TxMbLNEQg2pThGxI5SVfoYZIXyJhGZ4ruuTDoL6zxNZ27_8SYlNg6q9DinlCLHbC0QjiUw=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi880gUdleFrw62HH7HNFeSqEq5gBjA7jSLjRqfrz3DiS483tFBIdv_D1F0orm2TNWBpgVw1rCjIuJVL4F3V-WMgnhq7aHY6LHxSPpNPlnpM6PxXjESIs-4TxMbLNEQg2pThGxI5SVfoYZIXyJhGZ4ruuTDoL6zxNZ27_8SYlNg6q9DinlCLHbC0QjiUw=s16000" /></a></div><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDxe7LV8il5CZbKnsax5nZzLSnpHIuNjjWK14HX7QVtFbr8cNAvf4dZnk5lPlYamIatYZdpoh1O0ll40MuoBbkozTKAii1YPQXTTMZkflqcuZ08f5woqu3-1tGSUuy114IDU9uUfHyNyPNIYOn388L3u_CBBQQ3S4O5h73ni5XRFRX1-1nXOlm5SBqjQ=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDxe7LV8il5CZbKnsax5nZzLSnpHIuNjjWK14HX7QVtFbr8cNAvf4dZnk5lPlYamIatYZdpoh1O0ll40MuoBbkozTKAii1YPQXTTMZkflqcuZ08f5woqu3-1tGSUuy114IDU9uUfHyNyPNIYOn388L3u_CBBQQ3S4O5h73ni5XRFRX1-1nXOlm5SBqjQ=s16000" /></a></span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Day 5: Thursday, February 3, 2022: Rio Seco Rainforest, Costa Rica</b><br /><br />Today was the day we visited the Rio Seco Rainforest in Costa
Rica. The literature says it is a 400-acre private property, which is
part of the Piedras Blancas National Park. Piedras Blancas National Park
is home to toucans, macaws, tapirs, pumas, jaguars and 4 species of
monkeys. Yikes, pumas and jaguars!<br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The
captain of our cruise ship (Captain Malo Bessec) wanted to take a swim in the clear waters of
the gorgeous Golfo Dulce (Sweet Gulf in English) where we anchored, so a
lot of us joined him. I have included 2 photos with yours truly
splashing around (see 1st two photos below). Yes, that is me doing a
<i>Grand Battement</i> in the water.</span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEib9M4OY_cnnofNwQ-LNJZWdByQAKk_l6xQCmv3ncD1HBphbGLqzx2p_Hb2Z4IUQ0-uGCl7Ux9K3z4pHkkE60SNOozpYIC-37OWuPlronkZNEq5xP1dWQ63Wu42DdCfpZoNuga0-chKPhUHO_H1-0R2wTWS3z5Zgq0Hm3SO_NmLuydCbXdsJyNdYxCU-A=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEib9M4OY_cnnofNwQ-LNJZWdByQAKk_l6xQCmv3ncD1HBphbGLqzx2p_Hb2Z4IUQ0-uGCl7Ux9K3z4pHkkE60SNOozpYIC-37OWuPlronkZNEq5xP1dWQ63Wu42DdCfpZoNuga0-chKPhUHO_H1-0R2wTWS3z5Zgq0Hm3SO_NmLuydCbXdsJyNdYxCU-A=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Doing a high kick in Golfo Dulce.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkguOokCQles-mlCMueIEzNngh9w67yc5M6ek4xFzu5WNWs3veFnwHrvVK4KFAa5fFMyNnKBHZ-PJ5hwdzP5FP2DdZm_B-UfoAUpJsn6W1aVaG8W8b3dtuy9pkA1h5db7bZ7sKoGAZ57vgxu91fX4byT0aKDXvHahKvLPPiMy4M3I_uYnr7TPyRehB-g=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkguOokCQles-mlCMueIEzNngh9w67yc5M6ek4xFzu5WNWs3veFnwHrvVK4KFAa5fFMyNnKBHZ-PJ5hwdzP5FP2DdZm_B-UfoAUpJsn6W1aVaG8W8b3dtuy9pkA1h5db7bZ7sKoGAZ57vgxu91fX4byT0aKDXvHahKvLPPiMy4M3I_uYnr7TPyRehB-g=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Splashing around in the Golfo Dulce.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">There
were so many overweight people in the water I figured the sea level
rose at least 2 inches. The literature says the water is the clearest
between the months of January through May, but is excellent all year. As
for water temperature, Golfo Dulce averages 82 °F, which is quite a lot
warmer than the 32 °F water temperature in Neko Harbor when Scott and I
took our Polar Plunge on our 2020 Patagonia-Antarctica cruise.</span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />I’m also including an earlier photo I took of an old boat that almost has my name on it, quite a luxury looking boat.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVyQNzmiMi5BwfsVnIibg8IkYMfqd3-qV3ILhcNYkQeYSjtIoaNueM5Tlgd7x-_28_LIbKaPXiOIxwqThp6qUV577H6xSo_RlG4EetwFG6xkT41Upx2Y7cvYmeSGFMZX_BImNM-Llr3MXqp8hUCJwAFM7ssd7KgS3PbVlheTRMqLgWXsq0lOJrVVhNdQ=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVyQNzmiMi5BwfsVnIibg8IkYMfqd3-qV3ILhcNYkQeYSjtIoaNueM5Tlgd7x-_28_LIbKaPXiOIxwqThp6qUV577H6xSo_RlG4EetwFG6xkT41Upx2Y7cvYmeSGFMZX_BImNM-Llr3MXqp8hUCJwAFM7ssd7KgS3PbVlheTRMqLgWXsq0lOJrVVhNdQ=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Old wooden boat.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b>Day 6:</b> Friday, February 4, 2022: Cébaco Island, Panama<br /><br />I understand it is Friday, when you are in paradise you lose track of things like days of the week. We went snorkeling today in the emerald waters of seldom-visited Cébaco Island. The beaches were gorgeous, the water just cool enough. We are cruising until we get to Panama City. Good food, good lectures (3 this afternoon), and good wine too. There are 4 photos below, the last photo s of yours truly drinking coconut milk and Myers's Rum (made from Jamaican sugarcane juice), a yummy drink. The ship’s staff had a surprise party after one lecture.<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIZ1pCvzG4OuJuHnojSa2fqKxz4NMJvTe-F_d7cVAX0Gy4emiSWDCtWtnN3QE9WUDphFwdRfWai_UHFrpIsTmteDY_f_teJjjw4ZMYYwifdcN0kfNM56jEy1Ywq9CoAbrSpYzgs7elv5zhx7rYBBpUjpH0pN6wyf0jTi08GM0Dfs6TXUKfeHB58-Q6uw=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIZ1pCvzG4OuJuHnojSa2fqKxz4NMJvTe-F_d7cVAX0Gy4emiSWDCtWtnN3QE9WUDphFwdRfWai_UHFrpIsTmteDY_f_teJjjw4ZMYYwifdcN0kfNM56jEy1Ywq9CoAbrSpYzgs7elv5zhx7rYBBpUjpH0pN6wyf0jTi08GM0Dfs6TXUKfeHB58-Q6uw=s16000" /></a></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZyWuyriKHPQxARDcqMTNZX5oaFdOZt2afNH69xsMjvW_ZE677jHbgJoyv35AvSEwqOK6pR4foi2vq7SVtehNoqLCgViGQdGbJ5oQmlx_pGhBWTviKONrRQDZVX7kugxj-MS0eUur5Ok-CoYTxzUzvpBvQieFqy8OQH2QdasLz9Io1y7dJjPEbmHXuGw=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZyWuyriKHPQxARDcqMTNZX5oaFdOZt2afNH69xsMjvW_ZE677jHbgJoyv35AvSEwqOK6pR4foi2vq7SVtehNoqLCgViGQdGbJ5oQmlx_pGhBWTviKONrRQDZVX7kugxj-MS0eUur5Ok-CoYTxzUzvpBvQieFqy8OQH2QdasLz9Io1y7dJjPEbmHXuGw=s16000" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjq2FoJgcmoUovdK8doqPcHlBvlkJpfxLRlYQF4YtUI4ry_3tWoGgJlzSaZvJsn0BKWW_HFwJIPkYL1xQUj8cCHOBQcx8J16L8bsIdCwIURUbXJIk5geD0z4mGA_fFMguj5uSvAI34VZJNgtYQjW_TKfYV2SkNWPoxT3llX2Q9_j6EXIf2VEn-X6tZ0lA=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjq2FoJgcmoUovdK8doqPcHlBvlkJpfxLRlYQF4YtUI4ry_3tWoGgJlzSaZvJsn0BKWW_HFwJIPkYL1xQUj8cCHOBQcx8J16L8bsIdCwIURUbXJIk5geD0z4mGA_fFMguj5uSvAI34VZJNgtYQjW_TKfYV2SkNWPoxT3llX2Q9_j6EXIf2VEn-X6tZ0lA=s16000" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipb_vj1rVTGP8TAD3VP9kkJi_CymtVVCQrGCg_KM0ws2uWyqt-d-6bI7LGebvHtMD--vDauyfWjrOpnYn-G5AGxEJCL5qKcqpj0jfNkCbMtNqC4xdZEjoChfUeWWgvEkt9vziIcFvZXg1pF8Fs4-P4oa_dqw7AfUc26XlOjkvY6PMS-i5EB07t8e_KoQ=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipb_vj1rVTGP8TAD3VP9kkJi_CymtVVCQrGCg_KM0ws2uWyqt-d-6bI7LGebvHtMD--vDauyfWjrOpnYn-G5AGxEJCL5qKcqpj0jfNkCbMtNqC4xdZEjoChfUeWWgvEkt9vziIcFvZXg1pF8Fs4-P4oa_dqw7AfUc26XlOjkvY6PMS-i5EB07t8e_KoQ=s16000" /></a></span></div><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Day 7: Saturday, February 5, 2022: Panama City, Panama</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Saturday we were scheduled to visit the UNESCO World Heritage designated Historic District of Casco Antiguo, a charming neighborhood with cobblestone streets and architecturally significant historical buildings, including a 16th century cathedral. Tour the Miraflores Visitor Center, and the brightly colored, multifaceted Biomuseo designed by Frank Gehry. Biomuseo is a museum focused on the natural history of Panama.<br /><br />Attached are a few photos that show the Bridge of the Americas in Panama City, the colorful Biomuseo, and some interior shots.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqjz2CuRxwgr8-5dsxLeawOuFFaAsN-VAMpF9Z34Cg5J6bxvHWw_pvb00RkiBlz3IerWFhQhrz0Zm8fCPrdHwVDpKMoDLsItogh3EtGZoQk17V8x9NlBlcT1HIy4wst84Ag9IMqh3tD33K-CncycLq6QH31WUZmMgnkUGbQIEwf0JVW9kqnXMfQP49ZQ=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqjz2CuRxwgr8-5dsxLeawOuFFaAsN-VAMpF9Z34Cg5J6bxvHWw_pvb00RkiBlz3IerWFhQhrz0Zm8fCPrdHwVDpKMoDLsItogh3EtGZoQk17V8x9NlBlcT1HIy4wst84Ag9IMqh3tD33K-CncycLq6QH31WUZmMgnkUGbQIEwf0JVW9kqnXMfQP49ZQ=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Bridge of the Americas<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilHY4kGHNh_sGuonTP5AqA13KGloQAif7zqTkePRb1n7iU7Qo_xyc5t4QxuQ8i4lM_LxyywIC4auR0h4tq3s857uv_7H2FiQUXzUZHv91KFci7Fthdi80ZCdaRWwKaOpPSbjacTUmCt6WYIhvfCWq9XePQp7S47MXqzKm6FWEKA1-5XCwLWL2pvZHN6A=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilHY4kGHNh_sGuonTP5AqA13KGloQAif7zqTkePRb1n7iU7Qo_xyc5t4QxuQ8i4lM_LxyywIC4auR0h4tq3s857uv_7H2FiQUXzUZHv91KFci7Fthdi80ZCdaRWwKaOpPSbjacTUmCt6WYIhvfCWq9XePQp7S47MXqzKm6FWEKA1-5XCwLWL2pvZHN6A=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span>Above: Multifaceted Biomuseo</span>.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3VJnDqT6B-m_SB0ZmwkyQc-ulWLJxoQf1oX3Fw-oUPO7EHw6pTnovfFF1SJakF_KdW2ca2qfTd7pi242n-0vVzGt_3e80r0URVyPD7szlMurzWuqIIeN8jxNt-RU2RTgp4yRM7R7IgK2WP9uP0YQ3-QsXPFaFO4bMGW2eJDWVV07NPnbiGDSqENcgXQ=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3VJnDqT6B-m_SB0ZmwkyQc-ulWLJxoQf1oX3Fw-oUPO7EHw6pTnovfFF1SJakF_KdW2ca2qfTd7pi242n-0vVzGt_3e80r0URVyPD7szlMurzWuqIIeN8jxNt-RU2RTgp4yRM7R7IgK2WP9uP0YQ3-QsXPFaFO4bMGW2eJDWVV07NPnbiGDSqENcgXQ=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Yours truly inside the<span> Biomuseo</span>. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTbV7TysI1goDTMHdNsWSGA0xLef7809rPwKOd7gBHWHbq6_zsgs06ubFrnYbbULDgmRiuFTOsuCJ854tW0FqX5I-Yv9HhStGAM3vJ8-f2L2Rz5OvNa0it6j8HIyyx4xC1ouDn8DzQgSJfC2tfBxS9srwNwDr7Izh8_u2tOKUgYF1pAFGovh281onaCA=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTbV7TysI1goDTMHdNsWSGA0xLef7809rPwKOd7gBHWHbq6_zsgs06ubFrnYbbULDgmRiuFTOsuCJ854tW0FqX5I-Yv9HhStGAM3vJ8-f2L2Rz5OvNa0it6j8HIyyx4xC1ouDn8DzQgSJfC2tfBxS9srwNwDr7Izh8_u2tOKUgYF1pAFGovh281onaCA=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Inside the<span> Biomuseo</span>. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Attached are a few more photos, this first one shows the skyline of Panama City, who knew it would look like this? The spiral building is the F&F Tower, also known as “Tornillo" (the screw in Spanish). I don’t know where the F&F name comes from but it’s mostly used for office spaces I believe. The angle of its rotation reaches 360 degrees.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiceiR3OZZ74-n27h2oe1pfg2T7EljHB4z1RZbxL5pt65Em3haGOgdeblr0jgC3aZhp1xZDl9tdgC0exDOrXm5pqnpFMGU3ubeX_VWNmqzlvHE-X3xLyh7-PCAn29PTQBViEuftxFnFqJfhSVJ4Ctdt2LKXm5cgLb7jSyiDepw8aZm_6a4DoguJ6jMumQ=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiceiR3OZZ74-n27h2oe1pfg2T7EljHB4z1RZbxL5pt65Em3haGOgdeblr0jgC3aZhp1xZDl9tdgC0exDOrXm5pqnpFMGU3ubeX_VWNmqzlvHE-X3xLyh7-PCAn29PTQBViEuftxFnFqJfhSVJ4Ctdt2LKXm5cgLb7jSyiDepw8aZm_6a4DoguJ6jMumQ=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Panama City skyline.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />The next 4 photos were taken from the Miraflores Visitor Center, looking above the Miraflores locks, one of the three sets of locks that form part of the original Panama Canal. There are a total of 12 locks, we have to go through 6 locks to get to the Atlantic side. 6 locks to go from the Pacific side to the Atlantic side, and another seperate 6 locks to go from the Atlantic side to the Pacific side (but Scott ad I won't be doing this). In the Miraflores locks there are two locks, two of the six we go through. Shortly after that we will go through the 3rd set of locks, the Pedro Miguel Locks.<br /><br />The above mentioned 12 locks are for the original Panama Canal built in 1914, this does not take into account the new Expanded Panama Canal that began commercial operation in 2016 for the new breed of larger ships.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGmcP_9PFcW20b2EegDGVUV__t1mrOE5ECG9akYhpaZR3CAWRxrW6VCVKjOOyxqaTZvMI0OlFdkO9xrN68FahHyczxG5MhccFXUXkUdrFVkKC048tDitWPlJXQkLuIj6tkNR7-EYsWjQmAXTme-KVRidkMXVfIThuMMShmyPLZqV0mpOX52tpH8Efd8Q=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGmcP_9PFcW20b2EegDGVUV__t1mrOE5ECG9akYhpaZR3CAWRxrW6VCVKjOOyxqaTZvMI0OlFdkO9xrN68FahHyczxG5MhccFXUXkUdrFVkKC048tDitWPlJXQkLuIj6tkNR7-EYsWjQmAXTme-KVRidkMXVfIThuMMShmyPLZqV0mpOX52tpH8Efd8Q=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: View from the Miraflores Visitor Center.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_4dQ2jZMZ8jkeg4AY4umum37uHonqiXnyroBQf_V8yZC02hFfpIk4HyqsgVzkW4fhH6t1_xuOv-aW9GrKZFwr3RVr4okQlvriluqOS3AStlC6yQgUPRDWGQp52SbWqP1z9PSuqwXAKB4G4dC6vEkN4XnesI0JELRJ2YnhzA_tNjbFo0g7IkOilXlI8Q=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_4dQ2jZMZ8jkeg4AY4umum37uHonqiXnyroBQf_V8yZC02hFfpIk4HyqsgVzkW4fhH6t1_xuOv-aW9GrKZFwr3RVr4okQlvriluqOS3AStlC6yQgUPRDWGQp52SbWqP1z9PSuqwXAKB4G4dC6vEkN4XnesI0JELRJ2YnhzA_tNjbFo0g7IkOilXlI8Q=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Yours truly at the Miraflores Visitor Center.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgA56Wf0NXkxmfnZOCex1tWCINJmbK56sXkuBoniPoGYDpfJYkXp3bWL5Q3PCUmjEAGCz7WC8sCAkR8V5Nl6-3fGrpi9uXoY9OdH539dGYspbil-8RoQn3y26hUB-aBjCGkdS8OSNGsJSIjXL-cbVzdCqLPMBb5iBfDLNmQJ6JG6h1TtkHwBBObfg3_UA=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgA56Wf0NXkxmfnZOCex1tWCINJmbK56sXkuBoniPoGYDpfJYkXp3bWL5Q3PCUmjEAGCz7WC8sCAkR8V5Nl6-3fGrpi9uXoY9OdH539dGYspbil-8RoQn3y26hUB-aBjCGkdS8OSNGsJSIjXL-cbVzdCqLPMBb5iBfDLNmQJ6JG6h1TtkHwBBObfg3_UA=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: View from the Miraflores Visitor Center.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3w6xcKlWBoGk84v7t7KZ-xEYXp35Y_rEga-Dr7oAD5QbnFyeAfj3LurhH574PTc96hKAUVKpIbrpB9mFfUrmj62aSGLwWbEaB2k8JgBJScWoM0vEMqfwU7gHXoJ53G2pncLm0D-eCxDGQiyYRN9kKVFjB3TntaWYsKbJxbcZLz1W-m7RRSCPSkFwhpQ=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3w6xcKlWBoGk84v7t7KZ-xEYXp35Y_rEga-Dr7oAD5QbnFyeAfj3LurhH574PTc96hKAUVKpIbrpB9mFfUrmj62aSGLwWbEaB2k8JgBJScWoM0vEMqfwU7gHXoJ53G2pncLm0D-eCxDGQiyYRN9kKVFjB3TntaWYsKbJxbcZLz1W-m7RRSCPSkFwhpQ=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: View from the Miraflores Visitor Center.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b>The following is a 31 second video of the gates at Miraflores closing.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='628' height='522' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxhstMQCw-dSpM2zflFIP-BOnTaVVEOVxWt1iDazm8kwL6Ti7XxtdJOs8QhujsnEj_UONa9JiYbFVTyRkEMtg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> Day 8: Sunday, February 6, 2022: Crossing the Panama Canal</b><br /><br />Today we cruised from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea through the locks of the fascinating Panama Canal and enjoyed a lecture on its history. Below are some photos<br /><br />The photo below is the Bridge of Americas Panama (Spanish: Puente de las Américas) was built along the Pan-American Highway in 1962. In a lecture we learned the Pan-American Highway starts in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, and stretches to the tip of Argentina in Ushuaia. Part of the Pan American Highway ends in Panama at the Columbian border because of the 60-mile wide Darien Gap and starts again further South in Columbia. This bridge carries 4 lanes of traffic. We cruised under this bridge to get to the entrance of Panama Canal.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1ydNugal7Cw17l8r0Rg2G2LRU3JUtvhY5HAKEAowZ9skVHmzXYwJ1gXZiJKCgfuaTB6QVBJybkfGMim2RC8FkURviDk-31T01KBGnHFZ1HbjTxVYjEIKkJX-hTaHpEvzU-Fdx2A5iSg6mIS0grWyQPtpOL3RCTjNejJMfyAQu1cz1nq1lbyvt3-9oZA=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1ydNugal7Cw17l8r0Rg2G2LRU3JUtvhY5HAKEAowZ9skVHmzXYwJ1gXZiJKCgfuaTB6QVBJybkfGMim2RC8FkURviDk-31T01KBGnHFZ1HbjTxVYjEIKkJX-hTaHpEvzU-Fdx2A5iSg6mIS0grWyQPtpOL3RCTjNejJMfyAQu1cz1nq1lbyvt3-9oZA=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Bridge of Americas.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"> <br />The following photo is guess who? Just so you know Scott and I were there. This is actually sort of a selfie, I took this off a reflection on the ship.</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMsl-sIwe-ANv6BeFSGaSrehuh-p39sEtPM9Vf4z1K91TmrDzbdsRykO0BqIWZ20IFkf-EYpG_G5WAY9MTuIRdWi6RP0UWuv_R7nsN8CVw1Cgd2RSRs2Zxxbxm3MTrnE00i_2WCp_nFI9dk9As6dZKZTV2ACrG8SWJmvPAEWTyGtzBtLLXXPIKVLf_Fw=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMsl-sIwe-ANv6BeFSGaSrehuh-p39sEtPM9Vf4z1K91TmrDzbdsRykO0BqIWZ20IFkf-EYpG_G5WAY9MTuIRdWi6RP0UWuv_R7nsN8CVw1Cgd2RSRs2Zxxbxm3MTrnE00i_2WCp_nFI9dk9As6dZKZTV2ACrG8SWJmvPAEWTyGtzBtLLXXPIKVLf_Fw=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Yours truly and Scott.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The next photo is heading into the 2nd Miraflores lock. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpLgw2NxRnASJSAGaxMGQDR-g6RYfYEMv_c_NVkcnmKxeMsSF5D1mmHIoxR58tpOP8Rm4mD9_VQkOR6466tnKiHOoJuS2GkF8JpVUaRqhkVwMlOJ8QJ0ifV_F28u9bKbWmIftzD1pTy_0rp1pWhFW-tA5M2SHxWIxuIc8IxuzIWV5LPRNTWS8tzxhJGg=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpLgw2NxRnASJSAGaxMGQDR-g6RYfYEMv_c_NVkcnmKxeMsSF5D1mmHIoxR58tpOP8Rm4mD9_VQkOR6466tnKiHOoJuS2GkF8JpVUaRqhkVwMlOJ8QJ0ifV_F28u9bKbWmIftzD1pTy_0rp1pWhFW-tA5M2SHxWIxuIc8IxuzIWV5LPRNTWS8tzxhJGg=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Heading into the Miraflores lock.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> Next is a photo as we were leaving the 2nd Miraflores Locks.<br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfn3NTb2Oc06wwHYEZW1Sa4y12J71odi1wpZR9jWC9e30EUIjPGL5eSqvSrcgLb6KbXzpQ3U3LDQirU-6c5nmArfennapUGKSVdie4lW6v_4ESJCPPnNloyrEaemwoUPcf-2lATmaLR-PlIcjOVSEaNrg4dJ4jOvhbqYttDyUd5zyzaQYSmekO2baOww=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfn3NTb2Oc06wwHYEZW1Sa4y12J71odi1wpZR9jWC9e30EUIjPGL5eSqvSrcgLb6KbXzpQ3U3LDQirU-6c5nmArfennapUGKSVdie4lW6v_4ESJCPPnNloyrEaemwoUPcf-2lATmaLR-PlIcjOVSEaNrg4dJ4jOvhbqYttDyUd5zyzaQYSmekO2baOww=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Leaving the Miraflores lock.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />The following photo is the Centennial Bridge (Spanish: Puente Centenario): We learned this bridge was built in 2004 to supplement the overcrowded Bridge of the Americas and to replace it as the carrier of the Pan-American Highway. This photo was taken after we exited the 3rd set of locks on the Pacific side, the Pedro Miguel Locks. For you bridge design lovers out there, this is of course a cable-stayed bridge, and carries 6 lanes of traffic over the Panama Canal. The new Kosciuszko bridge in New York City is the first cable-stayed bridge in my New York hometown, that I’m aware of anyway. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa, Florida is a cable-stayed bridge close to my Florida hometown in Clearwater. And the new Gerald Desmond Bridge in Long Beach, not too far from where Scott lives, is a cable-stayed bridge.</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEji7w8lxLAA-_dCeL3_OErNok6UBGjORRFWMmMsQnhuaHjsFj5_4m9fP0Wv16JMiX7JoW4q6baOZ1mwio8UEoR4srd8Sx9O1f0RWuFQaCU4JfwLxc7shAkdqco8v1Yg-tjBLFoMQ-FDWDv5odYd5s-tkPr94UeQ-l6446skN20tdPgVqIpQD3Cl0mAObg=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEji7w8lxLAA-_dCeL3_OErNok6UBGjORRFWMmMsQnhuaHjsFj5_4m9fP0Wv16JMiX7JoW4q6baOZ1mwio8UEoR4srd8Sx9O1f0RWuFQaCU4JfwLxc7shAkdqco8v1Yg-tjBLFoMQ-FDWDv5odYd5s-tkPr94UeQ-l6446skN20tdPgVqIpQD3Cl0mAObg=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Centennial Bridge.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The Culebra Cut is shown in the next photo, we learned this was the most difficult part of the digging of the canal due to the unstable nature of the soil and rock in the area. This photo was taken shortly after we cruised under the Centennial Bridge</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyzuFqX82_ZRHukjxbfPLS1ipiAIP1mtZx8E3DFDbGatZGnq180-NruQ-4lqQ1x1o03oHbPk6Amqz_0gwnYaH4iX1MWm5C3nnsalz-aLC_At-5O7oe1mTIKXrgKP2oNDfFnXNRYKovcJXhOkLJQI9bmhTunNcbuF-NX5EzzsN7JFVC6eSY6SLOwYvS_g=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyzuFqX82_ZRHukjxbfPLS1ipiAIP1mtZx8E3DFDbGatZGnq180-NruQ-4lqQ1x1o03oHbPk6Amqz_0gwnYaH4iX1MWm5C3nnsalz-aLC_At-5O7oe1mTIKXrgKP2oNDfFnXNRYKovcJXhOkLJQI9bmhTunNcbuF-NX5EzzsN7JFVC6eSY6SLOwYvS_g=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Culebra Cut.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;">A few more photos to share from Saturday, these on the Atlantic side.<br /><br />The photo below was taken before the Gatun Locks in the area known as the Chagres River (Spanish: Río Chagres), a stream in Panama forming part of the Panama Canal system</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYCouyHi3bV3CccSloP_dG_50l1BsL-IwhhHozSkEOtD6w0wPTeiFRz3Da6tttBF3_KkBV8XfRTaxZROquMcAISXHqrInqzxlejHvDE8SwUzwzan-o9l1uO6uCuXhR4TViYc9n2rHiFgS4YvJUyx5Ie6-5GDQ-zWn9IxJYYWeoz2uqn4G5FyyYwuF0iw=s2016" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYCouyHi3bV3CccSloP_dG_50l1BsL-IwhhHozSkEOtD6w0wPTeiFRz3Da6tttBF3_KkBV8XfRTaxZROquMcAISXHqrInqzxlejHvDE8SwUzwzan-o9l1uO6uCuXhR4TViYc9n2rHiFgS4YvJUyx5Ie6-5GDQ-zWn9IxJYYWeoz2uqn4G5FyyYwuF0iw=s16000" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The following photo was taken in the area known as Gatun Lake, before the Gatun Locks.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQWyquuj9VMS7xmJUAP8McGsQRRXAQ7YHWq9IpAgiNqpjoAx9zDqa-P1Q6xVnQqAJcWcA2xpFbi-JVtNqY66HE14DmsDGDe-ibUxEFrvEVdCimWjC3F1MhLF4Be4saie4lBg7D4ZcD52tgNGyTd64cxubA0AmsgvEVWocbA8jCbtuHtWT70csZ1M1bYQ=s2016" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQWyquuj9VMS7xmJUAP8McGsQRRXAQ7YHWq9IpAgiNqpjoAx9zDqa-P1Q6xVnQqAJcWcA2xpFbi-JVtNqY66HE14DmsDGDe-ibUxEFrvEVdCimWjC3F1MhLF4Be4saie4lBg7D4ZcD52tgNGyTd64cxubA0AmsgvEVWocbA8jCbtuHtWT70csZ1M1bYQ=s16000" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The photo below taken coming out of the Gatun Locks, looking towards the Atlantic Bridge (Spanish: Puente Atlántico), a bridge in Colón, Panama. This bridge is the 3rd Panama Canal Crossing and is the longest concrete cable-stayed bridge on the planet.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-MFRbtGbHlHRITQMWTh0lcJzrt4OLhYnGgCNftU24-0qh4CThP8NABanFowNPGqWlBVVbKPUFQlH_bjBXhVYjnstEOJFc0nLpYi84imqTOMgL-3mWSJkXF6ytYjJ43GV3BkZ1x7r8g1U7WEp9luj_SlRF2wUWqt8lPUtqbVYdTSADZAm6mdjua6mWeQ=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-MFRbtGbHlHRITQMWTh0lcJzrt4OLhYnGgCNftU24-0qh4CThP8NABanFowNPGqWlBVVbKPUFQlH_bjBXhVYjnstEOJFc0nLpYi84imqTOMgL-3mWSJkXF6ytYjJ43GV3BkZ1x7r8g1U7WEp9luj_SlRF2wUWqt8lPUtqbVYdTSADZAm6mdjua6mWeQ=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: looking towards the Atlantic Bridge.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The next photo is the Order of the Ditch for yours truly. 😀<br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiL86CVxDpw-h3UNPoapnr3kBnqhME6xnFNyx80qvL4LCdwLaTXKh7q63IP6J6Vd4adG3rCOB5FJ7TF5HEzSzB7HqBU5dNTmXQ3UdtLbd5e90iNb32bEZRkUpqCfSk6blAutnOEpIERQu7ortTdZURCpoY_RSGDtJae9V2ij3cvRMyEgSJkfiBURCAvIQ=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1386" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiL86CVxDpw-h3UNPoapnr3kBnqhME6xnFNyx80qvL4LCdwLaTXKh7q63IP6J6Vd4adG3rCOB5FJ7TF5HEzSzB7HqBU5dNTmXQ3UdtLbd5e90iNb32bEZRkUpqCfSk6blAutnOEpIERQu7ortTdZURCpoY_RSGDtJae9V2ij3cvRMyEgSJkfiBURCAvIQ=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: My Order of the Ditch.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I didn't get any photos going through the Gatun Locks, I became friends with a woman teaching a class on smartphone photography during this time and opted to take her class. Learned a lot about photography apps for the smartphone.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Day 9: Monday, February 7, 2022: In Colón, Disembark the ship, </b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">tour of the Emberá tribe, </span>and leaving for Panama City</b><br /><br />We stayed on the ship Sunday night after going through the Panama Canal. Monday we disembarked our ship to head for Panama City. But we had time to do a few things before leaving Colón.<br /><br />In the morning we visited the Panama Canal Expansion Agua Clara Visitor Center to enjoy panoramic views of the canal’s new longer, wider locks and impressive 166-square-mile Gatún Lake. <br /><br />The photo below shows a ship in the new expansion locks The new locks are 1400 ft long vs 1000 feet for the original locks and 180 feet wide vs 100 feet wide. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvRpEYIlddnjMBV7YVb_RQdOhCxWbhQppnF7pt1vknAqeZ028kzminOoKdTDnqxqeDJkAbrFqlwCqjw5xOwCD0_qUTN-9RAKL8dz4ZG1xqVkhMIdpZPUy_YQRlnTfMlQKx3FCb744qk-MMKvrfweE6FM_b9KKM7ek93woSS_pbLmplvjic8v203gSKxg=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvRpEYIlddnjMBV7YVb_RQdOhCxWbhQppnF7pt1vknAqeZ028kzminOoKdTDnqxqeDJkAbrFqlwCqjw5xOwCD0_qUTN-9RAKL8dz4ZG1xqVkhMIdpZPUy_YQRlnTfMlQKx3FCb744qk-MMKvrfweE6FM_b9KKM7ek93woSS_pbLmplvjic8v203gSKxg=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: New expansion locks on Atlantic side.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The next photo shows a ship leaving the expansion locks heading into Gatun lake. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEho9OYrJK2jYCfK1h35ZhalrT_C9oguvAZJPcWhhdnTcTyyRv0k7jiyzowchWsSJrvYr8iIkKn9x43FOlzuLddFdJWnVIPhvSURt50nG0LVqI8Ix9dZPA5gFeiTWArFGx5NfzUITz4EkewqSkuV41_l2LysEiayNSZCu9TzlzNtkOmscTRm6hNDqNa-cA=s2106" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2106" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEho9OYrJK2jYCfK1h35ZhalrT_C9oguvAZJPcWhhdnTcTyyRv0k7jiyzowchWsSJrvYr8iIkKn9x43FOlzuLddFdJWnVIPhvSURt50nG0LVqI8Ix9dZPA5gFeiTWArFGx5NfzUITz4EkewqSkuV41_l2LysEiayNSZCu9TzlzNtkOmscTRm6hNDqNa-cA=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Ship leaving new expansion locks.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;">On the bus ride from </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Colón</span> to Panama City, we stopped to take a tour of the Emberá tribe that still live in traditional villages deep in the rainforest of Panama. This is the tribe that teaches soldiers and astronauts how to survive in the jungles all over the world. From the Darien Gap (jungle of Panama). Below are some photos</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYYHw0JQzhv9Qk06lOWlS0l4is7JLatg6F2bkiyNbAGAq_Y1OJB-Wfj40-Zzuu_33Eb4UeZuIBko2AYfbrlMxdPkycWtUKdy20UJQGe3k2PVCXxv3c7Ee7qEr1D4q73ELENnI36xkVDOzO_7jeH28qV3QcjGjCOP1rLlpIoUqKNhy1qZdokzBLF-s9CQ=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYYHw0JQzhv9Qk06lOWlS0l4is7JLatg6F2bkiyNbAGAq_Y1OJB-Wfj40-Zzuu_33Eb4UeZuIBko2AYfbrlMxdPkycWtUKdy20UJQGe3k2PVCXxv3c7Ee7qEr1D4q73ELENnI36xkVDOzO_7jeH28qV3QcjGjCOP1rLlpIoUqKNhy1qZdokzBLF-s9CQ=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Dugout canoes about to take us to the Emberá Village.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZQ5XlCui_595tfmq9k5CE4poLQY9TA-aZKEJcEHGkZc4N-vqFTN5ehpaKSBzPd8EFHon5V4nsRTgs-IhYczTKjvhBBDYEBCSf2bT7Zhteubf8mLa12B5unCYslakzwTI7y6uUZ8zOUCwACoHcc5F1Mj8u3fonFtnhbPca7r70oGe0uz8-HPo1-NX41w=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZQ5XlCui_595tfmq9k5CE4poLQY9TA-aZKEJcEHGkZc4N-vqFTN5ehpaKSBzPd8EFHon5V4nsRTgs-IhYczTKjvhBBDYEBCSf2bT7Zhteubf8mLa12B5unCYslakzwTI7y6uUZ8zOUCwACoHcc5F1Mj8u3fonFtnhbPca7r70oGe0uz8-HPo1-NX41w=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: The river trip we took, the Rio Gatun is about 18 inches deep.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgr-d0SnLZzCOBNurHqFbZJr-w3RBW3YzUJOiUIMI7UWHa_llJM9AqH9UcZGFJW7NbG22b4e0kMkH955kR3Du-3zSUSzYi8RajkE6rU25o9Pa69hlh0AMiNOMbAsylCfmlsf1XgHo8pkEuGm8lmqS27wdpftgNKKx0KI2Zkl9yqNpqMsglsQp48MqmMg=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgr-d0SnLZzCOBNurHqFbZJr-w3RBW3YzUJOiUIMI7UWHa_llJM9AqH9UcZGFJW7NbG22b4e0kMkH955kR3Du-3zSUSzYi8RajkE6rU25o9Pa69hlh0AMiNOMbAsylCfmlsf1XgHo8pkEuGm8lmqS27wdpftgNKKx0KI2Zkl9yqNpqMsglsQp48MqmMg=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: The approach to the indigenous Emberá Village.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbX3M4IWz4y8e_BnWis3GaqRfLFX3KqrbW3nQn4aJS-mz_2Cy589Sx9qFUEjPW2doXMu-ot1Wl1tVWZ5ahbg9EJvv0wJf1WBpJdF0tEH_0UARCWQp2faK03onC7TWxgYDu8dXDnJ-hCa6fiiI-wzzLhSE3rQlNgD819YuwVWjvtrpgz_jkOGmESiEUtQ=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbX3M4IWz4y8e_BnWis3GaqRfLFX3KqrbW3nQn4aJS-mz_2Cy589Sx9qFUEjPW2doXMu-ot1Wl1tVWZ5ahbg9EJvv0wJf1WBpJdF0tEH_0UARCWQp2faK03onC7TWxgYDu8dXDnJ-hCa6fiiI-wzzLhSE3rQlNgD819YuwVWjvtrpgz_jkOGmESiEUtQ=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Yours truly at the Emberá Village.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnP7S27dSRYZR9sSwecExI71koRiv2wViGdORDs5y-wjDrn90zednKGybpENm5fielkCtKbDbO0dtl6MlazW0NkVMZrCalLxXfyX-NQQNGPUo_xyotE9I_jF5pzsuxZfVggrw4HN67edVwBijoIZaSd0WMARfvGqR3r8D-miS1gQih6mm9u0SDYqS6KQ=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnP7S27dSRYZR9sSwecExI71koRiv2wViGdORDs5y-wjDrn90zednKGybpENm5fielkCtKbDbO0dtl6MlazW0NkVMZrCalLxXfyX-NQQNGPUo_xyotE9I_jF5pzsuxZfVggrw4HN67edVwBijoIZaSd0WMARfvGqR3r8D-miS1gQih6mm9u0SDYqS6KQ=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Another view to the village.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlQiBTHvL8TmuyR6I-XGqCCJYVWw6pirCDo5xHPpzW4vndxX8sZ0xLWKEFWMxnyQSMP2YaqrO1TWl3rYArrNqvyW2tBMb5FgxFMv8gZBwtIcFyjEI_m3JTaSV7ElT4dhGMYukiqFeKkgVHVPV19QBQLRvj2cKag6hIjdxm2q28SerLubUvIjnOKo4zAA=s2057" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2057" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlQiBTHvL8TmuyR6I-XGqCCJYVWw6pirCDo5xHPpzW4vndxX8sZ0xLWKEFWMxnyQSMP2YaqrO1TWl3rYArrNqvyW2tBMb5FgxFMv8gZBwtIcFyjEI_m3JTaSV7ElT4dhGMYukiqFeKkgVHVPV19QBQLRvj2cKag6hIjdxm2q28SerLubUvIjnOKo4zAA=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: A welcome to the village by a member of the ever present youth. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLXWz-ehDlSMlcUT_EsLVIU0MqOMsCGWfmfW6ulLEPhb__BOJWCXTUvRPduOgArMQQ_ItK9j-KnvQK0vSIoC_-y94gLjGyfUMtAXM8B3yWRF2c9tHeHRkf6NOzpO-5Fdgt73_7-qNzh0IMaigOizsghAAyMMV4YsYzidUfpKi4dS7hGAVeSP_vHGVKRQ=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLXWz-ehDlSMlcUT_EsLVIU0MqOMsCGWfmfW6ulLEPhb__BOJWCXTUvRPduOgArMQQ_ItK9j-KnvQK0vSIoC_-y94gLjGyfUMtAXM8B3yWRF2c9tHeHRkf6NOzpO-5Fdgt73_7-qNzh0IMaigOizsghAAyMMV4YsYzidUfpKi4dS7hGAVeSP_vHGVKRQ=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: The welcoming women that will dance for us later.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvg1YLbnjSJyHzIld_wiZV3TURK2Eiq9AkWKzgiZ8fer8bbTpTIbv8Cs4aPSS_1WDz_LQtLuez8M0y9L9DY1hz7QLrT1K6pdIvOjxZ7hh1glc6HbfQ-eCVpurAA9Cx4QuZgd5lHf5JY2RssnkX6-4b5fjBWSak9Rm77TqZY88bQhbLzFAnjVg5_mHJFw=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvg1YLbnjSJyHzIld_wiZV3TURK2Eiq9AkWKzgiZ8fer8bbTpTIbv8Cs4aPSS_1WDz_LQtLuez8M0y9L9DY1hz7QLrT1K6pdIvOjxZ7hh1glc6HbfQ-eCVpurAA9Cx4QuZgd5lHf5JY2RssnkX6-4b5fjBWSak9Rm77TqZY88bQhbLzFAnjVg5_mHJFw=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: the welcoming drummers in customary costumes. Daily attire is the
yellow cloth basically on a belt covering all the necessary parts. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"> <br /></span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJNNVo7o12JksA815zQm8OPDmElh-cpc3RI4s3IA0aVpCeddiUaWqNN5PZnponveD-IxAdqLNafUEbtyUNcOs_5oxFTh9q9jZp2i8T4LMFUh1OWxgEmRu8xpdQCcV2s2rFa6Rjd3dH_xEYWOQlf8fagVkZlCyz0du6_E7JnyBt5UAc5U1vA7KoTHeLpA=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJNNVo7o12JksA815zQm8OPDmElh-cpc3RI4s3IA0aVpCeddiUaWqNN5PZnponveD-IxAdqLNafUEbtyUNcOs_5oxFTh9q9jZp2i8T4LMFUh1OWxgEmRu8xpdQCcV2s2rFa6Rjd3dH_xEYWOQlf8fagVkZlCyz0du6_E7JnyBt5UAc5U1vA7KoTHeLpA=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: the village chief and spokesman and me. I had a bad sunburn on my arms
and I asked for a big leaf to use as an umbrella for protection on the
boat ride back. He of course laughed and got the biggest leaf he
could find.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />They fed us a lovely lunch on banana leaves. Fried fish and plantains and fruit for dessert. The bus ride back from the boat (and </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Colón</span>) to Panama City was quiet, this was a long day. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The attached 14 second video shows some of the the traditional Emberá dance and music.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='650' height='539' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz-rvvCJ0O4w9Wd4Z75F7e6NxVkReJkNFnXMkWbJMORprZV_3Al_aHT0pYqLsDeC73_QH2BJYEfaXd4ru9b0w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><b> </b></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><b>Day 10:</b> Tuesday, February 8, 2022: Panama City </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The last couple of days (Tuesday and Wednesday) in Panama City were interesting but not as interesting as the Panama Canal crossing and the Emberá Village tour.<br /><br />We learned a little about the history of Panama City and Henry Morgan, the pirate who invaded Panama in 1671. He ended up an entrepreneur making rum and an official charged with getting rid of pirates.<br /><br />From today, below are four photos of the ruins at Ciudad Vieja (aka Panama Viejo), a historic archaeological site, that we visited.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjk5SCEyTVSpCr1jh9XvOri-jiijvRuPHZwGZ6NEpW8gALs9FD1-BCWoTRu0bbrIRg6BuMyZQqoECHHeNGXTx_u4515NGpg_FoVyxANl1EnueIkuEaheJ8hYZ2pkocoxUb7N22HkOMKCEkgmFLBbOMYOHqMVoObmrZgO-xi_fM-n5uaLavYx0SvyCumkw=s2016" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjk5SCEyTVSpCr1jh9XvOri-jiijvRuPHZwGZ6NEpW8gALs9FD1-BCWoTRu0bbrIRg6BuMyZQqoECHHeNGXTx_u4515NGpg_FoVyxANl1EnueIkuEaheJ8hYZ2pkocoxUb7N22HkOMKCEkgmFLBbOMYOHqMVoObmrZgO-xi_fM-n5uaLavYx0SvyCumkw=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: <span style="font-size: medium;">Ruins at Ciudad Vieja.</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5J0fFC5e3qowt9692GdAi-oakZEx3qkLQjb2slt6ERe-ZMvsgtE7LiiPKRQfj2UB0yHK7mRQYaDrRxkthN_lYjE1lVz_nVxfQBDrJGsH52pHe6VE7ZuWllTQkIxhCABzsTC5k_5VJwloL33K8G2ribRYns2cXsR-ZR5jFqFx806EmidgOh0h3o1sQLg=s2016" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5J0fFC5e3qowt9692GdAi-oakZEx3qkLQjb2slt6ERe-ZMvsgtE7LiiPKRQfj2UB0yHK7mRQYaDrRxkthN_lYjE1lVz_nVxfQBDrJGsH52pHe6VE7ZuWllTQkIxhCABzsTC5k_5VJwloL33K8G2ribRYns2cXsR-ZR5jFqFx806EmidgOh0h3o1sQLg=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span style="font-size: medium;">Ruins at Ciudad Vieja.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVRpzlty8Z2U0p1f-PaqXzEvvqb-GhRx2eLZsVyfwOgsn5ZSTQ4vMc1h0jKM8RJj8_UmAQirh5M-zWGnlIDB55tf57gjACDy_XXVz__udAIE9CcQ1awvBZ31xEEgvJw7lDydCXKNqG9kWViO05gpX_xB9mGZb1GfR7gZJG_GXHEkn1xr3pEb-IPGvo5Q=s2016" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVRpzlty8Z2U0p1f-PaqXzEvvqb-GhRx2eLZsVyfwOgsn5ZSTQ4vMc1h0jKM8RJj8_UmAQirh5M-zWGnlIDB55tf57gjACDy_XXVz__udAIE9CcQ1awvBZ31xEEgvJw7lDydCXKNqG9kWViO05gpX_xB9mGZb1GfR7gZJG_GXHEkn1xr3pEb-IPGvo5Q=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span style="font-size: medium;">Ruins at Ciudad Vieja.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia4HOCGbbjPkSl178ZdlcEt8VY_XXYr-5ChkLeFN_Bwu0173E1uNMWFPgIN2cESP6tyFUX5f-RJIUwLjzK0pZtIx4GYqz6ZWTOezoUupbqmOvW4Z-IDLWLaMDrcE7cooyhPJyXZ7kWt2298vJacb3kCHkCOX12N8d-pP85ASYP1hH_CIc03ofQrHL-XQ=s2015" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="1511" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia4HOCGbbjPkSl178ZdlcEt8VY_XXYr-5ChkLeFN_Bwu0173E1uNMWFPgIN2cESP6tyFUX5f-RJIUwLjzK0pZtIx4GYqz6ZWTOezoUupbqmOvW4Z-IDLWLaMDrcE7cooyhPJyXZ7kWt2298vJacb3kCHkCOX12N8d-pP85ASYP1hH_CIc03ofQrHL-XQ=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: <span style="font-size: medium;">Yours truly at the ruins at Ciudad Vieja.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Below are 2 photos of the mud flats in this area. This location for Ciudad Vieja was chosen because of the mud flats. The pirate ships couldn’t land their galleons. The tides are -3 ft to +16 ft. 2 high tides, 2 low tides everyday. Everything that came by sea had to be towed in at high tide. The mud flats are brown and smelly with expensive condos overlooking them.<br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYSkQm3FweO01AF1_aXKYQI-7EJp8SIXHlgOKlq3M62pSwq9x4S9S0_PzIyE4ajD3Ms0BWXXa8auvONmp_Bu_rZAb1lbRCb3UMMNFY1f-F8qxSduGXG_e6PdbyBaYwGdkIyyo5lKehf31lHndWXkkrcQZl6U7pAqSBH7rLasBHm9x1FbazZ7wPYGALbA=s2016" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYSkQm3FweO01AF1_aXKYQI-7EJp8SIXHlgOKlq3M62pSwq9x4S9S0_PzIyE4ajD3Ms0BWXXa8auvONmp_Bu_rZAb1lbRCb3UMMNFY1f-F8qxSduGXG_e6PdbyBaYwGdkIyyo5lKehf31lHndWXkkrcQZl6U7pAqSBH7rLasBHm9x1FbazZ7wPYGALbA=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Mud flats.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYG6TCNYc1kT5RryURdZ4wXAF4fEXyR8Q-k3I-Dn_fPZAF4I0dQKQC8fRRyQUeFJHvSHgmXqGOVRGAgcOkmjYs2Dx3W2rD5zbV-j4BWZB6xcMVtQvyNcJi6VWEltrwUSqK4p54PGQwWQhmxMnAPV2WDWO0sGWCERpqtEnycV8ChB9t-ibduQtrFPRlvg=s2016" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYG6TCNYc1kT5RryURdZ4wXAF4fEXyR8Q-k3I-Dn_fPZAF4I0dQKQC8fRRyQUeFJHvSHgmXqGOVRGAgcOkmjYs2Dx3W2rD5zbV-j4BWZB6xcMVtQvyNcJi6VWEltrwUSqK4p54PGQwWQhmxMnAPV2WDWO0sGWCERpqtEnycV8ChB9t-ibduQtrFPRlvg=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Mud flats.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Below is a photo of some leafcutter ants' dump. They take those leaves inside and wait until a fungus grows and eat the fungus so they have to get rid of the now rotten leaves. Fascinating insects. Not endangered. Actually considered a pest by homeowners and gardeners as they can strip a tree of all its leaves in a day.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6-SYShsI14jn4Xf9U6GA-um8vPkW_P1d4kpjWmp8twaQnI2-M1ii0oKdguwUNkeW09nlsOc_f2fZLfEkJHeTEz6509ElSwefucyw_SjvaICXt8NAhJzNkrkB67KFfcj10-eeNgzXaSTbklyaI2Ly-LQEDPB3NeDP_um0nCCOKguiSW7jKePvG_0CsyQ=s2016" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6-SYShsI14jn4Xf9U6GA-um8vPkW_P1d4kpjWmp8twaQnI2-M1ii0oKdguwUNkeW09nlsOc_f2fZLfEkJHeTEz6509ElSwefucyw_SjvaICXt8NAhJzNkrkB67KFfcj10-eeNgzXaSTbklyaI2Ly-LQEDPB3NeDP_um0nCCOKguiSW7jKePvG_0CsyQ=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: <span style="font-size: medium;">Leafcutter ants' dump</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Day 11: Wednesday, February 9, 2022: Panama City</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wednesday
we toured the Museum of Contemporary Art in Panama City, the next to
the last photo below is of yours truly at the main exhibit, about
transgender people. I am in a drag Queen costume.</span><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbWUdsIqqH75pOXzCwccITmS4n8HrBRqjpq-Nv5RT4Kp56YbmHPa4-9eqTUDPgXrPkWZ1tOfvHWzSrzBTYSzq8ZGLcFrWT4-9FqfN8dlSiqXvEcC6TiMVD0OQ8ZhWAajpHLrwLGhKfnvXqz3JEEE-YpA4IMwX3gVjf1vnAqQc8GKsvb3XkEh0zNK11yg=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbWUdsIqqH75pOXzCwccITmS4n8HrBRqjpq-Nv5RT4Kp56YbmHPa4-9eqTUDPgXrPkWZ1tOfvHWzSrzBTYSzq8ZGLcFrWT4-9FqfN8dlSiqXvEcC6TiMVD0OQ8ZhWAajpHLrwLGhKfnvXqz3JEEE-YpA4IMwX3gVjf1vnAqQc8GKsvb3XkEh0zNK11yg=s16000" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Museum of Contemporary Art.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The next and last photo is Scott and I, taken in the Multiplaza Panama, largest mall in Panama.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMUHJZuq3qzVw6DIM6-4MVtsdGdNgDQU9HVRBVvkkVu0KITMnwPj9xRColHWdxzG7noyQ8T6Z86wZXUarOMYu-C5uYzC6m17XQ7KK1QQa3ONhBwJvGWIUBCWikAD8xS4W7GrIpCfOqdcrzdu8f0O7EZPI6ZMMbjyyrhYS-qHkUn2rbaBugrx7R5iYhyw=s2016" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMUHJZuq3qzVw6DIM6-4MVtsdGdNgDQU9HVRBVvkkVu0KITMnwPj9xRColHWdxzG7noyQ8T6Z86wZXUarOMYu-C5uYzC6m17XQ7KK1QQa3ONhBwJvGWIUBCWikAD8xS4W7GrIpCfOqdcrzdu8f0O7EZPI6ZMMbjyyrhYS-qHkUn2rbaBugrx7R5iYhyw=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Photo from the Massimo Dutti at Multiplaza Panama.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </span></span></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626364476155545127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728495483307516262.post-15044451358020170232021-09-30T15:25:00.082-07:002022-04-30T17:44:21.970-07:002021 Road Trip from California to Oregon<p><span style="font-size: large;">This entry is about a 23-day road trip I took with Scott King, from California to Oregon and back, starting on September 6, 2021 (Monday) and ending on September 28, 2021 (Tuesday). We went to places like Yosemite National Park, Old Sacramento, Crater Lake, Silverton, Vancouver, Portland, Myrtle Creek (to visit my niece), </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Multnomah Falls, Redwood National and State Parks, </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Avenue
of the Giants</span></span>, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cannery Row</span>, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">17-Mile Drive @ Pebble Beach</span>...and a ton of other places. The photos can also be found at the following Google Photos site, https://photos.app.goo.gl/opeopPGfwZ8jUijw7. <br /><br /><b>DAY 1 (Monday, September 6th): On our way to Yosemite National Park, California</b><br /><br />Scott and I started our road trip from the Los Angeles area (Manhattan Beach) to Oregon and back.<br /><br />The following photo is of us leaving Scott’s house Monday in Scott's 2017 Tesla X.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqmq-ZV4RtkDS7ttzavOeO3-DLkpOFlohFqRFOteyEgytC6K6KTtWgJ0PKW2GyhLY1il9nTMX3e8yb9FuRoCCENILhEhgHEQ9FmrMrJtF9zLsTubd8FqeVaW22G23m1KHia3CHOFVjZzk/s2016/IMG_5236.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqmq-ZV4RtkDS7ttzavOeO3-DLkpOFlohFqRFOteyEgytC6K6KTtWgJ0PKW2GyhLY1il9nTMX3e8yb9FuRoCCENILhEhgHEQ9FmrMrJtF9zLsTubd8FqeVaW22G23m1KHia3CHOFVjZzk/w480-h640/IMG_5236.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scott's 2017 Tesla X at the start of our trip.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Next is a picture of a stop to charge the battery at a Tesla Supercharger station, some place in the Godforsaken hot valley of I don’t know where, but about 200+ miles north of Los Angeles on our way to the Yosemite National Park The charging station had 16 chargers and was opposite the Bravo Farms, which had sheep and other petting animals.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnOEpNOH16qtFS01jZHsZvkJS26RGO4Ag7ULnvQSWvHPe-qZ-R7MflOpz8lBmUZOGNJ_dWdBplAbZ8oYQtwXdRJGg9vGXVatjcLeD7GcKGdPM_oxeQhAnbN9yALgl2GSrriGuip-7ygRR/s2016/IMG_5239.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnOEpNOH16qtFS01jZHsZvkJS26RGO4Ag7ULnvQSWvHPe-qZ-R7MflOpz8lBmUZOGNJ_dWdBplAbZ8oYQtwXdRJGg9vGXVatjcLeD7GcKGdPM_oxeQhAnbN9yALgl2GSrriGuip-7ygRR/w480-h640/IMG_5239.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: At Tesla charging station.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br />The next photo is the Red Barn also next to the charging station, also a junk store, a gift shop, a BBQ restaurant, and ice cream place where people could spend their money whilst their expensive cars charged. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJk3ZEJ3e1Q_GQvL7vINr5bhzA4DycRxFtN3_aDhX7iWLh07pFMHe3aWr-EvIl5fcCbHZbKWRXcvJ80h3pLB2gXRMDZckrDj3JM3I5scr61lWmPUPgN4akkMoEDI7Ufww41A2HcznD3adX/s2016/IMG_5240.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJk3ZEJ3e1Q_GQvL7vINr5bhzA4DycRxFtN3_aDhX7iWLh07pFMHe3aWr-EvIl5fcCbHZbKWRXcvJ80h3pLB2gXRMDZckrDj3JM3I5scr61lWmPUPgN4akkMoEDI7Ufww41A2HcznD3adX/w640-h480/IMG_5240.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Red Barn next to the charging station.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"> I bought the following metal tin sign as a gift for a friend that rides motorcycles.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Fj-jEP3sUnGWOiTnl-_Ap8UMx8zZ6bv1L4uChgHUqL99xsvrhvodqms8sHvSq6RznAzsgTf8KYobGfKWR7aynBvt3FN0to4Hbz2J0zPl7mrfyK4-47iCevoljECxBkh8DqDnvV5nxwLk/s1350/MotorcycleSign.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="1350" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Fj-jEP3sUnGWOiTnl-_Ap8UMx8zZ6bv1L4uChgHUqL99xsvrhvodqms8sHvSq6RznAzsgTf8KYobGfKWR7aynBvt3FN0to4Hbz2J0zPl7mrfyK4-47iCevoljECxBkh8DqDnvV5nxwLk/w640-h500/MotorcycleSign.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Metal tin sign bought for a friend.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The following is a photo of the Traver jail (that where the Tesla Supercharger station was, Traver, California), I didn’t tell them I was a Democrat either. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIuttUz6YMaOQ2dMWYvuoqN9Mfy9wHCjoRVztfmYjEqvE6YW62QNY5kfF5lwMuMd-wTaa_QxdcDg8eQE-z_rSqzL-TX7eYw2fAZA8Gpxr1hjQ-C5Kh9iqocy9aTng8f_rCIphipiyTHm_/s2016/IMG_5244.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIuttUz6YMaOQ2dMWYvuoqN9Mfy9wHCjoRVztfmYjEqvE6YW62QNY5kfF5lwMuMd-wTaa_QxdcDg8eQE-z_rSqzL-TX7eYw2fAZA8Gpxr1hjQ-C5Kh9iqocy9aTng8f_rCIphipiyTHm_/w480-h640/IMG_5244.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Traver Jail<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />The next photo taken after arriving at Yosemite, 8 hours after leaving Los Angeles, a gorgeous sunset marred by scorched and burned trees from some previous fire. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmuZMMvQmR3S4E4nALkcb0lcSV4TGevnbUs1Fxm9tE5P0kEj6SY5VdEGH0pV08coKI8IQjXeHRrmgHi1FNGCytwnlj9fNrxJgPEKVHXZVathXR6vG2ALREWMBDHl7emgLwNvX43KwhEIv/s2016/IMG_5246.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmuZMMvQmR3S4E4nALkcb0lcSV4TGevnbUs1Fxm9tE5P0kEj6SY5VdEGH0pV08coKI8IQjXeHRrmgHi1FNGCytwnlj9fNrxJgPEKVHXZVathXR6vG2ALREWMBDHl7emgLwNvX43KwhEIv/w640-h480/IMG_5246.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Sunset at Yosemite<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /><b>Day 2 (Tuesday, 7th): Exploring Yosemite National Park, California</b><br /><br />Following are two different views of El Capitan, one with yours truly.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1QG4vZZkeubW6ISheXE_J3ZuvT14hL7Oo-ISZf7WU3Q-XKp65umdp-NtSSCvZy9GhZneEOZ4W553OGMwfON3NYlmz1QGhukkqxCioVFki58juLoqLXUKTPm-u1GkWYbCYOKFdXTkjJJR/s2016/IMG_5277.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1QG4vZZkeubW6ISheXE_J3ZuvT14hL7Oo-ISZf7WU3Q-XKp65umdp-NtSSCvZy9GhZneEOZ4W553OGMwfON3NYlmz1QGhukkqxCioVFki58juLoqLXUKTPm-u1GkWYbCYOKFdXTkjJJR/w640-h480/IMG_5277.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: El Capitan.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIaXo3-FwppM_jA2aG8eb5_Ra9nlzmXrkgfZ6XgV26bskC5IrAcGGOEwUDcscU3ewuQbncV5I5fSexMB-XqcTFGbDuTMrAxW-NrB0izMC0MyvDzaczrsk2RgQse-BDL0klRt1rOjuCyAk/s2016/IMG_5281.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIaXo3-FwppM_jA2aG8eb5_Ra9nlzmXrkgfZ6XgV26bskC5IrAcGGOEwUDcscU3ewuQbncV5I5fSexMB-XqcTFGbDuTMrAxW-NrB0izMC0MyvDzaczrsk2RgQse-BDL0klRt1rOjuCyAk/w640-h480/IMG_5281.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane and El Capitan.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The next photo is of me and Half Dome, my favorite. If I ever go back I’ll hike it. They have cables on the back side to help you get up the last 200 feet. There were 3 people on it when we were at Glacier Point.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsrgPr1tVrq2K60HRDzTotBrGPeruk8SfjgPNCITrLWPFX-zEFD0W1VyWchP8vQ37QLLjoj2Kzp3Qjr623bdI7B0fIwYCKnc7cKiKkEfLPJVey-y8DhAH1ycbsqmixqvO6P62ydvx1Pnh/s2016/IMG_5295.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsrgPr1tVrq2K60HRDzTotBrGPeruk8SfjgPNCITrLWPFX-zEFD0W1VyWchP8vQ37QLLjoj2Kzp3Qjr623bdI7B0fIwYCKnc7cKiKkEfLPJVey-y8DhAH1ycbsqmixqvO6P62ydvx1Pnh/w480-h640/IMG_5295.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Looking toward Half Dome.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;">The following three photos are of the devastation at Yosemite in the daylight.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40ccuRErf9gqIoZRhQdisiAYoraY8XE0V-gT2yw-aW_ZI9e9i9fIz2JckfsaJ-iQMwEZSiXGgxeki8ACmH9SbiWaJ7_o1ku2cDOH63_0-HRwt_bLT4X_PGXDgAmxOxzFt4kb7fUK1rZkK/s2016/IMG_5287.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40ccuRErf9gqIoZRhQdisiAYoraY8XE0V-gT2yw-aW_ZI9e9i9fIz2JckfsaJ-iQMwEZSiXGgxeki8ACmH9SbiWaJ7_o1ku2cDOH63_0-HRwt_bLT4X_PGXDgAmxOxzFt4kb7fUK1rZkK/w640-h480/IMG_5287.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iJHZoIuIL4-X58KayskpfVfcJm1eu0ApAT1hdMPQ7XD4GOaZQnBKsZa6NfCyKc6brdweYOhESsB8MkLGPgs5wiPuisFF6e1LuJttgYcsuStig9MUO9OOcJj0wLy7HlW9r5Rq2fEF47ES/s2016/IMG_5290.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iJHZoIuIL4-X58KayskpfVfcJm1eu0ApAT1hdMPQ7XD4GOaZQnBKsZa6NfCyKc6brdweYOhESsB8MkLGPgs5wiPuisFF6e1LuJttgYcsuStig9MUO9OOcJj0wLy7HlW9r5Rq2fEF47ES/w640-h480/IMG_5290.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflwZridOug6IfPHupXPg9qaI-RRRd2mhbIqjDIxyGUty28VNwdYt0iGQjmmj5WlGoFKmR38rGmgBMvFsxBTO1DkdcY3IAF3I6aVJfvm9nkllol-cp-mvRUddBJzUKdLWnAqvkDYBOlxlp/s2016/IMG_5291.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflwZridOug6IfPHupXPg9qaI-RRRd2mhbIqjDIxyGUty28VNwdYt0iGQjmmj5WlGoFKmR38rGmgBMvFsxBTO1DkdcY3IAF3I6aVJfvm9nkllol-cp-mvRUddBJzUKdLWnAqvkDYBOlxlp/w640-h480/IMG_5291.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br />The following is a view of The Ahwahnee, where we stayed. Named after the native tribe that lived there and managed the land.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbo0F4nbdKGj0n_ACl4qmGnPkUf2yBIzle17WB6xPMgRdgeadN0rLU-9eWhNE29K45oXBjMpSMD1bAWlfFmW-ojQx3YA7WkqZzxSxoiCwWDkMO7a6bZvz0bwXY-8P_qboKihF57nCoF11E/s2016/IMG_5303.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbo0F4nbdKGj0n_ACl4qmGnPkUf2yBIzle17WB6xPMgRdgeadN0rLU-9eWhNE29K45oXBjMpSMD1bAWlfFmW-ojQx3YA7WkqZzxSxoiCwWDkMO7a6bZvz0bwXY-8P_qboKihF57nCoF11E/w480-h640/IMG_5303.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: The Ahwahnee, where we stayed.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;">The next photo is of the famous Overhanging Rock at Glacier Point where lots of people have their photos taken. I would have also but there were too many signs saying not to go out there. If it had been just one sign I might have done it.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVeSvYCtOgQvFY56M6WDsFP7MsiS551BCHRPr2eeezwDZyfzo6g7YeRKwkOZm9ort314HDcId9W3CcRzDcj4QMFb-4biBdAoj5Mfc4LKlR7YIKpBqAzpImtTpXKXx5P7l9Psp799CJ3D4/s2016/IMG_5305.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVeSvYCtOgQvFY56M6WDsFP7MsiS551BCHRPr2eeezwDZyfzo6g7YeRKwkOZm9ort314HDcId9W3CcRzDcj4QMFb-4biBdAoj5Mfc4LKlR7YIKpBqAzpImtTpXKXx5P7l9Psp799CJ3D4/w480-h640/IMG_5305.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Overhanging Rock.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />Some additional photos, the first one from </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yosemite Village and the second one from</span> Cook's Meadow Loop.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xsW6HYb51GVAq8LUiP7gZVX04LgcdFdHPDDYpgrOQTAldaw9d3rUeYzgk64OaiRhbEXpRQEzl9_fH3akZRJeIqOSvzw63GC5buwdx3Pr16YhdqSPgPA0VN8VLsa4VuTBoc5zqxv_aeoe/s2016/IMG_5250.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xsW6HYb51GVAq8LUiP7gZVX04LgcdFdHPDDYpgrOQTAldaw9d3rUeYzgk64OaiRhbEXpRQEzl9_fH3akZRJeIqOSvzw63GC5buwdx3Pr16YhdqSPgPA0VN8VLsa4VuTBoc5zqxv_aeoe/w640-h480/IMG_5250.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: View from Yosemite Village.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4Z5qw6iKwgUg0Q7aN-mWnAZjS49vNtOJdwdN-bXMgXAOfTIjL1eCzY9JArqRwJCe_EWN2-PnkMVDh5Rla8v23S8jZRxu3UFyAVKPvbG0d1mehctuuCFBFXxNUS27pxLdJRO2htbavNOT/s2016/IMG_5269.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="2016" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4Z5qw6iKwgUg0Q7aN-mWnAZjS49vNtOJdwdN-bXMgXAOfTIjL1eCzY9JArqRwJCe_EWN2-PnkMVDh5Rla8v23S8jZRxu3UFyAVKPvbG0d1mehctuuCFBFXxNUS27pxLdJRO2htbavNOT/w640-h364/IMG_5269.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: View from Cook's Meadow Loop.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /><b>Day 3 (Wednesday, 8th): Sacramento, California</b><br /><br />Wednesday, we said goodbye to Yosemite and headed north to Chico, California where a friend of Scott lives. On the way we decided to stop in Sacramento at the Crocker Museum of Art. The Crocker Art Museum features the world’s foremost display of California art and is renowned for its holdings of European master drawings and international ceramics. After scrounging around for enough coins to feed the parking meter, we made it to the museum entrance only to learn the new hours didn’t include Wednesday. Grrr. So we went to Old Sacramento to walk around.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Old Sacramento is the riverfront historic district (on the Sacramento River), with Gold Rush-era buildings, cobblestone streets, and horse-drawn carriages. It’s home to numerous museums. We only had enough coins for 15 minutes parking and it was 106 degrees so we covered the territory and got back in the air conditioning of the Tesla and moved on to our destination of Chico. The following three photos were taken in Old Town Sacramento.</span></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmERQKZtFSEgcoTp_fS4OoY8cbfpSna5b9x5lWt9Jt6X_GbRM3u0KXMVdAx13l8g9Hfyr9nsFGnTSAR7BZthGlPozSPDbrQU5msiTz1cxbG8wfzn6y6DaF8pVZunLGUryClb2o_xKsUgyh/s2016/IMG_5307.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmERQKZtFSEgcoTp_fS4OoY8cbfpSna5b9x5lWt9Jt6X_GbRM3u0KXMVdAx13l8g9Hfyr9nsFGnTSAR7BZthGlPozSPDbrQU5msiTz1cxbG8wfzn6y6DaF8pVZunLGUryClb2o_xKsUgyh/w640-h480/IMG_5307.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Downtown Old Sacramento<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlaCHYPG9MesGZFxQPKzlnz_wZ7iYPjRauWTT76KQ8ZjTSGzG5m6nnmzLYsuZ0MAFcYDvdJ_IRVwJjYnbja-YDcg1srwXUPpmSbBhM9RUhBnovtvob7oMht5ERZK0opptryI3c5y30Sye/s2015/IMG_5312.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="2015" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlaCHYPG9MesGZFxQPKzlnz_wZ7iYPjRauWTT76KQ8ZjTSGzG5m6nnmzLYsuZ0MAFcYDvdJ_IRVwJjYnbja-YDcg1srwXUPpmSbBhM9RUhBnovtvob7oMht5ERZK0opptryI3c5y30Sye/w640-h266/IMG_5312.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Downtown Old Sacramento<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtllWse5z0GMFi9FZ0ZO7EcFccEEUPTiNbhuzfeeQS0y8i5SloifOZddfrsD2PNTDyUajYoBhIcFl9SZzUxC9O4RIWp6Hma7q0Y_3ZJgYgliKvcCHKsL_5-liStw0mWE9uEIdYzehweYJs/s2016/IMG_5316.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtllWse5z0GMFi9FZ0ZO7EcFccEEUPTiNbhuzfeeQS0y8i5SloifOZddfrsD2PNTDyUajYoBhIcFl9SZzUxC9O4RIWp6Hma7q0Y_3ZJgYgliKvcCHKsL_5-liStw0mWE9uEIdYzehweYJs/w640-h480/IMG_5316.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: The Sacramento River Parkway by the Central Pacific Railroad Depot. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 4 (Thursday, 9th): Chico, California</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Thursday, the house in Chico, California where we stayed is off Skyway Drive on the road to Paradise, California. It is beautiful on a bluff overlooking Butte Creek. This is important as it consumed my interest about the 2018 Camp Fire that destroyed Paradise, California. Scott’s friend's house was spared but…. If you look closely at the following photo of the yard you can see a white car down the hill at the bottom of the bluff. That house burned to the ground. The fire came up the bluff and burned the grass in the yard and it came down the long winding driveway (not pictured). It fizzled out before it got to Scott’s friend's house.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9TjuOTxD4YXSE99cXmg-gCohhl2Nd0e0Hj8pPQyQK_8FelMyiK8vffW2HA2048VL2WwjireuRfErtGPZfMJMZBXNgO1DELlhmIWEeE129RjBzcXAfyFXC3EgoxqV9bv1C7o_0V6xns9A/s2016/IMG_5319.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9TjuOTxD4YXSE99cXmg-gCohhl2Nd0e0Hj8pPQyQK_8FelMyiK8vffW2HA2048VL2WwjireuRfErtGPZfMJMZBXNgO1DELlhmIWEeE129RjBzcXAfyFXC3EgoxqV9bv1C7o_0V6xns9A/w480-h640/IMG_5319.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">The next photo is of an Osprey nest we watched while sitting on the deck in Chico, when the weather broke from 100F+ to 72F.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IWwmJC9yt8LSkajHAijzQvr-Vs-mEUsQdRgizbuYgs57Gi1IlfPs-DmbczAwo4EjdJCV1Xuk-uwA1XvykcExrHsjWXTnOlvOVr-aO8wpcFK3q9oM2dZ_77HTMYH1ABK0tMlKYWIlXxYZ/s2016/IMG_5320m.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IWwmJC9yt8LSkajHAijzQvr-Vs-mEUsQdRgizbuYgs57Gi1IlfPs-DmbczAwo4EjdJCV1Xuk-uwA1XvykcExrHsjWXTnOlvOVr-aO8wpcFK3q9oM2dZ_77HTMYH1ABK0tMlKYWIlXxYZ/w480-h640/IMG_5320m.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Osprey nest.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Chico is an interesting town, home-to Sierra Nevada Brewing Company where we had lunch and yes, Sierra Nevada beer.<br /><br />We also went to Satava Studios to see sensational blown glass (https://satava.com/). Mostly we hung out at Scott’s friend’s house. I read a book about the 2018 Camp Fire and some of the survivors. Wrenching. The Camp Fire was the costliest disaster worldwide in 2018 and, it caused 85 deaths and destroyed more than 18,000 buildings, it became both the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California’s history<br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Following is a photo of a deer that Scott took, also at his friend’s house in Chico.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXfZjWIuCTz10Z0Ayd67_DnXMQSkiHDgW7MW78WmTnK0WgDAnxx4MGN0ZlS7J6Vdu5EK2y4uiZZiKnrjTAupwoAmS9GcLFh2daFCmNIje4kB4RN69YbCZtULDfRLtnvBMmHthc675LyLE/s1200/20210909.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXfZjWIuCTz10Z0Ayd67_DnXMQSkiHDgW7MW78WmTnK0WgDAnxx4MGN0ZlS7J6Vdu5EK2y4uiZZiKnrjTAupwoAmS9GcLFh2daFCmNIje4kB4RN69YbCZtULDfRLtnvBMmHthc675LyLE/w480-h640/20210909.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Deer in Chico<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 5 (Friday, 10th): On the road again...<br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We are on the road again. Next Tesla charging station where we
will recharge is in the city of Mount Shasta, California. I’m excited,
I’ve always wanted to see Mt. Shasta, it is an ice-topped volcano that
last erupted in 1250 AD, and the city is named after the volcano. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">But we never had a good view of Mt. Shasta, so I didn't get a photo</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> like</span></span> I was hoping for.</span><br /><br />Driving through northern California and and southern Oregon on Friday, we saw too many fire destruction scenes like the next photo. This particular photo was taken in California, about 25 miles before we got to the Oregon border. One place we saw, only the sign for a whole motel was left. So sad.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAkajsns14jFn3SLAQIb9c-JbVZAnmPlHefnEeISi1zdXNBYpIOH-3gXw5BDy3bn8QsaDxfHFTzfm7x1uoq6oRbXtzRXwzhhLLhiBkV8t9BVl4NN3TeJGRIIDJqN1k1p1PdzPOB1JUk3h/s2016/IMG_5335.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAkajsns14jFn3SLAQIb9c-JbVZAnmPlHefnEeISi1zdXNBYpIOH-3gXw5BDy3bn8QsaDxfHFTzfm7x1uoq6oRbXtzRXwzhhLLhiBkV8t9BVl4NN3TeJGRIIDJqN1k1p1PdzPOB1JUk3h/w640-h480/IMG_5335.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Typical fire destruction.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But in the next photo you can see that nature does come back. All along the roads these flowers were growing thickly. This photo was taken about 3 miles before we got to the Oregon border.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2JE_CPIPHOPZ5FifkWdWx31mVc9NOXTY_3Ojug58-OIp9r-PfdTltrqbnEeAk8fXg3rXVMBY9IIJWlajGamsVxWnLFc-4hyphenhyphenW7Jr3d30YpT0qUY7IOg8RXdzVZojCAIx3WtWtDEsyJ-Iu/s2016/IMG_5339.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2JE_CPIPHOPZ5FifkWdWx31mVc9NOXTY_3Ojug58-OIp9r-PfdTltrqbnEeAk8fXg3rXVMBY9IIJWlajGamsVxWnLFc-4hyphenhyphenW7Jr3d30YpT0qUY7IOg8RXdzVZojCAIx3WtWtDEsyJ-Iu/w640-h480/IMG_5339.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Nature coming back.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /><b>Day 6 (Saturday, 11th): Crater Lake National Park, Oregon</b><br /><br />A sidenote, today in the United States, memorial events and observances will be held to remember the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks. Most of you will remember exactly where you were on that morning twenty years ago. For those of you that might be interested, the Art Students League of New York is honoring our community’s shared memories of 9/11 by displaying the work of artists in the virtual group exhibition: <i>Remembering 9/11</i>. Here's a link to the virtual exhibit: https://theartstudentsleague.org/exhibition/remembering-9-11/.<br /><br />I am one of the featured artists and one of my photographs is in the exhibit, a link to my photo is as follows: https://theartstudentsleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Waller-Diane.jpg This photo was taken from my street corner shortly after the second plane hit the South Tower. I've attach a copy here.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnzVD7XNq0NmV1OBrehG-9pd67fUwFGW_vDidjj_5DBGjicox5TFZvuhZeMxibFHcO1ScIz2os8n4P0aV1JzKQBZJx55Nd4RsS3U5kJguguhurB3xWXMmEVHq-u3esWEtXCgVGyV0fzGF/s2000/Waller-Diane.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1291" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnzVD7XNq0NmV1OBrehG-9pd67fUwFGW_vDidjj_5DBGjicox5TFZvuhZeMxibFHcO1ScIz2os8n4P0aV1JzKQBZJx55Nd4RsS3U5kJguguhurB3xWXMmEVHq-u3esWEtXCgVGyV0fzGF/w414-h640/Waller-Diane.jpg" width="414" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Photo by Diane on 9-11-2001.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br />When the first crash happened I was at home talking on the telephone with a real estate client (this was back when I was in real estate). When all of a sudden she yelled "OMG a plane hit the Twin Towers, I’m not coming in, cancel our appointment.” After hanging up the phone I ran down my block with my film camera and grabbed a half roll of photos of the towers burning. As you will recall they were thinking that the first crash might have just been some sort of horrible accident, but by the time I got to where I could see the towers both crashes had happened (North and South Towers) and they knew then that it was a terrorist attack.<br /><br />Back go the road trip, the next two photos were taken Saturday on our morning hike in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. That of course is Scott in the second following photo. Crater Lake is about 70 miles north of the Oregon-California border. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and the seventh deepest lake in the world.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQu0JfInYbFtb489alU2QrclT1ZqJlv650QV8zW-boLOqRWuAGGvMKJoGok-JcjsVZDYXND80NB8kRXswITEcKUASeAf2QxZ2uX1-gN8z0e-vPzp2bzo2aZqbl-PjMRLN-loBk8rwmuIm/s2016/IMG_5344.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQu0JfInYbFtb489alU2QrclT1ZqJlv650QV8zW-boLOqRWuAGGvMKJoGok-JcjsVZDYXND80NB8kRXswITEcKUASeAf2QxZ2uX1-gN8z0e-vPzp2bzo2aZqbl-PjMRLN-loBk8rwmuIm/w480-h640/IMG_5344.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scenery at Crater Lake on our hike.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAShWEGTfh-Fxw3OC6SWwGGcZQd8tZt7xNiuxfnx8F6kTCeYA8NYGQwPNLGq-_NYBIjZfhJjHNLMkl2qMXaFXo2mcHGLCEyCzkHcNp70NI_iNh4DZkOzm-UBDmd8jETYRqwilqq0crmql/s2016/IMG_5353.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAShWEGTfh-Fxw3OC6SWwGGcZQd8tZt7xNiuxfnx8F6kTCeYA8NYGQwPNLGq-_NYBIjZfhJjHNLMkl2qMXaFXo2mcHGLCEyCzkHcNp70NI_iNh4DZkOzm-UBDmd8jETYRqwilqq0crmql/w480-h640/IMG_5353.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scott on our hike at Crater Lake.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The next photo shows some tracks on the sidewalk at the Mazama Village Campground & Cabins. I suspect Sasquatch tracks but I’m not sure. 😀</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZT0-nbqQRgcgwiTWtK9N_vuFfPQw1wqA5oLrNlBqvwN3d6RmG555jrTORwKSsC82D0hQNX9nRO2jq4Y6hUIrdQICqCKwZCFvMbOSDHWRJ4yX0ztkWa8mqePZ34sNXQSOfLAjk8UpFkivd/s2016/IMG_5354.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZT0-nbqQRgcgwiTWtK9N_vuFfPQw1wqA5oLrNlBqvwN3d6RmG555jrTORwKSsC82D0hQNX9nRO2jq4Y6hUIrdQICqCKwZCFvMbOSDHWRJ4yX0ztkWa8mqePZ34sNXQSOfLAjk8UpFkivd/w480-h640/IMG_5354.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Tracks in the sidewalk.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />The following photo is again of Scott, waiting for the Tesla to charge at the Mazama Village Campground & Cabins Tesla Destination Charger. Yes, we had some range anxiety. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXCkd-6bugKSWTKS2AUDXnuE8g4Tt3kk8WPthgQY7C9cajzgspdmcofXu8CPaynSOBrH_BxKXh2GqHf4FjAT7OG9Cu5IwcK8BYmYgzVVuM8X6Havhv2jAmsdqzbvciBAhgIxiLIhJL-XP/s2016/IMG_5355.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXCkd-6bugKSWTKS2AUDXnuE8g4Tt3kk8WPthgQY7C9cajzgspdmcofXu8CPaynSOBrH_BxKXh2GqHf4FjAT7OG9Cu5IwcK8BYmYgzVVuM8X6Havhv2jAmsdqzbvciBAhgIxiLIhJL-XP/w480-h640/IMG_5355.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scott at Tesla recharging station.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;">I found the monochrome setting on my Panasonic Lumix ZS70 camera and my inner Ansel Adams was relentless, so some of the photos on this camera will be in black & white.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I purchased the ZS70 in late 2019 after my ZS50 had a failure (wouldn't auto focus).<br /><br />This is a beautiful place and I have some more photos of the Crater Lake area I'd like to share.<br /><br /><b>Day 7 (Sunday, 12th): Crater Lake, Two islands</b><br /><br />Crater Lake features two small islands, Phantom Ship Island and Wizard Island. The following 4 photos are from Saturday's tour around the lake.<br /><br />The smaller island, Phantom Ship, is a jagged island located near the southern shore and is named so because it calls to mind the image of a ghostly ship with tall masts and drooping sails. The following photo is NOT a photo of Phantom Ship Island that I took, but only a photo of part of the interpretive sign at the lake showing the Phantom Ship Island and the interesting topography of the lake bottom. The sign also read “Phantom Ship is actually a resistant remnant of an ancient volcanic cone..”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZGIF06o2v8MmkxcFp4wcqNmqIzRYvECkpkMfA1xniSMiD0QZKjGoYhgaFDqyFsP5ip6BtpzyyXDM5aIFwlELbZarkdzvSs5RONX8IKL_Xbrmf4klxDOqdxZXdbX96S2Qtv-WDahNOJAz/s1312/IMG_5375.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="1312" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZGIF06o2v8MmkxcFp4wcqNmqIzRYvECkpkMfA1xniSMiD0QZKjGoYhgaFDqyFsP5ip6BtpzyyXDM5aIFwlELbZarkdzvSs5RONX8IKL_Xbrmf4klxDOqdxZXdbX96S2Qtv-WDahNOJAz/w640-h480/IMG_5375.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Interpretive sign at the lake showing the Phantom Ship Island.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"> The next photo is an actual photo of Phantom Ship Island I took. I wish I had a better photo of this island to share.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIYcGgOBcQC37HIC6Cf-chjXeCpxU1CxuaEogAHwl0LhaDiUcZFCBquaOTwyL5-j7AqTXTyxklIfP3s3q5BvS8EXBcRq6z64Pq-Rf8gQMWs37jgh7V_6C6DhZHptc900_0ZyGL9xiwPqE/s2016/IMG_5357.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIYcGgOBcQC37HIC6Cf-chjXeCpxU1CxuaEogAHwl0LhaDiUcZFCBquaOTwyL5-j7AqTXTyxklIfP3s3q5BvS8EXBcRq6z64Pq-Rf8gQMWs37jgh7V_6C6DhZHptc900_0ZyGL9xiwPqE/w480-h640/IMG_5357.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Phantom Ship Island.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The larger of the two islands, Wizard Island, is located near the western shore of the lake, named for its wizard hat shape, and it is also an ancient cinder cone volcano. The following are two photos I took of Wizard Island.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsJ_sv5LfNIoyHxi4f_j5yaTZPEfv0LuVEj4tqjWBXFcZjbmmvaVnt2ARfsfYldwkftw4gurMv8ZIjJyGrb9oIRLBFB6XKka4tOGGnUqH53gxA2L0rQCFc7t7bl9qhqOrHCyT2BI0FugO/s2016/IMG_5373.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsJ_sv5LfNIoyHxi4f_j5yaTZPEfv0LuVEj4tqjWBXFcZjbmmvaVnt2ARfsfYldwkftw4gurMv8ZIjJyGrb9oIRLBFB6XKka4tOGGnUqH53gxA2L0rQCFc7t7bl9qhqOrHCyT2BI0FugO/w640-h480/IMG_5373.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Wizard Island.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xHOYu8yFGZZHzRe8j2VA5Rfzg-gnLOwVOcjU1U3ivwKhOZDIqCDAxVJgXLgWe_9Iv_9SI2agCT5pXmjVQaxphjIjaCtpTGqEHDVgIhi1Z9aXC5MdAx31Nq_2YgsABv_gf_3as5MczAb_/s1312/IMG_5382.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="1312" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xHOYu8yFGZZHzRe8j2VA5Rfzg-gnLOwVOcjU1U3ivwKhOZDIqCDAxVJgXLgWe_9Iv_9SI2agCT5pXmjVQaxphjIjaCtpTGqEHDVgIhi1Z9aXC5MdAx31Nq_2YgsABv_gf_3as5MczAb_/w640-h480/IMG_5382.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Wizard Island.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /><b>Day 7 (Sunday, 12th): Crater Lake, Black and white photos<br /></b><br />I mentioned earlier that "I found the monochrome setting on my Panasonic ZS70 camera and my inner Ansel Adams was relentless," so attached are 3 of those black & white photos.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoR5X-Qnj1MCe3lFiRWYhVy0s_AqgTaeWDJfaNgvFOOciHgQinJW_5it0ige7gk4tIG8uq_UsTQg9sZaLyG_gXgYelaeMr1fhU-wvi6MxGdgOSP_1PHBMc2iuYkNHaP2t8-MQXquMc8KH/s1312/IMG_5380.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="1312" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoR5X-Qnj1MCe3lFiRWYhVy0s_AqgTaeWDJfaNgvFOOciHgQinJW_5it0ige7gk4tIG8uq_UsTQg9sZaLyG_gXgYelaeMr1fhU-wvi6MxGdgOSP_1PHBMc2iuYkNHaP2t8-MQXquMc8KH/w640-h480/IMG_5380.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJ8Nnd5WEPGGPz1eZ5ut-lmvxh7k8_dk-mNHvXeEpqVj_oEAYImGI0yDuQrqL4mu2fyOWmSGj6g1muXvHJA0fFSKgIJ9Wcz_ErPFpv5IUGltyeIboaMnk_m2kDTNuOMouA_ncd25rkmGa/s1312/IMG_5381.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="1312" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJ8Nnd5WEPGGPz1eZ5ut-lmvxh7k8_dk-mNHvXeEpqVj_oEAYImGI0yDuQrqL4mu2fyOWmSGj6g1muXvHJA0fFSKgIJ9Wcz_ErPFpv5IUGltyeIboaMnk_m2kDTNuOMouA_ncd25rkmGa/w640-h480/IMG_5381.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoceOeihqAq4qGB6Ub8nRnKKCFo1OTBKxUStBrjQ7dR-fEZcfL7FT8cyCwdLvW-yr5p6PrzS9TEW4dFNt5EENUtBzp2Xj2RO7s1c5lT3Kk6KcASREvAcF5OhbrAUq-X_drj6IyJ9B3BUn/s1312/IMG_5383.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1312" data-original-width="984" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoceOeihqAq4qGB6Ub8nRnKKCFo1OTBKxUStBrjQ7dR-fEZcfL7FT8cyCwdLvW-yr5p6PrzS9TEW4dFNt5EENUtBzp2Xj2RO7s1c5lT3Kk6KcASREvAcF5OhbrAUq-X_drj6IyJ9B3BUn/w480-h640/IMG_5383.jpg" width="480" /></a></div> <br /><b>Day 7 (Sunday, 12th): Crater Lake, Trees</b><br /><br />A few more photos from Saturday at Crater Lake, photos of some trees in the park. Most trees are conifers (more than a dozen species), although a few hardwood species can be found. Trees are amazing forms of life.<br /><br />I was told that Crater Lake was one of the snowiest inhabited places in North America and they get 44 feet of annual snowfall and the wind blows so hard the trees are permanently leaning. The following photo is of me being one with the trees. I needed some of those anti-gravity shoes invented by Michael Jackson.<br /></span><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQT7oVWiFq0DpuPN0278ZFqIwVtvwyTAwB_Xh-r6jO8LuPdP6FeCOK9Zk3edFE10-JmkGjtSohSgaHJyefv-b2VLJ3cAwZ5e7ZGb030os2H7b8qlk1JmqRYlSmCxY9kwTs6wcw3kTiTsz/s2016/IMG_5363.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQT7oVWiFq0DpuPN0278ZFqIwVtvwyTAwB_Xh-r6jO8LuPdP6FeCOK9Zk3edFE10-JmkGjtSohSgaHJyefv-b2VLJ3cAwZ5e7ZGb030os2H7b8qlk1JmqRYlSmCxY9kwTs6wcw3kTiTsz/w480-h640/IMG_5363.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">The next photo is of some nice looking trees at a picnic table where we stopped for lunch.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-36I5NWv3JD8241wv1IIQfA1VWw8fX0i80y2sqi549OiD74caSZD_KZ-c9uprdLkfh2yc18pVAH5H1Ld9Hq6D_qZCBWfIkTScuJin6iYB71v-WD9190d9O_-wv320DUX06j3UeJNaoxW5/s2016/IMG_5366.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-36I5NWv3JD8241wv1IIQfA1VWw8fX0i80y2sqi549OiD74caSZD_KZ-c9uprdLkfh2yc18pVAH5H1Ld9Hq6D_qZCBWfIkTScuJin6iYB71v-WD9190d9O_-wv320DUX06j3UeJNaoxW5/w640-h480/IMG_5366.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: We stopped for lunch here.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />The following photo is of trees that I just liked the looks of.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVzJeYgX-Ux7KMSSruLEcAnyggybVtOZroVL8hwq2zOzaHK5r8-uQEDrtLiUUFmC5wD3OnmGK08-33S4T1g6ECAU1kDQm6tFCHM5JPFSSwbvSQ-gH6CrxcGHtes8N3PRMoy9eISlNYxum/s2016/IMG_5370.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVzJeYgX-Ux7KMSSruLEcAnyggybVtOZroVL8hwq2zOzaHK5r8-uQEDrtLiUUFmC5wD3OnmGK08-33S4T1g6ECAU1kDQm6tFCHM5JPFSSwbvSQ-gH6CrxcGHtes8N3PRMoy9eISlNYxum/w480-h640/IMG_5370.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Nice looking trees.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />The next photo is of the lake in the background with some nice trees in the foreground.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56XuehRWUyBkEmT9A22cBx9MTu87cD-fe5zr2mH_ZIbX4IKD4FWXm3N8pfNouxXqhL2wrJsVC-FbTFjuUayEy7N38xyK-IlYn6iHHLYoeQiyxWETIJkOD9RbtcgBSX4BuWRAM7A-EeZP1/s1312/IMG_5374.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="1312" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56XuehRWUyBkEmT9A22cBx9MTu87cD-fe5zr2mH_ZIbX4IKD4FWXm3N8pfNouxXqhL2wrJsVC-FbTFjuUayEy7N38xyK-IlYn6iHHLYoeQiyxWETIJkOD9RbtcgBSX4BuWRAM7A-EeZP1/w640-h480/IMG_5374.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Crater Lake trees.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /><b>Day 8 (Monday, 13th): Silverton & Lincoln City, Oregon</b><br /><br />After we left Crater Lake, we headed for Silverton, Oregon, via Bend and Salem. Our first stop in Silverton was the laundromat (see next photo). </span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqfBR-P9kkaJDHfztpaK-GPIdbYaaIIAM55YNIS46m8CKjx9Mn5t0IYqYWqQo8omJvNwLekiXHkQxrdJ-cehqvkrFmKu1vTVQ6GUeS9eZMf36u7n8TTM6sqB8nUFCjOkgXv-OWkAin9J9/s2016/IMG_5407.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqfBR-P9kkaJDHfztpaK-GPIdbYaaIIAM55YNIS46m8CKjx9Mn5t0IYqYWqQo8omJvNwLekiXHkQxrdJ-cehqvkrFmKu1vTVQ6GUeS9eZMf36u7n8TTM6sqB8nUFCjOkgXv-OWkAin9J9/w640-h480/IMG_5407.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I couldn't figure out the discount days. Made me laugh, then we forgot our horse blankets (see below) 😀, that’s a good thing.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwndWihdZ1iNb2-1RAiw7f3KuT8zmWAYL67wuEOWXHtHvkNweomqu9X641J31hWnIDUJSZfYJ2wqJno6TNBhvvs_yA70EbDWc0-UhCNGk92M5INlAhfQT7t-ojxToGkpD-Mc_dG7eLwI6/s1735/IMG_5405.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1735" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwndWihdZ1iNb2-1RAiw7f3KuT8zmWAYL67wuEOWXHtHvkNweomqu9X641J31hWnIDUJSZfYJ2wqJno6TNBhvvs_yA70EbDWc0-UhCNGk92M5INlAhfQT7t-ojxToGkpD-Mc_dG7eLwI6/w558-h640/IMG_5405.jpg" width="558" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Homer Davenport of Silverton was an internationally renowned cartoonist. To generate interest and community they started Davenport Days with a parade, yes, a parade of couches, It is a big deal with lots of activities and prizes. The following photo is part of a mural about the astronaut Donald Pettit (veteran of three spaceflight) from Silverton and his family on their davenport in the parade. How fun is that?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEQ2ZmU2B_zmC7kwfoQ9pH7PLPF2dbMj63dKzjwFa_WDjTDH8JXHx3uLhtfymcjkQgnP6TsNX5_Y3rhwuKkkrd8o0tXoX-M26XFHJ2A_AVp1jjr1HEHGRVdk8JT6GzvnCVFXQfNeeJlLr/s2016/IMG_5408.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEQ2ZmU2B_zmC7kwfoQ9pH7PLPF2dbMj63dKzjwFa_WDjTDH8JXHx3uLhtfymcjkQgnP6TsNX5_Y3rhwuKkkrd8o0tXoX-M26XFHJ2A_AVp1jjr1HEHGRVdk8JT6GzvnCVFXQfNeeJlLr/w640-h480/IMG_5408.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Mural about astronaut Donald Pettit.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />Then we went to the Willamette Winery just south of Salem.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUhSHY_xuIdxanfDu5rINWrr9qvsbgBNI1JSlHQpPciI3foRY7cFnmEWF3yPHe0mHXe0E2hdvjSNn9VhEVq5qren4WxEnx4k-x_tJzpDU-S4qqpVjvOBYcBdrAFnZzU9ZEtiBMUtG7QQ8/s2016/IMG_5411.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUhSHY_xuIdxanfDu5rINWrr9qvsbgBNI1JSlHQpPciI3foRY7cFnmEWF3yPHe0mHXe0E2hdvjSNn9VhEVq5qren4WxEnx4k-x_tJzpDU-S4qqpVjvOBYcBdrAFnZzU9ZEtiBMUtG7QQ8/w480-h640/IMG_5411.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Willamette Winery.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br />...for the fantastic views</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFEApkOTjby74hJ2Kvrac_gOlDDuBwngQTd-e-B6IOQ2wvqNiQz_Si3ts84osOnb_AuEZfoaZ39FwiiK4OKKSsnlS74HffqByG7GbuMIOClTblTZM4qb26dZ_43c8_b5SBFk_1J1fOqPH/s2016/IMG_5425.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFEApkOTjby74hJ2Kvrac_gOlDDuBwngQTd-e-B6IOQ2wvqNiQz_Si3ts84osOnb_AuEZfoaZ39FwiiK4OKKSsnlS74HffqByG7GbuMIOClTblTZM4qb26dZ_43c8_b5SBFk_1J1fOqPH/w480-h640/IMG_5425.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: View of winery.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />...and a wine tasting. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHPudRvM3P8GSyceZ7ETXCfJCm3ZrrA4uFQUD4cGn9UhoPS3f8ZTmbibQNLk-fcvDyFPjFHaCcVHMh5WXmYPg6ROSNUl0udinX5-zyhrSevuxLLSu-Sp1dpuag7RD5FvdvHN-CdAE_Tj8/s1686/IMG_5428.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1686" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHPudRvM3P8GSyceZ7ETXCfJCm3ZrrA4uFQUD4cGn9UhoPS3f8ZTmbibQNLk-fcvDyFPjFHaCcVHMh5WXmYPg6ROSNUl0udinX5-zyhrSevuxLLSu-Sp1dpuag7RD5FvdvHN-CdAE_Tj8/w574-h640/IMG_5428.jpg" width="574" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Wine tasting.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 9 (Tuesday, 14th): Heading for the coast<br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We stayed at the Oregon Gardens in Silverton, a gorgeous setting that includes the Frank Lloyd Wright Gordon House. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="ILfuVd NA6bn c3biWd"><span class="hgKElc">The Gordon House is Frank Lloyd Wright's only design built in Oregon.</span></span> See photo below. We didn’t get to go inside, it didn't open until after we left to head to the Oregon Coast (Pacific City).</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fozbGYP1ZDca3KSafp1eCIwi6akIUCEAQukeAU2ipUQrzO1QU1Ss6Ak-OW30nayFfJ5y5YdCn0zzlUA1xgoCcsI7aV9z3a2D98K0iQqEA3UXUrBfXOjjYkI_Nk9qSqZygfIw1uDobGpP/s2016/IMG_5431.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fozbGYP1ZDca3KSafp1eCIwi6akIUCEAQukeAU2ipUQrzO1QU1Ss6Ak-OW30nayFfJ5y5YdCn0zzlUA1xgoCcsI7aV9z3a2D98K0iQqEA3UXUrBfXOjjYkI_Nk9qSqZygfIw1uDobGpP/w640-h480/IMG_5431.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Frank Lloyd Wright "Gordon House."<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Here I am at Haystack Rock in Pacific City. Scott wasn’t handy to take the photo below so it’s a selfie without a selfie-stick. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcxHxUULEkLF0pnYlT3BGfVuzwExV1WYhvfbxfUaIrl5xOO1-9R1ZYXNxMgMDKHyigCF9jAK4dJyTUgBxbDuKeC944PfymcvP1EQWR1ILDCz_SOp-YCBUWFpvtwa0elk-1yWk2avJQZ75/s2016/IMG_5437.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1515" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcxHxUULEkLF0pnYlT3BGfVuzwExV1WYhvfbxfUaIrl5xOO1-9R1ZYXNxMgMDKHyigCF9jAK4dJyTUgBxbDuKeC944PfymcvP1EQWR1ILDCz_SOp-YCBUWFpvtwa0elk-1yWk2avJQZ75/w640-h480/IMG_5437.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: At Haystack Rock in Pacific City.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />We also went in search of the Ghost Forest in the Neskowin Natural Preserve. It eluded us. We spent the night in Lincoln City and drove around Devils Lake. Very pretty.<br /><br /><b>Day 10 (Wednesday, 15th): Vancouver, Washington (Fort Vancouver National Historic Site)</b><br /><br />On Wednesday we drove to Vancouver, Washington, just across the border from Portland, Oregon, and toured the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Fort Vancouver was a 19th-century fur trading post that was the headquarters of the Hudson's Bay Company's Columbia Department, and named for Captain George Vancouver, the fort is located on the northern bank of the Columbia River.<br /><br />The bridge from Portland to Vancouver (see below), they can’t replace the bridge because the Vancouver town council won’t allow a light rail and the Feds won’t build the bridge without one. Why not you ask??? They don’t want an influx of folks from Portland to have easy access. Namely the many, many homeless. They are everywhere in Portland. I didn’t take photos of the encampments, Ansel Adams wouldn’t like that. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhnB_ZDlUHy-2httdgxOkGQfooujeJkhUWptXXgwk62M-27iuMsw6w_pzhpL_evE7jvm9wd_PTAmXvmu4CviitVZlZdDsGD_VXui_QFOO-IueoQnmcEi8L4IVTTjXrQe4lQjg3HEMjoTi/s2016/IMG_5439.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhnB_ZDlUHy-2httdgxOkGQfooujeJkhUWptXXgwk62M-27iuMsw6w_pzhpL_evE7jvm9wd_PTAmXvmu4CviitVZlZdDsGD_VXui_QFOO-IueoQnmcEi8L4IVTTjXrQe4lQjg3HEMjoTi/w640-h480/IMG_5439.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Bridge from Portland to Vancouver.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />The next two photos are from the fort's historic site. Only the officers got to live inside the fort, the rest lived outside. Nice fence eh? </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qH7H5ErTaVDfQkBhRwELXcs3Le_E_XAfGpnXfty-ztXFG8cFfSCyPuI2ycil4XdakLQk2ZaZU2bct_KBwvEHvCJIz3Wun3Mmxmwk5jWkZXtXiueY69_CssBlpooxrl5N0Twa7S6JMv4m/s2016/IMG_5449.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qH7H5ErTaVDfQkBhRwELXcs3Le_E_XAfGpnXfty-ztXFG8cFfSCyPuI2ycil4XdakLQk2ZaZU2bct_KBwvEHvCJIz3Wun3Mmxmwk5jWkZXtXiueY69_CssBlpooxrl5N0Twa7S6JMv4m/w640-h480/IMG_5449.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYy-Q1V_21l1-L6CY1dC71WAqZdaOeN0OqQv3QLuBEybwb3Mvw0VgIomdgVpC-wUY-0DoX0je2EcFsKEdl3HfmNEr1aPKKs5icnDQt13iwVdKmrY4-5A8ThDXcg0SBuLqqkPaEAA_MLps/s2016/IMG_5445.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYy-Q1V_21l1-L6CY1dC71WAqZdaOeN0OqQv3QLuBEybwb3Mvw0VgIomdgVpC-wUY-0DoX0je2EcFsKEdl3HfmNEr1aPKKs5icnDQt13iwVdKmrY4-5A8ThDXcg0SBuLqqkPaEAA_MLps/w640-h480/IMG_5445.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My niece Jennifer later told me the next photo (also at the Fort Vancouver National Site) is of a spruce tree, a biggie. I love them. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij81qdWHBAq7J1mbDmLQVuAxNQ5IxlhXmLzdSP9GGASRD7ZvQj2AumeFKOYtKl4hh7EHFKbAXyjk2QKeHMuokp3nbFrbHYYVBYkUpDhU9g6sTwgHXQ8vAdzp_ZQoWntQ1MowaDfSgIyJS3/s2016/IMG_5447.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij81qdWHBAq7J1mbDmLQVuAxNQ5IxlhXmLzdSP9GGASRD7ZvQj2AumeFKOYtKl4hh7EHFKbAXyjk2QKeHMuokp3nbFrbHYYVBYkUpDhU9g6sTwgHXQ8vAdzp_ZQoWntQ1MowaDfSgIyJS3/w480-h640/IMG_5447.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Spruce tree at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /><b>Day 11 (Thursday, 16th): Heading East from Portland, sightseeing (Multnomah Falls/Maryhill Museum of Art/Stonehenge on the Columbia River)</b><br /><br />Below are a few photos from Thursday as we drove east out of Portland towards Multnomah Falls located on Multnomah Creek in the Columbia River Gorge. Multnomah Falls is the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br />The following photo was taken at Crown Point State Scenic Corridor (Vista House), which has gorgeous views of the beautiful Columbia River. The Vista House was built in 1917 and was constructed to provide travelers a place to rest and refresh themselves as they made their way down the Columbia River Gorge.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ob0qH-mo7XtBQvgROeYJSyxkwB3-cTKvlFSXuuUMlc9bu04sggV-O3wariu8mk5b6XAkUhaycmiEef5bBK6R6-MNZItC4yr2C4cvmxClKRBS8GSAEp6hMtNgQPZdNSHvaVTDjG9bJqaG/s2016/IMG_5457.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ob0qH-mo7XtBQvgROeYJSyxkwB3-cTKvlFSXuuUMlc9bu04sggV-O3wariu8mk5b6XAkUhaycmiEef5bBK6R6-MNZItC4yr2C4cvmxClKRBS8GSAEp6hMtNgQPZdNSHvaVTDjG9bJqaG/w480-h640/IMG_5457.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Vista House.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />The next photo was also taken at Crown Point, that's me with my Panasonic Lumix ZS70 camera taking a photo of the Columbia River.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhf9j-_ZJxEHmNJPe-MhDIlQWygXFK6a_ackYQ3mDkoWp18dgrIhCXmYl0IehMT_Un_ZBbDZuRwteixhrRnKtEbz7g0aEpyvlRl3-4PtYlC1JpiuRUL_ACfeMd24_tvgZ52moEUg-nWVhe/s2016/IMG_5462.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhf9j-_ZJxEHmNJPe-MhDIlQWygXFK6a_ackYQ3mDkoWp18dgrIhCXmYl0IehMT_Un_ZBbDZuRwteixhrRnKtEbz7g0aEpyvlRl3-4PtYlC1JpiuRUL_ACfeMd24_tvgZ52moEUg-nWVhe/w480-h640/IMG_5462.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Photographing the Columbia River.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The following photo is me at Bridal Veil Falls, one of the most impressive Columbia Gorge waterfalls, close to other falls like Multnomah Falls, Latourell Falls and Wahkeena Falls.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAKYyYTmZ1kfoH4MZvi4A0thyphenhyphenEMwluRO1S4xqt9O9lV2dN0up05R-Jwjq5Jdu0wTFEKEoYu-pQcL1v-9DBplx1-W4EAkc_SBHGYiuY4f2rZ68RkCiYm9YOUyqA5t_8MebN6QxrYRUAfBN/s2016/IMG_5474.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAKYyYTmZ1kfoH4MZvi4A0thyphenhyphenEMwluRO1S4xqt9O9lV2dN0up05R-Jwjq5Jdu0wTFEKEoYu-pQcL1v-9DBplx1-W4EAkc_SBHGYiuY4f2rZ68RkCiYm9YOUyqA5t_8MebN6QxrYRUAfBN/w480-h640/IMG_5474.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: At Bridal Falls.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />The next two photos are of Lower Multnomah Falls. The second one taken by my friend Mary. And if you zoom in and look closely you will see me on the bridge (taking a photo I believe).</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmKOgddPTxNRUEiz63lBjBgsMKgtiVF5Sie3kLGnAQF4t_E7tCS0nNcQ0T6SmLXcY1qlAbrY8F2y8ofZa6x0vtlonl-cn5H_P-_-HUvMeieTkrdr_dan5vPgs0jQxis9B2kRuZ0pP8ue6/s2016/IMG_5480.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmKOgddPTxNRUEiz63lBjBgsMKgtiVF5Sie3kLGnAQF4t_E7tCS0nNcQ0T6SmLXcY1qlAbrY8F2y8ofZa6x0vtlonl-cn5H_P-_-HUvMeieTkrdr_dan5vPgs0jQxis9B2kRuZ0pP8ue6/w480-h640/IMG_5480.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AoPJnU84flStaQnQ374Oh7mwr_BvRb72aw6heaTKpqKlu8-KYcF7McO9NirW4-sYMvmJJEq67_5MGfHRuoaC2iIPFwdq_xZM3y4hnt0JP2VUMZ9vTdyuqoNTjgkPaFYj0srz6qQaVc8p/s2016/image3b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AoPJnU84flStaQnQ374Oh7mwr_BvRb72aw6heaTKpqKlu8-KYcF7McO9NirW4-sYMvmJJEq67_5MGfHRuoaC2iIPFwdq_xZM3y4hnt0JP2VUMZ9vTdyuqoNTjgkPaFYj0srz6qQaVc8p/w480-h640/image3b.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Look closely, that's me on the bridge.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <br />After we left Multnomah Falls Thursday we continued driving east about 20 miles and stopped for a smoked salmon lunch at a native fisherman’s shop (Brigham Fish Market) in Cascade Locks, Oregon. The elk on the wall in the following photo was watching to be sure I was cleaning my plate. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDVWKfsdoaWVdpo9Vensd-5_-TvyFJT11zEKePhy5VS2xP7RT9R-33xV-fFddwo6e01TKlwARVdmGVL9fdt4y3yTrdIJT-sPU0QrPI5Q5qs8ntnCg342SVmB-CqssTmPucA_Y57_J4rb5/s2016/IMG_5484.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDVWKfsdoaWVdpo9Vensd-5_-TvyFJT11zEKePhy5VS2xP7RT9R-33xV-fFddwo6e01TKlwARVdmGVL9fdt4y3yTrdIJT-sPU0QrPI5Q5qs8ntnCg342SVmB-CqssTmPucA_Y57_J4rb5/w480-h640/IMG_5484.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: At Brigham Fish Market.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />The next photo was taken farther east at the Maryhill Museum of Art. That’s Sam Hill with me, as in "What in Sam Hill?" He built a mansion 100 miles from Portland to develop the property. No one including his wife wanted to live there so he turned it into a museum. The town of Maryhill has maybe 12 residents today. But there is a winery. We went to a tasting in Vancouver. So far I like California wines better.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrw6IMUUg9WaPsnr5VbLJRAggWdJmYDV-u5dXfcTtV0ydtKYyWkwG13jMF6gV__eUJsE5Gy6vsygcaQ5nq4Nj1SXigF1T_nClEb1KtatT74pa1BfCRxsx_QSRKYPKGr1i-H0Moss4vw8f5/s2016/IMG_5490.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrw6IMUUg9WaPsnr5VbLJRAggWdJmYDV-u5dXfcTtV0ydtKYyWkwG13jMF6gV__eUJsE5Gy6vsygcaQ5nq4Nj1SXigF1T_nClEb1KtatT74pa1BfCRxsx_QSRKYPKGr1i-H0Moss4vw8f5/w480-h640/IMG_5490.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: At Maryhill Musum of Art.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />The following two photos were taken at Stonehenge on the Columbia River, which is a replica of England's Stonehenge, and is also located in Maryhill, Washington. The Maryhill Stonehenge was the first monument in the United States to honor the dead of World War I. My friend Mary took the first photo of me taking a photo. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MYwCtk1naPwNEJcj8D-Lbr0Y0N734Cb_xi0WA7CkUh2zsvq1jjcNUyLVmCRM0WaZNbGOSdHVyxtJSckqIVn7uy0k_zoiccB2JsvnCeZIUN3FB0-wKE55_T3qTDwoX7Op7_3e9Jpo3wtU/s2015/image1b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="1511" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MYwCtk1naPwNEJcj8D-Lbr0Y0N734Cb_xi0WA7CkUh2zsvq1jjcNUyLVmCRM0WaZNbGOSdHVyxtJSckqIVn7uy0k_zoiccB2JsvnCeZIUN3FB0-wKE55_T3qTDwoX7Op7_3e9Jpo3wtU/w480-h640/image1b.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: At Stonehenge on the Columbia.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSX5sFsmmsxDAgsDZLjTVWTaGICQmQeImTx9oBcmd_0EZNH4PDvgBZO_8Fh9N8WymbyQuQdadJ_eJmDYQF5pg1tqdF_TUtXpPjcWDJWuSAEOC3VX44CtrYAaa0DMJ37zxgBhRwpWNzLqV0/s2016/image0b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSX5sFsmmsxDAgsDZLjTVWTaGICQmQeImTx9oBcmd_0EZNH4PDvgBZO_8Fh9N8WymbyQuQdadJ_eJmDYQF5pg1tqdF_TUtXpPjcWDJWuSAEOC3VX44CtrYAaa0DMJ37zxgBhRwpWNzLqV0/w480-h640/image0b.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: At Stonehenge on the Columbia.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;">Late note: A 9-22-21 news article stated "</span><span style="font-size: large;">The majestically strange Stonehenge Memorial that stands on a bluff above the Columbia River Gorge, an iconic local
replica of England’s ancient original, has been added to the National
Register of Historic Places."<br /></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The next photo is of Mt. Hood, at 11,239 feet it is the highest point and mountain peak in the state of Oregon, and about 50 miles east-southeast of Portland.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8Q47jPHqRUubyIy5HC2bRGSwEYhLDJ6_z81QAyNY_1sKH2vMKPChHST_vzV4AEKbKfkFIsKMUZJvSaKGnu-ae9E6pt7LeXMxY9Cy-KS_8yv19c3Dcplf39JG92Byt7ZpLjhsnd7EqKcc/s2016/IMG_5497.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8Q47jPHqRUubyIy5HC2bRGSwEYhLDJ6_z81QAyNY_1sKH2vMKPChHST_vzV4AEKbKfkFIsKMUZJvSaKGnu-ae9E6pt7LeXMxY9Cy-KS_8yv19c3Dcplf39JG92Byt7ZpLjhsnd7EqKcc/w640-h480/IMG_5497.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Mt. Hood<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />And this photo is of the Columbia River, this photo taken about 30 miles east of Portland on our drive.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTu-coLgXH-ku4gq16YkQiMe7m86Rtf9REff6k2Vi0Bm-6BPbJHfe9UOIC4iMjCVIt4I1F5pkiBxYwrlkfqlFGnkrzYplkBMNmn9UQAr6zc97gzkiXmzeWfrqTu6CLxqLLLAdt6GGRjx0/s1632/IMG_0370.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTu-coLgXH-ku4gq16YkQiMe7m86Rtf9REff6k2Vi0Bm-6BPbJHfe9UOIC4iMjCVIt4I1F5pkiBxYwrlkfqlFGnkrzYplkBMNmn9UQAr6zc97gzkiXmzeWfrqTu6CLxqLLLAdt6GGRjx0/w640-h480/IMG_0370.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Columbia River.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b>Day 12 (Saturday, 18th): Visiting my niece in Myrtle Creek, Oregon</b><br /><br />After our visit with Multnomah Falls, Maryhill Museum of Art, the Stonehenge on the Columbia River last Thursday, Friday we drove to the home of my niece (Jennifer) in Myrtle Creek, Oregon, about 190+ miles south of Portland, and spent a few days. She is a funeral director there. That industry has changed a great deal, so she repurposed a coffin trolley into a coffee table for her chapel. I thought it was great, See photo below below.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFgBldJeq9uq7ltnex1GFjYViFrvIGfkzPMf30H9DKn3pCCVEkaePkgGSurfdvVNcFHJuJfc_6sr_BSdFDEfOZcGoP7soyu-ql_OrwRCM65n9GMuAEWE_JsO1peGgkLeBtZ7Tu1NZdKV1/s2016/IMG_5498.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFgBldJeq9uq7ltnex1GFjYViFrvIGfkzPMf30H9DKn3pCCVEkaePkgGSurfdvVNcFHJuJfc_6sr_BSdFDEfOZcGoP7soyu-ql_OrwRCM65n9GMuAEWE_JsO1peGgkLeBtZ7Tu1NZdKV1/w640-h480/IMG_5498.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Jennifer's coffee table.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />Saturday, the day after we arrived, we drove to Bandon on the coast. Bandon is known for its beaches and rock formations, the photo below is of my niece Jennifer and me on the beach in Bandon. </span></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fvKENekdkWjKc7ob7ee08Ezh-hetYVleoVAVenG-Gvav1sPzHbiBNXkYM_3u0C4f8oO1yQLSGqWnGtjDeWNMnlOhfcJCo7ko8VfheZkqzj7xqAzc8sgHVI2jZ_akWl2t67efwFiiIynH/s2016/IMG_5499.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fvKENekdkWjKc7ob7ee08Ezh-hetYVleoVAVenG-Gvav1sPzHbiBNXkYM_3u0C4f8oO1yQLSGqWnGtjDeWNMnlOhfcJCo7ko8VfheZkqzj7xqAzc8sgHVI2jZ_akWl2t67efwFiiIynH/w480-h640/IMG_5499.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Jennifer and Diane.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />After leaving Bandon we went to Coos Bay to go to the fish store. As a sidenote Coos Bay is where Steve Prefontaine (American long-distance runner who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics.) was born, he was the first athlete Nike ever sponsored. We bought 2 dozen oysters in Coos Bay and some tuna. We grilled the oysters back at Jennifer’s place, the oysters were enormous, It only took 3 to make a meal. See the following photo.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgad5yCzSALhN4TDLCl_kI7_XaOhIzZYIC4kEnV0VxsZxs0c8_74AcV15l6JRO_b3HeVJ3XkFOyv7CnmBU1aNjL35avyOuAN8RoszSWGX9ERHR6VZXVNRU-3LpgYFpVrH3cDxltqdTiWV6-/s2016/IMG_5505.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgad5yCzSALhN4TDLCl_kI7_XaOhIzZYIC4kEnV0VxsZxs0c8_74AcV15l6JRO_b3HeVJ3XkFOyv7CnmBU1aNjL35avyOuAN8RoszSWGX9ERHR6VZXVNRU-3LpgYFpVrH3cDxltqdTiWV6-/w480-h640/IMG_5505.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Oysters<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 13 (Sunday, 19th): Heading back to California<br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Sunday it rained and we drove South heading back to California. The following photo was taken at the Tesla c</span><span style="font-size: large;">harging station in Canyonville, OR. Note the clouds and fog, this is not a black and white photo, just the way it looked.<br /></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrQ-4gN0WDcPQkK7qARg4pqKbBOH2tC8OY9W0jslSe-ZLY9h9QVCRpu7_DAdw0EvNwLlLByqN_GWF1K5arww2VJY7LH6BjuWnJhaRiM5c218-PTrZKMp5fNPNlNZYsvDYMbfQZQaw9imr/s2016/IMG_5507.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrQ-4gN0WDcPQkK7qARg4pqKbBOH2tC8OY9W0jslSe-ZLY9h9QVCRpu7_DAdw0EvNwLlLByqN_GWF1K5arww2VJY7LH6BjuWnJhaRiM5c218-PTrZKMp5fNPNlNZYsvDYMbfQZQaw9imr/w640-h480/IMG_5507.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: A rainy day for a drive.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />After breakfast at the Tesla charging station we took the back way to the coast along the Rogue River. <br /><br />The following photo is of the Rogue River.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwu8h6SWad1GjN4i8JiaT4z2p0VAET5xJ4hUPWCTMuyOpN7sUlw3GhpqNfBWmqje0hIhdYihOEH4BE34wHdSyQYYkRVDIRDQK71jBgRg5QYWWb_Jz28V_moqvC4Jq2CDegVIlf0JmAtvY/s2016/IMG_5512.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwu8h6SWad1GjN4i8JiaT4z2p0VAET5xJ4hUPWCTMuyOpN7sUlw3GhpqNfBWmqje0hIhdYihOEH4BE34wHdSyQYYkRVDIRDQK71jBgRg5QYWWb_Jz28V_moqvC4Jq2CDegVIlf0JmAtvY/w480-h640/IMG_5512.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Rogue River.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The next two photos were taken back at the coast at Myers Creek Beach Viewpoint at Gold Beach, OR, touted as one of the most picturesque beaches in the world. This was about </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">7 miles south of where we left the Rogue River.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNFcIVx6Vxra2IQIBXZSGyvzmtkiZLIW_VXTn63gxgTaTNXZunB_AW01DsLJtEj1mrjAtamorVVmnVsm1GgiqZhRzmvLdN7WiMbJAVRFRL7-4l0q3NH5l-9na6DJ21G8Q79QYu77lEeVq/s2016/IMG_5520.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNFcIVx6Vxra2IQIBXZSGyvzmtkiZLIW_VXTn63gxgTaTNXZunB_AW01DsLJtEj1mrjAtamorVVmnVsm1GgiqZhRzmvLdN7WiMbJAVRFRL7-4l0q3NH5l-9na6DJ21G8Q79QYu77lEeVq/w640-h480/IMG_5520.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Myers Creek Beach.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaz3tls2An0FQ3YFokzZyAqOyRqs0gyadg1v1F3rx-u1uCOm5hBSkJiycaqshTM2vNkfPwK4I_NhG9LZ17bUZ5ywIlLNangsZs-88aXUV6dFLHK2CoNxuJL7UzVoDZRxPZ_6j6tyVRXtTp/s2016/IMG_5522.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaz3tls2An0FQ3YFokzZyAqOyRqs0gyadg1v1F3rx-u1uCOm5hBSkJiycaqshTM2vNkfPwK4I_NhG9LZ17bUZ5ywIlLNangsZs-88aXUV6dFLHK2CoNxuJL7UzVoDZRxPZ_6j6tyVRXtTp/w640-h480/IMG_5522.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Myers Creek Beach.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <br />This following photo was taken a little farther south at the Whaleshead Viewpoint, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">about another 13 miles south on the Oregon Coast Highway</span>. This viewpoint is conveniently located right off the Oregon Coast Highway and you can simply pull into the parking lot and gaze out on the ocean.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSLd0YsQ7Yv_T-Ca5z6JCkPEovO4iQiA-WejEjpGIXkkpmGotfJ22xvg4EFXhxcFOaMRVq4IyDzMUu5EM6t2EEVC1n0G5MRc7lOTAOAdxjIONSccrki4fdib31iqvKvsVldjJocDaQF4_/s2016/IMG_5525.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSLd0YsQ7Yv_T-Ca5z6JCkPEovO4iQiA-WejEjpGIXkkpmGotfJ22xvg4EFXhxcFOaMRVq4IyDzMUu5EM6t2EEVC1n0G5MRc7lOTAOAdxjIONSccrki4fdib31iqvKvsVldjJocDaQF4_/w640-h480/IMG_5525.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Whaleshead Viewpoint.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">After Whaleshead we drove another 3 miles and stopped at Lone Ranch Beach, about 10 miles north of the Oregon-California border. It is part of the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. The sights are almost too much for words, a beautiful beach, breathtaking views. Below are two photos I took at Lone Ranch Beach. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHJLk4wFXcxJPyFOfnqq4j6NQ6IeHYH1R3rdNtrXfI_x5THd44fVV9_rEdgebkz71VXR73IzsWuLA5ionVTH49Wd-s7keKqkG7u6R2xFnSlledCgIIkXn7_7S6EhNFUbSuJHNStjKmxOd/s2016/IMG_5531.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHJLk4wFXcxJPyFOfnqq4j6NQ6IeHYH1R3rdNtrXfI_x5THd44fVV9_rEdgebkz71VXR73IzsWuLA5ionVTH49Wd-s7keKqkG7u6R2xFnSlledCgIIkXn7_7S6EhNFUbSuJHNStjKmxOd/w640-h480/IMG_5531.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Lone Ranch Beach.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCabhbPM7Hkj9sWx_nypKXj3dlRajABG1zJs6xj7B2z4fvE7IbXmNaS37JZtuHhh8f5jdyRvGxEGZFQonIGGWAEq2-T4Wp04Pmpgnkw1shelpHPIchWvJ1nY6GIq45cnv46klPOyunZTN/s2016/IMG_5533.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCabhbPM7Hkj9sWx_nypKXj3dlRajABG1zJs6xj7B2z4fvE7IbXmNaS37JZtuHhh8f5jdyRvGxEGZFQonIGGWAEq2-T4Wp04Pmpgnkw1shelpHPIchWvJ1nY6GIq45cnv46klPOyunZTN/w640-h480/IMG_5533.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Lone Ranch Beach.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <br />I highly recommend the Oregon coast line drive to anyone, especially you photographers. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Or I should say the BEAUTIFUL Oregon Coast.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">On
a side note I now have my computer, I inadvertently left it in New York
and a neighbor FedEx-ed it to me at Scott's house in California, but
she sent it via ground so I was way gone on the road trip before it
arrived. Scott's friend then sent it to me in Portland. We were so
busy with Jennifer that I didn't open the FedEx box until today. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Speaking of the Rogue River Valley, I have since found out there is a song titled <i>Rogue River Valley</i>. It’s a song written and sung by Hoagy Carmichael and part of the soundtrack from the 1946 movie Canyon Passage. This movie had a lot of big names, including Dana Andrews, Brian Donlevy, Susan Hayward, Ward Bond, Hoagy Carmichael, Lloyd Bridges, Andy Devine and about a million other people. Much of this movie was filmed in the Crater Lake area, where Scott and I just spent a few days. It's a lovely song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leiFpVrzh8o). <br /><br /><b>About Scott's 2017 Tesla X (a sidenote)</b><br /><br />I’m still having problems moving photos from my Panasonic Lumix ZS70 camera to my computer so I thought I’d answer a question someone asked in an email.<br /><br />The question was “<b>How was Scott's 2017 Tesla X as a road trip car.</b>” The answer is "<b>Very Nice,</b>" the car is very comfy with lots of room. Scott’s Tesla was initially configured as a 6-seater and will seat 6 easily but we had the back two seats folded down to give us room for luggage, the “kitchen” and the “bar.” The "refrigerator" sits between the 2 middle seats, making it accessible from the front seats. <br /><br />Scott says "the car weighs 6700 pounds, so it is pretty stable. 0-60 in 5.5 seconds enables easy passing on hills. But most of all, the autopilot takes a lot of pressure off the driver. It keeps the car in the lane, and doesn't allow you to rear-end the guy in front of you. It also tells you exactly where to go. The one really nice benefit of electric cars comes on windy roads, particularly when going downhill. If you are approaching a curve a little too fast, as soon as you take your foot off the accelerator, the car immediately starts regenerative braking, and slows you down before you move your foot to the brake."<br /> <br />The only shortfall I noticed is the need to plan the trip more. For instance, when we were in Crater Lake, leaving for Bend to the north, it wanted us to go back (south) to Klamath Falls to recharge before going on to Bend. Another example was when we made the drive from Portland to the Maryhill Museum of Art and Stonehenge on the Columbia River, there were no charging stations in that area, so on our way back we had a very nervous trip and we coasted into the city of The Dalles with only 3 miles of charge left. Now you know about range anxiety. <br /><br />Also when we were driving from Myrtle Creek, Oregon (where my niece lives) to Bandon on the coast (about 80+ miles), we didn't have a full charge on the Tesla, but it was nominally within the range we had on the battery. Scott asked our hosts if it was hilly, and they said "no." We took off and soon discovered that it was hilly. Scott had to nurse the Tesla a little, mostly driving a little slower than normal, and we made it with 8 miles of range left. <br /><br />The range on Scott’s Tesla X with a full charge is 216 miles. We used the built in TESLA charger locator and an app on Scott’s phone. The literature says charging the Model X with a Supercharger produces about 120 miles with a 15-minute charge. It gets an 80% charge in an hour. I didn’t record any times on our trip but that sounds about right.<br /><br />It hasn’t been as easy as pulling into a gas station and filling your tank with gas. If we find a place to stay, Scott plugs it in overnight for a slow charge. Sometimes we get a fast charge in a shopping center and go food shopping. <br /><br />Scott says that "after driving electric for a while, you get a sense for things such as how terrain affects range. If you don't have an aptitude for that kind of thing, it would make trips in an electric vehicle more difficult. But you who drive would love the Tesla.”<br /><br />Anyway, for no special reason attached is a photo of Scott’s 2017 Tesla X, I took this photo when we pulled off the road to view the Pacific Ocean at Gold Beach Oregon last Sunday.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1u1qykq1m2mcrPrqwZIge757AeRWAxdp4TODnEEmwFU-aR9Di3yC1V2cEa6P7nT9ldJLMEm1m6lrKouPCOrdsxQWPkry2HJYO3B5ciQiHMk6oOZVX3IBYhyphenhyphen9BEDht2Rawrf24kcFgHXuA/s2016/IMG_5513.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1u1qykq1m2mcrPrqwZIge757AeRWAxdp4TODnEEmwFU-aR9Di3yC1V2cEa6P7nT9ldJLMEm1m6lrKouPCOrdsxQWPkry2HJYO3B5ciQiHMk6oOZVX3IBYhyphenhyphen9BEDht2Rawrf24kcFgHXuA/w640-h480/IMG_5513.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scott's 2017 Tesla X<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 15 (Monday, 20th): California, Chandelier Drive-Through Tree/Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park</b><br /><br />The following photo was taken Monday morning, about 40+ miles south of the Oregon-California border, or about 13 miles south of Crescent City, on US-101 (now called Redwood Highway). We spent the night in Crescent City, CA. and got a full charge for Scott's Tesla X. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4O71RtRro8GwpMvQXlzPXvQmGjxE2UQLQUb9GOifVAlOEUqKLnlCvYz0R4crQcQpm3L0dKnBXzBZKylTcYvG3LKHZ_3cP9B9CADMJDxLFrmbbMEHnCSM5cMlVIR-0OTwPzXBMjpuL2e9/s2016/IMG_5539.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4O71RtRro8GwpMvQXlzPXvQmGjxE2UQLQUb9GOifVAlOEUqKLnlCvYz0R4crQcQpm3L0dKnBXzBZKylTcYvG3LKHZ_3cP9B9CADMJDxLFrmbbMEHnCSM5cMlVIR-0OTwPzXBMjpuL2e9/w640-h480/IMG_5539.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The next photo was taken about 30 minutes later at a place called Klamath River Overlook, a scenic picnic pullout overlooking the ocean, on a side road off US-101 called the Patrick J Murphy Memorial Road. It may be one of the most scenic drives in the Redwood National and State Parks.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Wn0UvL-cnR9LwypDd_l7YzOhGshaukeSGRyOfpodGDQwr7yiwVMcGN1t5zrdAKrQ2Q42KrC40_n8TtSulbXe9XTHnqkXHSc_Ktj48I1HV4_uc00B_UBXcWSmnsEeSkiPLHwq3Z5gxSdE/s2016/IMG_5544.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Wn0UvL-cnR9LwypDd_l7YzOhGshaukeSGRyOfpodGDQwr7yiwVMcGN1t5zrdAKrQ2Q42KrC40_n8TtSulbXe9XTHnqkXHSc_Ktj48I1HV4_uc00B_UBXcWSmnsEeSkiPLHwq3Z5gxSdE/w640-h480/IMG_5544.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Klamath River Overlook.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We are now at the Royal Tree Villas in Leggett, California. It is so rural there is one restaurant that closes before 7. So we are eating chips, nuts and string cheese. And the owner just brought us Ramen noodle soup we can make with the coffee pot. It is hysterical. <br /><br />The next photo was taken in the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park just off the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, about 16 miles south of the above Klamath River Overlook. If you look closely you will see me.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDb3i40bp3vhbSMgpDaT6NkhCdgjQjLaIPrW2yUUKlyZocMB6b_50at5BllQnGHdMqQxELe7w_6Kzmz7KdU-8r6Oo3EjIz2EfdP1pTyORCmT98_xeq35lZsQkllc034Ks0rVjBg7n-ZKza/s2016/IMG_5545.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDb3i40bp3vhbSMgpDaT6NkhCdgjQjLaIPrW2yUUKlyZocMB6b_50at5BllQnGHdMqQxELe7w_6Kzmz7KdU-8r6Oo3EjIz2EfdP1pTyORCmT98_xeq35lZsQkllc034Ks0rVjBg7n-ZKza/w480-h640/IMG_5545.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Prairie Creek Redwood State Park.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">There was a chamber of commerce charger right by the info place for the redwoods national forest where we met with the local person who advised us where to go to see the best redwoods. They were stunning. We also stopped at Elk Prairie, but no Elk were present so we continued on. <br /><br />The next photo was taken about 5+ mils farther into the park and is a sign at the Big Tree Wayside, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="ILfuVd"><span class="hgKElc">a popular tourist stop</span></span> in the park.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6pI-ikuPndCubuUPko63bBH_WFzGyA5JoMQYPirUrkAsAr-y9L5zmOeEKbMjQ_HwQjJD0K5TjIp4siAc1FfDIsRLqTjVA9uVJh_c6f4OnJlz-on6R2-kEUDKD9CoN3d-F2JAn_W_YrlA/s2016/IMG_5558.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6pI-ikuPndCubuUPko63bBH_WFzGyA5JoMQYPirUrkAsAr-y9L5zmOeEKbMjQ_HwQjJD0K5TjIp4siAc1FfDIsRLqTjVA9uVJh_c6f4OnJlz-on6R2-kEUDKD9CoN3d-F2JAn_W_YrlA/w480-h640/IMG_5558.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Sign at the Big Tree Wayside<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />The next 2 photos were taken in the same area. "Big Tree” in the second photo is estimated to be more than 1,500 years old. Many other equally impressive trees will be found on all the nearby trails. The walk to the Big Tree is less than 200 yards from the parking area.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjtGc4MSOBvGtPRbI4HcpKv59ymwcETI91S5-1OZGoKuUasHG1RRVMCKHqRWifGHQcIdQWfezB1GBjZbalg3aoJqZ5o9xTpTFBP5MoPtuP6fAb5_VuSCSdaTCHoUDCoXDh4fF6Z04sdBR/s2016/IMG_5561.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjtGc4MSOBvGtPRbI4HcpKv59ymwcETI91S5-1OZGoKuUasHG1RRVMCKHqRWifGHQcIdQWfezB1GBjZbalg3aoJqZ5o9xTpTFBP5MoPtuP6fAb5_VuSCSdaTCHoUDCoXDh4fF6Z04sdBR/w480-h640/IMG_5561.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-h2i3zF0kw59FLWt66SCpKMnXcj95ieufeyDUOR8JTTj9xKhMTypC91_7GWVtSmA743w5qvm3AAZAvQqM-9df-IotGWSDBWCGaJXfgHYtxZVV_G_uGT9ulhDlc21WU7W0cxAbi255ZLz/s2016/IMG_5564.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-h2i3zF0kw59FLWt66SCpKMnXcj95ieufeyDUOR8JTTj9xKhMTypC91_7GWVtSmA743w5qvm3AAZAvQqM-9df-IotGWSDBWCGaJXfgHYtxZVV_G_uGT9ulhDlc21WU7W0cxAbi255ZLz/w480-h640/IMG_5564.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Big Tree is estimated to be over 1,500 years old.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The next photo was taken about 90 miles further south, on US-101 going into the </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Avenue
of the Giants in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park. OMG This drive was
magnificent! We stopped a lot. Interestingly the trees were very
dense and the black & white photos I took with my Panasonic Lumix
ZS70 camera aren't as interesting as the shore line black & white
photos. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1uKy7jZH005x0qeMUrKj3_s9nXAmK34xEbKkWekswkU9CKW1wKcwZmBW5DeRUf8y9h76j-k_iJWWFRQ788AkO7c_LVntlp4Th-_62cB5QrYOlF2SZJ3oxzjnzYBN90-skRIYs5c5LsAyG/s2016/IMG_5572.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1uKy7jZH005x0qeMUrKj3_s9nXAmK34xEbKkWekswkU9CKW1wKcwZmBW5DeRUf8y9h76j-k_iJWWFRQ788AkO7c_LVntlp4Th-_62cB5QrYOlF2SZJ3oxzjnzYBN90-skRIYs5c5LsAyG/w480-h640/IMG_5572.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Driving to the Humboldt Redwoods State Park.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />At the end of the day and many winding roads we decided to stop in Leggett, California which was the intersection to take us to the California Coast. Only one place to stay, Royal Tree Villas, just off US-101. We were greeted by 2 German Shepard dogs and a man in bermuda shorts and flip flops. I might add that it was between a machinery repair place and and I don't know what. Anyway, the room was clean but there was no ice machine, no Keurig (only instant coffee) etc. And the only place to eat for 20 miles closed early.<br /><br />This next photo is me holding Scott's dinner that the man in Bermuda shorts and flip flops gave us out of the kindness of his heart. I opted to skip dinner that night. The man also gave us ice out of his own refrigerator. I jokingly told Scott, I thought maybe they filmed the movie "Deliverance” here.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsiYiptKCEdyXedm-mfKr-SAkB_ud_c3_5Cl8jQ5TXWwOLFaDeKh9nc5kBDb-pju0ciRA0MYQKE3j9Oznxcnzx0xPbC8F7O_6YoYi9f5M0It_Be4ogs4v0dx-mXG9Mtt_6JdL2TbARiSJA/s2016/IMG_5575.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsiYiptKCEdyXedm-mfKr-SAkB_ud_c3_5Cl8jQ5TXWwOLFaDeKh9nc5kBDb-pju0ciRA0MYQKE3j9Oznxcnzx0xPbC8F7O_6YoYi9f5M0It_Be4ogs4v0dx-mXG9Mtt_6JdL2TbARiSJA/w480-h640/IMG_5575.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: At Royal Tree Villas.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />On this road trip we’ve seen quite a few motorcycles, lots of cool roads at Crater Lake for motorcycles. And Yosemite has great winding roads that would be a thrill to ride, I’d love to ride a bike in these places. When I was younger I used to daydream about a motorcycle trip through Europe, but it never happened. Maybe in my next life.<br /><br />Anyway, I made the attached two photos of motorcycles riding through the Chandelier Drive-Through Tree in Leggett, California Tuesday morning. That tree is 2,400 years old and the tunnel was carved in 1934. In today’s world, cutting a hole in an ancient redwood tree is not an acceptable idea, but in 1934 it was considered a grand idea. The Chandelier Tree is one of Northern California’s three remaining drive-through redwood trees.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSAjMV2jwxkHfNfRPXq8M3DkCdbPvXMcPUy-wBH2gVWAmhtO3NjDCIq2bofymzLkyhsUblZnUzCskUTZ2OXbtgPGIjjLSQhd3qADFXaFwuQF8Tuq4VTPoflPy7d8wnV7NBVaGnekgdkqQ/s1575/IMG_5576.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1575" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSAjMV2jwxkHfNfRPXq8M3DkCdbPvXMcPUy-wBH2gVWAmhtO3NjDCIq2bofymzLkyhsUblZnUzCskUTZ2OXbtgPGIjjLSQhd3qADFXaFwuQF8Tuq4VTPoflPy7d8wnV7NBVaGnekgdkqQ/w614-h640/IMG_5576.jpg" width="614" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Chandelier Drive-Through Tree.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zXIBuBACW9h8nur49ILSb9-noLfL8xHG0mcm7FLnShCCsZC5C3cPOTo_wjEi6XF5_AwBTGZgytCKqxnS7_LwbalzTp6luPKPYCLtCHRTOnoXTRy21vOTGxFbRQvlpKrpCLRdrM0aeG-S/s1655/IMG_5577.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1655" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zXIBuBACW9h8nur49ILSb9-noLfL8xHG0mcm7FLnShCCsZC5C3cPOTo_wjEi6XF5_AwBTGZgytCKqxnS7_LwbalzTp6luPKPYCLtCHRTOnoXTRy21vOTGxFbRQvlpKrpCLRdrM0aeG-S/w584-h640/IMG_5577.jpg" width="584" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Chandelier Drive-Through Tree.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <br />Seeing these motorcycles and great riding roads was a Throwback Thursday moment for me as I have been on a motorcycle or two in my life. For no special reason attached is a photo of me in Florida in 1967 on a 1965 Yamaha 250cc Big Bear Scrambler. This was taken a few years after I graduated from the University of Florida and shortly after I left Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company and headed for a new job in Indiana with the Allison Engine Company. That certainly seems like a long time ago.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6yBCL6Bmh9YA91DER916BU4anzfd3mcjP2ZAm5dGLaz2wvuSI1GDdyatPWF5G4AnsJRKtBwbMkPl3BCLptbAYxrhfE4TuFJDfu2tP5BKDDcMJVMFri-t3zYwTlU9c6U0s5R429oTy11o/s2016/Diane-1967-2016p.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1344" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6yBCL6Bmh9YA91DER916BU4anzfd3mcjP2ZAm5dGLaz2wvuSI1GDdyatPWF5G4AnsJRKtBwbMkPl3BCLptbAYxrhfE4TuFJDfu2tP5BKDDcMJVMFri-t3zYwTlU9c6U0s5R429oTy11o/w426-h640/Diane-1967-2016p.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane in 1967.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />Tuesday morning, we drove through the Chandelier Drive-Through Tree. The following photo is the Tesla X squeezing through the tree. The literature says the tree tunnel is 6 feet wide, and the Tesla X literature says the car is 6.5 feet wide, so I'm not sure how we squeezed through.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJILjTjGXENXtBYGKxC5Ld75bqfjGYUUfWJcMpr3PFcyzME8mk9Q80Nax8-bK3QqU5BLeSJaOE4TAHyffKThuGSMVolEeBbTG6c3_NvWFEUxD_v6ITZ-LW24DUwQPY9waL9DqS01cjZgp/s2016/IMG_5586.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJILjTjGXENXtBYGKxC5Ld75bqfjGYUUfWJcMpr3PFcyzME8mk9Q80Nax8-bK3QqU5BLeSJaOE4TAHyffKThuGSMVolEeBbTG6c3_NvWFEUxD_v6ITZ-LW24DUwQPY9waL9DqS01cjZgp/w480-h640/IMG_5586.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scott's 2017 Tesla X.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The next photo shows the guide-pamphlet we had for our tour of the redwoods, the Avenue of Giants, an outstanding display of giant trees.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUavEIRCg9QnlIYIog027rH7HG4zicGMSUjmwQ0fbspxkDX-32Ogwb6SJgV0_9UsZ2vMlMQSU7azDuGKQrKHOfXG_CoKs2TrLdNTtzZHRZXoaUezH2Ww1grKp5AaARL1302ZNwkpV21JE/s2016/IMG_5587.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUavEIRCg9QnlIYIog027rH7HG4zicGMSUjmwQ0fbspxkDX-32Ogwb6SJgV0_9UsZ2vMlMQSU7azDuGKQrKHOfXG_CoKs2TrLdNTtzZHRZXoaUezH2Ww1grKp5AaARL1302ZNwkpV21JE/w480-h640/IMG_5587.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Avenue of Giants guide-pamphlet.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"> <b>Days 16 (Tuesday, 21st): Russian Gulch State Park</b> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Tuesday morning we headed toward the coast again, over a hill and through more woods and a very, very windy road. <br /><br />We visited Russian Gulch State Park to see the Devil's Punchbowl, very cool. see the next 3 photos. The Devil’s Punch Bowl (also called blow hole) is the most famous feature of Russian Gulch State Park. I liked that the 2nd photo caught the rainbow on the blow hole.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQdu-ni4wJlzzbRoZHIaaxY364gEMKW7vd8pfa57dBuVC5BBRX5P_gwQHFIeuF9e4yVGAuRvz0nHR7P9dqw1Gg-4u9tJgNqZiMxqWNfsqfupoMKr16-k29ELk7_DO25iTW9Zk95p7jb0q/s2016/IMG_5600.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQdu-ni4wJlzzbRoZHIaaxY364gEMKW7vd8pfa57dBuVC5BBRX5P_gwQHFIeuF9e4yVGAuRvz0nHR7P9dqw1Gg-4u9tJgNqZiMxqWNfsqfupoMKr16-k29ELk7_DO25iTW9Zk95p7jb0q/w640-h480/IMG_5600.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Devil's Punchbowl.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoOPvCRWzXS4SyTB6x2lvNw6jX3ygXfu-g8zLYmMVw5Zrm123yLvYVxGuSrZkBy0lb4f9U0QJvJe7k8pxX2Sh-Pgag2_4G1RXS37FALdewtcb87ybWYgfQvYkSsixeIRzYkFX_FsYE2mZ/s2016/IMG_5609.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoOPvCRWzXS4SyTB6x2lvNw6jX3ygXfu-g8zLYmMVw5Zrm123yLvYVxGuSrZkBy0lb4f9U0QJvJe7k8pxX2Sh-Pgag2_4G1RXS37FALdewtcb87ybWYgfQvYkSsixeIRzYkFX_FsYE2mZ/w640-h480/IMG_5609.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Devil's Punchbowl, note the rainbow.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChmoLI6QakntX3p-bk0OqUD2fg_9AiMYjDPP0QhXu3G06Pq7SiaVx37GkuNS8Gv8zthn6mxET_ZEpWwAIR-6eTEIntFhAvhqgxHSzFHYW7Fvlqt1_HjMHNytqkFtWySnUEh3Cs_TvAD8_/s2016/IMG_5620.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChmoLI6QakntX3p-bk0OqUD2fg_9AiMYjDPP0QhXu3G06Pq7SiaVx37GkuNS8Gv8zthn6mxET_ZEpWwAIR-6eTEIntFhAvhqgxHSzFHYW7Fvlqt1_HjMHNytqkFtWySnUEh3Cs_TvAD8_/w640-h480/IMG_5620.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Devil's Punchbowl.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <br />We stopped at Fort Bragg to charge the Tesla and have breakfast, In the middle of breakfast the power in the whole area went out. So we didn't get a full charge which caused us great concern for the rest of the day.<br /><br />Fort Bragg state park is where I took the windmill shot below. It was built in Russia and moved there for the. people who lived here, Russians, native Americans and other folks. It is similar to the ones in Holland.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPgAy9AwIRlwTgShiptMCqLkceK2vTV60kULwuiiqtXxCaTVmyu-V4FMJ5yeiNBXLaVGFMroq1r9dyZ4BI9q1VAAaR909TP7NJt6q87s2beDZUAJDLjRPLqYw6YGpSyNDr8oc94BifM4G/s2016/IMG_5626.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPgAy9AwIRlwTgShiptMCqLkceK2vTV60kULwuiiqtXxCaTVmyu-V4FMJ5yeiNBXLaVGFMroq1r9dyZ4BI9q1VAAaR909TP7NJt6q87s2beDZUAJDLjRPLqYw6YGpSyNDr8oc94BifM4G/w480-h640/IMG_5626.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Windmill at Fort Bragg..<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;">We couldn't get a charge for the Tesla along the way but we ended up in the Bodega Bay Inn where we used the 110V wall charger and got 39 miles of charge which was enough to get us to Petaluma for a full charge. All along we've been eating things I usually wouldn't eat, like sandwiches. I didn't get fat and/or die so I guess it's ok.<br /><br />South of there was a more beautiful coast line but not as dramatic as Oregon. Then the fog came in and there was nothing to see.</span></p><p><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Days 17 (Wednesday, 22nd): Golden Gate Bridge</b></span> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I was disappointed that the Golden Gate Bridge was fogged in. See the next 2 photos.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcx4C8tYyqiqEThZjF9V-nI06wlBtIHqrtIWbypeqzYFi_Za-FiGZkiIwOW_UQpyIIPlGsG0yRG4zIK7ttyyePffxI-8JczOkwgWz9c9EEpUV8jyl_mjR6JioZZUZWtTzbEeV9Oko4V6Z/s2016/IMG_5632.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcx4C8tYyqiqEThZjF9V-nI06wlBtIHqrtIWbypeqzYFi_Za-FiGZkiIwOW_UQpyIIPlGsG0yRG4zIK7ttyyePffxI-8JczOkwgWz9c9EEpUV8jyl_mjR6JioZZUZWtTzbEeV9Oko4V6Z/w480-h640/IMG_5632.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Foggy day on the Golden Gate Bridge.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUuEhYzsX-2Euek3WX-9Dxp8ndr8Ix1F7yoFuQxvZrKhEt3LCa-mlqrgFThEq13WY1w4fKVbdkODBcorbbtv-TA7uYq-4Jb_oyzo7jOiFSuZlcCwgPYLlvcW94WiLMZoVtTWW8-SWADAi/s2016/IMG_5636.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUuEhYzsX-2Euek3WX-9Dxp8ndr8Ix1F7yoFuQxvZrKhEt3LCa-mlqrgFThEq13WY1w4fKVbdkODBcorbbtv-TA7uYq-4Jb_oyzo7jOiFSuZlcCwgPYLlvcW94WiLMZoVtTWW8-SWADAi/w480-h640/IMG_5636.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Foggy day on the Golden Gate Bridge.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <br />Half Moon Bay was on our list of stops to make, but there was no place to stay, so we toured around for 10 minutes as that was all it took to see everything except the dump. And traveled on to Santa Cruz, where we are meeting up with a friend. <br /><br /><b>Day 19 (Thursday, 23rd): Santa Cruz, California<br /></b><br />We stopped in Santa Cruz Thursday to meet up with Connie Zack, a friend from New York City who just moved to Santa Cruz. <br /><br />We walked through downtown Santa Cruz, stopping for lunch. A guy with long white hair saw the starfish pin on my jacket and sang to me a song with an accent (Irish?) about a girl across the cove on the coast who did something with a starfish on toast. I didn’t give him my pin. I found out later the song was by Scottish singer Donovan titled Starfish-on-the-Toast. The song was released in 1967.<br /><br />After lunch we went to the famous surfing beach, Steamer Lane, known by locals simply as The Lane. This West Cliff surf break is perhaps the most iconic in the county. Wow, I’d never seen so many surfers. About 4 pm a lot of kids came on bikes in wet suits with surfboards, climbed down the rocks and caught the waves. Fascinating. Their mothers had to know where they were. By the way there were girls in the waves as well as the boys and grown up (?) men. Below is a photo I took.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7sbylUgXJb5IQnjaLMLlf2c86dOanrRp0wtwcHVG_9JRlH4k_b1pyQgLcwelFqou2XVAoyavePPF6svKLquXHfaLOsPUoT3u4ZeLh_3BqkJTiTs_i_Bznp_4S8G0CV9vbKUspm44kgvo/s1280/IMG_5662.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7sbylUgXJb5IQnjaLMLlf2c86dOanrRp0wtwcHVG_9JRlH4k_b1pyQgLcwelFqou2XVAoyavePPF6svKLquXHfaLOsPUoT3u4ZeLh_3BqkJTiTs_i_Bznp_4S8G0CV9vbKUspm44kgvo/w640-h480/IMG_5662.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Surfers at Steamer Lane.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />Then we visited the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum built in 1986 to document the history of surfing. The museum is housed inside the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse on Lighthouse Point. We learned about how three teenage Hawaiian princes brought surfing to California in 1885, and we saw photos of surfing in the 30’s. Really interesting. The following photo is of Connie and me at the front of the museum. You can see my starfish pin in this photo.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLEhqg_5VIJSIdrbVW65k6jagQCErbT6cWzDY0ZMuy-hhkq6-VD98RIgzLcD5Xdkz9ezE8hO8IuFgDAU7drmdHw1zoh2eO32or6BB6Z43FWM2TtcGyQr_h0piuUmVw_MXbVmV8h71q5NX/s1280/IMG_5685.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLEhqg_5VIJSIdrbVW65k6jagQCErbT6cWzDY0ZMuy-hhkq6-VD98RIgzLcD5Xdkz9ezE8hO8IuFgDAU7drmdHw1zoh2eO32or6BB6Z43FWM2TtcGyQr_h0piuUmVw_MXbVmV8h71q5NX/w480-h640/IMG_5685.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane & Connie at Santa Cruz Surfing Museum.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />We also went west of the museum along the coast (along West Cliff Drive), about a 1/3 mile, and saw some more beautiful scenery, including the gorgeous rock formation shown below. I did 13,711 steps Thursday. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbxhX7uJMZNmR4-40kWllIV3XKQDWqTAaysFf9ZQTeJ4Ph_f_ZrACCPVScZNtPQAArsUf3GOyqYMRPQ94f7JSx7sgD0gPHU8K8SLPeC2duzLygTRF-c2HlRH1t6gu4XDnLVkbT2QYiTXN/s1280/IMG_5688.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbxhX7uJMZNmR4-40kWllIV3XKQDWqTAaysFf9ZQTeJ4Ph_f_ZrACCPVScZNtPQAArsUf3GOyqYMRPQ94f7JSx7sgD0gPHU8K8SLPeC2duzLygTRF-c2HlRH1t6gu4XDnLVkbT2QYiTXN/w640-h480/IMG_5688.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Rock formation along West Cliff Drive.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b>Day 19 (Friday, 24th): Monterey, California (Cannery Row)</b><br /><br />After our visit with Connie Zack in Santa Cruz, Scott and I drove to Monterey. On Friday we did some sightseeing along the historic Cannery Row. We saw the Cannery Row Monument, in 2014 Monterey paid tribute to John Steinbeck and his Cannery Row novel with this monument overlooking the ocean. If I read this novel, it was long ago. In the monument John Steinbeck sits on top overlooking some characters from the novel. The monument is 15 feet high and its base resembles one of the rock formations in Monterey Bay, The photo below is one I took of the monument.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDgw1HlCVuyWTk4WeImudNuwcVEda4dvRl7HQukPOkDzX-L4HqNlv0r4rSjDEHVRso89Lib87VphDU0uQRHv4nP_cSxyPc4PrhFXeMq8OV8u7J_o2RufF98ZtMOpr4zFkDkD5oqNockAO/s2016/IMG_5708.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDgw1HlCVuyWTk4WeImudNuwcVEda4dvRl7HQukPOkDzX-L4HqNlv0r4rSjDEHVRso89Lib87VphDU0uQRHv4nP_cSxyPc4PrhFXeMq8OV8u7J_o2RufF98ZtMOpr4zFkDkD5oqNockAO/w480-h640/IMG_5708.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Cannery Row Monument.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />The monument is located about a 4-minute walk to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which we also went to. The aquarium opened in 1984 and features over 200 marine life exhibits, so there's a lot to see and do. I don’t know how many different types of animals there are in the aquarium but below are some photos I took of some jellyfish, African penguins and otters. New to me were the African penguins, cute but not as cute I think as the penguins I saw on my 2020 Patagonia-Antarctica cruise. The otters are oh so cute. Overall, awesome exhibits at this aquarium. <br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCgVcbPmGU1RhoJVYZo8s98qhcfO41rpoeuJw8N9EtrauYrZsFKYMjJMgH4DWFtZi1OwrxvKouW0A9tQTYC4rg6llUd9OIv2Jt8ueHxKGNCw9Wz2LeLrXvSltTQGfAPuYUg_cwOWZcOBG/s2016/IMG_5716.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCgVcbPmGU1RhoJVYZo8s98qhcfO41rpoeuJw8N9EtrauYrZsFKYMjJMgH4DWFtZi1OwrxvKouW0A9tQTYC4rg6llUd9OIv2Jt8ueHxKGNCw9Wz2LeLrXvSltTQGfAPuYUg_cwOWZcOBG/w480-h640/IMG_5716.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Jellyfish.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikhLrDReD2abQvy482zsa7XFNgxIy9W0e0o5qB5mIN69AIrJAr25EL1SzhE4zBCoCLW8Yzp4siyF9i0QnO_9DFkwXnCa7Q9KwervloYJaudRbSAEM40pFeKZf7LJ2FovUGZBwqhW8hyQ8/s2016/IMG_5737.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikhLrDReD2abQvy482zsa7XFNgxIy9W0e0o5qB5mIN69AIrJAr25EL1SzhE4zBCoCLW8Yzp4siyF9i0QnO_9DFkwXnCa7Q9KwervloYJaudRbSAEM40pFeKZf7LJ2FovUGZBwqhW8hyQ8/w480-h640/IMG_5737.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Penguins.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWatuCfxizsl3ia4giMmBaPDgZX63fvS0wNJ91Kg1iVirKhgrDZZaHosQ4uFQizJRsgJw8GdLRQOxpFtnOWdk9Js9eA2aShRBnY66AgsKa1xTHH4WDtIT_tou-VpzGzUss8jcdSRxDTAo5/s1280/IMG_5744.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWatuCfxizsl3ia4giMmBaPDgZX63fvS0wNJ91Kg1iVirKhgrDZZaHosQ4uFQizJRsgJw8GdLRQOxpFtnOWdk9Js9eA2aShRBnY66AgsKa1xTHH4WDtIT_tou-VpzGzUss8jcdSRxDTAo5/w560-h640/IMG_5744.jpg" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Otters<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><b>Day 20 (Saturday, 25th): Monterey (17-Mile Drive)</b><br /><br />After sight seeing Friday along the historic Cannery Row Monterey (including about 4 hours at the Monterey Bay Aquarium), we took a drive along the famous 17-Mile Drive, perhaps the most scenic drive on the Monterey Peninsula, <br /><br />At one time we were following a 1939 Chevy, the photo below was taken at The Links at Spanish Bay Pebble Beach. Ultimately I took a photo of them using their camera with the view of the ocean in the background and them leaning on the car. They said it was for their Christmas card. I think they just got together and this was the first road trip for them as a couple. They were both around 70 years young.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeyAFhkAohtsGMtJ9npR9BiguVT96-u4Cr4iHM1bKq7IyXrgMyrF2JQr2hxU3KpZewspwrnGHG5N2jlYEiejVyZohmzGeFsyePQweIF1qnwVDTuxig4TEHo-fEgjpkWSXF0gV2Iynp1VT/s2016/IMG_5749.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeyAFhkAohtsGMtJ9npR9BiguVT96-u4Cr4iHM1bKq7IyXrgMyrF2JQr2hxU3KpZewspwrnGHG5N2jlYEiejVyZohmzGeFsyePQweIF1qnwVDTuxig4TEHo-fEgjpkWSXF0gV2Iynp1VT/w640-h480/IMG_5749.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: 1939 Chevy.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />The next photo is a view of the beautiful coastline along the 17 mile drive, about where the Monterey Peninsula Country Club is.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgET9yeaBj3bSd_LIxP8zklKukAuLzr9banRjK4qhyphenhyphenaOBCcjphpU_NYEiMjg8Dq2nYm9Jil2h6NeMrcv9pV1kggab6ye4PNFJrVvLBINUdnddYpJPujThO-HPboxD7NNcnIgRaaEP2BbUQe/s2016/IMG_5752.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgET9yeaBj3bSd_LIxP8zklKukAuLzr9banRjK4qhyphenhyphenaOBCcjphpU_NYEiMjg8Dq2nYm9Jil2h6NeMrcv9pV1kggab6ye4PNFJrVvLBINUdnddYpJPujThO-HPboxD7NNcnIgRaaEP2BbUQe/w640-h480/IMG_5752.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Coastline along the 17 Mile Drive.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />Shown below are the famous Monterey Cypress trees. Awesome but not like the redwoods. I saw more of them today. Be still my heart, I want one. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2ZMKm-dfA9klLkUG7c1bKct35iKwQSMSprdiaLHoFrb-8o9UzdtCDe8hxhx7Emr3CzMnFzAn00CwkN4J6cVXrqVW-RK1UHgJeX3PN6AD6LI64QjP1mJn0zH8HbIXmAZTAcDEGaLqx4on/s2016/IMG_5760.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2ZMKm-dfA9klLkUG7c1bKct35iKwQSMSprdiaLHoFrb-8o9UzdtCDe8hxhx7Emr3CzMnFzAn00CwkN4J6cVXrqVW-RK1UHgJeX3PN6AD6LI64QjP1mJn0zH8HbIXmAZTAcDEGaLqx4on/w640-h480/IMG_5760.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Monterey Cypress Trees.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7M6dG2s0D7U-6CZXXUkFuWiMoS4PVfb2S0O33oV6_eGnOc_UQ-6Sy_SkdR_HYALMU1l8sM12jRh5Spu2WGOsquSZR0MKvB-YLti1XJ8l41X5fekzsoWLl8rfMJCkOAN33hpfd2jrQ7jt0/s2016/IMG_5757.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7M6dG2s0D7U-6CZXXUkFuWiMoS4PVfb2S0O33oV6_eGnOc_UQ-6Sy_SkdR_HYALMU1l8sM12jRh5Spu2WGOsquSZR0MKvB-YLti1XJ8l41X5fekzsoWLl8rfMJCkOAN33hpfd2jrQ7jt0/w640-h480/IMG_5757.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Monterey Cypress Trees.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeFF_5BwZMyTnTj82A79DKbXvwfNUAqPsKk6Rg0dv1HOxn1NKQ1qGxfhwmNUprvmm-ypdKm0vVK1PD0-AjzI60J5lj-tCjz854TDdC-vNGccN1S_3YshGTxnM7VNe76fxtOYlSFq4EnNm/s2016/IMG_5764.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeFF_5BwZMyTnTj82A79DKbXvwfNUAqPsKk6Rg0dv1HOxn1NKQ1qGxfhwmNUprvmm-ypdKm0vVK1PD0-AjzI60J5lj-tCjz854TDdC-vNGccN1S_3YshGTxnM7VNe76fxtOYlSFq4EnNm/w640-h480/IMG_5764.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Monterey Cypress Trees.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <br />The following photo is of the Lone Cypress in Pebble Beach, it’s possibly as old as 250 years and the claims are it’s the most photographed tree in the world. It is also the logo for Pebble Beach and the pro-am golf tournament.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDgTk9JyYIClIfDa7SNitfXonfxjHtMvP5VgqGNYFyakcCmZDCHrobBJcHUZy_1436YHYM_Tyw8oJODZuQ3cUyVnBETV1P_sxacMAkmd0-l0LZQEpmuk5yqk3t9LvQdQbYYP9Xd5E7QdV/s1512/IMG_5767.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1512" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDgTk9JyYIClIfDa7SNitfXonfxjHtMvP5VgqGNYFyakcCmZDCHrobBJcHUZy_1436YHYM_Tyw8oJODZuQ3cUyVnBETV1P_sxacMAkmd0-l0LZQEpmuk5yqk3t9LvQdQbYYP9Xd5E7QdV/w640-h504/IMG_5767.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: The Lone Cypress in Pebble Beach (tree on the right).<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />We stopped at The Lodge at Pebble Beach and Scott took the following photo of me. Sunday we go to watch a foursome finish in a tournament. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFyuKLUKPQv3SYyJ0OCAPJD-9wr-wHR8go7HaaCvfUkvDXGS6p8aA8cvWfTSeHqtTIqil5uG1nWtgKfBkVlU0vbvinB8Ktwa8KViyU6wR7L_5aOajKdHRas-Rb3CQl1pXvmsRqWMAkjQZ/s1512/IMG_5772.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFyuKLUKPQv3SYyJ0OCAPJD-9wr-wHR8go7HaaCvfUkvDXGS6p8aA8cvWfTSeHqtTIqil5uG1nWtgKfBkVlU0vbvinB8Ktwa8KViyU6wR7L_5aOajKdHRas-Rb3CQl1pXvmsRqWMAkjQZ/w640-h640/IMG_5772.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane at The Lodge at Pebble Beach.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />The next photo is one we took on the Big Sur Highway. It was taken at Hurricane Point, about 20 miles south of Monterey. It is a very windy spot, hence the name Hurricane Point. You can see the Bixby Creek Bridge in this photo. That's the bridge that Jim Bronson rode his Harley Davidson Sportster across in the opening of the <i>Then Came Bronson</i> TV series in 1969, and the bridge is also featured in the opening credits of the HBO series <i>Big Little Lies</i>.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicq6oLC8xrYvLAHl26EFElX4_7b-Li0f9FnKpunhTmQTjx0wJ3gzhMG6S_fEN1Etd_CV08Px0QGKO79sgOeXHk9XHY9QHsYEjqTgjLyzeKmeLO2qAw6G7nD2exFyL1aEv3EIm9gSn7B377/s2016/IMG_5774.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicq6oLC8xrYvLAHl26EFElX4_7b-Li0f9FnKpunhTmQTjx0wJ3gzhMG6S_fEN1Etd_CV08Px0QGKO79sgOeXHk9XHY9QHsYEjqTgjLyzeKmeLO2qAw6G7nD2exFyL1aEv3EIm9gSn7B377/w640-h480/IMG_5774.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: View along the Big Sur Highway.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />Farther down the road we finally found a place to stay, a Motel 6 in San Simeon with no Tesla charger. We hadn’t planned very well. We needed more charge to make it to Santa Barbara so Scott sweet talked the restaurant manager into letting him plug into the outlet in the back. It is plugged in between the ice maker and the coke machine. In the following photo you can see the electrical cord going under the door. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzAsq7eVJoOKm_4TaaBMEopS-Xb0_relytlO2wUl0JC5_bHbpzFYOh-GsUrMZAYWXdKtT5R3Q_ByRoq2whSBHTFY2ld6QuaeaT6ymqP1Gw7SIVwgR9JbY1xVabyGNKxYhWWtiowm33gbu/s1393/IMG_5776.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1329" data-original-width="1393" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzAsq7eVJoOKm_4TaaBMEopS-Xb0_relytlO2wUl0JC5_bHbpzFYOh-GsUrMZAYWXdKtT5R3Q_ByRoq2whSBHTFY2ld6QuaeaT6ymqP1Gw7SIVwgR9JbY1xVabyGNKxYhWWtiowm33gbu/w640-h610/IMG_5776.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scott's 2017 Tesla X getting a charge.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"> On one of the Vista Points there were lots of surfers in the water. And one or two sitting in their cars. I noticed a guy in the car next to ours. He was dressed in his wetsuit ready to go but I heard him say he’d been there until dawn. So being the shy person I am, I asked him what he was waiting for. When he took off the hood of his wetsuit I was gobsmacked. He was the perfect surfer boy, gorgeous. He said he was waiting for the tide. I asked why. It seems that the waves break in shallower water so they are better at low tide most of the time. I knew about the shallow part from the museum. <br /><br />We continued to talk. He’d been surfing since he was 2 years old as his dad took him out with those water wings around the kids arms. He told us he was a surfing instructor and he could teach me too. His record was a 76 year old man who got on his feet in a wave once. I declined his offer. <br /><br />He showed me an app on his phone that told him all the swells from Alaska to Samoa. There weren’t any in Samoa because it was summer there. He said you can follow it down the coast and know when to go (I want to say “surf’s up”). It was fascinating to learn more of the technical things as well as watch the wipeouts. He and a pal were going to leave the 17-Mile Drive and go to Big Sur to see if the waves were better there. Unfortunately I didn’t take a photo of him.<br /><br /><b>Day 21 (Sunday, 26th): San Simeon Elephant Seals/Nitt Witt Ridge/Morro Rock<br /></b><br />As you may recall from my prior email, our Sunday plans were to start out watching a finish at the PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach. Scott was very excited to go to Pebble Beach and see the 18th hole final. The 18th green is touted as the most famous finishing hole in golf. I would have been excited also if Tiger Woods had been there. I didn't realize Woods won the 2000 Open at Pebble Beach by 15 points ahead of everyone else, 12 under par. Sports Illustrated called Tiger's performance in the 2000 U.S. Open, "the greatest performance in golf history."<br /><br />Leaving Pebble Beach we headed for Santa Barbara, but stopped first to see the elephant seals of San Simeon. The two photos below were taken from two different vantage points and show tons and tons and tons of elephant seals. I didn’t count them of course but supposedly about 17,000 elephant seals call this beach their home. There is about 6 miles of beach known as the Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvLFunGsDTNdeB5xAIEodRyCZ7kAxextd1i8l6_YwD-jno_OGx38pU03JUGqErYlpJ-FtmHSoeBhf8LM-Hw7Eys9q-trRhYTdHkjKMAHSgPnPXOtFjhq4Osyw7WHWiX87hGsltDKujcAc/s2016/IMG_5782.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvLFunGsDTNdeB5xAIEodRyCZ7kAxextd1i8l6_YwD-jno_OGx38pU03JUGqErYlpJ-FtmHSoeBhf8LM-Hw7Eys9q-trRhYTdHkjKMAHSgPnPXOtFjhq4Osyw7WHWiX87hGsltDKujcAc/w480-h640/IMG_5782.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Elephant Seals.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEi6dIkcYsWiz4I1zp7PwCXOd6CUIsug_E7oSVIR1C2H2TyomR8eesszseMReCXoZJne1nDXJAVB8X8SBJAWIVTxZWyuaYIdDPdgkzED1MZHvrTEox0ID0McT0yER-ttEQMgjGv-0dT-g/s2016/IMG_5783.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEi6dIkcYsWiz4I1zp7PwCXOd6CUIsug_E7oSVIR1C2H2TyomR8eesszseMReCXoZJne1nDXJAVB8X8SBJAWIVTxZWyuaYIdDPdgkzED1MZHvrTEox0ID0McT0yER-ttEQMgjGv-0dT-g/w640-h480/IMG_5783.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Elephant Seals.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <br />A volunteer on the path to the ocean told us about the Hearst Winery in San Simeon, so we stopped for a bottle of rosé wine and a shrimp roll. Scott thought it was going to be like a sushi roll. It was more like a lobster roll. Tasty too. The following two photos are from the winery.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrlgpYNyt00wVT4jd2OsOcDa2NOwMcgPVP6rsplxPZsepFsrZbLR-vlE6_TOOtDrM5pis6N7j8nVbVDqDVc3a3J-mNBgUx9Jeqc4PYEG14i5GA84AWFtRn2IO9NSWVlQm8wHOK-pBuNOX/s2016/IMG_5786.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrlgpYNyt00wVT4jd2OsOcDa2NOwMcgPVP6rsplxPZsepFsrZbLR-vlE6_TOOtDrM5pis6N7j8nVbVDqDVc3a3J-mNBgUx9Jeqc4PYEG14i5GA84AWFtRn2IO9NSWVlQm8wHOK-pBuNOX/w480-h640/IMG_5786.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Hearst Ranch Winery.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSmr-Rm4VCm7lnbaF8gzkAITFQz9xCgfA2wqchGKpAs1DwBC4eRU6ncrIDgGXLcuLbe_ruDWFjfhyphenhyphenRl8PBOl79sFozf39_AhlXeVSfRGvjDRG1CpU7kZZOctliO3fQQ3nsQ10rRDqu3dI/s2016/IMG_5787.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSmr-Rm4VCm7lnbaF8gzkAITFQz9xCgfA2wqchGKpAs1DwBC4eRU6ncrIDgGXLcuLbe_ruDWFjfhyphenhyphenRl8PBOl79sFozf39_AhlXeVSfRGvjDRG1CpU7kZZOctliO3fQQ3nsQ10rRDqu3dI/w480-h640/IMG_5787.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Hearst Ranch Winery.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br />After the winery we continued south about another 9 miles to Cambria to see Nitt Witt Ridge, a house built out of mostly trash. Nitt Witt Ridge is a California Registered Historical Landmark on a quarter acre. Reclusive artist Arthur Beal bought the hillside lot in 1928 and spent most of the next 50 years carving out the terraces with only a pick and shovel and creating his own “castle on a hill.” </span><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="ILfuVd"><span class="hgKElc">I read "<i>Beal answered to the name Captain Nitt Witt after being called a nitwit by someone in Cambria. (Hence the name Nitt Witt Ridge.)</i>"</span></span> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Other common building materials include beer cans, abalone shells, concrete, washer drums, car rims, tile, car parts, and old stoves. Declared interesting but unsafe. See the following photo</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5fwkZbnQgspKsmzVi4hkIzahMJHmjLL5jL7mt20d980y4clP7zi9hs3d0t9VWkTmGM8GNsyhizZD7L2kRT5zZajGvbfZaQ41QlohSdhqAxMag0hoRWBfzmzUx_FJDJwn4XMmkY70H1j_/s2016/IMG_5793.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5fwkZbnQgspKsmzVi4hkIzahMJHmjLL5jL7mt20d980y4clP7zi9hs3d0t9VWkTmGM8GNsyhizZD7L2kRT5zZajGvbfZaQ41QlohSdhqAxMag0hoRWBfzmzUx_FJDJwn4XMmkY70H1j_/w480-h640/IMG_5793.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Front of Nitt Witt Ridge.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />At Nitt Witt Ridge we met a group of motorcyclists. I don’t know anything about their club but they were very friendly. One club member allowed me to “ride” his 1977 Harley Davidson Electra Glide, but he said I would have to wear a helmet since that is the law in California. 😀 See the two photos below.<br /></span><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8wAN0umZ8WbCMD9K8OjoXZIm5zVa8Ucd8jXqdBwSAhX3wlLv5fzme48WKggLqxH7VSksUOJJyBGJCLMYAdlQ5tolktLN-TDBZeSwXfoU9Qqhyx3TY-VupAxZv0W5THPWioxc9qVvRHeW/s2016/IMG_5794.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8wAN0umZ8WbCMD9K8OjoXZIm5zVa8Ucd8jXqdBwSAhX3wlLv5fzme48WKggLqxH7VSksUOJJyBGJCLMYAdlQ5tolktLN-TDBZeSwXfoU9Qqhyx3TY-VupAxZv0W5THPWioxc9qVvRHeW/w480-h640/IMG_5794.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ObRmplaUvxqF066FuDYo1ewNB4Iv2_98GUjTNr6NCyBM_KHWiXg1us_ogaX6K2_dNd4byu1gh9Hc-zJ0IQLI7ara7exZpB8Y22CKShWx-KEIwR29lMPJmNKUP1StD-bgmRJar2yJ87BV/s2016/IMG_5796.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ObRmplaUvxqF066FuDYo1ewNB4Iv2_98GUjTNr6NCyBM_KHWiXg1us_ogaX6K2_dNd4byu1gh9Hc-zJ0IQLI7ara7exZpB8Y22CKShWx-KEIwR29lMPJmNKUP1StD-bgmRJar2yJ87BV/w480-h640/IMG_5796.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I
kind of felt like Robert Blake in that 70’s movie called <i>Electra Glide
in Blue</i>, about a motorcycle cop in Arizona. That movie had a shocking
ending! </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>After Nitt Witt Ridge we drove to Morro Bay, about 20 miles south of Cambria, but still about 100+ miles from our final destination of Santa Barbara for the day. The next photo is of Morro Rock, a distinctive landmark at the entrance to Morro Bay harbor. It is part of a chain of nine volcanic peaks that extend from San Luis Obispo to Morro Bay known as the Nine Sisters. It was formed about 23 million years ago from the plug of a long-extinct volcano.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLOaW1Om9zLfebXDiaxzu-zFWFHDYK5isKqCiqIDr4oMDs9oBwggBs67zY69lxNKB_WTF9zj20sLsV1pwN84r29GkHGNcR4iCqr4miWUNipTZvcDuBvap-To9haWnKlcx0t_oyU_kdciK/s2016/IMG_5798.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLOaW1Om9zLfebXDiaxzu-zFWFHDYK5isKqCiqIDr4oMDs9oBwggBs67zY69lxNKB_WTF9zj20sLsV1pwN84r29GkHGNcR4iCqr4miWUNipTZvcDuBvap-To9haWnKlcx0t_oyU_kdciK/w640-h480/IMG_5798.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Morro Rock.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /><b>Day 22 (Monday, 27th): </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span> Santa Barbara/</span></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ojai</b></span>, our last stop before returning to Scott's home</span><br /></b><br />The following photo was taken in Santa Barbara at the end of State Street at the entrance to Stearns Wharf, California’s oldest working wood wharf built in 1872. The photo is of a very enterprising guy. If you zoom in and squint you can read his sign that says "$5 Photo" over the bench sand sculpture.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3o92pnKccW00oaFaYdeE0_u77I0YVgzuDwepyrK1moO_vE2ZCKf1trHtxZL1cSfuu17ERRvIuxq3F8is0yvhgX66na4SgOef2MvnUKgWNwPn12RQUR-jN-TJEU2Uh5wMaAgpjLx6g57wK/s1512/IMG_5803.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1512" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3o92pnKccW00oaFaYdeE0_u77I0YVgzuDwepyrK1moO_vE2ZCKf1trHtxZL1cSfuu17ERRvIuxq3F8is0yvhgX66na4SgOef2MvnUKgWNwPn12RQUR-jN-TJEU2Uh5wMaAgpjLx6g57wK/w640-h496/IMG_5803.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Making a sand sculpture.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />The next photo was taken on Stearns Wharf overlooking Mission Creek that flows into the Santa Barbara Channel Ecological Preserve & Buffer. You can see palm trees lining the shoreline.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8Esh_5yva75lJzdo9Ab4GJPKrZm0dsLdNzXwP_b2VJsk9USieHtjUlNZ4CfKk5qFVdRh1YWD0fp1wZxTVclAPS2sEM-gKb5OZStsTITAL5Wq3WceBLrT-yOdFY9aM8BUz4agAnw3nxwe/s2016/IMG_5804.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8Esh_5yva75lJzdo9Ab4GJPKrZm0dsLdNzXwP_b2VJsk9USieHtjUlNZ4CfKk5qFVdRh1YWD0fp1wZxTVclAPS2sEM-gKb5OZStsTITAL5Wq3WceBLrT-yOdFY9aM8BUz4agAnw3nxwe/w640-h480/IMG_5804.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Taken from Stearns Wharf.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />The following photo was also taken on Stearns Wharf looking towards the concession stands. The wharf was built so cargo ships could unload. This wharf put Santa Barbara on the map.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIVDuCy3upk9i9B5lt3EuArvja_UnlwXI4_OFcgI2bP2Gbq_qNgSh0PjlXInaQ84HiL_9LRwHqQAFr7KgyAllJK8vnW8L_PWwDnahI00U2amOHwPlUQJ-wnCvELFtuu6pNKLCVdbWt2s2/s2016/IMG_5805.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIVDuCy3upk9i9B5lt3EuArvja_UnlwXI4_OFcgI2bP2Gbq_qNgSh0PjlXInaQ84HiL_9LRwHqQAFr7KgyAllJK8vnW8L_PWwDnahI00U2amOHwPlUQJ-wnCvELFtuu6pNKLCVdbWt2s2/w640-h480/IMG_5805.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Taken from Stearns Wharf.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />The next photo is of multi-media artist and author Beth Amine's mural of the sperm whale Moby Dick at Stearns Wharf on the side of the Moby Dick restaurant. The original painting was done 1991, this is the second version after a 1998 fire took out the 1991 whale. You won’t be able to see it in this photo of course but there is a reflection of a boat in the whale’s eye. During the 2020 Patagonia-Antarctica cruise Scott and I went on, we saw a lot of large, great street art in cities like Valparaiso, and I’ve always wanted to paint something large.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FCjsyXxFxVqYKU0jTfXVp7jaWWh8fcJlrZ0015A89o2P5JS1QZr4bqI7B9UzX_oflGy8ToVn6u85a_qX8lXWPJs4sfQuXwQUlvL4Wb9fXW9Gb_TBHDadWZu-kDOuM8jyVKKkxImyESle/s2016/IMG_5808.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FCjsyXxFxVqYKU0jTfXVp7jaWWh8fcJlrZ0015A89o2P5JS1QZr4bqI7B9UzX_oflGy8ToVn6u85a_qX8lXWPJs4sfQuXwQUlvL4Wb9fXW9Gb_TBHDadWZu-kDOuM8jyVKKkxImyESle/w640-h480/IMG_5808.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Moby Dick mural.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />From Santa Barbara Scott and I took a side trip for me to see the artsy-fartsy, woo-woo town of Ojai (pronounced like "Oh Hi," and means “moon” or “satellite”), about 35 miles east of Santa Barbara.<br /><br />Mr. Libbey (Edward Drummond Libbey) of Libbey Glass donated a lot of money to build Libbey Park, a nice little park in central Ojai, a water fountain is shown in the following photo.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3bglTDeixwyAmZTC-cKDeX-2GhAsxoHFy3OPIvTwS1KOi-DBbNMvajDzh0mbIvYv8JeQBQqoZbrpTnyPmqBHG6YcbXaZa3yRcfSw4NvL4SA6b5ZEAOcFTpk-8-mZXbO1bjVk2xvi2ZyD/s2016/IMG_5810.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3bglTDeixwyAmZTC-cKDeX-2GhAsxoHFy3OPIvTwS1KOi-DBbNMvajDzh0mbIvYv8JeQBQqoZbrpTnyPmqBHG6YcbXaZa3yRcfSw4NvL4SA6b5ZEAOcFTpk-8-mZXbO1bjVk2xvi2ZyD/w640-h480/IMG_5810.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Fountain in Libby Park.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br />The next photo shows one of the stores close to the park that has plants on the roof. I loved that.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2RB4gKRLR9dOIAl_BfmRc8efpHcBsh1bLcnkM14NWU1ROQPVZprxOYsQzCxYPwtSH56XYWVO8uzTUfJ4dP_-iyRqR_yn39fgO4XmCN9Sd1Vc0yHU75JQObePVIfEY_KwpbKaj8iuhXkc/s2016/IMG_5812.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2RB4gKRLR9dOIAl_BfmRc8efpHcBsh1bLcnkM14NWU1ROQPVZprxOYsQzCxYPwtSH56XYWVO8uzTUfJ4dP_-iyRqR_yn39fgO4XmCN9Sd1Vc0yHU75JQObePVIfEY_KwpbKaj8iuhXkc/w640-h480/IMG_5812.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Store with plants on roof.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"> <br />After our visit to Ojai we went to a friend's house and had such a good meal and fun time we spent the night. Tuesday morning (Sept. 28th) we headed back to Scott’s house in Manhattan Beach to re-collect ourselves. <br /><br /><b>Day 23 (Tuesday, 28th): Returned to Scott's Home</b><br /><br />When we got back to Scott's home we found it had been broken into, the police came and dusted for fingerprints. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>(Oct. 2nd & 3rd): Visiting friends in Rancho Mirage, CA</b><br /> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>After our road trip we rested a few days at Scott’s home in Manhattan Beach, and on Saturday (Oct. 2nd) Scott and I drove to Rancho Mirage, California to visit friends Dayle and Larry. Our first stop after the pass over the San Jacinto mountains was at the Palm Springs Visitor Center (see 2 photos below). At one time it was the Tramway Gas Station, a landmark former Enco service station, so named because of its location at the foot of Tramway Road. As shown in the second photo the building is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mfIRHAp8C0vRGuQo93hCv8Mu61jpN8kUhQ2H-endCaYUC3XZfRjtbCiOZ1jg2dUb2iJ8OvhxIH017qW4fYb5gEfERW9nGmz7wGEE6A43ZvC2j3dkMNQEu5CMZ-bwUIgzrS5nnOAFdnX8/s2016/IMG_5818.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mfIRHAp8C0vRGuQo93hCv8Mu61jpN8kUhQ2H-endCaYUC3XZfRjtbCiOZ1jg2dUb2iJ8OvhxIH017qW4fYb5gEfERW9nGmz7wGEE6A43ZvC2j3dkMNQEu5CMZ-bwUIgzrS5nnOAFdnX8/w640-h480/IMG_5818.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Palm Springs Visitor Center.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WxSjrG7fUrEUaiv5z2Wu8CoDlATPlrqLFclyK5bMD_YgZlY62vIV0j-Ao5kx1e83xxNumBk_CQeN7T9YQ8fJ3QeC1eeXViJ2TsxT-gbVpM9fjAqmL7H3ro9vJ_VPM1PrKuhsSwBghaGo/s2016/IMG_5817.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WxSjrG7fUrEUaiv5z2Wu8CoDlATPlrqLFclyK5bMD_YgZlY62vIV0j-Ao5kx1e83xxNumBk_CQeN7T9YQ8fJ3QeC1eeXViJ2TsxT-gbVpM9fjAqmL7H3ro9vJ_VPM1PrKuhsSwBghaGo/w480-h640/IMG_5817.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: At Palm Springs Visitor Center.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Once we reached Rancho Mirage, our friends Dayle and Larry treated us to wine and eats at the Rancho Mirage Community Center BallRoom. Dayle and Larry travel a lot, their most recent being a 3-week cruise of the Greek Islands on the Seabourn Ovation that ended in early September of this year.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtv7z_lWmMQWLWeQ_nl7q-LtYvEDx0TuxiJbH1lx58cVNjv0tqINEb__Xpnj8qffFln1jZNqf1uD-lKUXCnmWIGSFM1LM-qAXWRaX84_f6PADU35k86RA6lJItLOeYMLw9bGF9zieyFCM/s2016/IMG_5819.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtv7z_lWmMQWLWeQ_nl7q-LtYvEDx0TuxiJbH1lx58cVNjv0tqINEb__Xpnj8qffFln1jZNqf1uD-lKUXCnmWIGSFM1LM-qAXWRaX84_f6PADU35k86RA6lJItLOeYMLw9bGF9zieyFCM/w480-h640/IMG_5819.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane, Larry & Dayle.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /> The attached photo is a screen shot of the </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span>Rancho Mirage Community Center BallRoom, taken from https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=myFrURE2qLz.</span></span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbBCyW2zp6ZMxi2CccudKGCTQurIhSYsPP5GvscArxTWzjxfowuuPYlunvId26HC7HWNuKLSgg9P6KXUb1_Gdd25WbgEmZWEdDftkFTOJ1ZU4BL8IOGb680VHLpv4POIIGnNArAwm5bQA/s1265/BallRoom%252Cjpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="1265" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbBCyW2zp6ZMxi2CccudKGCTQurIhSYsPP5GvscArxTWzjxfowuuPYlunvId26HC7HWNuKLSgg9P6KXUb1_Gdd25WbgEmZWEdDftkFTOJ1ZU4BL8IOGb680VHLpv4POIIGnNArAwm5bQA/w640-h354/BallRoom%252Cjpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Ballroom at Rancho Mirage Community Center.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>On Sunday (Oct, 3rd) we visited the "Forever Marilyn" statue in downtown Palm Springs, the statue has now returned to its rightful place at the Palm Springs Art Museum. It was originally created in 2011 by artist Seward Johnson. The statue was first in Palm Springs from 2012 to 2014 at a different location. After that it was in Chicago, New Jersey and perhaps some other places, but is now back in Palm Springs. Marilyn Monroe has a rich history with Palm Springs, beginning in 1949 when she was discovered at Charlie Farrell’s Racquet Club by William Morris talent agent, Johnny Hyde. That’s me in the next two photos with "Forever Marilyn." In the first photo I'm posing like Marilyn. In the second photo of "Forever Marilyn," I couldn’t resist doing this pose. There was a line of folks to take photos with this statue. The folks in line laughed when I did my second pose. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqNNtaMspkrWqMG7nkBFUKshPP8nWIkMmXY4kp_0y44VU-DkJOtWGPeY4n4qpfhZfsiOktIbcAtLyqO2Md7JSzbfn0DPb43Gx0JbzK7fKPbj1Y3bOD5vwxnThAbF0jPb4ZjrJDcT-DdHB/s2016/IMG_5830.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqNNtaMspkrWqMG7nkBFUKshPP8nWIkMmXY4kp_0y44VU-DkJOtWGPeY4n4qpfhZfsiOktIbcAtLyqO2Md7JSzbfn0DPb43Gx0JbzK7fKPbj1Y3bOD5vwxnThAbF0jPb4ZjrJDcT-DdHB/w480-h640/IMG_5830.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Striking a pose like Marilyn.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii51pgkliOVqJ4wm61Qq9jnituFS-xcnlYU9bLBp-0jSL5DTvlp9yFPRHRGv_qG1YOcTJG4oKqffECyXQrqNWKrTQtLwTn_UOugsWeKj_1XLOPS3x2JiWgy5WuXU39WDWa-auTYsGW995v/s2016/IMG_5833.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii51pgkliOVqJ4wm61Qq9jnituFS-xcnlYU9bLBp-0jSL5DTvlp9yFPRHRGv_qG1YOcTJG4oKqffECyXQrqNWKrTQtLwTn_UOugsWeKj_1XLOPS3x2JiWgy5WuXU39WDWa-auTYsGW995v/w480-h640/IMG_5833.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane going for a laugh with another Marilyn pose.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The next and last photo was taken on our trip back to Scott’s home as we started heading into the San Gorgonio Pass and those thousands of wind turbines. These wind turbines have been in the Palm Springs area along I-10 for 40+ years or so. When I hiked the Camino de Santiago in 2014 I saw many wind turbines in Spain along the crest of Alto del Perdon (translated as the Hill of Forgiveness), but not nearly as many as the one’s along I-10 in California.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgro3aGHRlfZBEJwCgL6n240Oa06_mJ5NLy8brxazfU1fSmtcO7qi6LrdKpIBEM2xtC3NQM1pAJjUcAamRKhr6W58Vm8cnuxuCM32qB8hTPHaip-eRHjA3tIG5hN6yq6ohqM4e1HCS5uMkW/s2016/IMG_5838.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgro3aGHRlfZBEJwCgL6n240Oa06_mJ5NLy8brxazfU1fSmtcO7qi6LrdKpIBEM2xtC3NQM1pAJjUcAamRKhr6W58Vm8cnuxuCM32qB8hTPHaip-eRHjA3tIG5hN6yq6ohqM4e1HCS5uMkW/w640-h480/IMG_5838.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Wind Turbines on I-10.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The End. And it seems appropriate to end this tour with a photo of New York City.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWfDvtjy6qFhCvkmE7dG4V6fqDSMeBVIwdKVv2-hp2j8E5imYBrXV2VnZz66uNYhGHu_8DxnJgeocqir4i0zMyeM9q4c4YIdBnBDJ5Gsqnx4DxEYgGW1t1N8ySKNHwHpvJ9DDVZjgQMHT/s2048/2021-NYCpostcard-Front.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="2048" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWfDvtjy6qFhCvkmE7dG4V6fqDSMeBVIwdKVv2-hp2j8E5imYBrXV2VnZz66uNYhGHu_8DxnJgeocqir4i0zMyeM9q4c4YIdBnBDJ5Gsqnx4DxEYgGW1t1N8ySKNHwHpvJ9DDVZjgQMHT/w640-h436/2021-NYCpostcard-Front.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Postcard of New York City.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626364476155545127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728495483307516262.post-63923105082422040792021-08-30T15:38:00.217-07:002021-09-13T16:06:33.433-07:002021 Virginia, Washington DC & Massachusetts<p><span style="font-size: medium;">This entry is about touring with Scott King from August 16, 2021 to August 30, 2021. We first went to </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Virginia (Williamsburg & Norfolk), then to</span> Washington DC, and later to </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Massachusetts</span> (Cape Cod (Falmouth), Martha's Vineyard & </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Chebacco Lake))</span>.<br /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Williamsburg and Norfolk, Virginia</span></b><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Monday (16th), we took an Amtrak train ride from New York City (Moynihan Train Hall, see photo below) to Washington DC on Acela (Amtrak's flagship high speed service) which was very nice.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2CNZeJcjwG-pkbyYunVjkutf7BIRSfAd41HtMgGR7rrjgb2QYTGFHSWd6yHqCbCZ_rboNm3xCSWOAZph1ZbTqT7Np3IZ42xEc7tFaTyyyowxCGgqyfwvYCO7QjmeY18JcxVy6T4JybG-/s2016/IMG_5036.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2CNZeJcjwG-pkbyYunVjkutf7BIRSfAd41HtMgGR7rrjgb2QYTGFHSWd6yHqCbCZ_rboNm3xCSWOAZph1ZbTqT7Np3IZ42xEc7tFaTyyyowxCGgqyfwvYCO7QjmeY18JcxVy6T4JybG-/w640-h480/IMG_5036.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane (with mask) at Moynihan Train Hall in New York City </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We had a 1.5 hour wait at Washington Union Station which was long but cool. The train ride to Williamsburg was awful as it was stop-and-go in a regular seat with not-so-great air conditioning, we arrived late so most of the restaurants were closed. But we found a student pub, called Brickhouse Tavern, which serves a Lulu Burger that was distinguished by how many slices of jalapeno peppers they could put on. Too many for me, but it was still tasty when I took a bunch off. There were no Ubers available so we had to walk back in the dark to the place we were staying, about one mile, but we made it. <br /><br />On Tuesday (17th) we toured historic Williamsburg, VA. It really is pretty amazing, the building structures are very well kept or rebuilt. We had official tours of the Capitol Building and the Governor’s Palace and saw a performance by an amazing actor who played the Marquis de Lafayette, who helped George Washington win the American Revolutionary War. We learned a lot about freeholders and slavery. See below for photos from this tour. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZnEhXcMVNad7rGy8WvDn_khQZ2-l_J0QYlLe5RxOVzr7QkzL9UceDeQsKrrGaY1BMGOT9ryGYOHZp0Soiyn8ANz9ktXCA_jrkgUkheLROGo1Rm77olLX-Zd4v2Ixi38hSLVYyZCCR2bk/s2016/IMG_5040.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZnEhXcMVNad7rGy8WvDn_khQZ2-l_J0QYlLe5RxOVzr7QkzL9UceDeQsKrrGaY1BMGOT9ryGYOHZp0Soiyn8ANz9ktXCA_jrkgUkheLROGo1Rm77olLX-Zd4v2Ixi38hSLVYyZCCR2bk/w480-h640/IMG_5040.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane at the Capitol Building in Williamsburg, VA on Tuesday. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoYwJUcNhz2qQCOx0_A_s67dwzoNqg2-SSzzb5B2dtlqik1zjPqUIZNqknA0tCCTXis4Ihv1-ztwKoMY5LUgr048xGKfex2N8Lt1XVa925_7RTWlO9PexB9s2MA2KRs_qMo9nnna8Tfa6/s2016/IMG_5045.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoYwJUcNhz2qQCOx0_A_s67dwzoNqg2-SSzzb5B2dtlqik1zjPqUIZNqknA0tCCTXis4Ihv1-ztwKoMY5LUgr048xGKfex2N8Lt1XVa925_7RTWlO9PexB9s2MA2KRs_qMo9nnna8Tfa6/w480-h640/IMG_5045.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane and the actor that played General Lafayette on Tuesday.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEh0UeG5bts-7CHgNropc0IkPPoM8j8gUzu_g2S5-uF1DYYN7UU2itaw40rRS0obG9qj4y1sNv4JBlXhGetQYUpaO5WUnYrR5fp19lxl6UYkg8JbSC40KCnQUV0iiqVi2HE06_kampv0H/s2016/IMG_5046.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEh0UeG5bts-7CHgNropc0IkPPoM8j8gUzu_g2S5-uF1DYYN7UU2itaw40rRS0obG9qj4y1sNv4JBlXhGetQYUpaO5WUnYrR5fp19lxl6UYkg8JbSC40KCnQUV0iiqVi2HE06_kampv0H/w480-h640/IMG_5046.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Governor's Palace in Williamsburg, VA on Tuesday. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">There
was a road by the Capitol that was called Waller Street. I asked about
it and was told it was named after Benjamin Waller (1716-1786), a
powerful guy in the church and politics
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Waller). <br /><br />We walked down
the street with the various (shops) craft houses, some of which were
open and staffed. Each was different and the staff in each were so
knowledgeable it blew my mind. I loved the millinery shop, the
shoemaker and the cooper the most. Being the shy retired person that I
am, the question box in me made our visits to several shops longer than
the allotted time as the attendance was limited to 7 to 10 people in
most of them. It seemed like the shopkeepers liked being asked less
obvious questions so I learned a lot of stuff. The main one being how
much was imported from England. And how raw materials were sent to
England to be made into whatever and shipped back, tobacco being a major
one. <br /><br />After the shops and the performance we went to the
courthouse to learn about trial by jury and then to the Governor's
Palace which reminded me of a mini Palace of Versailles. <br /> <br />On the
way back to the Williamsburg Lodge to be picked up by our friends Janie
and Ed, we stopped at the art museum. WOW!!! I asked to see the folk
art exhibits. It was truly amazing. The quilts which I knew something
about were so beautiful they took my breath away, the pottery was of
course interesting and the paintings were good, but predictable. At La
Mano Pottery in New York City, paintings of Dave the Slave are
exhibited. The story about him is very moving. He had one of his legs
amputated and still made over 40,000 pots. Many of them are inscribed
with couplets and Bible phrases.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Drake_(potter)) I got to see one
of his pots at the museum, that was very neat. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We had to leave quickly because our ride arrived at our hotel. We discovered it was raining so we ran to the hotel in the rain and headed toward Newport News, VA. We had She-crab Soup. Not the red or white kind, but pink. Tasty.<br /><br />Wednesday, our friends that we are visiting in Norfolk, Va live in the Ghent area of the Hague area of Norfolk. We are going exploring today, so I'll send photos and maybe more info later.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Wednesday (18th) and Thursday (19th) we were in Norfolk, Va visiting friends Jane and Ed Stein, and I have a few photos to share from those days.<br /><br />The following two photos are from Wednesday in downtown Norfolk at the Saint Paul's Episcopal Church. </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The first photo is a view of 2 the church. </span>The second photo shows a cannonball in the church wall, the plaque reads “<i>Fired by Lord Dunmore, Jan 1 1776.</i>” You will need to zoom in to read it. This refers to the last royal governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore, who in an act of desperation and anger, during the Revolutionary War, attacked Norfolk as he fled Virginia. Much of the city was destroyed in the carnage except for Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church. <br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYtpQpaHEcBQWe9fz2rcKsXftXkl6qY18x6Anm4jSqePtMqO4ejq0692AZKvCOrdOc5vkiK00B_OLxI0YcDt6nfFLAwkFu_Lpbz-4SlUdCkXfp36i2FHkv1TLvWv6HVvudD-wsNXzObq7/s2016/IMG_5049.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYtpQpaHEcBQWe9fz2rcKsXftXkl6qY18x6Anm4jSqePtMqO4ejq0692AZKvCOrdOc5vkiK00B_OLxI0YcDt6nfFLAwkFu_Lpbz-4SlUdCkXfp36i2FHkv1TLvWv6HVvudD-wsNXzObq7/w640-h480/IMG_5049.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: St. Paul's Episcopal Church.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuo_hhYV_zo0YnKC7yjMQyej9M76eRrhqUrQUTJi2M02J3qyM3EjsGW-rKvng1iF6_I8hS1rbx9b6oQk7E1E3n8DeKxA42uPHBtYXIIb2rlCuUT3wZ_p8dQ1qvoTzS3Acq_asDxFaTtOsq/s2016/IMG_5047.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuo_hhYV_zo0YnKC7yjMQyej9M76eRrhqUrQUTJi2M02J3qyM3EjsGW-rKvng1iF6_I8hS1rbx9b6oQk7E1E3n8DeKxA42uPHBtYXIIb2rlCuUT3wZ_p8dQ1qvoTzS3Acq_asDxFaTtOsq/w480-h640/IMG_5047.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Cannonball in wall of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The following photo was Thursday at Jane and Ed’s home in Norfolk, in the photo are Jane and Ed Stein, Scott King and yours truly.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTY-Tgqds0zyUNLHzBVk1zLZSYQSfHZy4VdOXoNu3z8_5hAVkhKelbXLKetz17fMFPJrrlEu35hYPpFeDblZtJL9vswDPxMEWdvrEFSkmkvr1TEwa7iH_0fyGFdfky-CBcASNHJ8NkoO8/s2016/IMG_5056.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTY-Tgqds0zyUNLHzBVk1zLZSYQSfHZy4VdOXoNu3z8_5hAVkhKelbXLKetz17fMFPJrrlEu35hYPpFeDblZtJL9vswDPxMEWdvrEFSkmkvr1TEwa7iH_0fyGFdfky-CBcASNHJ8NkoO8/w480-h640/IMG_5056.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Jane, Ed, Scott and Diane.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> The following photo shows the entryway to the historic Ghent neighborhood in Norfolk, VA.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHn_TSOU6hDl54Lf5C57ED43kw3cKTlNblhYoo1NuiYUJ4z9-cXMEwPuQQTyYwHUSSZ0-ute3frAykISfQag-M1S2TM807WdYiBHC9wnLs0zYLwNlanWU-2AMA3em1wdRjMGwPCDAgc5I/s2016/IMG_5057.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHn_TSOU6hDl54Lf5C57ED43kw3cKTlNblhYoo1NuiYUJ4z9-cXMEwPuQQTyYwHUSSZ0-ute3frAykISfQag-M1S2TM807WdYiBHC9wnLs0zYLwNlanWU-2AMA3em1wdRjMGwPCDAgc5I/w480-h640/IMG_5057.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Entryway to the historic Ghent neighborhood in Norfolk, VA.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> Photo 5 shows The Hague, the body of water that sort of defines Ghent and ultimately feeds into the Elizabeth River and I think the Chesapeake Bay. This photo was taken from the Hague Walking Bridge (formerly called the Botetourt Foot Bridge). </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvTfcIV7aYsvl-oko9WVzoBygiLjiX3_CaEmY92uYeA70rraQF-xpTV7lG-S3jau-ccZp5o_awLv45tCktYKMgFbJxADb0g4zbDYKzNb_vmvkcInNpAcR5uQx8MEW06VEXIP-VYSfaRtn/s2016/IMG_5058.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvTfcIV7aYsvl-oko9WVzoBygiLjiX3_CaEmY92uYeA70rraQF-xpTV7lG-S3jau-ccZp5o_awLv45tCktYKMgFbJxADb0g4zbDYKzNb_vmvkcInNpAcR5uQx8MEW06VEXIP-VYSfaRtn/w480-h640/IMG_5058.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: The Hague.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> The following three photo show several houses in Ghent overlooking The Hague.</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIzle6jShoMosNmrFnKZlVVdeBCXWcHOv9Ioy5c8KnW2SghFYP6W5AR1dcGe3nlOLoV4k_npUxmk-LmCLVVAyEyp5HlsgDXjZc_aOq-zwOggJMHaqty1QPj0oW7oBL7vLDgs_LiV_X33g/s2016/IMG_5059.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIzle6jShoMosNmrFnKZlVVdeBCXWcHOv9Ioy5c8KnW2SghFYP6W5AR1dcGe3nlOLoV4k_npUxmk-LmCLVVAyEyp5HlsgDXjZc_aOq-zwOggJMHaqty1QPj0oW7oBL7vLDgs_LiV_X33g/w640-h480/IMG_5059.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: House in Ghent.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojLYQwUyNwVKH-Of4S1BgrxFPb3vuPNWRVBagyW6p91WiLcWxQyhGovs4-HOqjSDVpf-e_0Vadcta7EWSHRU1ylCKf1-DV6DzWHwNBrBUb2njW9m6Aq5PztdYLPkieJ1RvEyreZKjFdLu/s2016/IMG_5061.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojLYQwUyNwVKH-Of4S1BgrxFPb3vuPNWRVBagyW6p91WiLcWxQyhGovs4-HOqjSDVpf-e_0Vadcta7EWSHRU1ylCKf1-DV6DzWHwNBrBUb2njW9m6Aq5PztdYLPkieJ1RvEyreZKjFdLu/w640-h480/IMG_5061.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: House in Ghent.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjxJ5JJwH2nVkN4rbQ6aCxwnYk93hC2O2JUQd0loA5tc3Jz0vQ5JZnbML6USSkqjfsPJXRHftdvntm5G_OZKG1Q4eyQBQ5Kwya08qjkV4qbt35lVFMq3YDIMMyPKjIeD4UhxpH5lpfRLy/s2016/IMG_5062.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjxJ5JJwH2nVkN4rbQ6aCxwnYk93hC2O2JUQd0loA5tc3Jz0vQ5JZnbML6USSkqjfsPJXRHftdvntm5G_OZKG1Q4eyQBQ5Kwya08qjkV4qbt35lVFMq3YDIMMyPKjIeD4UhxpH5lpfRLy/w480-h640/IMG_5062.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: House in Ghent.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The next photo shows a Sycamore tree that got so hot it sweated off its bark. A phenomenon I just heard about. Happens in New York City also.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHsSg4Op5AYwrT5XKHqbn90IiHlRY4zY3KvTC13WhTUdRhLPmXFu7Rn8nanu3boh2LNfoeUMb7C4-Ls0OeRJHJytmRCsDxhPxrLbmhy_zm_-Hkl5phouMoV5aFTqV27W7eUeiLe1nkpx0/s2016/IMG_5064.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHsSg4Op5AYwrT5XKHqbn90IiHlRY4zY3KvTC13WhTUdRhLPmXFu7Rn8nanu3boh2LNfoeUMb7C4-Ls0OeRJHJytmRCsDxhPxrLbmhy_zm_-Hkl5phouMoV5aFTqV27W7eUeiLe1nkpx0/w480-h640/IMG_5064.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Sycamore tree.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The following photo shows a vast expanse of sand at North End Beaches, Virginia Beach, VA. Pretty, but not as pretty as my hometown beach in Dunedin Florida with its sugar white sand. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ILmXdYdqTTwV7iUWNxJ_dzu0JKXsBz6QgryWTjdrS-kebMPnJN6Zah_PB46h5jM4EJf_xmGnBwxnsWanyDUuxTiFH-P6ou-pq_yFmSY9tkl6f5LEtXsgJfn5__MNISS3JOEBnjbzQAWZ/s2016/IMG_5066.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ILmXdYdqTTwV7iUWNxJ_dzu0JKXsBz6QgryWTjdrS-kebMPnJN6Zah_PB46h5jM4EJf_xmGnBwxnsWanyDUuxTiFH-P6ou-pq_yFmSY9tkl6f5LEtXsgJfn5__MNISS3JOEBnjbzQAWZ/w480-h640/IMG_5066.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: North End Beaches, Virginia Beach, VA.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Washington DC</b><br /><br />Friday (August 20th)The genesis of our trip to Washington DC was vanity. I had been asked to do a video recording of 4 speeches for Planet Word Museum, a new museum that opened in October of 2020. A friend is a project manager for a company that does video installations for museums. I did this project a few months before this trip.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The 2 photos below are from outside Planet Word. The “tree” outside is a
metal sculpture titled “Speaking Willow,” It has speakers hanging from
the branches and as people approach the tree, the speakers are activated
to murmur various languages from around the world. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5exQsjrNNdMYhiPI9hbuAzA4jRT7u3fa8cTfJhG5pDu3-0L7AEgNf_MOHqcdaHJsKnhocgw2NBL7RtaJ3nw9Djif7p1ALBx_Fw1OT5M1CoMLmJSHv8-nlCl0po7bIWmVTOFtrc0E4q9B/s2016/IMG_5071.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5exQsjrNNdMYhiPI9hbuAzA4jRT7u3fa8cTfJhG5pDu3-0L7AEgNf_MOHqcdaHJsKnhocgw2NBL7RtaJ3nw9Djif7p1ALBx_Fw1OT5M1CoMLmJSHv8-nlCl0po7bIWmVTOFtrc0E4q9B/w480-h640/IMG_5071.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane outside Planet Word in Washington, DC<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNNNog_RoFo_-UfAJ2dBx_8yrVT6EYqTF_FhNKaNUehcQXn6WikWBnsACLrEqWcyjQvuJ2WIL7RVc48QW9kaOzjoQZRgWEaQr7xGd6OUbQT8oIesMx7e8cm7JOeUHB-bHpBQmEl1ouRy9/s2016/IMG_5073.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNNNog_RoFo_-UfAJ2dBx_8yrVT6EYqTF_FhNKaNUehcQXn6WikWBnsACLrEqWcyjQvuJ2WIL7RVc48QW9kaOzjoQZRgWEaQr7xGd6OUbQT8oIesMx7e8cm7JOeUHB-bHpBQmEl1ouRy9/w480-h640/IMG_5073.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane outside Planet Word with the <span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Speaking Willow </i>tree.<br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table> </span><br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The video recording </span>was quite a production. They did hair and make-up and a teleprompter. I had to say the speeches exactly the way they were delivered. It isn't easy speaking in someone else’s cadence. I did 4 speeches. Denzel Washington from "Remember the Titans" sports film, an Oprah graduation speech, Mufasa talking to Simba in the “The Lion King" and the Queen Elizabeth I Speech to the Troops at Tilbury, 1588 . I like the Denzel Washington one the most, but the two they chose were the Mufasa and the </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Queen Elizabeth I speeches</span>.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">You can see the screen of the famous person and me in a smaller screen in the two photos below. That museum is wonderful. They said to plan on 90 minutes and it is especially designed to teach kids about language. Scott and I stayed 2 hours. Great time, learned stuff too.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4Ih0waC5xwRI4N4UqrD8T2XLrWMI5xV9gUIT8MfGmg7KNNF4nFjr915azuALzN_4R2FcBvikadeivuLGOO9h_RBDbciySA_tQaBJT2_NvX_mSOtzc6_Iuxzcz5xMTCXbGyxZ_WW2tehi/s2016/IMG_5078.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ4Ih0waC5xwRI4N4UqrD8T2XLrWMI5xV9gUIT8MfGmg7KNNF4nFjr915azuALzN_4R2FcBvikadeivuLGOO9h_RBDbciySA_tQaBJT2_NvX_mSOtzc6_Iuxzcz5xMTCXbGyxZ_WW2tehi/w640-h480/IMG_5078.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane speaking as Mufasa.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwux9qglljoR0KBHbbHvZ5fH8bd7O_1Cuet69VlVGdIH5z8yIn_zLC1INsAdJBgGzM6sUyTJBBAEyQHDSEqYOiE3pdkjejGKVLjPzpiSjh6XT7T6mjh1mdE04MjUXB5yOzo-anSxNfKE_U/s2016/IMG_5082.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwux9qglljoR0KBHbbHvZ5fH8bd7O_1Cuet69VlVGdIH5z8yIn_zLC1INsAdJBgGzM6sUyTJBBAEyQHDSEqYOiE3pdkjejGKVLjPzpiSjh6XT7T6mjh1mdE04MjUXB5yOzo-anSxNfKE_U/w640-h480/IMG_5082.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane speaking as Queen Elizabeth I.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Then we headed out to the National Gallery of Art with a stop at the United States Navy Memorial. The National Gallery did not disappoint. Saw many of my old friends. (now dead of course); Rembrandt, Titian, etc. The highlights were: a Leonardo da Vinci and three Vermeers paintings. Really exceptional. The Navy Memorial was quite moving with Bas Relief images of the various functions of the Navy and a giant map of the world on the ground. I liked the Navy Memorial statue of The Lone Sailor shown in the photo below.</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUwk4-_WtnDS8D1KXswnnzXml_S8L8YTrw7_o7qlwNqrkFEJB6L_xyWw-DRmQ_mLIgRT3iDBS2IeySeabk2LUCxRth-nYGxl1st_I1U-jNhGnYIC4Gg4W68mELPLOz-whL0JwmWtlnniL/s2016/IMG_5085.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUwk4-_WtnDS8D1KXswnnzXml_S8L8YTrw7_o7qlwNqrkFEJB6L_xyWw-DRmQ_mLIgRT3iDBS2IeySeabk2LUCxRth-nYGxl1st_I1U-jNhGnYIC4Gg4W68mELPLOz-whL0JwmWtlnniL/w480-h640/IMG_5085.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane and the Lone Sailor statue. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Walking along the National Mall was lovely, hot but nice and it felt so nice to see the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Vietnam Memorial and the WWII Memorial. Scott remembered there was a statue of an Albert Einstein statue nearby, so we Google Mapped it. The statue is so neat. The three photos below show the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the statue of Einstein. </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the photo of Einstein </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm trying to sit the way he is.<br /><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYDchVCEcB5OIb8WJmz6C2dz6lyNzz0mWKTuvAzZNwi19-hWdlv0n7EBq1j5rIcxLmAgrWsCH4GdNkuosJCnil1Z6Xole0kJzMzh0Im4XhG1NMGYL-T_RLjVeLFv28dThk8lM5VKZSaxp/s2016/IMG_5089.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYDchVCEcB5OIb8WJmz6C2dz6lyNzz0mWKTuvAzZNwi19-hWdlv0n7EBq1j5rIcxLmAgrWsCH4GdNkuosJCnil1Z6Xole0kJzMzh0Im4XhG1NMGYL-T_RLjVeLFv28dThk8lM5VKZSaxp/w480-h640/IMG_5089.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Lincoln Memorial.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibe25_JhjWELfUjA3pRZZaRS5PZmj1C_2LBuibLtv-NZSGfidJxvlPsbyUf90v0gLtlUa0FtqQ4J6JlQBfR0wzRWAD9sosRRoCsEJIKBQTe9HADtKZucystQ83hv8IxxNEEd3aBRizpJIE/s2016/IMG_5090.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibe25_JhjWELfUjA3pRZZaRS5PZmj1C_2LBuibLtv-NZSGfidJxvlPsbyUf90v0gLtlUa0FtqQ4J6JlQBfR0wzRWAD9sosRRoCsEJIKBQTe9HADtKZucystQ83hv8IxxNEEd3aBRizpJIE/w480-h640/IMG_5090.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Washington Monument.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0JslaRN0WCHKzO1_BGnQLMpOiXF3J9iNKxaBUWICD-ZYW0UUJgZhBci0ntWhoaXdFB-yARcEGhJC1JxbVLIwXZWruBPrNYEnt9bXFLjSy16kr1vcPtjCVEbmh2fQFh8Zxx77jBkKwQRK/s1824/IMG_5095.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1824" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0JslaRN0WCHKzO1_BGnQLMpOiXF3J9iNKxaBUWICD-ZYW0UUJgZhBci0ntWhoaXdFB-yARcEGhJC1JxbVLIwXZWruBPrNYEnt9bXFLjSy16kr1vcPtjCVEbmh2fQFh8Zxx77jBkKwQRK/w530-h640/IMG_5095.jpg" width="530" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane and the Einstein Statue.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Then to the hotel to watch the sunset from the roof and a burger at none other than P.J. Clarke’s. How ironic. <br /><br />Saturday (21st) was a travel day after our Friday tour in Washington, DC, we packed up, did our COVID-19 pre check for the train and headed out for Lafayette Square, to the St. John's Episcopal Church. We walked around the park and took a picture of my new favorite guy, the Marquis de Lafayette (See photo below). I tried to pose like the semi naked lady at the base of his statue. Scott said, I'd have to take my top off to do it right. I decided to spare the other tourists from that display of pulchritude (NOT!).</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GNNNaXxLpV9LTveQ26xeXAOodeSuleL6zipjskzvON_SiMppNPXWKRcl_Aap7HCZBCmeV0uAuppQSYX_7FW1T1ifdNCJ18QBxDjY2YUoXLnrF4SyABq_WIeK2vp36V1YBtRWwM3u3Al2/s2016/IMG_5104.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GNNNaXxLpV9LTveQ26xeXAOodeSuleL6zipjskzvON_SiMppNPXWKRcl_Aap7HCZBCmeV0uAuppQSYX_7FW1T1ifdNCJ18QBxDjY2YUoXLnrF4SyABq_WIeK2vp36V1YBtRWwM3u3Al2/w480-h640/IMG_5104.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane and the statue of the Marquis de Lafayette.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />On the way back, we noticed that the Black Lives Matter Plaza was all torn up. As we approached "I” Street we noticed workmen were smoothing concrete in the letter "A" and began a conversation with a woman taking photos, Antionette. 16th Street from "K" Street to Lafayette Park is being redone with letters that go all the way across the street that say “BLACK LIVES MATTER”. The photo below is a picture of the letter "A” in the word “MATTER." All the 50-foot-tall letters will be treated with a yellow substance to stand out and the in-between will be white pavers. A 2-block section of 16th Street between H and K Streets is closed to vehicle traffic, the sidewalks will remain open to pedestrians So the plaza is a new monument. Cool, eh?</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FsX9W0_tyK3DMv4LMqOL1Ii6QHaxm-LkDUcWNo5m0fnctdwzt4P8SRg07UGx220cCxYH1vHsm-p3wdFRCr5f0_m5NBOO7I1_Da6EeQQRQU7d8R5crniJv03ueWdJHeYknGdmEPYkxXcb/s2016/IMG_5106.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FsX9W0_tyK3DMv4LMqOL1Ii6QHaxm-LkDUcWNo5m0fnctdwzt4P8SRg07UGx220cCxYH1vHsm-p3wdFRCr5f0_m5NBOO7I1_Da6EeQQRQU7d8R5crniJv03ueWdJHeYknGdmEPYkxXcb/w640-h480/IMG_5106.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: The letter "A" in the word "MATTER."<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The next photo is just a street sign showing “Black Lives Matter Plaza."</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1n4uEspUD_httadInTmk09XOpyFbyXiPcGPFubY0W8ZiHZ6JPR-xjN6mZeR00QpKMTT4U7K-ujvRZAtc-PutwQRSiNJ7_vhEFmXIi7DgZA4dLCN1eUupA2LwWV-3qPrGe4HkMBe2YJyh/s2016/IMG_5108.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1n4uEspUD_httadInTmk09XOpyFbyXiPcGPFubY0W8ZiHZ6JPR-xjN6mZeR00QpKMTT4U7K-ujvRZAtc-PutwQRSiNJ7_vhEFmXIi7DgZA4dLCN1eUupA2LwWV-3qPrGe4HkMBe2YJyh/w640-h480/IMG_5108.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Street sign showing Black Lives Matter Plaza.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Then to the train and the onslaught of Hurricane Henri, not much going on when we got back to New York and we slept through the rain. Monday we leave for the Cape. Lots of unpacking and repacking. <br /> </span><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Massachusetts-</span>Cape Cod/Martha's Vineyard</b><br /><br />After we left New York City Monday (23rd) we went to visit friends in Falmouth, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. Since arriving we have mostly been talking, eating and sleeping. <br /><br />Tuesday (24th) we drove across the island to Sandwich, MA, the oldest town on Cape Cod. We went to the Sandwich Glass Museum for a special exhibit of contemporary women working in glass titled In Her Voice: Influential Women in Glass, and it was sensational! The three photos below are a few examples of their work.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-Y0O3pVbAMJO8G3TsvcrvzG-My_QqPwPPNAhNtYe71i5dAR1c5S8mI9ZXYKThRAJ5D3p3Shz5mg14n6apwPkzf-dfPFTLXOCs7_CLJrALZoAORLScNAJWqbVb365xnebwOjUslcHwN75/s2016/IMG_5117.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-Y0O3pVbAMJO8G3TsvcrvzG-My_QqPwPPNAhNtYe71i5dAR1c5S8mI9ZXYKThRAJ5D3p3Shz5mg14n6apwPkzf-dfPFTLXOCs7_CLJrALZoAORLScNAJWqbVb365xnebwOjUslcHwN75/w480-h640/IMG_5117.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: By Elizabeth Crawford.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbFTnmp8RIlCCQPkIY388nQG3miDNDirmv9kN7dRQfpGG88HMwmJMhnYyaGT5-1J3TM5csy40MOE1oKwE6jopnfksuniSaCeegATVkAlYzAR__DkRo6q8t7vjf3k8fhui18Xq2O72Eomw/s2016/IMG_5118.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbFTnmp8RIlCCQPkIY388nQG3miDNDirmv9kN7dRQfpGG88HMwmJMhnYyaGT5-1J3TM5csy40MOE1oKwE6jopnfksuniSaCeegATVkAlYzAR__DkRo6q8t7vjf3k8fhui18Xq2O72Eomw/w640-h480/IMG_5118.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: By Randi Solin<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1dvdtrP3bO4riHkOhQ0HvpmUjbrmjQnve355NkogWE_3FETypPc5UqhrZH9f6T7DjpugPDqKYhPSAgr7gN1nzOzo_JRzBL7VTwQDA2tnjRrWZci2PqWecE45ZWBIN-MGoFwcM9Okki24/s2016/IMG_5120.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1dvdtrP3bO4riHkOhQ0HvpmUjbrmjQnve355NkogWE_3FETypPc5UqhrZH9f6T7DjpugPDqKYhPSAgr7gN1nzOzo_JRzBL7VTwQDA2tnjRrWZci2PqWecE45ZWBIN-MGoFwcM9Okki24/w640-h480/IMG_5120.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: By Toots Zynsky.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />On a side note, for a follow-up project after I return to New York, I have a few ideas to try in clay with underglaze which will not have the same translucency as the above glass examples, and may not even be possible. The green one all folded on itself will be curious as it has to be pretty wet to fold and then dry to stay where you want it. The splashes of red one will no doubt lose something in translation, but we'll see. And the earthy irregular bowl shouldn't be hard to shape for me since most of my stuff is irregular from the get go.<br /><br />After the glass exhibit and having the best pizza for lunch I've ever eaten we went to the boardwalk to the beach. In the two photos below I've included a shot of the Sandwich Boardwalk that goes to the beach and a closer view of marshes that the Sandwich Boardwalk goes over. Funny, I grew up almost on the beach in Dunedin, Florida and didn't go much because I sunburned easily. And for you kayakers out there reading this, if you zoom in on the marsh photo (second photo below) you’ll see what appears to be two kayakers.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0obnuyNd5qM0Ja9FzGOWGxRQ1YJ9WPITXr7A4fpiMC4nV_PujYq2-LsthAyq0cuaZXPngHx-QQdkLb6FQGhvwl6oVl-Pt0Q6ThJ5H_0_P-H7pcCcQIkFq5sVL3l9WCL8Yi0FwwC-fVpC5/s2016/IMG_5128.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0obnuyNd5qM0Ja9FzGOWGxRQ1YJ9WPITXr7A4fpiMC4nV_PujYq2-LsthAyq0cuaZXPngHx-QQdkLb6FQGhvwl6oVl-Pt0Q6ThJ5H_0_P-H7pcCcQIkFq5sVL3l9WCL8Yi0FwwC-fVpC5/w640-h480/IMG_5128.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Sandwich, MA Boardwalk.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfiCM9K8dD9RPxTsixjb1m4ABmTk7Vd1ZQnJSYlawTV_Frnh8J0-55U_mj2DTEbwVujymqGSsd-TdXzmjQM9rdmyPXBrKPAKFNtTGhR5J5jj76FJsTTijwePOifD7Um3YL34SRrv95CeO/s2016/IMG_5127.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfiCM9K8dD9RPxTsixjb1m4ABmTk7Vd1ZQnJSYlawTV_Frnh8J0-55U_mj2DTEbwVujymqGSsd-TdXzmjQM9rdmyPXBrKPAKFNtTGhR5J5jj76FJsTTijwePOifD7Um3YL34SRrv95CeO/w640-h480/IMG_5127.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Sandwich, MA marshes.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Wednesday (25th) we went to the island of Martha's Vineyard by ferry, the Falmouth-to-Oaks Bluff-Ferry The first photo below is a scene taken from the ferry as we left Falmouth. The second photo below is of the East Chop Lighthouse as we came into Oaks Bluff on Martha’s Vineyard, one of 4 lighthouses on Martha’s Vineyard. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEG9APCsT0QOh85s__B_fShH9vMgHMyYCep-04hdxYyEX6Z0CDz4vwgQUFBXLOIvDQ2o9O8RjLsF9ULo2RQsn4MLbKjVcOLTtbynecksUAz4iNohgDeceaRWWapSWN1ukZ4lgOvyALA_tL/s2016/IMG_5129.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEG9APCsT0QOh85s__B_fShH9vMgHMyYCep-04hdxYyEX6Z0CDz4vwgQUFBXLOIvDQ2o9O8RjLsF9ULo2RQsn4MLbKjVcOLTtbynecksUAz4iNohgDeceaRWWapSWN1ukZ4lgOvyALA_tL/w640-h480/IMG_5129.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: View leaving Falmouth, MA<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVCH0KtSkamIX5u_6guiM8bq_DSHaD0ySGurlv2DO2aRlcWzcNFNzsgbtNku74lUQzTP0OCx3f7ysfdn1v0cQijxM-zOh2FsqWAnhxrnoO3zXVlAzTHu9uwsklQcyeG9uK4QytWB2GRkw/s2016/IMG_5132.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVCH0KtSkamIX5u_6guiM8bq_DSHaD0ySGurlv2DO2aRlcWzcNFNzsgbtNku74lUQzTP0OCx3f7ysfdn1v0cQijxM-zOh2FsqWAnhxrnoO3zXVlAzTHu9uwsklQcyeG9uK4QytWB2GRkw/w640-h480/IMG_5132.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: East Chop Lighthouse.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">While there we had an errand to go to a gallery, I loved that and of course we had to go to the surrounding galleries as well. <br /><br />After the galleries we went to Edgartown (about 6 miles south of Oaks Bluff) on Martha’s Vineyard. It’s a lovely town with lots of well preserved, restored and presented 18th & 19th century homes with picket fences and beautiful hydrangea flowers. We had lunch overlooking the very active harbor with all kinds of boats, both luxury and working. The following four photos were all taken at the harbor in Edgartown.<br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRewuUQHC4hQekxx1e2PYVX4tpUBUravivhXYucLVz1mXQgcH9b-STpqRY0OMPi0GGVwINCYjZ4iUX_8XxaI8D1GJyg_A_keISw5T89Ns7FTiUjxpYQsmV_RhMx84JwgV1NEF1wfqDoJoN/s2016/IMG_5138.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRewuUQHC4hQekxx1e2PYVX4tpUBUravivhXYucLVz1mXQgcH9b-STpqRY0OMPi0GGVwINCYjZ4iUX_8XxaI8D1GJyg_A_keISw5T89Ns7FTiUjxpYQsmV_RhMx84JwgV1NEF1wfqDoJoN/w640-h480/IMG_5138.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Photo from Edgartown harbor.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hAxIe3HhRUiArkWRJ42La888UIjNYpEr-PGnmO_glhgLwZOoFoVX1NGtAOu3q-ZbAqwR6benNUwWnHvYrqDxDCFeFVSrljpJItzvt5ySgDCgsO271B0yERcHZXZfdnU7H5Y4OBqDjC64/s2016/IMG_5141.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hAxIe3HhRUiArkWRJ42La888UIjNYpEr-PGnmO_glhgLwZOoFoVX1NGtAOu3q-ZbAqwR6benNUwWnHvYrqDxDCFeFVSrljpJItzvt5ySgDCgsO271B0yERcHZXZfdnU7H5Y4OBqDjC64/w640-h480/IMG_5141.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Photo from Edgartown harbor.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij790_Eeq5KxKDuVOS0h4JswHMgRNgBctypiTCI_vHHuikAw2l-jmM-GN8KEbjqO_alBT6Ud4ZwSgoeVnGV-H84D8ikgAUN-yD6VNynaXbR21nmAzVnuAzcZT-y9GqhKwQUHuXSgFGwZ7V/s2016/IMG_5142.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij790_Eeq5KxKDuVOS0h4JswHMgRNgBctypiTCI_vHHuikAw2l-jmM-GN8KEbjqO_alBT6Ud4ZwSgoeVnGV-H84D8ikgAUN-yD6VNynaXbR21nmAzVnuAzcZT-y9GqhKwQUHuXSgFGwZ7V/w640-h480/IMG_5142.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Photo from Edgartown harbor.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AmvDDpTIcIGU0NWA-f4UzTRK45sih-gpC9rM1F31b0nXgi57NeNBcY3UEyBFG1AGQL4gz8gMYcmIkiOQ_JtI0LwB8f3anqsaY4FDGSE5RAJIcYBfNSCCt8YtmZcEjKKODlNra1Ls-XSY/s2016/IMG_5146.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AmvDDpTIcIGU0NWA-f4UzTRK45sih-gpC9rM1F31b0nXgi57NeNBcY3UEyBFG1AGQL4gz8gMYcmIkiOQ_JtI0LwB8f3anqsaY4FDGSE5RAJIcYBfNSCCt8YtmZcEjKKODlNra1Ls-XSY/w640-h480/IMG_5146.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Photo from Edgartown harbor.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />It was super hot, so we took the ferry back to Falmouth and had a walk on yet another beach that was a short hike from where we were staying with friends. The photo below is from that walk on the beach, a very nice walk and a very nice beach. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz40UGIUmBpRbYOo_8AlEcF-9v2VE2bAR52VXX2LKtaoUb40nvFRKroOyhtFVEXrPjrLm6IWrLMhrPYjtOmoCa_k9oZnTb6cbshwk-9ptR2eQFcvFnd-zEa7NOPF6UuXFQgBnjQApZKGYy/s2016/IMG_5156.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz40UGIUmBpRbYOo_8AlEcF-9v2VE2bAR52VXX2LKtaoUb40nvFRKroOyhtFVEXrPjrLm6IWrLMhrPYjtOmoCa_k9oZnTb6cbshwk-9ptR2eQFcvFnd-zEa7NOPF6UuXFQgBnjQApZKGYy/w640-h480/IMG_5156.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: From our walk on the beach in Falmouth.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Last days at Cape Cod: Thursday and Friday were pretty much just hanging with our friends, but I have attached a few photos from those days.<br /><br />Thursday (26th): The photo below is of yours truly in the backyard, working on my computer on my never ending story that now has 110 episodes about an artist in New York City finding herself and her voice in her art, with a few side adventures of crime and love. I had an inspiration and started writing and couldn't stop until I had a headache and a whole new chapter. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwDdaSzw_YtyIhDHEKsvEt510dqiKbAeiTvE6yrbYh41uuChhSRBG6ObQ_z9FuxFAx_7xx-AvODZ-Qdan7jlR80cA7vm3hDYaINVlBKAzzB_z0fzHguU573Ok-fpAwixIhe7UhtlkYpiR/s2688/IMG_2740.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2688" data-original-width="2016" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwDdaSzw_YtyIhDHEKsvEt510dqiKbAeiTvE6yrbYh41uuChhSRBG6ObQ_z9FuxFAx_7xx-AvODZ-Qdan7jlR80cA7vm3hDYaINVlBKAzzB_z0fzHguU573Ok-fpAwixIhe7UhtlkYpiR/w480-h640/IMG_2740.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane working on her story in Famouth.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> The next photo is of the St. Barnabas Memorial Church. This English village-style church was built in 1890, and is about one mile from our friend’s house.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLqKpLYUOqX_TXHr8AFvRN6Yuu5E3duhEcv_HU-bQzb9AvcI3iMolamzVFUah9raM_C6hRrG56BBbwbYy4dAL8JMYmhZID-mchaoX17fqyeWyHSLrtUIpvL32JOSaC1skTZpWQ07Skux5/s2016/IMG_5161.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLqKpLYUOqX_TXHr8AFvRN6Yuu5E3duhEcv_HU-bQzb9AvcI3iMolamzVFUah9raM_C6hRrG56BBbwbYy4dAL8JMYmhZID-mchaoX17fqyeWyHSLrtUIpvL32JOSaC1skTZpWQ07Skux5/w640-h480/IMG_5161.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: St. Barnabas Memorial Church in Falmouth, MA.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />The following photo is of yours truly looking at some books at a sidewalk sale at the Falmouth Public Library. The book I’m holding in this photo is Murder in the Napa Valley by David Osborn. Osborn has written two other fiction books in this series, Murder on Martha's Vineyard and Murder on the Chesapeake. The main character is a freelance photo-journalist by the name of Margaret Barlow from New York City, a widow in her late 50s, an amateur sleuth, whose hobby is hang-gliding. She’s in California for a hot-air ballooning vacation, she agrees to write a magazine piece on a Napa Valley winery—and is soon involved in another murder.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccQiexWLoshfyvHUcchhllKtw-8FINC6TAcqsVDoB6WpdEnw4UrWhyqaEHQ9F-Tn_GLFXrPELSZS05wrsn5INJlA-0sqv7hK63Mf225JOIR6dPZ8YVHocbsyCZVyhxbms-Qe4eA6vwPc0/s2016/IMG_5166.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccQiexWLoshfyvHUcchhllKtw-8FINC6TAcqsVDoB6WpdEnw4UrWhyqaEHQ9F-Tn_GLFXrPELSZS05wrsn5INJlA-0sqv7hK63Mf225JOIR6dPZ8YVHocbsyCZVyhxbms-Qe4eA6vwPc0/w480-h640/IMG_5166.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane at Falmouth Public Library.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />The next photo is again of yours truly, we had stopped at a roadside fruit and vegetable stand. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kZcNA4VsPrPeOGKk-6zNmEhBHNWgjl_2QxgvqSzOimOZuMPK9heN9TVe5E3F7QXL9abNartM76sy_ZFNDWnoBt1TRlo6mw2TJUFI_hB3jWxtggzGZS30E86uFEvNetHhiuwFGzFIbaeY/s2016/IMG_5170.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kZcNA4VsPrPeOGKk-6zNmEhBHNWgjl_2QxgvqSzOimOZuMPK9heN9TVe5E3F7QXL9abNartM76sy_ZFNDWnoBt1TRlo6mw2TJUFI_hB3jWxtggzGZS30E86uFEvNetHhiuwFGzFIbaeY/w480-h640/IMG_5170.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane at fruit/vegetable stand in Falmouth, MA.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />The following photo is once again of yours truly, throwing down a cold beer at the Quohog Republic Dive Bar. My friend Anne and I made a quick run to CVS Pharmacy and as we drove by the Quohog Republic Dive Bar, Anne commented that she had never been in. I sort of challenged her so we went in. It was a dive bar with many TV's, gambling games online, etc. She commented she could probably come there to find all the different kinds of workmen she needed to work on her house.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesnwYXifhwNVIZCCCRu8ZmOE1nTmVqrA98VjDOtISBt4ioSLw3M-bKpBpOmwKrWZSuFK3A1LRO9e3Xf81Z3oVXnmXung0Jvckrqtx_iYPG7cVP-erPpf64xDmnJO_k0Tm-LJVt9O1AAxF/s2016/IMG_5177.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesnwYXifhwNVIZCCCRu8ZmOE1nTmVqrA98VjDOtISBt4ioSLw3M-bKpBpOmwKrWZSuFK3A1LRO9e3Xf81Z3oVXnmXung0Jvckrqtx_iYPG7cVP-erPpf64xDmnJO_k0Tm-LJVt9O1AAxF/w640-h480/IMG_5177.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane at Quobog Republi Dive Bar in Falmouth.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Friday: The next photo was taken at the Woods Hole Marine at Eel Pond. Woods Hole is a small village in the town of Falmouth on the very southwest tip of Cape Cod. We stopped there for breakfast before our arduous journey to the Knob, a nature area on a rocky hill overlooking Buzzards Bay. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7uRTgEHFB1kXSeLP3AvzSAxSoem4S24iw49wZAc7lmO22WsKpOwt-N5bXLKRyh_oaV5A04E60Rp2HWpOlmSkFjtPkaqrGfWjayfYkh7LP7-Rw5boVz7T8cTWXdnd5DFtZLx92TSEEY4Z/s2016/IMG_5180.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7uRTgEHFB1kXSeLP3AvzSAxSoem4S24iw49wZAc7lmO22WsKpOwt-N5bXLKRyh_oaV5A04E60Rp2HWpOlmSkFjtPkaqrGfWjayfYkh7LP7-Rw5boVz7T8cTWXdnd5DFtZLx92TSEEY4Z/w640-h480/IMG_5180.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Woods Hole Marine<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The photo below is of a few boats in Quissett Harbor which we passed on our way to the Knob. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDlGKx_DHdwSOzq_EFEv6MQ4vLipzArWcJAYsO88452bDzOKKpwPJxZWP4JEV5HznaPcgYw3dfQ9PPSMDicUiH6m0MzSmeOHeW0X7GU6yyFoHoBf2EqUtXvLpdPvT_BcsOStXAmjjXP_Dd/s2016/IMG_5182.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDlGKx_DHdwSOzq_EFEv6MQ4vLipzArWcJAYsO88452bDzOKKpwPJxZWP4JEV5HznaPcgYw3dfQ9PPSMDicUiH6m0MzSmeOHeW0X7GU6yyFoHoBf2EqUtXvLpdPvT_BcsOStXAmjjXP_Dd/w480-h640/IMG_5182.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: A few boats in Quissett Harbor.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Below is a photo of yours truly hiking on the Path to the Knob.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Y5Ap0OvXYwh8br6rGHlOCRWhyphenhyphen_nDlxLVtpZvWwQGXbHTLt2frAOI4HkAtXorwn8BsHPVkVERtRsuCP1OI8gdq2yo8JVPwFMEPxJwu7LyDEXXOAnVPn4CervWIRBSbpfM21jyy1rs5ool/s2016/IMG_5185.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Y5Ap0OvXYwh8br6rGHlOCRWhyphenhyphen_nDlxLVtpZvWwQGXbHTLt2frAOI4HkAtXorwn8BsHPVkVERtRsuCP1OI8gdq2yo8JVPwFMEPxJwu7LyDEXXOAnVPn4CervWIRBSbpfM21jyy1rs5ool/w480-h640/IMG_5185.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane hiking the Knob.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />The photo below was taken at another stop we made, Spohr Gardens, This is a photo of one of the anchors ostensibly from the HMS Bounty.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hc5QQWLoQhPWQV8rz79l_w0zjifTT3vmPMLtw6eA0NxCeJD22mPln_jUKIkjVXHjWUZN0kvQ9SeDdeKs-nka6kL0Db0rxvKe1do9XdJ-W_0_TE42vJRXX12R3q6U4Chih2EGNTj3fvY4/s2016/IMG_5200.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hc5QQWLoQhPWQV8rz79l_w0zjifTT3vmPMLtw6eA0NxCeJD22mPln_jUKIkjVXHjWUZN0kvQ9SeDdeKs-nka6kL0Db0rxvKe1do9XdJ-W_0_TE42vJRXX12R3q6U4Chih2EGNTj3fvY4/w640-h480/IMG_5200.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Anchor at Spohr Gardens.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />The next photo was also taken at Spohr Gardens, a 6-acre woodland garden with springtime flowers (tulips, azaleas, magnolias, flowering crab apples, rhododendrons, lilies, hydrangeas, and others), next to Cape Cod's Oyster Pond, and has winding paths & nautical artifacts. That’s me of course by the mill stone. Supposedly Spohr Gardens has a collection of 70+ mill stones and anchors.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsLmrxNx030iNI9_NGw9nNgmf0UNau0z5uqaLPglCXTgCX1mLkcLFhj3kD5pscKRgLGTTbh0wrbhRpKRqjCgOAO5VnM3p62D_cDQkESzvRHVgPnXzy_tjqoqNNkXMIwGRfPTZUAQYeiHc/s2016/IMG_5203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsLmrxNx030iNI9_NGw9nNgmf0UNau0z5uqaLPglCXTgCX1mLkcLFhj3kD5pscKRgLGTTbh0wrbhRpKRqjCgOAO5VnM3p62D_cDQkESzvRHVgPnXzy_tjqoqNNkXMIwGRfPTZUAQYeiHc/w480-h640/IMG_5203.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane and mill stone in Spohr Gardens.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">And after Cape Cod/Martha's Vineyard, we go to Chebacco Lake, north of Boston. We will be visiting Scott's "sort of nephew."<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Massachusetts-Chebacco Lake</span></b></span><br /><br />We are currently in Essex, MA, visiting Scott's "sort of nephew,” on Chebacco Lake, which is about 30 miles north-east of Boston, MA. They have a lovely 3-bedroom house right on the lake with their own boat dock. Chebacco Lake is a 209-acre body of water and is a great spot for all water sports. </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The following photo is not one of mine but an Internet photo showing the lakeside view of where we are staying.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOuhNX2rmVY6BepHKBGOq2fHPJChNNE-c5d1b3OhsxTduWqSmRrpKTIqYRZr_UZQkfb1oXQ4KU1txINPCshqgXS7aEySyJbN_N3AGjPqSBiotl88VFUUNIV2anmO7pYyv8ebie0L6YdSV/s2016/Lake.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1322" data-original-width="2016" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOuhNX2rmVY6BepHKBGOq2fHPJChNNE-c5d1b3OhsxTduWqSmRrpKTIqYRZr_UZQkfb1oXQ4KU1txINPCshqgXS7aEySyJbN_N3AGjPqSBiotl88VFUUNIV2anmO7pYyv8ebie0L6YdSV/w640-h420/Lake.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Lake side of house where we stayed on Lake Chebacco (photo from the Internet).<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We spent most of Sunday touring Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich, Massachusetts, which is about 7+ miles from where we are staying in Essex. Castle Hill on the Crane Estate is a National Historic Landmark, and the former summer estate of Chicago industrialist Richard T. Crane, Jr. and his family. The estate is located on a beautiful spot overlooking the Atlantic ocean, and has beautiful landscaped grounds with a rolling lawn that runs down to the shore. Below are a few photos.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeVnUvCyjYPEYQjhL8j0vEJ6K5Q7Hxm7gjRhHIGBF-4K_9hHg_s0JC5YLcG7CFoyAuqUutqpCNBtCkpXBmsxRCehsH0otgLzkED6ev-jC5fxTmaZqbEuosTKTVogN5zitaE8XLvkdM6cg/s2016/IMG_5218.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeVnUvCyjYPEYQjhL8j0vEJ6K5Q7Hxm7gjRhHIGBF-4K_9hHg_s0JC5YLcG7CFoyAuqUutqpCNBtCkpXBmsxRCehsH0otgLzkED6ev-jC5fxTmaZqbEuosTKTVogN5zitaE8XLvkdM6cg/w640-h480/IMG_5218.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqsC3E6Eo7dEDiSGxW76z1OqEJLGd7MMbhyphenhyphenS6KsOWG8FBxGmEL9vvObUURo6S3D8NP6KrNyK796SnO6-w5RAwwASXp7M8fhfNdobJH3Iag7ADqNe7_DmvPtM2BeaWUUdKc79-vvW6ka7N/s1512/IMG_5209.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqsC3E6Eo7dEDiSGxW76z1OqEJLGd7MMbhyphenhyphenS6KsOWG8FBxGmEL9vvObUURo6S3D8NP6KrNyK796SnO6-w5RAwwASXp7M8fhfNdobJH3Iag7ADqNe7_DmvPtM2BeaWUUdKc79-vvW6ka7N/w640-h640/IMG_5209.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: View from Castle Hill looking toward the seashore, note the rolling hills. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpHsY7vIu4iAveYBJ79dgfcCGdNWCCqvydkrYZwATOxNH1StnEW7TAqlHb2nVISflu7L9u_OxOXnz6WEZHaGHNBxEGAYOAfTcnEnPPKa4l0PhWydYBd-FPw2fIqRxIm3ptfjgo6XIXxUB/s2016/IMG_5214.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpHsY7vIu4iAveYBJ79dgfcCGdNWCCqvydkrYZwATOxNH1StnEW7TAqlHb2nVISflu7L9u_OxOXnz6WEZHaGHNBxEGAYOAfTcnEnPPKa4l0PhWydYBd-FPw2fIqRxIm3ptfjgo6XIXxUB/w640-h480/IMG_5214.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane and Castle Hill.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisz_im1GpBDZz6pShbTVPrVKBtvwolTf64NmSwJAfPuWNb9ACbcn6fMlExDDcG5TuvwXIU9AY0qJhOlxFqRBcsTKMKwbeg2WmaS-R2gFagtFr0qQfN4oSXlGVZgJf413MqAutPW9P4xLrS/s2016/20210829_124653.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisz_im1GpBDZz6pShbTVPrVKBtvwolTf64NmSwJAfPuWNb9ACbcn6fMlExDDcG5TuvwXIU9AY0qJhOlxFqRBcsTKMKwbeg2WmaS-R2gFagtFr0qQfN4oSXlGVZgJf413MqAutPW9P4xLrS/w480-h640/20210829_124653.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane on the Crane Estate grounds.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWZKfSMndZTsGO3PGn-6mZSNaTpOICBWLwumcQCA2JAR66CMISAYiVBvRG4o3N-qkv74qMiiL3laGF54f1yHm2HYkrXpF6Fu0qY9u3LckCpHs4shtphvlvfORPVNcdBGKcIK9a9PDe-sz/s2016/IMG_5219.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWZKfSMndZTsGO3PGn-6mZSNaTpOICBWLwumcQCA2JAR66CMISAYiVBvRG4o3N-qkv74qMiiL3laGF54f1yHm2HYkrXpF6Fu0qY9u3LckCpHs4shtphvlvfORPVNcdBGKcIK9a9PDe-sz/w640-h480/IMG_5219.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: View of the seashore, taken from the rolling hills.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Back at Chebacco Lake where we are staying, this photo from their patio on the lake, you can see their boat dock in this photo.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlNm-OAe32moKTHQzld96Scz-CQ3mFoebmWr1I3xBaTOGGeou8gqgqMcEt4Sryn03MIEOUvs6UBbOJoLxEMcPd6pOfxDjiTCtrVfshCSTCfzSrj4Pa8meKYaPmR7XFWTlydkujGIwgyYv/s2016/IMG_5225.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlNm-OAe32moKTHQzld96Scz-CQ3mFoebmWr1I3xBaTOGGeou8gqgqMcEt4Sryn03MIEOUvs6UBbOJoLxEMcPd6pOfxDjiTCtrVfshCSTCfzSrj4Pa8meKYaPmR7XFWTlydkujGIwgyYv/w640-h480/IMG_5225.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Chebacco Lake, from the patio where we are staying.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> This last photo is of Essex Town Hall, about 2 miles from where we are staying on the lake, a beautiful historic building built in 1893 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007, the only known Victorian Shingle Style municipal building in America.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnI5OjdCYzhp0lIo59QWW8-sd8PcvRKXi50oebuKW-D0tUIyUQmAV2ARqjVuZ97aE0x2pZ9rXLpuIRsEyFzR7pfANfCC7uNRn-LfZiipz7NCWg2GcqWRPaBYbBi0F6Ff-uJXgOe6WT6HA/s2016/IMG_5227.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnI5OjdCYzhp0lIo59QWW8-sd8PcvRKXi50oebuKW-D0tUIyUQmAV2ARqjVuZ97aE0x2pZ9rXLpuIRsEyFzR7pfANfCC7uNRn-LfZiipz7NCWg2GcqWRPaBYbBi0F6Ff-uJXgOe6WT6HA/w640-h480/IMG_5227.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Essex Town Hall.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />After this visit, </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Scott
will be going back to his home in California, I'll be going back to my home in New York City. Later I'll leave for
California on Thursday (9-2-21) for a road trip from California to Oregon with Scott, which will also include a visit with my niece
and friends. The actual road trip is scheduled to start September 7, 2021 (Tuesday).<br /></span><br /><br /></span><p></p><p></p>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626364476155545127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728495483307516262.post-36299041508611773622021-08-14T15:31:00.017-07:002021-08-15T08:35:12.808-07:002021 Georgetown<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> Sunday 8-8-21 </b><br /><br />I am here in Maine with my artist friend Martha, we come every year to paint and make art. I left New York Saturday (7th) and arrived here the same night. We are in a little village called Five Islands on the island of Georgetown. Five Islands is one of six small villages on Georgetown Island, the villages are Five Islands, Georgetown, Bay Point, Marrtown, West Georgetown and Robinhood. The village of Five Islands gets its name from being on Five Islands Harbor which gets its name from being surrounded by five islands. <br /><br />On the drive up Saturday there was so much traffic the drive took 2.5 hours longer than usual and it was both directions so going home will be similar. Interesting that we can’t drink or cook with the water, they provide drinking water in a water cooler. We had dinner on the local dock both Saturday and Sunday night. Martha and I have been reviewing our notes and instruction books so far and now it is TIME to make Art. I worked on my first masterpiece Sunday.<br /><br />Eating on the dock at Five Island Harbor is the only place to eat without driving into the larger village of Georgetown on the island, or Bath which is off the island. <br /><br />Below are a few photos from Sunday (first one from Saturday), plus a few downloads from the Internet.</span><br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZiJ0Ei8CtE0dCHQiQmixjlI62qnuvpRNvthX7oPuZjbZkdHnPyHjeBEbWfH7HmdC9CgIaoMPb0-BgUgTYTgDpDpRaWhq77yX_Tn8VCDrEjxajOyM8RHHcXQM90FY8OZsohv99OhhMBOA/s2016/IMG_4884.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZiJ0Ei8CtE0dCHQiQmixjlI62qnuvpRNvthX7oPuZjbZkdHnPyHjeBEbWfH7HmdC9CgIaoMPb0-BgUgTYTgDpDpRaWhq77yX_Tn8VCDrEjxajOyM8RHHcXQM90FY8OZsohv99OhhMBOA/w480-h640/IMG_4884.jpg" title="Yours truly pumping gas in Willington, CT" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Saturday, yours truly pumping gas in Willington, CT.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKomPVPrjRdT02c7ILGuSj_LOyxb2Iau_uxY4xvigaiWP9oMXF8xCae2ljv_6i0gktM9H9RSObo_RiRaWOrQpOpYy-X0qZyknvQarddcm-G44uWKXfm3enm2AMPy8Qjo4U0_HZft2zF3P/s1280/CottageLocation.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKomPVPrjRdT02c7ILGuSj_LOyxb2Iau_uxY4xvigaiWP9oMXF8xCae2ljv_6i0gktM9H9RSObo_RiRaWOrQpOpYy-X0qZyknvQarddcm-G44uWKXfm3enm2AMPy8Qjo4U0_HZft2zF3P/w640-h360/CottageLocation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Frame grab from a YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsGVhd7WmxQ) showing the location of the cabin where Diane and Martha stayed, at 10 Saddler’s Cove Lane.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Qp5lTqqSkdkUc1M1bf9V0Ncg33atDyTSmUS0qSSgUGhWeyBVSH7XBTBY_HrdOyEBv9TtjIRjnTSAybmfb2tPEGlxcRuhulA02GWiQWq5QneHz3dtwcJiPqpcxFUfb_Ng6un0qpuWYuV/s1600/DSC_0125-1600pm.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Qp5lTqqSkdkUc1M1bf9V0Ncg33atDyTSmUS0qSSgUGhWeyBVSH7XBTBY_HrdOyEBv9TtjIRjnTSAybmfb2tPEGlxcRuhulA02GWiQWq5QneHz3dtwcJiPqpcxFUfb_Ng6un0qpuWYuV/w640-h360/DSC_0125-1600pm.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Another online photo (http://blog.peregrinesea.com/2011/03/five-islands-harbor.html) that shows where we stayed.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4_lVnDt2ayQsqUwUnLM8FkS9Lg3Ukq7VYEK6v4aiUa8CixT11g-YeWk1ddb4phiUrkMK3bEYW0UnvR3Q4_Ak8MUwCjQ44fe8mvjcOJcPGAO3dO69P3jIThMHt4ZbsDA-LMPKkFl9qvWD/s1280/View10.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4_lVnDt2ayQsqUwUnLM8FkS9Lg3Ukq7VYEK6v4aiUa8CixT11g-YeWk1ddb4phiUrkMK3bEYW0UnvR3Q4_Ak8MUwCjQ44fe8mvjcOJcPGAO3dO69P3jIThMHt4ZbsDA-LMPKkFl9qvWD/w640-h360/View10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Frame grab from video (https://www.redfin.com/ME/Georgetown/10-Saddler-s-Cove-Ln-04548/home/100373605) of the place where we stayed,</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3kj4XIel3PVY4ONHYY8tsU-UOUhwOZFY7n7AKEVxTiSYBUGHgaeHeBVYxocHpZlg2-jpH_lKg9o8391e_fOCiA0380q3eD0Fh0KH80PvpT7PCNp9tJ6S-DPgIp3oW01VqtQVsBJnm9zl/s2016/IMG_4902.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3kj4XIel3PVY4ONHYY8tsU-UOUhwOZFY7n7AKEVxTiSYBUGHgaeHeBVYxocHpZlg2-jpH_lKg9o8391e_fOCiA0380q3eD0Fh0KH80PvpT7PCNp9tJ6S-DPgIp3oW01VqtQVsBJnm9zl/w640-h480/IMG_4902.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: A view from our porch.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yt1QB3bVYbRLPivWyZUeGNkp0yWXR0R1HFIFm5byEBhoNElZjYqSBFz0jvqsSnT2RlubNgNRfSS8wgRTx8CrCHG30HJBYmDRwmwiunU3GOY1QgWPZqtDd22EsuXPFVk_Sz2YhUGKGsYq/s2016/IMG_4904.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yt1QB3bVYbRLPivWyZUeGNkp0yWXR0R1HFIFm5byEBhoNElZjYqSBFz0jvqsSnT2RlubNgNRfSS8wgRTx8CrCHG30HJBYmDRwmwiunU3GOY1QgWPZqtDd22EsuXPFVk_Sz2YhUGKGsYq/w480-h640/IMG_4904.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: The cottage which is our home for a week.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0iua8eJ_xCzD294WZX8VvoItPama0fV1vpxqsWcxx-ro3HHv7nJ8KrsJJ880Lpzdaopd-7zXw3H_5V7QwOwycbCglEREnKJgYhxS1jgMyJfpyyo0_M3G8X8RPuSJyFJ4j8LTc0tGb8Hx/s2016/IMG_4905.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0iua8eJ_xCzD294WZX8VvoItPama0fV1vpxqsWcxx-ro3HHv7nJ8KrsJJ880Lpzdaopd-7zXw3H_5V7QwOwycbCglEREnKJgYhxS1jgMyJfpyyo0_M3G8X8RPuSJyFJ4j8LTc0tGb8Hx/w640-h480/IMG_4905.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: A view from a dock at the Five I Fuel & Harborside General Store on Georgetown Island. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gv7usw3fHv-43iA39TAhQKitWc9CIbQ2mQiczPwvPbyeggZpTotvL3b6LVV5I1JlMpCC_hVvk5X-1XRia39T-1hfBEiEXqpTVsFoYeTpVQaH0BljFRFyOaM0gGX877aYoHQrZ0ZB_4sD/s2016/IMG_4906.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gv7usw3fHv-43iA39TAhQKitWc9CIbQ2mQiczPwvPbyeggZpTotvL3b6LVV5I1JlMpCC_hVvk5X-1XRia39T-1hfBEiEXqpTVsFoYeTpVQaH0BljFRFyOaM0gGX877aYoHQrZ0ZB_4sD/w640-h480/IMG_4906.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: The driveway to our cottage.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0Xyn-feX1OxdXnxxaerLGwKWA-C-3XJ0uv3HrSW6jUiTL6oDhSY3-vQj5n96nKTRHLgS8LNSTdcpv8lV8em5JU6gtPa8xn1w4SkVddOrER32OdDgpjrspOpFNEoSmDM1k2sl_o59A-pU/s2016/IMG_4890.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0Xyn-feX1OxdXnxxaerLGwKWA-C-3XJ0uv3HrSW6jUiTL6oDhSY3-vQj5n96nKTRHLgS8LNSTdcpv8lV8em5JU6gtPa8xn1w4SkVddOrER32OdDgpjrspOpFNEoSmDM1k2sl_o59A-pU/w480-h640/IMG_4890.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: A view of the dock area showing the picnic tables (look closely) on the dock where we ate.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKO8dbwcDfSFnVTJAahS_1JaCYdXro-tiQnXZLokK1bt95IqPhIHC7r8TKulK9jL48uQxEO97PevK2o1Ol44M4juQ1Q1dd51xrKi2aBwoav2vvXDyMu5A9rsBWmjLeBhygo_eNKSefl9RG/s2016/IMG_4917.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKO8dbwcDfSFnVTJAahS_1JaCYdXro-tiQnXZLokK1bt95IqPhIHC7r8TKulK9jL48uQxEO97PevK2o1Ol44M4juQ1Q1dd51xrKi2aBwoav2vvXDyMu5A9rsBWmjLeBhygo_eNKSefl9RG/w480-h640/IMG_4917.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Yours truly eating a lobster dinner Sunday night at the Five Islands Lobster Company.</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The Five Islands Lobster Company is a very popular place. A boat came into Sunday night with 84 people just to eat there. You pay for your lobster by the pound and then buy corn, potatoes, onion rings as sides. Or you can pay less and take your lobster home and cook it yourself.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><b>Monday 8-9-21</b><br /><br />Martha and I left the cottage this morning earliesh to go to Bath, ME for breakfast. Bath is off the Georgetown Island and is a little less than 15 miles from our cottage in Five Islands. Crab BLT for me, Crab Eggs Benedict for Martha. Then we went to Hannaford, about another 8 miles and bought guess what? Lobsters to have back at the cottage. But it was too cold to eat outside tonight, so we had a gin and tonic, then dined inside.<br /> <br />The sun is supposed to come out tomorrow, so my plans are to photograph some of the beautiful local scenery and maybe go to the Bath Iron Works. Bath is a huge ship building town. I love going through there seeing all the giant rigs and cross sections of ships in process. But they are hard to get photos of. Top Secret so the view is always obscured, but they are so big you get a glimpse. I don't have any current photos of the ships so I'll try to get one even if it is not so good. There are no bisected ships there this time 😫 but fairly big cranes. </span><br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6d9AmuvjBU48ThsUEGBjwCsGwJq7vsFVvqjODnxZuCdjYBS0Ye1XDRPzwSQuDPChh6mvprhN0-TPBk9LiIpFK85o5Wnl_qyRa1_xlSnq9v1pdx98X3pM67TWrVZjdLl4pAITdFkoftTd/s2016/IMG_2541.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="2016" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6d9AmuvjBU48ThsUEGBjwCsGwJq7vsFVvqjODnxZuCdjYBS0Ye1XDRPzwSQuDPChh6mvprhN0-TPBk9LiIpFK85o5Wnl_qyRa1_xlSnq9v1pdx98X3pM67TWrVZjdLl4pAITdFkoftTd/w640-h514/IMG_2541.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Dinner guests from Monday night, the lobsters we picked up Sunday in Hannaford.</span></td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Tuesday 8-10-21</b><br /><br />We woke up this morning to a totally gray outdoors. No sky, no ocean, just fog, damp and dreary. It cleared somewhat later in the day and I went for a 7,667 step walk in the afternoon, about 3.5 miles. The fog came and went all day, as did the tide, which is huge. Entire islands emerge and disappear as the tide did it's thing. So I didn't go to the Bath Iron Works to take photos of the ships as planned, hopefully maybe tomorrow.<br /><br />Meanwhile back at the ranch (i.e., our rental cottage,) I spent the day working on my fiction/story. I made good progress and have maybe 20% in PDF form now. It is about editing and re-editing, and more re-editing, a good pastime for a damp day. I hope to have it in a format I can send for professional editing by the end of the trip. I finally found a cushion for the chair on which I spent the better part of the day.<br /> <br />Tonight we got fish and world famous onion rings from the Five Islands Lobster Company at the wharf and dined in our cottage, again too nasty to be outside. <br /><br />On my walk this afternoon I found a beach that would be swimmable if I were so inclined. It would be torture to wade in. At least in the Antarctica water, I dove in and didn't have to have the cold creep up on my body, it was a plunge into masochism. Wading in the Five Islands Harbor would have been insane (average sea temperature for Five Islands Harbor was 66°F today, according to the Internet). Even the seagulls were staying on the shore. Maybe tomorrow will be more exciting.<br /><br />Below are a few photos from Tuesday.</span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7op-MRGuP123bf51qok3D1rlAOegLgl-zQ658VhWnbRv1f9YvXMlaniAztzbir6VQfYJeOMR4712q6Eszz_ou6DmGYKHg6hvnbqQe2wSGAkY7meyEZaK8ZkZjGj_ZrLDKFE-PHvd8yKW/s2016/IMG_4927.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7op-MRGuP123bf51qok3D1rlAOegLgl-zQ658VhWnbRv1f9YvXMlaniAztzbir6VQfYJeOMR4712q6Eszz_ou6DmGYKHg6hvnbqQe2wSGAkY7meyEZaK8ZkZjGj_ZrLDKFE-PHvd8yKW/w640-h480/IMG_4927.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Photo from early this morning, notice the fog.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItmyVWD2FG9HcSHOoqGn6wszc3JZE1oAnrGkYFaHIuJSWTZGU9vpD8AbN05vu8p6yDCRHIHZ1g7eW1FPznnmScJxyMdBYO41LeUcGAOKNXx4bxUgbGG10xjsSCCWte-FkkXS7cvyXEWZK/s2016/IMG_4931.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItmyVWD2FG9HcSHOoqGn6wszc3JZE1oAnrGkYFaHIuJSWTZGU9vpD8AbN05vu8p6yDCRHIHZ1g7eW1FPznnmScJxyMdBYO41LeUcGAOKNXx4bxUgbGG10xjsSCCWte-FkkXS7cvyXEWZK/w640-h480/IMG_4931.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Another photo from early this morning, notice the fog.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslWnaG1XEl6wPhZ8aceMsDlUA0g5jbyj7qLaDEmenmfhV2aVIolHyBJRcG7cfhuQCT5QpHBYJ0VrJEA7hccRWf5ZX14f2BwaRLGjCuLYtDjjVzsH3UecL2WJlU5I_yAoss0tI6kfE-66n/s2007/IMG_4934.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1306" data-original-width="2007" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslWnaG1XEl6wPhZ8aceMsDlUA0g5jbyj7qLaDEmenmfhV2aVIolHyBJRcG7cfhuQCT5QpHBYJ0VrJEA7hccRWf5ZX14f2BwaRLGjCuLYtDjjVzsH3UecL2WJlU5I_yAoss0tI6kfE-66n/w640-h416/IMG_4934.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Collage I worked on for a couple of days.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCathJH1lFhbjUNARYbhlUY2of1X77XWSs_i-ZcIYcqL0EEwbVywZ0epV0DlAw64rJnNx6fwUk5-WsFxum-9opFndmRrfPjo8R2SOVNchTDESI0k4fvgJzbx1jWJq-J2SOFITxTHOlj0-t/s2016/IMG_4936.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCathJH1lFhbjUNARYbhlUY2of1X77XWSs_i-ZcIYcqL0EEwbVywZ0epV0DlAw64rJnNx6fwUk5-WsFxum-9opFndmRrfPjo8R2SOVNchTDESI0k4fvgJzbx1jWJq-J2SOFITxTHOlj0-t/w480-h640/IMG_4936.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Photo from my walk in the afternoon.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeasLj2DkA3SdCuoeIJ6dHPu0lo6Rm4dOZogS3mjQ4HLw27bo9jDXp1uGoRPrfW8FsexkjFahSFH3B7Pe-HpaJeH2xqSzozEVJbChfXSnh_e9WSGkAg_FKEdQH7EUFve1I-WhnNAcTBql7/s2016/IMG_4945.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeasLj2DkA3SdCuoeIJ6dHPu0lo6Rm4dOZogS3mjQ4HLw27bo9jDXp1uGoRPrfW8FsexkjFahSFH3B7Pe-HpaJeH2xqSzozEVJbChfXSnh_e9WSGkAg_FKEdQH7EUFve1I-WhnNAcTBql7/w480-h640/IMG_4945.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Photo from my walk in the afternoon.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Wednesday 8-11-21</b><br /><br />It was foggy like crazy again this morning, even foggier than yesterday, and in the 60s. I haven’t heard any fog horns, but you can't see very far. And everything seems to stay damp, another reason not to go swimming. 🤔<br /><br />It is curious to me, in New York City Monday is the day businesses are closed, maybe because the theaters when they were open were dark on Mondays. In Maine, Wednesday is the day businesses close. So, no lobsters from the Five Islands Lobster Company tonight. Martha brought steaks, we are eating well. <br /><br />Well, just before noon the fog lifted a little bit and the harbor was filled with working boats when normally there aren't very many working boats there. I wonder if it is because of the fog or because it is Wednesday and they are resting before they get ready to get the catch for the weekend tourists?<br /><br />Below are a few photos from Wednesday.</span><br /></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCMiWq7h-Ka1Q5JfdgZLt7urrzwbPdlTLIP47NMB-iHg1JuU6YHs8aK2OKC68rqwCFmOnGJFS_SwP_W0jM1l-dUB8YTlfiGmSv8tc6L0SPbcpsX4aBi87et-OU8DMgg1jiBPxMfDIQjIj/s2016/IMG_4953.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCMiWq7h-Ka1Q5JfdgZLt7urrzwbPdlTLIP47NMB-iHg1JuU6YHs8aK2OKC68rqwCFmOnGJFS_SwP_W0jM1l-dUB8YTlfiGmSv8tc6L0SPbcpsX4aBi87et-OU8DMgg1jiBPxMfDIQjIj/w640-h480/IMG_4953.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: This morning with the boats and the fog, the water is gray and there is no background.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15dllUJiaWVNpzu1gX67xvDHasKur2tYfStWNd3ZlGIDt_dlwYpY4E7HzNjWsv1GzPMgx9pFHv-CFxszHP5SJvvHD58M1LIH-3Cx-ZR7wRSgqQP2uWkmxO3XP1ar6zkNv2oUKYPaxaURQ/s2016/IMG_4955.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15dllUJiaWVNpzu1gX67xvDHasKur2tYfStWNd3ZlGIDt_dlwYpY4E7HzNjWsv1GzPMgx9pFHv-CFxszHP5SJvvHD58M1LIH-3Cx-ZR7wRSgqQP2uWkmxO3XP1ar6zkNv2oUKYPaxaURQ/w640-h480/IMG_4955.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: This is a sketch of the boats this morning.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWpGiauUNAosBbVH5nF006zYFSlpNaOBXhTLcPIweCl55fr-xgMhAyUsMaT0Bf1jAhyphenhyphenru5JoT1j-Y5rpExNn8HO0P-c35avAzKPnAwsjhyD8C9sm8K3EXIoiShmDF8e00_q8W15-PHMlV/s2016/IMG_4956.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWpGiauUNAosBbVH5nF006zYFSlpNaOBXhTLcPIweCl55fr-xgMhAyUsMaT0Bf1jAhyphenhyphenru5JoT1j-Y5rpExNn8HO0P-c35avAzKPnAwsjhyD8C9sm8K3EXIoiShmDF8e00_q8W15-PHMlV/w640-h480/IMG_4956.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: A photo of the dinghies at the dock waiting for them to come back to work.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hfa4VgXlVMOVXZf3UmnD448sPtAbECjHPy6_xxZtJEzHaJtdH3QnQsnTFX_qrqjDmGih_RSyye3VTpvdykrzVcbjvLqwwsxwOD290WiY-DhRkbaqRmfdrWF20smEKiKrkvtZtZ3CmZl0/s2016/IMG_4962.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hfa4VgXlVMOVXZf3UmnD448sPtAbECjHPy6_xxZtJEzHaJtdH3QnQsnTFX_qrqjDmGih_RSyye3VTpvdykrzVcbjvLqwwsxwOD290WiY-DhRkbaqRmfdrWF20smEKiKrkvtZtZ3CmZl0/w480-h640/IMG_4962.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Yours truly working on a painting.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DabYbJ-45Aj8jt6S_aF62XOxCRubqtfzvxcIa9pYYaNSAb8CuzlJctui8w8oqeRzNUX59OoHCWnMzV4SOgTpnDMGqIy_xlr5qWVR2xvJtyy-dONu9eY15gUvcKfZDX_dBt_sxCAv6nFU/s2016/IMG_4965.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DabYbJ-45Aj8jt6S_aF62XOxCRubqtfzvxcIa9pYYaNSAb8CuzlJctui8w8oqeRzNUX59OoHCWnMzV4SOgTpnDMGqIy_xlr5qWVR2xvJtyy-dONu9eY15gUvcKfZDX_dBt_sxCAv6nFU/w480-h640/IMG_4965.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Martha working on a painting.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><b>Thursday 8-12-21: Finally made it to the Bath Iron Works<br /></b><br />We woke up this morning to fog again, however when I looked west, it was a blue sky and sunny, so we decided to make the drive west to Bath, Maine to take photos of the Bath Shipyard and Ironworks. And to get tonic for tonight's happy hour. As I mentioned in an earlier email, Bath is a huge ship building town.<br /><br />The trip was pretty uneventful, except we found a local diner, Fiona's place. It was a family diner, Fiona and daughter. They don't serve breakfast between 11 and 12 because that is when they are loading up the 2 food trucks to take lunch to the iron workers. Further conversations revealed that over 2000 people work at the 'factory' and Fiona's place is across the street. Good location, eh?<br /><br />Well, at 11:55 Fiona came over to our table and said, "I don't want to rush you, but you should know in 4 minutes they will take a break across the street and you won't be able to get out of here or even move your car." As we left, we saw hoards of people crossing the street. Thank you Fiona!<br /><br />We had some conversation when they finished packing up the food trucks. Martha asked if they were open during the COVID lock down. Fiona said, "yes, we packed 700 box lunches a day. The shipyard wouldn't let the workers leave to go get lunch." Every restaurant in town made box lunches. Box lunches for 2000 people. The food trucks weren't allowed in either. <br /><br />My tuna salad was good and Martha's grilled cheese made her happy. <br /><br />It was 91F degrees in Bath, we watched the thermometer in the car decline as we headed east back towards our cottage. It was 78F outside and 71F inside when we got to our cottage. Wild, it is only 12 miles. About a degree lower per mile. WOW!<br /><br />Now back to my painting, I will be working on a painting I started yesterday.<br /><br />Below are a few photos from Thursday.</span><br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8uSAGO8vcPAf4-61l4curYTV5_135nmnonV6uTlaxqdh12DFMw8DhKrA2gD9xhtVq0EBmSL0sM5ODYVmKdSzAKSUckCPBoevXNpID8odV7w27oEwwpJmtXfOBOBdjAomBTk8XAwrShQx/s2016/IMG_4968.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8uSAGO8vcPAf4-61l4curYTV5_135nmnonV6uTlaxqdh12DFMw8DhKrA2gD9xhtVq0EBmSL0sM5ODYVmKdSzAKSUckCPBoevXNpID8odV7w27oEwwpJmtXfOBOBdjAomBTk8XAwrShQx/w640-h480/IMG_4968.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Charles Pond on our drive to Bath.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jhe77KwqUSyYGN2dwnLiPUJH721Tzmnk9uyoDYhhfd99Dbz2UMGE_Q0HkpNWkozMqD73aa2_LXiavbjBGZ4eBhcvkz_rtGoVJH_giZtXg0VU0UK9HkaBSzC-dQxBOnJm6vytqPtFNhHz/s2016/IMG_4974.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jhe77KwqUSyYGN2dwnLiPUJH721Tzmnk9uyoDYhhfd99Dbz2UMGE_Q0HkpNWkozMqD73aa2_LXiavbjBGZ4eBhcvkz_rtGoVJH_giZtXg0VU0UK9HkaBSzC-dQxBOnJm6vytqPtFNhHz/w640-h480/IMG_4974.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Todds Landing on the Susanoa River on our drive to Bath.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The
next photo was downloaded from the Internet (photo by Nathan Holth @
https://historicbridges.org) of the Max L. Wilder Memorial Bridge, I'm
including it just because it's an interesting looking bridge and I
didn't get a photo of it. I took my photos of the ships at Bath Iron Works from this bridge.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifzJrYGMkgPo1XD6lsK-ozvgKKAFRo9tmyxbOfmkqxMi7OtdST2A_GpRTzLvdr5Udb40o30SbalSz0dWRSvv9XY6LY2G2m1Ea3wHFPOcRrVQyOzWV3wWcXLG4hjgVlIIl-ZsH04-pquHL/s2048/Bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifzJrYGMkgPo1XD6lsK-ozvgKKAFRo9tmyxbOfmkqxMi7OtdST2A_GpRTzLvdr5Udb40o30SbalSz0dWRSvv9XY6LY2G2m1Ea3wHFPOcRrVQyOzWV3wWcXLG4hjgVlIIl-ZsH04-pquHL/w640-h480/Bridge.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Max L. Wilder Memorial Bridge (</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">photo by Nathan Holth @
https://historicbridges.org)</span> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The following 3 photos were taken of the Bath Iron Works ship yard from the </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Max L. Wilder Memorial Bridge</span>.<br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_l26pKehpw56kwa3iyu38ZsQ3D9kooTXf2c7NtgyTDS1uMWO4aHXRetCrF9RE7pEoS2cZ5mgaEjp4nFadIJzp8KCG8c4BWI5o6NIYm3q8-4kSkTqbiEC7lE7OtaGP8tYdf8AewPxmI8ZI/s1954/IMG_4976.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="971" data-original-width="1954" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_l26pKehpw56kwa3iyu38ZsQ3D9kooTXf2c7NtgyTDS1uMWO4aHXRetCrF9RE7pEoS2cZ5mgaEjp4nFadIJzp8KCG8c4BWI5o6NIYm3q8-4kSkTqbiEC7lE7OtaGP8tYdf8AewPxmI8ZI/w640-h318/IMG_4976.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Photo taken from the Max L Wilder Memorial Bridge, looking towards the Bath Iron Works across the Kennebec River.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5O88KTIYzWaltRSbRl1f9F9JoBh9OxBhjSHdtZHu8mZU7Qg8bxW1Hum38T5JfC59SCZJad4GHscnC-aZ58Z_a4PwKEXCPbapxX7IV-URU-F-NKAriTcljOgQQgXvnASyv1vW3fskZTB1/s2016/IMG_4977.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="2016" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5O88KTIYzWaltRSbRl1f9F9JoBh9OxBhjSHdtZHu8mZU7Qg8bxW1Hum38T5JfC59SCZJad4GHscnC-aZ58Z_a4PwKEXCPbapxX7IV-URU-F-NKAriTcljOgQQgXvnASyv1vW3fskZTB1/w640-h374/IMG_4977.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Photo taken from the Max L Wilder Memorial Bridge, looking towards the Bath Iron Works across the Kennebec River.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQ_l_Sh_F43U4pqwiHW0XvJ4kK_DK906P0_s9SlqE3W1Mavqqmu2jgxYVcYueJsc542IpNGCuev0p-cRJP6aCV3ZyNo2yLz-SgWQ7igsBBURSRqMDO47_RntiWuyGJhRDwWvQ_UmlhEem/s2016/IMG_4978.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="2016" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQ_l_Sh_F43U4pqwiHW0XvJ4kK_DK906P0_s9SlqE3W1Mavqqmu2jgxYVcYueJsc542IpNGCuev0p-cRJP6aCV3ZyNo2yLz-SgWQ7igsBBURSRqMDO47_RntiWuyGJhRDwWvQ_UmlhEem/w640-h222/IMG_4978.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Photo taken from the Max L Wilder Memorial Bridge, looking towards the Bath Iron Works across the Kennebec River.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p></p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The next photo shows the landmark Bath Iron Works (BIW) crane that towers over the
city. This photo taken from a parking lot near BIW. The Internet tells me this crane is 400 feet tall, and was
fabricated in 1973 at the BIW The Internet also tells me
that "<i>when the crane is not in use, the crane is allowed to swing in the
wind to reduce force on the boom and pressure on the internal
mechanisms. The practice is actually called "weathervaning" a crane.
When the boom points south, the wind is from the north."</i> Interesting.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jsRqPTyEpXoPP5fRYGuXVedxzvE2_vc9EXsUbgeAWToVwE-jg9v1-B2dNlG908UWmQKB8WEAUc-5WnJh8j5aHuwUuymyooewolofMByHxQIpYGxzANKkKkvzLuPev28bB29fq232njBc/s2016/IMG_4981.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jsRqPTyEpXoPP5fRYGuXVedxzvE2_vc9EXsUbgeAWToVwE-jg9v1-B2dNlG908UWmQKB8WEAUc-5WnJh8j5aHuwUuymyooewolofMByHxQIpYGxzANKkKkvzLuPev28bB29fq232njBc/w640-h480/IMG_4981.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: Landmark Bath Iron Works crane.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The next photo shows another 2-minute sketch I did, of the Five Island Lobster Company,
walking distance from our cottage. The black window in the red building
is where we picked up our lobster dinners.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8kOzsf6VKkMKQjx1SJCwi0SjHfVZCJo5NL1S899NiOvuFavS2L291RuCR3DXawvs2gyl8tyecRKnl0JWKuUZLuL8q0c2lEfj31ad3u__oMCff5w-50tnHEc1GfYsMDKK__oqI7rSS2IV/s2016/IMG_2570.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1575" data-original-width="2016" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8kOzsf6VKkMKQjx1SJCwi0SjHfVZCJo5NL1S899NiOvuFavS2L291RuCR3DXawvs2gyl8tyecRKnl0JWKuUZLuL8q0c2lEfj31ad3u__oMCff5w-50tnHEc1GfYsMDKK__oqI7rSS2IV/w640-h500/IMG_2570.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: My 2-minute sketch of the Five Island Lobster Company.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><b>Friday 8-13-21: Last day in Georgetown for this year</b><br /><br />It was foggy again early today and then got really warm. I worked on editing my story for hours it seemed, I’m almost done, now up to episode 39... a little more to do, but not tonight. I'm happy to have accomplished so much on the story this trip.<br /><br />I also reworked a painting today and did a bad, really bad sketch. I then started packing the car for the return trip home. If the traffic driving home is as bad as it was driving here, it will take us that extra 2.5 hours going back as well. YUK! the big downside to driving to Maine.<br /><br />Martha and I reserved a different cottage for next year, but in the same little enclave. <br /><br />Below are my last two photos from this trip, from Friday.</span><br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJq-h6CL415WLoGL9xfNe2Rw3xdcRjUVpuSg04aZpQKDm-bu0ZmLPo8J6IcENfRjVtQmtG2zRxlXmyd-oZZePs_BkgAN_zbdCwXdKwBFZXQLJmaVDL1r1-t2u-8WE2NwLJWfAGLHRv1Nyt/s2016/IMG_2579.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJq-h6CL415WLoGL9xfNe2Rw3xdcRjUVpuSg04aZpQKDm-bu0ZmLPo8J6IcENfRjVtQmtG2zRxlXmyd-oZZePs_BkgAN_zbdCwXdKwBFZXQLJmaVDL1r1-t2u-8WE2NwLJWfAGLHRv1Nyt/w640-h480/IMG_2579.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: A foggy morning.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfkJZ7ztJxc8ems9Rc6bK0L02QXcookr6jIsG-V-j9iuuGnenZZ0VouHKFZGnLIiJwZj0rDBhM5Zj2eV5ZcyBlP0y56MDi2UrYDFKgArO4FdPKhfWkZXnfAgsHcqh9jK3Gee395Rn5flU/s2016/IMG_2580.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1622" data-original-width="2016" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfkJZ7ztJxc8ems9Rc6bK0L02QXcookr6jIsG-V-j9iuuGnenZZ0VouHKFZGnLIiJwZj0rDBhM5Zj2eV5ZcyBlP0y56MDi2UrYDFKgArO4FdPKhfWkZXnfAgsHcqh9jK3Gee395Rn5flU/w640-h514/IMG_2580.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Above: The painting I worked on today.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I’m sad that this trip is over but I’m looking forward to my next
adventures for this year; Williamsburg and Norfolk in Virginia, Washing
DC, Falmouth on Cape Cod, Boston, and a road trip from California to
Oregon.</span><br /></p>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626364476155545127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728495483307516262.post-60278100874964477722020-02-07T13:57:00.000-08:002020-02-18T14:56:28.263-08:002020 Antarctica Cruise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">This is a summary of my 2020 Patagonia-Antarctica cruise, plus spending additional days in South America before and after the cruise. I left New York on January 6, 2020 and returned to New York on February 10, 2020.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">2020 was a great year for the Antarctica cruise as it marked the 200 anniversary of the discovery of Antarctica. </span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Who discovered Antarctica? Depends on who you ask.</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>January 6, 2020 (Monday)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I left New York City Monday afternoon and flew to Atlanta, Georgia where I caught another flight to Santiago, Chile, and arrive there early Tuesday morning. I spent a few days in Santiago and Valparaiso, Chile before boarding the cruise ship (<i>Seabourn Quest</i>) on Sunday the 12th. The cruise will last 21 days.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b>
<b>January 7, 2020 (Tuesday)</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>, Santiago, Chile</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I met up with Scott and we are currently staying at the <i>Hotel Plaza San Francisco</i> which is conveniently located in downtown Santiago within walking distance to shopping areas, restaurants, etc. After getting organized from the flight, we walked around and eventually stopped at a restaurant called <i>La Picá de Clinton</i> (translation <i>Clinton’s Spot</i>) where we enjoyed a beer. The place was originally a soda shop called <i>San Remo</i>. but in 1998 President Bill Clinton was attending the 2nd Summit of the Americas. While on route to the summit he stopped at this place and ordered a diet coke. After that the owners converted the soda shop to a restaurant and renamed it<i> La Picá de Clinton</i>. See attached photo of a sign I took in the restaurant.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPdprSaAJB5CKwjByUIbF5FThYXdHMGXKoOk2yJzlNVTdcn8rQ6awJaCT7zwBgPimnRtFyjDnlRiwmm9lO-tuyZlJeviT_79mDRsgAOHR-hEfwwFOCpQ-HOoeCVTYDwQQSzfpTqMsnrXx/s1600/IMG_2426b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPdprSaAJB5CKwjByUIbF5FThYXdHMGXKoOk2yJzlNVTdcn8rQ6awJaCT7zwBgPimnRtFyjDnlRiwmm9lO-tuyZlJeviT_79mDRsgAOHR-hEfwwFOCpQ-HOoeCVTYDwQQSzfpTqMsnrXx/s1600/IMG_2426b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Sign at <i>La Picá de Clinton</i> (translation <i>Clinton’s Spot</i>)</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The map below shows a quickie overview of the original schedule for this trip. Once we depart San Antonio on the cruise we will sail through Chile and eventually to Ushuaia, Argentina where we will head across the Drake Passage to Antarctica and spend 6 days sight seeing (called the Antarctic Experience) plus other activities on the land and water (including kayaking). After that we sail to the Falkland Islands for one day and then on to Montevideo, Uruguay and Buenos Aires, Argentina. After the cruise we will spend a few days in Argentina and Brazil and then fly home.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDvZTTUg5YvOGNdBXsC8O_GarUBJC0e2Nd1KPGvNswNmi3b3Y1yMqsCvTANZhzaARzuTowGlwb7q2rx_9-2VTgiA0RbjCrM243n82e9y5GG7r5T7blYhdNV-FaVxjxK6nJymDgCTQWKlF/s1600/Map+1-12-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDvZTTUg5YvOGNdBXsC8O_GarUBJC0e2Nd1KPGvNswNmi3b3Y1yMqsCvTANZhzaARzuTowGlwb7q2rx_9-2VTgiA0RbjCrM243n82e9y5GG7r5T7blYhdNV-FaVxjxK6nJymDgCTQWKlF/s1600/Map+1-12-20.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Quickie overview of this trip (as originally scheduled).</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>January 8, 2020 (Wednesday), Santiago, Chile</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We took 2 walking tours today in Santiago, we walked all day, nonstop, approximately 21,000 steps, almost 10 miles</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The first tour was a morning tour of some local markets and of the <i>La Chascona Museum House</i>, the home of Pablo Neruda, Chilean poet, diplomat, and politician who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971. He’s often called the most important Latin American poet of the 20th century.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">On our marker tour we learned a lot about the local political situation. We heard some protesters (protesting economic inequality, etc.) when we were in the <i>Plaza de Armas</i> (the main square of Santiago, translation <i>Square of Weapons</i>), the protesters made a lot of noise but the police weren't paying any special attention to them. We were told the police were more worried about the pickpockets since there were so many tourists. Later that day at dinner we saw some riot police go by the front door. No one from the restaurant even looked up. I guess Fridays are the major protest days, after 5 p.m.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The protesters knocked out the <i>walk-don’t walk</i> signs on stop lights, so homeless boys (Santiago has a major homeless problem and many are children) would put on yellow fluorescent vest and help people across the streets for tips. Our guide Carlos said the homeless boys are doing a good job and drivers give them tips.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Many of the statues around town have their eyes painted red by protesters because the police damaged the eyes of over 200 protesters last year with rubber bullets and tear gas.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The markets were fairly typical of markets but there were a few unusual things, I am including a photo of black corn, which is from Peru and is much sweeter than regular corn.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Ni8dB84s8iAx2el-m0hRkv1qdXHkn9d0R4czB6xcrlYj4P-UK41BWbgAzgvaopWXAvGOPmMaN1a3YIhmu43gu442iDQ6lU2QGNMHHsqxHXVwdrpd8O3WDOIKM06B1Qqq7k69ZmyKsP4D/s1600/IMG_2427-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Ni8dB84s8iAx2el-m0hRkv1qdXHkn9d0R4czB6xcrlYj4P-UK41BWbgAzgvaopWXAvGOPmMaN1a3YIhmu43gu442iDQ6lU2QGNMHHsqxHXVwdrpd8O3WDOIKM06B1Qqq7k69ZmyKsP4D/s1600/IMG_2427-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Black Corn</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The market people were very friendly, when I said "Hola" they responded enthusiastically "HOLA!”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">About the <i>La Chascona Museum House</i>, when Pablo Neruda needed a secret hideaway to spend time with his mistress, he built <i>La Chascona</i> (loosely translated as '<i>Messy Hair</i>'), the name inspired by her unruly curls. If interested you can read more about <i>La Chascona Museum House</i> at https://fundacionneruda.org/en/museums-houses/la-chascona-museum-house/. After visiting the home of Pablo Neruda, we went on the second tour, a historical tour.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm attaching photos of two murals we saw on the second tour, on sides of buildings in the <i>Bellas Artes district of Santiago</i>. The colorful mural below with foliage and eyes peeping through represent the Chilean natives looking out curiously to see who was coming ashore, this has to do with the Spanish Conquest of Chile in the 1500s.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCe0fDexVwa_Kz2EO6HAC0BLf9QLVvNHBnXtnkGmP6zdmoIm6xYWd9lZIOubp0v4IoN4jpHk8dtS6tZemM3kFNeb16lHHRp-xYn4JsSSsXx2P2lHXjlKQEIkQKCTs6aGIMdLVlb0OFpzt9/s1600/IMG_2428-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCe0fDexVwa_Kz2EO6HAC0BLf9QLVvNHBnXtnkGmP6zdmoIm6xYWd9lZIOubp0v4IoN4jpHk8dtS6tZemM3kFNeb16lHHRp-xYn4JsSSsXx2P2lHXjlKQEIkQKCTs6aGIMdLVlb0OFpzt9/s1600/IMG_2428-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Mural 1</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The mural below </span><span style="font-size: large;">shows a person with a mask </span><span style="font-size: large;">ostensibly depicting that the natives have unseen and have to </span><span style="font-size: large;">hide their religion etc. Toward the bottom on the right is a baby with </span><span style="font-size: large;">a $ sign on it and skeletons symbolizing what happens with money </span><span style="font-size: large;">in religion. The left side is a similar baby with signs of all the major </span><span style="font-size: large;">religions of the world and the rewards for spirituality.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYpzYUT-6BBQitMCAw3ofEEZHFo2T6t0KIF55LOhTIrFWXQZ4GC71bX-lsqVIYOdL1sQQD-p1AEDvpalObIwliFgn9fu4R-U96fvBocT3gie6iO9eZjF3IrcmHJeobfV2x1L1JvaUFqgj/s1600/IMG_2429-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYpzYUT-6BBQitMCAw3ofEEZHFo2T6t0KIF55LOhTIrFWXQZ4GC71bX-lsqVIYOdL1sQQD-p1AEDvpalObIwliFgn9fu4R-U96fvBocT3gie6iO9eZjF3IrcmHJeobfV2x1L1JvaUFqgj/s1600/IMG_2429-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Mural 2</span><br />
<div style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Our guide Carlos really loved former President of Chile, Salvador Allende and we learned a lot about Allende and his 3 years as President in the ealry 1970s, before the military dictator Augusto Pinochet came into power. The Chilean poet Pablo Neruda was involved in politics and was a friend of Allende. We saw an impressive statue of Allende and I wish I had taken a photo. Carlos said to look at Allende's mustache and glasses on the statue, he said Salvatore Allende was a hippie before his time, no one had a mustache and wore those kind of glasses then.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We later had a beer with Carlos and learned even more about Chilean politics, and about Chilean wine, beer and food. Later Wednesday we went to a wine tasting and dinner that was outstanding, at <i>Bocanariz Restaurant</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow (Thursday) we leave for Valparaiso and have a tour booked for that afternoon to get oriented and plan to take another “Tours 4 Tips” tomorrow (Friday) at 10 a.m. They are called "Tours 4 Tips" because you pay what you think the experience was worth.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>January 9, 2020 (Thursday), </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Valparaiso, Chile</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today we took a van with driver from Santiago, Chile to the seaport Valparaiso (or Valpo as the locals call it), a distance of about 70 miles via Route 68. Route 68 goes through wine country where the fields are all organized in rows and very green. There are many vegetables grown here as well. It is curious that the situation in Chile is similar to California in that industry and agriculture take most of the water, In Chile only 10% of the water is left for the general population, which is one of the things the protest are about. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We had a guide from when I was here once before, he was fun and knowledgeable. We walked all over the two hills that have UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) status, Allegre and Miraflores. UNESCO status means “protection for cultural and natural legacies that humanity leaves for future generations to enjoy and be inspired by." There are 45 hills in Valpo. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Valparaiso is touted as one of the best cities for street art in South America, there is so much street art I was again excited about it. I want to paint big like that! Send me courage. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The history was all about all the different nationalities coming to Valpo, mostly to import saltpeter for munitions. They established themselves in areas, setting up schools and of keen interest to me, fire stations. These still exist today but some have moved out of the immediate area to more "affluent" sections. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I checked my Apple Watch and we walked about 9,000 steps and climbed 18 flights of stairs. Whew!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Our <i>Hotel Cirilo Armstrong</i> was built as lofts to accommodate architects and engineers woking in the port. Later they changed it to a hotel. It is challenging as the bed is upstairs but there is no closet space and a very small bathroom. Downstairs is nice. It includes a hotplate, refrigerator and electric tea kettle. All designed for short-stay folks without luggage. So we have our suitcases downstairs and think we'll take only our pajamas, lotions and potions upstairs. We have laughed about... <i>do we put our pajamas on downstairs and leave our clothes for the day, and then in the a.m. come back downstairs after our shower to our suitcases to dress for the day</i>? At least they have WiFi and Friday and Saturday they have Happy Hour. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In downtown Valpo we took 1 of the 8 remaining funiculars (wooden elevator-cable-cars that roll up and down hills on tracks) out of the original 45 which are are still in operation that were built in the 1800's... OY! Even though creaky, the funicuars work and beat hiking up and down the hills.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Currently we are at the <i>Cinzano Bar</i>, the oldest bar in South America and we are now drinking <i>Austral</i> beer, the most southern beer company in the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The following 4 photos include two photos showing some street art work, the view from the hot tube in our hotel room and a view of the first floor of our hotel room with our terrace and hot tube in the back ground. You’ll need to look closely to pick out the hot tube.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil10kqScTpyDhcFAvwjACgLFm11WaV_I18KF85POhndz8m0SxbGvNFVDuQWaKPI73SD5URWabpFONon1p5RfEbuYM3xGkOUdXNRimJwO0MX7iqR31a1p9TClAIHW7waZ9-BNspp_RAWaii/s1600/IMG_2433-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil10kqScTpyDhcFAvwjACgLFm11WaV_I18KF85POhndz8m0SxbGvNFVDuQWaKPI73SD5URWabpFONon1p5RfEbuYM3xGkOUdXNRimJwO0MX7iqR31a1p9TClAIHW7waZ9-BNspp_RAWaii/s1600/IMG_2433-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Street Art</span><br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wJCtJi8ZRXZKebw-QlKPbXctAZsEs4ohJ2mmFdHBQE87EnwdYQ2a_VDRNCs5wkR_BwWUloSq1lfB_AAtHtqhZRaYhVeFMlmERtZC25fcP-HB9wtxFtPlZivcuEPhjSDetUK2tmoR4N_R/s1600/IMG_2441-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wJCtJi8ZRXZKebw-QlKPbXctAZsEs4ohJ2mmFdHBQE87EnwdYQ2a_VDRNCs5wkR_BwWUloSq1lfB_AAtHtqhZRaYhVeFMlmERtZC25fcP-HB9wtxFtPlZivcuEPhjSDetUK2tmoR4N_R/s1600/IMG_2441-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Street Art</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_O7IQN15tjZQypC_bZE1DhRR7wMU0KyrFaJo9u7YAe1ifXADbmBjwYq3b_20r5wURVHdCKMHVOP_6jqGfyrkmFyFQOvFC_jxxNoOdNCJenbtzamXTv2MqiAzzo269AC6P8Z1eoZqCNxac/s1600/IMG_2442-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_O7IQN15tjZQypC_bZE1DhRR7wMU0KyrFaJo9u7YAe1ifXADbmBjwYq3b_20r5wURVHdCKMHVOP_6jqGfyrkmFyFQOvFC_jxxNoOdNCJenbtzamXTv2MqiAzzo269AC6P8Z1eoZqCNxac/s1600/IMG_2442-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: View from our hot tub</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KQfTRtnImaHQtBi8iRrQy6yMneawyFdXq4r4fJ20OBWZUyhPWVFX0q9N3pO97diPEueI8Jyecja6_Ri98PORXMyykBnv8Hk8JtZXBh0xH-HgTyJfxka5xHfMUcuCGxP1tPuUKOO8-tzz/s1600/IMG_2443-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KQfTRtnImaHQtBi8iRrQy6yMneawyFdXq4r4fJ20OBWZUyhPWVFX0q9N3pO97diPEueI8Jyecja6_Ri98PORXMyykBnv8Hk8JtZXBh0xH-HgTyJfxka5xHfMUcuCGxP1tPuUKOO8-tzz/s1600/IMG_2443-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: View of first floor of our hotel room</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>January 10, 2020 (Friday),</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b> Valparaiso, Chile</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After a simple breakfast Friday morning that was served and cooked in the hotel lobby, we trudged down to the <i>Plaza Sotomayor</i> to pick up our "Tours 4 Tips” tour, called "Off the Beaten Path" tour. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We started with a stroll through what was once where wealthy shipping barons from Europe lived. But several things happened to the shipping industry that caused a decline to the shipping industry. The Panama Canal was built and the Europeans on their way to the lucrative California markets didn't have to go around the Cape. And then WWII meant they didn't come anyway. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We also took a bus that the guide called a 4-wheeled-roller-coaster, an appropriate description! The bus drivers makes a percentage of the fares so they love having a tour group. They don't even have bus stops, folks just stand on the side of the street and the drivers are more than happy to pick them up. We ended up seeing <i>Bismarck Square</i> where the Red Bull Insane Valparaiso Bicycle Challenge takes place in late February. <i>Bismarck Square</i> has beautiful mosaic columns. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWxjgwsdymkBBFv2oZ7YhNEtzgjPXUk2WlJVbP2UtC01lCh6K5NVPGMTeBKEgBfGTAZznu_KDeYNOVGnDrHJxJo4xF1H4mJE42DPzVq7Ljdd02AYhTm_8p0r6AfKEFXTue285HeCxRjDm/s1600/P1000054-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWxjgwsdymkBBFv2oZ7YhNEtzgjPXUk2WlJVbP2UtC01lCh6K5NVPGMTeBKEgBfGTAZznu_KDeYNOVGnDrHJxJo4xF1H4mJE42DPzVq7Ljdd02AYhTm_8p0r6AfKEFXTue285HeCxRjDm/s1600/P1000054-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: <i>Bismarck Square</i> mosaic columns</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">We walked from one of 45 hills in Valparaiso to another and ended up at the former prison. It was built on the outskirts of Valparaiso in the 1800's and the city grew around it. It was supposed to house 400 inmates but with the 1970's political prisoners mixed in with the regular inmates the number grew to 1400 and there were many riots due to the overcrowding. Finally they built a new prison further out of town and the first prison became occupied by squatters who were performers and puppeteers who taught children arts. Along with the neighbors, they managed to have the prison and the grounds turned into a cultural center. While we were there a dance rehearsal was going on. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Next we went to <i>Pantheon Hill</i> (<i>Cemetery Hill</i> in Spanish), the hill is named <i>Cemetery Hill</i> because three cemeteries are on the hill. Because the country was Catholic the first cemetery (<i>Cemetery No. 1</i>) was for them. But some of the wealthy folks from Protestant countries didn’t want to be buried there. They managed to get their own cemetery, across the street and it is called <i>Cemetery for the Dissidents</i>. Both are not really in much use anymore except for families that have mausoleums. The mural near the cemeteries is beautiful and was done by someone that believed people who couldn't afford to go to museums to see fine art should have the opportunity.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Fu1QlJEHiPJZGWCfQGwT9qU5FDHvT7wBsNGCFeQiMpCqWQ2H5GJ0tLtHkIndoD2eXEKbsWM9RyvC9xeHZXDHbUwZcxCzDaSLOGkIM2FSGhn7uNUpxF64qCVBwg3hYbFOfqho3j1AYmjQ/s1600/P1000058PSE-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Fu1QlJEHiPJZGWCfQGwT9qU5FDHvT7wBsNGCFeQiMpCqWQ2H5GJ0tLtHkIndoD2eXEKbsWM9RyvC9xeHZXDHbUwZcxCzDaSLOGkIM2FSGhn7uNUpxF64qCVBwg3hYbFOfqho3j1AYmjQ/s1600/P1000058PSE-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Mural near cemetery</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">After that we walked down a hill to a small park called "resting park," my words not the real name. It seems that this was the stop for folks when they were carrying the coffins up the very steep hill to the cemetery. The artist that did the columns in </span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Bismarck Square </i>organized school children to mosaic this wall of this park. It is colorful to say the least, see the photo below of Scott and me “resting." </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKq2Rs6GPtvczP8LNX8o1CHpAZ3sXQ3VYwxjSiDziH__cJ5wS0ee_3xl38ZNZOHFLFHq2YMrxzxgS-SMxeTPRuyGTAyBCrXF3JWAxxHXOYK7MuAvLHN6V69oO5mkM0uvP0tf4R-nKzw5pO/s1600/IMG_2451-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKq2Rs6GPtvczP8LNX8o1CHpAZ3sXQ3VYwxjSiDziH__cJ5wS0ee_3xl38ZNZOHFLFHq2YMrxzxgS-SMxeTPRuyGTAyBCrXF3JWAxxHXOYK7MuAvLHN6V69oO5mkM0uvP0tf4R-nKzw5pO/s1600/IMG_2451-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Scott and Diane taking a break from walking</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Below also is a photo of the <i>Valparaiso Stairs</i>, also called the <i>Stairs of 100 Fires</i> because of how your thighs feel after the climb.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRhLdHUEf7gvPXYY9pAgBCrYIcAdZJZF3uNwosO0NGexZwXLBfrsH348d9Bbj1MfsgQUOlRJiirlwsS0Q_u9gmQtIAmOlMJAtwJLh6g8DXLcF-EwufHhBmqkztyQDwaU5tUpf4TflDjLU/s1600/IMG_2449-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRhLdHUEf7gvPXYY9pAgBCrYIcAdZJZF3uNwosO0NGexZwXLBfrsH348d9Bbj1MfsgQUOlRJiirlwsS0Q_u9gmQtIAmOlMJAtwJLh6g8DXLcF-EwufHhBmqkztyQDwaU5tUpf4TflDjLU/s1600/IMG_2449-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: <i>Valparaiso Stairs</i>, also called the <i>Stairs of 100 Fires</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We had dinner with our new friends Anne and Vikram that we met in Santiago, at a highly recommended restaurant in our neighborhood, <i>La Concepcion</i>. I had a local fish call reineta and Scott had a native animal called guanaco, it is sort of like a domestic llama. Both were excellent. Anne and Vikram live 2 blocks from Mud Matters (our second pottery studio in New York). Then we had drinks at a local bar on the way back to our hotel. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The following is just curious info.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After returning to the hotel after our tour; 12,293 steps so far, 5.7 miles, 13 flights on my Apple Watch. Just looked at the week. Wednesday was the winner with 21,000 steps but not so many stairs, Thursday was half as many steps but 23 flights of stairs. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They had a contest today about the band for the song on the stairs. I won. Got a chocolate thing called an Algeria,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> like a mini moon pie. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>January 11 2020 (Saturday), Valparaiso, Chile</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There was no organized tour Saturday but we walked and climbed just as much, 13,722 steps. 6.5 miles and 22 stairs according to my Apple Watch. At the crack of noon we started out, going down to the <i>Museo Bella’s Artes</i> (aka <i>Valparaíso Museum of Fine Arts</i>). They have an extensive collection of art by Chileans mostly. Below is a photo of one terra-cotta piece I found interesting, it was titled Machu-Pachu by Chilean artist Juan Diaz Fleming.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKVokWVRDJEQlOfR4rO-vrT5mupDStTVQPZgv_XNuLX1q2CEUzx2Pa4OR26XilwCjVTxA6Q7w9roA6qQow_x5ONUWkjdZvMjtu_CmxMmq-nt_jFdRhO_GSTl5i7awg8CQv7mGsTiVU2KJ/s1600/IMG_2492-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKVokWVRDJEQlOfR4rO-vrT5mupDStTVQPZgv_XNuLX1q2CEUzx2Pa4OR26XilwCjVTxA6Q7w9roA6qQow_x5ONUWkjdZvMjtu_CmxMmq-nt_jFdRhO_GSTl5i7awg8CQv7mGsTiVU2KJ/s1600/IMG_2492-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Machu-Pachu by Chilean artist Juan Diaz Fleming</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Then back up the hill even further to take a microbus (the “612" or the “O” bus) ride to <i>La Sebastiana Museum</i>, Pablo Neruda’s Valparaíso Home. Here Neruda partied a lot. We learned about his personal life. Interesting he wrote with a fountain pen with green ink. He drank whiskey before lunch and took 2 hour naps. What a life! Below is a photo taken from Neruda’s study showing a few of the colorful houses.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_ls4mfGisYHMuy_CGv9G0Ui0WauWumVs0ZeALiPIxFEaPilsYHdEyJuk4Rh8RfQf43BRpeHAB9S83GixdG8gURm8Splnm6N__f4QNZaTJ3I3pIlT-zq2oPLIN6GaO_zG29gHqnSuLanb/s1600/IMG_2493-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_ls4mfGisYHMuy_CGv9G0Ui0WauWumVs0ZeALiPIxFEaPilsYHdEyJuk4Rh8RfQf43BRpeHAB9S83GixdG8gURm8Splnm6N__f4QNZaTJ3I3pIlT-zq2oPLIN6GaO_zG29gHqnSuLanb/s1600/IMG_2493-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: colorful houses near <i>La Sebastiana Museum</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So the curious bit of info. Most of the colorful houses for the formerly working class were up on the hills and were made of adobe bricks and mortar. Because of the humidity this material needed protection from the moisture. Soo-o-o, these enterprising workers would go down to the wharf and strip the abandoned containers of the sheet metal siding and use it on their homes. It is still there. Then since fishermen used to paint their boats with wonderful colors, the home builders would take the leftover paint back up the hill to paint their houses. It is still very colorful but there are many colors like purple and magenta that I doubt ever graced the hull of a fishing boat. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then we took the microbus and went to <i>Viña Del Mar</i>, a small town next to Valparaiso. It’s a popular beach resort and very Miami Beach, and this is their peak season as you can tell from the following photo of their beach.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-VGSjFW14-wC0GEAqeeCz2AN0B3puv07bK4Xuq4_Qkr4SR5O5ijmasiLxRxl-MwEMzoGKNyojY9Me0lqkOqbhul2yp8vcQakNQBBIlXrYYoubzXgFNl5h0743EgODg3ObBjBOigZzm2u/s1600/IMG_2496-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-VGSjFW14-wC0GEAqeeCz2AN0B3puv07bK4Xuq4_Qkr4SR5O5ijmasiLxRxl-MwEMzoGKNyojY9Me0lqkOqbhul2yp8vcQakNQBBIlXrYYoubzXgFNl5h0743EgODg3ObBjBOigZzm2u/s1600/IMG_2496-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Beach at <i>Viña Del Mar</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">We stopped for a glass of wine and a Pisco Sour, the cocktail of choice in Chile and Peru, which by the way competes as to whom, makes the best Pisco. Given the reputation for gastronomical superiority of the Peruvians I suspect theirs would be better. But who can tell in a Sour. We then took the subway back to Valpo and the funicular home to change and go to </span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Tres Peses</i> (<i>Three Fishes</i>)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> for dinner. Yummy. This place is known for only serving locally caught fresh fish and every guide said to go there. I had several small fish, I think was spelled something like pervatty, not sure. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Also below is a photo showing some pretext street art.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTy7yEFqvUqrORGKLEYdoH-vqRAPVQSYlDjuvRsNztZD6merf6-0ql1zNhI7MERyvHDOuZBeGjIyRw6kKAo1vUYzuXbMgtjqwGcldXjEriza5vkDmquCkC9JofJRo3F_po7OEjk9bRKHa/s1600/IMG_2503-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTy7yEFqvUqrORGKLEYdoH-vqRAPVQSYlDjuvRsNztZD6merf6-0ql1zNhI7MERyvHDOuZBeGjIyRw6kKAo1vUYzuXbMgtjqwGcldXjEriza5vkDmquCkC9JofJRo3F_po7OEjk9bRKHa/s1600/IMG_2503-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Street art</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cruise Day #1: January 12, 2020 (Sunday), San Antonio, Chile </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is Sunday and we are now on the cruise ship <i>Seabourn Quest</i> at the port in San Antonio, Chile, our ship will leave later today on our 3-week Antarctica cruise. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We left Valpo this morning and caught a Uber to San Antonio, Chile, about 55 miles from Santiago, Chile. San Antonio is the port where most Antarctica cruise ships depart. An interesting tidbit that my friend Dayle wrote about in the blog of her 2018 Antarctica cruise is that Valpo used to be where the cruise ships would dock but changed to San Antonio due to a number of strikes over the years that caused most ships to switch to San Antonio.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Below is a photo of Scott and yours truly at the San Antonio port. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVN4KyB8tmqXTQrUarH5_FN_ME3Kep9QLX_mpupqN4zfu59a59RbRQYo6SEi0SiMd0PdmCOwvxehxhg3hf7rRJjVuWJVIam-1jBbeKYvuQ-lFireKkmhBWzVnfsupSmLsFe5XlEdZ0hSF/s1600/IMG_2508-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVN4KyB8tmqXTQrUarH5_FN_ME3Kep9QLX_mpupqN4zfu59a59RbRQYo6SEi0SiMd0PdmCOwvxehxhg3hf7rRJjVuWJVIam-1jBbeKYvuQ-lFireKkmhBWzVnfsupSmLsFe5XlEdZ0hSF/s1600/IMG_2508-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Scott and Diane at San Antonio port</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Also below is a nice photo of the <i>Seabourn Quest</i> I found on the Internet (photo credit to Peter Knego for USA today), I have indicated on this photo the location of the suite (on Deck 6) where we will be staying.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichMkm-HzMuHbzTh-15nmktTvlEgjTJJXvnavi_lt4JKKdhFRiS3CYh7oHmIqobUnSnpsspY9GvnNVOWRsOuTSAd7dOFqc8YM5atMxrtHfU3XkZfIiVUEo2OIlzCpAGPWimZoPMGoAyVwB/s1600/Quest2S609+e2b62a3b-1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichMkm-HzMuHbzTh-15nmktTvlEgjTJJXvnavi_lt4JKKdhFRiS3CYh7oHmIqobUnSnpsspY9GvnNVOWRsOuTSAd7dOFqc8YM5atMxrtHfU3XkZfIiVUEo2OIlzCpAGPWimZoPMGoAyVwB/s1600/Quest2S609+e2b62a3b-1200.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Photo of the Seabourn Quest from the Internet, showing the suite where we will be staying</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">An Antarctic cruise has been described as an adventure of a lifetime, an once-in-a-lifetime adventures, a most epic adventure of a lifetime, a voyage to remember, one of your most memorable voyages, a destination of a lifetime. sensory overload, etc., etc. Whatever it will be for me, it starts in a few hours, I’m so excited!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cruise Day #2: January 13, 2020: Monday: Our ship is out to sea and our journey to Patagonia and the Antarctic Peninsula has finally begun</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cruise Day #3: January 14, 2020: Tuesday: Ship now anchored at Puerto Montt, Chile, but will depart shortly</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Our ship arrived at Puerto Montt, Chile this morning (Tuesday), Puerto Montt is a tender port (where you have to go ashore on a small boat) for larger ships, including our cruise ship (<i>Seabourn Quest</i>), so we had tendered to a small dock near the Puerto Angelmo fishing cove. The photo below is of a mural I took of one of the old buildings after we arrived at the small dock.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLVoW7WhSkTL4AVR88Mw3IL2Pwzppc7n7O5pNuMb83DSWWlmGtIkFukkEgMm8OhTw6ku8dj8XRudhxt04AZq092OuVQ86HzeHF2ld0AJ_R4428shr98eufWGcSHpcDEcEuIZmUfoG2ATq/s1600/IMG_2512-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLVoW7WhSkTL4AVR88Mw3IL2Pwzppc7n7O5pNuMb83DSWWlmGtIkFukkEgMm8OhTw6ku8dj8XRudhxt04AZq092OuVQ86HzeHF2ld0AJ_R4428shr98eufWGcSHpcDEcEuIZmUfoG2ATq/s1600/IMG_2512-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Mural at Puerto Montt, Chile</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The following map (courtesy of our ships’s GPS tracking system) shows some places we visited today, I'm including this just for reference. Our ship anchored in Bahia Puerto Montt (Puerto Montt Bay in English).</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmXAtrkKPw4EInMS3DPzDitBxQw-Lb0_V6hXZdM2LE5Cx82EbRnBoqFJwcKiOi-SIS7BDds_pZG5VLmaNLROgjv6e8cZeGNLcjlQw7RKXCllJfvNvYtn4_ku84y9pQbetxKlIQt1Mdi-X/s1600/Map+1-14-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1069" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmXAtrkKPw4EInMS3DPzDitBxQw-Lb0_V6hXZdM2LE5Cx82EbRnBoqFJwcKiOi-SIS7BDds_pZG5VLmaNLROgjv6e8cZeGNLcjlQw7RKXCllJfvNvYtn4_ku84y9pQbetxKlIQt1Mdi-X/s1600/Map+1-14-20.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Map for reference</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">After looking around in Puerto Montt we took a mini bus ride to Puerto Varas, a picturesque town about 30 minutes north of Puero Montt. Puerto Varas is on Lake Llanquihue, the second largest lake in Chile, with views of several volcanoes visible from the lakefront, when the weather is good. When we got there, due to the weather, we were unable to see any of the volcanoes that are nornally visible. That was a real bummer as viewing the Osorno Volcano was high on our list of things to see as Osorno Volcano is one of Chile’s most visible landmarks. As a side note, the last time Osorno Volcano erupted was 1869, so we felt safe.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">While in Puerto Varas we had lunch at a place called <i>Cassis Cafe</i> which is across the street from Lake Llanquihue. My friend Dayle had a gorgeous photo of the Osorno Volcano in the background of Lake Llanquihue in her blog of her 2018 trip.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After lunch today we did a little last minute shopping in Puerto Varas. We bought croakies (straps) for our sunglasses for kayaking that were suggested by the guides. And Joan Sofen, one of our traveling mates, bought sunscreen. I had the coup of the day, I noticed the sole of one of the shoes I had repaired for the trip was starting to come loose. So I started looking for gorilla glue. No luck! The pharmacists suggested the toy/set supply store. After sign language and putting my foot on the counter to which he had no reaction. He came up with this adhesive (See following photo) for shoes specifically. Who knew? <i>El Secreto de Zapatero</i> translate as <i>The Secret of the Shoemaker</i>. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirddWy9A-RWeXah8CTwFvMCdPhEL1SY6aCMCAVu1_SacHR7y2NxJt192I0dkYPq3Sx9WMiurj8-bhM-i8xpkUWCHyfqWRNoZ38UXbtfcJ_MEHuzOBv-gzdMKmQai_03pkLP11TrHarD1S_/s1600/IMG_2526-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirddWy9A-RWeXah8CTwFvMCdPhEL1SY6aCMCAVu1_SacHR7y2NxJt192I0dkYPq3Sx9WMiurj8-bhM-i8xpkUWCHyfqWRNoZ38UXbtfcJ_MEHuzOBv-gzdMKmQai_03pkLP11TrHarD1S_/s1600/IMG_2526-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Sign for shoe adhesive</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We then took the same mini bus back to Puerto Montt where we walked the Angelmo Market and Scott made me buy an alpaca sweater. We are now heading back to the ship for a beer and a nap. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cruise Day #4: Wednesday (1-15-2020): Ship anchored this morning at Castro, Chile, later </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Scenic Cruising Gulf of Corcovado</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I forgot to mention something in yesterday’s email. When we departed the ship Tuesday to take the tender into Puerto Montt, we found out that we couldn’t take any fruits or vegetables from the ship into Puerto Montt. It was kind of funny, in Puerto Montt we had to put our back packs on the floor for dogs to sniff. We called them all purpose narc dogs; fruits, vegetables and drugs.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Also from yesterday, below is a photo of Scott and yours truly as we left our cabin yesterday to head for Puerto Montt. Traveling companion Ron Solfen took this photo with his Canon EOS 90D dSLR camera. Nice photo Ron, thanks!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaw4QX_4z5tqmdF7DQd7a6mDWLhbHO7W0cCsiX92MmIFlkjtxBWoT8sthTSKxO72VPyWD3p0Cy3ms-Y2_ujoRiQiRSbu5-WNKDZMY1FjSIeGw4MiSQZugwZnLgxrP6w_by-05RdZlgGER/s1600/_MG_0336-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1378" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaw4QX_4z5tqmdF7DQd7a6mDWLhbHO7W0cCsiX92MmIFlkjtxBWoT8sthTSKxO72VPyWD3p0Cy3ms-Y2_ujoRiQiRSbu5-WNKDZMY1FjSIeGw4MiSQZugwZnLgxrP6w_by-05RdZlgGER/s1600/_MG_0336-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Scott & Diane leaving their cabin for Puerto Montt</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">But back to today (Wednesday), our ship weighed anchor and left Puerto Montt late yesterday (Tuesday) and sailed to Castro, Chile and arrived early this morning. Castro is a city on Chiloé Island in Chile, and Chiloé Island is the larges island in the Chiloé Archipelago. The map below is courtesy of the ship’s GPS tracking system, and shows the path of the ship on an hourly basis. The map has been annotated to show where Castro is relative to Puerto Montff.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cQJMIuzrVJWpJNv-F5sSwLdkrtTYQ8O2RJ-q9EtmcUUVbT350YA4G62Pqo5qvi-LgQGAvbWw_41LzcXL4l027YQh-aBJHUM_p5rKwJ-RwE4IzzoYuHHOW71Jz3ohKIwq1exD3_aArpq7/s1600/Map+Castro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1031" data-original-width="1038" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cQJMIuzrVJWpJNv-F5sSwLdkrtTYQ8O2RJ-q9EtmcUUVbT350YA4G62Pqo5qvi-LgQGAvbWw_41LzcXL4l027YQh-aBJHUM_p5rKwJ-RwE4IzzoYuHHOW71Jz3ohKIwq1exD3_aArpq7/s1600/Map+Castro.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Ship's GPS tracking map</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Like Puerto Montt, Castro is a tender port so the ship is anchored and we had to take a small boat into Castro. Below is an aerial photo of the <i>Seabourn Quest</i> (our ship) anchored at Castro in 2017 (NOT this 2020 cruise I'm on), this photo was found on the internet (Photo credit: Galaxiid). </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvl_XMKjW4Mk4naJRMLBrpZ5glQb46-m52imB6rll_TMAaFeYHoOhBlA8t5FQXcqY_oPqKlYf_9cLCSYnmDkEirLSfwaJzEvNodSmEHi3Q8AL0UtQiwqqCKaLq0LVoUGUWG5ywCvCIWOx/s1600/Quest+Castro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvl_XMKjW4Mk4naJRMLBrpZ5glQb46-m52imB6rll_TMAaFeYHoOhBlA8t5FQXcqY_oPqKlYf_9cLCSYnmDkEirLSfwaJzEvNodSmEHi3Q8AL0UtQiwqqCKaLq0LVoUGUWG5ywCvCIWOx/s1600/Quest+Castro.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Seabourn Quest at Castro in 2017</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Scott and I knew it was going to be an early start today as our tender was scheduled to leave the ship at 7:30 am, but we didn't expect the coffee to arrive in our cabin at 5:39 am. UGH! The weather was predicted to top out at 57 degrees F and sunny. That was how it went.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Our tour today was entitled UNESCO Churches. Interesting but we spent very little time in churches. Castro is a typical town with a town square containing a church and a market. What makes this area interesting is that it is very isolated, so everything came in late and everything that was built was done by hand with local materials. Important note they had no metal, that means no nails, so nothing like that. The churches were built on stones then wood and have all weathered the earthquakes because they could move and not break. Ship building was a major craft so all the churches were built with shipbuilding principles. We saw 5 different churches, some on a smaller island in the archipelago. We were in a huge bus and had to take a ferry across the bay. Small ferry but big enough for the bus. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the interesting things was the stilt houses and the water lines on the stilts. There can be 17-meter tides (about 56 feet), so there were lots of mud flats and boats on their sides to see. The following photo shows some stilt houses in Castro</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoU8u0wMX4ncoz00dp0QLDRdRFxUWZkWFfYHnf49UQqT7Txg_XLZM27UVC-wWp4xhg72A7_UvUVcIliI7GpStnNl2fZa4sGW75TeTy2vSHu9HL8ymm4zIlUCp1XU9U6-zEYaR7DE6zlSLG/s1600/IMG_2528-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoU8u0wMX4ncoz00dp0QLDRdRFxUWZkWFfYHnf49UQqT7Txg_XLZM27UVC-wWp4xhg72A7_UvUVcIliI7GpStnNl2fZa4sGW75TeTy2vSHu9HL8ymm4zIlUCp1XU9U6-zEYaR7DE6zlSLG/s1600/IMG_2528-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Stilt houses in Castro</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">At the little island of Quinchao Island, we had a snack, ceviche, sopa pillow, potato bread and a sweet thingie (the name translates into broken underwear), and pisco sours. The photo below shows some food cooking in Castro on Quinchao Island.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiuPwhP5WiKtaskwKLNydLCebOQy-x9FHQrephy1viRnlxn5xRzBGW2Qc5ojlW6RXfWXXtVj8Mf71QWpD0W_FFPYZWexgaqm9qv7r-fZ4lseilRwGh1ofcernOUzaMRu7Th7CQLTt3JGku/s1600/IMG_2531p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiuPwhP5WiKtaskwKLNydLCebOQy-x9FHQrephy1viRnlxn5xRzBGW2Qc5ojlW6RXfWXXtVj8Mf71QWpD0W_FFPYZWexgaqm9qv7r-fZ4lseilRwGh1ofcernOUzaMRu7Th7CQLTt3JGku/s1600/IMG_2531p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Food cooking on Quinchao Island</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The churches were all Catholic of course and the statues were curious. The main thing was the statue of Jesus that had 3 huge combs coming off his head, plus the crown of thorns. In one church Mary had on a straw hat and another one, a man (not sure who) holding baby Jesus in a onesie. By the color of Mary’s dress you could tell which area she came from, or what attribute she was embodying. Pink was for grace and from Argentina. She also had the regulation blue and then many black dresses. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We also stopped at a few local markets. None of the handicrafts were as good as they were in Puerto Mott, I didn't buy anything. I used my Chilean pesos yesterday for the alpaca sweater. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The next photo is of some potatoes in Castro. I found out that the Chiloé Archipelago is home to a wide variety of potatoes.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Wjp8boj9Pu2rnmWraM3GSNFUfDFguyckIbMX78gp1KTlOXUPGkkIsDPcLqHGRDRmLt3UsQ9Psc10Zoj5vS6FyTuMbNSYhA3A1huYwsIOMIABpqKSjx5frBbcK6VL75Jw_IO_3vIYwhu5/s1600/IMG_2532-960p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Wjp8boj9Pu2rnmWraM3GSNFUfDFguyckIbMX78gp1KTlOXUPGkkIsDPcLqHGRDRmLt3UsQ9Psc10Zoj5vS6FyTuMbNSYhA3A1huYwsIOMIABpqKSjx5frBbcK6VL75Jw_IO_3vIYwhu5/s1600/IMG_2532-960p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Potatoes in Castro</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">When we got back to the ship, I went to a lecture for photographers. Very inspiring, they mostly showed their photographs, it reminding me of some of the things I'd learned at other workshops We'll see if I can do what was taught today.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So now we are going to our block party... champagne in the corridors. Seabourn must have a corner on the champagne market, they pour it all the time. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Once we leave Castro this afternoon we will not be on land again until we reach Punta Arenas early Saturday morning, the 18th. Before we get to Punta Arenas we will sail through the Gulf of Corcovado, Chilean Fjords, El Brujo Glacier, Sarmiento Channel and Strait of Magellan.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cruise Day #5: Thursday (1-16-2020): Out to Sea: </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cruising Chilean Fjords</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We left Castro, Chile Wednesday and have since done a scenic cruising of the Gulf of Corcovado and the Chilean Fjords. The following map (courtesy of the ships GPS tracking system) shows where we are at this time (Thursday night).</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYMm6FGHwIgZSq5l1JmpnDXsIooJ6BRQmSRTDw3y1Ia64vRrc2JegCG821h1EoFYQRdLHMOnCkU6KyfEK7EYbNPiQDtFfaMk9tySU2_xtBMELeiX2a0k9WV5TJ5t6bg10vsWhJjX1m5_Y/s1600/Quest+Thursday+night+1-16-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="1008" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYMm6FGHwIgZSq5l1JmpnDXsIooJ6BRQmSRTDw3y1Ia64vRrc2JegCG821h1EoFYQRdLHMOnCkU6KyfEK7EYbNPiQDtFfaMk9tySU2_xtBMELeiX2a0k9WV5TJ5t6bg10vsWhJjX1m5_Y/s1600/Quest+Thursday+night+1-16-20.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: GPS map showing approximate location of the Seabourn Quest at the time of this writing</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The photo below is of our ship, (<i>Seabourn Quest</i>), I took this photo from the tender at Puerto Montt.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQ2PRPH8e8hwGIXwFf8uA0L3v4u8gQ2wcBdiHQ9tyaAQLoVic3U0incA4mx3iCw6ptzo6GX5Lds1vSsK65hp0-UEYkuROlFG1hmE5N-fTFLBOBidgVwbr1OlaPmWD0h-lCS-iaaQHJr37/s1600/IMG_2524-960p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQ2PRPH8e8hwGIXwFf8uA0L3v4u8gQ2wcBdiHQ9tyaAQLoVic3U0incA4mx3iCw6ptzo6GX5Lds1vSsK65hp0-UEYkuROlFG1hmE5N-fTFLBOBidgVwbr1OlaPmWD0h-lCS-iaaQHJr37/s1600/IMG_2524-960p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: <i>Seabourn Quest</i> in Puerto Montt</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The following photo is of yours truly and the ship’s “mascot.”</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaOsMXBC3LplS3FElyjiJ-rAu4zUSRcCu2doB_-jI9B19IWVDx4xnjS-gaNuqziDD_Mpvd3nNhrwf9XTzinDZalYtfTenKUkFR_XoYUDmi9GfkDk-0DJOevDp7N147Q-VF71Hl00O9yW4/s1600/IMG_2534p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaOsMXBC3LplS3FElyjiJ-rAu4zUSRcCu2doB_-jI9B19IWVDx4xnjS-gaNuqziDD_Mpvd3nNhrwf9XTzinDZalYtfTenKUkFR_XoYUDmi9GfkDk-0DJOevDp7N147Q-VF71Hl00O9yW4/s1600/IMG_2534p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane with stuffed penguin from the Seabourn Quest</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The next photo was taken as we went through the Chilean Fjords, not a great day for photos as it was raining. I indicated on the above GPS map the approximate spot where the photo was taken.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNVaOWKRyzwEnQH2w93V_vccP9hTg8sUBus7we1epyd3R9A0iYuA0QMaGw76JXfUu_ecpLIAP93tchd3PXg_sQPtJjW7-Z4jWU0kNkCsi-inRC6bdUnu9aMmmHeCghGdHPtF4GYtz2ZDt/s1600/IMG_2546-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNVaOWKRyzwEnQH2w93V_vccP9hTg8sUBus7we1epyd3R9A0iYuA0QMaGw76JXfUu_ecpLIAP93tchd3PXg_sQPtJjW7-Z4jWU0kNkCsi-inRC6bdUnu9aMmmHeCghGdHPtF4GYtz2ZDt/s1600/IMG_2546-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Chilean Fjords on a rainy day</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">It is now Thursday night and the ship continues cruising along the Chilean coast. We still have the El Brujo Glacier, the Sarmiento Channel, and the Strait of Magellan to see before we arrive at Punta Arenas on Saturday.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cruise Day 6: Friday (1-17-20): Scenic Cruising El Brujo Glacier and Sarmiento Channel</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It’s Friday and first let me explain and apologize that the photos and the narratives I’ve sent in past emails didn't come at the same time. The lack of consistent WiFi makes life difficult as I have to negotiate for time. And I sent some photos from my phone and usually prefer to write from the computer, hence the time gaps. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Sea Days were the days I expected to get all sorts of work done on my writing, but the ship has so many interesting lectures that I end up going to them instead of sitting at the computer. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday started with surging along the West coast of Chile with major lurches and unbalancing movements. After leaving Castro, we cruised through the Gulf of Corcovado and finally through the protected areas of the Chilean fjords. And today was more fjords and an 8 am stop at the beautiful Brujo Glacier. That was super exciting. I tried to experiment with all four camera devices only to discover two I thought were charged weren't. I'm happy I found that out now instead of in Antarctica. I did get to try some new tricks with my new Panasonic ZS70 camera. The photo below of the Brujo Glacier was taken with my ZS70 camera.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0IOPframK8vmGpNfr7Bk_AbdiyRvcPdzRSPY6bqqblt5AYnrt-mdJQOrcSGN-UR-bLUcNj-Qhcs1FAAN7WPXjI7a64lSUYYZYd2gJaY_6X1lrcXFXeXfcjMtQkjyO5bXANJd-ErmlcEG/s1600/P1000149-1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0IOPframK8vmGpNfr7Bk_AbdiyRvcPdzRSPY6bqqblt5AYnrt-mdJQOrcSGN-UR-bLUcNj-Qhcs1FAAN7WPXjI7a64lSUYYZYd2gJaY_6X1lrcXFXeXfcjMtQkjyO5bXANJd-ErmlcEG/s1600/P1000149-1200.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Brujo Glacier</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The following is another photo of El Brujo Glacier, similar to the one above, this one made with my iPhone 8 Plus.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_K72pyxsZiF3VO4yCYrlPfnErY_Vup9TVCWKBkcPVyVNavEBPOGSD1KsV69plD7BKeRkfRoiWcf8yBXNTXJhH9IS4-xVA76rtEttL4BcjisC7C0UH6ifjauA5gsd5Gfx_8ZR51KTtM9gT/s1600/IMG_2554-1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_K72pyxsZiF3VO4yCYrlPfnErY_Vup9TVCWKBkcPVyVNavEBPOGSD1KsV69plD7BKeRkfRoiWcf8yBXNTXJhH9IS4-xVA76rtEttL4BcjisC7C0UH6ifjauA5gsd5Gfx_8ZR51KTtM9gT/s1600/IMG_2554-1200.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: El Brujo Glacier</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The photo below is a photo of yours truly in front of the Brujo Glacier.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qFdW7qYs3JFFvQ4nMLESMwsChKmeVqtKQKiIpc2IW8iz9WnBqR3aogDMRtPklsIMrGl6HhaP4BGYiKpm8yoiHSbjSTm7xregqQ0EjDGO_5rEhlnjDXdQiGp2r8UCDUZpnYzIzO_-1Ojx/s1600/IMG_2552-1512p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qFdW7qYs3JFFvQ4nMLESMwsChKmeVqtKQKiIpc2IW8iz9WnBqR3aogDMRtPklsIMrGl6HhaP4BGYiKpm8yoiHSbjSTm7xregqQ0EjDGO_5rEhlnjDXdQiGp2r8UCDUZpnYzIzO_-1Ojx/s1600/IMG_2552-1512p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane at El Brujo Glacier</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">For no special reason I’m also including an aerial photo of the Brujo Glacier that was made on the December 2018 cruise, and posted on their tracking site (See below). This was the cruise My friend Dayle and Larry were on, Dayle made some nice photos of the Brujo Glacier on her cruise with her iPhone 7 Plus. I’m including this aeria photo because it’s shows our ship (<i>Seabourn Quest</i>) with the Brujo Glacier and I just found it interesting. I believe this photo was made with a camera-quadcopter (aka drone), as I did find out that the ship was licensed for drone photography. The photographer on this photo was listed as “Seelye Martin and CT Productions,” and Seelye Martin is also listed as an expedition leader on the Quest. His bio says “For 30 years, Martin has studied sea ice, icebergs, and the ice caps of Greenland and Antarctica."</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAaBwofNLLmJOQfYFQQ1HrtGJQEze8WjeMNebp5IiKXa7ONk5STXQo0EKlqVeFJna6aVbgr-nl8-q90nwc49MaJVIkyJpSe53v-dsrYW3eRHftj43gP0qTDLbxs9xgK3ia_UDmvC4joxe/s1600/Quest+at+Brujo+Glacier+12-2018-1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAaBwofNLLmJOQfYFQQ1HrtGJQEze8WjeMNebp5IiKXa7ONk5STXQo0EKlqVeFJna6aVbgr-nl8-q90nwc49MaJVIkyJpSe53v-dsrYW3eRHftj43gP0qTDLbxs9xgK3ia_UDmvC4joxe/s1600/Quest+at+Brujo+Glacier+12-2018-1200.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: 2018 photo made by Quest crew member</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Our ship spent a long time at the Brujo Glacier with mimosa cocktails and coffee and rain and photo ops. The Captain turned the ship totally around so folks that were still in their robes could see it from their verandas.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I took some videos at El Brujo Glacier but haven't posted them yet.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We left the Brujo Glacier and as of this writing we are in the Sarmiento Channel. Tomorrow morning (Saturday) we go through the Straights of Magellan and dock in Punta Arenas, which will be the first time our feet have hit the ground since we left Castro.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The map below is courtesy of the ship’s GPS tracking system. I’ve added a note showing where my Brujo Glacier photo was made, and where we are at this writing.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YOJTTDXm8KDueN4y8hsYgcWIqrpMhief_6y-0WQmdLV2f4atLjvSCryIO_NV7o341qnY1gP6vsvFdgAYrT_xIBYcMI5osxb6A1LEZW75Yb2DfhRHKXoMchMNwQckzQu7TpKeBCwLquPk/s1600/Map+1-17-20b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="999" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YOJTTDXm8KDueN4y8hsYgcWIqrpMhief_6y-0WQmdLV2f4atLjvSCryIO_NV7o341qnY1gP6vsvFdgAYrT_xIBYcMI5osxb6A1LEZW75Yb2DfhRHKXoMchMNwQckzQu7TpKeBCwLquPk/s1600/Map+1-17-20b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Map courtesy of the ships GPS tracking system</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">At the lectures the geologists talked about the glacier and the photographers gave us helpful suggestions about taking interesting shots. I tried a couple of the photography suggestions and hope they will come through. Interesting to me was how blue the Brujo Glacier was. The blue comes from the snow being so compacted there is no air in it and so when the sun hits it, the red and yellow refractions are lost. The bare rocks at the edge show where it had receded from. It takes time for the vegetation to start growing. There were beautiful waterfalls in the hills of the fjords so all in all it was an exciting beginning to the day. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Good food and good times all day. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cruise Day 7 (Saturday, 1-18-20): </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Strait of Magellan:</b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> Arrived at Punta Arenas, Chile this morning:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We docked at Punta Arenas, Chile this morning after several days of cruising, we came though the Strait of Magellan. We are scheduled to be in Punta Arenas for about 12 hours before we take off again and head for Ushuaia, Argentina, our final port before sailing off to Antarctica. I’ll write more about the city of Punta Arenas later. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In Punta Arenas there are two types of penguins, the king penguins and the magellanic penguins, hopefully we may see some penguins here. 😀</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Below is another GPS tracking map courtesy of our ship's GPS tracking system, they record a location every hour or so. It's marked up to show where we were yesterday at El Brujo Glacier, and where we are now (Punta Arenas, Chile).</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonijF33lFCzVCl9Jh10bSAef6kVt2PDfIe-TVqscTifRFxYsQrCbp4ptWMNxFMCwF0CxjTDsip0ROTW68FqHtahVsgUShRPG0AIsqcKAH2SbaR3Rb7EK_iIQW8X8DQz8D_nrdhNlmVN3_/s1600/Map+1-18-20+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="1010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonijF33lFCzVCl9Jh10bSAef6kVt2PDfIe-TVqscTifRFxYsQrCbp4ptWMNxFMCwF0CxjTDsip0ROTW68FqHtahVsgUShRPG0AIsqcKAH2SbaR3Rb7EK_iIQW8X8DQz8D_nrdhNlmVN3_/s1600/Map+1-18-20+.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above; Map showing our GPS tracking points from El Brujo Glacier to Punta Arenas</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Before I tell you about the good touring part of my day, let me start by saying it wasn't cold Saturday in Punta Arenas, Chile, about a high of 57 degrees F, but it was so windy it was unbelievable. The report said up to 55 mph winds. I overheard a guide say this isn't that windy for Punta Arenas. It is around about 37 mph at this writing, but the wind was 80 mph yesterday, which brings me to a new point. When we got off the shuttle bus in the Plaza de Armas (the main square in Punta Arenas), I got something in my eye (I thought). I wept and it hurt and then my other eye starting hurting and I was afraid I had mascara running down my face. Instead the tears had mixed with the sunscreen I had on and I had tiny bits of kleenex all over my face. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Fortunately I had Systane eye drops with me. But I had to wear my darkest sunglasses which prevented me from using my camera because I couldn't see very well. Finally that subsided and I could manage in the shade. I thought I had gotten hair in my eye. Then tonight at the port talk a man sitting next to me started talking about the disturbance from last night and that his eyes hurt so bad he went blind and a young person came by with a windex bottle that had saline solution and let him use some and his eyes started feeling better. It seems that both of us had gotten into some left over tear gas from some demonstrations. I'm ok now, but my eyes were already sensitive from the cataract surgery and following eye drops and this aggravated that. But I wasn’t as badly off as the man at the port was.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now back to the good part of our Saturday. We started the day with a walking tour through the Plaza de Armas and at the center of the square is a huge monument dedicated to adventurer Hernando De Magallanes (Ferdinand Magellan). The photo below shows this statue.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuN3XKZVesr2aKqlbBv5HyY2pozlHeoxZdpU3AL5WQdmSOjz3h2PUO16M5NP5YknNw5WAz2JE6hSPt9FeSi_Ow7T6wNBfC0fQf2Gbdtckrf9uCoIkLNOIK06Le350vCJHiZiswHra0NnR/s1600/IMG_2565-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuN3XKZVesr2aKqlbBv5HyY2pozlHeoxZdpU3AL5WQdmSOjz3h2PUO16M5NP5YknNw5WAz2JE6hSPt9FeSi_Ow7T6wNBfC0fQf2Gbdtckrf9uCoIkLNOIK06Le350vCJHiZiswHra0NnR/s1600/IMG_2565-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Statue of Ferdinand Magellan</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The photo below is the bottom part of the statue of Ferdinand Magellan. Below Magellan is an indigenous Patagonia and local legend says that a kiss to the statue's foot will bring you good luck and calm seas as you pass through Drake Passage on your way to Antarctica. Also the legend says that if only one passenger skips the kiss, everyone onboard will suffer bad luck crossing Drake Passage. Neither Joan (one of our traveling mates) or I wanted to be the ones to bring bad luck to our ship, so we both gave the foot a kiss, but we did bring hospital-grade disinfectant wipes to use on the foot before we planted our kisses. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24Q_nurgjZDoeVldEv9wqVqkM2ZTjo2csilrAQcLBcHBretoOMhQ_MLDCPHnxpN2tQB8Mya2S_KnKeqQWs3yCN4TQmtDjf2G3Z5D8kUKcS1kLesObQ6nyMAe542HuFkEjk_nozpcaJEwo/s1600/IMG_2567-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24Q_nurgjZDoeVldEv9wqVqkM2ZTjo2csilrAQcLBcHBretoOMhQ_MLDCPHnxpN2tQB8Mya2S_KnKeqQWs3yCN4TQmtDjf2G3Z5D8kUKcS1kLesObQ6nyMAe542HuFkEjk_nozpcaJEwo/s1600/IMG_2567-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Kissing the toe for luck</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The following photo is yours truly standing in front of the Punta Arenas sign overlooking the Strait of Magellan (which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans).</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jIDEgY_dfZuGaDAeANMP-VkMBLiWpfZzuF_D4CDPydrP1aCVepG-2DqLi4D7FROYHldjgacfKtK43A8GEoeTxzPN6fiLHcRHU78wq_emCyjP9ifcN0rDHTfNHsoBxGIgBytH_ex7_tY8/s1600/IMG_2571-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1113" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jIDEgY_dfZuGaDAeANMP-VkMBLiWpfZzuF_D4CDPydrP1aCVepG-2DqLi4D7FROYHldjgacfKtK43A8GEoeTxzPN6fiLHcRHU78wq_emCyjP9ifcN0rDHTfNHsoBxGIgBytH_ex7_tY8/s1600/IMG_2571-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane at the Strait of Magellan</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">After the kleenex bit and the toe kissing, we went to the Punta Arenas Naval and Maritime Museum. They have a fascinating exhibit about the Ernest Shackleton 1914 journey to cross Antarctica via the South Pole.. I'm not sure how to summarize it... it is almost unbelievable. This is a very brief version and I suggest that anyone or everyone read either his book, <i>South</i> or the one about him called <i>Endurance</i>. The ship <i>Endurance</i> set off for Antarctic with 23 men. It got caught in ice floes and ultimately the ice broke the ship up. The photos of the Endurance Shackelton's ship trapped in the ice are eerie, below is a copy of one of these photo taken by the ship’s photographer taken at night.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEzEF-INQKhyphenhyphenq-QeCVrAGr5i3San5zsw7aWxK1stxotF5PC7d6ljMZObxsiUXYDGlrnWY8wlVFLYYHyWc1A_bggj4LKczqtXjQWdXFgeHrSwzsQpnK5lUGlABO9HxgPvRlh8Ic4pnTz_v/s1600/endurance-night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="731" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEzEF-INQKhyphenhyphenq-QeCVrAGr5i3San5zsw7aWxK1stxotF5PC7d6ljMZObxsiUXYDGlrnWY8wlVFLYYHyWc1A_bggj4LKczqtXjQWdXFgeHrSwzsQpnK5lUGlABO9HxgPvRlh8Ic4pnTz_v/s1600/endurance-night.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: The Endurance, Shackelton's ship trapped in the ice</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The men saved as much of the supplies as they could, plus the life boats. They dragged the life boats for months until they couldn't anymore. They made a shelter out of two of the lifeboats. After months of enduring the cold and the dark, Shackleton decided he had to go get help and chose 5 men to go with him in a 23-foot boat that had been named the <i>James Caird</i>,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Shackleton and his crew made it to South Georgia Island, across the Drake Passage in a hurricane with boulders in the bottom of the boat for ballast.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The illustration below is of that journey found on the Internet. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCCW2BG2AB13Slwck3VpPURjoy2ebBO7TYo798X20OnPcS8rNVxp_4WtMOnYpKJqZ1FNf6ueALT890KGcxtMC6SvtrjJwbYyf3lIDrBf01PtvyPRgiMco0o6BQ1h4PiUCK2o3E2boNqi3/s1600/james-caird2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCCW2BG2AB13Slwck3VpPURjoy2ebBO7TYo798X20OnPcS8rNVxp_4WtMOnYpKJqZ1FNf6ueALT890KGcxtMC6SvtrjJwbYyf3lIDrBf01PtvyPRgiMco0o6BQ1h4PiUCK2o3E2boNqi3/s1600/james-caird2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Voyage of the James Caird</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">But they landed on the deserted side of the island so they had to hike across which was considered impossible by the local whaling fisherman. Shackleton make three attempts to get back to Elephant Island and failed, but finally he and a Chilean Captain Pardo tried a fourth time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">On Elephant Island the remaining men had waited over five months and when they spotted Captain Pardo's ship they first thought it was a mirage but then decided it was real, but the ship was sailing past them So they hurriedly build a fire and sent smoke signals. Captain Pardo then sailed toward them and sent boats to pick them up as well as their instruments which had valuable scientific data. Captain Pardo is a huge hero in Chile. We've had several variations on the Shackleton story, so don't judge me harshly if you find a different version.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After the Naval and Maritime Museum tour we went to the Cemetery of Punta Arenas, which was amazing. HUGE mausoleums from many English and Croatian business folks. The photo and a crop of that photo are of the mausoleum of the family of José Menéndez. José Menéndez, who with Sara Braun was one of the biggest merchants and land owners. The Menéndez mausoleum are currently covered with red paint from the protests going on for more reasons than I know. The literature says that in 2008 it was claimed Menéndez was guilty of genocide of the local natives. Currently his land baron status goes against what the protesters are angry about, plus the gap between the wealthy and the rest of the population and especially about the retirement system and the public transportation fare increases.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORrWvsRcUcDTickzuRS0VKnhDWpnxOGGBdQ3IKFew04wMlt65wAusUzKCZm5jdLh9XtTEPFFcmokwTDw7df9g2eezSwKWh2Z6U6ifjuFwIxMv31wpOT892E18B9beIwjvW1FvvL7DHyZn/s1600/IMG_2576-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORrWvsRcUcDTickzuRS0VKnhDWpnxOGGBdQ3IKFew04wMlt65wAusUzKCZm5jdLh9XtTEPFFcmokwTDw7df9g2eezSwKWh2Z6U6ifjuFwIxMv31wpOT892E18B9beIwjvW1FvvL7DHyZn/s1600/IMG_2576-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Mausoleum of the family of José Menéndez</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_sc7PqqHLTAYkZdpdjOeVMbFf_WsONbngl-5VfU9pT_yPUVDd50voWeflIHU6mVckNb7ARodePkHLqAOJvLDaFm66qkRNFNGI39-fE10xvGGqsNCgAPbkcCLncudpFOHYQbVgpq7K9ig/s1600/IMG_2576crop-1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_sc7PqqHLTAYkZdpdjOeVMbFf_WsONbngl-5VfU9pT_yPUVDd50voWeflIHU6mVckNb7ARodePkHLqAOJvLDaFm66qkRNFNGI39-fE10xvGGqsNCgAPbkcCLncudpFOHYQbVgpq7K9ig/s1600/IMG_2576crop-1200.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Crop of photo of Mausoleum of the family of José Menéndez</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">And last but not least we went to the Nao Victoria Museum, which is about 5 miles away from the Plaza de Armas. This museum features a full-size replica of one of Magellan's galleons, the <i>Nao Victoria</i>. I was stunned at how small and chubby it was, to think he made it through the Drake passage in that small ship with only primitive instruments, WOW!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Also at the museum are a a full scale reproduction of Charles Darwin’s <i>HMS Beagle</i> and the <i>James Caird</i> (mentioned above in the story about Ernest Shackleton). The 3 photos below show the replicas of the <i>Nao Victoria</i>, the <i>James Caird</i> (shown with cruise buddy Joan), and the <i>HMS Beagle</i> (I took this photo from the bow of the ship).</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ASAmChVMIaQ_RFWDvHvPlhhizM8tcW4f10ge8kFkump56DLVC_PUXtbGjLN4Uh8MZA-7UdQC21f75P3pD2g9Fqayi8J4Uk8LtjOQ_QT-5FDO6vaarHkSyQ99oj4bM4CrVEOjl7Vhbebu/s1600/IMG_2577-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ASAmChVMIaQ_RFWDvHvPlhhizM8tcW4f10ge8kFkump56DLVC_PUXtbGjLN4Uh8MZA-7UdQC21f75P3pD2g9Fqayi8J4Uk8LtjOQ_QT-5FDO6vaarHkSyQ99oj4bM4CrVEOjl7Vhbebu/s1600/IMG_2577-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Replica of one of Magellan's galleons</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sto-tvbB4Uim7-ZIMzpIysZvgUySMtFQkc__hhXMPjMuAEaPfwYXhCu_tHqvfJ0rWbP0DauuggvJCPfppUXUZgMEpqPMNeASiebqAba2FxPUdws5V3B0PNdIj19APSnumCUOdsvZmJCD/s1600/IMG_2578-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sto-tvbB4Uim7-ZIMzpIysZvgUySMtFQkc__hhXMPjMuAEaPfwYXhCu_tHqvfJ0rWbP0DauuggvJCPfppUXUZgMEpqPMNeASiebqAba2FxPUdws5V3B0PNdIj19APSnumCUOdsvZmJCD/s1600/IMG_2578-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Replica of the <i>James Caird</i> (shown with Joan)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1niyugRQO5BOPX1w8StDBmgdnsYpDN4OX93plkUzABOgG77bQy-7D5PTbCHEsNKLFGU4rkXcXoIS4ogDApFdmfNyTPL58TsuVuEO9ybpQ8e0_gTXjKLmOqaRkLeusa6HiJUwJZzIB2g0d/s1600/IMG_2579-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1niyugRQO5BOPX1w8StDBmgdnsYpDN4OX93plkUzABOgG77bQy-7D5PTbCHEsNKLFGU4rkXcXoIS4ogDApFdmfNyTPL58TsuVuEO9ybpQ8e0_gTXjKLmOqaRkLeusa6HiJUwJZzIB2g0d/s1600/IMG_2579-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Photo taken from the bow of the Charles Darwin’s <i>HMS Beagle</i> replica</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">So enough about Saturday. We heard from our Captain that there are 8 meter (about 25 feet) swells in the Drake Passage, which is too much for our ship to navigate safely, so we plan to stay in Ushuaia extra time putting us 18 hours behind schedule. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cruise Day 8: (Sunday the 19th): Out to sea: </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Scenic Cruising Beagle Channel, docked in Ushuaia</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I wrote two emails Monday that “disappeared." I expected them to be in my email Sent folder, alas they were not there so I’m guessing Google Gmail ate them. So I’m trying again. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We left Punta Arenas Saturday night cruised through the Beagle Channel Sunday morning. As we approached Ushuaia it was very beautiful and called Glacier Alley. The glaciers were high up in the surrounding mountains, not close to the channel. We arrived in Ushuaia after lunch on Sunday; we disembarked and walked down a long pier with 6 expedition boats looking down at us, all apparently fearing the Drake Passage that was coming up. We walked into town looking for an ATM as we were now in Argentina so our Chilean pesos don't work anymore. After much confusion and consultation with other tourists I finally got some Argentina Pesos. But instead of $100 I only got $10 and the bank charged almost that much. Grrr. Then, the tragedy...the ATM. ate my card. And being Sunday, banks were closed so there was no one to get to rescue the card. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">For the day (Sunday) in Ushuaia, we took the local tour bus, which was old and rickety. Below is a photo of the bus. It was a double-decker Routemaster Model 60, brought directly from England and remodeled. It had two “No Smoking" signs saying the fines would be in either 400 or 1000 British Pounds. We rode through the various neighborhoods with small but nicely kept houses with dogs tied up in every yard. And a new area with row after row after row of apartment buildings, about half were still under construction.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2qCO4awvgXgLt9EovqfKF4oe34UHS-5sVYqUHCm1vDejJQ6mZarLXsQw9L8yW40JqbzugjeIixGy4-BYPgeS5QTQpCDrd2lEgqKB2GNnqe3bJyZkp2qMLgQzy9r4LUXaeKhx-zXXxLr0/s1600/IMG_2824-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2qCO4awvgXgLt9EovqfKF4oe34UHS-5sVYqUHCm1vDejJQ6mZarLXsQw9L8yW40JqbzugjeIixGy4-BYPgeS5QTQpCDrd2lEgqKB2GNnqe3bJyZkp2qMLgQzy9r4LUXaeKhx-zXXxLr0/s1600/IMG_2824-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Our tour bus</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">We had a “photo stop “ at the Devil's Lagoon, which was a smallish pond located in the city, and then another stop at the old airport. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The photo below shows an old DC-3 airplane that we saw at the entrance to the old airport. The plane was formerly with the Argentina Navy and was restored in 2004; the plane was named “Cabo de Hornos” (Cape Horn). The two engines on the DC-3 planes were Pratt & Whitney (P&W) Wasp radial piston engines. On a Throwback Thursday note, when I started my aerospace engineering career back in Florida, I worked for P&W, although the radial piston engines were way before my time. But I am familiar with the P&W Wasp engines. While I was working at P&W, I learned to skydive in Indiantown, Florida, we jumped from a Howard airplane that had a single P&W Wasp Junior radial piston engine.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SJFIUUlss_C-y2Jpa16T6CxkddxhdC_oMaStAEoGbHXg2vwIuzNekSRbUecnkO4-Llqngh6bul8clj06F6kxRVLG9NNSTgjbv6wvwGRutFlNjlHqT_32_NmAae_3pTSp7kMCygI9aVfu/s1600/IMG_2827-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SJFIUUlss_C-y2Jpa16T6CxkddxhdC_oMaStAEoGbHXg2vwIuzNekSRbUecnkO4-Llqngh6bul8clj06F6kxRVLG9NNSTgjbv6wvwGRutFlNjlHqT_32_NmAae_3pTSp7kMCygI9aVfu/s1600/IMG_2827-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Restored DC-3 at the old airport</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">But back to Sunday, Ushuaia is the main city in the Tierra Del Fuego (Land of Fire in English) archipelago, named by Magellan because he saw fires along the shore. The coast line of Ushuaia is beautiful, the photo below was taken looking back on Ushuaia over the Beagle Bay, you can see the skyline of part of the city, the sign I believe was called the Ushuaia cartel, but I’m not sure.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZEAk9nr-QDiM-o0UuXYc8ny8rG9YJxcY2TnS78se7m-dXAxImQ-TQ3_0ne4csOPt0D9oCG0b7eClgNbNewTLU8XU4eHFz88GyliZ68RhlquOjkC6rSBOjKw6iAsodSg1gLQqWqFkbsfY/s1600/IMG_2831-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZEAk9nr-QDiM-o0UuXYc8ny8rG9YJxcY2TnS78se7m-dXAxImQ-TQ3_0ne4csOPt0D9oCG0b7eClgNbNewTLU8XU4eHFz88GyliZ68RhlquOjkC6rSBOjKw6iAsodSg1gLQqWqFkbsfY/s1600/IMG_2831-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Ushuaia skyline in the background</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The following photo is of yours truly, this was a photo op I couldn’t pass up as the sign ("Ushuaia fin del mundo") says your are at the end of the world because of its location as the southernmost city, definitely worth a photo. On another Throwback Thursday note I couldn’t help thinking about a time I was at another “end of the world” place, back in 2014 when I hiked the Camino de Santiago. I was at Finisterre in Spain and until the discovery of the Americas Finisterre was the last outpost of the known world, and I made a selfie at that “end of the world.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Translation for "Los Pobladores de Ushuaia les damos la bienvenida" also on the sign is The people of Ushuaia welcome you.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlL0uOnlPN7_sWCzLK8omzV7AA6D8Prj3-i92Hj5sBSuwhZT0VivcbtW9j1pwtBpzkVnhWGoZWi_EqGUjhBWqAKvXTBVJdbUUFBlzfbV3MT8xrX3SmmuMcptplu0U1-dS4jEAc0f59cSx/s1600/IMG_2834-960p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlL0uOnlPN7_sWCzLK8omzV7AA6D8Prj3-i92Hj5sBSuwhZT0VivcbtW9j1pwtBpzkVnhWGoZWi_EqGUjhBWqAKvXTBVJdbUUFBlzfbV3MT8xrX3SmmuMcptplu0U1-dS4jEAc0f59cSx/s1600/IMG_2834-960p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane at the "End of the World"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Later the tour bus dropped us at the Maritime Museum, which was formerly the Ushuaia Prison. We were told the prison was ok for a prison, the cells were fairly sized. The prisoners were given education and the place had a hospital and a bakery and I assume a kitchen These prisoners built the railroad and everything else around there. I was told they preferred to go out and do hard labor to staying inside Compared with the life of a sailor this didn’t seems so awful to me, other than the loss of freedom, but sailors didn’t really have much freedom either. Anyway, the place is now a maritime museum and the exhibits were about the ships that brought supplies and about ships that wrecked. The most interesting display for me was the <i>Monte Cervantes</i> shipwreck, which sank in the Beagle Channel in 1930. The <i>Monte Cervantes</i> was about the size of the Titanic, but all 1500 crew (except for the captain) and passengers were rescued and housed in the town with the 612 residents. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The following photo is a selfie of my traveling pals taken back at our cruise ship (<i>Seabourn Quest</i>), Scott King, and Joan and Ron Sofen, although I guess I should call this photo a ‘weesie” rather than a “selfie.” The photo is out of focus but I’m including it anyway. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqFIruJ4lD5yCJaaTd7FP3LHLp9HvMqNpXhP1ujLsbhRvxkFqi1dcqNae6sepw7gFwuy_kzgGAqhtwFZwE6UqWvEQgn65-9DTZKzA_Pf3by1t1qpJojfY7GG-tklsYlm7u-r2v9PoEdye/s1600/IMG_2838-960p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqFIruJ4lD5yCJaaTd7FP3LHLp9HvMqNpXhP1ujLsbhRvxkFqi1dcqNae6sepw7gFwuy_kzgGAqhtwFZwE6UqWvEQgn65-9DTZKzA_Pf3by1t1qpJojfY7GG-tklsYlm7u-r2v9PoEdye/s1600/IMG_2838-960p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: My traveling pals</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Once back to our cruise ship I was thinking we would leave for Antarctica Sunday night. Well not so fast! Three other ships had left, but as I mentioned in an earlier email our captain made the announcement that the Drake Passage had 60 knot winds (hurricane force) and 25-foot swells so we were going to wait it out in Ushuaia and leave at noon the next day, Monday. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">That meant I could go to the bank Monday and get my debit card. That thought cheered me up and Formal nigh on Sunday was a lot of fun. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cruise Day 9: (Monday the 20th): Left </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ushuaia: </b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;">Out to sea, crossing the Drake Passage</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">At 7:00 am Monday our ship’s captain told us the bad weather had finally moved through and the swells would have calmed down by the time we got to the Drakes Passage, so we left early Monday morning. Uh Oh... no ATM card retrieval for yours truly. Well, the captain was right, the passage was pretty smooth. The other ships that left before us had to wait it out in the Beagle Channel. I think our Captain Joost Eldering is is pretty smart! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We had an uneventful day going through the dreaded Drake Passage. We had to bio-check our gear to be sure we weren’t taking any germs or invasive species into Antarctica. We had dinner at the famous Thomas Keller (of French Laundry fame) Grill. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cruise Day 10: (Tuesday the 21st): Out to sea: A</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>cross the Drake Passage</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Today is Tuesday and another sea day with the Trivia Finals (a ship game); our team is in the middle of the pack. Below is a screen shot of a map with the ship's GPS tracking points showing where we were at 1:00 pm Tuesday afternoon. We have crossed the Drake Passage.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEio79VPCT0kjpV0TacsvgoZsnV-LwKT82O3BVzXvLB9G6U-rnYeciTvNZipowOiXcmfWkYGWx7WGmZdnVaetqBW72Qb1v6PSNW6bS7vMQ6l7bJzY_o1gU07afITJPy4_iOI3_XS603Uus/s1600/Quest+1-21-20+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="1040" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEio79VPCT0kjpV0TacsvgoZsnV-LwKT82O3BVzXvLB9G6U-rnYeciTvNZipowOiXcmfWkYGWx7WGmZdnVaetqBW72Qb1v6PSNW6bS7vMQ6l7bJzY_o1gU07afITJPy4_iOI3_XS603Uus/s1600/Quest+1-21-20+.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: GPS tracking points showing where we were at 1:00 pm Tuesday afternoon</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cruise Day 11: (Wednesday, January 22): </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Antarctic Experience #1 (</b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;">Waterboat Point, Gonzalez Videla Base on the Antarctic Mainland in Paradise Bay)</span></b><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After passing through the Drake Passage Tuesday, we sailed through Anvers Island and Brabant Island, through the Gerlache Strait, and into Paradise Bay. And look what I saw when I woke up Wednesday morning! See photo below.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsFsE8FHRKryHVNiWEcAp2jwzhtbQ0pVN5vQtt7bFF-FgA6IPJ7YBldLovrv5N738r7fU7d1erZTH5PIbgCWfH2OirUXF0pxaDfAfi-lTI9iZFZVik8xZBjlnx24aeClYsKKjis42Kngt/s1600/IMG_2845-1280p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsFsE8FHRKryHVNiWEcAp2jwzhtbQ0pVN5vQtt7bFF-FgA6IPJ7YBldLovrv5N738r7fU7d1erZTH5PIbgCWfH2OirUXF0pxaDfAfi-lTI9iZFZVik8xZBjlnx24aeClYsKKjis42Kngt/s1600/IMG_2845-1280p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Paradise Bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Our ship arrived this morning at Waterboat Point in Paradise Bay, this is where the González Videla Base is located. More later, very excited to go ashore at 12:30 today.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Paradise Bay is where my friend Dayle and Larry did their kayaking on their 2018 Antarctica cruise. Dayle had some nice photos of that area including the González Videla Base.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Also the two maps below courtesy of the ship’s GPS Tracking System, which shows where we currently are.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtF-6TL-J5a0dwv6H2xMg8n5PvwpKwjYjEC381cZ8uLDaXGwcq_B572VnBA6-SKLLjjpMkEKhuc6c_XK7kgYih12V0dtsbeNxRPkNiWu6J6Q4wb_sgHBx5ojPR2m-poAn4oPl4mE4HN82S/s1600/Map1+1-22-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="1037" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtF-6TL-J5a0dwv6H2xMg8n5PvwpKwjYjEC381cZ8uLDaXGwcq_B572VnBA6-SKLLjjpMkEKhuc6c_XK7kgYih12V0dtsbeNxRPkNiWu6J6Q4wb_sgHBx5ojPR2m-poAn4oPl4mE4HN82S/s1600/Map1+1-22-20.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1Tx9Lus3cpsuERmj4Vvpep47376HWb6BEQFYkCp6jE3XIaKMYBAS9IjLRaz8KBrFCLpVKq9oWaioTtbK0_8JcRgRNhvsNrQktu7l_7M3Oe4MwWGJrtMT7sOXrBsJW5dBhCF6eHzIQIoQ/s1600/Map2+1-22-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="1046" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1Tx9Lus3cpsuERmj4Vvpep47376HWb6BEQFYkCp6jE3XIaKMYBAS9IjLRaz8KBrFCLpVKq9oWaioTtbK0_8JcRgRNhvsNrQktu7l_7M3Oe4MwWGJrtMT7sOXrBsJW5dBhCF6eHzIQIoQ/s1600/Map2+1-22-20.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">After reaching Antarctica our first stop was at at Waterboat Point in Paradise Bay, this is where the González Videla Base is located. We took a zodiac to the base where they had stretched out a red carpet for us to go up a ramp, and face the penguins nesting all around. There is a rule that you can go no closer than 15 feet from the wildlife unless they come to you. Well, all bets were off there. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There were gentoo penguins everywhere including a rare all white one. She leads a normal life and was sitting on a nest. She had had 3-5 mates depending on which naturalist you spoke to last and her name was Lucy, Marilyn or Blondie, again according to whom you spoke last. There were tons of chicks being kept warm by their parents, sometimes there were 2 chicks in a nest and sometimes just an egg. They are cute and comical.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">At this Waterboat base there was a museum and gift shop and a dormitory that we could go in. The museum was mostly photos and tee shirts and mugs saying Paradise Bay, Antarctica. It cost $10 to send a postcard home from there. I didn’t do that and didn’t buy anything because I had already use up all my Chilean Pesos. And you know my story about the Argentinian pesos, I didn’t get enough.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It was a nice smelly excursion. Penguin “mud” (aka guano, poop) was at a minimum we were told, but we still had to have our boots power-hosed down when we returned to the ship.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The 4 photos below were taken Wednesday at Paradise Bay and González Videla Base</span><span style="font-size: large;">. The photos show some cute gentoo penguins, including our ship the <i>Seabourn Quest</i>, and a sign at the González Videla Base.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq77XDYh6JdZn_bRsXuS4NJT9jlG7sV1L_wzgrrcTHZSV1TuBn-CgROyRvQQmvPBfzI3qWOojtAOh86O1BRx9D1KQ4XURVTXK7X8AEmDPyLCBIQRdsN2hyphenhyphenzxVoIDuBLCwNZy90O9WqEKvr/s1600/IMG_2894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq77XDYh6JdZn_bRsXuS4NJT9jlG7sV1L_wzgrrcTHZSV1TuBn-CgROyRvQQmvPBfzI3qWOojtAOh86O1BRx9D1KQ4XURVTXK7X8AEmDPyLCBIQRdsN2hyphenhyphenzxVoIDuBLCwNZy90O9WqEKvr/s1600/IMG_2894.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Gentoo penguin with baby</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJw2OTsuensUIjj6X6B92ynH5Rgk9U9IPv1HbjnWL6lzY-vfCOOvOV4z0-1XaMtYnMJhYa6tIgVAydNJHLXhJ33P80ym_n9tCf2ovRmF4-qM4f_mwPf5bGBgYIMgs8Obgpv8KdzutjDn_O/s1600/IMG_2897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJw2OTsuensUIjj6X6B92ynH5Rgk9U9IPv1HbjnWL6lzY-vfCOOvOV4z0-1XaMtYnMJhYa6tIgVAydNJHLXhJ33P80ym_n9tCf2ovRmF4-qM4f_mwPf5bGBgYIMgs8Obgpv8KdzutjDn_O/s1600/IMG_2897.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Gentoo penguins and <i>Seabourn Quest</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nKYq5stsyLPnowUttUM5pGz4sjZ5NMEkMcyypbGiFdVV4UfEFjwAw7s9EMQ6UUEEPMmmxMVQYFO-iorvplfbQbCLgnwyjHklDQO9vwQgGa-NAjDxZnvXeXDpNq7ybAyArGZoTrFF0Dzn/s1600/IMG_2938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nKYq5stsyLPnowUttUM5pGz4sjZ5NMEkMcyypbGiFdVV4UfEFjwAw7s9EMQ6UUEEPMmmxMVQYFO-iorvplfbQbCLgnwyjHklDQO9vwQgGa-NAjDxZnvXeXDpNq7ybAyArGZoTrFF0Dzn/s1600/IMG_2938.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: More Gentoo Penguins and babies</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uJ3k2FjootCnObz1MQbkbvqTNmsXyNCNLuoBgUfAe5toYzhC9xVK_4WbQIvwS-RPBjn4XMOJCv83xa50zmQMDLCQLoofpPwYd2d3SlF5OLb_dn3a6UISbsrkVQsOBBvFK5R5MUDj9VSE/s1600/IMG_2942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uJ3k2FjootCnObz1MQbkbvqTNmsXyNCNLuoBgUfAe5toYzhC9xVK_4WbQIvwS-RPBjn4XMOJCv83xa50zmQMDLCQLoofpPwYd2d3SlF5OLb_dn3a6UISbsrkVQsOBBvFK5R5MUDj9VSE/s1600/IMG_2942.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Sign at González Videla Base</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cruise Day 12: (Thursday, January 23): </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Antarctic Experience #2 (</b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;">Pléneau Island)</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After Paradise Bay we sailed through the Lemaire Channel to Pléneau Island and spent Thursday at Pléneau Island, NE of Hovgaard Island in the Wilhem Archipelago . </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We were scheduled to kayak at 10:00 am, but due to weather our kayak trip was cancelled. Taking advice from my friend Dayle who had made this journey in 2018, we booked 3 kayak tours, one every other day. This was our second cancellation, I told the expedition leader that I was disappointed, he said, “how about I give you a hug.” Then some other staff members gave me more hugs, they knew how disappointing it is The hugs were kind of a Throwback Thursday moment for me, they reminded me of a hug I got back in 2014 on my Camino de Santiago hike. In Palas de Rei, Spain I received a hug from a guy from Virginia (USA) volunteering for his church to encourage pilgrims by giving out hugs. That group was a fun group. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After that we got re-dressed for our 11:00 am zodiac cruise. The cruise was not a disappointment, it was fabulous! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This was the most gorgeous place you can imagine. Along with the color photos I took, my new Panasonic Lumix ZS70 camera takes what is called “dynamic monochrome” images. This feature makes the contrast between the black mountains and the white ice even more dramatic. It was so beautiful that day they cancelled the mandatory recap and briefing in the auditorium, so we could stay and look at the scenery more.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The following 4 photos were taken Thursday at Pléneau Island. More stunting views! The one photo shows the ship’s crew in a zodiac pushing an iceberg away from the ship.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezE4cwo2634zaUMVwHX6RjSeJglMMbB4WgMhjL-92yrJVi3orqI7KJIE9CS3riD2QpG3x47czYCMJD0uDgTbHT3n_ljIek7iTDnn7Du0pz9SkOBbZtR25mlQvhbW5siJpAS8Kk3CjjeAI/s1600/IMG_2993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezE4cwo2634zaUMVwHX6RjSeJglMMbB4WgMhjL-92yrJVi3orqI7KJIE9CS3riD2QpG3x47czYCMJD0uDgTbHT3n_ljIek7iTDnn7Du0pz9SkOBbZtR25mlQvhbW5siJpAS8Kk3CjjeAI/s1600/IMG_2993.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Pléneau Island</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJ1fUn3jOt4nIQTHa1pO4DznC6_xTm7W-8AV7kM5FiuhLXv0KrOT2JzE0QjOxLQwcd8DNaKtNyRbU_mQa5hnjRp-b0RYL65pmQMGQ5kpv-zJswUc5gMQ-3uba9F5-FC8KGQz9AFS1M-ln/s1600/IMG_3001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJ1fUn3jOt4nIQTHa1pO4DznC6_xTm7W-8AV7kM5FiuhLXv0KrOT2JzE0QjOxLQwcd8DNaKtNyRbU_mQa5hnjRp-b0RYL65pmQMGQ5kpv-zJswUc5gMQ-3uba9F5-FC8KGQz9AFS1M-ln/s1600/IMG_3001.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Pléneau Island</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBkKXh_6CW8llIMHZQWOlC9f3g8hYikkzCzV1W5fqtSFNKjXguQ_Ap0AuYp08sJhJCBdeiqG7VD03Rs599o96hnDLjhZhnlfMUytEBeBeDAWiogRKvpbipynfGNHi5KiFkkeVrKdO1wx3/s1600/IMG_3005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBkKXh_6CW8llIMHZQWOlC9f3g8hYikkzCzV1W5fqtSFNKjXguQ_Ap0AuYp08sJhJCBdeiqG7VD03Rs599o96hnDLjhZhnlfMUytEBeBeDAWiogRKvpbipynfGNHi5KiFkkeVrKdO1wx3/s1600/IMG_3005.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Ship’s crew pushing an iceberg away from the ship</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiwPLEc4floDxU_nzoYjtLjMIpF4fOyo2gVuS9Eou8H84T4i2-o5AUz79N4vqpMfB7bx6XD-e-UakJx8QdEqPJFxWIrhxypFMP8abgEaBWuA_F2JDSFus5S6BhQSC2aZs4rHXnEdd1_na/s1600/IMG_3017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiwPLEc4floDxU_nzoYjtLjMIpF4fOyo2gVuS9Eou8H84T4i2-o5AUz79N4vqpMfB7bx6XD-e-UakJx8QdEqPJFxWIrhxypFMP8abgEaBWuA_F2JDSFus5S6BhQSC2aZs4rHXnEdd1_na/s1600/IMG_3017.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Pléneau Island</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Later that day we went to the Observation Lounge on the ship where they served hot buttered rum, only I opted for a glass of Pinot Noir instead, a luscious red wine that is juicy and delicious. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We had dinner in the Thomas Keller Grill which was really tasty. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cruise Day 13: (Friday, January 24): </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Antarctic Experience #3 (</b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;">Neko Harbor: Polar Plunge! Yikes!)</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Today we are at Neko Harbor, an inlet in Andvard Bay west coast of Graham Land. I could have spent my few Argentine pesos here if there was any place to spend them. We were scheduled to go ashore at 2:00 pm, but were totally fogged in most of the day. I bought a bathing cap especially for the Polar Plunge. The Polar Plunge is where some of the guests (and even some of the crew) braved the elements and jumped into the icy sea! <b>Whooppee!</b> With a safety line attached to a harness of course. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Polar Plunge was done a little differently than on all earlier cruises except one. In the cruise (early January) before the one we are on now, a new event started, the Polar Plunge was organized where guest would jump off the ship into the icy cold waters of the sea. Before this, passengers would take the polar plunge into one of the <i>Seabourn Quest's</i> pools (filled with icy cold sea water!).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">On our cruise we did the same thing as the early January cruise, we took the plunge into the sea from the ship. I forget the exact temperatures but the air temperature was around 40F and the water temperature was around 32F. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">32F may not seem that cold, but you have to remember that fresh water freezes at 32F and the average human's brain and heart are composed of 73% freshwater, and the lungs are about 83% fresh water. So you can't stay very long in freezing water!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Scott and I both did the Polar Plunge and survived. </span><span style="font-size: large;">There were 50 passengers and maybe 25 crew members that made the plunge. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I was happy for the buoyancy of the salt water. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Below are 6 photos of yours truly taking the Polar Plunge into the freezing waters of Neko Harbor. The 5th and 6th photos are just crops and closeups of two of the previous photos. The closeups are in case anyone might suspect that I hired a stunt double to do my plunge. No stunt doubles for me, I do all my own stunts thank you very much. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Quite a difference from swimming in the warm waters of the Gulf Stream from my South Florida days!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81goi2vV-2Pfq9GEUNOqq7sqH0KkfwUaRDWbMNqmTYWUcab-akjBb-f5OvnQRXKm1SFbvMw27nwB9JuavGgUYR-blhZ5x6m23CrAqF7bvhhrqJdUxL4Gu44sO1KzDRi0-XdwIb1HVxfTI/s1600/_MG_1654-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81goi2vV-2Pfq9GEUNOqq7sqH0KkfwUaRDWbMNqmTYWUcab-akjBb-f5OvnQRXKm1SFbvMw27nwB9JuavGgUYR-blhZ5x6m23CrAqF7bvhhrqJdUxL4Gu44sO1KzDRi0-XdwIb1HVxfTI/s1600/_MG_1654-1200p.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLc7IOaSjgI8vBwAmF_ormReTWPNULdUN1eglf8-Iz1wLlTeDaedFx8xWoNaG3HdXjmBs6LO9MoHw_CyZf7Ofv1_jvptCk-cdTYbys6aCtrzqnR2w4z4rvxFSQgi2BuGWHguLC90PkyU1/s1600/_MG_1655-1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLc7IOaSjgI8vBwAmF_ormReTWPNULdUN1eglf8-Iz1wLlTeDaedFx8xWoNaG3HdXjmBs6LO9MoHw_CyZf7Ofv1_jvptCk-cdTYbys6aCtrzqnR2w4z4rvxFSQgi2BuGWHguLC90PkyU1/s1600/_MG_1655-1200.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibc9PPR5NGyQnw-q5P89DHKxCodDGhSa8meCXeHxspBDlBcS2bhsok0D-GrVz1nxJmKli87TjA9_zXRnqW9Pw-4cxeMU8mf-BkuwtFtmTBuU4B-8afYN25C8XdtF1JXRQyjZyQVlHuSd2Q/s1600/_MG_1664-1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibc9PPR5NGyQnw-q5P89DHKxCodDGhSa8meCXeHxspBDlBcS2bhsok0D-GrVz1nxJmKli87TjA9_zXRnqW9Pw-4cxeMU8mf-BkuwtFtmTBuU4B-8afYN25C8XdtF1JXRQyjZyQVlHuSd2Q/s1600/_MG_1664-1200.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcTDldeLzlM1cpeVNgOBuYus-TCMC6UDX9RKgLp1nnRgYGCewQkVyjWZY4M0AOVaHG44DAA-VINEcy6-IwfoA5bEY2uCGEi6-m20bFx-CuAPdNHQm9N_2Zp9oR8YRU6h6shT1xfSuq3Ft/s1600/_MG_1672-1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcTDldeLzlM1cpeVNgOBuYus-TCMC6UDX9RKgLp1nnRgYGCewQkVyjWZY4M0AOVaHG44DAA-VINEcy6-IwfoA5bEY2uCGEi6-m20bFx-CuAPdNHQm9N_2Zp9oR8YRU6h6shT1xfSuq3Ft/s1600/_MG_1672-1200.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8pWBi1oUpbsxp8qwL8o12x1X1dJ19mfFsiEFOuVzF0kVucfpat7CHwnAKaczgDeOA2FB24WbHO8Ofus0dLrpFxIWIvuRkS5Bm761yj3d3Yhl1K9G91QsBffyujQY0rXE0Vvfy_CRNXWe/s1600/_MG_1655crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1116" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8pWBi1oUpbsxp8qwL8o12x1X1dJ19mfFsiEFOuVzF0kVucfpat7CHwnAKaczgDeOA2FB24WbHO8Ofus0dLrpFxIWIvuRkS5Bm761yj3d3Yhl1K9G91QsBffyujQY0rXE0Vvfy_CRNXWe/s1600/_MG_1655crop.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqigWL5PaOLTHuqUCmsS4jEVbh0WO2DJIyXGp5_AI0G7bA8_BB0FR9VY1Pq9BuHZb6IAimT2ecjM0OzDbBRAoRA7ivypuw6zScnuz69GiCYwkFfyRwRehDWRFQ0D2BE4kwFGfF8owKsl4f/s1600/_MG_1672crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1173" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqigWL5PaOLTHuqUCmsS4jEVbh0WO2DJIyXGp5_AI0G7bA8_BB0FR9VY1Pq9BuHZb6IAimT2ecjM0OzDbBRAoRA7ivypuw6zScnuz69GiCYwkFfyRwRehDWRFQ0D2BE4kwFGfF8owKsl4f/s1600/_MG_1672crop.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Below are two screen shots of photos at Neko Harbor posted online by the ship's crew.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7kGvfgvuROg-3OTk-sFXbSPjv-NTnv6gDAuvfB2KE-nuZNMDEO1jSPuENUIqNK2LIrPiwmwalTC6sTN0i0pleQ1MpfZVkWcnUodRi-ShgC40ScySQOXUjV8MJ921hFOSbvS0LbOVdrmS/s1600/Neko+Harbor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="1219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7kGvfgvuROg-3OTk-sFXbSPjv-NTnv6gDAuvfB2KE-nuZNMDEO1jSPuENUIqNK2LIrPiwmwalTC6sTN0i0pleQ1MpfZVkWcnUodRi-ShgC40ScySQOXUjV8MJ921hFOSbvS0LbOVdrmS/s1600/Neko+Harbor.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Neko Harbor, photo by ship's crew</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw40FgJhF2cQ6sXsD9ldNKDcBIRhR_iuVgal_gRbUqxmODZAxjrh9e3A7C27RCA8CU8hBWmGjXGZyN1DLM2zLDqfTuLYGeaOsAQJB98oQTO9_TDlO0Lt0lxyUiIGgD5jsaygwngvepWZza/s1600/Neko+Harbor2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="1075" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw40FgJhF2cQ6sXsD9ldNKDcBIRhR_iuVgal_gRbUqxmODZAxjrh9e3A7C27RCA8CU8hBWmGjXGZyN1DLM2zLDqfTuLYGeaOsAQJB98oQTO9_TDlO0Lt0lxyUiIGgD5jsaygwngvepWZza/s1600/Neko+Harbor2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Neko Harbor, photo by ship's crew</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cruise Day 14: (Saturday, January 25): Antarctic Experience #4 (Kayaking in </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cierva Cove</b></span><b>, <span style="font-size: large;">Woohoo!</span>)</b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today is Saturday and we are in Cierva Cove, we finally did some kayaking today. Woohoo!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was cold but we had dry suits, so the only thing that was cold was my fingers from taking photos with my iPhone. The kayak paddles had foam gloves attached which were supposed to keep our hands warm, but NOT for me anyway because I kept taking my hands out to take photos. I started rethinking my earlier decision (prior to the cruise) NOT to purchase a pair of dedicated “photography gloves," the type with the neat feature where the tip of the forefinger and thumb fold back, giving good finger feel to operate a camera or phone, but still keeping 90% of your hand covered.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We have spotted leopard seals, penguins and whales, so exciting!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If it is true a picture is worth a thousand words, </span><span style="font-size: large;">the photo below says it all. Scott says we are the last couple.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvpPDIGWDNf02hlsrT5Skw9sUze_rcm_oewJUKeN_XO7oP4c2DiGZ1MhiLnt9qCpXhPJmxipWlf9EDBQrsBW-NjCXOlvcQim-P-oK8vt54tFCp8x90Jtzz5711t70hn5U1JtWpY5GU1XP0/s1600/P1000382-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvpPDIGWDNf02hlsrT5Skw9sUze_rcm_oewJUKeN_XO7oP4c2DiGZ1MhiLnt9qCpXhPJmxipWlf9EDBQrsBW-NjCXOlvcQim-P-oK8vt54tFCp8x90Jtzz5711t70hn5U1JtWpY5GU1XP0/s1600/P1000382-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane and Scott in the last kayak</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was easy to get out of the zodiac into the kayak </span><span style="font-size: large;">and out of the kayak again. They made it easy, maybe easier than </span><span style="font-size: large;">getting in on land. We paddled around in a group, </span><span style="font-size: large;">and got within 10 feet of a leopard seal sleeping on an </span><span style="font-size: large;">iceberg. We saw the ranger station but couldn't land.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After we were out for awhile, the current brought in a lot </span><span style="font-size: large;">of broken ice and we had to paddle through it. Some </span><span style="font-size: large;">chunks were big enough to beach the kayak so to speak, </span><span style="font-size: large;">so we had to be somewhat judicious where we went.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It was a thrilling ride. Thank goodness we got to go. I"m happy</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">we signed up for 3 trips so we got to go once. Scott said, if we</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">had another reservation he would go again, even though it was</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">expensive. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The following photo is of the sleeping leopard seal we saw while kayaking. I was hoping it didn’t decide to wake up and jump at us. I would hate to see a swimming leopard seal, they've been known to attack boats!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5FuppQvI2mmk7AQbqS5-F4X2ua4LUisGCLZeGEoKvluCelgH8A7UHOfsvWQPB2nahmyjgNVwzRIyEwJOaK9ytAH1Y4wII-mzK_SAiUMQwB2pV_XHHHr_Z5HH2jQvyvb47WeeQQHxyfzf/s1600/IMG_3037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5FuppQvI2mmk7AQbqS5-F4X2ua4LUisGCLZeGEoKvluCelgH8A7UHOfsvWQPB2nahmyjgNVwzRIyEwJOaK9ytAH1Y4wII-mzK_SAiUMQwB2pV_XHHHr_Z5HH2jQvyvb47WeeQQHxyfzf/s1600/IMG_3037.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Sleeping Leopard seal</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The next photo is an usie of Scott and yours truly in our kayak.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqQtvihTB8J0xEf0SCxWwBxpTOKe2FjctjKo0-ky7Msns6HU_6HgPFBCHw5RtjkMhoYLSSC78QtnNB_QdbLLZNaY364YQeZkh-BC5G7YZB3j9iwWVQESOlxUI_ia52DzelvfiUEktQsZK/s1600/IMG_3058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="1544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqQtvihTB8J0xEf0SCxWwBxpTOKe2FjctjKo0-ky7Msns6HU_6HgPFBCHw5RtjkMhoYLSSC78QtnNB_QdbLLZNaY364YQeZkh-BC5G7YZB3j9iwWVQESOlxUI_ia52DzelvfiUEktQsZK/s1600/IMG_3058.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane and Scott in kayak</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The photo below is a scenery shot taken from our kayak, icebergs all over the place. As you can tell it wasn't a sunny day.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VoIqA2HoGRPsyZTwE2LPh26fYa3bVAkZ0v_ixo6jrRpOA-2oxP4btFkEXHWxa_vtOWPq3RhjaaSts7j626kGEKfFIeLGur0oQ0YWE-x7UzwICLuxIbVS7n8F9pjkFFTi2EqZkEhabblp/s1600/IMG_3071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VoIqA2HoGRPsyZTwE2LPh26fYa3bVAkZ0v_ixo6jrRpOA-2oxP4btFkEXHWxa_vtOWPq3RhjaaSts7j626kGEKfFIeLGur0oQ0YWE-x7UzwICLuxIbVS7n8F9pjkFFTi2EqZkEhabblp/s1600/IMG_3071.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Icebergs all over the place</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The following photo is just a screen shot of a photo posted on the Seabourn Quest website (https://my.yb.tl/seabournexpeditions), it is of some kayakers on the day we kayaked, but I have no idea if Scott and I are in this photos as there were many kayakers that day.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherVJUTLCamESV47l7WzWGACSYYLtqSdk55TFVAG4RoF9IFcwUq25Ni4DAtD7yaeT7AGtgwic3HtF57dG4d-MZ-aKZC_mDwPEZ0B8r87m7llu55edCXxF_ZT8FuNmauNzTB5wyeTFKhn04/s1600/Quest+Kayakers2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="1014" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherVJUTLCamESV47l7WzWGACSYYLtqSdk55TFVAG4RoF9IFcwUq25Ni4DAtD7yaeT7AGtgwic3HtF57dG4d-MZ-aKZC_mDwPEZ0B8r87m7llu55edCXxF_ZT8FuNmauNzTB5wyeTFKhn04/s1600/Quest+Kayakers2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Kayakers from the <i>Seabourn Quest </i>on the day we kayaked (reference only)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When we first boarded the ship at the start of the cruise, they told us "<i>Experience the Antarctic, don't just take photos.</i>" I can tell you the experience surpasses the photos, which are pretty spectacular in my opinion. For example, like while kayaking, just being so low and close to the water to see the icebergs was amazing. We also went in the zodiacs in the afternoon. The following 3 photos of icebergs taken from the zodiac. These photos were taken with the new Panasonic Lumix ZS70 camera I purchased. The 3rd photo is a panoramic photo. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp96FmvgsqS99JBxc8LlKpfo79dwkjEAlSoyDTTx6YjHBKMgtwGIklGu8ZhQZcyD2OB1l-NTAWqBfe6LQ8G2ZIIETh5aXV-gz3Eg-h6nk-8IJScZyuJVWHMhgsqSbOA9YKBzg05tOzI-VE/s1600/P1000610-1260p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp96FmvgsqS99JBxc8LlKpfo79dwkjEAlSoyDTTx6YjHBKMgtwGIklGu8ZhQZcyD2OB1l-NTAWqBfe6LQ8G2ZIIETh5aXV-gz3Eg-h6nk-8IJScZyuJVWHMhgsqSbOA9YKBzg05tOzI-VE/s1600/P1000610-1260p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Iceberg, photo from zodiac, taken with Panasonic ZS70 camera</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM21Z87IA6-oNZFKaoU8yBt_9tLjLK5Y-BQmbDdMhyphenhyphenYxe4SuREvz4fA0_jBovcKB2AsZDoyv_Ro6aZbilxIAJKLAygO2vWvIqgEPbK5DrbaMRVLwDf0nBm7JyWB4fyJTqFRBFHnTZJbHCU/s1600/P1000642-1280p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM21Z87IA6-oNZFKaoU8yBt_9tLjLK5Y-BQmbDdMhyphenhyphenYxe4SuREvz4fA0_jBovcKB2AsZDoyv_Ro6aZbilxIAJKLAygO2vWvIqgEPbK5DrbaMRVLwDf0nBm7JyWB4fyJTqFRBFHnTZJbHCU/s1600/P1000642-1280p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Iceberg, photo from zodiac, taken with Panasonic ZS70 camera</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QiswkmCF-phSlFO7xIivK5d1A5PtT7TzHtKRsdeP6OcLUlr1-reeBM5xmH37hmnuIWH8oAFJJM9yFu99Wg9vv26Q3_S_w1i0olGIh1pb-PjqvKFgWjKCasm24ipqcSz3mpvOlSvdax13/s1600/P1000651-1600p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QiswkmCF-phSlFO7xIivK5d1A5PtT7TzHtKRsdeP6OcLUlr1-reeBM5xmH37hmnuIWH8oAFJJM9yFu99Wg9vv26Q3_S_w1i0olGIh1pb-PjqvKFgWjKCasm24ipqcSz3mpvOlSvdax13/s1600/P1000651-1600p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Iceberg, panoramic photo from zodiac, taken with Panasonic ZS70 camera</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The map below shows the location of the previous stops. This map courtesy of the ship’s GPS tracking system that is posted online at the Seabourn Quest site.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXcmolceIyAJM_jbR4H4S0VNj1O1VaLCUp-LgIaNStMD6SLRhOywxa6dKDLPj1_OkhNzUQ5lEzxG_rD_t35FVDIHxiXs-AIwUTrYho9OJaVgtApY-PHMhSFis7hAVdwev8ZkZ4NCoFg2w/s1600/1-25-20+Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1033" data-original-width="1060" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXcmolceIyAJM_jbR4H4S0VNj1O1VaLCUp-LgIaNStMD6SLRhOywxa6dKDLPj1_OkhNzUQ5lEzxG_rD_t35FVDIHxiXs-AIwUTrYho9OJaVgtApY-PHMhSFis7hAVdwev8ZkZ4NCoFg2w/s1600/1-25-20+Map.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Map showing stops</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cruise Day 15: (Sunday, January 26): Antarctic Experience #5 (Brown Bluff)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today is Sunday and we are at Brown Bluff, a million-year-old volcano which gets its name from its brown/black slopes, the location is shown on the map below (GPS map courtsey of the <i>Seabourn Quest</i>), it’s just a little south of Hope Bay.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJxpKkFxVlxEDy03bUxDYbsB8n_Ha9xRUtnEasVQBZlBBCKPLXkaP7syiOSyK31JRHYnKqWwUOy7Bc9kqy3e6IqAGclWbmuEiMxfuW6HNlOXSFjL8HFw_ku97aP8caaCPCeOYNQBknjey/s1600/Map-Sunday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="1053" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJxpKkFxVlxEDy03bUxDYbsB8n_Ha9xRUtnEasVQBZlBBCKPLXkaP7syiOSyK31JRHYnKqWwUOy7Bc9kqy3e6IqAGclWbmuEiMxfuW6HNlOXSFjL8HFw_ku97aP8caaCPCeOYNQBknjey/s1600/Map-Sunday.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Map showing location of Brown Bluff</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The great rock formations at Brown Bluff is home to Adélie penguin. We've seen 3 varieties of penguins on this cruise (Adélie, gentoo and chinstrap so far) and learned a lot about penguin behavior. The gentoo penguins, which are the most common and are accused of taking over the world because they are so prolific. The chinstrap penguins which have white faces and a black stripe across the necks, they sort of looks like a motor cycle helmet, but we didn't see a lot of these. Of the three, I like the Adélie penguin's the best, they are smaller than the gentoos and have black beaks, the gentoos have orangey beaks. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Of all the different species of penguin, only two (emperor and Adélie) make the Antarctic continent their true home. Other species like the chinstrap and gentoo breed on the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, where the conditions are less severe.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It seems penguins are kind of indecisive. They huddle down at the water considering whether to go in or not. So you stand poised with your finger on the video button and then they turn around and go back to somewhere else. Or sometimes one gets pushed in and if he doesn't get eaten by a leopard seal, the others follow. I tried so many times to get the video of them jumping in the water but missed it everytime. I'll borrow a video to post later. Watching penguins is a lot of fun. I did see one of them sleeping. Leopard seals are huge and scary, so those little penguin guys have to be wary all the time. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When we go on the land where the penguins are, we have to step in disinfectant to protect the penguins from germs from the ship, and on the way back we step in a scrubber on the shore to rid our boots of the penguin’s guano. They eat tiny pinkish krill, they eat so much krill that it turns their guano a pinkish color. Then when we get back on the ship, it's back into the disinfectant to be sure we are not tracking penguin stuff onto the ship. Anyone that uses trekking poles has to do the same to the poles. The Antarctic Treaty is very specific and strict about all of this procedure.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The attached photos are all from the Brown Bluff area today. This place has some very interesting rock formations and the cutest penguins, the Adélie penguin. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The first two photo shows one of the rock formations (same rock, just two different photos). The next photo is of an unusual rock formation. The next three photos shows some penguins, mostly the Adélie penguins but you’ll note one gentoo penguin with its orangey beak. The next three photos are of Scott and yours truly, same photo, just a couple of crops.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dIw3NCVdgsYbhCZv5K-shxWG-LPiuWLdufqubJxEAT-AUl3t8JCOof63f9FAItD-83O2JwVkoUByLzEWndC1JwxJM8UMmIrldXTMYR1yQZBlTKxO4PeuDFrxAyFqxJtRMX3uSxzWoriB/s1600/IMG_3122-1280p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dIw3NCVdgsYbhCZv5K-shxWG-LPiuWLdufqubJxEAT-AUl3t8JCOof63f9FAItD-83O2JwVkoUByLzEWndC1JwxJM8UMmIrldXTMYR1yQZBlTKxO4PeuDFrxAyFqxJtRMX3uSxzWoriB/s1600/IMG_3122-1280p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Photo taken with iPhone 8 Plus (28mm-equivalent focal length lens)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJm07oYKWs2VyyIpuoxKpBpXTvUymSl4vB8JRFYhJ17gYlvNEh87rM2KK03Xo_yAsmzL6rupv0uG_aC5Qtx6PED18D8Hlfo-MBjXy3oXfPJWMkNPsj1dDgeg7_hufXIthaQ1qFFiox5a_F/s1600/Brown+Bluff-1280p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJm07oYKWs2VyyIpuoxKpBpXTvUymSl4vB8JRFYhJ17gYlvNEh87rM2KK03Xo_yAsmzL6rupv0uG_aC5Qtx6PED18D8Hlfo-MBjXy3oXfPJWMkNPsj1dDgeg7_hufXIthaQ1qFFiox5a_F/s1600/Brown+Bluff-1280p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Photo taken with Panasonic DC-ZS70 (24mm-equivalent focal length lens)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2svETARo_2i01ycllSy1zwg-GsojFVBoURaPtfkfQxjSvrGDfJJyg8SDcJEeoEq3X71fLXz8Wj-hgZXFBQsW1I3h-K461Yirm7xUbh2XLxGyoTQkxtyiIOg-tnfBWMSJtHmQF4jQxiHG/s1600/P1000655-1260p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2svETARo_2i01ycllSy1zwg-GsojFVBoURaPtfkfQxjSvrGDfJJyg8SDcJEeoEq3X71fLXz8Wj-hgZXFBQsW1I3h-K461Yirm7xUbh2XLxGyoTQkxtyiIOg-tnfBWMSJtHmQF4jQxiHG/s1600/P1000655-1260p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Unusual rock formation</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2QhyeIsUik1688ptaGOxvebVr5cYh2O_66xggPTsg_1erHO6w6lYnJ8LGLDeL0YXfxGo0ndAPt8hCZNQTaOCBC1Y0KTRErv78EcNrey-lGP-Z7JWu-SCh_ja8glVAuFn5uVNW3aQ7DGh/s1600/IMG_3154-960p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2QhyeIsUik1688ptaGOxvebVr5cYh2O_66xggPTsg_1erHO6w6lYnJ8LGLDeL0YXfxGo0ndAPt8hCZNQTaOCBC1Y0KTRErv78EcNrey-lGP-Z7JWu-SCh_ja8glVAuFn5uVNW3aQ7DGh/s1600/IMG_3154-960p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: This photos shows penguins along the shore, with our ship in the background, also a couple of the zodiacs</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYysaJ-F4-f-ezxpBDZifF4TNtuZ-YfBQoAanISTS0NCQXqujM0bzSKZ7NyA0YqDGiuDLDk-XrERACHQ6TN6a2zbbDuQbpyDPgtT-xWIdsdkE2xEp5jDRvkdlWRs8gfMFbI1YMBLKQsChj/s1600/P1000670-1280p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYysaJ-F4-f-ezxpBDZifF4TNtuZ-YfBQoAanISTS0NCQXqujM0bzSKZ7NyA0YqDGiuDLDk-XrERACHQ6TN6a2zbbDuQbpyDPgtT-xWIdsdkE2xEp5jDRvkdlWRs8gfMFbI1YMBLKQsChj/s1600/P1000670-1280p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Note one gentoo penguin with its orangey beak</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0veRiBQ2WrpPbzlqVnnS2aenYOX2HfcNUlh7koVoyAsVLOFOfP20hXrc7IXxcavDdUGs0UFY00xUE8egaFS3xWCJpSXN58hTymP6Q0eswzw6SJzFGTjgKbw67dwChc2LfLrejr4UbcGSo/s1600/P1000686-1280p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0veRiBQ2WrpPbzlqVnnS2aenYOX2HfcNUlh7koVoyAsVLOFOfP20hXrc7IXxcavDdUGs0UFY00xUE8egaFS3xWCJpSXN58hTymP6Q0eswzw6SJzFGTjgKbw67dwChc2LfLrejr4UbcGSo/s1600/P1000686-1280p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Indecisive penguins trying to decide what they want to do</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Below is the video of the penguins, I call this "Penguin Parade."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzyiXRzSfBcttLv3yR9qSHpepRA8p44_ffRxTQzc2emkKgwThonL5eeTU3HVG1p6HczHgqnbb_tpWTJkH9CbA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pbFMlSxBx5CQSYH5z4PdN8NBmu1VlXCnJg0N2mCf44kay0uZXyYl2G_a8ER8HcHmVXuqcNtEe5QydsJYR52KWbmHxDx2WMMdTALbh8uOAswmYRwfZI1j736bHeAuS2MwqOkWByhA4b1T/s1600/P1000661+2-1260p2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pbFMlSxBx5CQSYH5z4PdN8NBmu1VlXCnJg0N2mCf44kay0uZXyYl2G_a8ER8HcHmVXuqcNtEe5QydsJYR52KWbmHxDx2WMMdTALbh8uOAswmYRwfZI1j736bHeAuS2MwqOkWByhA4b1T/s1600/P1000661+2-1260p2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane & Scott</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8yvqn9BVPBUCiO7nikFyAWxS-QadUkuBCJ7pBPRcsNTjLP47QgM1QRBOuG-K9IMwG0B4wRkFg3sMLHO7xeopYuBFrGMUp5hfAbIDABnPaoIBV2X5mz1rc7e7-dadg_siuq1SJPydqED0/s1600/P1000661+2crop1-1260p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1531" data-original-width="1260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8yvqn9BVPBUCiO7nikFyAWxS-QadUkuBCJ7pBPRcsNTjLP47QgM1QRBOuG-K9IMwG0B4wRkFg3sMLHO7xeopYuBFrGMUp5hfAbIDABnPaoIBV2X5mz1rc7e7-dadg_siuq1SJPydqED0/s1600/P1000661+2crop1-1260p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane & Scott (Crop 1 of original photo)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioK_-5ufl87gLnyx8rUB7iRQ_Z3uzFTiy6uMN7NvmImID4vCl4vE8TPQ7iGD8Tp-0UvNfvBR_io29n9XciZJo_cl3n6W_7G-QTqXLf0KvH2v-jcK4ee8AfTw6Om5B6xpOKKxKLuCFnONRd/s1600/P1000661+2crop2-932p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="917" data-original-width="932" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioK_-5ufl87gLnyx8rUB7iRQ_Z3uzFTiy6uMN7NvmImID4vCl4vE8TPQ7iGD8Tp-0UvNfvBR_io29n9XciZJo_cl3n6W_7G-QTqXLf0KvH2v-jcK4ee8AfTw6Om5B6xpOKKxKLuCFnONRd/s1600/P1000661+2crop2-932p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane & Scott (Crop 2 of original photo)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cruise Day 16 (Monday, January 27th): Left Antarctica early, heading for the Falkland Islands</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We left Antarctica one day early (see map below). We are hightailing it now burning 45 extra metric tons of fuel to beat a weather system moving in. So we get to stop at New Island in the Falkland Islands Tuesday morning about 10 am. All we see now are waves and sky.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimy3c8c2Jr5wC8rQFgZorlP1csnsIyDncSwJI9BXOEdMCGZzoP3XeS7JY1AXoyG_kI0ecJjvvtKs9NG3FcaXmgXp4ND6PZzKDoLXDluUpRdYuXS3ejzsS5x1zwHP_S_6vRVJZsv4pKCYn5/s1600/Map+1-27-20b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="965" data-original-width="1066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimy3c8c2Jr5wC8rQFgZorlP1csnsIyDncSwJI9BXOEdMCGZzoP3XeS7JY1AXoyG_kI0ecJjvvtKs9NG3FcaXmgXp4ND6PZzKDoLXDluUpRdYuXS3ejzsS5x1zwHP_S_6vRVJZsv4pKCYn5/s1600/Map+1-27-20b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Map showing our position at this writing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">There are five species of penguins in the Falkland Islands so we may get to see the king penguin. King penguins are among the largest in the world, only the Antarctic emperor penguin is taller. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the rewarding parts of this Antarctic cruise has been the ship's lectures we get to attend. We went to a series of lectures today One was about the three skydivers that were killed in Antarctica in 1997, they had hoped to be among the first to parachute to the South Pole. There were 6 skydivers, 2 jumped out and pulled their rip cords, one guy’s automatic activation device triggered his reserve chute and saved his life, the other three never pulled their rip cords. Really sad. What happened? No one really knows for certain, only speculations. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Another lecture was about a mountain climb on South Georgia. For background, in 1916, explorer Ernest Shackleton and a small crew landed on the unpopulated southern coast of South Georgia Island at King Haakon Bay after sailing from Elephant Island in the 22-foot lifeboat, the <i>James Caird</i>. Shackleton, along with two of that crew, then hiked across South Georgia's mountains and glaciers to reach help on the other side of the island.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This lecture was by a Trevor Potts. In 1994, Trevor Potts and three others re-created Ernest Shackleton’s 1916 epic journey by boat from Elephant Island to South Georgia. And in 2001 he duplicated Shackleton’s mountain crossing from King Haakon Bay to Stromness. In this lecture, Potts covered his successful mountain crossing. An excellent presentation.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cruise Day 17: (Tuesday January 28th): Now at New Island in the Falkland Islands</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We anchored this morning at New Island, which is is located at the extreme west of the Falklands’ archipelago. See the following two maps for reference, courtsey of the <i>Seaborn Quest</i> GPS Tracking System.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2ua8VUz0MtbwwBHOXt_HXCeiz05F91YoKNglcBLNH39PVDOSWUg7ZqYRY_olK5Wtz5d56As1HoJ3Qv7wI2ZkRqOTeBxyL6djvJ-bft4wzuV4L14-N7XdvXgur4H4AUBkKS1PEGRTyCIX/s1600/Map+1-28-20++A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="1071" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2ua8VUz0MtbwwBHOXt_HXCeiz05F91YoKNglcBLNH39PVDOSWUg7ZqYRY_olK5Wtz5d56As1HoJ3Qv7wI2ZkRqOTeBxyL6djvJ-bft4wzuV4L14-N7XdvXgur4H4AUBkKS1PEGRTyCIX/s1600/Map+1-28-20++A.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Map showing our path from Antarctica to the Falklands</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOm9B-uzB2Rdvbw5lhs7hYwP6nfeDpJLAd9gtozavB2YaaSNk2zTpefD3LZQdGUJOIJFqq0JXM7MImU8Ws4YIfA1C228CpNLrvrXQN5cCxglEJ0kLWLggwtb4kSSePfxPadEoGAn-_5G2/s1600/Map+1-28-20++B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="1036" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOm9B-uzB2Rdvbw5lhs7hYwP6nfeDpJLAd9gtozavB2YaaSNk2zTpefD3LZQdGUJOIJFqq0JXM7MImU8Ws4YIfA1C228CpNLrvrXQN5cCxglEJ0kLWLggwtb4kSSePfxPadEoGAn-_5G2/s1600/Map+1-28-20++B.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Map showing the Falkland Islands</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Below are 3 photos of Adélie penguins debating, marching and sleeping. The pink on their tummies is poop, the color comes from the pinkish krill they eat.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I didn't get a good focus on a couple of these photos, I used my new Panasonic Lumix ZS70 camera with the 30X optical zoom. We were some distances away from the penguins and two of the photos are at about 24X optical zoom, the other about 10X. I'm still on a learning curve with this camera.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0ZwD-A5z0CNTbsJQxdKBb9Yyi2mQIusy0W8haavV6nNlHY-56rAeXSxV2b1-G_QtZkkiNt28a6Mn3dVWqK6zjLCgEo7wxeu8pZZXA_gcrAv69KCXvt8EeF1MEp7JR0SBepg09jD3yKOc/s1600/P1000673-1-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0ZwD-A5z0CNTbsJQxdKBb9Yyi2mQIusy0W8haavV6nNlHY-56rAeXSxV2b1-G_QtZkkiNt28a6Mn3dVWqK6zjLCgEo7wxeu8pZZXA_gcrAv69KCXvt8EeF1MEp7JR0SBepg09jD3yKOc/s1600/P1000673-1-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Adélie penguins debating? (10X optical zoom)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRl2f8-moqhKwiNF8n7X2OdvtIRLdW3hzWiypl7xuxz0g4wryl4MShGTS_Sw0xG3USgFRLOWmqcZ0sb0vJ1q6NYayr_pRWbbXbZfHzbI9fhogQWpLWU8qn2SyEtVpDG4X24_19VrYDwMl/s1600/P1000717-1-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRl2f8-moqhKwiNF8n7X2OdvtIRLdW3hzWiypl7xuxz0g4wryl4MShGTS_Sw0xG3USgFRLOWmqcZ0sb0vJ1q6NYayr_pRWbbXbZfHzbI9fhogQWpLWU8qn2SyEtVpDG4X24_19VrYDwMl/s1600/P1000717-1-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Adélie penguins marching? (24X optical zoom)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jF6MzU00-8vg9XG68AA13lj6fGkCaE55sELlmyIbVuqyo-NJpmT-IiJJFFcWSysl1XqePmZTEznSmHyDm51mlT6bRAPhlMuOfZGQGn7wkI-VAK3RnPWRWXMKwD005jhHfsui-NbX_4HO/s1600/P1000676-1-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jF6MzU00-8vg9XG68AA13lj6fGkCaE55sELlmyIbVuqyo-NJpmT-IiJJFFcWSysl1XqePmZTEznSmHyDm51mlT6bRAPhlMuOfZGQGn7wkI-VAK3RnPWRWXMKwD005jhHfsui-NbX_4HO/s1600/P1000676-1-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Adélie penguin sleeping (24X optical zoom) </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Last night we had a lecture about Penguin Poop (yes I said the "P" word again), said to have the consistency of a wet tuna salad. Adélie penguins generate considerable pressures to propel their poop away from the edge of the nest. The Adelie penguin is a master pooper! It was pretty funny as the lecturer even had hypothesis formulas about how far the poop could be projected (F = (m dot * V)e - (m dot * V)0 + (pe - p0) * Ae = d(mv)/dt or F = (mv)dot), including calculus with derivatives and fractions, etc. Far more complicated than Einstein's Theory of General Relativity. Then he said that was all just a theory since it can't be proven because sometimes there were lumps in the poop. And he had unanswered questions, like do penguins ever get constipated? The room was roaring.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Cruise ships don't normally stop here. The extra stop for us was due to leaving Antarctica early to beat a weather system moving in. A similar thing happened to my friend Dayle on her 2018 cruise, she had the extra stop at New Island due to a big storm changing the cruise path.)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">New Island is home to a hugely diverse amount of wildlife. We saw our 4th breed of penguins (rockhoppers) and three other major birds. My favorite was the Black-browed Albatross , I fell in love with these birds, I couldn't take enough photos of them, attached are my shots of one taking off in flight. I’m sending both the original photos (to show the scenery) and some crops of the same photos (to show closer view of the bird).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The first 2 following photos are of an albatross perched to take off in the wind currents (original photo and cropped version).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The second 2 following photos are of the albatross taking off (original photo and cropped version).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The next 2 following photos are of the albatross soaring (original photo and cropped version).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And the last following photo is of an albatross wondering if its feet look too big.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitX4oCx1pEXXVc0LEkez-4IrtzbxJjYWsFiG8mIhd4Nwhwmt23AvxLiJ1F5FN39FTE4BHldkA5bPas0t0R0uMrlGoT_KPqRGwCeggF3ykcA0DHAtS-oLdHXcnHcYDOA_AlH1xV37G6UGew/s1600/Albatross+perched+to+take+off+in+the+wind+currents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitX4oCx1pEXXVc0LEkez-4IrtzbxJjYWsFiG8mIhd4Nwhwmt23AvxLiJ1F5FN39FTE4BHldkA5bPas0t0R0uMrlGoT_KPqRGwCeggF3ykcA0DHAtS-oLdHXcnHcYDOA_AlH1xV37G6UGew/s1600/Albatross+perched+to+take+off+in+the+wind+currents.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Albatross perched to take off</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVKiE9D40th4B4bfU32oBOCGSWmJ8Ekv7ueu6yyNlBJw2h_Gbe4ECgMrO-InIkRgsQiaLEVVVEVN6hOFWgz5YppBMXNut9-KhyphenhyphenBusEhgkceZCl1-OpXF5KDIh040jEvRMWbHf-mOW1h_S/s1600/Albatross+perched+to+take+off+in+the+wind+currentsCrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVKiE9D40th4B4bfU32oBOCGSWmJ8Ekv7ueu6yyNlBJw2h_Gbe4ECgMrO-InIkRgsQiaLEVVVEVN6hOFWgz5YppBMXNut9-KhyphenhyphenBusEhgkceZCl1-OpXF5KDIh040jEvRMWbHf-mOW1h_S/s1600/Albatross+perched+to+take+off+in+the+wind+currentsCrop.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: A</span><span style="font-size: small;">lbatross perched to take off (crop)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpPYK8XkTJ1IvqJodwmztE6acoqYYqKOVYeo07YDGprrk2blESgQpKWP1tK7z4DZjr29dCcprEGOIRi5FrirYqunA2pdQTedWPllzqLmsX-2ykJ8OmIsiJCS1PmT3Q0Paa6qlR0UDRHoh/s1600/Albatross+taking+off.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpPYK8XkTJ1IvqJodwmztE6acoqYYqKOVYeo07YDGprrk2blESgQpKWP1tK7z4DZjr29dCcprEGOIRi5FrirYqunA2pdQTedWPllzqLmsX-2ykJ8OmIsiJCS1PmT3Q0Paa6qlR0UDRHoh/s1600/Albatross+taking+off.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Albatross taking off</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hAEP-aLdVL5zAu7fAEDeIHHY-sIncOF42Ky10fopZkITxKI8WODnX2CAi7a6La3dLQX0Qp1bDd9Fw7uZwudlYhUtjbcAfzF6QF7diAHc-YcmnNou4YCvLoPhcr8FhHq6CaSWBnnZfLcW/s1600/Albatross+taking+offCrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hAEP-aLdVL5zAu7fAEDeIHHY-sIncOF42Ky10fopZkITxKI8WODnX2CAi7a6La3dLQX0Qp1bDd9Fw7uZwudlYhUtjbcAfzF6QF7diAHc-YcmnNou4YCvLoPhcr8FhHq6CaSWBnnZfLcW/s1600/Albatross+taking+offCrop.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Albatross taking off (crop)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAGJa-C2xIt_0WMKhOd8kRtQ6GW4qrbtGDx8uSvEjxDormWeGC-Oxag04lTzKb_SRPeiVBttyJjma8Y2RzM6f2lKnTauRIWmYyXk1V6EylJCVgcXJOFGUghhdvY18Qu9kSgxK7UgFsCgZ/s1600/Albatross+soaring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAGJa-C2xIt_0WMKhOd8kRtQ6GW4qrbtGDx8uSvEjxDormWeGC-Oxag04lTzKb_SRPeiVBttyJjma8Y2RzM6f2lKnTauRIWmYyXk1V6EylJCVgcXJOFGUghhdvY18Qu9kSgxK7UgFsCgZ/s1600/Albatross+soaring.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Albatross soaring</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNmxmc4UGhK62RpDongSGaByeSGzKknbrEtOsIqlHV2XP3GA8hKk1naZpX2FpGGK5wvQSg3LLf7AcxQqySzB3l2IySUO5TriAQjJwVXkEFJAL7DzEwtPufu0b25J3LO0UwyUM7ofpY5GO/s1600/Albatross+soaringCrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNmxmc4UGhK62RpDongSGaByeSGzKknbrEtOsIqlHV2XP3GA8hKk1naZpX2FpGGK5wvQSg3LLf7AcxQqySzB3l2IySUO5TriAQjJwVXkEFJAL7DzEwtPufu0b25J3LO0UwyUM7ofpY5GO/s1600/Albatross+soaringCrop.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Albatross soaring (crop)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1X1wxRNkdzxakWnlMqtNKc24h6JTt834HsmT-Dkq3HDACe2b_2vIc0Qgos1zfNdlDVrFPvQjIX3jaysPZBV-Dp1zVwwxMFblL9brQwQGJqVXkxdRRvKob0Jgw7zmmMs2QbVUk_fy-3VaW/s1600/Albatross+looking+at+big+feet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1X1wxRNkdzxakWnlMqtNKc24h6JTt834HsmT-Dkq3HDACe2b_2vIc0Qgos1zfNdlDVrFPvQjIX3jaysPZBV-Dp1zVwwxMFblL9brQwQGJqVXkxdRRvKob0Jgw7zmmMs2QbVUk_fy-3VaW/s1600/Albatross+looking+at+big+feet.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Albatross looking at its big feet</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">And we also saw rockhoppers penguins, cormorants, caracaras and many other smaller birds. This time of year all the birds are trying to get fat enough to molt their feathers, grow new ones and then go out to sea for the winter. What was so interesting was that all the birds are all intermingled.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We got to see a caracara come to get lunch hoping for a baby rockhoppers penguin or baby albatross. Watching the behavior of said chicks was fascinating because they all knew the danger. The penguin chicks huddled in creches (refers to care of another's offspring, for instance in a colony). The albatross chicks, huge compared to the penguins, would shift in their nests to always face a predator, and would flap their beaks at a caracara that would come close.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Below are 5 more photos from New Island:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The 1st photo is of a King Cormorant (the puffy chicks with the cormorant are rockhopper penguins).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The 2nd photo is of a rockhopper penguin creche</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The 3rd photo is of a Striated Caracara (a bird of prey) wondering what might be for lunch.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The 4th photo is of rockhopper penguin and albatross chicks together</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The 5th photo is of rockhopper penguin parents feeding a teenager</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZbAfdQCg-jfsGV-oBd6BerRTJeRyzVqecutq1rvchEB1MOT0wp8Ojlz5h3Uk1R2jJevK7U6KWuWaUD6nkXUSxTnSSwBfuX5-tbQRgBWVYdT5Pdr2fHoU-iq55c4WZIks9B1kUiCmFlxZ/s1600/cormorant-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZbAfdQCg-jfsGV-oBd6BerRTJeRyzVqecutq1rvchEB1MOT0wp8Ojlz5h3Uk1R2jJevK7U6KWuWaUD6nkXUSxTnSSwBfuX5-tbQRgBWVYdT5Pdr2fHoU-iq55c4WZIks9B1kUiCmFlxZ/s1600/cormorant-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: King Cormorant</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-ZkScJFF3CPLlIYW7TQ6beJLX6L9SCWboFmBagvHFom_2aCN5XUhN4pmfJueaNuuKZvdPm80jy0vsTVPIBs2rbyLsDwSKX8BU_1t2uhHDE0jsMB9OSIaTsOcye2UtHNf2OOGzbu34y3e/s1600/penguin+creche-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-ZkScJFF3CPLlIYW7TQ6beJLX6L9SCWboFmBagvHFom_2aCN5XUhN4pmfJueaNuuKZvdPm80jy0vsTVPIBs2rbyLsDwSKX8BU_1t2uhHDE0jsMB9OSIaTsOcye2UtHNf2OOGzbu34y3e/s1600/penguin+creche-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Rockhopper penguin creche</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtEQTXcA9N1xjv4LhDcbGkK6CaXW-8jxdQ5TOHQrFaftw7DrISBxBaP5MaUsV7bUd5od1LYeNG-LWt6EssD1NK-QwWLV1rWGqo80pfY5woLgdOEGr9ffuY_6ZKnGf6v2btSGJ53KJlvnX/s1600/caracara-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtEQTXcA9N1xjv4LhDcbGkK6CaXW-8jxdQ5TOHQrFaftw7DrISBxBaP5MaUsV7bUd5od1LYeNG-LWt6EssD1NK-QwWLV1rWGqo80pfY5woLgdOEGr9ffuY_6ZKnGf6v2btSGJ53KJlvnX/s1600/caracara-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Striated Caracara</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZD8reTljc21F-aayLdnfdmEtx5wlb7p3Zec1BUlkONGBx1QLImxnJ7YC6jIYJ2FFfKkkCYCxQ1RocbhF5igbvxIN0V9-daHbdxaSj-U9NK7g7cjj9iSRVPlc0fwxfebEgPD9-0Ql330Zf/s1600/penguin+and+albatross+chicks+together-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZD8reTljc21F-aayLdnfdmEtx5wlb7p3Zec1BUlkONGBx1QLImxnJ7YC6jIYJ2FFfKkkCYCxQ1RocbhF5igbvxIN0V9-daHbdxaSj-U9NK7g7cjj9iSRVPlc0fwxfebEgPD9-0Ql330Zf/s1600/penguin+and+albatross+chicks+together-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Rockhopper penguin and albatross chicks</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvOKxct-VzuVkgQnm4-lkjhki3R8dvlowqeiPOEfQ7-1-okL0ovSBZE8vpvQhPTYDZvPSLBlkh6_-liAxwJWx49S61x8E-TPNT009kZDMQUW1I7tUsnh39vRDXI8lCvb4WkEcNHMre_Ov/s1600/parents+feeding+their+teenager-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvOKxct-VzuVkgQnm4-lkjhki3R8dvlowqeiPOEfQ7-1-okL0ovSBZE8vpvQhPTYDZvPSLBlkh6_-liAxwJWx49S61x8E-TPNT009kZDMQUW1I7tUsnh39vRDXI8lCvb4WkEcNHMre_Ov/s1600/parents+feeding+their+teenager-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Rockhopper penguin parents feeding a teenager</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cruise Day 18 (Wednesday, January 29th) at Stanley, Falkland Islands</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After leaving New Island, we sailed to Stanley and anchored there. See map below.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRCJbAYvYPJJivuqe_hYuyuSI1gA1MVYuLoPfd3tdAxnlM8m3_Bl_qN6zzSIsbCgL-lcsWoT9hgV7WAR5woJy2y2RkM8Mak5a9p457xT1H6s2Z5nuhRE5vQ-sJXkXNqdDtfjp7KG92mDo/s1600/Map+Port+StanleyB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="1029" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRCJbAYvYPJJivuqe_hYuyuSI1gA1MVYuLoPfd3tdAxnlM8m3_Bl_qN6zzSIsbCgL-lcsWoT9hgV7WAR5woJy2y2RkM8Mak5a9p457xT1H6s2Z5nuhRE5vQ-sJXkXNqdDtfjp7KG92mDo/s1600/Map+Port+StanleyB.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Map of the Falkland Islands</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The 1st photo is of yours truly coming through the Vistor’s Center in Stanley and we later went on some tours.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokIR-hepmIfcGb_HY2tedk_Wc0NvvShzgUUaaX9J9wgmOYv17N7VGtgnaIosrnHa2DOhCJW8yWeq9qJOCu_g3LRMIAligXiSQIx8SYrZKg6cErp5gylsSo0QHdaBu3nGlsdYV28EenXtG/s1600/img_3260-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokIR-hepmIfcGb_HY2tedk_Wc0NvvShzgUUaaX9J9wgmOYv17N7VGtgnaIosrnHa2DOhCJW8yWeq9qJOCu_g3LRMIAligXiSQIx8SYrZKg6cErp5gylsSo0QHdaBu3nGlsdYV28EenXtG/s1600/img_3260-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane at the Stanley Vistor's Center</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The photo below is of some king penguins we saw on the Bluff Cove Lagoon Penguin Tour. If you look under the belly of the third penguin ( in the center four), you will see a chick’s bum, the chick is too big to get under the feathers The king penguin have a different life style from other penguins. They only have chicks every other year. After they get their chicks really fat, the adults go out to sea for the winter sometimes going even above the equator. The chicks lose about half of their body weight so when their parents come back it takes both parents going for food every day to get them fat again. The chicks by then have their feathers and can go to sea. The adults then get fat and molt their feathers so they can go back to the sea at the end of summer. Then it starts again. Don’t read on if you don’t want to know the salacious part. The chicks that are big enough to go out to sea but not big enough to mate. PRACTICE. The guides call it play house. This is your science lesson for today.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQcCsovFkoOHsVOUsg5uIKDYfocfo56k2ZXJ3Dd_FWMZ0Gcw48TzEAyWhqLywDU5YURQt0M77wwca8JCb3l4MW5-3UMZyLTmNNzp3g6qnwcadJZhLpF3dCpXUN_Y7zgXScxtiXxHrPfIC/s1600/img_3267-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQcCsovFkoOHsVOUsg5uIKDYfocfo56k2ZXJ3Dd_FWMZ0Gcw48TzEAyWhqLywDU5YURQt0M77wwca8JCb3l4MW5-3UMZyLTmNNzp3g6qnwcadJZhLpF3dCpXUN_Y7zgXScxtiXxHrPfIC/s1600/img_3267-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: King penguins at Bluff Cove Lagoon</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">There were many more king penguins at Volunteer Point Penguin Colony, but that was a long way off. No Thanks. By doing the shorter tour at Bluff Cove Lagoon, that gave us time to also go to two other places, Gypsy Cove and Yorke Bay.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Gypsy Cove is where magellanic penguins breed, and nest underground in burrows. The chicks are getting so big that both parents go to sea to get enough food to feed them. So most of the rookery were out when we were there, but I did get to see a few. The following two photos are of magellanic penguins.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYZb2V0qsNPOkhRqJsZvAFgv0z_5mbnsoH87U0DoPh8lycJxtveFS1QR6Z1dcqB2SOgiiYCzVcqaul37aZx90Grk1oIqCpkPk6anOIKvS1cDvCMODQD6Bei-D-4TvbC1GZ_uJSsIsjJzO/s1600/p1000884-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYZb2V0qsNPOkhRqJsZvAFgv0z_5mbnsoH87U0DoPh8lycJxtveFS1QR6Z1dcqB2SOgiiYCzVcqaul37aZx90Grk1oIqCpkPk6anOIKvS1cDvCMODQD6Bei-D-4TvbC1GZ_uJSsIsjJzO/s1600/p1000884-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Magellanic penguin Gypsy Cove</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNF2Q2CdrHyndqgZLOT7u0O3qLzGhIZIC2XwgkQKA5qoBd5STV5Ht0cyBupsMC9mf4-XZcHYsD5-Y8v7Riqcgh_c_BcexGLJlfaiRVml3XipADrHG0E_TBb1gsapl8ItZAc8D_nP02sTP/s1600/p1000873-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNF2Q2CdrHyndqgZLOT7u0O3qLzGhIZIC2XwgkQKA5qoBd5STV5Ht0cyBupsMC9mf4-XZcHYsD5-Y8v7Riqcgh_c_BcexGLJlfaiRVml3XipADrHG0E_TBb1gsapl8ItZAc8D_nP02sTP/s1600/p1000873-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Magellanic penguin Gypsy Cove</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Of the 8 penguin species that live in Antarctica, its nearby islands, and the Falklands, we have seen 6 species (chinstrap, gentoo, Adélie, king, magellanic and rockhopper) on this cruise, below is a chart found on the Internet that shows their relative size. The two we didn't see were the emperor and the macaroni.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAnxWm4W_aftg86VjLixrnzXXfW6fNcsfjqqEue8dBUz0qQ3ZvvHrUpa6UNd4nbFlUZtbuMK29ykvMko8WRzSyLwsqvkHRlTvZLuCngjJldxRkFbRVGjG2ey1caMQmB3sKtA6y8PQ4nXN/s1600/Penguin+sizes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAnxWm4W_aftg86VjLixrnzXXfW6fNcsfjqqEue8dBUz0qQ3ZvvHrUpa6UNd4nbFlUZtbuMK29ykvMko8WRzSyLwsqvkHRlTvZLuCngjJldxRkFbRVGjG2ey1caMQmB3sKtA6y8PQ4nXN/s1600/Penguin+sizes.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The photo below was also taken at Gypsy Cove, I thought the rocks and the cloud formations were like a mirror image and would make a nice photo.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqKTKakSlhyphenhyphenvrsQuINOmt4tReS5naUxf1pSH714NG7RcCONshyUczUB7916kVN9dLX2LWkpdpMwtxGoOBU-AOElJrctjqskb0LKePCJm8Zpha8WcBrvmLYjoJ24PRWIlFh3Szs1rHsS66/s1600/p1000891-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqKTKakSlhyphenhyphenvrsQuINOmt4tReS5naUxf1pSH714NG7RcCONshyUczUB7916kVN9dLX2LWkpdpMwtxGoOBU-AOElJrctjqskb0LKePCJm8Zpha8WcBrvmLYjoJ24PRWIlFh3Szs1rHsS66/s1600/p1000891-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Rocks and clouds at Gypsy Cove</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Yorke Bay is one of the invasion sites in 1982 where the Argentine naval commandos landed, marking the start of a full-scale invasion of Stanley. Well you will remember what happen after that, British forces retook Stanley 74 days after the Argentine invasion, While Argentine was in control of the island they laid tens of thousands of land mines across the island to slow a British counter-attack. After they surrendered they gave out diagrams of the minefields and the folks in the Falklands are still unearthing them thus making some areas not accessible. There are still signs around where mines are still suspected to be, see photo below.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChdrEFwyeKzMmY_sAt0KkLJbMoiekd_11fcK6Y_ViDzeFyRmWxvO4bC6GaIkpfwpQehFnhTXMKtgsrPxEo7_te1LhephSHMu8K7xM3CTiCNsKsPy1r3tMpQah-LjbV2NAlsMnJsOfZDoE/s1600/img_3289-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="1196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChdrEFwyeKzMmY_sAt0KkLJbMoiekd_11fcK6Y_ViDzeFyRmWxvO4bC6GaIkpfwpQehFnhTXMKtgsrPxEo7_te1LhephSHMu8K7xM3CTiCNsKsPy1r3tMpQah-LjbV2NAlsMnJsOfZDoE/s1600/img_3289-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Sign at Yorke Bay</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After all that we went by the Falklands Post Service My friend Martino had earlier written to me about a very rare stamp that depicts a king penguin, the stamp was issued 83 years ago. I didn’t see that stamp, but did take a photo of a stamp display while I was at the post office, see photo below.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FbXweYUBrFxEkhvYzmqwXKjdAT3M8WLlAO1OH60Ytn6_LA7vVay22aundFq8LnkIkbwtD0CHBmQmNOMfxNwx9WieoRbdT1sMSlpv4Wu7F4GhUpSBNFbE6ICpxF4rx6MuUB0ETzXtzFey/s1600/P1000904-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FbXweYUBrFxEkhvYzmqwXKjdAT3M8WLlAO1OH60Ytn6_LA7vVay22aundFq8LnkIkbwtD0CHBmQmNOMfxNwx9WieoRbdT1sMSlpv4Wu7F4GhUpSBNFbE6ICpxF4rx6MuUB0ETzXtzFey/s1600/P1000904-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Stamp display at Falklands Post Service in Stanley</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cruise Day 19: (Thursday, January 30th), At sea, heading for Montevideo, Uruguay</b></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Just thought I'd add a few photos from the ship, these were taken Thursday after leaving Stanley in the Falkland Islands.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The following photo was taken at one of the Trivia games we play on the ship, Scott and I were only average at this game. Scott and I are in the center of the picture, toward the back.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VPdKK8h4AQR1nV8jeNo6F498AqdVsT9glP17TCGXxzivdIZPWafNRB33q-iWVctgf1-tlxvlAIoYReS1vEcQn7zg9QR3vCP7yI7XhSfoizb7j76ySbiqqrDAB0tkQBPwDl13Q_v-XDi_/s1600/img_3300-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VPdKK8h4AQR1nV8jeNo6F498AqdVsT9glP17TCGXxzivdIZPWafNRB33q-iWVctgf1-tlxvlAIoYReS1vEcQn7zg9QR3vCP7yI7XhSfoizb7j76ySbiqqrDAB0tkQBPwDl13Q_v-XDi_/s1600/img_3300-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Playing the Trivia game</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The next photo is yours truly in front of the Thomas Keller restaurant. The Grill. Yum.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs44XbnRS4i1SwUhP9qFlHCcdDlrjk1SLoM1utNchNLBygqipQA0xbTMl5BWFmnEDdxpN9F-xfqxKX3cZoVnLDiA8N3pELbEjzu2hxLVnQLRMVfemx6AP3Wq40cE4Ce6SpC97yS51sK-92/s1600/img_3304-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs44XbnRS4i1SwUhP9qFlHCcdDlrjk1SLoM1utNchNLBygqipQA0xbTMl5BWFmnEDdxpN9F-xfqxKX3cZoVnLDiA8N3pELbEjzu2hxLVnQLRMVfemx6AP3Wq40cE4Ce6SpC97yS51sK-92/s1600/img_3304-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane at the Thomas Keller restaurant</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Below is a photo from the Bridge, Very interesting. But they would NOT let me steer the ship! When I was on a cruise ship in France in 2015 on the <i>Esperance</i> (a 100-foot boat that held only 6 passengers), they let me take over the helm on that boat for a short time (very short)! I guess that experience counted for nothing with the 650-foot (450 passengers) <i>Seabourn Quest</i> crew. :o)</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiciygnG-BhuBpuFvg-pqdsQGkeTovt91H2HxaqRw4EQ5mjcSRGsBf90dDt0Sj_Rn_x9I8gaitC6iNSM1F4AYlNvJD0yIW7XxeGOV_GVW9F23E7O5i9IIIrcw-iD0VD1YnvnVQ7E6COrG43/s1600/img_3305-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiciygnG-BhuBpuFvg-pqdsQGkeTovt91H2HxaqRw4EQ5mjcSRGsBf90dDt0Sj_Rn_x9I8gaitC6iNSM1F4AYlNvJD0yIW7XxeGOV_GVW9F23E7O5i9IIIrcw-iD0VD1YnvnVQ7E6COrG43/s1600/img_3305-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Bridge of the <i>Seabourn Quest</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cruise Day 20: (Friday, January 31st) At sea, water, water everywhere...</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I went to another lecture today by Trevor Potts, He gave a lecture about explorers Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott's race to be the first man to the South Pole. It is a fascinating story. (Philip Chartrand may be interested in this story by Trevor Potts)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Amundsen borrowed a ship from another explorer, ostensibly going to the North Pole, but later decided to go to the South Pole. He carefully selected 19 men who were experienced skiers and two dog sled drivers. They also had 116 sled dogs. They made elaborate preparations as you can imagine. When they arrived at Antiarctica at Whale Bay by the Ross Ice Shelf in the summer, they set up caches of food every 60 miles. They all but a few maybe went north to wait out the winter. When they came back they had to hurry as he had forgotten the 1912 Almanac so they had to finish by 12/31/1911 or they wouldn't have what they needed to navigate.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Amundsen took four men and headed off, reaching each cache, replenished and moved on going about 15 miles a day. This is the awful part, as the dogs became redundant they were used as meat to feed the hungry men and the rest of the dogs. When they got to the South Pole they did many, many calculations to be sure they were right because they knew Scott was on the way also. On the way every three miles, they built snow canisters with a black flag so they could find their way back. Amundsen left a letter for Scott to give to the King of Norway saying they had made it. He wanted to be sure the King knew and he was unsure they would make it back. And they did make it back.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Scott was a military guy and took naval officers and scientists, motorized sledges that were the precursors to tanks used in WWI, Siberian ponies, and dogs. It was said Amundsen seemed to do no wrong and Scoot could do nothing right. First, Scott's motorized sledge was dropped on the ice and immediately sank. They were 30 miles short of where they were supposed to be on Ross Island and made other bad decisions, like leaving the skis behind at one point. They had lots of other issues, and they knew when they saw Amundsen's black flag they had been beaten in the race to the South Pole.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But Scott and four other men continued on the final leg to the pole, and on the way back were beset with even more issues, among them even colder weather than expected, blizzards, frost bite, scurvy, two deaths among five people early on the return trip. The blizzard stopped them. Scott had given orders to an officer at the base camp that if Scott and his four men didn't return to a pre-arranged supply depot, that relief teams should not be sent any further. The officer followed that order. If the relief teams had gone another 10 or so miles they could have saved Scott and the other two men. This officer regretted following orders for the rest of his life. As I remember the story, when they finally did find Scott, they also found one of the Amundsen black flags, which ended up in a museum.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a WOW factor! Our lecturer Trevor Potts was in the town with the museum; the curator came to the pub across the street and brought the flag with him. So Trevor got to actually hold a flag in his own hands that was left at the South Pole in 1911. The curator lost his job. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A side note I also learned today: Back in those days they had figured out that to prevent scurvy they needed vitamin C, but they didn't have pills so all of their attempts to freeze it or process it didn't work. Most animals make their own vitamin C, some mammals can’t. Primates, bats, capybaras and guinea pigs can't make their own vitamin C. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I had a chance to talk with Mr. Potts after the lecture and tell him how much I enjoyed his lectures. Below are a couple of photos of yours truly with Mr. Potts.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83M4tkpCll-U0dqaSG4EUw6hiinrB_hCnD_eC1Qh9tGWzaz_v1qq13ROqgoYC7TPGLX_PZR6nYOKf0coeH2Qlhqg2lLH7HMNnAIyQtBcBb4Mcnf5_UfQS9ZdVkYCViigLRlQS4hhMyL7S/s1600/IMG_8717-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83M4tkpCll-U0dqaSG4EUw6hiinrB_hCnD_eC1Qh9tGWzaz_v1qq13ROqgoYC7TPGLX_PZR6nYOKf0coeH2Qlhqg2lLH7HMNnAIyQtBcBb4Mcnf5_UfQS9ZdVkYCViigLRlQS4hhMyL7S/s1600/IMG_8717-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane and Trevor Potts</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJvQCk2t5635jE0PugObUh2tIHohkX4QdtfjUJMom43fDxMOmcMlXFbNZ4d_q7Sc2MCEAjFIXts_81203Rirf6OGZT5CG-pWCBSQkwuYUsvTME7kAbpawmBaRTXSfVSR-iLbk2MMpa9Vy/s1600/IMG_8716-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJvQCk2t5635jE0PugObUh2tIHohkX4QdtfjUJMom43fDxMOmcMlXFbNZ4d_q7Sc2MCEAjFIXts_81203Rirf6OGZT5CG-pWCBSQkwuYUsvTME7kAbpawmBaRTXSfVSR-iLbk2MMpa9Vy/s1600/IMG_8716-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane and Trevor Potts</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">My friend Philip Chartrand sent me an email earlier that he himself had given a lecture on Shackleton’s polar expedition, and can also appreciate the accomplishment of Trevor Potts. Philip thought it was great that I got to hear Potts in person.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We will dock in Montevideo, Uruguay Saturday morning, spend 8 hours or so there, then sail to Buenos Aires, Argentina which will be our last port on this cruise. My Patagonia/Antarctica cruise will end Sunday. My friend Dayle wrote in her blog about her 2018 Patagonia/Antarctica cruise, "<i>what an unbelievable experience we had. So many fun times with so many fun people – guests and crew..</i>" I know the feeling.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cruise Day 21 (Saturday, February 1st) Now in Montevideo, Urugu</b>ay</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today we are in Montevideo, Uruguay. Hard to believe it's February already, the Antarctica portion of this cruise is over, and the last day for the Patagonia portion. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We arrived in Montevideo early this morning, Montevideo is a port city and the capital of Uruguay. The photo below is what we saw as we arrived. That tall building that look kind of like a sail or airfoil is the Telecommunications Tower, the headquarters of Uruguay's government-owned telecommunications company and the tallest building in the country.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJf6GQJuPRxTUtdG0cottNmLj4YECMgZp-h-nPnpKRyqiuMO3Xw4I2Cc9e8lhjDsfTEvuqqzj9PzpZFA471pVFupYbni6tzQSyPPJpgzekYrOEP6C5m7x5KijQ206YMYOKgBNfN8CMa1eh/s1600/IMG_8696-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJf6GQJuPRxTUtdG0cottNmLj4YECMgZp-h-nPnpKRyqiuMO3Xw4I2Cc9e8lhjDsfTEvuqqzj9PzpZFA471pVFupYbni6tzQSyPPJpgzekYrOEP6C5m7x5KijQ206YMYOKgBNfN8CMa1eh/s1600/IMG_8696-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Coming into Montevideo</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">From the above photo you can also see the hot tub that is on the deck where are cabin is, kind of secluded from the rest of the ship.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The next photo show some abandoned old rusty ship in the Port of Montevideo.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKIsmKL3eVP8YaVCCNvimUB33-Qzd-yE7TpWfbZyeiKvKxAWv5dy9UyGPX-CR8L-xv_jZD54HbMpaus3-FoN3nI22crVdO4Bi3t4V5YgCwI9dW1NLV1_6HhJ42eU7mbPWJ43iADia27-N/s1600/IMG_3329-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKIsmKL3eVP8YaVCCNvimUB33-Qzd-yE7TpWfbZyeiKvKxAWv5dy9UyGPX-CR8L-xv_jZD54HbMpaus3-FoN3nI22crVdO4Bi3t4V5YgCwI9dW1NLV1_6HhJ42eU7mbPWJ43iADia27-N/s1600/IMG_3329-1200p.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The following photo shows another view of the Port of Montevideo, taken from the Observation Lounge on our ship. You can see another cruise ship in this photo, the <i>Celebrity Eclipse</i>. The <i>Celebrity Eclipse</i> is a larger ship than our ship. The Celebrity Eclipse is 1,040 feet in length and carries 3,420 passengers, compared with 650 feet in length for the <i>Seabourn Quest</i>, which carries only 450 passengers. The <i>Celebrity Eclipse</i> also just got back from Antarctica.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLYmvlGs2BFGVRLq2djq3SP7whz6NiiEwWHNIefdArmYHUruTklRG5-iIXn-Np2fclZmsCTFFlNWKAC5WZO2oyvwKt8E2jS17Z9zuIvWJBgD6UVpjyIMtR9QjsmQGvGZFc0gamcBOoBKR/s1600/IMG_3330-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLYmvlGs2BFGVRLq2djq3SP7whz6NiiEwWHNIefdArmYHUruTklRG5-iIXn-Np2fclZmsCTFFlNWKAC5WZO2oyvwKt8E2jS17Z9zuIvWJBgD6UVpjyIMtR9QjsmQGvGZFc0gamcBOoBKR/s1600/IMG_3330-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Another view of the Port of Montevideo</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">But larger ships like the <i>Eclipse</i> don’t make “shore landings” like we did on the <i>Quest</i>. There’s a rule that states that ships carrying more than 500 passengers on board are not allowed to land any passengers while in Antarctic waters. These larger cruise ships offer only “cruise-by” visits to Antarctica. The <i>Quest</i> is one of the larger cruise ships that is allowed to make the “shore landings, and it’s luxurious interior and facilities have made it hugely popular."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The following screen shot of a photo taken by the crew of the ship and posted on their website, shows our ship on the day we docked.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xbQBIuugAf-b218VLwp8607Wod55gVOqG3PiicR3QM9rvB9lw0I8pXW1O5BMRasBSMarWAkfPZNgJnjgd8TCikhMS-IAdR3k_4r2fzPpQz_RZtzlVy9PO9NnqIu00DAy6Z-FVgkJvSEO/s1600/Montevideo+02-01-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="1223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xbQBIuugAf-b218VLwp8607Wod55gVOqG3PiicR3QM9rvB9lw0I8pXW1O5BMRasBSMarWAkfPZNgJnjgd8TCikhMS-IAdR3k_4r2fzPpQz_RZtzlVy9PO9NnqIu00DAy6Z-FVgkJvSEO/s1600/Montevideo+02-01-20.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our ship at Montevideo after we docked, photo by the crew</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The next photo is yours truly, the welcome sign at the container port of Montevideo is translated into several languages as you can tell. That's the </span><i>Eclipse</i><span style="font-size: large;"> in the background, to the left in the photo.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUOjCylCGpuVWYvct13iQHySCLQmRLrXoVM5n7GXPR8zFstvD9xheSArK-uQA6lnydMe4mEnIb7xTsGu4ZHkNh3jt1s_BQce7L2H4iXsETp9bBxi3uqXIX7qkfh465mCqfdywqvMaFvcL/s1600/IMG_3317-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1277" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUOjCylCGpuVWYvct13iQHySCLQmRLrXoVM5n7GXPR8zFstvD9xheSArK-uQA6lnydMe4mEnIb7xTsGu4ZHkNh3jt1s_BQce7L2H4iXsETp9bBxi3uqXIX7qkfh465mCqfdywqvMaFvcL/s1600/IMG_3317-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane at the Welcome Wheel in Montevideo</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Uruguay is the second smallest country in S.A. it has 3.35 million residents. 12 million cows, huge numbers of sheep and 1 million horses. We walked around some this morning. And took a city tour this afternoon. The photo ops were pretty poor. Govt buildings and memorials. The old Fish Market was the most photogenic. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We went to the old Fish Market at the Montevideo Port today, although it is no longer a fish market. It’s been converted to a bunch of cafes, restaurants, etc. It’s located in the Port Market (Mercado del Puerto in Spanish). The next 3 photos are from both inside and outside where we were. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARDFW3yuWSCt8mE9VhVQ69TiKiTLmgdk2UZW2qdEPclOF3x7zhcNORZ0cUCUUDqbpzbBNBA94PDPmlh0034SRXGPCVI7kGHmwTxCmM5U8m4JXvXbSK_pd5FA1Qgr8BRwNfJa1gI3hc-MQ/s1600/IMG_3336-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARDFW3yuWSCt8mE9VhVQ69TiKiTLmgdk2UZW2qdEPclOF3x7zhcNORZ0cUCUUDqbpzbBNBA94PDPmlh0034SRXGPCVI7kGHmwTxCmM5U8m4JXvXbSK_pd5FA1Qgr8BRwNfJa1gI3hc-MQ/s1600/IMG_3336-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Mercado del Puerto</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFTH6tHV7tBdVUfZ-HlEJNukabwvHFs71o0omjElqtit-JSq7kMApCyh79_5w5rnGhV2JWFBPkFU1dCyZbI7sNtRVTiDYahBp9pcMkcVob-Fntw4U5YDH9p34xH4643g5aTG1YtAuds_h/s1600/IMG_3334-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFTH6tHV7tBdVUfZ-HlEJNukabwvHFs71o0omjElqtit-JSq7kMApCyh79_5w5rnGhV2JWFBPkFU1dCyZbI7sNtRVTiDYahBp9pcMkcVob-Fntw4U5YDH9p34xH4643g5aTG1YtAuds_h/s1600/IMG_3334-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Mercado del Puerto</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcmj2c7OGepg59xsZuLxyCvhB2suOsZnqX2RR6Yrp2i5cZ2cq7_8LQgF8DJxTcnXYCPxian_k9l2Jza1MdBOTBmavyxT4QdPv66HDdwvzIAZESbXKC0vhwg61zC2XFOVU5GNMhd5_7IaZ/s1600/IMG_3339-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcmj2c7OGepg59xsZuLxyCvhB2suOsZnqX2RR6Yrp2i5cZ2cq7_8LQgF8DJxTcnXYCPxian_k9l2Jza1MdBOTBmavyxT4QdPv66HDdwvzIAZESbXKC0vhwg61zC2XFOVU5GNMhd5_7IaZ/s1600/IMG_3339-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Mercado del Puerto</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">We are mostly packed to begin a short stay in Buenos Aires, Argentina where the temp is supposed to go to 96 degrees F tomorrow. UGH! Send me back to Antarctica.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-size: large;">Sunday (February 2): Now in </span><span style="font-size: large;">Buenos Aires, Argentina, and off our cruise ship</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Our cruise ship arrived in Buenos Aires, Argentina early Sunday morning from Montevideo, Uruguay and we disembarked from our ship. Our cruise is now over.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The entrance to Buenos Aires was not especially photo worthy, as it is a container port. And the large cruise ship <i>Celebrity Eclipse</i> disembarked 3420 people the same time our ship of 450 folks did the same. Chaos reigned needless to say. A photo might have been a good idea, too late now. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We arrived at our small boutique hotel to learn it was a healthy one, hence the name <i>Casa Calma</i>. We can check out yoga mats at the front desk and there is a hot tub in the room. It is 90 degrees F outside, that doesn't invite me to indulge in the hot tub. Our first mission was to convert US dollars into local currency and we were told to change dollars at a cambio (currency exchange place) which is contrary to the advice I’ve followed everywhere else in the world, but after my Ushuaia experience, the only option. By the way, this is Argentina, known for the currency mercurial movement. Sunday the conversion rate was 58.5 (One US dollar = 58.5 Argentin Pesos), today it was 60.5. Go figure. We are so lucky in the USA that our currency is stable.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then to the <i>Hop On Hop Off</i> bus (You can get on at any stop and begin your tour). We hopped on and didn't really hop off until we were almost back to the hotel. There was a roof on the bus so we couldn't see the tops of any of the buildings so no photos from this bus tour. We had heard the Argentinian Pizza was special, so we headed to the pizza restaurant <i>El Cuartito</i> "The Little Room" in English) to order a grande pizza made with provolone Santa Maria. YUM. See photo below. <i>El Cuartito</i> is one of the oldest pizza restaurants in Buenos Aires.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfQe5BcSpXTo8ecW9UcnbPlStJkIDJQaj1ydldwm7uz6kqbzgQF96DAos_I0PmgPK7-yd6N4aiti0BLYx5iGfD9RWH0VelVzzwqgLEs8BVRM-h93QHqWCUgPMzbUc4ZIydcfzMgIGllAa/s1600/IMG_8724-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfQe5BcSpXTo8ecW9UcnbPlStJkIDJQaj1ydldwm7uz6kqbzgQF96DAos_I0PmgPK7-yd6N4aiti0BLYx5iGfD9RWH0VelVzzwqgLEs8BVRM-h93QHqWCUgPMzbUc4ZIydcfzMgIGllAa/s1600/IMG_8724-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Pizza made with provolone Santa Maria</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The rest of the day was a nap, drinks and a light supper. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Monday (February 3): 2nd day in Buenos Aires, Argentina</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Monday, was a much more interesting day than Sunday. We took a taxi to the area in Buenos Aires called La Boca. This was the first harbor in the city and the area in which the immigrants arrived. Lots of history here, the interesting stuff to me was first the houses. They look like the ones we saw in Valparaiso, Chile. They were made from the scraps from the shipping container and boats, etc. and paints from there as well, so it is colorful. </span><span style="font-size: large;">La Boca’s revival began in the 1950s when local artist Benito Quinquela Martín started painting the old houses in bright colors, just like the immigrants did originally.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The rainbow colored houses are a beautiful sight and no doubt one of the most famous images of Buenos Aires, a huge tourist attraction. See the following 3 photos.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZw6yuCiyrC6jYPNfez6gq9q4u1hUAv4J8muLlDWVvOagZ_kiGAyEXa6Wy2XNWYJGmJA8f0UfBr_0lajRf5ZxPmmiNWbyXX917Ka92JwwOSJ_A44BLtdtFAmPlRh7Wr8aN377i5jh4oxjV/s1600/IMG_3353-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZw6yuCiyrC6jYPNfez6gq9q4u1hUAv4J8muLlDWVvOagZ_kiGAyEXa6Wy2XNWYJGmJA8f0UfBr_0lajRf5ZxPmmiNWbyXX917Ka92JwwOSJ_A44BLtdtFAmPlRh7Wr8aN377i5jh4oxjV/s1600/IMG_3353-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Colorful houses</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KzTjhjrLOlchwOMAjs9IcL-SBXYrxYzSBA-dxNeU2_rAyUGgctHOttJpFXHJJT6krsiycjVtrO7Ozu-l6OEprfheLZFAF52gzfTJoH94waId_93ZrbEe22htQY7bX89_ZDx1M1NxoSrG/s1600/IMG_3360-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KzTjhjrLOlchwOMAjs9IcL-SBXYrxYzSBA-dxNeU2_rAyUGgctHOttJpFXHJJT6krsiycjVtrO7Ozu-l6OEprfheLZFAF52gzfTJoH94waId_93ZrbEe22htQY7bX89_ZDx1M1NxoSrG/s1600/IMG_3360-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Colorful houses</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUX5lUt9uq1xIrqIJ7kx7yytOBGfpfDk3_WsHzF33BB7tejSiRWGlydduNgFMG-qpGAWU1GXI8RUd9LsNUao65w94edaAhwR0DdS-1A7sJwOKcAcQzT5v5-PXQHvVNxUleXQpYq6kK6CqM/s1600/IMG_3361-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUX5lUt9uq1xIrqIJ7kx7yytOBGfpfDk3_WsHzF33BB7tejSiRWGlydduNgFMG-qpGAWU1GXI8RUd9LsNUao65w94edaAhwR0DdS-1A7sJwOKcAcQzT5v5-PXQHvVNxUleXQpYq6kK6CqM/s1600/IMG_3361-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Colorful houses</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Since it was mostly the men that came first (before their families came), they built these houses with 16 x 16 ft. rooms, one kitchen and one bathroom. I'm not sure how many people per building, around 25-30 people. When the families came, that number swelled by the size of the families. OY! All sorts of other travail ensued including fires and floods. There were many nationalities in these crowded rooms/homes, 25 families not all speaking the same language nor eating the same foods, sharing one kitchen and one bathroom. OY! squared.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yerba mate (pronounced like mah-tay) is a tea/herb put in a gourd cup, hot but not boiling water is added and it is drunk with a metal straw with a strainer on the end. It seems to be a popular drink in all the South America countries I’ve been to on this trip, Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina. The mate is commonly shared with others (as a symbol of hospitality and friendship), and a thermos of the hot water is added as needed. It is supposed to be quite energizing (high caffeine I’m guessing). I also saw people drinking it in La Boca but never got around to trying it. Maybe I’ll try it in Brazil when we go there in a few days. Below is a crop of a quickie iPhone photo I took on our La Boca walk Monday.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDENOWPccgmQeEwlNShNawnc2sMzNGHU2vhOv67bGY3MKiV7Ap2bZBY9hxzf3_E1vJTxVRZFAhvxUJsdsQF5wEy2vU7LEY_4c-UHrs1AI3wrClPEPHs3LGn6aucY0RfWHoC9LFB1xkhXx/s1600/IMG_3358-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDENOWPccgmQeEwlNShNawnc2sMzNGHU2vhOv67bGY3MKiV7Ap2bZBY9hxzf3_E1vJTxVRZFAhvxUJsdsQF5wEy2vU7LEY_4c-UHrs1AI3wrClPEPHs3LGn6aucY0RfWHoC9LFB1xkhXx/s1600/IMG_3358-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Two men sharing a mate</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">According to our guide Argentina has always had a passion for beef that dates back to the very beginnings of the country’s history, Because of the cattle, there was beef curing as well as leather tanning. The guide didn't say it, but can you imagine how it smelled, probably worse than those penguins we saw on our Antarctic cruise. Aggravating the situation, the wealthy families closed this harbor and built a new better one. The result was the harbor became polluted. Two years ago an environmental artist built an island in the middle of the harbor out of plastic bottles, today it looks verdant which shows that even in pollution, nature can flourish. See the following 2 photos. Notice the birds on the second photo.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosBNQqDrxixqggJXmDj9SI1Amk9W44x8F0VVN4Om7ZOAxOKMJ0oeS9ZFk7q5kMFuifKsU1Zbd7nNVRbeu5SOlwfYaCxeasjlFf95ICBEOubb6jahD7lZ-K37g0kgXo43aqOf64Lr-paEd/s1600/P1010038-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosBNQqDrxixqggJXmDj9SI1Amk9W44x8F0VVN4Om7ZOAxOKMJ0oeS9ZFk7q5kMFuifKsU1Zbd7nNVRbeu5SOlwfYaCxeasjlFf95ICBEOubb6jahD7lZ-K37g0kgXo43aqOf64Lr-paEd/s1600/P1010038-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Island out of plastic bottles</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5I32QKi0PHef61FlemfzrSSmkdsJmLJbsNP59FjynAAHb6yYddebSBFcqS7ObgVx6p7-_6qbD6OGPHFa07XkfQSG-fPvn6QEAUQzsi1E3gJCBD-hGu9h8A_NTfyc6o_GojSxEHUksnC5Q/s1600/P1010037-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5I32QKi0PHef61FlemfzrSSmkdsJmLJbsNP59FjynAAHb6yYddebSBFcqS7ObgVx6p7-_6qbD6OGPHFa07XkfQSG-fPvn6QEAUQzsi1E3gJCBD-hGu9h8A_NTfyc6o_GojSxEHUksnC5Q/s1600/P1010037-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Island out of plastic bottles</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Local artist Benito Quinquela Martín not only revived the colorful houses built by the original immigrants, he also built several buildings including a lactarium where nursing mothers could go donate their milk to children who's mothers couldn't feed them for any reason. The building looks like a ship, notice the figurehead at the "bow of ship" on the following photo.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RIsODwVUg4G14CUzZf81b3PXMO7mYHLxm7MDZ5kRCZOGCNNDta0SLGd503xsl8SJ_rekZIo1oq0LuQ38edS-WQQ-IW8-N5r_mFqfnqdRHeo_wnOCUp2IMsghYfiexMMshf-Hjh-pHht_/s1600/P1010036-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RIsODwVUg4G14CUzZf81b3PXMO7mYHLxm7MDZ5kRCZOGCNNDta0SLGd503xsl8SJ_rekZIo1oq0LuQ38edS-WQQ-IW8-N5r_mFqfnqdRHeo_wnOCUp2IMsghYfiexMMshf-Hjh-pHht_/s1600/P1010036-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Lactarium</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">After walking down the back of the colorful houses we noticed there were no doors. The walkway used to be the railroad that delivered the leather and meat, and later grains from the warehouses that you can see in the panorama photo of the harbor. When that activity ceased, Martin had the rails removed and cobblestones installed.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As we walked through the neighborhood we came upon the square with the mural <i>Republica de La Boca</i>, see photo below. We were told that in the 1880’s the La Boca area seceded from Argentina and was briefly (for 74 hours) declared the independent <i>Republica de La Boca</i>. The people involved in this movement wrote to the King of Italy instead of writing to the President of Argentina. They were mostly from Genoa another seaport town. They wanted to secede in order to reorganize and get better pay and benefits. The mural is part of the history.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPHhCjAVuSAD2aJMtZJIH3uYxw3zO7hK1Zc2SQsXMZwYZNiPQJaGS6rAs6SHetYdcrb8hyhnHKcxaMAkVPTtOmghH-6C9-mkzV8zCjDi6P6-albLatsT8i4kKF03_BARdibPlIjWIUmKa/s1600/IMG_3365-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPHhCjAVuSAD2aJMtZJIH3uYxw3zO7hK1Zc2SQsXMZwYZNiPQJaGS6rAs6SHetYdcrb8hyhnHKcxaMAkVPTtOmghH-6C9-mkzV8zCjDi6P6-albLatsT8i4kKF03_BARdibPlIjWIUmKa/s1600/IMG_3365-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: <i>Republica de La Boca</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We then continued our walk to the Boca Junior Futbol Stadium (see following photo). The kids (15 years old) that started this team went on to play many places and the team is the most successful team of Argentina, having won 68 official titles to date. We didn't take the tour of the stadium or the museum, but I think it's pretty cool that these kids efforts were eventually able to build this 50,000 seat stadium. This stadium is very narrow and tall and was designed by an earthquake architect. They say when the fans get excited and start jumping up and down, the stadium trembles. But they say it's just the heart beat. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tHGxJu4uhyphenhyphenMVK8dnjLDlDkolKfPfb_Hz0wUqGmvQZNWArVTWmWg1vczb1BlKO7TmfLQgDi7ZRMHivwHXlY61Ksoc7iE2haelBIxr1UbQimN4lPiuczI1Yv8uqef2OcASXHfyRmqB1uIn/s1600/IMG_3368-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tHGxJu4uhyphenhyphenMVK8dnjLDlDkolKfPfb_Hz0wUqGmvQZNWArVTWmWg1vczb1BlKO7TmfLQgDi7ZRMHivwHXlY61Ksoc7iE2haelBIxr1UbQimN4lPiuczI1Yv8uqef2OcASXHfyRmqB1uIn/s1600/IMG_3368-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Boca Junior Futbol Stadium</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Below is a close-up photo of the badge on the outside of the stadium (you can see part of the badge in the above photo). CABJ stands for Club Atlético Boca Juniors (</span><span style="font-size: large;">Boca Juniors Athletic Club). The badge will eventually have 68 stars as they add a star for each Primera División title won. This badge on the stadium shows only 50 stars,</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrV2MVzn9s5hV0a4DkHP0czrgWnql4yDFmI-eHhiZ7GrQHlVbd2HQCLJyMJsO6nZfk6ZpDaRstGnzkC31EChFUpxZ16CIDkilPIVrML8ZXiq6BnrKFQVmFIjL_iJbOsJrN3BpVcJp20pI/s1600/IMG_3370-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1284" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrV2MVzn9s5hV0a4DkHP0czrgWnql4yDFmI-eHhiZ7GrQHlVbd2HQCLJyMJsO6nZfk6ZpDaRstGnzkC31EChFUpxZ16CIDkilPIVrML8ZXiq6BnrKFQVmFIjL_iJbOsJrN3BpVcJp20pI/s320/IMG_3370-1200p.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Badge on outside of the stadium</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">I also took a photo of the Nicolás Avellaneda transporter bridge, it is the only one of its kind conserved anywhere in the Americas, and one of the two bridges crossing the mouth of the Riachuelo River. See photo below.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhMrbuKRl2m_OosJjF1rj930pheqGny7A9_CNyZG1J16_Yy6iZvdBXdBzsXE7_K7uv4917j8eihdyP2Rs5BiTQdsHs0njW9uaufXT_hkM96jIBTmoaG-RgzorHHqgcBRsx7In7PE2lgPj/s1600/IMG_3354-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhMrbuKRl2m_OosJjF1rj930pheqGny7A9_CNyZG1J16_Yy6iZvdBXdBzsXE7_K7uv4917j8eihdyP2Rs5BiTQdsHs0njW9uaufXT_hkM96jIBTmoaG-RgzorHHqgcBRsx7In7PE2lgPj/s1600/IMG_3354-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Nicolás Avellaneda transporter bridge</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">We later went to the Rocoleta Cemetery Monday. We were told that we wouldn't be able to find Evita’s (world-famous former first lady of Argentina) tomb unless we looked for Eva Duarte (born María Eva Duarte). By Recoleta standards, her tomb was quite nondescript, but there were a lot of people there to see it. See the following 3 photos from the cemetery.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_hDeFbOCpitYPqxKtl5pRKpMyP5eLSv4B0gvONPpNxo1KDBI00i-LPUpTrfah2LJFUOpwoivwAoB9Q1vPlCkZTWzc576H_KdXjGX8ydL7_iemk53M2i0XWRyOFHX7CTdKU_MTpfYXurB/s1600/IMG_3374-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_hDeFbOCpitYPqxKtl5pRKpMyP5eLSv4B0gvONPpNxo1KDBI00i-LPUpTrfah2LJFUOpwoivwAoB9Q1vPlCkZTWzc576H_KdXjGX8ydL7_iemk53M2i0XWRyOFHX7CTdKU_MTpfYXurB/s1600/IMG_3374-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Evita's tomb</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbnUQnoteLQ-IvQ8GCaz5e0MQWsMtw2mCThSKjmFRvqHN38AqrW1GJOgDxi5oDBP8jIT1G3QSfDz7elJydXB45V6QSMB4enkqjw5rz6Lz9AbmT8WT9I7168-gj0w5gXjkQ9gcGMDCTQFR/s1600/IMG_3381-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbnUQnoteLQ-IvQ8GCaz5e0MQWsMtw2mCThSKjmFRvqHN38AqrW1GJOgDxi5oDBP8jIT1G3QSfDz7elJydXB45V6QSMB4enkqjw5rz6Lz9AbmT8WT9I7168-gj0w5gXjkQ9gcGMDCTQFR/s1600/IMG_3381-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Evita's tomb</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqfVbE78TLt0Fz2UIpHkziftEvdJBhyATADwL76tti6PGWaEG3tWAZZAs261Nwn73B47uHTiSiwFFI0E6an89rxsYDPzZ5aA6sboGYH3KtFRhGwnD5ewjkOM97VVk77IgsXbL_SsMPhzd/s1600/IMG_3384-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1064" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqfVbE78TLt0Fz2UIpHkziftEvdJBhyATADwL76tti6PGWaEG3tWAZZAs261Nwn73B47uHTiSiwFFI0E6an89rxsYDPzZ5aA6sboGYH3KtFRhGwnD5ewjkOM97VVk77IgsXbL_SsMPhzd/s1600/IMG_3384-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Another interesting grave site, woman lights a menorah </span><span style="font-size: small;">with 7 candles (not the traditional 9)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The cemetery had so much history in it. We kept trying to figure out what nationality many of the names were since so many immigrants had come to Argentina. It would have been a good thing to take a tour but it was 90 degrees F and we had done the La Boca walking tour earlier, so there wasn't enough mojo left to do a tour of the cemetery. If we hadn’t decided to go to La Tigre the next day (Tuesday), we might have taken a tour of the cemetery Monday. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Some background on Evita’s burial from the Internet. “<i>Three years after former First Lady Perón died of cancer in 1952, her body was removed by the Argentine military in the wake of a coup that deposed her husband, President Juan Perón. The body then went on a transatlantic odyssey for nearly twenty years before finally being returned to the Duarte family mausoleum in Recoleta Cemetery. She now lies in a crypt five meters underground, heavily fortified to ensure that no one can disturb the remains of Argentina’s most beloved and controversial First Lady.</i>”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span>
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Evita was born in 1919 and died in 1952, only 33 years of age, it has been said that “<i>Evita was a rock star as a politician's wife.</i>”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">On a different topic, I’ve learned that both Argentina and Uruguay claim to be the birthplace of the tango (the dance). In Uruguay they say the first tango song was written in the basement of the Bellas Artes building in the Square. In Argentina, they say the immigrants in La Boca would get together to play the instruments from their varied countries and the music evolved from there. The dance was the young men from the better neighborhoods coming to La Boca to visit the ladies of the night, hence all the sexy clothes and moves.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Monday night we went to an empanada making class at <i>The Argentine Experience,</i> located in Palermo Hollywood one of Buenos Aires's best neighborhoods. It was fun but not so challenging, we just learned how to take the filling and roll the pastry dough (no cooking). They served us MEAT for dinner, along with plenty of wine. In Argentina MEAT stands for beef (the very best grade gaucho-raised beef available in Argentina they said). All the instructions were pretty much done as stand up comedy so it was pretty funny. They have a big sense of humor there. Below are a couple of photos from that night. As you can see we were all given lovely black chef's hats to wear.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWwUjTkim1fUcc7dGhtFJ37Y1eTsXaN158JpfDWF-ey6GITprNMdJpw0dKLDSV1hKqzBn8RTA97-80GgqyLrsSZimb8qrVBxEI8wTr_5Iwv-iymsWItW53UG_X5HDM8d-7THcU08iRFtN/s1600/IMG_3388-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWwUjTkim1fUcc7dGhtFJ37Y1eTsXaN158JpfDWF-ey6GITprNMdJpw0dKLDSV1hKqzBn8RTA97-80GgqyLrsSZimb8qrVBxEI8wTr_5Iwv-iymsWItW53UG_X5HDM8d-7THcU08iRFtN/s1600/IMG_3388-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Empanada making class at <i>The Argentine Experience</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi170ISbiWH-1uNMd3cDJFOGp3oQcSoAchz0y7UR9spSXoPuhz9N6_fAQF-xLCTYClcbVQwAOiuIh2hnrwT_QHRYyGpYOq-ZD_jwHmoKOozsNUgaqJnzAteRp9n7-cC4mR1MFI1CuG0wa9w/s1600/IMG_3389-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi170ISbiWH-1uNMd3cDJFOGp3oQcSoAchz0y7UR9spSXoPuhz9N6_fAQF-xLCTYClcbVQwAOiuIh2hnrwT_QHRYyGpYOq-ZD_jwHmoKOozsNUgaqJnzAteRp9n7-cC4mR1MFI1CuG0wa9w/s1600/IMG_3389-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Empanada making class at </span><i>The Argentine Experience</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tuesday (February 4th): The town of Tigre, Argentina, a boat tour</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Tuesday we walked to the train station (which is more like a light rail) and paid our 85 pesos for a 50-mile trip to the town of Tigre, a northern suburb of Buenos Aires, the trip took about an hour. The area is known for its delta of hundreds of tiny islands and waterways as well as its large artisan market. The town is named for the tigres (jaguars) that used to roam there. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The area is now home to several boat companies that will take you on a tour of the surrounding delta and wildlife, so we signed up for a tour that lasted about an hour and a half. There wasn't much narration on the tour, but what was said was interesting. Along the way we saw many rusted out boat hulls, many had trees growing out of them. There were lots of houses with docks as there are no bridges among the islands and the main land. Everything is done by boat.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here are a few examples. Children and teachers go to and from school in speed boats; people have wire baskets on their docks for their trash and a boat comes by to pick it up. There is a boat supermarket, so folks put out a flag or something that says they need to shop; and there is a floating infirmary that has doctors, nurses, dentists, pediatricians. We learned that some folks commute into Buenos Aires for work on boats. It was 90+ F degrees Tuesday and my iPhone said “Feels like 106," and it did with the humidity. That is probably why there were so many people in the river swimming or hanging out. But not us, we were sweating. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Below are a couple of photos from our visit to the town of Tigre, Argentina.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTILo_G8Ty4_zrG2vY21ioXHUw1p6-5HYR3fNe06zJ5AIdD3U6JbTH7pOFgImYYgcRVEDyvfSPPoQSKun1Oxr0fmMzUgVcen9RZphGjaq-BD9yQ82hthR0tWsXnrdW3kf-y_BJWivZOP8/s1600/IMG_3392-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTILo_G8Ty4_zrG2vY21ioXHUw1p6-5HYR3fNe06zJ5AIdD3U6JbTH7pOFgImYYgcRVEDyvfSPPoQSKun1Oxr0fmMzUgVcen9RZphGjaq-BD9yQ82hthR0tWsXnrdW3kf-y_BJWivZOP8/s1600/IMG_3392-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Boat tour in Tigre</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CT_aSJYmPAGAJPoCO9XfFXgkqGWUZJyCdQcojbEvteZ7NvGKiNAHxX-rprn4pwzcGfGFhjiIRAoM-SCr7HhiB7c-3aRYenQn9ploq_AAeF5xFoKGvoTNWrhMGelt9ejoqz72d9HdaH_3/s1600/IMG_3396-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CT_aSJYmPAGAJPoCO9XfFXgkqGWUZJyCdQcojbEvteZ7NvGKiNAHxX-rprn4pwzcGfGFhjiIRAoM-SCr7HhiB7c-3aRYenQn9ploq_AAeF5xFoKGvoTNWrhMGelt9ejoqz72d9HdaH_3/s1600/IMG_3396-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Boat tour in Tigre</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wednesday (February 5th): in Brazil, Iguazú Falls</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday we flew from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Brazil to see the Iguazú Falls. There are two ways to tour the Iguazú Falls: the Brazilian side or the Argentinean side, we did the Brazilian side.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Iguazú Falls is made up of up to of 275 waterfalls depending on the season. The falls have been described as “<i><b>a truly magnificent display of nature</b></i>,” "<b><i>size and scale are unlike any other waterfall on Earth</i></b>, “ “<b><i>a monster</i></b>,” "<b><i>nearly twice as tall as Niagara Falls and three times wider,</i></b>” etc.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Not only is Iguazú Falls much larger than Niagara Falls, it’s surrounded by jungle where Niagara Falls is surrounded by hotels, restaurants, casinos, etc.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have only a few photos to post at this time. The 1st photo below is yours truly photographing one small section of the falls, The 2nd & 3rd photos show something I've always wanted to do, ...photograph a rainbow at a falls, and that made me very happy.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMDtsSckbhQAWPlos2hIz-49wKA7-zRJgGCOTwnX_toIhOzbTjyy43ptPmLNKySIMj_cGtcAFvdowTyw_OnVlybtuGMAPL_Z6_f5Tb01gKBggRG44M4r2mXv0Vie7-9ebRCz0aQwaYC67/s1600/IMG_3411-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMDtsSckbhQAWPlos2hIz-49wKA7-zRJgGCOTwnX_toIhOzbTjyy43ptPmLNKySIMj_cGtcAFvdowTyw_OnVlybtuGMAPL_Z6_f5Tb01gKBggRG44M4r2mXv0Vie7-9ebRCz0aQwaYC67/s1600/IMG_3411-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane photographing one section of Iguazú Falls</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0-Y5Xv2tkYADRh-dnowYewmRKLh1IZkr03uYvtyav7dXb2hVQ6pHmOl5EWS6eklF0p7jJ92Hlz_aFgCzEh6MQtNtZTipPUjqSKn3OutM5ZjZcEnDwgrhON48KbjstdV-_USP0TWsWdl6/s1600/IMG_3415-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0-Y5Xv2tkYADRh-dnowYewmRKLh1IZkr03uYvtyav7dXb2hVQ6pHmOl5EWS6eklF0p7jJ92Hlz_aFgCzEh6MQtNtZTipPUjqSKn3OutM5ZjZcEnDwgrhON48KbjstdV-_USP0TWsWdl6/s1600/IMG_3415-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Falls with rainbow</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1cNuXf_j-FPr8YWaJNAT74F7SttU1wZBN3urSvGzO50hUbTEYdW_MIFqwUQ92mr2lLjzOauekzg9GIXxWmShzKFYZQPVIRGCA4VkZbo00OPIogW6bSqY0WOoQEcNkp9XFFpB7p174-Ub/s1600/IMG_3413-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1cNuXf_j-FPr8YWaJNAT74F7SttU1wZBN3urSvGzO50hUbTEYdW_MIFqwUQ92mr2lLjzOauekzg9GIXxWmShzKFYZQPVIRGCA4VkZbo00OPIogW6bSqY0WOoQEcNkp9XFFpB7p174-Ub/s1600/IMG_3413-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Falls with rainbow</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Thursday (February 6th) at Iguazú Falls (still Brazil side)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We stayed at a fancy hotel in the National Park, the Belmond Hotel Das Cataratas (Belmond Hotel of the Falls in Portugese). Portuguese is the official language of Brazil The hotel is surrounded by rainforest and overlooks Iguazú Falls. To go anywhere we had to take a shuttle bus for about 7 miles. The speed limit was so tightly controlled the drivers used park gps coordinates that tracked where they were and how fast they were going. If they went over the speed limits. Sometimes 40 kph (about 25 mph) and sometime 50 kph (about 31 mph) they lost their driving in the park privileges. 1st offense is 2 months, 2nd offense FOREVER! OY! Needless too say my lead foot itched the whole trip.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">On with Thursday's adventure, we took the shuttle bus to the park and took a 10 minute helicopter ride over the falls. The view of the falls from the helicopter was stunning and I’ll send those photos later.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After the helicopter ride we then went to the Bird Park (Parque Das Aves in Portugese), a 12-acre sanctuary. This place is working to save endangered species and has some amazing birds. Attached is a photo of one of the birds, a Scarlet Ibis, stretching its wings.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfa657BI35DWYD2n9tvJWIqNIKtyEZVjFBLBJqQsqEX_baBwSAlm18mri5F5oJmqIX-EBfY9TKos39ZL3yTRnAQ4n2AZgKFusWYyyi0XTabUmfjAOuDxwD795LWCreEhlkScljGPOPwVq/s1600/IMG_3437-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfa657BI35DWYD2n9tvJWIqNIKtyEZVjFBLBJqQsqEX_baBwSAlm18mri5F5oJmqIX-EBfY9TKos39ZL3yTRnAQ4n2AZgKFusWYyyi0XTabUmfjAOuDxwD795LWCreEhlkScljGPOPwVq/s1600/IMG_3437-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Scarlet Ibis</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The macaws were also gorgeous, and noisy. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The next photo is a New York Dibis, also stretching its wings.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSFOFagG2P3fIcEhpej-djrI-D51Kh0gj766DSErUQDr_RVPY3xWeE-P4iH12ZejQFJj_IvNMMjOthUDyOyVRtmP99cxw1N4jued9lYdNIIjnVQGlbsRQ6QfFrFxjQbYZj5U5GumBhgEe/s1600/IMG_3421-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSFOFagG2P3fIcEhpej-djrI-D51Kh0gj766DSErUQDr_RVPY3xWeE-P4iH12ZejQFJj_IvNMMjOthUDyOyVRtmP99cxw1N4jued9lYdNIIjnVQGlbsRQ6QfFrFxjQbYZj5U5GumBhgEe/s1600/IMG_3421-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane at the Bird Park</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After the bird park we took a boat ride INTO the Iguazú Falls! Yes INTO, not under. We were soaked to the underwear. The water fell on us so fast and hard I couldn’t take out my camera or my phone to make any photos. I have some photos of the white water to get to the plunge point on my Panasonic ZS70 camera which I will access later. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Friday (February 7th): Argentina side of Iguazú Falls, fly to </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>São Paulo, Brazil</b></span><b> </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Today was our last day at the Iguazú Falls we left the hotel early and went to the Argentina side of the falls. The purpose was to see a new and completely different view of the falls. The Argentinian side also has a train system that allows for easy transport to different viewing points of the falls. See the following photo of yours truly standing near the train engine.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6K4X7dgqf-hpvb9GcYLif_4ShbLAi22wPXUnOVbjxWfnZc7cmynjo9TqgxFCN48MHp86N9dBKxKfOMiGaZL8LpTTRucqJKg7z0_msZCME6gnFCCFm8bJL8e6U9v6AVZaygypvlmJk39r/s1600/IMG_3524-960p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6K4X7dgqf-hpvb9GcYLif_4ShbLAi22wPXUnOVbjxWfnZc7cmynjo9TqgxFCN48MHp86N9dBKxKfOMiGaZL8LpTTRucqJKg7z0_msZCME6gnFCCFm8bJL8e6U9v6AVZaygypvlmJk39r/s1600/IMG_3524-960p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane taking control of the train</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It was an hour's ride going through immigration each way. We were right on top of the Iguazú Falls in Argentina, though less wet than being in them like in Brazil, and also more crowded. We had to wait our turn to get to the railing to take photos. The next photo I took of the Devil’s Throat (Garganta del Diablo) from the railing. Devil’s Throat is probably the star of Iguazu Falls, at least the tallest of Iguazu’s 275 waterfalls.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZXl9Kv1qEnznsHZS2meIpmVAjFfq0UW8ttEp2bEcnoFGrIvvbiE3Iv8fmzfOKSgGZZ1tD0OP-fpk6Z7BjjzDJA4RLjz41t7zeD7dJsGueoUeeZg_z99182nGZQi9NN353cG-CIWXdh3V/s1600/IMG_3527-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZXl9Kv1qEnznsHZS2meIpmVAjFfq0UW8ttEp2bEcnoFGrIvvbiE3Iv8fmzfOKSgGZZ1tD0OP-fpk6Z7BjjzDJA4RLjz41t7zeD7dJsGueoUeeZg_z99182nGZQi9NN353cG-CIWXdh3V/s1600/IMG_3527-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Devil’s Throat</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The following photo shows a guy with an umbrella. I guess he was an “official” photographer? We think these guys had signs made, grabbed their ladders and some rope and sectioned off the best spot to take photos of tourists. I think they emailed the photos instead of printing them. It was a mile walk to the Devil’s Throat.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXNOef3lb5XMFbBS6IDcfgKPPjOuoYYnZCybc5nlzC6IhX4rlisBIHam8JvWPEkYY-vInkdP-9B0hr71FRcqE8N6PNF4gmhGJRopuCVM2opLLtxf-7leBGvUpj1yrXdQ-HCdNTi6W3UNS/s1600/IMG_3532-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXNOef3lb5XMFbBS6IDcfgKPPjOuoYYnZCybc5nlzC6IhX4rlisBIHam8JvWPEkYY-vInkdP-9B0hr71FRcqE8N6PNF4gmhGJRopuCVM2opLLtxf-7leBGvUpj1yrXdQ-HCdNTi6W3UNS/s1600/IMG_3532-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Local photographer taking photos of tourists</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The next photo shows other tourists lined up to view the falls.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLL7nfBjADRBOQmT8JQu1fpq3ZDUDDe59XtNrneykOXVlEeZ_wKiTz9Q5eLG_NhQtQuBKDIYqQHsllg_T1ScO8_LAAbgOwleVi0LYJq78bMMOTdBkeVZVzId9IA6-KHDQK3YK79scIVq0/s1600/IMG_3533-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLL7nfBjADRBOQmT8JQu1fpq3ZDUDDe59XtNrneykOXVlEeZ_wKiTz9Q5eLG_NhQtQuBKDIYqQHsllg_T1ScO8_LAAbgOwleVi0LYJq78bMMOTdBkeVZVzId9IA6-KHDQK3YK79scIVq0/s1600/IMG_3533-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Tourists lined up to view the falls</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The walk began with a very crowded slow train ride. We could only use sign language to talk to our now nearly intimate fellow passengers. Lots to see people-wise in the path. One man took bread chunks and when he got to a resting spot put the bread on his cap and the birds would fly down and pick it up. His grandson was scared but wanted to do it so finally got up enough courage and squealed with delight when the bird came. (My plans are to post that photo later.) </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The coati (raccoons with long noses) have been every where but these small curious guys were at another rest stop, see the next photo. Even though the signs said don’t pet or feed, they were considered only a suggestion.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkJqQCAPmpViLWdv4P5BHPEfHzp08wKiH8REAV2mA_kvWQmHyX4DX8Il6zx3kxbGKZlv2NtLKIZSIPgDbZc_ualQ6eN3k1oCVUZ2DFpvnQeB3VTQARNfZEl4rP3Fl2DJajxyDlOnX317u/s1600/IMG_3538-1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkJqQCAPmpViLWdv4P5BHPEfHzp08wKiH8REAV2mA_kvWQmHyX4DX8Il6zx3kxbGKZlv2NtLKIZSIPgDbZc_ualQ6eN3k1oCVUZ2DFpvnQeB3VTQARNfZEl4rP3Fl2DJajxyDlOnX317u/s1600/IMG_3538-1200.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Feeding a coati</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> The following photo is yours truly.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwGBrTAtrdykTrkAmV-01aaA-2GpxgYJ7wL_Y1ET98x3_iLhZ7NgdgH8sZdGN1BfXCk0siNEfWAdzModDqBTKtjeJetFR8bAHxd-pkFxyGJhfi_sOdvUsBmjQ01w0KYh8VQcVh0rGucxc/s1600/IMG_3545-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwGBrTAtrdykTrkAmV-01aaA-2GpxgYJ7wL_Y1ET98x3_iLhZ7NgdgH8sZdGN1BfXCk0siNEfWAdzModDqBTKtjeJetFR8bAHxd-pkFxyGJhfi_sOdvUsBmjQ01w0KYh8VQcVh0rGucxc/s1600/IMG_3545-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane at Iguazú Falls</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Also on the trail I noticed people with mate (the drink) cups and straws, but they had thermoses with cold water. I could hear the ice cubes. I finally sort of asked someone using bad Spanish (I don't know bad Portugese) and sign language if they were drinking mate. No, it was Terere a similar drink as mate, but cold instead of hot. And they let me taste it. Yum. I’m excited to try hot mate even more now. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After touring the falls we took a flight Friday night from Iguazú Falls to São Paulo which turned out to be quite eventful. We pulled away from the gate, but had to go back, security came and checked someone out. The sandwiches they promised were two lousy cookies. When we were approaching São Paola all was well but as we started to land, we took off again. When we finally came around and landed again, at first they couldn’t get the jetway (the enclosed, movable connector which extends from the airport terminal gate to the airplane) closer than 10 feet away. Everyone was crowded in the aisles, it was chaos! Finally they got the jetway to work, but then the overhead luggage compartment wouldn't open, so Scott and another man jerked it open; with plastic flying everywhere, ...plus my armrest fell apart. So much for LATAM Airlines.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Uber was waiting for us at São Paulo so that worked out great. Our host Eduardo Trigo met us and we went to a fabulous village for an Italian dinner (at Famiglia Mancini) at just before midnight. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Eduardo is Stephen Adler’s partner, Stephen is a friend who used to live a couple of blocks from me in NYC and now lives in Brazil. I was going to visit Stephan but he was away on business. I’ve known Eduardo for maybe 7 years as Stephen’s partner. When Stephen discovered he would be away when we were there, Eduardo said to come anyway. Eduardo was a great host! See next photo for the three of us at dinner.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKzVi9V8t20pY7pxrY52Xhz_fpL8oE1CkD9gh6QzdQiIunxAcbkQenII0Dqu8s8MlxoQU5iXYchyphenhyphenVD-q1CT0ma6ZRxAWoeqpnAxLyaRWjQ3DkCwVqSMdIPJsLLogRDzpj_4N5QgWzlzr2/s1600/IMG_3552-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKzVi9V8t20pY7pxrY52Xhz_fpL8oE1CkD9gh6QzdQiIunxAcbkQenII0Dqu8s8MlxoQU5iXYchyphenhyphenVD-q1CT0ma6ZRxAWoeqpnAxLyaRWjQ3DkCwVqSMdIPJsLLogRDzpj_4N5QgWzlzr2/s1600/IMG_3552-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Dinner Friday night in São Paulo</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Saturday (February 8th), São Paulo, Brazil</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Saturday night was a pre-carnival party held at the Cultural Samba School Real Dragons. See the following 3 photos. Each year São Paulo has a carnival called the "Carnival in São Paulo.” This year it runs from February 21st to February 29th. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oq_VTPveyoA_9bZuoqW-t0EWWhAWGbnj8_YxPhlIRph64ljamN_LlwxGDxBZZF1nO-uccwKzGNYxd-JV5y7kiSadab5fjKufm1uo_zhNK7c3X7r6Gz4YfqaxyLbrzsmc0WO8IoNkRFRp/s1600/IMG_3566-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oq_VTPveyoA_9bZuoqW-t0EWWhAWGbnj8_YxPhlIRph64ljamN_LlwxGDxBZZF1nO-uccwKzGNYxd-JV5y7kiSadab5fjKufm1uo_zhNK7c3X7r6Gz4YfqaxyLbrzsmc0WO8IoNkRFRp/s1600/IMG_3566-1200p.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5blfxxrsvOhIbIK6365jAxMztjsh8ylfaMpBB0tFtU-zrX0oiFTgENMBxvCGJLgI9nBNMHSqRuvLSMZrZEcVazWtwSt8vHDR4cF57YsUZmVn78HqSZRyt5a02n3aTwkWA8wqi3bFAD2B/s1600/IMG_3802-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5blfxxrsvOhIbIK6365jAxMztjsh8ylfaMpBB0tFtU-zrX0oiFTgENMBxvCGJLgI9nBNMHSqRuvLSMZrZEcVazWtwSt8vHDR4cF57YsUZmVn78HqSZRyt5a02n3aTwkWA8wqi3bFAD2B/s1600/IMG_3802-1200p.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKcJ2SXIXHR6Pr9v_6U5riJxGbM1VF2TzAUHhjHUwUsOvTOhsqsa4pqGOabeZxU558ExXslLNbuwv9echvRQVq0dM3HiIGL_MDYjaMiQCkDxKC8jA3kTWnBuBsQuIlxZ9Yl9vTwv6gi1m/s1600/IMG_3607-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKcJ2SXIXHR6Pr9v_6U5riJxGbM1VF2TzAUHhjHUwUsOvTOhsqsa4pqGOabeZxU558ExXslLNbuwv9echvRQVq0dM3HiIGL_MDYjaMiQCkDxKC8jA3kTWnBuBsQuIlxZ9Yl9vTwv6gi1m/s1600/IMG_3607-1200p.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sunday (February 9th), São Paulo</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sunday we got to watch a Capoeira demonstration in a park. This form of combat started in Africa where they actually fought. In Brazil they formalized it and it is no longer a fight. It is a collaboration. They still get belts like judo but it is an inclusive group exercise. Very interesting. See the following photo.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3XfDUMmOPo2NbyzwKkjn22wPibOXPMWs2COERRh093TwcG-7mm1OwGQiTSoS2E7Guy3s923mNnWY8o3LPpVxLq0Amo8JF8YiX0BVnxLl9S_Bxgfw-RVa_RZ-fdoDEvk2cIU_T5OCxI3X/s1600/IMG_3618-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3XfDUMmOPo2NbyzwKkjn22wPibOXPMWs2COERRh093TwcG-7mm1OwGQiTSoS2E7Guy3s923mNnWY8o3LPpVxLq0Amo8JF8YiX0BVnxLl9S_Bxgfw-RVa_RZ-fdoDEvk2cIU_T5OCxI3X/s1600/IMG_3618-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Capoeira demonstration in a park</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You know what they call McDonald's in São Paulo? They call them Méqui (Mackies). McDonalds is changing their name to reflect the local culture. Kind of reminded me of the classic lines in the movie Pulp Fiction where Vincent says "<i>You know what they call a Quarter Pounder with cheese in Paris?</i>" And Jules says "<i>They don't call it a Quarter Pounder with cheese?</i>" See the next photo. The "1000" stands for "1000th McDonald's restaurant opened in Brazil."</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTMYSk80-VMe3oA0vsUkTHW2jWv3gmNgUJ8dY-_PmC5R4rBnosmxiSP7ZmP8sMh1SA781WkBvT_yQlcNYXFVmra5v00uUtqdWe8cpPyh9iyEtknKKC8UOKAqQ94hbLLXPPcMnoef1JyFh/s1600/IMG_3636-1200p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTMYSk80-VMe3oA0vsUkTHW2jWv3gmNgUJ8dY-_PmC5R4rBnosmxiSP7ZmP8sMh1SA781WkBvT_yQlcNYXFVmra5v00uUtqdWe8cpPyh9iyEtknKKC8UOKAqQ94hbLLXPPcMnoef1JyFh/s1600/IMG_3636-1200p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Méqui (Mackies)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">At a local bar Sunday I had my first caipirinha (national drink of Brazil) (see following 2 photos), it's made with Cachaça (a liquor made from sugarcane), sugar, and lime. The drink is fabulous! Muito delicious!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The bar was a one story corner building near where we stayed. I don’t know the name of the bar or if it had one. Our host Eduardo wanted to have me order the drink at the upscale place we had lunch and I said NO. I wanted to go to a local bar and have one like normal people. I like upscale but also like normal. So Eduardo indulged me (again, a great host!). The bartender seemed pleased that the gringos wanted to come there, and we asked they shake the drinks. It was fun. Below are a couple of photos taken by our host Eduardo with his iPhone 10. Thanks Eduardo, great photos! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzn-UQhNbrLC0dw1OKQciY18ow0fvNoq8gnr5r8jnnMHNWiTIj_scBBdHuufLebgBSmoLrvFFoRwIDsJhSETXUyppCbl5-V4Yj74muKn2UZttTnkg6Zmlzfkj1H9rBRTkWjxWqquoNiIuM/s1600/Diane2-768p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzn-UQhNbrLC0dw1OKQciY18ow0fvNoq8gnr5r8jnnMHNWiTIj_scBBdHuufLebgBSmoLrvFFoRwIDsJhSETXUyppCbl5-V4Yj74muKn2UZttTnkg6Zmlzfkj1H9rBRTkWjxWqquoNiIuM/s1600/Diane2-768p.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJk9hEKjdBcy90MvMv2EMTGaforwEHvDbk4UDg6D2a6iRCFWJlbojIqiuy2vckydGvn3lWyzmda6reyS9Ra3XfjDgFWRnzJ9yBbUaTDFfltSqElaCmg0mFFc17M2VY3CUuswJ1o3oDhbI/s1600/Diane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJk9hEKjdBcy90MvMv2EMTGaforwEHvDbk4UDg6D2a6iRCFWJlbojIqiuy2vckydGvn3lWyzmda6reyS9Ra3XfjDgFWRnzJ9yBbUaTDFfltSqElaCmg0mFFc17M2VY3CUuswJ1o3oDhbI/s1600/Diane.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Monday morning (February 10th), Back home in New York (</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Home Sweet Home!</b></span><b>)</b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">My flight left the São Paulo airport around 10:17 pm (São Paulo time, or 8:17 EST</span><span style="font-size: large;">) Sunday night and arrived at the JFK gate around 6:42 am EST Monday morning. So, about 11 hours on that airplane (including boarding time, etc.), an Airbus A333. FlightAware says 10 hours 25 minutes flight time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The attached screen shot from FlightAware shows the path of our flight.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Bd0KIT-kra6wTwdU5ihWng08tpzZ1euUFQ7q2KVy4Lx78fA7mvVBp8A5OOMfqZLHe-buKxlgTx4an_3YlGFRmnRi6yELcozmT8ApTJjGVEDYlZE7Iy0-yYUntp_oM_0nmV9n3AWWPVvm/s1600/Flight-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="1204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Bd0KIT-kra6wTwdU5ihWng08tpzZ1euUFQ7q2KVy4Lx78fA7mvVBp8A5OOMfqZLHe-buKxlgTx4an_3YlGFRmnRi6yELcozmT8ApTJjGVEDYlZE7Iy0-yYUntp_oM_0nmV9n3AWWPVvm/s1600/Flight-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626364476155545127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728495483307516262.post-23406370033402660492018-09-28T09:07:00.000-07:002020-02-10T07:28:31.970-08:002018 Africa Safari<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 1 - Arrived in Entebbe, Uganda</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I left the JFK airport in NYC on Friday (8-31-18) on a 6:30 pm 7+ hour fight to Amsterdam, Netherlands. There I had about a 3-hour layover before my next flight to Kigali, Rwanda that took 8+ hours. From Kigali I took my final flight of about 1+ hour to Entebbe, Uganda, which is where I am for Day 1 of my trip. Uganda is 7 hours ahead of NYC and Florida; I finally arrived safely in Entebbe about 10 pm Entebbe time on Saturday (9-1-18). I’m writing this on Sunday (9-2-18).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">On Sunday morning there wasn't much to do in Entebbe. We walked around and over to the "big" mall. Mostly trying to stay awake. Not so picturesque unless we hike to Lake Victoria. We might do that after a nap, but maybe not. The uncountable hours of travel time needs to wear off. It is the dry season with a 70% chance of rain Monday and the rest of the week. Go figure. I'll send a photo of Lake Victoria if we go. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Below are a couple of photos from my iPhone, a toy white tiger in a truck (They said there were no tigers in Uganda!) and an artist from one of the small craft markets at the mall. The artist was using small scraps of fabrics for the “paintings.” Some were much nicer than the ones with just paint.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbBxCnFVgm8wnURsz-18r8Umx8KtyntUrIRLPtF7KowmBNjYDmEdqt1R1nl99Aw-fVEL5OPOK6ybx61cVbffB8FMZAE9WRr_-uvww9pMDZatmLvqqNV1Mhqx0li9sMk_mkegOsNhhe8qz/s1600/IMG_0478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbBxCnFVgm8wnURsz-18r8Umx8KtyntUrIRLPtF7KowmBNjYDmEdqt1R1nl99Aw-fVEL5OPOK6ybx61cVbffB8FMZAE9WRr_-uvww9pMDZatmLvqqNV1Mhqx0li9sMk_mkegOsNhhe8qz/s1600/IMG_0478.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Toy white tiger in a truck</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis572DJbRB0xCIeid4KSZUcmqbZRAt1pwW_BCKODRjMbGFQlPmBZh98yIxRTXhdulRQuFM2DjRMs3mal2hFCPOlqsHdWO-AYeLQ4601bBxN-dnqhU9NFU57htv6zgMH9qnq19gt8hR8Zk8/s1600/IMG_0479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis572DJbRB0xCIeid4KSZUcmqbZRAt1pwW_BCKODRjMbGFQlPmBZh98yIxRTXhdulRQuFM2DjRMs3mal2hFCPOlqsHdWO-AYeLQ4601bBxN-dnqhU9NFU57htv6zgMH9qnq19gt8hR8Zk8/s1600/IMG_0479.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Artist was using small scraps of fabrics for a “painting”</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">A side note: Before we landed in Kigali, Rwanda to drop off and pick up passengers, there was an announcement “No plastic bags are allowed in Rwanda, If you have anything such as something purchased at the duty free shop, take it out of the plastic bag and leave the plastic bags on the airplane.” This was a policy that Rwanda put into effect in 2008. I wish they would do that everywhere. It wasn’t the plastic bags themselves Rwanda was concerned about, but the ways in which the plastic bags were being disposed of that was creating many environmental problems. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 2: Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National Park - 3rd Sept 2018</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I’m writing this on Monday from the Mweya Safari Lodge at the Queen Elizabeth National Park. We left Entebbe this morning after breakfast and drove for the Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is about a 230-mile drive.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was pouring rain and this is the dry season! We took a dirt road for about an hour that was very bumpy. Our driver by the name of Baker said this was an “African Massage.” On this drive (Masaka-Kampala Road) we crossed the equator near a little town called Kayabwe, about a 40-mile ride out of Entebbe. I took the following photo with my iPhone of one of the two cement circles that marks the equator, known at the Equator Landmark. This one was by the Equator Line Restaurant, there is another cement circle on the other side of the road. Standing inside that circle you can have one foot in the northern hemisphere and one foot in the southern hemisphere.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLznFiD08lB5DMylknDad4NzLAsnDjHWK09xeZeJ1Kb8cxnAcAOSN9RQdGsRtYTVssHVMTleVsEZjhU9Nrp28-cHQPPP6LrEePcvVZYpxkqlw8lHfgc9RIGTXE2tU6VYniwXt_2RYMeD3H/s1600/IMG_0480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLznFiD08lB5DMylknDad4NzLAsnDjHWK09xeZeJ1Kb8cxnAcAOSN9RQdGsRtYTVssHVMTleVsEZjhU9Nrp28-cHQPPP6LrEePcvVZYpxkqlw8lHfgc9RIGTXE2tU6VYniwXt_2RYMeD3H/s1600/IMG_0480.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Equator Line Restaurant</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">There was papyrus growing by the road and also in large fields. Our driver said the Asians used to make paper from the papyrus. But the Uganda President (Idi Amin) forced all the Asians out of the country in 1972. Now the papyrus is used for roofs and mats. The second attached photo is of Papyrus mats taken with my iPhone.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwdHNUkyOLp-rsqsbrIayPiol_R1dPeSqDGTF1B6OlLWY8SJo3j8-blPcw2AR8o8Zl0ddP7fZTZJE4FcIjztJ4FRXeiCF2Tsme3K7bPobDb7RNjJDcmxt3gQa9NA0FFY9UWYUt00gptkG/s1600/IMG_0492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwdHNUkyOLp-rsqsbrIayPiol_R1dPeSqDGTF1B6OlLWY8SJo3j8-blPcw2AR8o8Zl0ddP7fZTZJE4FcIjztJ4FRXeiCF2Tsme3K7bPobDb7RNjJDcmxt3gQa9NA0FFY9UWYUt00gptkG/s1600/IMG_0492.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Papyrus mats</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">There were numerous bricks kilns along the road for making bricks. Clay is dug up near by and made into bricks for houses, fences and racks for drying stuff, maybe drying papyrus. On that bumpy road we saw lots of motorbikes with strange cargo. One motorbike carried a pig and another motorbike carried about 16 dozen eggs. I suspect the eggs were scrambled at the end of that journey. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The road was so bumpy that my fitness watch recorded that I walked 1,663 steps while I was just riding in the back seat.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Once we reached the Queen Elizabeth National Park I started seeing some wild animals and took some pretty cool photos with my Panasonic ZS50 camera and downloaded the photos to my laptop computer. I saw zebras, an elephant, a mongoose, a warthog and lots of birds, and this was all before we started our trek. But I’m unable to include any of those photos just yet (no Internet). Hopefully I can include these later.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 3 (Tuesday): Queen Elizabeth NP to Bwindi National Park – 4th Sept 2018</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After breakfast today (Tuesday) at the Queen Elizabeth National Park we went to the beautiful Kyambura gorge for the morning chimpanzee trek through the forest. The photo below is of our group heading out for the chimp trek.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswSRhZk4CKI7kj2ohcc9Wo2DQs0QOMcpv26P2P2X__DebZxzSjPLBJLZUIBKnrWQiAF4RU9UxZfAbzVSveY3KCdyEvvS2vuNrhdnDjkTQT2uSqg62HAcJjkHY-JhdfugTzEcWwJTRNZBc/s1600/IMG_0496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswSRhZk4CKI7kj2ohcc9Wo2DQs0QOMcpv26P2P2X__DebZxzSjPLBJLZUIBKnrWQiAF4RU9UxZfAbzVSveY3KCdyEvvS2vuNrhdnDjkTQT2uSqg62HAcJjkHY-JhdfugTzEcWwJTRNZBc/s1600/IMG_0496.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Our group heading out for the chimp trek</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">On the way we saw the male waterbuck in the following photo. The male waterbuck is about 25% larger than the female and only the male has horns.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6_-KE36RGSiZ0sMnzp7TMOHAXsQe92GGta-TrEce7dQ0SykmtLAA1Bk3k45v1xsfC6-w_pma23zOI4FmrjmQ3xPWKbW9RogQoR0cjbN9jcaIh-wLqtCa2FDTDb0iHW-XTtAnGI_gtR3N/s1600/IMG_0494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6_-KE36RGSiZ0sMnzp7TMOHAXsQe92GGta-TrEce7dQ0SykmtLAA1Bk3k45v1xsfC6-w_pma23zOI4FmrjmQ3xPWKbW9RogQoR0cjbN9jcaIh-wLqtCa2FDTDb0iHW-XTtAnGI_gtR3N/s1600/IMG_0494.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Male waterbuck</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">We also saw 4 lions watching a warthog to see if the warthog would come close enough for the lions to have for breakfast. We also saw 3 hippos and 4 elephants and this was before we got to the chimp area. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When we got to the chimp area, the chimps didn't want to engage with us so the photo below of them staying in the trees taken with my iPhone is not very good.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWr8HFrh397m9EI4ZtYui35mJsMcdDgAU2ylc-Zi9q1tmHMFdcBzIGm2S3TeAR62xOyXIXK46xF3aKugDGfm_c3OVuSRvjA8qQtPpFV0RITjDJHpthbEOUkR3t0_QquKEL4088d52n_MxK/s1600/IMG_0497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWr8HFrh397m9EI4ZtYui35mJsMcdDgAU2ylc-Zi9q1tmHMFdcBzIGm2S3TeAR62xOyXIXK46xF3aKugDGfm_c3OVuSRvjA8qQtPpFV0RITjDJHpthbEOUkR3t0_QquKEL4088d52n_MxK/s1600/IMG_0497.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Chimps in tree</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Since the chimps were being arrogant we went to see a dozen hippos (see following photo for a few hippos). The hippos were huge but mostly they stayed under water and watched us. Hippos are the third largest land animal, only the elephants and rhinos are larger.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2NC7NRljVvI8qtoYI5OZeTNdNtYr79GbAzCaN7GzHTNUvSJJdiQOKN9LhLcusOdpsmeIihRtNomFLLHcGGKEmXxynjRKfvg3gRz-iTPyVTf_AdyJzeDuU44ZZG9ogayNuvDNN6ri90qU/s1600/IMG_0516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2NC7NRljVvI8qtoYI5OZeTNdNtYr79GbAzCaN7GzHTNUvSJJdiQOKN9LhLcusOdpsmeIihRtNomFLLHcGGKEmXxynjRKfvg3gRz-iTPyVTf_AdyJzeDuU44ZZG9ogayNuvDNN6ri90qU/s1600/IMG_0516.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Hippos</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The following photo is of one of the elephants we saw today.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuEHG4bYOUaLJSzCh9EJted1V-5y-3ryuBDDHG5_J2uihHLijkmBIBtxIjKKCRJB-iTCxaZKklAh92M6ICtKYITsMYwl1BZx0WlVFE54lqHjIhuV0w5FYQll3Yp3_Ns2Jydxv-HMw6I5P/s1600/IMG_0523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuEHG4bYOUaLJSzCh9EJted1V-5y-3ryuBDDHG5_J2uihHLijkmBIBtxIjKKCRJB-iTCxaZKklAh92M6ICtKYITsMYwl1BZx0WlVFE54lqHjIhuV0w5FYQll3Yp3_Ns2Jydxv-HMw6I5P/s1600/IMG_0523.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Elephant</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was an exciting day even without the chimps coming out of the trees. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow will be the Bwindi National Park and the gorilla trek. Bwindi National Park is about 90 miles south (about a 4 hour drive) of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and I will be staying at the Buhoma Lodge tonight. Hopefully better photos later after we get some Wi-Fi and I can send photos from my Panasonic ZS50 camera. The Panasonic ZS50 has a 30X optical zoom.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 4 </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"Jambo kill mtu" (translate roughly "Hello everyone” in Swahili. Although English is the official language in Uganda, Swahili is also widely spoken here)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We spent last night at the Buhoma Lodge in the Bwindi National Park. After breakfast this morning (Wednesday) we had a briefing on our schedule for the day, before starting on the gorilla trek. We were told the trek would take between 3 and 8 hours depending on which group of gorillas we were following and what they would be doing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The gorillas in the Bwindi National Park are the Mountain Gorillas and tend to be a larger than other gorillas, they are in fact the largest primate on earth. The mountain gorilla is also one of the world’s most endangered primates and some estimates are there are only about 300 mature individuals left in the wild, and the majority of these are in the Bwindi National Park.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Gorilla trekking is a way to see these rare, beautiful animals in the wild. We have to have a permit and a guide. The photo below is of me starting our trek today, with porters in the background. Note the action camera on my hat. This is a DBPOWER 4K Action Camera that I bought especially for this trip.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2V71dSrPt5VUIywUx5TqYZP80nJwXGtOmW83kXe-k0ZcRHqaJqfrIDxh502jBNd8dveV8R8W1UPhW_Ro8vrGDXio3V6oVGv3_cg-4HROCo4uNZnxKF5mNVCGussdsGhImWjk9Ktzn4Tr/s1600/IMG_0525PSEHcrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2V71dSrPt5VUIywUx5TqYZP80nJwXGtOmW83kXe-k0ZcRHqaJqfrIDxh502jBNd8dveV8R8W1UPhW_Ro8vrGDXio3V6oVGv3_cg-4HROCo4uNZnxKF5mNVCGussdsGhImWjk9Ktzn4Tr/s1600/IMG_0525PSEHcrop.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane and porters starting the gorilla trek</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The next photo I’m simply calling “Here he is,” as seeing these gorillas is something I’ve been thinking about and planning for years. As you can tell this guy is asleep. Seeing the gorillas has been an incredible experience for me. The photo after that is just a crop from the original photo.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-p34Chyphenhyphen4LScvSNvI2LexXl75OWZS6z27JHfCZsZ1F3TDxZBdXDGOuZdD4goZJopcUpQD10NJ0T9_HveqzhBRDYVeg5bYD1NDlm5JkOxaheBYALSroam3kaNTfO37fKJylmYf4YzZ-AuWx/s1600/IMG_0526PSEH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-p34Chyphenhyphen4LScvSNvI2LexXl75OWZS6z27JHfCZsZ1F3TDxZBdXDGOuZdD4goZJopcUpQD10NJ0T9_HveqzhBRDYVeg5bYD1NDlm5JkOxaheBYALSroam3kaNTfO37fKJylmYf4YzZ-AuWx/s1600/IMG_0526PSEH.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Gorilla sleeping</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXc6_ArTGFKi3h3yz31hz3aCiluzNZ9VoOnIiSQkBZgZIf9xKIVNUIfchyuvslBH6CxwSSb-fZ2JhoIfMX9l-NqWEkfFM6uf28ie6T27E3PXnbZv8D5fRvyPFXVLBEGLnG1Dh7iF8kr85/s1600/IMG_0526PSEHcrop-640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXc6_ArTGFKi3h3yz31hz3aCiluzNZ9VoOnIiSQkBZgZIf9xKIVNUIfchyuvslBH6CxwSSb-fZ2JhoIfMX9l-NqWEkfFM6uf28ie6T27E3PXnbZv8D5fRvyPFXVLBEGLnG1Dh7iF8kr85/s1600/IMG_0526PSEHcrop-640.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Gorilla sleeping (crop of previous photo)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The next photo is a selfie I took as I was watching the gorilla sleep. It’s not a great selfie as I haven’t developed the Kardashian knack for taking perfect selfies yet. I took this selfie mostly for my mom and myself.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCixa9tP3q1em39OsM63_cw2eh3xFZwREIwrXoJflnbINyniHt1efO6taCMZnlK7Ddu9Vfzaa9CvpskAZKR6PFQE_na_XFMatbMsicVRwledFKIqJoVJzCqhUnuRYTk42vbXCLDmlkqZLU/s1600/IMG_0529PSED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCixa9tP3q1em39OsM63_cw2eh3xFZwREIwrXoJflnbINyniHt1efO6taCMZnlK7Ddu9Vfzaa9CvpskAZKR6PFQE_na_XFMatbMsicVRwledFKIqJoVJzCqhUnuRYTk42vbXCLDmlkqZLU/s1600/IMG_0529PSED.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane selfie</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Tonight we will again be staying at the Buhoma Lodge in the Bwindi National Park, and tomorrow (Thursday) we will spend another day gorilla trekking. Thursday night we will also spend at the Buhoma Lodge before we leave this beautiful place Friday morning.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Found the following great picture of the Buhoma Lodge on the internet.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiBWAaFy_srUYVNecUF0WVw01C5y1L962A_55A8_2aDIs0j5GbZxHIPYLlCJdNkDpvh8L6sUsUmSHhsfQcKOe0drftElHuQyounqET4kFc3WJ-YrnP3HzGGABMSin9EDp1p626AO_sB62/s1600/buhoma-lodge-bwindi-fprest-uganda-timbuktu-travel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="1420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSiBWAaFy_srUYVNecUF0WVw01C5y1L962A_55A8_2aDIs0j5GbZxHIPYLlCJdNkDpvh8L6sUsUmSHhsfQcKOe0drftElHuQyounqET4kFc3WJ-YrnP3HzGGABMSin9EDp1p626AO_sB62/s1600/buhoma-lodge-bwindi-fprest-uganda-timbuktu-travel.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Buhoma Lodge photo found on the internet</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 5 & 6: Bwindi National Park and leaving for Nairobi, Kenya</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thursday was my 5th day in Uganda and my second day for a gorilla trek in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. On Thursday we trekked with the Oruzogo Gorilla Group in a different area of the park, the Ruhija area. The previous day (Wednesday) we trekked with the Rushegura Gorilla Group in the Buhoma area of the park. Each groups has around 16 or 17 gorillas. There are four areas within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest where you can track the various habituated gorilla families. See the first attachment that shows the location of the different areas. Over the two days I have see about 18 gorillas total.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQk-4IBOCUDkOT5oLqRjcQ7TMHVgyBCEDMooIUXcepy5xgE4ODUu4TxC9RhKkUJ52LB647cStwcZkLy2KFB_SULAmpx8PNY2l43qe_S0gULLV7gD46aEO3C2g8VJddcQcRGmtYK7qqCeZr/s1600/Groups2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="799" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQk-4IBOCUDkOT5oLqRjcQ7TMHVgyBCEDMooIUXcepy5xgE4ODUu4TxC9RhKkUJ52LB647cStwcZkLy2KFB_SULAmpx8PNY2l43qe_S0gULLV7gD46aEO3C2g8VJddcQcRGmtYK7qqCeZr/s320/Groups2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Gorillas are susceptible to human diseases, so we were asked to not approach closer than 21 feet from the mountain gorillas, unless of course the gorillas approach you. Seeing the mountain gorillas in the wild these two days was a surreal experience. You can’t see mountain gorillas in zoos as zoos won’t keep them for several reasons (their rarity and the fact that they don’t do well in zoos). All gorillas seen in zoos these days are the lowland gorillas.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The next attachment is a group photo of our group. The porters, the trackers, the leader and you’ll notice one guard (near my left elbow) with an AK-47 rifle. There’s always someone with a rifle, they don't shoot the animals if something like an angry elephant charges, they just fire into the air to scare them off. Given how hard our trek was, I don't think an elephant could have made the trip. There are no lions in the forest although I believe there are leopards.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkuJLaeY_q1mfLLySj7xIxrW6rvIFTL28qLc3faJh_T3Q0yLennZP9EHcmg0uIYNzo_g5qyr09kwpU1igHux7WNNypWUvffULmztc1Hxk1gqqQZUxxhIL0iGTcwUORVgUM1P_teh2YDbl/s1600/IMG_0550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="853" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkuJLaeY_q1mfLLySj7xIxrW6rvIFTL28qLc3faJh_T3Q0yLennZP9EHcmg0uIYNzo_g5qyr09kwpU1igHux7WNNypWUvffULmztc1Hxk1gqqQZUxxhIL0iGTcwUORVgUM1P_teh2YDbl/s320/IMG_0550.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">I mentioned the 21-foot rule, the rule is you cannot go close to the mountain gorillas but they can come to you. But a Silverback almost kissed me. A young woman from London caught it on video and said she would send it to me later. Gorillas have a strong sense of humor!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">At the end of Thursday’s gorilla trek we headed back to the Buhoma Lodge to spend our last night in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Friday morning (Day 6), we caught an AeroLink Uganda flight from the Kihihi airstrip (about 25+ miles north of the Buhoma Loge) to go back to Entebbe, where we will then catch another flight to Nairobi, Kenya to start our Kenya safari. I had a laugh when I saw our airplane, it reminded me of the airplane I used to skydive from back in Florida when I was working as an aerospace engineer at the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company. Both airplanes have single Pratt & Whitney single engines, a high wing and a large exit door. The airplane in Florida was a Howard DGA-15P with a 9-cylinder Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior engine, while the airplane we took from the Kihihi airstrip was a Cessna Caravan with a Pratt & Whitney PT-6 Turboprop engine. I’ve read where the Cessna Caravan is by far the most common and popular single engine turbine powered skydiving plane in the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you’ve wondered why Bwindi is called the Impenetrable Forest, check out the 3rd attachment, a photo I took on our flight above the Impenetrable Forest.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcap05iM78P1eEV6hPHADnLI3C4KJiA9iztvj2eFJGZkhNFerxIFHDIM_oCMViB7rvR4iTU3nc1u34g-G9KGCh7jVsOuzczZgbPkx198kZi0-8M3fnEoVdQ9uFSyOMy81N7nikrrM0e6Yb/s1600/IMG_0555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcap05iM78P1eEV6hPHADnLI3C4KJiA9iztvj2eFJGZkhNFerxIFHDIM_oCMViB7rvR4iTU3nc1u34g-G9KGCh7jVsOuzczZgbPkx198kZi0-8M3fnEoVdQ9uFSyOMy81N7nikrrM0e6Yb/s320/IMG_0555.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Mountain gorilla trekking was an incredible experience. It was physically challenging, in comparing notes with fellow trekkers we climbed up the equivalent of 40-50 flights of stairs. All this at around 7,200 feet, very tough for those of us who normally live at sea level.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I will be spending tonight (Friday) in Nairobi, Kenya and will start the Kenya safari on Saturday.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">More from Day 6, my second gorilla trek</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I’m writing this Friday from Nairobi, but wanted to tell a little more about my second day of gorilla trekking in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, it was a once in a lifetime magical and a difficult day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We have been getting up between 5 and 6 every day. OY! The 2nd gorilla trek day at Ruhija area was no exception. We had to drive up a mountain for 1.5 hours. The elevation was 7300 feet, and as I mentioned earlier, the high altitude was tough for a sea level dweller like myself.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We met Simon the leader, three trackers, a protector with an AK-47 rifle and a host of porters. I’m not sure how each one of us was paired with “our porter” but mine was the only woman and I was the only one with white hair, so that may have had something to do with it. She was excellent. She let me struggle alone and had the intuition to help when I needed before I asked. The climb down the mountainside was steep and there wasn’t really a foothold anywhere. I kept thinking about the trip back up. We climbed through trees, grass, bushes, who knows what with the trackers hacking a path through the undergrowth. At times it was so dark you could not tell that it was daytime. They call this the Bwindi Impenetrable forest for a reason, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We were in the jungle/forest about half an hour when we spotted a resting silverback. Silverbacks are the oldest dominate males in a troop. This troop had 18 members, 3 silverbacks and a younger male, called a Blackback because his fur/hair hadn’t started to turn silver yet. They also loose the hair on their chest as they age and their arms get stronger and bigger as well. A silverback can be 200 kg, which is about 500 pounds. Whew! There were I think 4 or 5 females and the rest of the troop were babies and juveniles. They told us they couldn’t tell the gender of a gorilla until it is 5 or 6 years old (no sonograms in the forest). Soon after we spotted and took photos of the male, the rest of the family descended from the tree and spread out. We followed them up and down and up and down through thick and thing undergrowth, streams, prickly bushes, well, you can’t imagine. The gorillas would just climb up and if necessary swing to move along. We actually used vines to pull ourselves up some of the really steep areas. I thought my 2014 Camino de Santiago hike was challenging. No comparison! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We located and watched and took photos of several gorillas, mostly males and a few babies. It was difficult to get good photos because of the leaves and branches in the way (see following photo). We were told we had to stay 7 yards (21 feet) away from them if they were sitting still. Not so, we were within 3 or 4 feet of them many times. Several times the big males seemed not to like us and would roar, growl, whatever you call it and make threatening moves. We were told to stand still. The first time, our hearts stopped and the leader told us to stand still and take photos. They all were completely nonplussed by these gorilla gestures. And one of the trackers made a sound that the gorillas responded to. It was a low lullaby type wordless sound, almost a chant.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwLfPVufrIMqBfAaMqQyg9Hoqxh6cTGE26wowf2w1kxQLzd09I0GdmEtV41qW8OcSOPbyWA5oPu8JWtOGnPKFEb8Tw4BC9dxTKkbnM1U8nYc8pIS49j_RguKqDf0TWv7vMo2q94ZOLCuY/s1600/IMG_0548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwLfPVufrIMqBfAaMqQyg9Hoqxh6cTGE26wowf2w1kxQLzd09I0GdmEtV41qW8OcSOPbyWA5oPu8JWtOGnPKFEb8Tw4BC9dxTKkbnM1U8nYc8pIS49j_RguKqDf0TWv7vMo2q94ZOLCuY/s1600/IMG_0548.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Hard to see gorilla</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Well, we were standing up to our rear ends in shrubs about 5 feet away from the dominant Silverback who was eating leaves and watching us. Someone had given me the front row position to get a good shot, leaves and all. All of a sudden and out of nowhere, Mr. Silverback rocked up on his haunches, grabbed a small tree beside him, roared, pushed over the tree and appeared (or pretended I guess) to charge right at me. Of course, I couldn’t stand still and capture the photo, I fell over backwards and everyone just laughed, and maybe so did the gorilla. One of the fellow trekkers caught it on her video camera and said she would send it to me. I don’t have it now to attach, but will when it comes. It may not be as dramatic to watch as actually being in the way of a 500-pound gorilla, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The trek out was equally demanding, again pulling ourselves up hills using vines and tree limbs and stepping over logs and fording streams. It took almost 2 hours to trek out. Some of the step up required a pull by the porter in front and a push on the butt from the one behind for many folks. I only got one fanny boost. Maybe my quads wouldn’t be so sore if I had had more. Anyway, after the trek we headed back to the lodge to have a local beer and pack for our trip to Nairobi, where I am writing this. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Also attached is a photo of our luggage at the Kisoro airport.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhD4SRihkkEh6wgWdYnlTDU0FHGq9qzlhJxukhsjUddiYSlVkzaDcEqI4wYfWjN47cs7CRdflNoFPqOuvCiuE4BxGpVRLVx1II3wCMfDBzaex2Y_K6XYX7I9ZbSLiXnvJZBCCZXEYcXcO9/s1600/IMG_0560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhD4SRihkkEh6wgWdYnlTDU0FHGq9qzlhJxukhsjUddiYSlVkzaDcEqI4wYfWjN47cs7CRdflNoFPqOuvCiuE4BxGpVRLVx1II3wCMfDBzaex2Y_K6XYX7I9ZbSLiXnvJZBCCZXEYcXcO9/s1600/IMG_0560.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Our luggage at the Kisoro airport</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 7 (Saturday): We are in Nairobi, Kenya</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Friday was a basic travel day from the Bwindi National Park, Uganda to Nairobi, Kenya. Pretty good timing as I needed the rest after the two days of gorilla trekking. We were met at the Nairobi airport and driven to a beautiful hotel. We met some new members of our group. There are now ten in our group, up from our original six. Dinner at the hotel was great, a good place for satisfying my salad craving.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today (Saturday, Day 7) after breakfast we had a briefing and learned new Swahili words, like asante sana (for thank you very much) and sawa sawa (for OK). It seems that the language they speak has trouble with L's and R's. So interesting they pronounce the longest river in Kenya as the Tana Liver (rather than Tana River).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After the briefing we were off to tour the Karen Blixen Museum. Karen Blixen was the author of the 1937 memoir Out of Africa and later made into the 1985 movie starring Robert Redford and Meryl Streep. It is an interesting story about Blixen’s life on her coffee plantation, which eventually failed. If you read the book what you didn't learn was that she had syphilis. Her second male "friend" after her husband was her lover, a British soldier and planter. From reading the book we were all wondering how she lived so long with what they called “malnutrition.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After the Karen Blixen Museum, we went to the baby elephant orphanage, which had eight baby elephants under the age of 18 months being given bottles. Then they allow were allowed to play in a large mud puddle (see following photo). The baby elephants were cute and comical as some of them couldn't get out of the puddles and kept falling back in. But they finally succeeding in getting out. The orphanage encouraged us to adopt an elephant for $50 a year and get monthly updates on how the adopted elephant was doing.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWK9rlRu2asHHlsNBvnLTBBeXSXZKIhNcEDYmMpDacnxFIumRnsjKi8JNWtANWKNdr2UkFabMys52JqPRLzaRuiQ6O_Bx7QuWNNrHfjDQUnSlE90K57Q3wFHfObGzpqSy2gA6NBQQOfb5/s1600/IMG_0562-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="611" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWK9rlRu2asHHlsNBvnLTBBeXSXZKIhNcEDYmMpDacnxFIumRnsjKi8JNWtANWKNdr2UkFabMys52JqPRLzaRuiQ6O_Bx7QuWNNrHfjDQUnSlE90K57Q3wFHfObGzpqSy2gA6NBQQOfb5/s1600/IMG_0562-8.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Baby elephants at Karen Blixen Museum</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">We had lunch at a lovely outdoor place, the Tamambo Karen Blixen Coffee Garden, located near the Karen Blixen Museum, it is the site of the original farmhouse on the Blixen property.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We are now on the road for four hours in our vehicle (see next photo) that we will use tomorrow (Sunday) for the game drives. The top pops up so our "traveling cage" allows us to stand up and watch the animals watch us. It is not very comfortable for such a long drive.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioBZxNpKcZVxBu6XCv7K_H0WCONmBsRnBOud8klsCBhJ4lV_Wqb_7-aeNzoSKidjd3xhobNNKy_UlDI56s-ADjvJoR7BvAwYeHIaDsp7q9Gg3g8hvFlGVQhN2LuO8Q0-O6ZgUcVZYrkFr/s1600/IMG_0569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioBZxNpKcZVxBu6XCv7K_H0WCONmBsRnBOud8klsCBhJ4lV_Wqb_7-aeNzoSKidjd3xhobNNKy_UlDI56s-ADjvJoR7BvAwYeHIaDsp7q9Gg3g8hvFlGVQhN2LuO8Q0-O6ZgUcVZYrkFr/s1600/IMG_0569.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Our "traveling cage</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Just a few random thoughts I had while on the bumpy ride the other day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I’ve had essentially no computer time on this trip and almost no Wi-Fi, most of my communication has been with my iPhone. But I do appreciate you folks taking the time to read my emails, viewing my photos and making comments. I haven’t been able to respond to your emails but I did see a few questions that I will try to answer now. And I’ll certainly re-read all your comments after I return to the states, or get better Wi-Fi here in Africa.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Question from Jeanne: “Why did you choose Uganda?”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To Jeanne: I’ll be going to three countries on this African trip, I included Uganda especially to see the mountain gorillas. The other two countries are Kenya and Tanzania.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Question from Marge: “How many guests are in your group? How close were you to the gorillas?”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To Marge: We were a group of six in Uganda, but it may increase as the trip goes on. As far as how close did we get to the gorillas, the rule is we should try and stay 21 feet from them (unless of course the gorillas choose to come closer), but we have in fact been closer. I was less than 10 feet away from the blackback gorilla in the first gorilla photo I sent, and about 3 or 4 feet other times. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Question from Alan: “...aren't gorillas dangerous at all?”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To Alan: I think they certainly could be if they want to be. Did you see the 1933 documentary King Kong? In that documentary they followed a gorilla that kills a Tyrannosaurus, an Elasmosaurus, a Pteranodon and destroys a military bi-plane that attacked him while he was climbing the Empire State Building. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">On a completely different subject, during my 2016 trip to Delhi, India some of you may remember that I mentioned they used water to wash after using the toilet instead of toilet paper, as in India water is considered a cleaner practice than toilet paper. And I hope no one was offended by that observation. I also found out something in Uganda about toilet paper that I found interesting, and again I hope none of your find this offensive. And that is, in Uganda the toilet paper was just a long roll with no perforations to make into little sheets. You just had to unroll as much as you wanted and yank it off. In Kenya, toilet paper is perforated, although not the perfect perforation you get in America with Charmin products. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Toilets in Uganda outside of the hotel were mostly the squat type. My dad used to call them “squat e vous.“ In Kenya they seem to have regular toilets but with no seats. The funny thing is that clearly men have hung the toilet paper holders as they are usually at shoulder height. You get the picture </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And another different topic, the whole time we were in Uganda, we did not see a traffic light. And I don't remember any in Nairobi, Kenya either, but there must have been some. They drive on the left side which is confusing to me, especially at roundabouts.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And I forgot to mention the name of the baby elephant orphanage we went to, that was at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, check it out at the following URL if you might have an interest, https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 7 – Arrived at the Mount Kenya Safari Club Hotel</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After our lunch Saturday at the Tamambo Karen Blixen Coffee Garden in Nairobi and a four-hour drive, we arrived at the Mount Kenya Safari Club Hotel, which is situated on the foothills of Mt. Kenya. Here we are spending Saturday night.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Mount Kenya at over 17,000 is the second highest mountain in Africa (after Kilimanjaro, at over 19,000 feet.)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The photo below I took from the hotel shows Mount Kenya in the background.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzJ2R1O96Nd35YFxKa60vYlV19peh42D6YUfNw27IOyHZo-9L0Vh5pk2987cLY3Ic3bwWRLTnEUsVEIPKnSJGiuJwWLJokKpr7a6RWg8C-kU7-gKrOpU42OSXXhMm3BDdS-QzHyW-r0qz/s1600/IMG_0570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzJ2R1O96Nd35YFxKa60vYlV19peh42D6YUfNw27IOyHZo-9L0Vh5pk2987cLY3Ic3bwWRLTnEUsVEIPKnSJGiuJwWLJokKpr7a6RWg8C-kU7-gKrOpU42OSXXhMm3BDdS-QzHyW-r0qz/s1600/IMG_0570.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Mount Kenya in the background</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Mount Kenya Safari Club Hotel straddles the equator and the equator literally runs right through the center of the hotel.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The next photo is of yours truly standing near a sign at the hotel that shows we are indeed on the equator…and at an elevation of 7,000 feet. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrXQoiC-wv-Lizg3uHzU1_-AQ3Wd0uLMbF7UYIPUfYgDrHi4jthu9IJmd0Fd4Nvoqj04_xg7IXQFaOUdOsP3b6aLiw-YI73bVU4FtE8R7VZLzTqKBB-ZpctaHbNWW7fBIJnHlxaX-dFqR/s1600/IMG_0572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrXQoiC-wv-Lizg3uHzU1_-AQ3Wd0uLMbF7UYIPUfYgDrHi4jthu9IJmd0Fd4Nvoqj04_xg7IXQFaOUdOsP3b6aLiw-YI73bVU4FtE8R7VZLzTqKBB-ZpctaHbNWW7fBIJnHlxaX-dFqR/s1600/IMG_0572.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane at equator sign</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sunday our plans are to do a little touring, go on a game drive and later participate in the Equator Crossing Ceremony. But more on this after it happens.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 8: Kenya and a game drive</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Below are seven photos from my iPhone. Here's the story on the photos.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday (Sunday) we left from the Mount Kenya Safari Club Hotel and went to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy to see the two surviving northern white rhinos. A mother and daughter that had been saved with two males in a zoo in the Czech Republic. The rhinos couldn't reproduce because they lived in concrete so long their back legs were weakened and mating takes so long, the males couldn't stand up long enough. The males have since passed but they saved enough sperm they can take eggs from the two females and make embryos in the lab and put them in surrogate southern white rhinos females.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">They have now produced one sample embryo using the southern rhinos and have figured out a safe way to ectopic the eggs from the northern ones, who because of their weak legs can't carry a baby for the sixteen months of gestation, hence the surrogate mothers. Because the northern rhinos have lived in the wild they had a southern rhino teach them how to eat grass instead of people food. Fascinating. Then we got to see a southern white nursing her baby and to meet Max, a black blind rhino that we got to feed and pet. Black rhinos are lots smaller than the white ones.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The person with the blue shirt in the land cruiser (next two photos) is yours truly.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-1Bp-UOUvNX1ILMOh4z2I29AqKCWF2SxnVi9M_KVvqGU4IDZnmPGr5DVAxe3KRgYbkEYNeclRpQ_J6iDOQgihyphenhyphenpYKryyT_Anb9svpNP_edhtJKwMLCdMjo6q4EK8KWiOEnHDiHoi_ccu/s1600/IMG_0587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="853" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-1Bp-UOUvNX1ILMOh4z2I29AqKCWF2SxnVi9M_KVvqGU4IDZnmPGr5DVAxe3KRgYbkEYNeclRpQ_J6iDOQgihyphenhyphenpYKryyT_Anb9svpNP_edhtJKwMLCdMjo6q4EK8KWiOEnHDiHoi_ccu/s1600/IMG_0587.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane in blue shirt in the land cruiser</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfHNo7zzHDkimWfo8qDYYrH0Kb9MgTmNmUxTTUpZ9JG2cNfhSWVBlM1IjZUqpPUoVRQtgo-YFsMQoMDzD86gOcYDZeppsdRDDAM9aviDe_UXblK8dVqY_cDU9gLFrQTMhoRtBHqlxXZnP/s1600/IMG_0595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="853" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfHNo7zzHDkimWfo8qDYYrH0Kb9MgTmNmUxTTUpZ9JG2cNfhSWVBlM1IjZUqpPUoVRQtgo-YFsMQoMDzD86gOcYDZeppsdRDDAM9aviDe_UXblK8dVqY_cDU9gLFrQTMhoRtBHqlxXZnP/s1600/IMG_0595.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane in blue shirt in the land cruiser</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then we went on the game drive. We saw herds of zebras, warthog, and some buffalo and one elephant. Yes it was hot but who cares. We watched two lioness stalking. They were awesome. They alternated who moved forward constantly checking on each other. We were later told they were young and probably practicing their hunting skills. Their prey was too complicated for the young lions to be successful. The buffalo would stand up to the young lions, the warthogs were too small to be of interest to the lions, and the buffalo would warn the zebra.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After that we were off to the Sweetwaters Chimp Sanctuary that had chimps rescued by Jane Goodall among others. They didn't want the chimps to reproduce so they gave the females birth control, but there had been five "accidents." So they were trying vasectomies on the males to see if it would change their behavior. It seems that chimp babies get orphaned because their mothers get killed for meat and certain rituals. And some babies get taken as pets until they are five years old and become uncontrollable. There are many stories about chimp rescues.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Later, more game drive seeing much the same type animals minus the lions and elephant.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ilzh9LTeeMYtoHbJSwezoBIfNgGOBA6FLebClkYspdCxg2x5YLaVVv4-V0L3EM3su7UEvbha7JtsDHkJSh0_1H4Jy_RgPTvB844hXd_bpUx5fmvEiJZOkF7hSFBzRYdH3Q3HdTqFkaYZ/s1600/IMG_0602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="853" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ilzh9LTeeMYtoHbJSwezoBIfNgGOBA6FLebClkYspdCxg2x5YLaVVv4-V0L3EM3su7UEvbha7JtsDHkJSh0_1H4Jy_RgPTvB844hXd_bpUx5fmvEiJZOkF7hSFBzRYdH3Q3HdTqFkaYZ/s1600/IMG_0602.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Rhinos</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCU68uq7dt7w6c_t3dr6lg9F24vqiBgMY5h8zQ1yndji3em3oJAaXaT7ITU_IZsgLD0RxzJYV__6IENzFjynEXufw00cfyFWag6gCCG4bun9Tptk_m7q5jhfnbMTFTHyNHinDw_E9ID_Q/s1600/IMG_0610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCU68uq7dt7w6c_t3dr6lg9F24vqiBgMY5h8zQ1yndji3em3oJAaXaT7ITU_IZsgLD0RxzJYV__6IENzFjynEXufw00cfyFWag6gCCG4bun9Tptk_m7q5jhfnbMTFTHyNHinDw_E9ID_Q/s1600/IMG_0610.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Zebras</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgDbr9Lm9v8BZT2gXfnvQUyb7pJyUel-gnE8RCqG6d8pNYvBj7654DgWtlglFIuCEJyR4le0u4pHI1OaA_OANxAcYbmXBnidzjoJk_1oIghfqdKsQ2thc6uAPbMgyleuJzcKM0vQRzdp5/s1600/IMG_0619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgDbr9Lm9v8BZT2gXfnvQUyb7pJyUel-gnE8RCqG6d8pNYvBj7654DgWtlglFIuCEJyR4le0u4pHI1OaA_OANxAcYbmXBnidzjoJk_1oIghfqdKsQ2thc6uAPbMgyleuJzcKM0vQRzdp5/s1600/IMG_0619.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Lion</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">We had lunch at the Mount Kenya Safari Club and then to their orphanage. Are you tired yet?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We had to pick sweet potato vines so we could feed the Bombay, a big beautiful deer like animal also nearing extinction. They were breeding them for reintroduction into the wild. Gorgeous animals. We fed baby buffalo, ostriches, crowned cranes, several kinds of monkeys, sat on a 150-year old tortoise, fed dwarf hippos, saw a leopard sleeping in a tree (next to last photo), and baby cheetahs. We tore ourselves away to go to the special Coriolis experiment that was part of the Masai Equator crossing ceremony (kind of bogus). Then a lovely dinner, I was asleep by 9:45 pm. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMT6fVcdIYMmwKmB7_YT1d9Rp6og34ih30G8ZfCuaLB83d0LFYNHfwEeBG0Z5gJD4tYRDffAJtc-IMohZFgC1h4yvST_LpGTwy2f5V70xQMJ055cBsylkr4hknRaNeOJuVXLHq5ByRd7d/s1600/IMG_0681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMT6fVcdIYMmwKmB7_YT1d9Rp6og34ih30G8ZfCuaLB83d0LFYNHfwEeBG0Z5gJD4tYRDffAJtc-IMohZFgC1h4yvST_LpGTwy2f5V70xQMJ055cBsylkr4hknRaNeOJuVXLHq5ByRd7d/s1600/IMG_0681.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Leopard sleeping in tree</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Up at 6:00 am again this morning (Monday), and now on a small plane (DHC-6 Twin Otter with twin Pratt & Whitney engines) to the Masai Mara National Reserve. We do an afternoon game drive here. I think we see giraffes. Oh Boy!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The last and next photo is of Mount Kenya with Acacia trees in foreground.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93AmNW7tWlY1nZy4G-oStEksEHs3lPkdieyQmfp5hcJ95R3md0sIUORJ7y4gO-3wjtusMKadK3ugqb3TblYLQimaDNyr_cgbmKlNBcXinyONMbh6QeHyVA-5f1hOnnQFxFXHL-tCBaQ_m/s1600/IMG_0684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93AmNW7tWlY1nZy4G-oStEksEHs3lPkdieyQmfp5hcJ95R3md0sIUORJ7y4gO-3wjtusMKadK3ugqb3TblYLQimaDNyr_cgbmKlNBcXinyONMbh6QeHyVA-5f1hOnnQFxFXHL-tCBaQ_m/s1600/IMG_0684.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 9: Monday - Masai Mara National Reserve & Day 10: Hot Air Balloon Ride</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As I mentioned yesterday (Monday) we left the Mount Kenya Safari Club Hotel and flew on a small airplane to land at the Masai Mara National Reserve. The following photo was taken of the colorful cockpit colors at the start of our flight.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCA1eQwd27Jf0_dr78uktyEkQwv7xhTTvM8FzT-2MeEs0JEV8nSRsHMKh1e_66cZdg61LNCRL46E2PxK9R53kI_yGRAsoCle_nerdTsagLwCmRtfZoyrodcPN15stYau5nEhXRnmsQ93Rc/s1600/IMG_0685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCA1eQwd27Jf0_dr78uktyEkQwv7xhTTvM8FzT-2MeEs0JEV8nSRsHMKh1e_66cZdg61LNCRL46E2PxK9R53kI_yGRAsoCle_nerdTsagLwCmRtfZoyrodcPN15stYau5nEhXRnmsQ93Rc/s1600/IMG_0685.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Colorful colors of the cockpit</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The next photo I took of our airplane (a DHC-6 Twin Otter) after we landed at the Kichwa Tembo Airstrip at the edge of the Masai Mara National Reserve. Notice our luggage by the fence, no Louis Vuitton Leather luggage here.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbCVYY8WUcryx2mfyfP-pn4vgSknSYRZowMZCr7xiw-Wc-o4BZ5Z7lxEgyEECwjAHb0ReWmfUD38j8VkSHcaDRWY8t5yp8vD2lsGWw44oci7cdA6sjl9YlhPTZdVptLBZJp7_x69u_3At/s1600/IMG_0690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbCVYY8WUcryx2mfyfP-pn4vgSknSYRZowMZCr7xiw-Wc-o4BZ5Z7lxEgyEECwjAHb0ReWmfUD38j8VkSHcaDRWY8t5yp8vD2lsGWw44oci7cdA6sjl9YlhPTZdVptLBZJp7_x69u_3At/s1600/IMG_0690.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Our airplane at the Kichwa Tembo Airstrip </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">On a side issue, the DHC-6 Twin Otter is also a very popular jump airplane for skydivers, it has the high wing and large exit door that skydivers love.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We arrived at our lodge in time to freshen up before a delicious lunch. We took an afternoon game drive in the Masai Mara National Reserve, home to zebras, cheetahs, wildebeests, gazelles and the “Big Five.” The “Big Five” is a term that is used to refer to the five African animals that early big game hunters considered most difficult and dangerous animals to shoot while on foot. These animals include the African elephant, lion, leopard, Cape buffalo, and rhinoceros. Of course the only shooting we did was with our cameras, but no animal photos are included with this email. I did see some amazing stuff on the game drive today and have tons of photos, just not enough time now to post them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This morning (Tuesday, Day 10) we took an early morning hot air balloon ride. We had an incredible bird's-eye view of the wildlife. The photo below is of the balloons as they are now getting ready to go. I also saw same amazing stuff on the balloon ride also. To my mom, I promise I didn't do any skydiving from the balloon. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPIejfLYaaI6CKpcN-_7R_sgs4fdVAQXLQ8Iw-Gl7-NFyUNT8mmPD7V5eP19U384GcY1cWlFZrnhc1Bc5XPYaCOubVNSMyVbCV5L8lUnYcoAq4cp6UqWFCIYolzlE9FcKPuv4ailANUjh/s1600/IMG_0738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="853" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPIejfLYaaI6CKpcN-_7R_sgs4fdVAQXLQ8Iw-Gl7-NFyUNT8mmPD7V5eP19U384GcY1cWlFZrnhc1Bc5XPYaCOubVNSMyVbCV5L8lUnYcoAq4cp6UqWFCIYolzlE9FcKPuv4ailANUjh/s1600/IMG_0738.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Hot air balloons</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Hopefully I can post some of the above photos at a later date when I have some more downtime.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 10 photos (Tuesday, 9-11-18) - Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm writing this today (Wednesday) but attached are a few photos from yesterday (Day 10, Tuesday the 11th) on the afternoon game drive we took after the balloon ride (had to get up at 4:15 am for the balloon ride). </span><span style="font-size: large;">On this game drive we continued exploring the Mara's open grasslands and spectacular vistas. We saw zebras, wildebeests, lions, giraffes, hyenas, etc.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Xl_Hg3YTI-P4WyMspoRqQpqjVveDwlzFazn1F_df-Jm-lYITPeHuDFSwxs4nLe52y4XTCzzaH6sBNQwvzI8i6KQR1p7GSBHek_2whJ_nly_KoDGTjR5xIfsumSLrnawCh5tkir8kXj0_/s1600/IMG_0764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Xl_Hg3YTI-P4WyMspoRqQpqjVveDwlzFazn1F_df-Jm-lYITPeHuDFSwxs4nLe52y4XTCzzaH6sBNQwvzI8i6KQR1p7GSBHek_2whJ_nly_KoDGTjR5xIfsumSLrnawCh5tkir8kXj0_/s320/IMG_0764.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Wildebeests and zebras at Mara's open grasslands</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdtcmdmJk_z4lD5uV3S5qeTQM61brrZu1nNJk2OmOpEmMva0t5-ixvJIQXg_JJp0_9_vtCQp7edOe12J-2Nad2PHlKETHpfDM-yy4cvDhwng2qiWpEhciCuX11tpDHao7N1hkbUv7Yc7A/s1600/IMG_0784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdtcmdmJk_z4lD5uV3S5qeTQM61brrZu1nNJk2OmOpEmMva0t5-ixvJIQXg_JJp0_9_vtCQp7edOe12J-2Nad2PHlKETHpfDM-yy4cvDhwng2qiWpEhciCuX11tpDHao7N1hkbUv7Yc7A/s1600/IMG_0784.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Two lions at Mara's open grasslands</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-ly23_e42rGUyr-TNNX2cJStaBsizTrRVNlXhdx95osz-6flGU4_SIRT8S5IQjFJRo446WgY7PmX6w2DwmZ4fmfGZI4Fsb5STO0Zj9Bf-WKUuA8tMb3gakj9JVdWEoeHSfRM5z-n3Ovz/s1600/IMG_0802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-ly23_e42rGUyr-TNNX2cJStaBsizTrRVNlXhdx95osz-6flGU4_SIRT8S5IQjFJRo446WgY7PmX6w2DwmZ4fmfGZI4Fsb5STO0Zj9Bf-WKUuA8tMb3gakj9JVdWEoeHSfRM5z-n3Ovz/s1600/IMG_0802.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane at andBeyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DXtaJlJPNZvXvr44i9e8V9RTFCaq55P0KkSMfSZVSL1KTPAeGKpUDjjSWWWpdf6pdu5205I4i3Lhd9hbZo9yUqkDq4WfVxX-b_hQwHYhaFkYGTDHsmVqPPJfmEz76MYQZXiQLGAIQxgZ/s1600/IMG_0804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DXtaJlJPNZvXvr44i9e8V9RTFCaq55P0KkSMfSZVSL1KTPAeGKpUDjjSWWWpdf6pdu5205I4i3Lhd9hbZo9yUqkDq4WfVxX-b_hQwHYhaFkYGTDHsmVqPPJfmEz76MYQZXiQLGAIQxgZ/s1600/IMG_0804.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Giraffes at Mara's open grasslands</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQOpdIdGtwJBUhNpHUjh_MKk4pDFCHWAaQD9vEY4LkIVmWDob_91RN1V7Xxk2ECgDNPSBAJk86oarG-gGfwNCK-tJtJ4JtsDW_vCIZnM5JDxw5pm7_RA4HzwnCz03ow60CHCROWiNyiEQ/s1600/IMG_0809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQOpdIdGtwJBUhNpHUjh_MKk4pDFCHWAaQD9vEY4LkIVmWDob_91RN1V7Xxk2ECgDNPSBAJk86oarG-gGfwNCK-tJtJ4JtsDW_vCIZnM5JDxw5pm7_RA4HzwnCz03ow60CHCROWiNyiEQ/s1600/IMG_0809.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Giraffes at Mara's open grasslands</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5j770W1MD_FIlvtYCYiagRqpeCJIWc4IPbt99nS-QTxORBd7IwY6qX8gfZE2aLAw1-6TYOdUep5UguGSeWrwxKKhpS0Md18MPvflNwpaegrdwrWYcVY4GE4BxPCSPplO6RZaTTZzfEvrr/s1600/IMG_0811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5j770W1MD_FIlvtYCYiagRqpeCJIWc4IPbt99nS-QTxORBd7IwY6qX8gfZE2aLAw1-6TYOdUep5UguGSeWrwxKKhpS0Md18MPvflNwpaegrdwrWYcVY4GE4BxPCSPplO6RZaTTZzfEvrr/s1600/IMG_0811.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Giraffe at Mara's open grasslands</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrI07GUGe0OKUHmeoaxLWn8NTSpAXQ404lHIYseFSlqTmgRxoPcid5ovGvA_8cHeBvWl5P9UhrCfCu4lE1pSKXVQp0QZKdIu5qghe_sbgWhR0gd-6JUZLNqcBzWKqXFci5JZEhGmPHTaf/s1600/IMG_0825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrI07GUGe0OKUHmeoaxLWn8NTSpAXQ404lHIYseFSlqTmgRxoPcid5ovGvA_8cHeBvWl5P9UhrCfCu4lE1pSKXVQp0QZKdIu5qghe_sbgWhR0gd-6JUZLNqcBzWKqXFci5JZEhGmPHTaf/s1600/IMG_0825.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Scavenges at Mara's open grasslands</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">More later when I have some computer and Wi-Fi time.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 11, Wednesday - Masai Mara National Reserve</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">As of today (Wednesday, 12th), we have been on four game drives in the last two days and another one scheduled for later today at 5:00 pm. Even though we are riding in a game drive vehicle, it is still pretty tiring. At 12:30 pm today, my watch said I had climbed 51 flights of stairs and walked over 13,300 steps, all from just bouncing around in the vehicle. After the first game drive this morning and then lunch, the only thing I could do was take a nap.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I will be carrying four cameras and multiple layers of clothing for the evening game drive and later the traditional candlelit bush dinner.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This African trip has been the most extraordinary experience. I could never have imagined it and I feel more than privileged to be here.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow (Thursday) will be a travel day, to my third African country, Tanzania (the Serengeti National Park). So far I have been in two countries (Uganda and Kenya). I plan to write more during my travel time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am hooked on Africa. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Attached are a few photos from this morning’s game drive.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwttHJcif213YjSqGEJBecwfc0SPAnQfPNjPjlWKwKKkFrDgLVrTFZanFvvIGSjRIGNqJVKQm4FYHjEdEmFJNiyjTz9GAQnEtTYOw2K_CpTzN9oicWK_WTXirCSysnOC3RA9TlicP6Z7o/s1600/IMG_0831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwttHJcif213YjSqGEJBecwfc0SPAnQfPNjPjlWKwKKkFrDgLVrTFZanFvvIGSjRIGNqJVKQm4FYHjEdEmFJNiyjTz9GAQnEtTYOw2K_CpTzN9oicWK_WTXirCSysnOC3RA9TlicP6Z7o/s1600/IMG_0831.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: A Topi, a medium size antelope</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjvv2vzmYPBx_wEdWHFYdbo3gFSpx58gHJe-kmvCoE63qRk-Ji2_cJcw8vFsVVhf_3WwPvGuQwGhyphenhyphenVXrug_D6DGSs91ROEVoBo2z4lF5JEh4AuOsI4NewyL_Q2L9oGLcg_5f9tdgnjuLq/s1600/IMG_0833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjvv2vzmYPBx_wEdWHFYdbo3gFSpx58gHJe-kmvCoE63qRk-Ji2_cJcw8vFsVVhf_3WwPvGuQwGhyphenhyphenVXrug_D6DGSs91ROEVoBo2z4lF5JEh4AuOsI4NewyL_Q2L9oGLcg_5f9tdgnjuLq/s1600/IMG_0833.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: A Lilac Breasted Roller</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6pXYGkr7Ll8MQa_NyGj02eGrOB7b52EfWlNU7n4FOfz7S7oxxzWI5djyXG1q9mgoI6z4Dusx6HuP9G0C5s5XV_aEuDULrIUEkHZr6u1b36BL5ZHaZxcx_ElG7sOgAfXbBPhvuaXuCZuo/s1600/IMG_0836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6pXYGkr7Ll8MQa_NyGj02eGrOB7b52EfWlNU7n4FOfz7S7oxxzWI5djyXG1q9mgoI6z4Dusx6HuP9G0C5s5XV_aEuDULrIUEkHZr6u1b36BL5ZHaZxcx_ElG7sOgAfXbBPhvuaXuCZuo/s1600/IMG_0836.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: An Impala, another medium size antelope</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXd74OCUP276Kk1hiyEksUuDNnrfUOl2z-1JGv1yYiuofwWoTonwZdYuvtjjwSqlCetSCKubn3CVQboeH1OCDJdTlPb1yt2ihShcMarMEecSz6LfqR40wZYHHByqnpT0DFqF7Xa2tjtjv/s1600/IMG_0906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXd74OCUP276Kk1hiyEksUuDNnrfUOl2z-1JGv1yYiuofwWoTonwZdYuvtjjwSqlCetSCKubn3CVQboeH1OCDJdTlPb1yt2ihShcMarMEecSz6LfqR40wZYHHByqnpT0DFqF7Xa2tjtjv/s1600/IMG_0906.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Hippos</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXH4Bz-_grQsQjBlfY3WVcqAHxj_6AcjRWMrjuHsquipeigJHbocCU5HBgpWdniQbmidTSEzVnWvKWt8K6swGSfOjHg9HriqNXWBSZsjR131x2Ign-zDwLcDBpGRiLEMgDMZsAV05QXng/s1600/IMG_0907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXH4Bz-_grQsQjBlfY3WVcqAHxj_6AcjRWMrjuHsquipeigJHbocCU5HBgpWdniQbmidTSEzVnWvKWt8K6swGSfOjHg9HriqNXWBSZsjR131x2Ign-zDwLcDBpGRiLEMgDMZsAV05QXng/s1600/IMG_0907.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Hippos again</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHp3yOvK9GGNEoLzsyAIvR8G3p1CmcwNXirt54-Efs8NNuEwRMTZ1b6G80eBIrE48ih9QF9l750_zF2HVavjnnQCU9b1_-6DeUinvW1Ml6GmxQoc8PxwgLHXaWL-pqUnddJl9E1GJKrli/s1600/IMG_0908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHp3yOvK9GGNEoLzsyAIvR8G3p1CmcwNXirt54-Efs8NNuEwRMTZ1b6G80eBIrE48ih9QF9l750_zF2HVavjnnQCU9b1_-6DeUinvW1Ml6GmxQoc8PxwgLHXaWL-pqUnddJl9E1GJKrli/s1600/IMG_0908.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane, with Wilson, the guide and driver</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIjfAx23cakPdnox4juolWZbqcj0qQ3ELRCEXHkcEqQGHLIjbw83wUPxr6mXlHYOl2kuSHPRNj4zg6UQvktD0meQta0wWY4aM0tNwPFGwPRqmmL1drCFGlhISuG6L9abLDO6X0j7tOVXP/s1600/IMG_0910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIjfAx23cakPdnox4juolWZbqcj0qQ3ELRCEXHkcEqQGHLIjbw83wUPxr6mXlHYOl2kuSHPRNj4zg6UQvktD0meQta0wWY4aM0tNwPFGwPRqmmL1drCFGlhISuG6L9abLDO6X0j7tOVXP/s1600/IMG_0910.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Hippo Pool & Toilet</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0q8kMHIt_sRArTP-Un1WjBhy1fX0ziV7E2bp-kA_5VaGGp54VksrLVCKEi9D-Fh51I6RnMu8FMXfIPhNO9_KtNQIZjP2OqBVrhYsxgvwNaQRpX_dtfwdcwyr1f8bB4nAuyE4GUPpfJIdM/s1600/IMG_0911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0q8kMHIt_sRArTP-Un1WjBhy1fX0ziV7E2bp-kA_5VaGGp54VksrLVCKEi9D-Fh51I6RnMu8FMXfIPhNO9_KtNQIZjP2OqBVrhYsxgvwNaQRpX_dtfwdcwyr1f8bB4nAuyE4GUPpfJIdM/s1600/IMG_0911.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Hippos, they can bite a crocodile in half</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeNDQr8WBPMuN3i1QduL2vRGW5CbFyLjJrJo_Src0Fqhiezte0iPCzbfyaLJZz92NcecbH5kRbZRCSBxWCeKsbeULJr8ap5-Fdkh6USkaaYe_KsWateWzrs2FsFiUZTQVV-ygDQNiaq4V/s1600/IMG_0913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeNDQr8WBPMuN3i1QduL2vRGW5CbFyLjJrJo_Src0Fqhiezte0iPCzbfyaLJZz92NcecbH5kRbZRCSBxWCeKsbeULJr8ap5-Fdkh6USkaaYe_KsWateWzrs2FsFiUZTQVV-ygDQNiaq4V/s1600/IMG_0913.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Zebra & wildebeest (a large antelope and also called a gnu) migration</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJW9i6PyKOPw67YwAxWRNzfmTgOfuyRuyHWXufvgbnzMmdIzu4jd3A-5tAzdOIBwqag0T_kSqCkDJOzO91YSK6zJrY1f2TNMHDFVguvuGBf8K8JmFX6r7FcnwD4JL9UYqi_KAv9GItARu/s1600/IMG_0950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJW9i6PyKOPw67YwAxWRNzfmTgOfuyRuyHWXufvgbnzMmdIzu4jd3A-5tAzdOIBwqag0T_kSqCkDJOzO91YSK6zJrY1f2TNMHDFVguvuGBf8K8JmFX6r7FcnwD4JL9UYqi_KAv9GItARu/s1600/IMG_0950.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Fresh kill, cheetah & gazelle (Africa's smallest antelope)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5d9V-gqfCAlDbDLpsvvXWLHqRnewQ7FFM0Fa8tM6FEfDyT5Q6hA2fzK75f8sHwDBEzMfczzJ5jVG8zj9bxl5zXUG67IUulsaJ6QyqIGM-PvgP_Wb5xcXuNzX3RSZwm9WuiLFoUjJyfefn/s1600/IMG_0963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5d9V-gqfCAlDbDLpsvvXWLHqRnewQ7FFM0Fa8tM6FEfDyT5Q6hA2fzK75f8sHwDBEzMfczzJ5jVG8zj9bxl5zXUG67IUulsaJ6QyqIGM-PvgP_Wb5xcXuNzX3RSZwm9WuiLFoUjJyfefn/s1600/IMG_0963.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Two lions</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6kSH2CP0zDYgoa33y3cVy7KLXCdZ5Z-_dWJUAf3-2q73FEAYnmGZjs1Wo8GyfmH8XLDznMLnpCBWoYe9lL8ukavuooWhPm2bfeE-r4lLMXHPkF06Y5YltnXeKZHQuqfTI7MAIKy0SxCB/s1600/IMG_0963crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6kSH2CP0zDYgoa33y3cVy7KLXCdZ5Z-_dWJUAf3-2q73FEAYnmGZjs1Wo8GyfmH8XLDznMLnpCBWoYe9lL8ukavuooWhPm2bfeE-r4lLMXHPkF06Y5YltnXeKZHQuqfTI7MAIKy0SxCB/s1600/IMG_0963crop.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Crop of male lion from previous photo</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhznKcIXi6y629iAYKjgEfOBsWIpS0jrkawD8pPPpSsqoSZBHMC5MccauBlOLneLRycjk0qwQWrbQ1eWENxUhBwMqvrYqCZX91pTNdHz6Ky0lPJzMRgGWaoBWmlrBIsWHFGGpq3fl_o-z/s1600/IMG_0976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhznKcIXi6y629iAYKjgEfOBsWIpS0jrkawD8pPPpSsqoSZBHMC5MccauBlOLneLRycjk0qwQWrbQ1eWENxUhBwMqvrYqCZX91pTNdHz6Ky0lPJzMRgGWaoBWmlrBIsWHFGGpq3fl_o-z/s1600/IMG_0976.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Mama elephant and her 6-month old baby</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zU04O2-T9a-JJUf3irvqElqMscB_OEtZbvJPDMl6B1IQIiLFWxIc61q3jeyDUlIKfyozVloT5o1Os8vTmQPxrp-dbQbisWYIKI8OLIlf1xLUXTBQAca_QLi8nCLb4A35nPiZt6k7kFL-/s1600/IMG_0981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zU04O2-T9a-JJUf3irvqElqMscB_OEtZbvJPDMl6B1IQIiLFWxIc61q3jeyDUlIKfyozVloT5o1Os8vTmQPxrp-dbQbisWYIKI8OLIlf1xLUXTBQAca_QLi8nCLb4A35nPiZt6k7kFL-/s1600/IMG_0981.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Father baboon in a tree</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkjssogGw7CLqnIudBWgM2V2h-e8rw_Unk0_Lo8RZmNgLAwyiYRU04lOUwyGFnFMSHzWU7Tjl9MLG5rea5pmBcmgNWW3YUIIvWs_98s80BfP9ByceM6V7o26RmFk56j4yRaCRls_VzLEo/s1600/IMG_0986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkjssogGw7CLqnIudBWgM2V2h-e8rw_Unk0_Lo8RZmNgLAwyiYRU04lOUwyGFnFMSHzWU7Tjl9MLG5rea5pmBcmgNWW3YUIIvWs_98s80BfP9ByceM6V7o26RmFk56j4yRaCRls_VzLEo/s1600/IMG_0986.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Impala buck</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1ufP_LbYC8VTUJlmL_yzqMSjEk-XRKLdV9EttS8JorzDsXGwR8UOCgMGdo2PrKwOd8-EqE0Cp74YrlbojZ4mwF5B0GAZIUc1zvgL1U1JOWbavzWvC-YpjfyiaYLmuVeBpIlyS_W6hPQJ/s1600/IMG_0989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1ufP_LbYC8VTUJlmL_yzqMSjEk-XRKLdV9EttS8JorzDsXGwR8UOCgMGdo2PrKwOd8-EqE0Cp74YrlbojZ4mwF5B0GAZIUc1zvgL1U1JOWbavzWvC-YpjfyiaYLmuVeBpIlyS_W6hPQJ/s1600/IMG_0989.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Warthog (member of the pig family) taking a break in the middle of a hot day</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFuN2iEQCQkW0ctFeETeGpwFg801bVElBmoi4FqvDlHf6tBy3Xm1aN6c8VZ5rCOTW6YDMDJr8Z0719wLiytNiu3mKfUuy6TbnWH88YE5W2IylH5Bw72_hw3DIYVV9ju0U6IJejahwa-Rk/s1600/IMG_0994jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFuN2iEQCQkW0ctFeETeGpwFg801bVElBmoi4FqvDlHf6tBy3Xm1aN6c8VZ5rCOTW6YDMDJr8Z0719wLiytNiu3mKfUuy6TbnWH88YE5W2IylH5Bw72_hw3DIYVV9ju0U6IJejahwa-Rk/s1600/IMG_0994jpg.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Pride of lions that had 16 members. These lions live right next to the Kichwa Tembo Airstrip</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 12: </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Greetings from Tanzania</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Today is Thursday (Day 12) and I’m in Tanzania, we flew here this morning from Kenya and we are in the heart of Serengeti National Park, location of the longest and largest over land migration in the world. Experts from around the world declared the Serengeti Migration one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Africa. We have a game drive scheduled for later today, but this email is a catch-up from yesterday at the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">More later from Tanzania, we’ll be in Tanzania for the next four days, until Monday (17th).</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 13 (Friday): Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today is Friday (Day 13) and I’m in the Serengeti National Park, as I mentioned in my last email we flew here yesterday morning from Kenya, and we landed at the Seronera Airstrip, which is the primary airstrip in the Serengeti National Park. The following photo is of the terminal at the airstrip from yesterday.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxb2vsMdUzqtnZVtRm-pgbkT6pfzf23I51CXdhSzNcR8CV_en3jrqKYvrTvfY-GO8Rcr2ozH_W33PNpA1K1GbVfdeoNKGxL-DPvaQujoTK_R_-SVp_yXRTn22ZY-a4u1xscM_hH0gKutb/s1600/IMG_0995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="853" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxb2vsMdUzqtnZVtRm-pgbkT6pfzf23I51CXdhSzNcR8CV_en3jrqKYvrTvfY-GO8Rcr2ozH_W33PNpA1K1GbVfdeoNKGxL-DPvaQujoTK_R_-SVp_yXRTn22ZY-a4u1xscM_hH0gKutb/s1600/IMG_0995.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Seronera Airstrip, the primary airstrip in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">From the airstrip it was about 11 miles to the "Ole Serai Luxury Camp - Turner Springs" where we are staying for two nights. The next photo is of the tent we stayed in, the photo after that was taken inside the tent (showing the toilet area). I don’t have any other photos of this place yet to send but you can check the place out at the following URL if you might have an interest, http://www.wellworthcollection.co.tz/lodge/ole-serai-luxury-camp-turner-springs#lg=1&slide=0. This place consist of about 20 luxury tents and are certainly the nicest tents I’ve ever seen.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWw9Lco-_RAN9Dm952YJI2J7ZNXbVZ-hrPcXY1jyher-RMa2XjPWi45vox5MgfSGq79J8vuz3aszj-HTd7Anp16Mey_GQBxB-ChCyjbOl7oY8-lOaJmUU47p2uQr_kBFjvBGGhriS5q-O/s1600/IMG_1002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWw9Lco-_RAN9Dm952YJI2J7ZNXbVZ-hrPcXY1jyher-RMa2XjPWi45vox5MgfSGq79J8vuz3aszj-HTd7Anp16Mey_GQBxB-ChCyjbOl7oY8-lOaJmUU47p2uQr_kBFjvBGGhriS5q-O/s1600/IMG_1002.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Our tent at Ole Serai Luxury Camp - Turner Springs</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40sjFb2PVYX4WaViihO5EdZepKHgVlffOQ_a3HNym8eTbWbEmh6boeLJCs7Dab46KYSTAfMadH5xxOo4jG6SuFYX2MPZ9GI0x6_4J6bOWJ_mqcpBClHxzsPYbdu7HGBsYLIjddbbonyTp/s1600/IMG_1003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40sjFb2PVYX4WaViihO5EdZepKHgVlffOQ_a3HNym8eTbWbEmh6boeLJCs7Dab46KYSTAfMadH5xxOo4jG6SuFYX2MPZ9GI0x6_4J6bOWJ_mqcpBClHxzsPYbdu7HGBsYLIjddbbonyTp/s1600/IMG_1003.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: inside the tent (showing the toilet area)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The photo below is of a beautiful sunrise over the vast Serengeti plains, a great way to start our day and our morning game drive.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhba-Ew1TdVyJyYuP26x4KUZWklobI3PZnPi-22-nfq0je7Pk1g1SA_Kglo4HcBwEoZrm24t3G_lyyiVdGL_vMtUfVeSpL1qsQxYnKr0JWBku2nazAqqdLCru-9qRzgLfVzSheMoUu5YZv8/s1600/IMG_1001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhba-Ew1TdVyJyYuP26x4KUZWklobI3PZnPi-22-nfq0je7Pk1g1SA_Kglo4HcBwEoZrm24t3G_lyyiVdGL_vMtUfVeSpL1qsQxYnKr0JWBku2nazAqqdLCru-9qRzgLfVzSheMoUu5YZv8/s1600/IMG_1001.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Sunrise over the vast Serengeti plains</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">On the morning game drive we saw giraffes, zebras, topis (including a baby topi that was born last night), a leopard sleeping in a tree (but you can’t see it in the photo, no zoom on the iPhone), wildebeests, lions (including one good photo of a sleeping lion), and elephants (including one photo of a 6-month old baby elephant, after the sleeping lion photo). We returned to the camp in time for lunch of course. Attached are some of the animal photos from my iPhone for the day. All the attached photos are from my iPhone.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0XxVNEkWvKBBNlGZWIpqaoXxHCRerODsYkJPcRYNVp0yxn9WGKuGBzRGSv_ufEbDKnag1co8PTy8fCNwYuuTUMCfJ8PgGaByIMvRKTYmVKZAJ7JiwqvDdepy2JI7RPqAlc25mM7_CY8B/s1600/IMG_1008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0XxVNEkWvKBBNlGZWIpqaoXxHCRerODsYkJPcRYNVp0yxn9WGKuGBzRGSv_ufEbDKnag1co8PTy8fCNwYuuTUMCfJ8PgGaByIMvRKTYmVKZAJ7JiwqvDdepy2JI7RPqAlc25mM7_CY8B/s1600/IMG_1008.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: giraffes</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HtcI9IKE0wArINzHEs6fI_mxfb1kbnySF-slfZR2AIRlExKdzMy-A8845vR4sEp1Wbf4RmcD5H5s09oM8YJkTFgwbacSFzOX8l3Wj6hyphenhyphenSHSoEEW5cyzDx9Gg8BwEQv9WTc7zngwYET6d/s1600/IMG_1011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="853" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HtcI9IKE0wArINzHEs6fI_mxfb1kbnySF-slfZR2AIRlExKdzMy-A8845vR4sEp1Wbf4RmcD5H5s09oM8YJkTFgwbacSFzOX8l3Wj6hyphenhyphenSHSoEEW5cyzDx9Gg8BwEQv9WTc7zngwYET6d/s1600/IMG_1011.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Zebras</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1daXfoRzDZ949KRuftVmlt9VJC7nyJpJRWnsjmA7VsV10CC7FZ4usOB_r-zo_QFjc0JwmRckt9SWekV3Dwlkrti4zPJp1lunfcMuTBxxZcYJ2CBAIqs58M29BZxXywvEyONNtSQ5xWD3/s1600/IMG_1013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1daXfoRzDZ949KRuftVmlt9VJC7nyJpJRWnsjmA7VsV10CC7FZ4usOB_r-zo_QFjc0JwmRckt9SWekV3Dwlkrti4zPJp1lunfcMuTBxxZcYJ2CBAIqs58M29BZxXywvEyONNtSQ5xWD3/s1600/IMG_1013.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Tiny baby Topi, zero in on the little tan spot, born last night</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDlGuOYO6Rl0Oo7jH6PfEZgkTzxVVTKtASbj-QeG4Opd-ETrbUsOyA1kMaZg-6MIKtIsxnaISk9XX8bfr16O5bqglc37h_jm_VFFIpbeoAoBtu8tLpC55StxexzQIl4O2q6t9gAt6ox2uC/s1600/IMG_1039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDlGuOYO6Rl0Oo7jH6PfEZgkTzxVVTKtASbj-QeG4Opd-ETrbUsOyA1kMaZg-6MIKtIsxnaISk9XX8bfr16O5bqglc37h_jm_VFFIpbeoAoBtu8tLpC55StxexzQIl4O2q6t9gAt6ox2uC/s1600/IMG_1039.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Cheetah, look closely</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPATJcvOJ1CbeR820mBPI2uneUuzGwka9vUFq25LAIj54Qggi8CEfIYT7yUraT0r_YtKrymynZ_L6d1CRKqXbcHfCe39jV9og4tIv6_v26ERcMUYmrZeHYme7R7bK1CY61Zt5WGY6mBNs/s1600/IMG_1040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPATJcvOJ1CbeR820mBPI2uneUuzGwka9vUFq25LAIj54Qggi8CEfIYT7yUraT0r_YtKrymynZ_L6d1CRKqXbcHfCe39jV9og4tIv6_v26ERcMUYmrZeHYme7R7bK1CY61Zt5WGY6mBNs/s1600/IMG_1040.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Wildebeest</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Vjo4C1PGYA5IwkGARdcMUIoLevglJt-xt7XSzTqnmAl5UqTZNAbd03Iun2KgW1HGyFhQgOTe3FwV4faqL5IicQrl_00yFtXH_Sj3xmmzH2O3AlEsaKLq73MnVsxwUmhizA1gtbqfbQC2/s1600/IMG_1045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Vjo4C1PGYA5IwkGARdcMUIoLevglJt-xt7XSzTqnmAl5UqTZNAbd03Iun2KgW1HGyFhQgOTe3FwV4faqL5IicQrl_00yFtXH_Sj3xmmzH2O3AlEsaKLq73MnVsxwUmhizA1gtbqfbQC2/s1600/IMG_1045.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Giraffs</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV321kb6ns7wjhTT9lWdtmXEDRbJNYm4U6VuVs6XKJfcTkRiQ8jFDrP8z9UuMEHSM49eor00hj9onokHoThwWf9t_aF8O8xLFwDWU4pINhLcX-qT-hjhGUwQUVwq0nz5K98x-YyRZj7Ykw/s1600/IMG_1054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV321kb6ns7wjhTT9lWdtmXEDRbJNYm4U6VuVs6XKJfcTkRiQ8jFDrP8z9UuMEHSM49eor00hj9onokHoThwWf9t_aF8O8xLFwDWU4pINhLcX-qT-hjhGUwQUVwq0nz5K98x-YyRZj7Ykw/s1600/IMG_1054.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Leopard sleeping in a tree</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinahjyGoFTc7Tc725TUjcFuGPq4Ak1zMiLbuqv4aj4uuPaHXkevLCdLIVCahrS6PretuMmlAMdechyRj5kKOhyGV-ijvBT2fHIekVtB_NAwpqXfsOWTimeQOEY5WX4pORbkMLE_LTPx-4x/s1600/IMG_1058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="853" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinahjyGoFTc7Tc725TUjcFuGPq4Ak1zMiLbuqv4aj4uuPaHXkevLCdLIVCahrS6PretuMmlAMdechyRj5kKOhyGV-ijvBT2fHIekVtB_NAwpqXfsOWTimeQOEY5WX4pORbkMLE_LTPx-4x/s1600/IMG_1058.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Elephants</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0WCNk3O8O37avQxezADL-ClaJyAOn7Wlkqx3wgVDaRbnjxdw18ImRQk-Udy_tweGE-UqJpGYRBY-JynYp8qjfuQh-q3u8P35GV_HfkqXZZGaZDGLfxc_WtRgUO_EXJhPHdAsmvVZyhR3/s1600/IMG_1066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="853" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0WCNk3O8O37avQxezADL-ClaJyAOn7Wlkqx3wgVDaRbnjxdw18ImRQk-Udy_tweGE-UqJpGYRBY-JynYp8qjfuQh-q3u8P35GV_HfkqXZZGaZDGLfxc_WtRgUO_EXJhPHdAsmvVZyhR3/s1600/IMG_1066.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: 2 sleeping lions</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJu3viUeCGVDI-DdJRZp_f_LV_6xV_QNmWESi54dMBBV5N1fU1tpHPhC4BWfGvjkdqjppAKjsHAfp-Deq97y6KNZEqBVcXcxjzIUirCDR1GCB81-Y_73jRRgCGLkDPtXfb8N8M6uKhc7ev/s1600/IMG_1073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="853" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJu3viUeCGVDI-DdJRZp_f_LV_6xV_QNmWESi54dMBBV5N1fU1tpHPhC4BWfGvjkdqjppAKjsHAfp-Deq97y6KNZEqBVcXcxjzIUirCDR1GCB81-Y_73jRRgCGLkDPtXfb8N8M6uKhc7ev/s1600/IMG_1073.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: 6-month old baby elephant</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After our morning game drive when we were back at camp for lunch, I took a photo of a sign in front of Ole Serai Luxury Camp an also a photo of yours truly.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5tb2Cw5kqusIFiK5j31G7SLoFQvzW9_vzuwxUNyd3cYN4X7vO4OLrF3Cx91SK6Uri8C0Ww_z7P2FL0pl6eisUnZw7bcUaR_MCfjDvg2lqQei3pzp6_4C6Yl2kwq5n4pIOwYbUOFLe75q/s1600/IMG_1086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5tb2Cw5kqusIFiK5j31G7SLoFQvzW9_vzuwxUNyd3cYN4X7vO4OLrF3Cx91SK6Uri8C0Ww_z7P2FL0pl6eisUnZw7bcUaR_MCfjDvg2lqQei3pzp6_4C6Yl2kwq5n4pIOwYbUOFLe75q/s1600/IMG_1086.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Sign in front of Ole Serai Luxury Camp, Tanzania</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlRxFGfFVCzxGS-K8TauwBUzuazmyr_W5ehdrnHiBHv4DoMl9JzOreQAydDPF_-BOY9MrWDS_MWtjjESD74tsy8HIeQQNWAlBfmCevZE-d-OYJvYLpM5re-v8l6dJwIuUkpc6a72hDE9v/s1600/IMG_1088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlRxFGfFVCzxGS-K8TauwBUzuazmyr_W5ehdrnHiBHv4DoMl9JzOreQAydDPF_-BOY9MrWDS_MWtjjESD74tsy8HIeQQNWAlBfmCevZE-d-OYJvYLpM5re-v8l6dJwIuUkpc6a72hDE9v/s1600/IMG_1088.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane at Ole Serai Luxury Camp, Tanzania</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The last two photos are of a cheetah from our afternoon game drive and a photo of the sunset.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-2-YfFgrDtWC4tQo5b7PvRwWxTSTdlSKsmcaRqh2qnBcfyGpbhMLIf40jyZD3i7h2Q8Zi3ws_Z8iOXk8dDfHiWaDJd4bySQv3IsqTD5ij-RX5lur77Zn7sz6soANxhjgA-jxShQQSE1L/s1600/IMG_1091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-2-YfFgrDtWC4tQo5b7PvRwWxTSTdlSKsmcaRqh2qnBcfyGpbhMLIf40jyZD3i7h2Q8Zi3ws_Z8iOXk8dDfHiWaDJd4bySQv3IsqTD5ij-RX5lur77Zn7sz6soANxhjgA-jxShQQSE1L/s1600/IMG_1091.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Cheetah</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHriGUSCXvAe_Qdh8QK4cTFhyphenhyphen40OssXDdhot4Dt7mJKNwUf7gW0TGCKFkDewz_Dv5vWaY21hp9OOjbMJwHz7SGZdVUva8aR49W_rwnYE26vCDAksGx2OZJAxSr-6CzUFOLFJOmf3mFpAL/s1600/IMG_1096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="853" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHriGUSCXvAe_Qdh8QK4cTFhyphenhyphen40OssXDdhot4Dt7mJKNwUf7gW0TGCKFkDewz_Dv5vWaY21hp9OOjbMJwHz7SGZdVUva8aR49W_rwnYE26vCDAksGx2OZJAxSr-6CzUFOLFJOmf3mFpAL/s1600/IMG_1096.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Sunset</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Time now to relax before dinner.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">More later from Tanzania, we’ll be in Tanzania until Monday (17th). Tomorrow (Saturday) we drive through Serengeti National Park to the striking Ngorongoro area. So far this trip has been a huge thrill, almost unbelievable, but it’s hard to realize the trip is over two thirds over.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 14 (Saturday) - Olduvai Gorge Museum, Ngorongoro Crater, </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tanzania</b></span><b> </b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Jambo rafiki (Swahili for Hello friends)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today is Saturday and we left the Ole Serai Luxury Camp in the Turner Springs area of the Central Serengeti where we’ve spent the last two nights. This morning we drove southwest through the Serengeti National Park to the striking Ngorongoro area. The Ngorongoro Crater lies in the Great Rift Valley. This extinct volcano collapsed 25 million years ago, forming the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">By the way, Ngorongoro, a Swahili word, is pronounced something like “N-goron-goro,” but we get away with just calling it “the crater.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I have a few attached snapshots to share from today and they are as follows.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The following photo was taken from the truck on the drive to the crater, the dark area is because they do controlled burns. The controlled burns allows the new nutritious grasses to grow for the grazing animals, older grasses make it more difficult for most grazing animals to feed. The bumpy road caused my watch to show I had climb over a hundred flights of stairs in 3.5 hours, all while just sitting in the back seat.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaneFySyUMab0lFzqWfVPJm45kWHTK3GZNXxVA5WqDMI2nd0v-uZ0q0_5MTyg2rMef1AOXWQ1OK20Btc7AYk_TdxfUb0m-8-EAMTCF4OauBSKiORjfbis4waLO9PURLJi56jgostKco0U/s1600/IMG_1102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaneFySyUMab0lFzqWfVPJm45kWHTK3GZNXxVA5WqDMI2nd0v-uZ0q0_5MTyg2rMef1AOXWQ1OK20Btc7AYk_TdxfUb0m-8-EAMTCF4OauBSKiORjfbis4waLO9PURLJi56jgostKco0U/s1600/IMG_1102.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Drive to the Ngorongoro Crater</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The next photo, also taken from the truck, shows the terrain we saw for miles and miles on our drive. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GJ-7psHcEQfMdaDpn_o_6p4FQhHwjReDkkE7OFFqhX6WtxsKXNe5lAvE0QszSYdttinhBDnOgaFtiqRSdYHFUKpE22iwbPSs5whpWqBvVjL_PQpD90v4kLBM_5F62q4kg8ffSrp1vrsh/s1600/IMG_1110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GJ-7psHcEQfMdaDpn_o_6p4FQhHwjReDkkE7OFFqhX6WtxsKXNe5lAvE0QszSYdttinhBDnOgaFtiqRSdYHFUKpE22iwbPSs5whpWqBvVjL_PQpD90v4kLBM_5F62q4kg8ffSrp1vrsh/s1600/IMG_1110.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Terrain</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The photo blow is a sign welcoming us to the Olduvai Gorge, this was one of our stops on our drive to the crater. Olduvai Gorge is the area in Tanzania that holds the earliest evidence of the existence of human ancestors.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPH2UCcG_Wd-89sZwG_B3WhYxsj-j4OeIQvfSeM5xJw0oc4C-qvSy22nUv3sEZos4Z6ZgFEFU5ECNYOiUBf_3fo2MItNdPU70QFiE9pwj8MuGMiVUxmfXCYSH03GpesD77IPH7A7pNefUU/s1600/IMG_1143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPH2UCcG_Wd-89sZwG_B3WhYxsj-j4OeIQvfSeM5xJw0oc4C-qvSy22nUv3sEZos4Z6ZgFEFU5ECNYOiUBf_3fo2MItNdPU70QFiE9pwj8MuGMiVUxmfXCYSH03GpesD77IPH7A7pNefUU/s1600/IMG_1143.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Sign welcoming us to the Olduvai Gorge</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The next photo shows the plant commonly called Oldupai, the Olduvai Gorge get its name from this plant. Olduvai is actually a misspelling of Oldupai (also sometimes spelled Oldupaai) in naming the gorge, but the misspelled name stuck. The Oldupai plant is used in bush buildings including fences and roof beams, and also for making bandages, ropes and clothing.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZylryGLrM6Zhtt6jzorS5_r4QcZ5DHw8WmPmSXI1SOafMVOaT1GAIFn9B8963493kMEepQut4llKjjobJnY7CTLZVNGF8rQoChGvq9SMX_11XwGEpNb4A5dBaw7BRzJmcAyPtr2RjB9I/s1600/IMG_1144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZylryGLrM6Zhtt6jzorS5_r4QcZ5DHw8WmPmSXI1SOafMVOaT1GAIFn9B8963493kMEepQut4llKjjobJnY7CTLZVNGF8rQoChGvq9SMX_11XwGEpNb4A5dBaw7BRzJmcAyPtr2RjB9I/s1600/IMG_1144.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Oldupai plant</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The following photo shows part of the Ngorongoro Crater, The rocky protrusions in the upper right side of the photo is called the Olduvai Gorge Monolith, one of the more interesting geological formations in the area.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14nHxPE4jeSYf7wN2lOmLhnjTZNopTU8ZqtRp68DBM1bzuFbeQ6lQC3ncOiORvIc32QndCXfEUBaIwv7N9LpK7_Xe7VgyD4t1Cpzh-vaHGn-9y5ueFWJoSyy5vtMWUOVdZnpQiR_nDKbU/s1600/IMG_1147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="853" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14nHxPE4jeSYf7wN2lOmLhnjTZNopTU8ZqtRp68DBM1bzuFbeQ6lQC3ncOiORvIc32QndCXfEUBaIwv7N9LpK7_Xe7VgyD4t1Cpzh-vaHGn-9y5ueFWJoSyy5vtMWUOVdZnpQiR_nDKbU/s1600/IMG_1147.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Part of the Ngorongoro Crater</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The following photo was taken at the Olduvai Gorge Museum, we stopped here on our way to our lodge after visiting the crater. At this museum we got to view the displays of fossils that provide significant evidence of our ancestors. This photo is of a display of Lucy, the most complete skeleton of an early human ancestor ever discovered (Lucy is dated about dated about 3.2 million years ago), the bones were found in Ethiopia. This display uses only reproductions of the original bones. As Lucy was found incomplete, they have this display put together using metal for the missing parts. Fascinating! The real skeleton of Lucy lies in the National Museum of Ethiopia.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqT9EtgUGQlbtl4Tld9fmwqNb6p7wGF8UPa7-al_4gBF0FgvMGXSTQ9y7p-F71IyFj1BDbK0x2Ad7gF_6Xkak5VhDUIr4UvCUVjrAKMy2WFISSZf0g4KysBAcOQm6W1mhyqEMilTd96TG0/s1600/IMG_1149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqT9EtgUGQlbtl4Tld9fmwqNb6p7wGF8UPa7-al_4gBF0FgvMGXSTQ9y7p-F71IyFj1BDbK0x2Ad7gF_6Xkak5VhDUIr4UvCUVjrAKMy2WFISSZf0g4KysBAcOQm6W1mhyqEMilTd96TG0/s1600/IMG_1149.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Reproductions of the original Lucy bones</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The 7th photo was taken after we arrived at our lodge where we will be spending the next two nights, the Ngorongoro Oldeani Mountain Lodge, located just outside the crater. This lodge is a beautiful place set in a building with an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness center, ...and also has free Wi-Fi! I haven’t had a chance to make photos of this place yet, but there’s a good website with lots of photos if anyone is interested, see https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g317085-d7161874-Reviews-Ngorongoro_Oldeani_Mountain_Lodge-Ngorongoro_Conservation_Area_Arusha_Region.html#photos;aggregationId=&albumid=101&filter=7</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzqgaIr52jSKYBH-AlyXAOov98qB-y4S7zRKrfjQQRiSkQnRkMsLnSa-zorfLhEpAHlolBk5XfZx3BvbDIgv5PgKDJdC4LYhn_OaSwEIPNJqN16WhQbqtLg-iW3M3C_-irQIrEECHVcZS/s1600/IMG_1161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzqgaIr52jSKYBH-AlyXAOov98qB-y4S7zRKrfjQQRiSkQnRkMsLnSa-zorfLhEpAHlolBk5XfZx3BvbDIgv5PgKDJdC4LYhn_OaSwEIPNJqN16WhQbqtLg-iW3M3C_-irQIrEECHVcZS/s1600/IMG_1161.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Sign at Ngorongoro Oldeani Mountain Lodge</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">More later from Tanzania, we’ll be in Tanzania until Monday (17th). Our itinerary says that tomorrow (Sunday) we “descend into this primeval paradise of woodland, lake, river, swamp, and plains that shelter more than 20,000 animals.” I've been thinking about this trip for years, and it's hard to believe it's almost over.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 15 (Sunday) - Ngorongoro Crater</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today is Sunday and this morning we left the Ngorongoro Oldeani Mountain Lodge and drove down into the Ngorongoro Crater. The Ngorongoro Crater is also referred to as the “Garden of Eden” due to its dazzling beauty and being a paradise for animals. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Ngorongoro Crater was formed when a large volcano erupted and collapsed on itself. This explosion created a caldera approximately two and a half million years ago. Ngorongoro Crater is about 12 miles wide and its rim rises as much as 1,600 feet off of its 102-square-mile floor.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Attached are a few snapshots from inside the Ngorongoro Crater.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Photo #1: A large male lion in the distance, the first animal sighting of the day. He’s a long way off so you’ll have to look closely to see him.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mhvyyFg0exHOzJTuSRJc4cjtzwoHY96dpCsWlcviLBuV4qN8F4f48Q5__dBkhRqe-5stZ0YCDDvkfav1fHmU4YM5UMifaufySbX6dqe8H-UX3a-r1OTo3NstbDb5lRZv0ZM2gGTUwrag/s1600/IMG_1163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mhvyyFg0exHOzJTuSRJc4cjtzwoHY96dpCsWlcviLBuV4qN8F4f48Q5__dBkhRqe-5stZ0YCDDvkfav1fHmU4YM5UMifaufySbX6dqe8H-UX3a-r1OTo3NstbDb5lRZv0ZM2gGTUwrag/s1600/IMG_1163.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Lion inside the Ngorongoro Crater</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Photo #2: Some zebras that came close to our vehicle.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YDx0JGMM_UcWV6BXc8h7F2-NylHefRwuVmcTXmxvupBKoew0jCXpI8BlOfvHwId2CrmZz-5bMAW5kNJjnnsYkZaT2hVksUi_paNGtK59asQX_ivKDkdcQ1qmHQb7QdfXzCUuUfppULuj/s1600/IMG_1166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YDx0JGMM_UcWV6BXc8h7F2-NylHefRwuVmcTXmxvupBKoew0jCXpI8BlOfvHwId2CrmZz-5bMAW5kNJjnnsYkZaT2hVksUi_paNGtK59asQX_ivKDkdcQ1qmHQb7QdfXzCUuUfppULuj/s1600/IMG_1166.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Zebras inside the Ngorongoro Crater</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Photo #3: An elephant that also came close to our vehicle.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91H6KCEOQ2cPcAikCZ1gCPazQrcq6q4NB383sgqMIra76C6dXXdQbhGXK412nTx8oXCRvw5cfZTCkxZSWlH4tE2mYHLYNLSPfYi0DjjbNHw8VLoEOnzM9ko_bbNvky9Drr1Ohajq1_4WE/s1600/IMG_1177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="853" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91H6KCEOQ2cPcAikCZ1gCPazQrcq6q4NB383sgqMIra76C6dXXdQbhGXK412nTx8oXCRvw5cfZTCkxZSWlH4tE2mYHLYNLSPfYi0DjjbNHw8VLoEOnzM9ko_bbNvky9Drr1Ohajq1_4WE/s1600/IMG_1177.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Elephant inside the Ngorongoro Crater</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Photo #4: A wildebeests migration, note the dust.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEom_JuLvySgp2ModOqxCMaeF1VXE2L85zWXGiDmmUJhteSgLdMsophI8j7SQ7-z_5Nh8vsJR9h1-JSscFc5rqCIKTUFaed0kPIuuBiVO8D6QzHdzdK4ykWyIe2KCW-L7b9ZPMVZwYpS3T/s1600/IMG_1180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEom_JuLvySgp2ModOqxCMaeF1VXE2L85zWXGiDmmUJhteSgLdMsophI8j7SQ7-z_5Nh8vsJR9h1-JSscFc5rqCIKTUFaed0kPIuuBiVO8D6QzHdzdK4ykWyIe2KCW-L7b9ZPMVZwYpS3T/s1600/IMG_1180.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Wildebeests inside the Ngorongoro Crater</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Photo #5: Some elephants, note the baby elephant between the two females.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDwbKWuYAOeGgzVMdxw0eP1GJawrlAIQbfy30gG7U13bli7PpVxCt4AjSGIcUEPHzCmdBJhU6PQOqZJGEnIADz-RbTS2Xbv3JnkmdZ41NzHKVoK4KXnsZqnwA5vyps-dssJ4ttzXJmTFJ/s1600/IMG_1206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="853" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDwbKWuYAOeGgzVMdxw0eP1GJawrlAIQbfy30gG7U13bli7PpVxCt4AjSGIcUEPHzCmdBJhU6PQOqZJGEnIADz-RbTS2Xbv3JnkmdZ41NzHKVoK4KXnsZqnwA5vyps-dssJ4ttzXJmTFJ/s1600/IMG_1206.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Elephants inside the Ngorongoro Crater</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Tonight, we are scheduled for a Farewell Reception and Dinner.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We’ll be in here at the Ngorongoro Oldeani Mountain Lodge until tomorrow (Monday the 17th). Monday we are scheduled to have a leisurely morning at the lodge before our trip home. After lunch we will be driven to the airport for our flight back to NYC.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This African journey was all that I imagined and more, a wonderful, breathtaking experience. Getting to cross the equator in two different countries, trekking with chimpanzee and wild mountain gorillas, going on game drives in two countries, viewing Mount Kenya & the Olduvai Gorge, taking a balloon flight, viewing the fossils at the Olduvai Gorge Museum, going down into the Ngorongoro Crater, and more! I took a lot of photos and have memories that will last a lifetime.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Day 16 (Monday) – Last day in Africa, I’m heading home</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Today is Monday, the African journey is just about over, this afternoon after lunch we were driven from the Ngorongoro Oldeani Mountain Lodge to the Kilimanjaro International Airport where we will catch our flight to Amsterdam, then to Boston, then finally to New York City. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The drive to the airport took over four hours (125 miles) including a stop on the way. Our driver was a man by the name of Issa from the Zulu tribe, he is very handsome.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A few photos from today are as follows.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Photo #1: This is a picture of a Baobab tree at a stop after driving a little over an hour, the trees are known to live up to 2,500 years, although the one is this photo is only about 150 years old. The tree has many useful properties, which is why it is also called the Tree of Life. Unfortunately the trees are starting to die off at an alarming rate, some day it’s due to climate change, but no definite cause is known. Nine of the 13 oldest baobabs (aged between 1 000 and 2 500 years) have died over the past dozen years. Researchers are seeing very few juvenile trees in the affected region while the mature trees are dying off. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJyWu2DgRZkWzNsCnZieT5AXPS0sCujAYaktRwbtnP_LKe92jBdPqMfQ1YbZCcKuy9oHtUYfOFOdzCfrqebDNesrm8M6U6QGgkAKuS2h5mOQLh4fhoI08fNC35KL26xqf_8skosNzE0UC/s1600/IMG_1211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJyWu2DgRZkWzNsCnZieT5AXPS0sCujAYaktRwbtnP_LKe92jBdPqMfQ1YbZCcKuy9oHtUYfOFOdzCfrqebDNesrm8M6U6QGgkAKuS2h5mOQLh4fhoI08fNC35KL26xqf_8skosNzE0UC/s1600/IMG_1211.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Baobab tree</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Photos #2: A photo of two young Maasai boys, this photo was taken across the road from the Baobab tree. Most Maasai wear the color red because it symbolizes their culture and they believe it scares away lions. Also, most of the men wear the shuka, which is a red robe.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIR4FSkagTrmcwNzZVY9b3BbylWqZOI4_IhTLPk4uxDD_7310G8HSGYW7bO_ckJoe_vxlzh5Y9pyMAlSEmeFIxVaccOSdsYtmpb3xKrl-hv0JZadaJsEzzk5fs88jID2pXWCM5k91QmKFT/s1600/IMG_1214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIR4FSkagTrmcwNzZVY9b3BbylWqZOI4_IhTLPk4uxDD_7310G8HSGYW7bO_ckJoe_vxlzh5Y9pyMAlSEmeFIxVaccOSdsYtmpb3xKrl-hv0JZadaJsEzzk5fs88jID2pXWCM5k91QmKFT/s1600/IMG_1214.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Two young Maasai boys</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Photos #3: </span><span style="font-size: large;">Al with a Maasai family</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPR0Qk0pDIuaVGw_t28B4ZVyDB-bNO5no1HtsYfzr02zWMqmV4VWwC6-8LHh7ugLEzA669FLI4i_cEnjjD-P3sthzl-XVbhfQ9osDAPrEJDXDPDRT-iCM1hjC4nyRDZdpt_R3IEWuVfP4m/s1600/IMG_1215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPR0Qk0pDIuaVGw_t28B4ZVyDB-bNO5no1HtsYfzr02zWMqmV4VWwC6-8LHh7ugLEzA669FLI4i_cEnjjD-P3sthzl-XVbhfQ9osDAPrEJDXDPDRT-iCM1hjC4nyRDZdpt_R3IEWuVfP4m/s1600/IMG_1215.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Al with a Maasai family</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Photo #4: This is a photo I took at the Kilimanjaro International Airport in the Luxury Business Class Lounge. We had wine in boxes and saran-wrapped sandwiches. The airport serves the cities of Arusha and Moshi in northern Tanzania. Our flight out of this airport is schedule for about 9:05 PM (Tanzania time) tonight (Monday), we are scheduled to land in Amsterdam Tuesday morning about 7:35 am (Amsterdam time). From Amsterdam we fly to Boston and then back home landing at the JFK airport. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3zUoER5vwfbrXU5Z82kl5cXrf2R5cq1G9oAUCHg7U_iaTns4-AyzX5XpnojAP2Rehj1JutXv0EMTQguoYqLutSJgOpbS-WwLtQ7kFw-cCDbhu3NpSXRrbFGbsmfkKveStYz6nbP6_21i/s1600/IMG_1226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3zUoER5vwfbrXU5Z82kl5cXrf2R5cq1G9oAUCHg7U_iaTns4-AyzX5XpnojAP2Rehj1JutXv0EMTQguoYqLutSJgOpbS-WwLtQ7kFw-cCDbhu3NpSXRrbFGbsmfkKveStYz6nbP6_21i/s1600/IMG_1226.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Kilimanjaro International Airport in the Luxury Business Class Lounge</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Photo # 5: A photo I took out the window of my flight, somewhere over Slovakia or Hungary or Austria (not exactly sure). I call it "Sunrise on the Way" </span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaolloAf8QsoTo17i8wmhc3BrAfccBMKc0UADxtCvBvMzzkAvZwqHgRzw3MM9o7efUglzv7cOvzL1gzAwDD8_ihKqEP6YJVWqBl1CJyGYyCjmfIwOZ-KihsN_m7UZ9HYzKGfzdhJB0aaRi/s1600/IMG_1230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaolloAf8QsoTo17i8wmhc3BrAfccBMKc0UADxtCvBvMzzkAvZwqHgRzw3MM9o7efUglzv7cOvzL1gzAwDD8_ihKqEP6YJVWqBl1CJyGYyCjmfIwOZ-KihsN_m7UZ9HYzKGfzdhJB0aaRi/s1600/IMG_1230.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Sunrise through the airplane window</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnV6jtwUHwKDrc_f7m1SA0mJE2Wiiwj3YS5FH1Hz5RsnT77t_OX15chpcsK0369pLmmAX3qY5qoamBdnfLMmO6AJMfv75B9cEoABa4zw8E4qFFAe3JuHsHXizihrN04A_6RBBBZJTXe_3/s1600/Flight+KL+569-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="935" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnV6jtwUHwKDrc_f7m1SA0mJE2Wiiwj3YS5FH1Hz5RsnT77t_OX15chpcsK0369pLmmAX3qY5qoamBdnfLMmO6AJMfv75B9cEoABa4zw8E4qFFAe3JuHsHXizihrN04A_6RBBBZJTXe_3/s1600/Flight+KL+569-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: iPhone GOS indicates Slovakia, but the Flight Aware website indicates maybe Hungary or Austria</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626364476155545127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728495483307516262.post-17216347012431546382016-12-25T15:32:00.000-08:002020-02-10T07:30:49.838-08:002016 Dubai to Singapore Cruise<div style="font-family: arialmt;">
<div style="font-family: arialmt; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">I made a 20 night cruise from Dubai to Singapore in December of 2016. Below are a few notes and photos from that cruise. The cruise ship was the MS Seven Seas Voyager, 677 feet in length and was launched in 2001.</span><br />
<div style="font-family: arialmt;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tallest structure in the world!</b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><b>Nov. 29th:</b> This is the view from my room in the Jumeirah Emirates Hotel in Dubai. The tall skinny structure in the far background of the photo is the tallest structure in the world, it’s called The Burj Khalifa and is 2,722 feet tall. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kef9cq_UBNM/WGBc7NU2pVI/AAAAAAAABkg/F2Bh5rHlVs0Aucsl_U6uwkG8QuV2216nQCPcB/s1600/IMG_0602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kef9cq_UBNM/WGBc7NU2pVI/AAAAAAAABkg/F2Bh5rHlVs0Aucsl_U6uwkG8QuV2216nQCPcB/s1600/IMG_0602.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">Above: View from my room in the Jumeirah Emirates Hotel in Dubai</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">The flights from New York to Dubai were long but Qatar Airlines is very nice. I will be in Dubai for 2 days, today was rest and recover. I'm too tired to think of much else to write now, but will later.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">Below is a map that shows what my upcoming cruise looks like, it's a 20 day cruise on the MS Seven Seas Voyager.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrzR6piKfyeeJ7qDAr9z7414IDlSJldyJu1_4VbkTAeCUc2mfsGzA8iH2zGo8_32Mjv4rCMMkNbtO08xT8TgWZfLbrf12Ngu1vVKFgJgem-pWU9pJbcstrR-whJTIGkNJqkiOFiewzhNF/s1600/Cruise+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrzR6piKfyeeJ7qDAr9z7414IDlSJldyJu1_4VbkTAeCUc2mfsGzA8iH2zGo8_32Mjv4rCMMkNbtO08xT8TgWZfLbrf12Ngu1vVKFgJgem-pWU9pJbcstrR-whJTIGkNJqkiOFiewzhNF/s1600/Cruise+map.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">Above: Map showing cruise path and ports</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">Also below is a list of the ports that I will be stopping at, assuming all these attachments come through of course.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtGWtQoy3kNCCGQnbx7e2oLi1kL4j3ADUHQz54AuflU8qe3nzN8qZjSFhYmv8Y0tuX1d1c3qrKtYVK62gA_9d3alfXbDAuXiVgXq9eAmeauyUVsSjqSmaXVq33Jk_eLnLc3G05hRynnaU/s1600/Cruise+ports.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtGWtQoy3kNCCGQnbx7e2oLi1kL4j3ADUHQz54AuflU8qe3nzN8qZjSFhYmv8Y0tuX1d1c3qrKtYVK62gA_9d3alfXbDAuXiVgXq9eAmeauyUVsSjqSmaXVq33Jk_eLnLc3G05hRynnaU/s1600/Cruise+ports.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">Above: List of the ports and dates</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">The following is a photo of the MS Seven Seas Voyager that I will be cruising on, I downloaded this photo from the internet.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdwKUdcS-e8yv16Ff3Q5ykoYBsW1-Zl8lQilxGeKT-e1TuUAEnYE_YBn2vT8ultMG5nJ3lmedFJbILMJZBqcKk4jrbw1w2zzRay-wf35JvFGXU9TGtfaRw47_anmCjkvm_4rtrYo8e6qx/s1600/MS+Seven+Seas+Voyager-5-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdwKUdcS-e8yv16Ff3Q5ykoYBsW1-Zl8lQilxGeKT-e1TuUAEnYE_YBn2vT8ultMG5nJ3lmedFJbILMJZBqcKk4jrbw1w2zzRay-wf35JvFGXU9TGtfaRw47_anmCjkvm_4rtrYo8e6qx/s1600/MS+Seven+Seas+Voyager-5-800.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">Above: MS Seven Seas Voyager (internet photo)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: large;"><b>More views of and from the tallest sturcture in the world,</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: large;"><b>and off to Abu Dubai</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arialmt";"><b>Dec. 1st:</b> Today I'm still in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). I took the following 3 photos in Dubai (one of the seven emirates (emirates are similar to our states) of the UAE, these photos are of the tallest structure in the world, the Burj Khalifa which is 2,722 feet tall as I mentioned in my earlier email. The first photo is of the Burj Khalifa taken from the ground level; the second two following photos are taken from within the Burj Khalifa and from above. The Burj Khalifa is also the building with the most floors and opened in 2010. <span style="font-size: 12px;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E6p6yNadnSk/WGBVMkJJGNI/AAAAAAAABjQ/zROpmkpgvQICQeo9LJ2mIoJePehU05bbACPcB/s1600/IMG_0614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E6p6yNadnSk/WGBVMkJJGNI/AAAAAAAABjQ/zROpmkpgvQICQeo9LJ2mIoJePehU05bbACPcB/s1600/IMG_0614.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">Above: Burj Khalifa in UAE, view from the ground level</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Jm_iWxRVaw/WGBVMh93LdI/AAAAAAAABjQ/VIkCfj5kOPc3D8wK3oLm8XLYaOeazSeZgCPcB/s1600/IMG_0621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Jm_iWxRVaw/WGBVMh93LdI/AAAAAAAABjQ/VIkCfj5kOPc3D8wK3oLm8XLYaOeazSeZgCPcB/s1600/IMG_0621.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">Above: View from the Burj Khalifa</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8081QlcWj0w/WGBVMi38iII/AAAAAAAABjQ/d9vIBh11shEGlSarGhLkT-n0BZkXllZEwCPcB/s1600/IMG_0624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8081QlcWj0w/WGBVMi38iII/AAAAAAAABjQ/d9vIBh11shEGlSarGhLkT-n0BZkXllZEwCPcB/s1600/IMG_0624.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">Above: View from the Burj Khalifa</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><b>Dec. 1st:</b> The following photo was taken on our way from Dubai to Abu Dhabi (another one of the seven emirates of the UAE). The drive from Dubai to Abu Dhabi is about 95 miles and the 4th photo was taken on the way, about 3/4 of the way, it is a photo of a desert mosque.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5f1m1j4OZtM/WGBVMjRIyGI/AAAAAAAABjQ/3sLzcnlIUQkj5af0Ph9-XSIDEYf9tTI1wCPcB/s1600/IMG_0627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5f1m1j4OZtM/WGBVMjRIyGI/AAAAAAAABjQ/3sLzcnlIUQkj5af0Ph9-XSIDEYf9tTI1wCPcB/s1600/IMG_0627.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">Above: Desert mosque between Dubai and Abu Dhabi</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">Trees are a sign of wealth in the UAE Abu Dhabi is the wealthiest emirates; it has the most trees of all the emirates. All the trees are irrigated with reclaimed sewage gray water to the tune of over a million dollars a month. The drinking water in the main cities of Abu Dhabi is supplied entirely from desalinated seawater.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">Note: Dubai and Abu Dhabi are also cities within the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, a little confusing, sort of like New York City and the state of New York or Florida City and the state of Florida. </span><br />
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Interesting Information about the UA</b>E</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt;">
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><b>Dec. 2nd:</b> There is a difference that you can't see between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Abu Dhabi gets most of its revenue from oil and gas, I think at least 85%. Dubai only gets about 5% from oil and gas; and about 25% from tourism and 29% from trade and I can't remember how much from Education. Universities from all over have branches in a free zone and students from the region come to Dubai because it is cheaper to get an education there than to England or America, etc. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">Both emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai have a local population of only about 15% and the rest are foreigners, who have no benefits. For benefits the locals get government jobs, high pay, 6 hours a day, 5 days a week, health benefits, pensions, housing, the foreigners get nada. If the foreigners don't have a job, they can't stay in the country and when they turn 60 years of age they have to leave because they are considered too old to work. "No workee, no live in the UAE”</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">The sheiks owns the emirates and both of them are generous to the locals and to their emirates because they know it is up to them. So they plan and build what is good for the emirates. There is so much construction you can hardly take a photo without a construction crane in it. For example, in Abu Dhabi they are building a branch of the Louvre, the Guggenheim and the Bolshoi is coming to a new performance art space. The emirates rulers are planning ahead for tourism, for when the oil runs out. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">Another interesting thing is that the foreign professionals are paid by what country they are from. Two engineers doing the same job are paid differently. The one from the USA gets more pay than the one from India. The logic being that both are paid considerably more than they would get paid in their home country. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">We went to the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. It is of course, the biggest in the world with 89 domes, huge chandeliers. Well, the photos will show you all, I’ll send some photos later from my iPhone.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: large;"><b>At Sea</b></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><b>Dec. 5th:</b> No photos today because I don't have cell phone access in the Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea or the Indian Ocean. I'll be in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India tomorrow the 6th and will be on land and can send more. With that said, I have something sort of fun to tell you about.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">It seems that every night just as the sun goes down and the lights in the ship go on, the staff rush around and close all of the curtains. I protested, as I wanted to see out. But it was not negotiable. It seems this goes back to the old black out days, only it isn't the German's bombing us, it is the pirates on the high seas. The steward said it is unlikely that pirates would try to board a cruise ship. However, they are taking those precautions. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">Then... this man sitting next to me leaned over to tell me that some friends were on an Oceana cruise and the pirates did threaten them. The ship's staff had everyone go into the hallways. Then they asked for volunteers to man the fire hoses and the staff ran barbed wire around the perimeter of the ship. That thwarted the pirates. I've been looking out for Long John Silver or Captain Hook everyday since. Then yesterday I realized a far greater danger than Somalian pirates attacking our ship was if the Sommelier abandoned ship, taking the wine with him or her. That would be a true tragedy. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">The food and wine are great on this cruise. The Internet access is iffy, so I hope this comes through. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: large;"><b>Gateway of India in Mumbai and Elephanta Island</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><b>Dec. 7th:</b> The following photo is the Gateway of India in Mumbai (old Bombay), India; one of the most visited places in Mumbai; the monument was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai in 1911. The site is always super busy with tourists, not just foreign tourists but many Indian tourists as well. The photo was taken from a ferryboat in the Mumbai Harbor of the Arabian Sea. </span><span style="font-family: "\22 arialmt\22 "; font-size: medium;"> </span></div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lgpsvQyUZ1c/WGBVMqoB6BI/AAAAAAAABig/Ag4mxxSQEIUhwE7DwHmMX3fgwgP8dbMKACPcB/s1600/IMG_0677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lgpsvQyUZ1c/WGBVMqoB6BI/AAAAAAAABig/Ag4mxxSQEIUhwE7DwHmMX3fgwgP8dbMKACPcB/s1600/IMG_0677.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: small;">Above: Gateway of India in Mumbai </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 12px;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">We took the slow ferry ride (about an hour) to Elephanta Island from Mumbai to see the 6th century carvings of Shiva at Elephanta Caves on the island. The literature says “<i>Elephanta Caves, giant chambers hewn in solid cliff and adorned with some of the most magnificent stone carvings known to be made by ancient man. Nobody knows for sure when and by whom these amazing monuments have been created.</i>” The following photo is from my iPhone of a sign at the Elephanta Caves, I took most of my Elephanta Island photos with my camera instead of my iPhone; so I'll have to send those photos later when I'm on a computer.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g0W93EICNGE/WGBVMpxAPfI/AAAAAAAABig/d3MBcoQ_f4cbLoVbW2uGBUAnIhdooxqGwCPcB/s1600/IMG_0678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g0W93EICNGE/WGBVMpxAPfI/AAAAAAAABig/d3MBcoQ_f4cbLoVbW2uGBUAnIhdooxqGwCPcB/s1600/IMG_0678.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: small;">Sign at the Elephanta Caves</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: arialmt;">
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">In the afternoon I met my friend Navaz who lives in Mumbai. No photos of our shopping adventures. I’ll write more later when I'm on a computer.</span><br />
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "\22 arialmt\22 ";">-</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: large;"><b>Pirates? In Goa?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><b>Dec. 8th: </b>It’s early Thursday morning and some pirate boats are surrounding our cruise ship. In the second photo you will notice that the pirates cannot even spell the word “Pirate” on their ship. But I can fix that in Photoshop.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">Just kidding, we will be landing shortly in Goa, India; so we are safe. Plus the Indian Navy is protecting us.</span><span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UNZB9wKJYIE/WGBVMumuXCI/AAAAAAAABjQ/yaaZI8jCj809hI0_AXYOFczfgomZLE59ACPcB/s1600/IMG_0680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UNZB9wKJYIE/WGBVMumuXCI/AAAAAAAABjQ/yaaZI8jCj809hI0_AXYOFczfgomZLE59ACPcB/s1600/IMG_0680.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">Above: Pirate boat surrounding our cruise ship :o)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2VXFDH2m4EU/WGBVMoNMMEI/AAAAAAAABjQ/B_tGiFwqsRUaVCBHBp9FG4ZXuMGeloHyQCPcB/s1600/IMG_0682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2VXFDH2m4EU/WGBVMoNMMEI/AAAAAAAABjQ/B_tGiFwqsRUaVCBHBp9FG4ZXuMGeloHyQCPcB/s1600/IMG_0682.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">Pirates cannot even spell the word “Pirate” on their ship :o)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: large;"><b>After leaving Goa and docking in Mangalor, India</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><b>Dec. 9th: </b>The Internet is very slow here in India. It is by satellite and when everyone is using it, it can't seem to keep up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">Yesterday was the least exciting day of the trip so far. In Goa, I had three naps on the 8-hour bus tour to two churches, one temple and a spice farm. The farm was our lunch stop; we ate banana leaves. Then we had a tour through the woods, sort of. The guide showed us several species of plants and told us the medicinal properties. When she showed us a cashew fruit, I asked her to point out the tree. She said "we don't have any trees here." That was pretty funny to me. I wondered what else didn't grow there. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">The new news about cows…, first let me review last time I was here in India, I had photos of cows, some in Calcutta waiting to cross the highway at the walk-don't walk sign, then more cows in Agra. I think I wrote about them with the point being that when the cows stopped giving milk, the owners didn't want them and they turned the cows loose on the streets to fend for themselves. So the cows were all over, blocking traffic and creating some walking hazards. Well, in Mumbai, the cows are tethered to trees and are not in the streets. It seems they are an industry. The cow owners loans his cow to a middleman, who rents the same cow to a caretaker. The caretaker buys cow food and then sells the cow food to the people who want to feed the cow because it is good fortune to feed a cow. Then at night the cow returns to the owner who gets the milk. So three people make money from the same cow everyday. The cows look well cared for and seem to be pleased to be eating the green stalks that are provided for them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">In Goa, the cows are again by the sides of the streets untethered, fewer than in Agra however. It seems there is a law in Goa that forbids cows from being slaughtered. So even if a cow gets sick or dies, they have to send it to the neighboring state to be disposed of or slaughtered. It is so curious, isn't it. Not sure what it will be like in Mangalore, but I'll report if there is something different. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">I have no cow photos to send with this email, unless I can go back to my archives and find one from Agra. But you can Google Elsie the Cow, remember her from the Borden Dairy Company? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">I should see more Temples today, maybe one will be outstanding and there will be some interesting news about that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">Yesterday in Goa at the Church of St. Francis Xavier, I learned that most saints have body parts all over including the Vatican. There, it is commonly their hand. UGH... Gives new meaning to hands around the world, eh?</span><br />
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: large;"><b>Mangalore and Cocin, India</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><b>Dec. 10th: </b>Yesterday was another bus-nap-day, I earned it. The tour for the day was to a white clad Jain Temple near Mangalore (pronounced Man ga lu ru), called The Thousand Pillars Temple, built in 1430 AD.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">Then off to see a 42 ft. statue of a sky clad Jain leader. You know what sky clad means (no clothes). The statue was on top of a 425 ft. hill with 220 steps to reach the top. It was only 90+ degrees at 11:11 am so it wasn't so bad. Right-t-t-t!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">Then off to visit the best thing, a farm. They gave us fresh pineapple juice, yum. The farm was built by missionaries many years ago, they had a mini tour for visitors that included at least 100 fruits and spices on trees and bushes. I had never heard of some of the fruits, like egg custard fruit, peanut butter fruit, ylang ylang, etc. The serious part of the farm was hundreds of acres of the crops that truly grow well in the climate and soil. namely pineapples, cashews, pepper coconuts and the betel. The Mangalore port is a key port for export of coffee, which is grown in the mountains. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">I was planning to watch for some good cow photos, the nap interrupted that and the bus went by the good cow photo-ops too fast. So no cow photos today, sorry. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">We are going ashore in Cochin, Kerala, India today, our last stop in India on this 20-night cruise. We are taking a tranquil backwaters tour, so maybe I'll get a water buffalo shot. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">Later tonight we will leave on the cruise to Columbo, Shri Lanka.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: large;"><b>Latest report from the subcontinent of India....</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: large;"><b>and off to Sri Lanka</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><b>Dec. 11th:</b> Greetings from somewhere in the India Ocean</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">The guide in Mangalore, India was interesting and the sites were nice. The guide in Cochin was very funny, he told us several stories that I will try to repeat. The first was about the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English coming to India for Black Gold and that the wars that followed were about the black gold and religion. The black gold being pepper, who knew it was that important, we take it for granted. Then he added that the war for black gold and religion has moved to the Middle East where the black gold is now oil. That wasn’t so funny, just a curious point of view. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">When we were eating lunch and the food was just a little spicy, the man sitting next to me ate some ice cream and made the comment that in his family they would say the day after the meal, “Come on ice cream.” That was a joke in my family as well. Well, you can imagine what is coming next. It seems that in the fisherman villages they have Toddy houses, where they sell fermented coconut juice and a very, very spicy fish rice curry. The business plan being, the more curry the men eat, the more they drink. He added that the next day the “tissues" get set on fire. Cracked me up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">He also talked about the men in skirts. You remember Gandhi wearing a dhoti, I’m sure. They are called a dhoti if they are white and a lungī if they are colorful. They are just long pieces of fabric the men tie around their waists. The Hindus and Christians tie them from the right, the Muslims from the left. There are two ways to wear them. We would call them mini and mid-calf. First, they tie them long (mid-calf) and that is the formal way as well. And if it is hot which it usually is or the amount of fabric troublesome for their jobs, the men fold them up, so they are half as long (mini). Observing this, I noted that the minis turn to mid-calf every few minutes and seem to always be at some place in between. The guide, Clyde, said that it is said that Indian men spend 85% of their time adjusting their lungīs; but not to worry, they wear boxers under them. I noted that some had colorful Calvin Klein briefs as well. I have some photos, not of the Calvin Klein briefs but of the short and long versions of the lungīs, but can’t sent them at this time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">Cochin is in the state of Kerala, which has a communist government, and with that they have over 90% literacy, the highest life expectancy, the lowest infant mortality in India. The school children get education, uniforms, books and lunch at the government expense. And today we learned that only 40% of the country has dependable electricity if they have any. It was suggested more dependable electrical power, along with the education, would significantly impact the birth rate without further government interference... duh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">It is early Sunday morning here and we are again at sea cruising to Colombo, Sri Lanka. I’m excited to see Sri Lanka and go to a tea plantation and maybe even meet "Earl Grey." I am writing on my computer now so this note can be longer and will be posted when I can get the shared Internet that isn’t coming my way right now. We will arrive in Sri Lanka Monday morning (Sri Lanka time), which will be Sunday night (8:30 PM) New York and Florida time as Sri Lanka is 10.5 hours ahead.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: large;"><b>Men in skirts</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><b>Dec. 11th:</b> Following are three photos I took in India. The first photos show the long and short versions of the men's lungī. The second photo shows just the short version. The third photos is my camera's fish-eye view of the famous Chinese fishing nets in Cochin, India.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6s85V5qhkcI/WGBVMs6JOPI/AAAAAAAABjQ/JzWg1-PUKzkAR52yXuTts6L_eL6eLErBACPcB/s1600/IMG_0696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6s85V5qhkcI/WGBVMs6JOPI/AAAAAAAABjQ/JzWg1-PUKzkAR52yXuTts6L_eL6eLErBACPcB/s1600/IMG_0696.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">Above: The long and short versions of the men's lungī</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EaIGUOsZMaU/WGBVMstZUZI/AAAAAAAABjQ/FSuZlxVCzZArFLekCMrBtiIimZv55pF9wCPcB/s1600/IMG_0697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EaIGUOsZMaU/WGBVMstZUZI/AAAAAAAABjQ/FSuZlxVCzZArFLekCMrBtiIimZv55pF9wCPcB/s1600/IMG_0697.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">Above: The short version of the men's lungī</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CzcqAddelC8/WGBVMqMdqwI/AAAAAAAABjQ/zBsdK8tNCdI41Y8jpiJLOrI5JpbxPxyMgCPcB/s1600/IMG_0705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CzcqAddelC8/WGBVMqMdqwI/AAAAAAAABjQ/zBsdK8tNCdI41Y8jpiJLOrI5JpbxPxyMgCPcB/s1600/IMG_0705.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">Above: Fish-eye view of the famous Chinese fishing nets in Cochin, India.</span><br />
<div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: large;"><b>Sri Lanka, and now cruising to Myanmar</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><b>Dec. 14th:</b> Hi from somewhere on the Indian Ocean</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">In Colombo, Sri Lanka, it was exciting to go to a tea garden, they are not really called plantations anymore. I did not meet "Earl Grey." Tea bushes are bushes because they keep trimming them to harvest the tea, if they didn’t they would grow to be very big trees. Women handpick the top two leaves and the bud from each plant. The tea processing is done with machinery that appears to be close to 100 years old. It was amazing to see how the leaves came in and what the tea looks like when it is packaged to be shipped from the processing place maybe a day or less later. I won’t go into the details of the multi step process. Suffice it to say, it is plucking, withering, rolling, oxidizing and packaging. It is all very labor intensive. The workers are not slaves, they are paid very little but have housing, rudimentary health care, and I think food and uniforms as well. Most of them are women who know tea plucking and processing as a legacy for lack of a better way to describe it. It appeared to me that the younger women learned by working along side the older women, all very interesting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">Today we had a lecture about the impact of tea on economies and social structure. The title was “<i>Tea, Sugar and Slavery.</i>” Again not too many details but the summary is that tea is the second most consumed liquid by humans next to water. And as tea consumption grew over the 18th and 19th centuries, the need for sugar also grew. Sugar was grown and harvested in the Americas and Caribbean Islands by the slaves brought from Africa. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">Afternoon tea was instituted by the privileged as a bridge between lunch and dinner and had nothing to do with depleted energy, like I always thought. The other interesting bit is that real tea is made from the leaves of a single plant, the tea bush (Camellia sinensis). Other things that are called tea, like Chamomile tea, are not real teas; they are herbal infusions. Herbal infusions can use the leaves, flowers, stems from plants other than the Camellia sinensis. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">No funny stories to pass on in this email, not that the last few days have been all sober, just the jokes haven’t been stories. Life aboard our cruise ship (MS Seven Seas Voyager) is elegant; tonight is formal night and to our delight the lecturer from the Smithsonian Institute invited four of us to join him for dinner. He is a little pompous, but with wine he may be more fun. His family was in the tea business in India until 1967, which is why he is so knowledgeable about this part of the world and tea.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">Having left Sri Lanka, we are again at sea on the India Ocean on our way to Myanmar (formerly Burma), about a 4-day cruise. We won’t reach Myanmar until Friday 5 pm Myanmar time. No photos, no cell service on the high seas. And as some of you may recall from my January 2016 river cruise in Myanmar aboard the AmaPura ship, the WiFi or cell phone service was almost non-existent. That’s all for now.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: large;"><b>Greetings form Yangon and Bago, Myanmar (old Burma)</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><b>Dec. 17th: </b>After a 4-day cruise from Colombo, Sri Lanka, our cruise ship arrived in Yangon, Myanmar on Friday night (Myanmar time).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">Attached are a few photos made Saturday, from Yangon we made a short side trip to Bago (about 65 miles NE of Yangon).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">The amusing things of the day to me were the traveling refreshment vendor on motorcycle gassing up at a gas station. There were multiple guys like this all over the place.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3E5i1pOP1v8/WGBVMpOULkI/AAAAAAAABjQ/yvZqqqM0xcoEfPJJfTaLCXkoXUCXcnjnwCPcB/s1600/IMG_0707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3E5i1pOP1v8/WGBVMpOULkI/AAAAAAAABjQ/yvZqqqM0xcoEfPJJfTaLCXkoXUCXcnjnwCPcB/s1600/IMG_0707.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">Above: Traveling refreshment vendor on motorcycle</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">We stopped at a gas station for the folks on the bus to use the "Happy Stop." Have you ever heard the expression "Happy Stop" for a restroom break? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">The other amusing bit was the "donkey nodding." This was referring to what I've always called pony pumps used to pump oil from people's front yards. Donkey nodding is a better description for sure.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D9GpwxQxl-E/WGBucU5f_xI/AAAAAAAABl0/AaQ-6QqGFxUZQLCyM-G-WiGxXY66Al4NwCPcB/s1600/P1030333-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D9GpwxQxl-E/WGBucU5f_xI/AAAAAAAABl0/AaQ-6QqGFxUZQLCyM-G-WiGxXY66Al4NwCPcB/s1600/P1030333-800.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">Above: Donkey nodding (an oil pump)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">The next two photos are of monks eating lunch and their shoes outside, note I added my Tevas sandals to their shoe parade.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Oll45xH6jY/WGBVMmvIllI/AAAAAAAABjQ/4CTdcg_HVwYPlaKwlygq9poxmqADwK4JwCPcB/s1600/IMG_0712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Oll45xH6jY/WGBVMmvIllI/AAAAAAAABjQ/4CTdcg_HVwYPlaKwlygq9poxmqADwK4JwCPcB/s1600/IMG_0712.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">Above: Monks eating lunch</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rp9YYrnvuCk/WGBVMjr0RfI/AAAAAAAABjQ/LXtaa6yTtBkPnTSdWrFbEbfdjsh9uHcdQCPcB/s1600/IMG_0713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rp9YYrnvuCk/WGBVMjr0RfI/AAAAAAAABjQ/LXtaa6yTtBkPnTSdWrFbEbfdjsh9uHcdQCPcB/s1600/IMG_0713.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">Above: Monks shoes outside (along with my Tevas sandals)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: arialmt;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">The next two photos are of the Shwemawdaw Pagoda, the tallest pagoda (at 374 feet) in Myanmar and is located in Bago, one of 5 or 7 ancient capitals of what is now Myanmar. The stupa rather than a temple is solid and contains a relic of the buddha like a hair or tooth or toenail shaving. I wonder who followed him around collecting this stuff? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">Anyway the Shwemawdaw Pagoda is about 49 feet taller than the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. Some of you may recall that I emailed a photo of the Yangon Shwedagon Pagoda when I made the River Cruise in Myanmar earlier this year in January. The Bago Shwemawdaw Pagoda (Shwemawdaw translates to "Great Golden God") was initially built in the 10th century by a Mon King. But over the centuries, the pagoda has been rebuilt and enlarged several times, as a result of destruction caused by earthquakes.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipziKCouh8E/WGBVMtsslVI/AAAAAAAABjQ/S_THLhy4EjEkEUgA_n70w5R4Mp8BjYkqwCPcB/s1600/IMG_0717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ipziKCouh8E/WGBVMtsslVI/AAAAAAAABjQ/S_THLhy4EjEkEUgA_n70w5R4Mp8BjYkqwCPcB/s1600/IMG_0717.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">Above: Shwemawdaw Pagoda in Bago - Photo #1 (iPhone 6 camera)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tgMoL1nVPVE/WGBucZEvZ0I/AAAAAAAABl0/h9iH9ocx4-onn75AOFCEPrybq20Rgg5zACPcB/s1600/P1030203-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tgMoL1nVPVE/WGBucZEvZ0I/AAAAAAAABl0/h9iH9ocx4-onn75AOFCEPrybq20Rgg5zACPcB/s1600/P1030203-800.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">Above: Shwemawdaw Pagoda in Bago - Photo #2 (Panasonic ZS50 camera)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">Sunday night (Myanmar time), we will leave Yangon and continue our cruise to Phutek, Thailand, which will take about two days, we will arrive sometime Tuesday night.</span><br />
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: large;"><b>Headed home....</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><b>Dec. 22nd:</b> I’m in the Singapore Airport waiting for my flight to China then back home to JFK.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">We just had several days at sea with nothing special to report; but when we were on land in Thailand we did a scenic tour with some relatively typical sights and shops. The trip to the Elephant Camp was totally "hokey" but so much fun. The elephants were well trained and did tricks with hoola hoops and darts and balls etc. Then they came over to the fence where the people could buy bananas. That was hysterical; the elephants were smarter than the tourists and stole the baskets with the bananas right out of the tourists' hands. Then they let us pet the baby elephant, two years old and male. Well, he liked me and gave me a nice big kiss as you can see in the first two photos. I can tell you it was WET! I laughed and laughed and said I was never going to wash my face again because I knew it would erase all of my lines.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xbZzC4hpAno/WGBVMmK3KmI/AAAAAAAABjQ/PC-fTxa8pCsO94bOgbfHNbi-WNv4VinIQCPcB/s1600/DSC_0728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xbZzC4hpAno/WGBVMmK3KmI/AAAAAAAABjQ/PC-fTxa8pCsO94bOgbfHNbi-WNv4VinIQCPcB/s1600/DSC_0728.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #222222;">Above: Trip to the Elephant Camp in Thailand</span> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8CPMk2tUmEU/WGBVMiXIfOI/AAAAAAAABjQ/WItoFIMd70Y_dBIBhowDS7PqqRJEfE-3wCPcB/s1600/DSC_0727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8CPMk2tUmEU/WGBVMiXIfOI/AAAAAAAABjQ/WItoFIMd70Y_dBIBhowDS7PqqRJEfE-3wCPcB/s1600/DSC_0727.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">Above: Baby elephant gave me a nice big kiss...and it was WET!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">The 20-nights on this cruise ship were very interesting and luxurious, but I am happy to be going back to the USA. I’ll be going to Florida to spend some time with my mom over the holidays. In the next photo, that's the gangplank I'm walking, but not to Davy Jone's locker like the pirates did. NO pirates at all on this cruise!</span><br />
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1tekXSPWsSo/WGBVMqabXVI/AAAAAAAABjQ/HtoPEjQKEmoMfwSdkleb4NnBbR_2fSEYgCPcB/s1600/DSC_0390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1tekXSPWsSo/WGBVMqabXVI/AAAAAAAABjQ/HtoPEjQKEmoMfwSdkleb4NnBbR_2fSEYgCPcB/s1600/DSC_0390.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">Above: Leaving the ship in Singapore</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;">Thanks to Lowell for forwarding these messages as my Wi-Fi was abysmal and cell phone service sketchy. And thanks to my friends who wrote back they enjoyed reading my missives. And thanks to my traveling companions; Bob and Carolyn, Mary, Carol and Scott. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arialmt"; font-size: medium;"> Will be in touch on the next adventure. xo Diane</span><br />
<div style="font-family: arialmt; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626364476155545127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728495483307516262.post-41396996709833698882016-08-25T09:32:00.000-07:002020-02-22T10:06:29.172-08:002016 Alaska Fishing trip<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"...on my way to Alaska to go salmon fishing. This has been a project for me and 9 other writers for a year."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>August 25, 2016: Alaska</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The GPS data on the photo below shows the photo was taken in the Gulf of Alaska, in Sitka Sound, near Japonski Island. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The GPS data is "57° 2' 11.04" N ,135° 21' 48.42" W" in case anyone wants to zoom in on this area on an online map.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7JZTM_kzhbxykGaOHliEMS55ZtdGVzeho7QYm_UFWseQEdJ35MIC-GbtUPxVLzd-rw8spc5qxD00AW6U01R0JRnRpuJxlrn-ztuEQbXCr9__SXLWd3bnPUrW5dTQpgonaDipS76a2bhE/s1600/IMG_0399b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7JZTM_kzhbxykGaOHliEMS55ZtdGVzeho7QYm_UFWseQEdJ35MIC-GbtUPxVLzd-rw8spc5qxD00AW6U01R0JRnRpuJxlrn-ztuEQbXCr9__SXLWd3bnPUrW5dTQpgonaDipS76a2bhE/s1600/IMG_0399b.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Also, see attached map showing this location.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPE9pMd4h4_pb2f2JlJ4N4Fyd3XFnNL5McRqvo7vYuw1SHum1vaMxtyTlLkAgMxnur7euuqueotiUcokqLABwrMlA6-0IO6KbcDbOskxkbUm6LMnHIRd9GGYhXB99AkTAQfRgQWiAk_LsB/s1600/Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="1316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPE9pMd4h4_pb2f2JlJ4N4Fyd3XFnNL5McRqvo7vYuw1SHum1vaMxtyTlLkAgMxnur7euuqueotiUcokqLABwrMlA6-0IO6KbcDbOskxkbUm6LMnHIRd9GGYhXB99AkTAQfRgQWiAk_LsB/s1600/Map.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626364476155545127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728495483307516262.post-77857149898342491812016-02-18T16:08:00.000-08:002020-02-22T09:10:42.952-08:002016 Myanmar-India trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>January 20, 2016 (Monday): Leaving NYC</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I left New York City around 9:54 pm Monday night and arrived in Paris around 4:51 am Tuesday morning NY time. This was about a 7 hour flight.</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>January 21, 2016 (Tuesday): In the air mostly</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Tuesday morning around 8:22 am New York time, I hopped on another plane and flew from Paris to Bangkok, Thailand and arrived around 7:06 pm Tuesday night, New York time. This was almost a 11 hour flight. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cruise Day 1: January 22, 2016 (Wednesday): </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mandalay, Myanmar</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">From Bangkok, I flew Wednesday morning around 12:05 am New York time to Mandalay, Myanmar (aka Burma), arriving around 1:55 am Wednesday New York time. This was almost a two hour flight.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Once in Mandalay, Myanmar (starting Wednesday night) I started a 10-night river cruise from Mandalay to Pyay on the cruise ship AmaPura. The AmaPura is a 56-passenger, 188 feet in length and will travel south on the Ayeyarwady River (also spelled Irrawaddy River). You can see what this ship looks like (inside and outside) at the following URL, <http://www.amawaterways.com/ships/amapura>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There will be essentially no WiFi or cell phone service in Myanmar, so text and photos will be sketchy at best, so some days there will be no reporting. I may try and fill in missing text and photos later.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I boarded the ship at Mandalay and spend Wednesday night on the ship. I met my fellow travelers at a Welcome Dinner aboard the cruise ship (the AmaPura), cruising on the Irrawaddy River (Myanmar's largest river). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Below is a photo of the AmaPura from the Internet.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDXMhlfQJ66aKbGxpxxFOvCnKfNK0YTyZYhWX4e-yW-Ahhyphenhyphenmxnz5xTVs_rZ5ufkelx6jnZiciOKk0ScV5YnGefP4UCpfDdxa7xbaVJG5QqxpOZqGQhyphenhyphenp59XzJEWePZ7SzZU85IFvFCFey/s1600/AmaPura-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDXMhlfQJ66aKbGxpxxFOvCnKfNK0YTyZYhWX4e-yW-Ahhyphenhyphenmxnz5xTVs_rZ5ufkelx6jnZiciOKk0ScV5YnGefP4UCpfDdxa7xbaVJG5QqxpOZqGQhyphenhyphenp59XzJEWePZ7SzZU85IFvFCFey/s1600/AmaPura-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: AmaPura (from the Internet)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Cruise Day 2: January 23, 2016 (Thursday): </span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mingun, Mandalay and Amarapura</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We cruised the village of Mingun, the city of Mandalay (second-largest city in Myanmar) and Amarapura (a township of Mandalay). See map below.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8z4WYbFy_Rz3GphpMSi0FUM8kT3m2zIKxfZLSllDdKg9X9BWS4kb_NkOEupawbGGCyt14FO401ryF1ArjRXKjfKuMBxpTM3yg476NXz3J-uEoZK3R_V__T09bvMnpfQM-6rQF06bX3XmZ/s1600/Cruise+mapBB-Day+2b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="1550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8z4WYbFy_Rz3GphpMSi0FUM8kT3m2zIKxfZLSllDdKg9X9BWS4kb_NkOEupawbGGCyt14FO401ryF1ArjRXKjfKuMBxpTM3yg476NXz3J-uEoZK3R_V__T09bvMnpfQM-6rQF06bX3XmZ/s1600/Cruise+mapBB-Day+2b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Map showing cities cruised on Cruise Day 2</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Mingun: In the village of Mingun, the main attraction is the ruined Mingun Pahtodawgyi, which is one of the famous monuments in the world. It is also known as the world's largest unfinished pagoda. The building of Mingun Pahtodawgyi started in 1791 and was intentionally left unfinished. If the construction had been completed, it would have been the largest in the world. Also at Mingun is a famous 12-foot high bronze bell, the Mingun Bell, which weighs 90 tons and is the largest ringing bell in the world. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Mandalay: The Mandalay city tour includes some of the city’s top sights, including the bronze Mahamuni Buddha and a visit to the workshops of craftsmen making thin sheets of gold, a stop at Kuthodaw Pagoda (said to contain the world’s largest book, Buddhist scriptures inscribed on 729 marble slabs) and the Shwenandaw monastery, an architectural masterpiece filled with woodcarvings.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Amarapura: In Amarpura is one of Myanmar's most photographed sights, the U-Bein Bridge, which is a teak bridge stretching close to 3/4 mile across Taungthaman Lake. It was built in the mid-19th century and is the longest teak bridge in the world. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">For those of you that have a few minutes, there are several YouTube video tours of the AmaPura ship, see the following URLs.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Amapura ship tour 1 (2.5 minutes) Note, at 2 minutes & 20 seconds you see the ship has a swimming pool!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw846lHGlaU</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Amapura ship tour 2 (2 minutes)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWVnsPoxAbw</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Amapura 3 ship tour (2+ minutes)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD63Rin88ds</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cruise Day 3: January 22, 2016 (Friday): Our ship cruises to Sagaing and Inwa</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">No report due to no WiFi or cell phone service</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cruise Day 4: January 23, 2016 (Saturday): Yandabo-Bagan</b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;">, Myanmar:</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: large;">No report due to no WiFi or cell phone service</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Cruise Day 5: January 24, 2016 (Sunday): Bagan, Myanmar:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The first photo below was made in Bagan, Myanmar and show some beautiful pagodas. The one on the left is the Shwezigon Pagoda and was built in 1087 and is covered in gold leaf. The fish-eye effect of the photo is because I was using the olloclip attachment I purchased earlier for the iPhone.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8BbRxL5sXetDSiH7cEwKNlmqRxo2Jl5VDZV_VfnY_3YMjL3bEtZc0-Bl9GsW3_ao2F-K7cxBWiNcUM0GWPNAjtnBq1dF7SM9X9xAEoUpxMPTMXDVLx3chDCI3-Kw2bnKZlbHhlU9TGIw/s1600/Bagan+Pagoda+IMG_1460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8BbRxL5sXetDSiH7cEwKNlmqRxo2Jl5VDZV_VfnY_3YMjL3bEtZc0-Bl9GsW3_ao2F-K7cxBWiNcUM0GWPNAjtnBq1dF7SM9X9xAEoUpxMPTMXDVLx3chDCI3-Kw2bnKZlbHhlU9TGIw/s1600/Bagan+Pagoda+IMG_1460.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Shwezigon Pagoda in Bagan, Myanmar</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The next photo was also made in Bagan, Myanmar and is of a Buddha in the Ananda Temple. The Arnanda Temple was built in 1091. I thought this Buddha was the most beautiful of all the ones I've seen. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlx11mtK8Ae7BBRfJU9f8hZMx7_XrFWc3Ng4U-xQf2AmDX32BK3IdYH2d9BfK80CHGFlrw4naEbULiEABGtR1-gAl-z26EcI_H9mArx4D7n1sED6CrYbeCxzRekp0DGw8RZVP7AyFH4svq/s1600/Bagan+Budda+IMG_1480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlx11mtK8Ae7BBRfJU9f8hZMx7_XrFWc3Ng4U-xQf2AmDX32BK3IdYH2d9BfK80CHGFlrw4naEbULiEABGtR1-gAl-z26EcI_H9mArx4D7n1sED6CrYbeCxzRekp0DGw8RZVP7AyFH4svq/s1600/Bagan+Budda+IMG_1480.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Buddha in the Ananda Temple</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Cruise Day 6: </span><span style="font-size: large;">January 25, 2016 (Monday): Scheduled: </span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tant Kyi Taung (Mountain excursion), Salay (City tour)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">No report due to no WiFi or cell phone service</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Cruise Day 7: </span><span style="font-size: large;">January 26, 2016 (Tuesday): Scheduled: </span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>MaGwe (City tour)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The following photo is of a statue of General Aung San made in MaGwe, Myanmar. Aung San was responsible for bringing Burma's independence from British rule in Burma.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3eNexH30CC__TLqIIliPmdVOF-Q86XIx-Hw6kOJXzU0lKeZCo7t9jKZ-stROl4MNZYKajM8OuQNIOxOTeBUYfChhGyA_Cc4qlGodUdfUdP_vdgqy2_MTkjfFfPleFmOb_8u39XpHYZEEh/s1600/Gen+Aung+San+IMG_1505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3eNexH30CC__TLqIIliPmdVOF-Q86XIx-Hw6kOJXzU0lKeZCo7t9jKZ-stROl4MNZYKajM8OuQNIOxOTeBUYfChhGyA_Cc4qlGodUdfUdP_vdgqy2_MTkjfFfPleFmOb_8u39XpHYZEEh/s1600/Gen+Aung+San+IMG_1505.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Statue of General Aung San made in MaGwe, Myanmar</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Cruise Day 8: </span><span style="font-size: large;">January 27, 2016 (Wednesday): Scheduled: </span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>MaGwe (Trishaw ride & local market visit), Minhla (Historic fort visit)</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This photo was taken at a local market in MaGwe, Myanmar also.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinp1mG7xU6SDcrCULVlATy1a72QqF4vOke1ZKCCfFsYVelY__wW8LlUMMahNQg7WelCXvA3NyuccYyxleyaBj7rD2gxN1C3eE2S9WPOUVmg65tYgNdjp2eMG4If1DpTSI0psevVcPJfDmu/s1600/Local+Market+-+IMG_1512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinp1mG7xU6SDcrCULVlATy1a72QqF4vOke1ZKCCfFsYVelY__wW8LlUMMahNQg7WelCXvA3NyuccYyxleyaBj7rD2gxN1C3eE2S9WPOUVmg65tYgNdjp2eMG4If1DpTSI0psevVcPJfDmu/s1600/Local+Market+-+IMG_1512.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Market in MaGwe, Myanmar</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Cruise Day 9: </span><span style="font-size: large;">January 28, 2016 (Thursday): Scheduled: </span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tha Yet Myo (Golf Course & Post Office, Pha Hto Village visit)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">No report due to no WiFi or cell phone service</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Cruise Day 10: </span><span style="font-size: large;">January 29, 2016 (Friday): Scheduled: </span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pyay (City tour)</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Today I am in Pyay, Myanmar and this is my 10th day of the river cruise, today we will do a tour of the city. I will spend the night on the boat, the AmaPura, and this will be my last night on the boat.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The following photo was made after our river boat stopped in Pyay and I left the boat ending the river cruise part of my trip. Beautiful pottery.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7art9-9mBgJKCIAuy50RUrVhTOrBp0fn7DNrsTKWnXB3-OxNxPUxJ5RybI-4SJmICSJSAhiB-yIsTcUetapmsmXjJB1HHJ4LA4602cLuIYlj1NpVaBf74qLRBo-voK-S1CHL0Fk_G5OtK/s1600/Landing+in+Pyay+IMG_1521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7art9-9mBgJKCIAuy50RUrVhTOrBp0fn7DNrsTKWnXB3-OxNxPUxJ5RybI-4SJmICSJSAhiB-yIsTcUetapmsmXjJB1HHJ4LA4602cLuIYlj1NpVaBf74qLRBo-voK-S1CHL0Fk_G5OtK/s1600/Landing+in+Pyay+IMG_1521.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above; Diane with pottery in Pyay after leaving the ship</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today I left the river boat (AmaPura) and my river cruise in Myanmar is now over, I am now in Yangon, Myanmar and tomorrow (Sunday) I will leave Yangon and fly to Kolkata, India (via Kunming, China).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>January 30, 2016 (Saturday): </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Long bus ride to Yangon</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The next photo is of me on the bus from Pyay to Yangon, a 7 hour ride. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4ydgKEdgpCTnp5ebKlSj1xXVMqLZzqDM-SMWzCd9m1QAi4Cn9Sx8ztnnHokVfkXTNry41TtuIPfSlABl5cxdxrJT43euxP7Sc6dmTTvEKXXv9f_2lUNrZHNbVegVLXG1V1620592Esz6/s1600/7+hr+bus+ride+IMG_1522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4ydgKEdgpCTnp5ebKlSj1xXVMqLZzqDM-SMWzCd9m1QAi4Cn9Sx8ztnnHokVfkXTNry41TtuIPfSlABl5cxdxrJT43euxP7Sc6dmTTvEKXXv9f_2lUNrZHNbVegVLXG1V1620592Esz6/s1600/7+hr+bus+ride+IMG_1522.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane on bus from Pyay to Yango</span>n</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The following photo is a place where the bus stopped and we had lunch.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeLdrGvQljBsrYFJyGOXcJa6uDz854k2X_LX9ELCPqYMMdm2omDuIGuUd7WYGBVrOobqnuipl8tRdFIILT8RjKRHv0f1svwLZ61BtH2FQp8Sn4xrFVnFk64eCYQS-PXvZ7azdL2fXuOMP/s1600/Lunch+along+the+way+off+the+bus+IMG_1525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeLdrGvQljBsrYFJyGOXcJa6uDz854k2X_LX9ELCPqYMMdm2omDuIGuUd7WYGBVrOobqnuipl8tRdFIILT8RjKRHv0f1svwLZ61BtH2FQp8Sn4xrFVnFk64eCYQS-PXvZ7azdL2fXuOMP/s1600/Lunch+along+the+way+off+the+bus+IMG_1525.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Where we had lunch</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span>
</span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The next photo is in Yangon, Myanmar, of the Shwedagon Pagoda, which is over 2,500 years old. It is covered with hundreds of gold plates and the top is encrusted with 4,531 diamonds; the largest of which is a 72 carat diamond.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6K5BQQdWaNvkSPnthNXmsmYvZptYrr6Sgnfv1JLJJpfDrnZgII0r4QfjZBX9r9hxDNHcnKjbSPULBCdIc7x6NnMKuVBwplfAdOfMv7b1qckIh0blCJvOE7SY_GBdWQ6i6IksufwboDYA/s1600/In+Yangon+IMG_1527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6K5BQQdWaNvkSPnthNXmsmYvZptYrr6Sgnfv1JLJJpfDrnZgII0r4QfjZBX9r9hxDNHcnKjbSPULBCdIc7x6NnMKuVBwplfAdOfMv7b1qckIh0blCJvOE7SY_GBdWQ6i6IksufwboDYA/s1600/In+Yangon+IMG_1527.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">I </span><span style="font-size: large;">left the boat in Pyay and travel to Yangon and later catch a flight from Yangon, Myanmar to Kunming, China to Kolkata, India. I will be spending about 12 nights in India and should have reliable cell phone and WiFi connections. I will arrive in Kollkata, India around midnight Sunday night (New York time), I'll be staying the first night at the Tollygunge Golf Club.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After India, I will spend a few days in Qatar and Oman, and will return to New York on February 16th.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The following map shows where I have been so far (the green dots).</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPQfCQnhRQvdQfMgmUhQ9u_e6xr9X_TWBIuERsumy_rz1VHMF6Wui6Ls4i4epZ3uveTzFVwIhwo48U4AZA1hDC_926Y95kNyPjDORE1AZ1KxGDMqJlC8F7OZ-S_fJ0bfHk-k4P-K6GbsJ/s1600/Cruise+mapD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="1399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPQfCQnhRQvdQfMgmUhQ9u_e6xr9X_TWBIuERsumy_rz1VHMF6Wui6Ls4i4epZ3uveTzFVwIhwo48U4AZA1hDC_926Y95kNyPjDORE1AZ1KxGDMqJlC8F7OZ-S_fJ0bfHk-k4P-K6GbsJ/s1600/Cruise+mapD.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Map showing where I've been so far</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>January 31, 2016 (Sunday): </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Flying from Myanmar to Kunming, China to Kolkata, India</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The flight from Yangon, Myanmar to Kunming, China was almost 3 hours and the flight from Kunming, China to Kolkata, India was another 2 hours plus. Both flights were on Boeing 737s. I finally arrived in Kolkata, India late Sunday night, just after midnight Kolkata time. </span><br />
<br />
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">February 1, 2016 (Monday): </span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Kolkata, India</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>From Schedule: Spending the day in Kolkata with friends Sunanden Sen and his wife Nargis; staying in Tollygunge Golf Club</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Going through immigration took another hour and on the way to the Tollygunge Golf Club (where I will stay the first two nights in India) we hit a traffic jam, a herd of goats were in the road and they didn't want to move over. The Tollygunge Golf Club is nice and the room is good, the breakfast was Indian yum!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My friends Sonny and Nargis Sen (see next photo) picked me up with a car and driver and we drove all over Kolkata looking at the remains of the British days mostly, including some great architecture.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVphl3jRRwoFeT17G64uIpFLffLjXJ17ezOPA4AhZgLWzrAdE0JUWS44xBlWMFhWW6vQOUioj42NEntkljUvUamXbNOH6brTm6I83wtDifM-0ZBWX8hbVzkoESO0ZRWKnbneCyM6JHC8Mu/s1600/Sonny+and+Nargis+IMG_1538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVphl3jRRwoFeT17G64uIpFLffLjXJ17ezOPA4AhZgLWzrAdE0JUWS44xBlWMFhWW6vQOUioj42NEntkljUvUamXbNOH6brTm6I83wtDifM-0ZBWX8hbVzkoESO0ZRWKnbneCyM6JHC8Mu/s1600/Sonny+and+Nargis+IMG_1538.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane with friends Sonny and Nargis Sen in Kolkata, India</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The following photo is of the Kolkata High Court, it is the oldest High Court in India and was established in 1862.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zir4U4PC8UxVY4ABTUdr-D1fuifE2tOELTtlDD_maZvTz2tbK9W-6eYRkKcjWPY5wzuBwLygRFYs1pA-JCPniwW5SMomRJIJIPYRGE_-ucAoVAuefm5O1Vay1CSPIqmOeNudUDiHFRxy/s1600/High+Court+IMG_1530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zir4U4PC8UxVY4ABTUdr-D1fuifE2tOELTtlDD_maZvTz2tbK9W-6eYRkKcjWPY5wzuBwLygRFYs1pA-JCPniwW5SMomRJIJIPYRGE_-ucAoVAuefm5O1Vay1CSPIqmOeNudUDiHFRxy/s1600/High+Court+IMG_1530.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Kolkata High Court in Kolkata, India</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">We went to a fancy restaurant for a great lunch, maybe the best food so far on the trip, but don't tell the god folks on the AmaPura river boat in Myanmar that I said that, as their food was very good also.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After lunch we went to a really cool art gallery with some inspired work ending up at the Queen Victoria Memorial (next photo). The memorial is a a large marble building that was complete in 1921. It is also a museum but we didn't get to go inside as it is closed on Mondays, so we walked around the gardens with the locals.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdnfS7JzVWiCXLDsRFvPfN_mDsrbj16rGqvg4LbAORgoWyK7_RlH963-s_J6H4S3HxnlzLQ3tuMXMuz7UdXpQ74r7T_vQ1uY4Xu-sGyWDDC440Kf543J-nJ_cFawaR8f0JJ3gtAlDTfnq/s1600/Queen+Victoria+Mem+IMG_1536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdnfS7JzVWiCXLDsRFvPfN_mDsrbj16rGqvg4LbAORgoWyK7_RlH963-s_J6H4S3HxnlzLQ3tuMXMuz7UdXpQ74r7T_vQ1uY4Xu-sGyWDDC440Kf543J-nJ_cFawaR8f0JJ3gtAlDTfnq/s1600/Queen+Victoria+Mem+IMG_1536.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Queen Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, India</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">The photo below is of one of the statues of the British Lion near the Victoria Memorial, it looked to me like the lion was taking a selfie (notice the left front paw).</span><br />
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -webkit-standard; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRGcOzq9-24wcDUXBG3oJQQCr7izvD5_-l7MKveEzsShf7Zslgp2oZp3t0NF1Knl6t3oyXiBMmnOG7byJtZitO_RhvqybBfhGOD9Kapw7SztN807i09KP9B_X0kWUHOJMgWipm574aibD/s1600/Queens%2527+Lion+IMG_1539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRGcOzq9-24wcDUXBG3oJQQCr7izvD5_-l7MKveEzsShf7Zslgp2oZp3t0NF1Knl6t3oyXiBMmnOG7byJtZitO_RhvqybBfhGOD9Kapw7SztN807i09KP9B_X0kWUHOJMgWipm574aibD/s1600/Queens%2527+Lion+IMG_1539.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Above: British Lion statue near the Queen Victoria Memorial, Kolkata, India </span></div>
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; padding-top: 4px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; padding-top: 4px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">After our tour of Kolkata, we headed back to the Tollygunge Golf Club for gin and tonics and a light supper.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It is now late Monday night (Kolkata time) and I'm packing for a 7:00 am Tuesday morning departure to the airport for Delhi. </span><br />
<div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">so far so good. </span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>February 2, 2016 (Tuesday): Flight from </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Kolkata, India to Old Delhi, India</b></span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<i><span style="color: black; font-size: large; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">From Schedule: A</span><span style="font-size: large;">fternoon/evening, meet in Old Delhi at Hotel Bukhara, near Gate 3 Jama Majid (Jama Masjid?).</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Stay: Hotel Bukara in Old Delhi</i></span></div>
<div style="color: black; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I had a great day yesterday (Monday) in my tour of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), my friends Sonny and Nargis Sen took good care of me while I was there, they were wonderful hosts.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I left Kolkata today (Tuesday) to catch a flight to Delhi. They said to avoid traffic I needed to leave the Tollygunge Golf Club by 8 am (Kolkata time). I normally like to be a bit early but the pickup car arrived really early and I left at 6:45 am to be at the airport by 9 am for a flight scheduled to leave at 10 am. We arrived at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport at 7:45 am to learn the flight was delayed, so I had to hang out for several hours. But the airport had WiFi so it worked out fine. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Earlier on the way to the airport I saw 3 cows waiting at a stoplight just like they knew it would turn green and they could go. I didn't have my camera out so I didn't capture that picture, but it was a funny sight. Imagine cows and people together at the pedestrian cross walk. Later we passed a guy riding a motorcycle with 10 bags of onions, they must have been 20-25 pound bags. Needless to say he was going very slowly. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My new Panasonic Lumix ZS50 Super-Zoom Travel camera is having problems with the optical zoom. The zoom sticks and I get an error message that tells me to turn the camera off and then back on. Plus I dropped my iPhone and cracked the lens, so I'm in a mess with taking photos. I may look for a Panasonic shop in Delhi and an iPhone repair shop as well.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Did I say the flight was "delayed several hours?" The flight finally took off from Kolkata 3 hours and 47 minutes late and we landed in Delhi 4 hours and 8 minutes after the scheduled arrival. But as a note of humor about my travel travails, in addition to the unnecessary early arrival at the airport and the flight delay, the flight attendant rearranged the passengers and I ended up with a wailing kid in the middle seat next to me, who only stopped wailing when he was grabbing for my pen control box or iPad. I just have to laugh. HIs poor mother was so stressed. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The flight from Kolkata to Delhi (Indira Gandhi International Airport ) lasted about two and a half hours, but it was on a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which is a very nice aircraft. For all my engineering friends out there, the 787 family is the first airliner to use composite materials for most of its construction (approximately 50 percent). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am normally an organized and well prepared traveler, so this is strange to have many things go somewhat wrong, like the camera problems, the flight delay, the screaming kid, losing earrings, sneezing, etc.. But I'm still having a great time and feel so blessed with capital letters that I have such a wonderful life. I love India! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I may use the names "Delhi," "Old Delhi" and "New Delhi" in my emails. Basically, Old Delhi is the old part of Delhi & New Delhi is the new part of Delhi. Old Delhi is the most historic part of the metropolis, with its origins dating back to the time of the Moghuls. In contrast, New Delhi was designed by the British during colonial times. New Delhi is the area of Delhi which has all the Government bodies.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">While in Delhi for the next few days, I will be staying in Old Delhi at the Hotel Bukhara, which is right across the road from Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. The mosque has three main gates and the Hotel Bukhara is close to gate 3 which is the north gate. But after a few days, I will be moving to the Has Khaz Guest House in New Dehli.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I hope none of you find the following topic offensive, but in India they use water to wash after using the toilet instead of toilet paper. In Indian culture this is considered a cleaner practice. But some toilets are fitted with both a water spray hose and toilet paper (for tourists). The following photo shows one such toilet at the Kolkata airport.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ci9EvgnyIziIAPcNA2mJUNVHpofj20kbWTB3dViOUPa5IhdKyYItbH3yyvPNCwK8bZod7FFlGUkSfTIUw5uV9wIKWCuxo_LRxPcVXmXqE9OA2iMx_PoMe2U_gjua_yt9HBmz4VvPBQ8m/s1600/Water+spray+2+IMG_1542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ci9EvgnyIziIAPcNA2mJUNVHpofj20kbWTB3dViOUPa5IhdKyYItbH3yyvPNCwK8bZod7FFlGUkSfTIUw5uV9wIKWCuxo_LRxPcVXmXqE9OA2iMx_PoMe2U_gjua_yt9HBmz4VvPBQ8m/s1600/Water+spray+2+IMG_1542.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: toilet at the Kolkata airport</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am also attaching a photo of a room deodorizer at the airport. It cracked me up for some reason, it is electric and constantly stirs a liquid that must do something to the air. Note the decorative green leave on the top.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMqDQAOiEgyDGIdWeUXyaXqABkI5wUwcFcVxoiMASgUbcSLJtXmaIGH_tecMVxDZvYsfjXyIGMLGevD3oE_1uLiRrJUyXrv17tsaAPWxNPypBSF3gDMGbnlSKH0R34L52z6suAZ069Qvo/s1600/Deodorizer+IMG_1541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMqDQAOiEgyDGIdWeUXyaXqABkI5wUwcFcVxoiMASgUbcSLJtXmaIGH_tecMVxDZvYsfjXyIGMLGevD3oE_1uLiRrJUyXrv17tsaAPWxNPypBSF3gDMGbnlSKH0R34L52z6suAZ069Qvo/s1600/Deodorizer+IMG_1541.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Toilet at the Kolkata airport</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Below is a Google map showing the places I've been in the last few days, from when I left Yangon, Myanmar (after my 10-night river boat cruise and a long bus ride), flew to Kunming, China to catch a flight to Kolkata, India and then on to Delhi. On the map shows two other cities I will be visiting later in February (Alwar and Agra).</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fshhcCzVmnNuNFtI3cJCr4B8n7VeldUK9Lj6wmvcfo7bPUZ4rWRS2irqvCxAgcTFt8fN-U_6sYWkR-v_kCY4iFv3uXzk3cTjwyV_32r3ZHOzQzm5pmQ5Xw0w-NSKTq6yQ7XPsXGEH7Pa/s1600/Flight+map-1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fshhcCzVmnNuNFtI3cJCr4B8n7VeldUK9Lj6wmvcfo7bPUZ4rWRS2irqvCxAgcTFt8fN-U_6sYWkR-v_kCY4iFv3uXzk3cTjwyV_32r3ZHOzQzm5pmQ5Xw0w-NSKTq6yQ7XPsXGEH7Pa/s1600/Flight+map-1200.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Map showing where I've been in the last few days</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We finally arrived at the Hotel Bukhara in Old Delhi. The hotel advertises that they are the "Best Budget Hotel Near Jama Masjid," ...and they have Wi-Fi!. As I mentioned in yesterday's email, Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in India. The mosque has three great gates (Hotel Bakhara is at gate #3), three domes covered with gold, four towers (one at each corner) and two tall spires that are 130 feet high. </span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b style="color: black; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="color: black; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">February 3, 2016 (Wednesday): Old </span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Delhi and New Delhi, India</b></span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<i><span style="color: black; font-size: large; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">From Schedule: </span><span style="font-size: large;">Autos to the Craft Museum and nearby Matka Pir, and wander Old Delhi. </span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Stay: Hotel Bukara in Old Delhi</i></span></div>
<div style="color: black; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday morning, I took the following photo of the Jama Masjid from our hotel, Hotel Bukhara Inn</span>.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugJ572yrokVb7x3L1uSWl5saJdZlXvRInk2qG8R-2o7lT-7x333QLOMVWh_X0TU2S8EZCuLkIwQmyFZnlaKmXKqb72uZ-J9ttI77-s9Hzbz24Nmo_-xr9tpgPZAJxXUTqLS2P6XoGXw3b/s1600/Jama+Masjid+IMG_1545-H.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugJ572yrokVb7x3L1uSWl5saJdZlXvRInk2qG8R-2o7lT-7x333QLOMVWh_X0TU2S8EZCuLkIwQmyFZnlaKmXKqb72uZ-J9ttI77-s9Hzbz24Nmo_-xr9tpgPZAJxXUTqLS2P6XoGXw3b/s1600/Jama+Masjid+IMG_1545-H.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Jama Masjid</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Leaving the hotel, our first stop was at Jama Masjid where I took the next photo from inside the courtyard, on the south side. The courtyard can accommodate 25,000 worshippers.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipG3hS13Icyyiwm431SS2I4ZXliJE4cxf7yz9QI0WPMfzt2fqBzmAfdEV779LYPagBbd3yK8ZWaxaSqkTfZGKAF0k58DiX3V6DHV_pEXAan-YSJGX4nx7a3amT0eGoPUPisLQT5tc-cII3/s1600/Jama+Masjid+IMG_1559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipG3hS13Icyyiwm431SS2I4ZXliJE4cxf7yz9QI0WPMfzt2fqBzmAfdEV779LYPagBbd3yK8ZWaxaSqkTfZGKAF0k58DiX3V6DHV_pEXAan-YSJGX4nx7a3amT0eGoPUPisLQT5tc-cII3/s1600/Jama+Masjid+IMG_1559.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Jama Masjid</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">On the internet, I ran across this great aerial photo of the Jama Masjid mosque that I mentioned in my last two emails. I obviously can't get any photos like this from the ground, so I thought I'd forward this one on so you can get a better view of what the mosque looks like.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMH3HoTDYwVaQAG8sct9wNnt93oMob7grnbePbLh0JhFPg5v3yOPEMiCLY5Fz9eedLhpA6WCus-8VDyILdegwWBsUdo-TuDU-gFX64FMFHztFw_fWm8inAVUHKYt9j2WWWAgkxh1hUXog2/s1600/Aerial+Jama+Masjid-PSE-1600b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1106" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMH3HoTDYwVaQAG8sct9wNnt93oMob7grnbePbLh0JhFPg5v3yOPEMiCLY5Fz9eedLhpA6WCus-8VDyILdegwWBsUdo-TuDU-gFX64FMFHztFw_fWm8inAVUHKYt9j2WWWAgkxh1hUXog2/s1600/Aerial+Jama+Masjid-PSE-1600b.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Jama Masjid</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In this view you can see the four towers located at each corner, the three domes and the 130 foot spires. You can also see the 3 gates, the one in front of the photo, and the two on the sides, Gate #3 close to the Bukhara Hotel (where we stayed) is the gate on the right side of the photo (or north side). I've marked the gate number on the photo.</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">To enter the Jama Masjid, you can use the gates shown on the left and right side of the photo. The gate in front of the photo (east) remains open only on Fridays.</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The photo I took from inside on the courtyard with the fish-eye lens on my iPhone was taken by the gate on the left of the photo.</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Leaving Jama Masjid, we stopped for cardamom chai, which is a spicy drink of black tea with cardamom (seed pods in the ginger family).</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then we toured the local market where they sold electrical and mechanical items and saris. The next 2 photos were taken in the Meena Bazar near Jama Masjid.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzIMLSfdRQiXoeOec3pRXagazONFbOfpL6rccpGB8QvmjuTLNAF9XVyNQDjk2eOtmPNdEos_dQ9xT4ztSCBpJ-9XPXAL1Eu7HkXXmKK1-LL7dd6HevonDLIS9-RrhJOcjceq17MS7u46z/s1600/Man+pouring+IMG_1591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzIMLSfdRQiXoeOec3pRXagazONFbOfpL6rccpGB8QvmjuTLNAF9XVyNQDjk2eOtmPNdEos_dQ9xT4ztSCBpJ-9XPXAL1Eu7HkXXmKK1-LL7dd6HevonDLIS9-RrhJOcjceq17MS7u46z/s1600/Man+pouring+IMG_1591.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Photo from Meena Bazar near Jama Masjid</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_PHkxOJSMc6cFMWYerADA4nadPnBgl7R0U953SsvrbakzOUbEJ1T3mIkA8i2-Ybo6IIrpY28qzfYM_ueYFpWcsYVHtEG7ynfmLW3Hysg8lcIShVHPLfLkvPEXiulGe6WRYq0CqAoa3gf/s1600/Metal+IMG_1607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_PHkxOJSMc6cFMWYerADA4nadPnBgl7R0U953SsvrbakzOUbEJ1T3mIkA8i2-Ybo6IIrpY28qzfYM_ueYFpWcsYVHtEG7ynfmLW3Hysg8lcIShVHPLfLkvPEXiulGe6WRYq0CqAoa3gf/s1600/Metal+IMG_1607.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: start;"> </b><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Photo from Meena Bazar near Jama Masjid</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After touring the local market, we went to the famous Crafts Museum and had lunch. The Crafts Museum is about 3 miles south of Jama Masjid and is in the section of Delhi known as New Delhi. It is one of the largest crafts museums in India and is set up like a traditional village, the purpose is to preserve the traditional crafts of India. Some of the crafts that are on display at the museum are pottery, wood carvings, metal-ware crafting, image, toys sculpturing, folk paintings, tribal textiles and handmade jewellery.</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After visiting the Crafts Museum and having lunch, we went to the Dargah Mosque nearby, for a Sufi saint by the name of Matka Pir. They have clay water pots in the trees there, I got some photos but they were with my other camera (the new Lumix ZS50), which I can't email at this time. There is a legend that goes with the pots, about some traveler that was cured completely of a disease which apparently did not have any cure.</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Later we went to a spice market which is basically a busy intersection where they dried fruits, nuts and tea and spices. Then I had my first lassa, a traditional, yogurt-based drink in India. </span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">All of our traveling Wednesday was in unbelievable traffic in either tuk tuks (small type 3-wheel motorized vehicles, slightly more powerful than a golf cart) or we traveled by rickshaws propelled (pedal like a tricycle) by skinny Indian men . Hysterical both funny and scary. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Below is a photo of one of the tuk tuts.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjE5sZ0j4Y9AT3f5qe8m206ZPtH3ziRzkJcogQeCaW7KgoDiExnh1rRizfFDK65nHcqn7zr9teSOPz-1lxBrw-_yKrUffxhjvJIQ40tHZfjwWapeLvIwx87-kodqTfpsmJ687IKf3dJhA/s1600/Tuk+Tuk+IMG_1635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjE5sZ0j4Y9AT3f5qe8m206ZPtH3ziRzkJcogQeCaW7KgoDiExnh1rRizfFDK65nHcqn7zr9teSOPz-1lxBrw-_yKrUffxhjvJIQ40tHZfjwWapeLvIwx87-kodqTfpsmJ687IKf3dJhA/s1600/Tuk+Tuk+IMG_1635.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br />
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It's been a full day so far. Tomorrow the potters village.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">February 4, 2016 (Thursday): Old </span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Delhi and New Delhi, India</b></span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>From Schedule: Metro to Uttam Nagar East: Travelling with us today and for the country tour will be Shirley Bhatnagar English/Hindi speaker, potter, has taught in Jaipur lived in the US for many years now living in New Delhi: Visit the Prasad workshop Chanakya Place then to Kumhaargram to the home and workshop of Manohar Lal ( Manori Ji) and family and visit several other family workshops: Opportunity to have a turn on a wheel: Lunch: with family of Manori Ji: Stay: Hotel Bukhara,"</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Delhi Metro is a metro system serving Delhi and its satellite cities. It is an all electric rapid transit system that operate on exclusive right-of-ways and can be underground, at-grade or elevated stations. There are 6 different lines and all have colors for their names, the Blue Line, the Yellow Line, the Red Line, the Green Line, the Violet Line and the Orange Line, all going to different places.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thursday at the pottery village was an amazing day for me. Our tour leader Sandra also organizes pottery workshops in Australia, that some Indian potters attend, so she has a personal relationships with many of the potters that we visited with Thursday. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Some potters are uneducated and for the most part illiterate and learn everything by trial and error. They have never read (duh) or learned from anyone about firing, clay composition, glazes, etc, yet they are amazing at what they do.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">They buy their clay from various sources, some outside of Delhi, and sometimes they buy it locally from Delhi when new construction excavation hits a layer of clay. The clay is mixed by hand with other materials by the women and then when the water is mixed in, it is wedged (like kneading bread) into mounds of clay they then put on a wheel or sometimes used for coil pot building (like maybe you did in the 3rd grade?).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">They are all family businesses with the women doing the prep work and sometimes the decorating. The poorer families (and poor is a relative term, they are all poor by even Indian standards, unless they do something unique or special and get picked up by a gallery or representative. Sounds like painters in the US, there are a few that are very successful) fire their kilns with sawdust and the more affluent with wood. They don't fire to high enough temperature to actually glaze their pots as we do in the US.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Many of them make small pots (kulhar) that are used for cardamom chai (a spicy drink of black tea which I mentioned Wednesday) which is made and sold on the streets, the kulhars are then throw away. They make larger pots for lassi (a fabulous yoghurty drink which I also mentioned Wednesday) and even larger ones for biryani (a rice-based meal) all pots thrown away after one use. The group hurts to think of the waste. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">One potter can make between 1500-2000 kulhars a day, he fires many in a kiln (see 1st photo attached) as he gets orders. Most of this is done outdoors subject to heat, cold and monsoons. They all seem to have enough electricity to run a wheel, which is basically an electric motor with a fan belt and a wheel head about 12" to 14" in diameter. They squat on the ground in front of the wheel for hours (see 2nd attached photo). It is a very hard position to work in, most of us wouldn't be able to stand up after an hour, much less a whole day. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">They fire for 7-8 hours constantly putting wood and/or sawdust in the bottom of the kiln. The kilns (see 3rd attached photo) are handmade of bricks in a round column maybe 6 feet in diameter and as tall or taller. Underneath there is a floor of some sort and under that is where the wood and/or sawdust goes. When the kiln is full they cover it with shards or larger broken pots for several layers. The color of the smoke tells them when the fire is the proper temperature. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I hope this is narrative enough that non-potters can follow. For me it was all fascinating. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We visited 5 or 6 pottery families. These are all family businesses, sometimes it is several generations in the business. The more successful they are, the more sophisticated they get. The family life is interesting, when a son marries there is pressure to marry a girl from a potter family to keep the caste clear. One family we visited, the son married the daughter of a man that irons, an ironer, This new wife has not been accepted by the potter family and the other daughter-in-laws don't speak to her. The wives do all the housework and take care of the parents.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We had a nice lunch of the equivalent of vegetable tempura and I noticed that none of the Indian folks were eating. It seems the parents and men eat after visitors and the wives after that. The wives had their faces covered because the father was there and it was a sign of respect, and his wife had to sit on a shorter stool that he.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The sons for the most part stood and the ubiquitous children stood, sat, squatted and stared. They were very cute, dusty and loved having their photos taken. I took oranges to give them as they can't afford to buy them. As the fathers did demonstrations of their throwing techniques, the children crowded in front of us to watch, as though they hadn't seen it before. That was amusing. And all the neighbors came to stare through the doorways or even to join us as though they hadn't seen it before either. We conjectured that maybe they didn't realize it was interesting before. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We traveled to the pottery village on the west side of Delhi on a variety of transportation modes, first we rode rickshaws to the Metro (electric rapid transit system). On the Metro the two front cars are for women only, designated by pink signs stating this. At one stop a female in fatigues checked to be sure that there were no men. After riding the Metro, we moved to multi-passenger motorized 4-wheel carts. They are designed to hold 6 Indian people but we could really fit only four of us. We took the same type vehicle two more times, slowish speeds but lots of horn honking and close passing of other vehicles including motorcycles, so close it almost felt like an intimate experience. Then we took the forever available 2-passenger rickshaws, and some 4-passenger, 3-wheeled tuk tuks that they call autos. Once in the pottery village we walked from house to house. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Because Sandra has a personal relationship with these men, they were very welcoming and each family served us chai (black tea). We were pretty chai-ed out and tried to refused, but that didn't work so we drank it with gusto. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When we got back to the Hotel Bukhara Inn, we were dusty and hungry. Our dinner choice was again in the Muslim quarter and turned out to be the answer to KFC. Tasty with roti (flat bread), but their roti is different from what we know. The meal was tasty with lots of onions and a very spicy sauce. One was supposed to wrap it all in the flat bread and eat it, as there were no utensils. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Friday night we will be staying in a different hotel, the Haus Khaz Guest House in New Delhi. Saturday we will be traveling to Alwar.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Below are 2 photos of some pottery seen today.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTupXYG4Nt2Gv9EFXrlFATRLFWcbmNkkHrAxPSCsziO75rjKVuV1d7FD0RoHz2FuSydQjbzMZDlfRAlcQMTiCf5XVnd13ei6heKDi73ey0_FMXQZEiQQjZX5zWbqwh_BYLSu4DFaFhzVv/s1600/loaded+kiln+IMG_1661-H.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTupXYG4Nt2Gv9EFXrlFATRLFWcbmNkkHrAxPSCsziO75rjKVuV1d7FD0RoHz2FuSydQjbzMZDlfRAlcQMTiCf5XVnd13ei6heKDi73ey0_FMXQZEiQQjZX5zWbqwh_BYLSu4DFaFhzVv/s1600/loaded+kiln+IMG_1661-H.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Pottery in the outskirts of Delhi</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyEQ3LP8eShyphenhyphen82avQa-1tM-DoKkH7bNd8y8HFl0w5ZNHQE9qAFZlf0zSkNvo8DsaLSQvUwDycplMXIM1Mqxg3yOzd8OyuhqGCQDeloPPi99FUjf_3aQOByyJI9gGiAR-ffSLdGPiJmbqA/s1600/hand+built+kiln+IIMG_1664-H.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyEQ3LP8eShyphenhyphen82avQa-1tM-DoKkH7bNd8y8HFl0w5ZNHQE9qAFZlf0zSkNvo8DsaLSQvUwDycplMXIM1Mqxg3yOzd8OyuhqGCQDeloPPi99FUjf_3aQOByyJI9gGiAR-ffSLdGPiJmbqA/s1600/hand+built+kiln+IIMG_1664-H.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Pottery in the outskirts of Delhi</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6IL2r7HIiBmYQMadpaBkELVOP8nzSDXLgc784lAslnr-02Kq_gPyTXM4JcENFvli_wgIkDwfnN6ew80aLamRMRD6gWb7KnLb_ANmvqsjCP_CwWg7npe6NqIzM1OTsjyMjMv6JS7r-8Xp/s1600/at+wheel+IMG_1666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6IL2r7HIiBmYQMadpaBkELVOP8nzSDXLgc784lAslnr-02Kq_gPyTXM4JcENFvli_wgIkDwfnN6ew80aLamRMRD6gWb7KnLb_ANmvqsjCP_CwWg7npe6NqIzM1OTsjyMjMv6JS7r-8Xp/s1600/at+wheel+IMG_1666.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Pottery in the outskirts of Delhi</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Below is a map that illustrates where I've been yesterday and today.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2rO9iNJoHc2hQT9-M9KOfvpDCQieWRw4m3voNiARmfW6xrj3Sa8bx8b5RYwAB5dOTVQw3KnZUywICmeE9ATBjeZM98FkO8LGZoweqC_WclD6AZBp9nChuyivFvE3wY-aRwYQNeCiNRJf/s1600/Metro+732bb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="1196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2rO9iNJoHc2hQT9-M9KOfvpDCQieWRw4m3voNiARmfW6xrj3Sa8bx8b5RYwAB5dOTVQw3KnZUywICmeE9ATBjeZM98FkO8LGZoweqC_WclD6AZBp9nChuyivFvE3wY-aRwYQNeCiNRJf/s1600/Metro+732bb.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<b style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-size: large;">February 5, 2016 (Friday):</span></b><br />
<b style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<i><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-size: large;">From Schedule: </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">Move from Old Delhi by 9am</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Visit contemporary studio potters with Reyaz Badaruddin, a Delhi potter, traveller and teacher.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Vasant Valley School; Gallery Lado Sarai (including ceramic show by Vineet Kacker) Deepali and P R Daroz in Aya Nagar; Vineet Kacker in Gurgaon and maybe one other potter in Gurgaon.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Lunch: Reyaz’s suggestion</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Dinner: Haus Khas Shirley’s suggestion</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Stay: 4 people: Green Meadow Guest House C-23 Green Park Ext +919811472005</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4I5bd7jyIZlHQssaXRgNPup9Sy7NUnLVQPBubNrKSxsiRqCh8qxvXmc4RwfH-xoyX9HSXdSX1VdZtrdcv-sLnP2PmtTPL9rx916dWJITs-QRCX2N1qkK8vCMw5PaR1Z8RresE2OYEUfM/s1600/Leaving+Bukhara+Friday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="1489" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4I5bd7jyIZlHQssaXRgNPup9Sy7NUnLVQPBubNrKSxsiRqCh8qxvXmc4RwfH-xoyX9HSXdSX1VdZtrdcv-sLnP2PmtTPL9rx916dWJITs-QRCX2N1qkK8vCMw5PaR1Z8RresE2OYEUfM/s1600/Leaving+Bukhara+Friday2.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">February 6, 2016 (Saturday):</span>
</b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">From Schedule: </span><span style="font-size: large;">Leave for Alwar Rajasthan, on the way visit Sanskriti Kendra Terracotta Folk Museum </span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Stay: The Hill Fort Kesroli in Sariska, Alwar, Rajasthan</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Saturday morning (India time) we left New Delhi and traveled to Alwar, India, about 100 miles further south. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Saturday morning, we had we had a leisurely breakfast at the hotel (Green Meadow Guest House in New Delhi), and all of us worrying about Claire Atkins, who had "Delhi belly" (aka upset stomach) as I mentioned earlier, fortunately she was feeling much better before we had to leave for Alwar, India.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After breakfast we packed up our Tempo Traveler (Tourist Transports) and went to see "Hauz Khas" (for royal tank), a mile or so from our hotel, Hauz Khas is named after an ancient water reservoir by the same name. Hauz Khas is basically a walled area containing a reservoir (called Hauz Khas Lake or Royal Tank), several schools, a mosque and a tomb with a mogul buried in it. it was built and rebuilt a few times during the many years of mogul reign (Khilji Dynasty). The guy who built this was a clever one as he had the water supply there for his court and the village. Now it is a place for young couples to get away from the supervising eyes of their parents. The young people are not supposed to touch each other. Even at 10 am there was plenty of cuddling. We also went into the village with lovely ships and stopped in L' Opera (high-end French pastry and bakery products) for a cappuccino and chocolate croissant, a nice change from parantha (a flatbread and a staple of the area).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We hung around Hauz Khas for a while before heading to the Sanskriti Art Center and Museum. Vicki Grima, Exec. Dir. of the Australian Ceramics Association was to give a talk at the Delhi Blue Pottery Trust Lecture Series. We wandered through this amazing outdoor/indoor history of terra cotta pottery since 3000 B.C. It took each region custom by custom, it was fascinating in size and scope. We also visited the pottery workshop where both Shirley Bhatnagar and Reyaz Badaruddin had worked before. Shirley said it was mostly hobbyists now so they can't go there as there isn't room to spread out like professionals need to do. Vicki's talk was very good and they served us tea and samosas and sweets.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a side note, the crop we are seeing along the way is mustard. I think the yellow flowers are harvested to make oil and seeds for cooking. Later the greens are harvested for eating and the straw is used to feed cows, water buffalo etc.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of cows, while walking in the villages many cows are encountered in the streets sauntering about foraging for food. Some are very good looking, some with horns, some with enormous ears or both. I usually tell them how cute they are, fancying myself a cow whisperer. Well, no more, one of the ones I had spoken very sweetly to, lowered her head and started toward me. Given her size I abandoned our conversation. Then later, feeling discouraged about my newfound psychic skills, I didn't do anything and a cow on the side of the street turned and butted me. She had decided she's wanted to cross that street and I gather I was in her way. We've seen lots cows and water buffalo, plus many pigs, dogs, a few cats, a monkey, but no cobra snakes or mongeese.</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">After the visit at the museum, we drove to the Hill Fort Kesroli in Alwar where we will stay three nights (Saturday, Sunday & Monday). We arrived at 9:30 pm, they held the buffet open for us.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Blow are 2 photos, the inside of the room where I am staying and the outside of the hotel where the room is.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2MGwQGMC4wOMzSF055jMGxu9D3qypgzVvL27Z6nbP4-HnA5UGb-j3HcR-8ScAQvK4wPAEgL7HgGMyytBCQHcH4qECf3IidNrVo5y5oKfrw_9Gd21eVLCe7Q1AO5sDfZg28pUI1-epD27/s1600/Hill+Fort+Hotel+Room+IMG_1672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2MGwQGMC4wOMzSF055jMGxu9D3qypgzVvL27Z6nbP4-HnA5UGb-j3HcR-8ScAQvK4wPAEgL7HgGMyytBCQHcH4qECf3IidNrVo5y5oKfrw_9Gd21eVLCe7Q1AO5sDfZg28pUI1-epD27/s1600/Hill+Fort+Hotel+Room+IMG_1672.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Room at Hill Fort Kesroli</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-MSUT7P9X_X6H4h_rPgPGOJT3Ps_3mByWiiqpwOp0JrJun4-C7A8Ls-ulV4pEcPOT0tgXDjuRWPGAZUMLPML0DCgVhwXOeQJTfWqe7SeTuJRpNZrT2ukAESAag1FgOG1atBG2XmBhn1L/s1600/Hill+Fort+Hotel+IMG_1674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-MSUT7P9X_X6H4h_rPgPGOJT3Ps_3mByWiiqpwOp0JrJun4-C7A8Ls-ulV4pEcPOT0tgXDjuRWPGAZUMLPML0DCgVhwXOeQJTfWqe7SeTuJRpNZrT2ukAESAag1FgOG1atBG2XmBhn1L/s1600/Hill+Fort+Hotel+IMG_1674.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Outside of Hill Fort Kesroli</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">This fort was built in the 14th century and has been restored beautifully as a hotel. The rooms don't have television (which is fine) but the hotel does have WiFi (which is nice). We will be staying here a total of three nights (Saturday, Sunday & Monday, all India time). India is 10.5 hours ahead of New York and Florida.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After three nights in Alwar, we will spend two nights in Agra, India before heading back to Delhi.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The attached Bing map shows some of the places we were Saturday.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZLsseEewIvm2R6qKykymlpQHnW2d7CMPvK-HJBLbQFOmSvPYXacMTJdy1Une-3-xCExOnVi1oOPvoh8O2dAeVvI_w82jnIiUm-7FmFAat4UZunNRCP-k94bPCtecYGNiFy9WICMWV9cJ/s1600/Saturday%252C+On+to+Alwar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="1234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZLsseEewIvm2R6qKykymlpQHnW2d7CMPvK-HJBLbQFOmSvPYXacMTJdy1Une-3-xCExOnVi1oOPvoh8O2dAeVvI_w82jnIiUm-7FmFAat4UZunNRCP-k94bPCtecYGNiFy9WICMWV9cJ/s1600/Saturday%252C+On+to+Alwar.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>February 7, 2016 (Sunday):</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">From Schedule: </span><span style="font-size: large;">Visit Alwar potters and wander Old Alwar, visit City Palace etc. </span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Stay: The Hill Fort Kesroli in Sariska, Alwar, Rajasthan</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the things we did Sunday was to visited a wonderful potter by the name of Om Prakash Galav (at the Ramgarh Clay Pottery) about 10 miles from our hotel. He does traditional terra cotta pottery, beautiful Kagzi pottery (paper thin and unique to the Alwar area) and also miniature pottery that are very special. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Below are a couple of photos I took with my iPhone.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mwJSxkOV0bb4w8LCf6UlojIbGYzIIScWxA2s6J2I3OnizX-21Kr5bnQTe4tg2iY5TOu1ibAL_I7jV0NU66eOtu4y690n-17P4BGc1yMK9QG90qXb_UqHKaLkszfIHmkenIlwn7W8HL1G/s1600/Kagzi+pottery+IMG_1676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mwJSxkOV0bb4w8LCf6UlojIbGYzIIScWxA2s6J2I3OnizX-21Kr5bnQTe4tg2iY5TOu1ibAL_I7jV0NU66eOtu4y690n-17P4BGc1yMK9QG90qXb_UqHKaLkszfIHmkenIlwn7W8HL1G/s1600/Kagzi+pottery+IMG_1676.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Kagzi pottery</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcufpg_OC5PhoJAA0MvM0P6pRHZboB82Xxm3FEum8DujRfAJ3rSmmEr7Li7_PZqFG0Uzy3d9a4T74teRsutdR8DcI6iWm2vqrX-leoxf6fKm_5OwE27rr1NhLI9rA7QoFg1msi-90un1qv/s1600/Tiny+pottery+IMG_1677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcufpg_OC5PhoJAA0MvM0P6pRHZboB82Xxm3FEum8DujRfAJ3rSmmEr7Li7_PZqFG0Uzy3d9a4T74teRsutdR8DcI6iWm2vqrX-leoxf6fKm_5OwE27rr1NhLI9rA7QoFg1msi-90un1qv/s1600/Tiny+pottery+IMG_1677.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Miniature pottery</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">February 8, 2016 (Monday):</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">From Schedule: Drive to Bandikui visit potters cluster and Abhaneri Step well </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Stay: The Hill Fort Kesroli in Sariska, Alwar, Rajasthan</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm a little behind in my emails so I'm going to try to catch up a little in this email. Today is Monday the 8th and although I am in Alwar, India, I'd like to write about a few days ago when I was in Old Delhi, India. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">But this first paragraph is not about pottery. When we were at the Hotel Bukara near the Jama Masjid mosque, I wanted to learn the phrase "thank you" in Hindu. The hotel manager said to me, "<i>I'd rather you say it in Urdu as we are closer to Pakistan than India.</i>" Now this was in the middle of Old Delhi (which is inside India) mind you. I let it go sort of over my head and learned the Urdu (normally associated with Muslim) phrase and now know the two versions are both used just about every where. Well, later at the hotel where we stayed Friday night in New Delhi, I was talking with the owner and he asked where we stayed before. When I told him we had been in Old Delhi, he responded, "<i>Why would you stay there? People go into that area and never come out. When I go there which I try never to do, I take two extra allergy pills. And the garbage strike is making it worse. You never know what is in the air there. In our section of town we pay our garbage collectors,..</i>" and he went on and on. I realized I was hearing the Muslim-Hindu tension played out in my small tourist experience. Interesting heh? </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, back to the main subject of pottery, last Friday (February 5th) after we checked out of the Hotel Bukhara Inn in Old Delhi, we headed south to our new hotel in New Dehli. One of the places we visited on our way was the Vasant Valley School, a co-educational private high school in Vasant Kunj, Delhi, India, which was about 5 miles south of the Hotel Bukhara.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">At the school, we met a wonderful potter/teacher, Reyaz Badaruddin, who showed us around. The school emphasizes the arts in the early years (25%) and as the students progress, it becomes more academic but still retains 15% arts. The school has an amazing design as it is very open and airy and many places for students to perform which they do 3-4 times a year. There are several pottery rooms and multiple visual, arts rooms. We didn't see the performing arts labs. They don't have a film department.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Reyaz accompanied us beyond the school when we went to see some of his professional potter friends. First we went to a gallery in Gurgaon to see the work of Vineet Kacker. a very accomplished potter who was very generous in describing his concepts and processes. An interesting show and they served us coffee (yay) and a walnut cinnamon cake yummy. Kacker's theme was "Beyond Time and Space." He talked my language about how one must move from always horizontal in one's thinking to vertical which is more spiritual.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div>
Shirley Bhatnagar says Vineet Kacker is a class by himself, that no other potter in India can come close to him in skill and exposure. His work isn't as commercial as P. R. Daroz (who we would visit later). Kacker orders his clay a million pounds at a time as it is a special stoneware. He mixes his own glazes and applies them in a spray booth using a vacuum cleaner on the reverse cycle. He throws and molds and distresses just about everything. He likes how the vacuum cleaner puts the glazes on kind of blobby like. He started as a functional potter and ultimately changed as he thought that there were enough mugs and feng shui turtles in the market. His turtles were cute but commercial; he sold thousands of them. His pottery wheels did not have belt drives like all the wheels we know, they were direct metal to metal access and noisy. His father-in-law built them. I have a photo of them if anyone wants to see them. He has a kick wheel too. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We were an hour and a half late that day so our plans changed somewhat from our itinerary. We had lunch, then on to another famous potter, P. R. Daroz in Aya Naga . Daroz's father had been a famous potter as well. P. R. Daroz works on a large scale while his wife Deepali makes smaller hand built sculptural things. Daroz was interesting saying Picasso and Peter Voulkas from the USA were his influences. Daroz's work is in many hotels and sheik's homes. He is currently working with print on clay. There is a factory in the western part of India (Gujarat) that prints your design on 2' x 2' tiles. Daroz takes photos of small work, enlarges it and prints on those tiles making installations as large as 40 ft x 40 ft. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We left the workshop of P. R. Daroz very late and spent 2 hours in traffic arriving at the Green Meadow Guest House (there was no meadow that I could find any where) in New Delhi, near the Hauz Khas Village. One of our members (Claire Atkins) had "Delhi belly" (aka upset stomach) and had been taken there earlier whilst we were at the gallery. We checked on her and walked through, guess what, more traffic to the only restaurant open, it had a wedding going on and a disco bar. It was a 30 minute walk due to the various vehicles I've described before honking at us and each other, not a very comforting experience, but the biryani (a rice-based meal) was delicious. We got home at midnight (India time) Friday. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The attached Bing map shows some of the places I mentioned in this email. I will write some more later about last Saturday when we left New Delhi and headed for Alwar.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSkJK2OFaUmrYftdezmF5Q9gWu1KyeQPFLE4fCTKL7ujvxXRRcJcmpTRa-CFh9eZICNsfPkWDd8htYXqbriclLkS6QSgPlECZPCd-itIfWZNQovZpdIOSs_6eiU5NIvPhhdSwiq9hijzx/s1600/Friday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="927" data-original-width="1244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSkJK2OFaUmrYftdezmF5Q9gWu1KyeQPFLE4fCTKL7ujvxXRRcJcmpTRa-CFh9eZICNsfPkWDd8htYXqbriclLkS6QSgPlECZPCd-itIfWZNQovZpdIOSs_6eiU5NIvPhhdSwiq9hijzx/s1600/Friday.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</span></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">February 9, 2016 (Tuesday):</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>From Schedule: Visit potters in Nagar (a small town). Lunch and wander in Deeg. Visit Fatehpur Sikri, then on to Agra.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Stay: Hotel Shahjahan in Agra</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> I mentioned the other day about seeing water buffalo, well by now we've seen hundreds of water buffalo...plus beaucoup goats (3rd goat traffic jam today) and parrots (wild green ones. It seems there is a thought here that birds should not be in cages, so they have let them go). And we've seen lots of sheep and now many working camels. With all this live stock, there is a fair, no, abundant, amount of pooh. Pooh is a very important part of rural life. They use it for fuel to cook with, heat with, fire their kilns, make their home, stucco inside and out mix it with sand for the floors. The women gather it and make patties about 14 inches in diameter, then dry it in the sun and stack it. They also build houses around it to preserve it for winter. It is so precious that they even mark it as pooh from their cows in the fields. The following two photos show a pooh house and some pooh patties. These pictures were taken Monday (8th) just south of Alwar, India on our drive to visit some potters.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiwHS9Wjf9rIyslLK_LDxVidgcVN0fseTc6vPJgV9lQYoCcBbNtRzzP-Nie81Kk6_cyrt8Y44kaeyf7X6-K8oigXsXB09cyGNpU0-Wl0vilTJhDiZDoGgEvkcI4OEONsxSBhiO3yioBkM/s1600/Pooh+house+IMG_1696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiwHS9Wjf9rIyslLK_LDxVidgcVN0fseTc6vPJgV9lQYoCcBbNtRzzP-Nie81Kk6_cyrt8Y44kaeyf7X6-K8oigXsXB09cyGNpU0-Wl0vilTJhDiZDoGgEvkcI4OEONsxSBhiO3yioBkM/s1600/Pooh+house+IMG_1696.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Pooh house</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTaXuW4Ihk4norrmAZBe1ZlcBjzSgaj6uzAvnzIx0B2nMHcLdOVBilhdVahTSpCAgwo_tgOTozLV9cNHdJgTxnr9BXltRJFHwFjRb9KF3os1qSFbnJALYxgkylDlE-Uvh0q1R-F6342OY/s1600/Patties+IMG_1698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTaXuW4Ihk4norrmAZBe1ZlcBjzSgaj6uzAvnzIx0B2nMHcLdOVBilhdVahTSpCAgwo_tgOTozLV9cNHdJgTxnr9BXltRJFHwFjRb9KF3os1qSFbnJALYxgkylDlE-Uvh0q1R-F6342OY/s1600/Patties+IMG_1698.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: pooh patties</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">In the Alwar area, we have been to several pottery villages and met the families. They are all unique but different techniques and nuances. Some more prosperous than others. We've seen them throw miniatures and regular pots, where they fire them ad the process. The women work with the clay to sift out the debris and mix it with the other materials and wet it and dry it to make into the big logs they throw from. This seems to be universal and very dirty work all done in colorful saris.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The oldest male seems to be the spokesman and takes all the credit even though his brothers do as much or even better work. When asked how long their families have been doing this they say 100 years when in reality what they do has been done pretty much the same way for 1000 years or more. Even if they want to quit, and many do, they are for the most part stuck, due to the caste system, which is illegal but still practiced in the rural areas. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When we go into a village, we are a parade and everyone comes out to gawk and they want to have their photos taken with us. Not just the children, the teenagers and the women and the men will allow photos but you have to ask them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The roads are bumpy and have all manor of conveyances so there is a lot of honking as the speedier vehicles pass the slower ones including the camel carts. Many times things grind to a total halt, then it gets sorted out. Today they served mountain dew before the chai (tea). So much for my careful diet.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today (Tuesday, the 9th) we checked out of the Hill Fort Kesroli in Alwar and headed for our next stay in Agra, India, where we will spend two nights (Tuesday & Wednesday) at the Hotel Shahjahan. The last four attached photos were taken on our drive to Agra. The photos are of a brick kiln and another pottery village (notice the working camels in one of the photos) and the family, plus one photo of the fort at Deeg, India. The Deeg Fort is a massive structure, surrounded by a lake and was built about 1730 A.D.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNQbSeY3jnMw1ePXlx47ITrb48bEfYJO0pCKV32Zb8EwWR9XegLY8f6HrX9n0EBS_sJVnaE7nQ-lJe-QqrvbMDF7N_pZuXO8lyeS1w4gpgF9R7zz5k92or8viuqa3SmSbORVgmhpAykHx/s1600/Brick+kiln+IMG_1700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNQbSeY3jnMw1ePXlx47ITrb48bEfYJO0pCKV32Zb8EwWR9XegLY8f6HrX9n0EBS_sJVnaE7nQ-lJe-QqrvbMDF7N_pZuXO8lyeS1w4gpgF9R7zz5k92or8viuqa3SmSbORVgmhpAykHx/s1600/Brick+kiln+IMG_1700.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Brick kiln</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzgtBlokw9k8Yj0qQ3P0rKtFzImL_4d87sDbLHoVYUm2S59JZTD2PD0wi8oMMmVD8zRJ6lPNuRrJMEU_z2IjeBN5uNX1NFHgFVJARq-LjDU_b30N9gDvj_NJPPKXtTDRTfIrLEk5WAHvR/s1600/Pottery+village+home+IMG_1702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzgtBlokw9k8Yj0qQ3P0rKtFzImL_4d87sDbLHoVYUm2S59JZTD2PD0wi8oMMmVD8zRJ6lPNuRrJMEU_z2IjeBN5uNX1NFHgFVJARq-LjDU_b30N9gDvj_NJPPKXtTDRTfIrLEk5WAHvR/s1600/Pottery+village+home+IMG_1702.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Pottery village</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5Jl2JM_XAeNhe1zIV382rM4dcmcSXO-zlt5x41c4Pj0oj_JDpSkbG7DGywy7Py87JLzAhG6-YAh1XYRH-OEOTYJOUgja1xfR-e3sjS1JmjMG_c18LMjJHm6rrvhqB1MXK1jSzLW21Ust/s1600/People+IMG_1705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5Jl2JM_XAeNhe1zIV382rM4dcmcSXO-zlt5x41c4Pj0oj_JDpSkbG7DGywy7Py87JLzAhG6-YAh1XYRH-OEOTYJOUgja1xfR-e3sjS1JmjMG_c18LMjJHm6rrvhqB1MXK1jSzLW21Ust/s1600/People+IMG_1705.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Family at pottery village</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioA3gghyZBXsDjXhaodAyqaK2iCg7kilfickb8VHgou4r5owhVlk-vppGmZMD-dnsP0XQSyhoGEJxRX3g9QBKklztpaialAEHAYXxp_8zn-nIVHr9SxoB-xbiINylxEFGakHnn2a0fMb-H/s1600/Deeg+Fort+IMG_1708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioA3gghyZBXsDjXhaodAyqaK2iCg7kilfickb8VHgou4r5owhVlk-vppGmZMD-dnsP0XQSyhoGEJxRX3g9QBKklztpaialAEHAYXxp_8zn-nIVHr9SxoB-xbiINylxEFGakHnn2a0fMb-H/s1600/Deeg+Fort+IMG_1708.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Deeg Fort</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Many, many of those kilns dot the country side. They mine the clay from the local fields, make 100,000 bricks a month and each location lasts about 3 years, then they move to a different location. Each step of the process has specialists. The loaders, the fire makers, etc. and they live with their families nearby. They were very friendly and wanted our phone numbers, asking if we were all married. That was after they were told we were potters, meaning we were in the same caste. Whew, we got away before we received any marriage proposals. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We went to another potters village and had chai (tea) after Mountain Dew and had a similar reception with the locals and had to make another quick escape with the marriage proposals coming our way.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was good as we had time to stop at the really beautiful Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri is a fascinating ghost city built in the 16th century; about 20-25 miles west of Agra. When it was built, it was intended to be the joint capital with Agra, but was soon deserted because the water system could not support any residents. Fatehpur Sikri is said to be the best example of the culmination of Hindu and Muslim architecture.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Shirley Bhatnaga likes this site better then the Taj Majal. It is a huge complex in pretty good condition. Huge Mosque and the palace attached. The haram sara (room for wives) covered a lot of ground for all the wives and their attendants that bathed and applied fragrant oils. At another palace on a former trip I heard that the women gambled to determine who got to spend the night with the Shah. I could not verify that at this palace. The Fatehpur Sikri was beautiful. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After our two nights in Agra (where we will visit the Taj Mahal), I will be heading back to Delhi, and then on to the countries of Qatar and Oman, before returning to New York on February 16.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We got to our hotel in Agra, the <i>Saniya Palace</i>, with views of the Taj Mahal from the terrace restaurant. The rooms were small and dirty with no sheets or towels. It was such a let down that Scott King and I discussed calling our friend Yogi to find us a new room. When we went to dinner we learned the others were equally disturbed. The leader was surprised because she had chosen the location because of its proximity to the Taj Majal, which we would visit the following morning (Wednesday). She agreed to find a new place the next day. Only one person was brave enough to use the shower the next morning and Tuesday night two of the women in single rooms doubled up so they wouldn't be alone in that creepy place. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>February 10, 2016 (Wednesday): </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Agra, India</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">From Schedule: </span><span style="font-size: large;">Visit the Taj Mahal and then other sites. Evening auto ride to the other side of the river to see the Taj Mahal.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Stay: Hotel Shahjahan in Agra</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">About the </span><span style="font-size: large;">Taj Mahal, one of the top man-made wonders of the world. I just did a little googling and came up with the following few basic facts. "The Great Mug hal emperor Shah Ja han commissioned the building in memory of his wife Mum taz Mahal, who died during childbirth. She died giving birth to the couple's fourteenth child in 1631. It took 20,000 workers 20 years to build."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday morning we met at 7 to go into the Western Gate of the Taj Mahal. It was foggy so we went inside the tomb so the sun could burn off the fog for our photos. It cleared up briefly and we took our photos (see 2 photos below).</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovdghB_JzM-6_I_ks66KgbWuIXC3Jr53k7oGzUs44o8ox6O5jKGCnNkQEZDayamy0TGU-i9vBAufN5M5DglncenvBnOy-HHndJdCCLV30_iAsmsymRVIYVK9RR9dEHEpUz7uHzqnmQwWX/s1600/Weezie+IMG_1737r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovdghB_JzM-6_I_ks66KgbWuIXC3Jr53k7oGzUs44o8ox6O5jKGCnNkQEZDayamy0TGU-i9vBAufN5M5DglncenvBnOy-HHndJdCCLV30_iAsmsymRVIYVK9RR9dEHEpUz7uHzqnmQwWX/s1600/Weezie+IMG_1737r.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane and Joti in front </span><span style="font-size: small;">of the Taj Mahal</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzmCdJ__GhaEAaRTMm0g6HnId2F3fTa-9M9XAGUfThpf3Cc8hz-w7a3VF2464049K7qJr3WpR8UklQ2iFa6e5rvzGxmc8z3xeBD5U5zq6hKZBRnc9mF7hf8zoLjCTmHleNyrZGM8iCpbD/s1600/Wesie+IMG_1738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzmCdJ__GhaEAaRTMm0g6HnId2F3fTa-9M9XAGUfThpf3Cc8hz-w7a3VF2464049K7qJr3WpR8UklQ2iFa6e5rvzGxmc8z3xeBD5U5zq6hKZBRnc9mF7hf8zoLjCTmHleNyrZGM8iCpbD/s1600/Wesie+IMG_1738.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: Diane and Joti in front </span><span style="font-size: small;">of the Taj Mahal</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">We then went back to the terrace with the view for chai and breakfast. We were told to pack we were moving. The new place we stayed Wednesday night was lovely. The owner is a friend of Yogi's and that is where he said he would have sent us. It worked out, but we'll never forget leaving the Hill Fort and going to the Hell Hole. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A little more about my last day in India (Agra). We didn't follow the group itinerary for Wednesday in Agra as we were whisked off by our friend Yogesh (Yogi) Sharma, whom we met on our last trip to India, many years ago. Scott King had kept up with Yogi via email and I kept up with him on Facebook. After our visit to India, Yogi had gotten married to Joti and they had a baby girl Samaria. Yogi took us to his home to meet his wife Joti and their baby. Guess what... first thing Chai (tea)! We chatted with them and oohed over the baby for a while, then went for a delicious lunch. I recognized the street from our last trip to Agra, even after all these years, amazing eh? It was a new building and I could see where we had eaten before on our last trip. Lunch was great and so was the Kingfisher beer. But the lunch and beer made me sleepy, so Scott and I took a walk around Yogi's neighborhood. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The neighborhood was more upscale than the other places we had been. It was a Jain community (followers of Jainism, a religious group) for the most part and they seem to be pretty well off as the houses were at least 2 stories with elaborate fences and gates. Lawyer and doctor were the labels on the gates. We past a park with no grass and trees with no leaves, as it is winter now and the dry season. One tree had at least 50 green parrots in it. I tried to take a photo but the tree and parrots, but didn't do it justice. Then we on to the main drag. It was a busy street lined with mechanical repair shops for tuk tuks (those 3-wheel vehicles) and rickshaws and motorcycles, so it wasn't too much fun. We did pass some cows and I didn't get butted this time, so I guess it was only the one village in Alwar where cows don't like me. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When Scott and I returned from our walk, we visited some more with Yogi and Joti, then Joti's son came home from school and practiced his English a bit. Then we went to dinner Although I wasn't hungry, the dinner was very tasty. After dinner we went back to the Maya Hotel where our group was supposed to be having a nice dinner, only we couldn't find them. The Maya Hotel is were we stayed Wednesday night after moving out of the Saniya Palace. As I mentioned in an earlier email, the Maya Hotel is very lovely and is only about a 10 minute walk from the Taj Mahal (which I sent a photo of a day or so ago, with Shirley Bhatnaga. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We went to breakfast early the next morning (Thursday, the 11th) so we could leave at 8:30 am for Delhi. Yogi agreed to drive us to Delhi. He had a tour leaving the next day and could go to the office that afternoon, Finally, about 10 minutes before we had to leave, the Australians from our group showed up in the breakfast room so we got to say our tearful goodbyes. I had gotten very fond of all of them, even the harder ones to like. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We had some interesting discussions on the drive to Delhi. We also stopped for chai in disposable clay cups (kulhars). We saw pigs running all over the place, eating out of the ubiquitous piles of garbage,... they belong to the "untouchables" (low-caste people in Indian )who cannot afford to feed them, so the pigs run loose in the daytime to forage for food wherever they can find it. Yogi says if you go back to the area at night, the pigs will be gone as they go home at night.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I asked Yogi about the cows. It seems cows are useless once they stop giving milk, so they are turned loose to wander around and find good. No one claims the cows and when they die, the government picks them up and takes them our to the country somewhere to decompose. UGH! Bullocks on the other hand are used to pull carts and are useful until they drop dead. Water buffalo are the best as they are used for milk and to plow the fields and are the most highly prized live stock. There is a non-talked-about-industry that butchers cows and bullocks (what we call Brahma bulls and water buffalo) and sell the hides to leather companies including Italian shoe and purse makers.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">On our drive to Delhi, we also talked about politics. India is going through something similar to the US as the current prime minister (Narendra Modi) is very very conservative (like our tea party). I read in the paper that Modi thinks Donald Trump is the best candidate for the USA president . We also talked about Pakistan and Yogi says Pakistan is in such a mess, The elected government which would like to have good relations with India and the US, is blocked by the military which prefers war, but the military can't control the terrorists, so basically no one is in control in Pakistan. Bangladesh is fine with India, but we had already learned not so fine with Burma. Wild, eh? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yogi also told us that guides like Americans as Americans appreciate the service the most, and of course Americans tip the best. Europeans are not good tippers and Indians don't tip. Yogi says Australians are very nice but tip less than the Europeans. Yogi can make more in a day with an American couple than a week with 12 Australians. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yogi dropped off to go to his office and a friend of his took us to the airport. We checked our suitcases and back packs in a luggage facility and took the Metro to the Dilly Haat, a crafts market. Scott needed to buy a few things including a gift for his niece. So we bought three scarves and I bought a water buffalo purse. It was fun as we haggled with the Kashmiri vendors, who were all selling pashmina (a fine type of cashmere wool) scarves, booth after booth. We were befriended by one guy who took us to a crummy section market and we found some vodka in small bottles that we could get through airport security. We stayed in an airport transit hotel Thursday night (11th), so had to conform to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rules about liquids. The airport transit hotel was a Holiday Inn Express. Really clean! and quite sterile in ambiance as well as sanitation. Dinner was expensive and not too good, but what does one expect at the airport. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">One more random comment about India. Everywhere you look in India, there is laundry hanging and you see women washing clothes in the rivers, beating the garments on rocks etc. On the way to Delhi we crossed a bridge over a very icky river and saw huge pieces of fabric drying on the river banks. I asked about that and Yogi said the fabric was for tents and other ceremonial events and were not clothes or table cloths, and that the people washing them were men called dhobes (the Human Washing Machines of India). I remembered seeing washing areas in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) on a prior visit to India, where each dhobe had a bathtub sized tank and washed everything, clothes, linens, etc. Yogi said they were pretty much out of business because of the availability of tap water in the cities, so people washed their own clothes, although some still send out the linens. Our friend in Mumbai, said that every time you sent your laundry with a dhobe, it came back with something missing or something that wasn't yours. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A side comment, the following is not about the day we drove to Agra, I'm a bit confused about the sequence of events, but here are a few random thoughts (in no special order).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Did I tell you about the stepwell (aka baoli) near Jaipur from my previous visit to India? I hope so, the stepwell is called Chand Baori, simply awesome! The steps were so neatly places it looked like an Escher painting. Anyway, we saw another smaller stepwell on the way to Agra, but not so dramatic.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">At the Hill Fort Kesroli in Alwar, I walked through the local village, in which each home had a water buffalo and a goat, some had several of each. It was a fairly affluent farming community with some of the local men working at the hotel. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>February 11, 2016 (Thursday): </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Return to Delhi</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thursday morning (India time) we are headed back to Delhi for one day and then off to Doha, Qatar and will visit with Scott King's niece. There has been a change in plans, we will not be going to Muscat, Oman for a couple of days, instead we will be staying in Doha, Qatar.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">February 12, 2016 (Friday): Leaving India, flying to Doha, Qatar</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: large;">We got up Friday morning at 5:00 am as we were told we had to check out by 6:30 to make our 8:45 flight to Doha, Qatar, even though we were already in the airport. We basically had to check in after all so we only had a half an hour to go to the Qatar Airlines club and grab a bite to eat. We had business class tickets so it was pretty nice. 4 hour flight and a 2.5 hour time change. They fed us breakfast again and I slept on the flight. I was happy I had my morning nap as I didn't have any jet lag, but Scott King did.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Scott's niece, Jodi, picked us up and took us back to her apartment in the Marriott Hotel, it was very nice with stunning views. Now, I can tell you this was CLEAN! And so is all of Doha as far as I've seen. We went to one of the developed areas with apartments, shops and restaurants. We had lunch and talked and walked around. It was fun to see the locals, especially the men in thobes (a male garment), similar to robes but spelled with a "th" instead of an "r." And the women in abias with varying styles of head scarves and face coverings. There is quite a variety of ways for the men to wear their head scarves as well. And I think the back band they have to hold the scarves on are called camel bands. The robes the women wear are over regular clothes, so they can take the robes off when they go inside a home or a safe place. The men however are wearing their thobes as their main clothes, and only have on tee-shirts and underwear under theirs. I'm sure you feel totally enlightened by that.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">February 13, 2016 (Saturday)</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>: Doha, Qatar</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Doha is all about wealth and they are building everywhere in anticipation of the World Cup in 2022. So the contrast is almost shocking to the system to come from rural villages in India where the people go to the wells, and then to come to Doha, Qatar. Sterile is a good word to describe this city. I am currently sitting on the deck of the Doha Golf Club club with Jodi, Scott and MIke, Jodi's husband Mike plays golf. Mike works for Pratt and Whitney (P&W) and we think it is funny that I used to work for P&W maybe before he was born. I designed parts of an engine that is built by Rolls Royce, although Mike doesn't have anything to do with that equipment. He runs the maintenance division here in Qatar. After they finish golfing we are having lunch with their friends and then we are going to the souq (an open-air marketplace). That will be interesting to see how it compares to the Dilly Haat in Delhi, India.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The following 2 attached photos were taken at the Doha Golf Club.</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLW8eR6ivU9pSPIEzGowOQjCo_9O25oLxcbLwOp84RKCDK2IFTUXGnk7Lm3QEVzJ1FkfRDxUYQYChPhaOsBI7UoX7psE_RoybM9Ap8UYz2_OBxhtvsVp_-uYJxdnZkOwnfNPT-pmi1BJzk/s1600/Golf-1+IMG_1742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLW8eR6ivU9pSPIEzGowOQjCo_9O25oLxcbLwOp84RKCDK2IFTUXGnk7Lm3QEVzJ1FkfRDxUYQYChPhaOsBI7UoX7psE_RoybM9Ap8UYz2_OBxhtvsVp_-uYJxdnZkOwnfNPT-pmi1BJzk/s1600/Golf-1+IMG_1742.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8BnfNqwHBxSf8nnWeaQSmubvbTWe0maUnfiud1cFkiiV6gOFoHSkfqPxtLqbDkNszs2Y9aN2JvMjO8NikjmfMgu8FE47s3djHyPt0mSqZ2K3hPa2BHGlWZ3pnIwN4AU4yJLw-b8-fKbd/s1600/Golf-2+IMG_1743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8BnfNqwHBxSf8nnWeaQSmubvbTWe0maUnfiud1cFkiiV6gOFoHSkfqPxtLqbDkNszs2Y9aN2JvMjO8NikjmfMgu8FE47s3djHyPt0mSqZ2K3hPa2BHGlWZ3pnIwN4AU4yJLw-b8-fKbd/s1600/Golf-2+IMG_1743.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The next 2 photos were taken in Doha. The building in the first photo that looks like a cross between a banana and a narwhal whale is a high-rise office building called the Doha Tower, it is in West Bay of Doha, the photo was taken from Sheraton Park. The following photo was taken a little further north.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNP1l34EHx1-gTE1oYtP-cdsak0fDaUIOWQevseuPDiuKgj4ki2kpuLgqm9yZsp9ZLM3A7QxNNrHqW1uFniBONql7EJtgfgYZgDWTXCJmN-4Vv6wWakc3hAum792TxYV1hvbO7J2lnUVJ/s1600/Doha-2+IMG_1745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNP1l34EHx1-gTE1oYtP-cdsak0fDaUIOWQevseuPDiuKgj4ki2kpuLgqm9yZsp9ZLM3A7QxNNrHqW1uFniBONql7EJtgfgYZgDWTXCJmN-4Vv6wWakc3hAum792TxYV1hvbO7J2lnUVJ/s1600/Doha-2+IMG_1745.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15em6QycWUNmgSD6OtJQdegbma0NFYsjBJGi61DGGHViiV18YzeIjjg1uNArM3URRL8K606V-KXQvUToaOctFo-Y62HrYzmY2Nu-_EuW0p4GGMnofQMtkxckUqM_x138vkfdL9U83spw9/s1600/Doha-1+IMG_1744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15em6QycWUNmgSD6OtJQdegbma0NFYsjBJGi61DGGHViiV18YzeIjjg1uNArM3URRL8K606V-KXQvUToaOctFo-Y62HrYzmY2Nu-_EuW0p4GGMnofQMtkxckUqM_x138vkfdL9U83spw9/s1600/Doha-1+IMG_1744.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> The following photo is a shot of the Doha skyline taken from the Doha Bay.</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Vaewbpo3a-yLNOTnYTfIuTaQ6Y1n1qlNgDFoX4_-4SmkKcH5LJOmsdFvfPEm9J1VokXzujbfEMSvagWaRS6ZxKuOWzpJlu8FgLuwx0BUSsU24d2sC_dxKY9ycCYg_FsLy12f1kUqljSa/s1600/Doha+skyline+IMG_1747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Vaewbpo3a-yLNOTnYTfIuTaQ6Y1n1qlNgDFoX4_-4SmkKcH5LJOmsdFvfPEm9J1VokXzujbfEMSvagWaRS6ZxKuOWzpJlu8FgLuwx0BUSsU24d2sC_dxKY9ycCYg_FsLy12f1kUqljSa/s1600/Doha+skyline+IMG_1747.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We took a boat (see photo below) that looked like a junk from Hong Kong called something like a "dao," across the bay to the souk, think kasbah. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEYruaPRsbkmn-SI_QPLAqjM223cpUBjkCtJkwoB7zfviCs7INerLMIoO85hy0as1LBOgOfB3DMqn3kxg8wOKfQ314_yEhg8vPxf4tPHyKV-ebyaQdTAWWe7MasE34QpCRk_Ho_VPIabC/s1600/IMG_1749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEYruaPRsbkmn-SI_QPLAqjM223cpUBjkCtJkwoB7zfviCs7INerLMIoO85hy0as1LBOgOfB3DMqn3kxg8wOKfQ314_yEhg8vPxf4tPHyKV-ebyaQdTAWWe7MasE34QpCRk_Ho_VPIabC/s1600/IMG_1749.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The most interesting things there were the animals, after of course, the people in the garb described in the earlier missive. There were parrots and puppies, and rabbits in dresses, yes in dresses. but most of all were the falcons. Falconing(??) seems to be a national pastime. I'm fascinated by raptors so it was very cool to see them for sale, some with their little hoods on and some calm enough they didn't need them, there was even a falcon hospital. Jodi had been to see it in action with this is a new thing to me "feather grafting" and all sorts of expected bird care. My photos don't do these magnificent birds justice, they are totally wonderful. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Saturday, Doha. It was Country Club and golf for the others. I sat in the sun </span><span style="font-size: large;">and wrote the last 2 missives and enjoyed just being still. They had a good round and I learned I shouldn't ask about scores especially if they were over a certain number, which I gathered some were.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Lunch at the country club then back the Jodi and Mike's for them to shower etc. Jodi and I went to the biggest Carrefour store I've ever seen. Makes Costco seem like a mini mart. All sorts of spices I'd never heard of and labeled by country. And the vegetables, the same way, eggplants locally grown or from Jordan or Lebanon, things like that and the meats the same New Zealand lamb or Australian, etc., all different prices too.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We went back a couple of days later and I bought Za'atar from Lebanon and Black seeds from Nigeria, I think. These were added to my collection of things I didn't think would make it past the TSA as in India I had taken some mica like powder to use on raw clay to make it shiny. The X-ray machines might have trouble with it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>February 14, 2016 (Sunday): Doha, Qatar</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sunday was a treat. A golfing friend of Jodi's does some travel guiding and took us on a cultural tour of Doha. We started with Katara Cultural Village which housed a huge amphitheater, galleries and 2 mosques. On the premises in two places were these huge for lack of a better word, clay phallic structures with holes and perches for pigeons, only white pigeons were allowed. I think I saw a gray one, but I didn't report that. In the gallery there was a display of art and technology which blew me away. On big screens (not huge) maybe 2 feet wide by 4 feet tall, 6 of them side by side, the artist had drawn Japanese style sumi ink paintings. Then he had programmed birds, butterflies, rain, snow and other things to pass through from one screen to the other. it was magical. Google www.kataraculteralvillage.com to see images of this. I haven't uploaded my photos yet and didn't take pictures with my iPhone there so I don't have any to share. The guide talked non stop and we learned all about the origins of Qatar and the pearl fishermen and so much. This isn't a history lesson so I'll leave it up to you to google if you are interested. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then to the Fire Brigade Gallery. Yes, it was an old firehouse with interesting items including machetes of the statues in front of the Mathaf, Arab Museum of Modern Art which we saw before we went to the being built Education City and the Museum there. The crown jewel however was the MIA. The I.M. Pei designed Museum of Islamic Art. It is worth a google www.mia.org. You may have to work through it to find English, but the photos are the important part. The windows on the tops are supposed to look like the women looking out from their abayas, and they do. And we drove by, several times, the National Museum of Qatar, which is being constructed to look like a desert rose which is a crystalline formation found in the dessert formed from the wind and silica. I know it wasn't a very personal journal, but it was wonderful to see art from such a different perspective. Especially the pottery from thousands of years ago </span><span style="font-size: large;">and the glass and the carpets among other things. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Dinner: Jodi cooked a most delicious dinner of a much appreciated salad... we had been in India, remember?...salmon and a surprise dish made of cauliflower. I would never have know it was cauliflower instead of a grain if I hadn't seen her make it. (I've never been a huge cauliflower fan, but this I really liked). She is sending me the recipe if you want it let me know. but don't tell anyone what it is. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Surprise them. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>February 15, 2016 (Monday): </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dune Bashing near Sealine Beach Resort, </b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;">South of Doha, Qatar:</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The last day of another trip of a life time.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: large;">Monday... the big surprise. Mike took the day off and we were downstairs at 8:45 to meet the driver from Gulf Adventures. We went dune bashing! It was a thrill. Hold On.. we slid down the sides of huge dunes in a land cruiser and then climbed to the top to do it again. Being sure all the time that we were going to tip over and roll down instead of drive or slide down. We wondered why all the hold-on points in the back seat had padded covers, we quickly learned why. The trip went far enough Southwest for us to see Saudi Arabia across the inland sea. The desert was very interesting. There were damp places where the high tide from the Gulf came in twice a week and then further inland there were damp places that was just the humidity from the underground water coming to the surface. The vegetation logically was close to those places. We were all spent from holding on, so naps were in order then drinks atop the Intercontinental and dinner at a local restaurant with the middle eastern food, delicious. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Jodi and Mike were such great hosts; Jodi even got up to send us off in the morning as we left at 4:45 a.m. Now that is a hostess with more than the mostest, would you expect that from me? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When you look at the photos of the dune bashing, can you see the car? The driver couldn't see either, and it felt much steeper than it looks. EEK!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KmwNIodSq0bSdUe20imglqx-JGxXeIj-ioDifqVX2NBIEVBn2NeYt3p63qnhUJXARGKZM0EHH4yFAyQPdw5vE2lWGNsoFEPEbZPOJ9GgU7q4IVdnz4USnt4VkoZffvYtDXIIjJ8I-THl/s1600/IMG_1766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KmwNIodSq0bSdUe20imglqx-JGxXeIj-ioDifqVX2NBIEVBn2NeYt3p63qnhUJXARGKZM0EHH4yFAyQPdw5vE2lWGNsoFEPEbZPOJ9GgU7q4IVdnz4USnt4VkoZffvYtDXIIjJ8I-THl/s1600/IMG_1766.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">February 15, 2016 (Monday): Back home in NYC</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was really nice to end this trip in clean luxurious surroundings as the 24 hours it took to come home considering the travel to and from the airport and the connection layovers wasn't so much fun as dune bashing. </span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
</div>
Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626364476155545127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4728495483307516262.post-57400387707772152142014-05-30T16:26:00.000-07:002020-02-10T07:33:09.174-08:002014 Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 1 (4-28-14): New York City: I'm off to walk the Camino de Santiago</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The biggest adventure of my life other than my life in general. I plan on walking almost 500 miles in 5 weeks, beginning in St. Jean Pied de Port in France and ending at Santiago de Compostelo in Spain. I will have very limited access to Wi-Fi. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14yCxQwvsnqTIV1xwxTjBjafyr2QayZKQDqPkM69HyxAiaQfXF59eAVS6efFbDVW1Rv4cXcgpfYlSDG1ElaFJzmjDqeg_nEEslqvc9jGEKcKs7eamXHaZbovdyX9EQmLV8_2rlZe09qZB/s1600/IMG_0065PSE-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1108" data-original-width="1271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14yCxQwvsnqTIV1xwxTjBjafyr2QayZKQDqPkM69HyxAiaQfXF59eAVS6efFbDVW1Rv4cXcgpfYlSDG1ElaFJzmjDqeg_nEEslqvc9jGEKcKs7eamXHaZbovdyX9EQmLV8_2rlZe09qZB/s1600/IMG_0065PSE-c.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane leaving her home in New York City, headed to the airport.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPTT7J18cOQJ9uphq78xGxx6wCe3aQIKOfQH4sv64YYgo6DNIMfiTjNWXD2OIjPC9cDU8jaMVlBrE4SLL7Vl4aBpVUXrMDy2JkdiZcgJClGAnfHN6Q2i1FqvSBekcHn1sKUgth29dmG6Q/s1600/Camino+Map002c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1218" data-original-width="1582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPTT7J18cOQJ9uphq78xGxx6wCe3aQIKOfQH4sv64YYgo6DNIMfiTjNWXD2OIjPC9cDU8jaMVlBrE4SLL7Vl4aBpVUXrMDy2JkdiZcgJClGAnfHN6Q2i1FqvSBekcHn1sKUgth29dmG6Q/s1600/Camino+Map002c.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Above: Map showing my planned hike, beginning in St. Jean Pied de Port in France and ending at Santiago de Compostelo in Spain.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 1 (4-28-14 & 4-29-14): New York City to </span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>St. Jean Pied de Port, France</b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> to Honto, France</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I left New York City on the 28th and flew to Paris, France and then to Madrid, Spain. From Madrid I went to St. Jean Pied de Port in France by bus and taxi. St. Jean Pied de Port is where I started my hike. After all the travel and time change it was 4-29-14 when I got to St. Jean Pied de Port. After leaving St. Jean Pied de Port, I </span><span style="font-size: large;">hiked up the Pyrenees mountains, it's a very steep climb. Very scenic; some rain, some sun, some clouds. All is well. I </span><span style="font-size: large;">stayed the first night at the <i>Auberge Ferme Ithurburia</i> in Honto, France, the auberge </span><span style="font-size: large;">had a cafe and did an evening meal and a breakfast. I had originally planned to stay the first night at the <i>Albergue Orisson</i> in Orisson, but they were full. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 2 (4-30-14): Honto, France to Roncesvalles, Spain</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">On the second day I left Honto and arrived in Roncesvalles, Spain, where I had reservations at the <i>Albergue de Roncesvalles</i> for the night. I was tired, wet, sore and proud. One of my trail friends calls me <i>Rocket Diane</i>. Before it started raining; I saw griffon vultures, wild horses, big white cows and black faces sheep. Most of my fellow peregrinos were retired. More men than women and a lot of Italians who love Papa Francis.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Below is a Google map done by a friend showing my hike so far, from St. Jean Pied de Port to Honto (where I spent my first night) to Roncesvalles, Spain (where I spent my 2nd night)</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWj8rBAu1dz5k4V8JVL_SmF6sCHxtKGu5gnS4OCogYfBrqAUKzx9Qx87RPYOOYtkzbma70M-aiyCwgWiejYrvzGYy9aJtmYKK0wJ7xtxK-OcVdqB6FI6YHC0PqgoMq2SjLW-Od6voFlDO/s1600/St+Jean+Pied+de+Port+to+Roncesvalles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="1168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWj8rBAu1dz5k4V8JVL_SmF6sCHxtKGu5gnS4OCogYfBrqAUKzx9Qx87RPYOOYtkzbma70M-aiyCwgWiejYrvzGYy9aJtmYKK0wJ7xtxK-OcVdqB6FI6YHC0PqgoMq2SjLW-Od6voFlDO/s1600/St+Jean+Pied+de+Port+to+Roncesvalles.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Map-St. Jean Pied de Port to Honto to Roncesvalles, Spain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Below is a photo of the pilgrim mass I went to while in Roncesvalles. This was at the Monastery of Roncesvalles next to where I stayed at the <i>Albergue de Roncesvalles</i>. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFJZ4VR400VU2OZ5Yf83TjnvQH47nmMQL2h2RPq1uy1lpNUai87rqINMoPl1j89xexuA8yizeXl-Hvz99O42Tdxg0Rx1RsDgXedfhCldSrcCk1XvPlaXxh12p9W3N8LCN7XGX_flAnNvq/s1600/IMG_0075PSE-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFJZ4VR400VU2OZ5Yf83TjnvQH47nmMQL2h2RPq1uy1lpNUai87rqINMoPl1j89xexuA8yizeXl-Hvz99O42Tdxg0Rx1RsDgXedfhCldSrcCk1XvPlaXxh12p9W3N8LCN7XGX_flAnNvq/s1600/IMG_0075PSE-c.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Above: The pilgrim mass I went to while in Roncesvalles.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">My friend Alan Draeger sent me an email, which I will copy, and paste here.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"> Diane</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue;"> I wish you the very best of luck. Here to inspire you are the opening lines of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="color: red;"> <i>WHAN that Aprille with his shoures soote</i></span></span><br />
<i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> The droghte of Marche hath perced to the roote,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> And bathed every veyne in swich licour,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> Of which vertu engendred is the flour;</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> Whan Zephirus eek with his swete breeth</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> Inspired hath in every holt and heeth</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> The tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> Hath in the Ram his halfe cours y-ronne,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> And smale fowles maken melodye,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> That slepen al the night with open ye,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> So priketh hem nature in hir corages:</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> Than longen folk to goon on pilgrimages....</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue;"> You are our modern pilgrim, and I look forward to hearing Diane's Tale.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue;"> Alan Draeger</span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"> xoxo</span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 3 (5-1-14): Roncesvalles to Larrasoana</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">After leaving Roncescalles I arrived in Larrasoana, Spain in the afternoon on the 3rd day. There was no room in the </span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Albergue Municipal</i> where I had hoped to say</span><span style="font-size: large;"> so I stayed in a woman's home (<i>Casa Elita</i>); sharing the room with a nice Italian man by the name of Gian Carlo. They have no ATM and no Wi-Fi in this town of 200. I hiked this far today to be able to spend some time in Pamplona tomorrow. It was raining when I left Roncesvalles this morning; the trail was steep and wet and my feet hurt now.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This pilgrimage is not something you can imagine. So many fellow peregrinos because it was a cold winter here and today is a holiday. It may thin out Monday. Today I saw big brown cows, White Faced sheep and many, many wild flowers; purple, yellow and white. I heard lots of birds, one kept chirping "Buen Camino;" also cowbells galore and crickets.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Below is a photo of the bridge coming into Larrasoana over the Rio Arga.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyV4LY0M2LrIIHQ4IFVmFzUvJf0Nv4O3Tse0Osw8yp9cNJQ8_hRUL_LlwOyxxMyNmYP8Mkt3fsnt2a8byqXOeaDm0p4MAxE2KQcjBTB6znXYvKcks7eGhm31XPtNPZGK9qFym1UCMnoPuC/s1600/Bridge+to+Larrasona.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyV4LY0M2LrIIHQ4IFVmFzUvJf0Nv4O3Tse0Osw8yp9cNJQ8_hRUL_LlwOyxxMyNmYP8Mkt3fsnt2a8byqXOeaDm0p4MAxE2KQcjBTB6znXYvKcks7eGhm31XPtNPZGK9qFym1UCMnoPuC/s1600/Bridge+to+Larrasona.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: The bridge coming into Larrasoana over the Rio Arga.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Below is a photo of an encouraging stop sign I passed between Roncesvalles and Larrasoana.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_ltm3dWijY1ZRrzaRR10aBqJN8ngDfB77QjBcKWtw5IodmQSMgNolJpTsDJImkpkQX8WZvV2UYghIvdLAoAX0Ldt1hi9a0KktwI6yHHt9q6k_nAgwcdb-C5xnhAynthPIlSBPuIUDO4l/s1600/Encouragement.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_ltm3dWijY1ZRrzaRR10aBqJN8ngDfB77QjBcKWtw5IodmQSMgNolJpTsDJImkpkQX8WZvV2UYghIvdLAoAX0Ldt1hi9a0KktwI6yHHt9q6k_nAgwcdb-C5xnhAynthPIlSBPuIUDO4l/s1600/Encouragement.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: An encouraging stop sign between Roncesvalles and Larrasoana.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Days 4 & 5 (Friday & Saturday, 5-1-14 & 5-2-14) (Larrasoana to Pamplona to Puente la Reina)</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here are more observations from my Camino de Santiago trip, for Days 4 & 5 (Larrasoana to Pamplona to Puente la Reina). I’m writing this on a very clunky rented-computer, which costs 1 Euro for 20 minutes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I can tell whether I am going uphill, downhill or level by what hurts. I also learned the best thing for hot spots and even blisters is duct tape and the best lightweight clothespins are the thingies from the bread wrappers.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">On my way into Pamplona, a man took my photo (see below below) by the Magdalena Bridge (El Puente de la Magdalena) and he told me so much about Pamplona, but it was in Spanish so I only understood a portion of it. it was the Magdalena Bridge. Magdalena is my icon as I find her everywhere I go.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdXr4K2hJUkO1HRzOlpk_JIJAnT7Tqds9crxjJoByaMguxgRph8Vt2zTXTiaFlGFCJiBZtRx4lTeRvnJY5qo0KDs11gTGtpDvBzaofn3vSJke-G4iscGzDXI649xxXLly1SWRCxug_YCB/s1600/IMG_0082PSE-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdXr4K2hJUkO1HRzOlpk_JIJAnT7Tqds9crxjJoByaMguxgRph8Vt2zTXTiaFlGFCJiBZtRx4lTeRvnJY5qo0KDs11gTGtpDvBzaofn3vSJke-G4iscGzDXI649xxXLly1SWRCxug_YCB/s1600/IMG_0082PSE-c.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane at the Magdalena Bridge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In Pamplona, I went to the Cathedral and to the monument to the running of the bulls (see photo below) and the post office and the pilgrim store to buy a journal.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugJldz7gxIN9PxzBH9IyAfjcNLVYAB4qNJCuR1SnLCA96inTGlwfkgyOYYHjROWIdb1wsI3R1VIaE636qDGc0R_Py-k5njyKYlBb-BbzPfbZUMJ-AC8zbC3BFFrSPY_ETgUKqhyphenhyphenfQyULl/s1600/IMG_0084PSE-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugJldz7gxIN9PxzBH9IyAfjcNLVYAB4qNJCuR1SnLCA96inTGlwfkgyOYYHjROWIdb1wsI3R1VIaE636qDGc0R_Py-k5njyKYlBb-BbzPfbZUMJ-AC8zbC3BFFrSPY_ETgUKqhyphenhyphenfQyULl/s1600/IMG_0084PSE-c.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Monument to the running of the bulls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">On my way out of the city, I stopped to text and lost my pink bandana. I am lost without it and do you think they would sell a pink bandana on the Camino, I don´t think so. I stayed in a nice place in Cizur Menor, the <i>Albergue de Maribel</i>, and did laundry and ate with some very fun folks. We had a pilgrim dinner, which was French fries and some meat, and an appetizer of paella with not a lot of seafood, but tasty and of course red wine. It was fun. I used my pink silk sleeping bag liner again and my sleeping bag, so that was all good. I have used everything I brought. It was great to do laundry, I went to dinner with only my jacket and nothing under it because I washed everything else, fortunately it was cool.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was supposed to rain today (Saturday) when I left for Puente la Reina, but I got lucky. It did it all before I left and the sun came out later. I took a photo (see below) at the peak of Alto Del Perdon (Mount of Forgiveness in English) that I had to cross, where all your sins are forgiven when you go over it. By the time I got there, it was sunny.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CRvUDWsWTBRevflBdPX5aIWl5OkPbM4Kdy-JSSVROxNZ45OCIVX9Tn0lPQekcxFvua8fqeI2pXcQ40cXEB0ZP05F1RtSPYJlKjUREXUofSAcM49DF0MAMooAbhFId8xPVnri3t9zLf7p/s1600/IMG_0094PSE-c-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CRvUDWsWTBRevflBdPX5aIWl5OkPbM4Kdy-JSSVROxNZ45OCIVX9Tn0lPQekcxFvua8fqeI2pXcQ40cXEB0ZP05F1RtSPYJlKjUREXUofSAcM49DF0MAMooAbhFId8xPVnri3t9zLf7p/s1600/IMG_0094PSE-c-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane on top of Alto del Perdon with Monument to the Pilgrim's Way.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I got very excited climbing to the peak as all you could see were wheat fields and I thought I saw Crop Circles, but alas they were only farmer trails. I noticed that in the lower parts the wheat was formed but still very green, when I got to the top the kernels had not formed yet. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Spain has a huge wind turbine energy source and I saw hundreds today. Wind is the third biggest energy source in Spain, at about 18% in 2012 according to one online source. See photo below.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOO0QmBa_8iyUIsPb-2fxpOtuEiqteOBJpI0casnyRlKtmJkSJehcs94MqeDiBbh3kJl1nLB1orjkaQ2SEeb-fToNJIinzZpDKJ4wFOUi03Z3A-_3DC2w5pLeAsCXzCkF-2CBBXpXQVj8h/s1600/IMG_0089PSE-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOO0QmBa_8iyUIsPb-2fxpOtuEiqteOBJpI0casnyRlKtmJkSJehcs94MqeDiBbh3kJl1nLB1orjkaQ2SEeb-fToNJIinzZpDKJ4wFOUi03Z3A-_3DC2w5pLeAsCXzCkF-2CBBXpXQVj8h/s1600/IMG_0089PSE-c.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Wind Turbines on top of Alto del Perdon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The downhill hiking was difficult on the knees, but not as scary as the last couple of days, as it wasn´t muddy. The guidebooks even say it is a difficult trip because the stones can make your twist your ankle. I didn´t twist an ankle and I loved my sticks (hiking poles) and my boots.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After the mountain peak, I walked for a while and finally came to a nice bodega where I stopped and asked for what I thought was a potato quiche-ie thing, but I had ordered toast instead, so I had another jamón (ham) and bread sandwich. Now I know to order not a tostada, but a tortilla.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I hurt so I didn´t take a detour to see a Knight´s Templar ruin, and you know how much I hurt since I didn´t do that. But I met up with the folks from dinner and walked with a guy who is a professional herbalist from England. We had a delightful conversation and great observations to which I had a few things to contribute and I forgot my aches.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When we got to Puente la Reina everyone stayed at the first albergue, but I had reservations at one a little further, the <i>Albergue Santiago Apostolin</i>, so I went on. I felt very lonely after such good company and did a whole going into the garden to eat worms routine in my head, got lost and walked at least 3 more kilometers, but finally found the albergue. There are some folks here that I´ve previously met, so all is well.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of worms, I see worms and slugs on the trail all the time. Is this my time to get friendly with the slimy part of the universe?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As I walk and hurt, I keep saying to myself, I am a spiritual being having a physical experience; this body is the vehicle of my soul and will carry me on. Many people say they meet God on the Camino, I haven´t found my Bodhi Tree yet (Buddhist bit about enlightenment) I think I am almost to the place where the business of the embodiment is becoming routine, so that will leave space for some spiritual download.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I will say that whenever I have felt that I got lost on my hike (except for this afternoon), a sign or someone has directed me the right way. In Pamplona, twice I wasn´t sure which way to go and total strangers came up and pointed me in the right direction. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I stayed at the <i>Albergue Santiago Apostolin</i> in Puente la Reina Saturday night, just across the Dona Mayor Bridge in the photo below.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uh77YAD1Wr_spyEhoDoZpisv6F6D8xS9_NEn2E8SiXNXDVZ8HuddcmhbL8NzBThq0OYnZUGr_321YWgBrnmukCsN00whJVYHdJ5ws5lk8jJcnugxANKD0geGFR3kMzWcuunuw7XiXyOy/s1600/IMG_0098PSE-c-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uh77YAD1Wr_spyEhoDoZpisv6F6D8xS9_NEn2E8SiXNXDVZ8HuddcmhbL8NzBThq0OYnZUGr_321YWgBrnmukCsN00whJVYHdJ5ws5lk8jJcnugxANKD0geGFR3kMzWcuunuw7XiXyOy/s1600/IMG_0098PSE-c-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Dona Mayor Bridge on the way to the <i>Albergue Santiago Apostolin</i> in Puente la Reina.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This summary is far from complete, but I am going to send it before my 3rd Euro for this clunky rented-computer runs out.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 6 (5-4-14): Puente la Reina to Irache</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Today (Sunday) I left Puente la Reina and walked to the Bodegas Irache where they have the fountain with wine. There was a tourist bus there and the guide said "...make way for the pilgrims...," so they all stood back and let us pilgrims have a drink first. My pilgrims friends were walking further but I decided to stop in Irache for the night, so I am alone tonight; kind of sad but that is okay, it's nice to not be in a dormitory.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Attached is a photo of a s</span><span style="font-size: large;">tone cross on the way into Estella, which I passed through today (Sunday) on my way to Irache.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5egKgvKMNQvdaAlYGgDLFAgzT0kbJl96IH-j7mYgyENjFyW2oz_oLMAckHFMlZZ7nl66N1gtd_bJuYHq0Cpw8qEsycXTo-XB_2r1MbjlMPLnUz4lZshudN0DhN1kwUGXtvVq0VR1a4fXj/s1600/Cross+at+Estella+photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5egKgvKMNQvdaAlYGgDLFAgzT0kbJl96IH-j7mYgyENjFyW2oz_oLMAckHFMlZZ7nl66N1gtd_bJuYHq0Cpw8qEsycXTo-XB_2r1MbjlMPLnUz4lZshudN0DhN1kwUGXtvVq0VR1a4fXj/s1600/Cross+at+Estella+photo+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Stone cross on the way into Estella.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 7 (5-5-14) (Irache to Los Arcos)</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sunday night in Irache, I stayed by myself in a campground in a modular unit with a double bed and a half bath, I took a shower in the campground shower. Lots of hot water, ...yay! But the water was on a timer, so I had to keep pushing the shower button for more hot water. I also did laundry and dried it on my porch with a piece of string and the bread bag twisties.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I went to dinner Sunday night at the <i>Hotel Irache</i> and had chicken and French fries; there has never been a meal without French fries. I had enough chicken leftover to put on the bread for lunch today (Monday), The weather was cold and I couldn't figure out how to turn on the heat, so the blanket and I had a restless night. I put my walking sticks in the door for security.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This morning (Monday) I took off for Los Arcos, about 11 miles from Irache. I had some issues with my leg, a hamstring pull. I made it to <i>Casa Fuentes de Austria </i>in Los Arcos, with the help of a truck driver who gave me a lift for a couple of km.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I met up with my Italian friend Gian Carlo. Later I showered and did some more laundry etc. Then someone introduced me to a lady doctor from Brazil, she taped my leg and gave me an energy massage. I will take a bus Tuesday to Logroño, which is about 18 miles from Los Arcos, to give my leg some time to heal. There is a pilgrim clinic there if I am not better. I will take it one day at a time to walk the 15 to 18 miles per day, but I can't do it Tuesday. Now I know why those sports guys are out of the game with hamstrings, I always thought they just wanted the day off. Guess the joke is on me. :o)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Attached is a photo of the laundry at the <i>Casa Fuentes de Austria</i> in Los Arcos. Can you see the old fashioned ringer in the photo? Every one hangs their intimates and socks, etc. together. When the lady doctor taped my leg today, I had to drop my pants in the middle of the dinning area. No modesty allowed on the Camino!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8VAJ88Lipl2RbHf0-TNsimC8sZJ96PDSnosEoSQ3dTRvB15t5hUGAJdZcd9TV9qbNLnhrrZ_N_ylEfw1_8VXV-bu90o3euw14_UpOlWTmPKH1DV_AWEqX98PwuWv8Xk7Ng65Fnuyhn8e/s1600/Old+wringer+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8VAJ88Lipl2RbHf0-TNsimC8sZJ96PDSnosEoSQ3dTRvB15t5hUGAJdZcd9TV9qbNLnhrrZ_N_ylEfw1_8VXV-bu90o3euw14_UpOlWTmPKH1DV_AWEqX98PwuWv8Xk7Ng65Fnuyhn8e/s1600/Old+wringer+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Laundry at the Casa Fuentes de Austria in Los Arcos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 8 (5-6-14, Tuesday) Los Arcos to Logroño</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Because of my leg injury on Monday (coming out of Irache); I took the bus today from Los Arcos to Logroño and went to see a medico in the emergency room of the hospital about noon, so that I could move forward hopefully tomorrow My leg felt better this morning, so it was as much precaution as any thing else. Or maybe I was just being a woos. But it turned out to be a bad day, as the hospital told me I have torn a muscle in my leg. They first said I needed to rest for 15 days. With further consultation I now know that I need to rest for at least a few days. So I will take the bus to the next couple of cities and then start to walk again.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The albergue where I am staying tonight in Logroño is very nice; all is well, I'm very sad but will be okay. Buen Camino.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm attaching a photo I took at the Concatedral de Santa María de La Redonda in Logroño, where I had dinner in the plaza in the shadow of this cathedral.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMA3GmwEsO7sPmFUOrpvB4Ko-dvVM9D5y5YfVzHUV0tzqsK9htDTJfSbU1gSOhd6K4a8nVmfLXZJbjSVd5SmUwfvCuJVIlFnH0DstiVBapUAUFXK4C4YymcV1OLiH4O3uvPJDHDf4xWHe/s1600/Logrono+Cathedral+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMA3GmwEsO7sPmFUOrpvB4Ko-dvVM9D5y5YfVzHUV0tzqsK9htDTJfSbU1gSOhd6K4a8nVmfLXZJbjSVd5SmUwfvCuJVIlFnH0DstiVBapUAUFXK4C4YymcV1OLiH4O3uvPJDHDf4xWHe/s1600/Logrono+Cathedral+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Concatedral de Santa María de La Redonda in Logroño</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 9 (5-7-14) Logroño to Ventosa</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Attached is a picture of the bus I will be taking this morning (Wednesday) to Ventosa, which is about a 14-mile ride from Logroño. This additional day off from hiking will give my leg more rest and I'll see then what my plans are. I'm traveling to Ventosa with another woman who also has an injury.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Can't write much this morning since I'm on my iPhone and not a computer.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbJSdTDShUvrHduI0YuloiauooYJ9DZDiMRQpVdNokRAfDxAvy8YGGyi4ZjZC8j2yPJ6rCa6xxXcaHMRSe05tBM10-aQwD9PgynCLxZREbDqlUFeRJYN5w4IlpgvXVHmeFdwGz8Ye0R1t/s1600/bus+to+Ventosa+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbJSdTDShUvrHduI0YuloiauooYJ9DZDiMRQpVdNokRAfDxAvy8YGGyi4ZjZC8j2yPJ6rCa6xxXcaHMRSe05tBM10-aQwD9PgynCLxZREbDqlUFeRJYN5w4IlpgvXVHmeFdwGz8Ye0R1t/s1600/bus+to+Ventosa+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: The bus I took to Ventosa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 9 (5-7-14) Logroño to Ventosa to Nájera</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After I arrived in Ventosa by bus from Logroño, I found out the albergue didn't open for another 3 hours and since it was a small town of only 200 people, I decided to take a taxi on to Nájera, a larger town about another 7 miles. I arrive in Nájera before the albergue <i>Puerta de Nájera</i> opened at noon; so I walked down to the River Najerilla to sit and took the attached photo of the bridge over the river. Once the albergue opened and I signed in for the night, I took a long nap and later did a little exploring of the town.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I walked from my albergue to the big church called Monasterio de Santa María la Real Franciscanos, and took a few photos (see attached two photos from the Church).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After my visit to the Church, I went for a glass of wine with a fellow pilgrim by the river, then to the ATM machine and the bus station. Later I went to a pilgrim meal with 3 South African ladies, which was interesting.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When you don't walk all day, you aren't as tired as everyone else. But I will probably be asleep by 10 pm, after I Skype my mom.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I can hardly wait until I am back walking on the Camino de Santiago again.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCf2YzMYJI8yr9uhVPKrbQe7zDcDpfjmccUSHofJeL3Osz_DYi2f9gsugN8iFUGny0zp1jHwMbs5mThqCCRm9KHyhlesVDc9X5t-o4prpRDaflvc-j8fMp6WFtH3T0AIqwgsetsYiOKMD/s1600/The+river+Najerlla+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCf2YzMYJI8yr9uhVPKrbQe7zDcDpfjmccUSHofJeL3Osz_DYi2f9gsugN8iFUGny0zp1jHwMbs5mThqCCRm9KHyhlesVDc9X5t-o4prpRDaflvc-j8fMp6WFtH3T0AIqwgsetsYiOKMD/s1600/The+river+Najerlla+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: River Najerilla</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LNUHRDVejAre4gF-Qte3A4QsEJBVutG6Q6_dQwgFOVgsDPxWmDAu6-g17kZ8AcUx-CPevOnfacVvCaGgl17BmvSZUEidb2w3H6pTZeARZ16Tw9pZjBs-c6XZ2GNDkygptFyjYkfjyEQ0/s1600/Church+in+Najera+photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LNUHRDVejAre4gF-Qte3A4QsEJBVutG6Q6_dQwgFOVgsDPxWmDAu6-g17kZ8AcUx-CPevOnfacVvCaGgl17BmvSZUEidb2w3H6pTZeARZ16Tw9pZjBs-c6XZ2GNDkygptFyjYkfjyEQ0/s1600/Church+in+Najera+photo+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Monasterio de Santa María la Real Franciscanos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQpcgJqR9D_0SSbMudk7Cg40n-aDIPmkgpL5l-jSDZbGv73VaKzFebPwvMgROv2QzBvq4UVLPRQcMEIl8PmKtT1lfz3XkRDEe-XRt4EdNPOLWDHjoBn1Xj8GIav3N_4ffr3bAWcBuayZy/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQpcgJqR9D_0SSbMudk7Cg40n-aDIPmkgpL5l-jSDZbGv73VaKzFebPwvMgROv2QzBvq4UVLPRQcMEIl8PmKtT1lfz3XkRDEe-XRt4EdNPOLWDHjoBn1Xj8GIav3N_4ffr3bAWcBuayZy/s1600/photo+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Monasterio de Santa María la Real Franciscanos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 10 (5-8-14): Nájera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I arrived in Santo Domingo de la Calzada today (Thursday) by bus from Nájera; which is about a 14-mile trip. I needed to give my leg at least one additional day (at a minimum) to heal. One day at a time</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Santo Domingo is a small town with a population of about 7,000; located by the Oja River. The town is named after Domingo Garcia, its founder. Domingo worked several miracles after his death and was declared a saint, "Santo Domingo."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm going to mass at 7 pm tonight. at the "Catedral de El Salvador," in the historical district of Santo Domingo. The construction of this Cathedral began in the mid-twelfth century, attached is a photo I took with my iPhone, of the tower at the Cathedral.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I don't know why I'm going to mass, maybe hoping the rooster will crow? They say that if the rooster crows while you are in Church, then you will arrive in Santiago in good health. The legend about the rooster and the hen is interesting and I am copying and pasting a copy of the legend in this email.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">In the 14th century an 18-year-old German youth called Hugonell was making the pilgrimage to Compostela with his parents. They stopped at the hostel in the town and a Spanish girl working at the hostel fell in love with him. However Hugonell rejected her advances. The girl became angry and hid a silver cup in Hugonell's bag and reported him to the authorities. Hugonell was sentenced to death in the gallows. After he died, his parents went to examine his body that was hanging on the gallows and heard him say that Santo Domingo had kept him alive. The parents went to see the magistrate and told him that the miracle had taken place. The magistrate was eating at that time and was irritated to be interrupted by the parents. He said, "Your son is as alive as this rooster and hen that I am about to eat." At that moment the two birds jumped up from the plate and began to sing and crow happily. So there is a saying: "Santo Doming de la Calzada, where the rooster crows after being roasted."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm staying tonight at the <i>Albergue de Peregrinos Casa Del Santo</i>, which is a very nice; it holds 162 people on 3 floors and has a nice patio with clotheslines. No wringer. :o) Attached is a photo from my iPhone of some of the beds</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWNph0yAkRR-KcgoL5mVX-6FAwJtwAWaJsVJOuVoLN9z4zCWcQDYCtic1VRWrX7r35YPONWPlDonJ38HbOrC0VD8zPs2LSaEMuaH4P3wLrT02B_NErUQ8gLda013aTih0uZn5nJdxI0SM/s1600/Cathedral+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWNph0yAkRR-KcgoL5mVX-6FAwJtwAWaJsVJOuVoLN9z4zCWcQDYCtic1VRWrX7r35YPONWPlDonJ38HbOrC0VD8zPs2LSaEMuaH4P3wLrT02B_NErUQ8gLda013aTih0uZn5nJdxI0SM/s1600/Cathedral+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Catedral de El Salvador</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjIhEsUI-7M5NHqxXTOfHucgFu5LIW6-FmUKN7GdgLD0EE9zURet_GAVsyZ8PH9wcTrCfaVfWSDluDV2cBE27wcOreWZTUvMDV9yU6QTJxtDirfMrpoxomNkw9tQu_pLpDQdtBbg5lVncT/s1600/Beds+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjIhEsUI-7M5NHqxXTOfHucgFu5LIW6-FmUKN7GdgLD0EE9zURet_GAVsyZ8PH9wcTrCfaVfWSDluDV2cBE27wcOreWZTUvMDV9yU6QTJxtDirfMrpoxomNkw9tQu_pLpDQdtBbg5lVncT/s1600/Beds+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: <i>Albergue de Peregrinos Casa Del Santo</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">2 more photos from Day 10 (5-8-14) at Santo Domingo de la Calzada</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Before I forget, I want to share a couple of more photos from the small town of Santo Domingo de la Calzada where I spent Day 10 (Thursday, 5-8-14) of my journey.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(1) The first photo I call "On my way with the rooster." Of course that's me masquerading as a pilgrim.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(2) The second photo I call "The tools to extract confessions maybe?" Whatever they are, they were hanging next to the live rooster and hen inside the cathedral.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislyUI_zGZNOWylU-QE-L48skhcxmBbIbg7VvQqNPIpUwVBB6_gK3aOQi37sxIUod5sQCkQYLGVo_0v-735tFK6vsZ3V9Oj60hj1aXMJX6y1aXdEKcp0Yf9-jGRYbmfGoMVdZoNt296T4x/s1600/rooster_photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislyUI_zGZNOWylU-QE-L48skhcxmBbIbg7VvQqNPIpUwVBB6_gK3aOQi37sxIUod5sQCkQYLGVo_0v-735tFK6vsZ3V9Oj60hj1aXMJX6y1aXdEKcp0Yf9-jGRYbmfGoMVdZoNt296T4x/s1600/rooster_photo-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: On my way with the rooster.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcA_iG4TmmkNvA0jHs5rN9K9F8Icdxs0xWEEDOmc78bz1-xmIVX37l8rCHL2gMc-P0Ym6ex0cv139qQTOS2g7silwqvoBJWde1jwAkxwWhk7MleZFzHi5zXF85aE3HnUPVCIm29EpVLlKX/s1600/tools_photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcA_iG4TmmkNvA0jHs5rN9K9F8Icdxs0xWEEDOmc78bz1-xmIVX37l8rCHL2gMc-P0Ym6ex0cv139qQTOS2g7silwqvoBJWde1jwAkxwWhk7MleZFzHi5zXF85aE3HnUPVCIm29EpVLlKX/s1600/tools_photo-2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: The tools to extract confessions maybe?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 11 (Friday, 5-9-14)): Santo Domingo de la Calzada to Burgos</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In my last email I wrote that I was going to the 7 pm mass Thursday night in Santo Domingo de la Calzada, but turns out there wasn't a 7 pm mass for some reason, so we didn't go to mass. We did walk around the church, looked at some paintings and went outside. In the church, as part of the local legend, they keep two cages, a hen in one and a rooster in the other. The rooster started crowing so we ducked back into the vestibule. Maybe the rooster crowing is reason for optimism for my leg?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We had to move out of the albergue by 8 pm Friday morning so they could get ready for the new incoming pilgrims. Four of us "walking wounded" took the bus to Burgos at 9:20 am Friday morning. I met a man from Dunedin, Florida; which is the town where my mother lives. I could hardly believe it since Dunedin is such a very small town for the USA. The man was riding a bike on the Camino. Lots of roosters were crowing by then.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The entrance to Burgos is beautiful. I'm staying tonight at the <i>Albergue Municipal Casa del Cubo y de los Lerma</i>. The albergue is modern; it just opened in 2008 and has 150 beds. Only one men's toilet and one women's toilet per floor; and only 6 showers which is kind of funny. We are doing laundry in a Kenmore machine; also funny to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The albergue is in a 16th century building and next to the Burgos Cathedral. There is no Wi-Fi or computer in the Burgos albergue; so not as much writing as I expected. I walked around the town and it is a beauty.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Saturday (maybe Sunday), I'm going to walk to Tarjados (11 km) or Rabé de las Calzadas (14 km), both short walks. I hope to get back to 25 km per day in 3 or 4 days.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There are two photos attached, one of the beautiful Burgos Cathedral that is in the large central square. The second photo is of the where I'm staying, and shows the queue of backpacks of pilgrims waiting to get in.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Also attached is a map created by a friend, showing where I am now (in Burgos), and how far I've come since I started my pilgrimage in St. Jean Pied de Port, France. I am Day 11 into my 33 day journey, and have covered about 1/3 the distance.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZOmYD2fydiQLlbWXyhLAFiVcjC-WboDFsd8T0CO9lMqRR5Pgyd-Q_8XZ0K4zHvwKoOES3NWVmzKiUZqnSHK_KmJZuyd1jAf8sIcl0JpGGQPlAnWUaxJIgyuv9GBfmvABPmOyWpsiNbiR/s1600/Burgos+Cathedral+photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZOmYD2fydiQLlbWXyhLAFiVcjC-WboDFsd8T0CO9lMqRR5Pgyd-Q_8XZ0K4zHvwKoOES3NWVmzKiUZqnSHK_KmJZuyd1jAf8sIcl0JpGGQPlAnWUaxJIgyuv9GBfmvABPmOyWpsiNbiR/s1600/Burgos+Cathedral+photo+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Burgos Cathedral in the central square.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG41x1ob7xmmI0FewrP_R_uUDknsdvsK2Zq1KOtkZHwGi94AoLPls4mKAZZ8hXCr1KKyz-Aac-ZGjAwC6egTEif1quH38IzM9GFGRYEcCm3Y8C7vx3iicZpoV5937l6bdYCZOsiEH-dDxv/s1600/Albergue+municipal+Casa+del+Cubo+photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG41x1ob7xmmI0FewrP_R_uUDknsdvsK2Zq1KOtkZHwGi94AoLPls4mKAZZ8hXCr1KKyz-Aac-ZGjAwC6egTEif1quH38IzM9GFGRYEcCm3Y8C7vx3iicZpoV5937l6bdYCZOsiEH-dDxv/s1600/Albergue+municipal+Casa+del+Cubo+photo+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: albergue where I'm staying, and shows the queue of backpacks of pilgrims waiting to get in.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJM8VXQVKMgx4_R4kBwtHhJviTtkeOQK03VJXUzq4k37P4VhCQavIBdaOMeNZuczZUl0zpcqMiPcj9CZdDsBbZsf9VAkiL7avo56KHbMU_OHF36df3NvQimpmo1hPj2A8T_7-Y3Ph-HqEC/s1600/French+way+map+basic-Burgos-800p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJM8VXQVKMgx4_R4kBwtHhJviTtkeOQK03VJXUzq4k37P4VhCQavIBdaOMeNZuczZUl0zpcqMiPcj9CZdDsBbZsf9VAkiL7avo56KHbMU_OHF36df3NvQimpmo1hPj2A8T_7-Y3Ph-HqEC/s1600/French+way+map+basic-Burgos-800p.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Map showing where I am now (in Burgos), and how far I've come since I started my pilgrimage in St. Jean Pied de Port, France.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 12 (Saturday, 5-10-14)): Burgos to Tarjados and on to León</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Written, Saturday afternoon (Day 12), about 5:40 pm (Spain time), 5-10-14, while on the bus from Burgos to León</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In a previous email I mentioned that I was going to do a short walk from Burgos to either Tarjados (11 km) or Rabé de las Calzadas (14 km). I made it to Tarjados and felt like I could go on but I knew that was my big mistake in Estella. Attached is a photo from Tarjados, I call this photo "The Tarjados sites. Ugh!"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Three of the four of us "walking wounded," knowing the walk from Tarjados to León was flat, uninteresting, hot etc., decided to follow the advice of the doctors and two guidebooks; rest our injuries and spend time in a beautiful place. It is with sadness and some reluctance and a little pain we did a retreat. The guidebook actually said reconsider your resolve to do it all on foot, don't judge yourself harshly; I am but I will get over it. Although we walked to Tarjados from Burgos, we're took a taxi back to Burgos to catch a bus to go on to León. While in Burgos my two German friends and I drank Spanish wine while waiting for the bus. Can you imagine that in the USA?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We waited three hours in Burgos for the bus to León (about a 115 mile trip) but finally got on the road. The bus driver agreed we made very good decision as he said the trail to León is long, hot, boring and in traffic part of the time. So I guess it is ok to do it this way . He is Irish; he fell in love with a Spanish girl and moved here 22 years ago. His name was Seamus and he was from Mayo, Ireland.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In Leon, we will rest our injuries and spend time in a beautiful place.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">More later as I am using my iPhone. Hopefully I will find a computer in León.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFF15t0uzrvhUw4jNRcKF_BTwGcQTnQa_M0qbGTG2zYMI9J-VObpnyzgM1jATgNsbKyuDfetzzi6Lt3UNyMP1s8fNOXug2OhO31VaL-i60uf8DqSY3nNka38Wvtdu_0mSTRmpjxvmajkG/s1600/bar+in+Tarjados+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFF15t0uzrvhUw4jNRcKF_BTwGcQTnQa_M0qbGTG2zYMI9J-VObpnyzgM1jATgNsbKyuDfetzzi6Lt3UNyMP1s8fNOXug2OhO31VaL-i60uf8DqSY3nNka38Wvtdu_0mSTRmpjxvmajkG/s1600/bar+in+Tarjados+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: The Tarjados sites. Ugh!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 13 (Sunday), 5-11-14) 2nd day in León</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We stayed Saturday night at the <i>Hospederia Monastica Pax</i>, a restored monastery converted into a hotel, in the Plaza Santa María del Camino in León. We tried to get beds at the <i>Santa María de Carbajal </i>(an albergue) in the same plaza, but they didn't have room except for mattresses on the floor; and we didn't want to do that our first night in León. Albergues don’t turn pilgrims away, but if there are no beds available, they will provide a skimpy mattress to use on the floor.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The plaza was full of people partying Saturday night. I wore noise-canceling earphones but they only dulled the noise. Those mattresses on the floor across the courtyard (and more isolated from the noise) might have been better.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I sent my mother a gift and a card for Mother's Day before I left NYC on my trip, but early Sunday morning I had a traveling friend take a photo of me to also email to my mother for Mother's Day. The photo was taken in front of the fountain that is in the middle of the Plaza Santa María del Camino where I am staying. The fountain is of two cherubs clutching a pillar, symbolizing León's two rivers and the capital. See attached photo.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Shortly before noon, we checked into the <i>Hostel Orejas</i>, which is located in the center of the town of León, close to the Bernesga River. On our sightseeing tour we went to "abc," that is "another bloody cathedral," although the León Cathedral is very beautiful.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We also saw the Gaudi building (Casa de los Botines), which is a castle-like building (see attached photo) right on Plaza del Obispo; and was designed by Antoni Gaudí. At the entrance to the building, one of my German companions said "look at the alligator." It was a stone sculpture of Saint George slaying the dragon. See attached photo.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Also attached is a photo of two of my German travelers, Stephanie on the left and Annie on the right; they are posing with a bronze statue of Antoni Gaudi sitting on a bench in front of the Gaudi building.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There is a foot race here in León today, so the streets are roped off and they have water stations set up. I wish they had those water stations on the Camino.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We had lunch at the Plaza la Inmaculada, a short walk from the Gaudi building; attached is a photo of the building taken from our sidewalk table. We paid 2 Euros for a sandwich and a glass of wine. When I went back for another small glass of vino tinto. I learned the wine was 2 Euros and the sandwich was free, so I had a tortilla, which is different then in Mexico . It is a potato and egg thing, sometimes with ham and cheese and today with a red pepper. OMG, a vegetable. Wow!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We also walked by the Bernesga River to San Marcos Square to see the Leon Museum, It has quite a history.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We ate, drank wine and napped; so now for a new adventure.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Still writing on my iPhone, so can't write a lot.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1zL4YR_DRakTLv1uGWMVamcMhPmxZjOL7gg1M8PW_oh2YoTI347Z56JMSiXmh8ZWCGBLsaAZV3PEGeV5v91PKZqlW9dRrpEXlB8q0ai-daf6NRa7349oYm7Ai4U8IMupR9pBsLuo-QiQ/s1600/Mothers+Day+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1zL4YR_DRakTLv1uGWMVamcMhPmxZjOL7gg1M8PW_oh2YoTI347Z56JMSiXmh8ZWCGBLsaAZV3PEGeV5v91PKZqlW9dRrpEXlB8q0ai-daf6NRa7349oYm7Ai4U8IMupR9pBsLuo-QiQ/s1600/Mothers+Day+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Fountain in the middle of the Plaza Santa María del Camino. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NekJi7W2ZB0cm_mMqYxhQlhh8E9w8UXgOpLeIwP-SUPRJ2ZK0UJqAk4Iyz6ZgRQLWfJnNt94m1C7zL6xQrCJKwzHl4-NDjpUUkA-avozS5NMIMBzODWygtoSyGiijaSqN6Oiq-YGMCoc/s1600/Gaudi+building+photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NekJi7W2ZB0cm_mMqYxhQlhh8E9w8UXgOpLeIwP-SUPRJ2ZK0UJqAk4Iyz6ZgRQLWfJnNt94m1C7zL6xQrCJKwzHl4-NDjpUUkA-avozS5NMIMBzODWygtoSyGiijaSqN6Oiq-YGMCoc/s1600/Gaudi+building+photo+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Gaudi building (Casa de los Bovines) on Plaza del Obispo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUEh8nYmpc_YHWQEzJurMV2pENd6BvlujVh09dZAlaEyyt4QfNsfgp2Gm33qtQbJHKgQ67osMw6IoaR83ouHp2Dm744GsT6afYtA03-f584fGhDVkreNLBtSHtrIqjbe_d_NF04X9DoSR/s1600/St+George+photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUEh8nYmpc_YHWQEzJurMV2pENd6BvlujVh09dZAlaEyyt4QfNsfgp2Gm33qtQbJHKgQ67osMw6IoaR83ouHp2Dm744GsT6afYtA03-f584fGhDVkreNLBtSHtrIqjbe_d_NF04X9DoSR/s1600/St+George+photo+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Stone sculpture of Saint George slaying the dragon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpLaS7lB0LVVJYxCNxkn5eSDBFouPfOtyKChl5_Tz_PlDe2OTatzDnuToF_9tPUEWSpwmmLMLIH485RjhzKD-FUE-Pow9SI5EqNwtXA4l8mgV3a6yyqsOwRGVS2I1CKkMouIkARK496sN/s1600/2+friends+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpLaS7lB0LVVJYxCNxkn5eSDBFouPfOtyKChl5_Tz_PlDe2OTatzDnuToF_9tPUEWSpwmmLMLIH485RjhzKD-FUE-Pow9SI5EqNwtXA4l8mgV3a6yyqsOwRGVS2I1CKkMouIkARK496sN/s1600/2+friends+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Some friends I met.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZeXTHuEN1l-Abws0EppTOXuPRz2jG4tMxEvbZVPMVaQZbwiexaQPOHgpVpH_kp3qg-CGO_6Vd3EOGopVxiEohGh7PPdJnwJzndM7KdZhT-HPFu5Z3eU_xDvQcXbsX2z7_V8AnCcyMp-C/s1600/Building+at+lunch+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZeXTHuEN1l-Abws0EppTOXuPRz2jG4tMxEvbZVPMVaQZbwiexaQPOHgpVpH_kp3qg-CGO_6Vd3EOGopVxiEohGh7PPdJnwJzndM7KdZhT-HPFu5Z3eU_xDvQcXbsX2z7_V8AnCcyMp-C/s1600/Building+at+lunch+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Building we saw when we had lunch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 14 (Monday, 5-12-14)): León to Villar de Mazarife</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Written, Monday evening (Day 14), about 4:30 pm (Spain time), 5-12-14...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">While we were sightseeing in León yesterday (Sunday), one of my German travelers took the attached photo of a statue; the statue was bizarre! It is a nude male of bronze belonging to the artist Amancio Gonzalez, and is located in the Santo Domingo Square close to the León Museum. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We didn't get a very early start out of León today (Monday); it was quiet and comfortable at the <i>Hostel Orejas</i>, and 36 degrees outside. Finally after a pilgrim breakfast of toast, jam and coffee (no protein) we got to the place to where we started walking to Virgen de la Camino (about 8+ km or 5 miles beyond León). The fields along the trail were filled with great big chunks of red clay on one side, it appeared it was drying so that it could be broken into smaller pieces and wheat could be grown. There were bouquets all along the trail; red poppies and asparagus fern, just beautiful. Attached is a photo.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We stopped at a water fountain in Chozas de Abajo (about 18 km or 11 miles beyond León) to get freshwater; and I took a photo of one of my fellow "walking wounded," attached is the photo.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And now I am in the <i>Albergue Casa de Jesus</i> in Villar de Mazarife (about 22 km or 14 miles beyond León). We stopped at a bar for a coffee and toast; it looked like the place had never seen a broom; but it did have toilet paper soap and paper towels, so that was good. But they charged two times what they should for the coffee and toast, I wanted to put up a sign that read "No good for pilgrims".</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A photo of me (although you can't tell it) on the road, out of Leon. My traveling companion Stephanie took it with her iPhone.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here at the <i>Albergue Casa de Jesus</i> they are doing our laundry for three euros while we drink beer and eat cookies, it's very nice to sit down. They said they had a pool but it was empty and maybe only 6 or 8 feet wide by 12 or 15 feet long. Very funny, definitely no Olympic practice here.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Still writing on my iPhone, so can't write a lot.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIqzIlh6uL2pCEVxKt5ltj6H4dBuUeT0qagTrcxV7aMZxsNNy1rScBsXG1q4IBJV6M_ipBGHEM8QZ-y6C5pm8nUvvbqt006MABUHPAwHyDY70rgTzJNLHtpVXi0ZftU_T7JyaO1sQ6-AB/s1600/Statue+in+Leon+Foto+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIqzIlh6uL2pCEVxKt5ltj6H4dBuUeT0qagTrcxV7aMZxsNNy1rScBsXG1q4IBJV6M_ipBGHEM8QZ-y6C5pm8nUvvbqt006MABUHPAwHyDY70rgTzJNLHtpVXi0ZftU_T7JyaO1sQ6-AB/s1600/Statue+in+Leon+Foto+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Nude male of bronze belonging to the artist Amancio Gonzalez, located in the Santo Domingo Square close to the León Museum.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicA68ABUGZ991fN1piVQl1Ii8h_VyZDSuKxVbt8Wz1KrVMyO9EAO_9m0gGqTtuAG5SwzExs1QR1JWwj01J9u4ThCth6DdAdZISSMozrCIWmI-p1a0JsEnSKwzS0VDVwOZWFlAc-qkR-FNs/s1600/Leaving+Leon+photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicA68ABUGZ991fN1piVQl1Ii8h_VyZDSuKxVbt8Wz1KrVMyO9EAO_9m0gGqTtuAG5SwzExs1QR1JWwj01J9u4ThCth6DdAdZISSMozrCIWmI-p1a0JsEnSKwzS0VDVwOZWFlAc-qkR-FNs/s1600/Leaving+Leon+photo+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Walking to Virgen de la Camino (about 8+ km or 5 miles beyond León).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMo4B92Njfwt2mg8VKgdZNwyjlmhtF3gIadScy3nzj82nG46AEGNHQEi-OqDnM1oXbHwru3CTUv865BzJKpP1fijHHzXlQPz1OEiLL9EiTDg8zdQRc21a36s0vVaRHjrIICUR-CLIoMV5/s1600/Fountain+in+Chozas+de+Abajo+photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMo4B92Njfwt2mg8VKgdZNwyjlmhtF3gIadScy3nzj82nG46AEGNHQEi-OqDnM1oXbHwru3CTUv865BzJKpP1fijHHzXlQPz1OEiLL9EiTDg8zdQRc21a36s0vVaRHjrIICUR-CLIoMV5/s1600/Fountain+in+Chozas+de+Abajo+photo+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: One of my fellow "walking wounded" at a water fountain in Chozas de Abajo (about 18 km or 11 miles beyond León).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySeP49-uxpYQljSd0baDUNcmgpSl8Z5NaaZyILznGdbO-_Y8_mZKeSngcE5zGoploQ_UfeKRIEkrIjnE9BVgLA5TqIII6Qfr9xfC3K-3_CItpFuRRi6eXHaS2OGjMFzvmK9AKMLWngVmB/s1600/Diane%252C+outside++Leon+Foto+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySeP49-uxpYQljSd0baDUNcmgpSl8Z5NaaZyILznGdbO-_Y8_mZKeSngcE5zGoploQ_UfeKRIEkrIjnE9BVgLA5TqIII6Qfr9xfC3K-3_CItpFuRRi6eXHaS2OGjMFzvmK9AKMLWngVmB/s1600/Diane%252C+outside++Leon+Foto+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane on the road, outside of Leon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 15 (Tuesday, 5-13-14)): Villar de Mazarife to Hospital de Orbigo</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday I received an email from Lance Horn with the comment "Hopefully, you left Leon before the shooting there today. The Head of Leon Province, Ms. Isabel Carrasco, was shot dead on a bridge crossing the River Bernesga by another woman." The answer is yes, we had left León and walked the 15 km to Villar de Mazarife.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As far as today, we have covered another 16 km and made it to the small town of Hospital de Orbigo and will be spending the night in the <i>Albergue San Miguel</i>. The road has been similar to yesterday, only dusty. The fields were a full raw sienna color, while yesterday they were a deep burnt sienna with green crops in between the fields and lots of wild flowers. No flowers today, only lots of frogs. Is it mating season for frogs? Very noisy and exuberant.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We stopped for coffee at <i>St. Lucia Albergue</i> in a sleepy town called Villavante before getting to Hospital de Orbigo.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Once we got to the <i>Albergue San Miguel</i> in Hospital de Orbigo at about 1:30 pm, we went through the normal routine; shower, wash clothes (I wash clothes in the shower, others go to the sinks), then hang the wet stuff on the provided clothes lines. Some folks carry clothespins, but my bread wrapper clips work just as well and take a lot less space and weight. Then we usually have drink or a nap. Last night was a full moon and two of us didn´t sleep very well as the moon shone in our window. So if we don´t take a nap today, we might sleep well tonight. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am looking forward to Astorga tomorrow (about another 18 km), as there is a Gaudi Cathedral and hotel and maybe other interesting buildings. Then we have to make a decision. My current traveling companions need to get to Santiago by May 28, I have more time, and so we may split up if they have to take the bus or train. If I can move fast enough I may go to Madrid for a day to go to the Prada, but mostly I am not planning just one day at a time. Waiting for enlightenment.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There is a webcam here at this albergue so I can try to Skype my mother later.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We passed a restaurant in Hospital de Orbigo, with the name of "Los Angeles," I thought that was funny. See attached photo. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">By the way, the bridge over the River Orbigo (see attached 2 photos) coming into Hospital de Orbigo is the subject of a great romantic legend about a knight who defended it. Some say it is the point of departure for the whole Don Quixote story.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I've forgotten so many things I wanted to write more about. The <i>Albergue San Miguel </i>has paints and paper for artists to express themselves. My two current traveling buddies are trying to get me to paint something, but I have performance shyness. We wiil see, maybe after the vino tinto.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I had 24 minutes on this rental computer when I started this missive and am now down to 8 minute. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So before I end this email, here are some random thoughts I've had on this journey...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I think anyone who walks the Camino has to expect something to hurt some of the time. So far I am doing ok with the boots and the duct tape.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The walking poles I bought are fabulous. They have shock absorption, so when I am walking on pavement it is better. But mostly what they are doing is they are making me walk level, so that I don´t favor the sore leg and cause the other one to get hurt as well. At David´s advice I bought the rubber tips for the points, so they don´t go "click-click-click" when I walk. It is a very annoying sound.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I enjoy walking alone. Expecting to have lofty thoughts and deep conversations with myself, but mostly I just put one foot in front of the other. I am writing a paper, a definitive lists for walking the Camino. There are lots of lists but without the logic, I would have appreciated someone´s experience with poles, towels, shampoo, toilet paper, etc. So I think I will make a spread sheet with the list and then make the Excel file downloadable from my website. I couldn´t stop thinking about this idea. Maybe I could even make a YouTube video about how to use walking poles that could be useful for some.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If what they say about using opposite arms and legs to improve your brain is true, I´ll be really, really smart when I get back. The walking poles make that movement very defined. If it is true, and it creates new dendrites into he brain, why don´t they prescribe the Camino for Alzheimer’s patients? I think it would be a great experiment for someone. I don´t know who to write, so if you think of someone, let me know. I also wonder if using the walking poles is helping my triceps. Wow, almost out of time and I just keep typing. No wonder I spend so much time on the computer, it is amazing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Buen Camino. xo Diane (3 photos attached)</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7ZfICathgbWakU2OmxO8MRrljUShJkZ1thuGD8ZbG6yst7JewQnkk0ZfoNG0Vm4p6_azcNhGF-mkWVwuifAQlYAGDiYw-cMl3_A0-8AaP5KWtxwP-Kyi8tQqWPQF-RltIkVG-vI1afmh/s1600/Dinner+at+Los+Angeles+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7ZfICathgbWakU2OmxO8MRrljUShJkZ1thuGD8ZbG6yst7JewQnkk0ZfoNG0Vm4p6_azcNhGF-mkWVwuifAQlYAGDiYw-cMl3_A0-8AaP5KWtxwP-Kyi8tQqWPQF-RltIkVG-vI1afmh/s1600/Dinner+at+Los+Angeles+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Restaurant in Hospital de Orbigo, with the name of "Los Angeles," I thought that was funny.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZBB9A3j2wB-GP9SHk6nrNnxO7rBFmR0NErXAlneyUe1fTA3Z9LnkqK-Ph5EWSsPii0gkChomZ-N2H6ATD9H8ZxQ7H3J62PxrFGa_Se060lse04SGn6UjXeGnjm9yt5RrxdoCuQJylTYT/s1600/Bridge+over+Rio+Orbigo-2photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZBB9A3j2wB-GP9SHk6nrNnxO7rBFmR0NErXAlneyUe1fTA3Z9LnkqK-Ph5EWSsPii0gkChomZ-N2H6ATD9H8ZxQ7H3J62PxrFGa_Se060lse04SGn6UjXeGnjm9yt5RrxdoCuQJylTYT/s1600/Bridge+over+Rio+Orbigo-2photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Bridge over the River Orbigo coming into Hospital de Orbigo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZRV-0dPOulX2GhsU-HQE-fhxTj1GcQaP58gPzpLCj22sVYSh1dDkepIPJn2o_eAg-dECEvdtmQyMGSgwkeA__2hOwF3yL-ZIabZGphhU1LmeTGuOlt9TJVN-Ed-8OKxTMxIIk1NxtIsu/s1600/Bridge+over+Rio+Orbigo+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZRV-0dPOulX2GhsU-HQE-fhxTj1GcQaP58gPzpLCj22sVYSh1dDkepIPJn2o_eAg-dECEvdtmQyMGSgwkeA__2hOwF3yL-ZIabZGphhU1LmeTGuOlt9TJVN-Ed-8OKxTMxIIk1NxtIsu/s1600/Bridge+over+Rio+Orbigo+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Another view of the Bridge over the River Orbigo coming into Hospital de Orbigo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 16 (5-14-14): Hospital de Órbigo to Astorga</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Written, Wednesday evening (Day 16), about 7:00 pm (Spain time), 5-14-14...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I started walking really early this morning, leaving Hospital de Órbigo for Astorga, it was 30°F and I had to wear my gloves. The road was gentle rolling hills, there was no place to stop along the way for fresh water, so I drink all of the water I was carrying. Because there were no places to stop for food, café or water, I had to do the bushes thing for the first time (see attached cartoon which I took a photo of with my iPhone when I finally got to Astorga).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But all along the way I could see the mountains in the background and before long I was in Astorga. Astorga is a very pretty Spanish town with a Gaudi Cathedral. I went inside and it was very interesting. I also went to the regular cathedral; it was pretty boring in comparison. Also attached are two photos of the Gaudi Cathedral, one with yours truly.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The road tomorrow starts the long haul; gradually climbing to the highest point of the trip, the Iron Cross (La Cruz de Ferro), which is 1,505 meters or about 5,000 feet. At the Iron Cross, you leave a stone for everything you don't want to take with you, physically and metaphorically.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My two German schoolgirls are leaving me tomorrow so I'll be on my own which is okay; on the Camino you meet many people and make many friends, even if temporary. We are having a Pilgrim dinner tonight for €11 including wine. See last attached photo. What a deal! Today a beer cost more than a glass of fine wine. Also attached is a photo of where we are having our outdoors Pilgrim dinner.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMtu1W2CF9kWV-IgiGKn3-GGcyZ6lcjS0YCWJETvBFHPkqWEMTljgp33f6vTpI3eiy95tITJD1h4fgb4lKTxm3Xp0RezXMn3PYvaLXDlwU5Jlpiu-96baVTsFnR9oWYLODBsWHOC0VdDI/s1600/cartoon+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMtu1W2CF9kWV-IgiGKn3-GGcyZ6lcjS0YCWJETvBFHPkqWEMTljgp33f6vTpI3eiy95tITJD1h4fgb4lKTxm3Xp0RezXMn3PYvaLXDlwU5Jlpiu-96baVTsFnR9oWYLODBsWHOC0VdDI/s1600/cartoon+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above : Cartoon...in the bushes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbDOSJhv2GEAQLquqLTmN0kj_DojubFpKBEI9LTOmtMSMGLI3AIVHl85TXeIqXvYxPxqrOuqBlmdLBLG4-7wz4MglsIppFRBInL6Tf1hVqkGYd1x-_LF2utLW2ES21vt8J-0gkGdo155s/s1600/Diane+at+cathredal+photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbDOSJhv2GEAQLquqLTmN0kj_DojubFpKBEI9LTOmtMSMGLI3AIVHl85TXeIqXvYxPxqrOuqBlmdLBLG4-7wz4MglsIppFRBInL6Tf1hVqkGYd1x-_LF2utLW2ES21vt8J-0gkGdo155s/s1600/Diane+at+cathredal+photo+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane and the Gaudi Cathedral.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFErITasKfahxhg_N90RHsQjuamqMwIqHyrQcSuM6hVvm75E4MwLd8455mFYMiE4yUIiB3JIv4sPkEmH_HcQqjEdslxRG_XA10EK0yM4NsBi1zlLkLgRmDsN4hhU-rGPdQji9lbNOeJ1K/s1600/Cathredal+photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFErITasKfahxhg_N90RHsQjuamqMwIqHyrQcSuM6hVvm75E4MwLd8455mFYMiE4yUIiB3JIv4sPkEmH_HcQqjEdslxRG_XA10EK0yM4NsBi1zlLkLgRmDsN4hhU-rGPdQji9lbNOeJ1K/s1600/Cathredal+photo+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Gaudi Cathedral.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57tmu2USeL0tf-8NrxXkCdINLFI23NigY_THAt2RHV7O813Va54SQebH-eigORMnuRDNqg37oKlZrzs8MEbdcfs26-YVn9_w_Zaujf2zoUXPAbaUAClViT3-VrczFE_itI8YRjKJcEMS_/s1600/Dinner+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57tmu2USeL0tf-8NrxXkCdINLFI23NigY_THAt2RHV7O813Va54SQebH-eigORMnuRDNqg37oKlZrzs8MEbdcfs26-YVn9_w_Zaujf2zoUXPAbaUAClViT3-VrczFE_itI8YRjKJcEMS_/s1600/Dinner+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Where we had our Pilgrim dinner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 17 (Thursday, 5-15-14)): Astorga to Rabanal del Camino</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Written, Thursday evening (Day 17), about 2:00 pm (Spain time), 5-15-14...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today I walked from Astorga to Rabanal del Camino, a distance of about 21 km, or 13 miles. I will be staying tonight in the <i>Hostal El Refugio</i>, which is on the northern part of the town.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As I mentioned yesterday, the trail is now a gradual climbing to the highest point of the trip, the Iron Cross (La Cruz de Ferro). Once a pilgrim reaches the Iron Cross, it is a tradition leave a stone at the cross, and that stone represents everything you don't want to take with you, physically and metaphorically. For those of you who have seen the movie (The Way), remember when Captain Henri gave the stone to Martin Sheen in St. Jean Pied de Port, Henri said "La Cruz de Ferro is a place of much significance." That cross and tradition is a big deal on the Camino and I am excited…I have my stone. I will reach La Cruz de Ferro (Iron Cross) tomorrow, a short walk of about 8 km (5 miles).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I won't have Wi-Fi at the albergue tonight to write a summary of the rest of my day but I'd like to attached a few photos that I made on my walk this morning.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(1) The first two photos should be of my breakfast this morning about 10 km or 6 miles out of Astorga. As you may be able to see, I had a sandwich for breakfast (and had enough left over for lunch). I had a glass of red wine with the sandwich, the wine was 2 euros. Vino de Esta Casa. The wine was from this part of Spain, El Bierzo, and a respected wine region.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(2) The next four photos are some scenery shots I made further down the road in a small town called El Ganso. Lots of stonewalls in various states of crumble, the Cowboy bar, the church, crosses and memorials on the stonewalls next to old buildings with thatched roofs.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(3) The last photo should be a photo of the room where I am staying tonight. :o)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">That's it for now, will write tomorrow or later when I have Wi-Fi.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__xmObfDjHEykzy9b3cematv6bR8sjCAXsTfi4BdK6xWFS4BpRxjZ871pxpCXuGs_8h6Cgb98QtG4dSYFQJpeo-f_5SauTkYgVI3hEgJm3_4JLhGJMStQweq8Og-aTooWw7NCfwxQ-qyo/s1600/Breakfast+photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__xmObfDjHEykzy9b3cematv6bR8sjCAXsTfi4BdK6xWFS4BpRxjZ871pxpCXuGs_8h6Cgb98QtG4dSYFQJpeo-f_5SauTkYgVI3hEgJm3_4JLhGJMStQweq8Og-aTooWw7NCfwxQ-qyo/s1600/Breakfast+photo+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Where I had breakfast this morning, about 10 km or 6 miles out of Astoria.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNDC0EtWbEefxL1fJ6kRyaFccfyCPfIw7vrphw8p6EW3WOnhrUZutQQE4yvqsl9rtuZtnegHQ9UdbqQKI5tBq_8llrVTI24EqClPAABzv8XiEqHDzQoGW_BZA5hmHmKA6QWdPzBtMlzGL/s1600/Breakfast+photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNDC0EtWbEefxL1fJ6kRyaFccfyCPfIw7vrphw8p6EW3WOnhrUZutQQE4yvqsl9rtuZtnegHQ9UdbqQKI5tBq_8llrVTI24EqClPAABzv8XiEqHDzQoGW_BZA5hmHmKA6QWdPzBtMlzGL/s1600/Breakfast+photo+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: My breakfast.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxTsLIDmZ4H9HcLPE_M3yNCo4LI1YJcD9FXmWuIAibmojYosL2eQAlvxXMXtEHhGJuGGhc6bHmHy2g_XgzIa3OdHUVRhPe5hUBpE-ImhlFjaXZa6gw4QxkVGuVi8IQdI1Umz82St55Rpf/s1600/Scenery+photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxTsLIDmZ4H9HcLPE_M3yNCo4LI1YJcD9FXmWuIAibmojYosL2eQAlvxXMXtEHhGJuGGhc6bHmHy2g_XgzIa3OdHUVRhPe5hUBpE-ImhlFjaXZa6gw4QxkVGuVi8IQdI1Umz82St55Rpf/s1600/Scenery+photo+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scenery in El Ganso.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzI7MWDmqlAnFNwJrJJd5uB36ydeKmCJO03T-tPk6frhSojZZZOg8Dnp15RCFCX42nHEhYfGYK6POjPsQokKuo63d3JdeeE1eGnEPQgpZZtRM_a9n7a-E871vb-bXy3FKrkapgWmTEluRL/s1600/Scenery+photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzI7MWDmqlAnFNwJrJJd5uB36ydeKmCJO03T-tPk6frhSojZZZOg8Dnp15RCFCX42nHEhYfGYK6POjPsQokKuo63d3JdeeE1eGnEPQgpZZtRM_a9n7a-E871vb-bXy3FKrkapgWmTEluRL/s1600/Scenery+photo+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scenery in El Ganso.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVy6z_NnHwAX2jge6fHiBrlBmjZr1vPIxtTQBVrXpPVQJUHIMiVdPxUnQVuawv1L8RhSD9j5PMo6egUYa5ZDhkqVQpH9lHi6qaT1UZLPbzd7DmRlqe7LVpUhEH9HnycArF9X9YUSXcNi_H/s1600/Scenery+photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVy6z_NnHwAX2jge6fHiBrlBmjZr1vPIxtTQBVrXpPVQJUHIMiVdPxUnQVuawv1L8RhSD9j5PMo6egUYa5ZDhkqVQpH9lHi6qaT1UZLPbzd7DmRlqe7LVpUhEH9HnycArF9X9YUSXcNi_H/s1600/Scenery+photo+3.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scenery in El Ganso.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPMpFJLFveWI2YS9PqHqfjBQoh7qAFDHcvDRgV2gYtMVFt_I4R1B7tgMmioQ0AmplV90ZPzV8OmsnNx22Oh5s8y-JNIVI7irhDYyPw0S-IqptseOJSQBRIgKov1vVtlQGkVpG3OFjHTZa/s1600/Scenery+photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPMpFJLFveWI2YS9PqHqfjBQoh7qAFDHcvDRgV2gYtMVFt_I4R1B7tgMmioQ0AmplV90ZPzV8OmsnNx22Oh5s8y-JNIVI7irhDYyPw0S-IqptseOJSQBRIgKov1vVtlQGkVpG3OFjHTZa/s1600/Scenery+photo+4.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scenery in El Ganso.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG82hn-ke3wY_62ZGw1b0p9nXmntWk4Y4hWiR7WaXu3mx1G7QUXZarO1LZC0S32d0hC-0X4TuxdEZdGfnpvyHQlA92s8hjQM39HjSBsO3iLN1zgCMSlD1ZDjQC5zy_QDaF8biL5I98aIhN/s1600/Diane%2527s+room-photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG82hn-ke3wY_62ZGw1b0p9nXmntWk4Y4hWiR7WaXu3mx1G7QUXZarO1LZC0S32d0hC-0X4TuxdEZdGfnpvyHQlA92s8hjQM39HjSBsO3iLN1zgCMSlD1ZDjQC5zy_QDaF8biL5I98aIhN/s1600/Diane%2527s+room-photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: The room where I stayed the night. :o) </td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 18 (Friday, 5-16-14)); Rabanal del Camino to Molinaseca</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Written, Friday evening (Day 18), about 5:45 pm (Spain time), 5-16-14...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today I walked from Rabanal del Camino to Molinaseca, a distance of about 27.7 km, or 17 miles. I will be staying tonight in the <i>Albergue Santa Marina</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My injured leg is complaining, as is my right foot. Sometimes there are no choices, you just do what you have to do. I'm not sure what my walking plans are for the next couple of days. There is a big mountain coming up. They say, don't do it tired, ...we will see. Villafranca del Bierzo is 30 km., which is too far to go in one day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Attached is a photo I took as I was leaving Rabanal del Camino this morning. My shadow seems to go on forever and the full moon could still be seen in the West (although not in this photo).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was a rough walking day overall, but the climb to the Iron Cross (La Cruz de Ferro) was not hard, as the weather was cool and I was fresh. The flowers were abundant, so many small white ones they covered everything. Then the purple ones took over. La Cruz de Ferro turned out to be sort of a Peggy Lee moment for me, "Is that all there is?" Attached is a photo of me at the Iron Cross, with my new walking Norwegian friend Irvin. The Iron Cross was so tall that the top got cut off in this photo.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The rest of the day was rocky, mostly steep going up, and very steep going downhill. My feet took a beating and my arms are definitely stressed from using the walking sticks . Everyone else is complaining about his or her knees, but I used my walking sticks so much it is my arms that feel it the most. My feet are currently basking in the sun. I'm happy to be in flip-flops now and not in boots.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My room at the <i>Albergue Santa Marina</i> is only 6 bunk beds with 12 people, mostly men, so tonight may be noisy. The cost is 7 Euros for the room and 8 Euros for dinner, including wine. Attached is a photo of the albergue.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We didn't sightsee in town as it was siesta time and everything was closed, the Spanish have it right. I told my walking friend Irvin that we are pilgrims and not tourists, so we don't have to take a tour to sightsee. Plus we need to rest for the trail tomorrow.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I did laundry in a machine today. Wow, what a luxury. I will have clean towels and pants tomorrow. Everything is dried in the sun, not in a dryer. Some places have spinners for hand laundry.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am eating so differently. I had bread and jam for breakfast, plus a pear and a huge sandwich for lunch; mostly bread and just now the leftovers from last night. You guessed it, my leftovers was bread with some veal on it. So many carbs.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Also attached is a Google map created by a friend showing where I am today, and how far I have traveled since I started the Camino de Santiago in St. Jean Pied de Port in France last month on April 29th. Distance wise, I have covered about 72% of the total distance and am in Day 18 of my scheduled 33-day hiking journey.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49vqn2tTuvIgHXKsA9XpMsQzHp2JM7IPAuWVicBU5n1f0Pkc0WraSAeOsskmWd3O3PSNcmi_RA2s2uTvrCXIo98tJE1MpKatSVpUuT0B-9ONz3p5ED7aE1DpSvQGBsdaPvoqhRkgglnDn/s1600/Leaving+Rabanal+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49vqn2tTuvIgHXKsA9XpMsQzHp2JM7IPAuWVicBU5n1f0Pkc0WraSAeOsskmWd3O3PSNcmi_RA2s2uTvrCXIo98tJE1MpKatSVpUuT0B-9ONz3p5ED7aE1DpSvQGBsdaPvoqhRkgglnDn/s1600/Leaving+Rabanal+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Leaving Rabanal del Camino this morning. My shadow seems to go on forever.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRH9fMnQxxmGlBBjmlqRgW0MiT8XROcPp5kHhvoEK8bRDcFRb-mcF2znX-zfDkQvDNUshLnKndNu2fibbjt8P5L-XGiRyGq1vHhbrzUdpVfcAr0Gfm4xP1CpF7ZPVDmYm9L6R7eTDmjHs/s1600/Iron+Cross+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRH9fMnQxxmGlBBjmlqRgW0MiT8XROcPp5kHhvoEK8bRDcFRb-mcF2znX-zfDkQvDNUshLnKndNu2fibbjt8P5L-XGiRyGq1vHhbrzUdpVfcAr0Gfm4xP1CpF7ZPVDmYm9L6R7eTDmjHs/s1600/Iron+Cross+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane at La Cruz de Ferro (Iron Cross), with walking Norwegian friend Irvin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZ1cTk1snlScE_XAs-qMBofGD8IZ-VNxs6udaQehw5kVYeTpdunTQkEAhLMSL9V4AC3eymWzLH3s5u8ohosnfZSaKUqE16twLB7xCZDDSkhxfDkz9tVncxQFM-eN2Jsf6b0nE4Rg0O_v6/s1600/albergue+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZ1cTk1snlScE_XAs-qMBofGD8IZ-VNxs6udaQehw5kVYeTpdunTQkEAhLMSL9V4AC3eymWzLH3s5u8ohosnfZSaKUqE16twLB7xCZDDSkhxfDkz9tVncxQFM-eN2Jsf6b0nE4Rg0O_v6/s1600/albergue+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Albergue Santa Marina.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggot80RPoZzyw49GM6RB6vyqBzq1MerdUbEN0dDntz3GV2ZBy215uPaYpDzFLorQi0jULwrpoKy76s-ZMDwiiU2tPgTyVlq32tE9hI0VtFpiWa6cEqxV-WEZCcn8ZJ8JI1E3S40FwbgQVP/s1600/Diane+is+here+on+Day+18-Molinaseca-1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggot80RPoZzyw49GM6RB6vyqBzq1MerdUbEN0dDntz3GV2ZBy215uPaYpDzFLorQi0jULwrpoKy76s-ZMDwiiU2tPgTyVlq32tE9hI0VtFpiWa6cEqxV-WEZCcn8ZJ8JI1E3S40FwbgQVP/s1600/Diane+is+here+on+Day+18-Molinaseca-1200.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Google map showing the distance Diane has covered so far.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 19 (Saturday, 5-17-14)): Molinaseca to Cacabelos</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Written, Saturday evening (Day 19), about 4:50 pm (Spain time), 5-17-14...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today I walked from Molinaseca to Cacabelos, a distance of about 21 km, or 13 miles. I will be staying tonight in the <i>Hostal La Gallega</i> in Cacabelos.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Attached are a few photos from today.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(1) Medieval stone bridge going into Ponferrada, over the Río Boeza</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(2) Templum Libri (castle of the Templar Knights) in Ponferrada, a castle built in the early 13th century over what was once a pre-Roman fort</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(3) Chairs in the Cafe Godivah where I stopped, across the street from the Templum Libri</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(4) Vineyard on the way to Cacabelos</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(5) Stonewall in a Service Area going into Cacabelos. Stone age facebook wall? :o)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(6) Where I had lunch at the <i>Hotel Moncloa De San Lazaro</i>, in Cacabelos</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiQAySKicGkxOI2h-RB703lb04UT7Mum1DW8vMNcCgkP_1peCMTonwlPB_rPehZns1hVdqF_WljMg-nrhjdYbH68u_1w_7LSOd27IbtNrq83Xg2kiNxcKJA6_NoNGHIx8x6SI3LFwWb99/s1600/Bridge+photo+1-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiQAySKicGkxOI2h-RB703lb04UT7Mum1DW8vMNcCgkP_1peCMTonwlPB_rPehZns1hVdqF_WljMg-nrhjdYbH68u_1w_7LSOd27IbtNrq83Xg2kiNxcKJA6_NoNGHIx8x6SI3LFwWb99/s1600/Bridge+photo+1-1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Medieval stone bridge going into Ponferrada, over the Río Boeza.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJ4bwoRBrUu9Wp2dGZPMaOIb7okgO4g5f7GsNv281x4ZyB65_VQJWJKPQwST-mxWJzYjeZlWe4eIdZYYLrx338CTEk2j6HbgX073iyuB6JUG2VS52mTNYcTWXYtxgw1ETBTNYUNXVCFab/s1600/Libri+photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJ4bwoRBrUu9Wp2dGZPMaOIb7okgO4g5f7GsNv281x4ZyB65_VQJWJKPQwST-mxWJzYjeZlWe4eIdZYYLrx338CTEk2j6HbgX073iyuB6JUG2VS52mTNYcTWXYtxgw1ETBTNYUNXVCFab/s1600/Libri+photo+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Templum Libri (castle of the Templar Knights) in Ponferrada.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMDgK7QxX6CyW4Ys13TG8RWNs6t0xSyPqsxBy7udX_MNJWBB2V3eASRtxAK-YPr8dNsfCBULPy1QMslYqh92SZFm-rLJXGZJl7NuJWVbMYb0sEEdD3FtcpVWia1drybWoByHSR23OBtyg/s1600/Chairs+aphoto+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMDgK7QxX6CyW4Ys13TG8RWNs6t0xSyPqsxBy7udX_MNJWBB2V3eASRtxAK-YPr8dNsfCBULPy1QMslYqh92SZFm-rLJXGZJl7NuJWVbMYb0sEEdD3FtcpVWia1drybWoByHSR23OBtyg/s1600/Chairs+aphoto+3.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Chairs in the Cafe Godivah, across the street from the Templum Libri.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMQxs-NENZwUuaCKHPbGrbWHObWI9jCZsCJ4UTM2rmD8WYIS9aJLk7qlI_MqXsteM4uJ4crTbICRG9QuMpoTLWf7kGEeUqivMhaMi3rqrl75BWww1Y3i_tHJ4U02uKOoubY2jK4UtvYPm/s1600/vineyard+photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMQxs-NENZwUuaCKHPbGrbWHObWI9jCZsCJ4UTM2rmD8WYIS9aJLk7qlI_MqXsteM4uJ4crTbICRG9QuMpoTLWf7kGEeUqivMhaMi3rqrl75BWww1Y3i_tHJ4U02uKOoubY2jK4UtvYPm/s1600/vineyard+photo+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Vineyard on the way to Cacabelos.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjmnXP7xcZWNue9XhahZj6arAY1_cK2GL6fGlJkVMCnoJwpkKUnquY0CSV3qPczu1ghrxQ2dO0J7TRlQArOFkMhqH2Xc_TYxoGXUqvssjQf8sdEX4zf-AY9Rj6sHzg5lZZoPZvLpKggw8/s1600/stoneage+facebook+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjmnXP7xcZWNue9XhahZj6arAY1_cK2GL6fGlJkVMCnoJwpkKUnquY0CSV3qPczu1ghrxQ2dO0J7TRlQArOFkMhqH2Xc_TYxoGXUqvssjQf8sdEX4zf-AY9Rj6sHzg5lZZoPZvLpKggw8/s1600/stoneage+facebook+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Stonewall in a Service Area going into Cacabelos.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pcwskj7SQXipOV95OUkhr3hgFZR1TI-wYFTysPJbx5KsyRJ9HLCvwwC0exBv8g1INqKlacVA08OIi-oBx2HKMHaIwfCApS6izWnIKXwRjav2pEJDiu-P8xlfeNflnyGgDnoIbkGXd4qL/s1600/Diane+afte+lunch+photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pcwskj7SQXipOV95OUkhr3hgFZR1TI-wYFTysPJbx5KsyRJ9HLCvwwC0exBv8g1INqKlacVA08OIi-oBx2HKMHaIwfCApS6izWnIKXwRjav2pEJDiu-P8xlfeNflnyGgDnoIbkGXd4qL/s1600/Diane+afte+lunch+photo+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Where I had lunch at the Hotel Moncloa De San Lazaro, in Cacabelos.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 19 (5-17-14), a follow-up</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Written, Saturday evening (Day 19), about 10:12 pm (Spain time), 5-17-14...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is a follow-up to my previous email earlier today.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The place (<i>Hotel Moncloa De San Lazaro</i>, in Cacabelos) where I had lunch today was a great place, with cloth napkins even. It's a famous 13th-century old pilgrim hospital, converted now to an expensive parador.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As I mentioned in the earlier email, I saw beautiful huge Irises; yellow, wine colors and purple ones on my walk to Cacabelos. And there were roses in bloom everywhere, just amazing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I started the day feeling very down, "pity party" down. But I'm okay now.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After I checked into the <i>Hostal La Gallega</i> in Cacabelos, I went on a wine tour and then had dinner, I'm really tired now. The wine tasting episode was fun but the wine ( rosé) they served was kind of a bomb. I totally enjoyed the people and the experience; but now know I never want to have a rosé wine again. At the wine tasting I met a group from Madrid, I think I have some new friends as we had such a fun time (in spite of the rosé wine).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I was sitting in the local square today with my Norwegian friend, listening to the Spanish people having their fiesta, and was wondering if they will be quiet when I'm ready to go to bed.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow we start the climb that leads to the village of O’Cebreiro, the last of the big mountain climbs, Except for coming through the Pyrenees mountains out of St. Jean Pied de Port, this will be my steepest climb. O’Cebreiro is over 37 km from Cacabelos, so I won't make it there in one day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Nighty night all, Buen Camino. xo Diane</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">----------------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 20 (Sunday, 5-18-14): Cacabelos to Vega de Valcarce</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Written, Sunday evening (Day 20), about 7:30 pm (Spain time), 5-18-14...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The first photo attached is from last night (Saturday) at the wine lecture in Cacabelos that I attended. Note the 4 bear paws on the caskets, a trademark of the Cuatro Pasos wines. The rosé wine they recently started producing is called Cuatro Pasos Rosado.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today I walked from Cacabelos to Vega de Valcarce, a distance of about 26 km, or 16 miles.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I left Cacabelos at 7:20 am and 50F degrees. Nothing was open that early, fortunately I had an apple and a muesli bar for the two-hour hike to Villafranca del Bierzo, the trip was hilly through vineyards and was really beautiful. I stopped in Villafranca for a tortilla and coffee.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After there I missed the turn for the slightly longer, scenic route, which I have since learned, was badly marked. So I ended up on the road route which was all pavement and mostly sunny. It was AWFUL, mostly flat so the combo was really hard on my leg. I have been carefully duct taping my feet, but they got hot today.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The second attached photo is a white house on top of a hill above a lovely vineyard, I passed this place on my way to Villafranca del Bierzo and just decided to take the photo.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When I cruised/limped into Vega de Valcarce, my Norwegian friend was sitting at a bar so I checked into the Albergue Magdalena and joined her for a beer. The hostelier is from England, young and nice. He explained some things to us, like which places have bed bugs and how we have clean pillowcases tonight.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I acquired a blister on my big toe, which I tore open removing the duct tape, hopefully it will heal by am. Tomorrow is the steep climb to O 'Cebreiro. Only 167 km to go to Santiago de Compostela, or about 104 miles. No more highway pavement for a few days.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A German doctor told me about an over-the-counter pain reliever called Paracetamol. I bought 20 tabs for 0.67 Euros. If they work. I will throw all my clothes away and fill my suitcase with Paracetamol, and then I will have finished my Christmas shopping. :o)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We are going to dinner in the bar by the Albergue. Octopus (pulpa) is the big dish. Pretty tasty. I'm thinking tapas tonight.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The third attached photo is of the 16th century Castle of Villafranca.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWlpUjLXIFlIFHUszGqoRBRMIuBHKXq5GIYV3w8R9xRHR-LbOswPIWM_P1v18lzsp5sSRng7SNOTEmiGpi7xobEvAS6QVD02_biWNQ0Z6us179R5LlP-WnSt4bxGVWyNedgFy361J90qY/s1600/Diane+photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWlpUjLXIFlIFHUszGqoRBRMIuBHKXq5GIYV3w8R9xRHR-LbOswPIWM_P1v18lzsp5sSRng7SNOTEmiGpi7xobEvAS6QVD02_biWNQ0Z6us179R5LlP-WnSt4bxGVWyNedgFy361J90qY/s1600/Diane+photo+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: At the wine lecture in Cacabelos.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UuChIRSOTH-IQEOeOWTx06LwUYw8_dB3J5M9HydPb33H9Ty0q_aMdHHZosxkwEEpZmkhTJ3nyhsYNwkvieKcv2hsbPPc0bQAiXs-n3Ffv4COuFwytE1a1SLbtRoM055GCS-7qUazWXre/s1600/House+photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UuChIRSOTH-IQEOeOWTx06LwUYw8_dB3J5M9HydPb33H9Ty0q_aMdHHZosxkwEEpZmkhTJ3nyhsYNwkvieKcv2hsbPPc0bQAiXs-n3Ffv4COuFwytE1a1SLbtRoM055GCS-7qUazWXre/s1600/House+photo+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: A white house on top of a hill above a lovely vineyard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vsg2DTwvI6wYVU1bJPhvIJVSbVV8iodg4-RP3AiYegyVmPlsF5oXXB7fpGlh2Cx9iCBqOB6OSqj21nBdCTIT21b3MIWoy6W1P4cpBN3f3x-R1LsCc2qNinwKqDoPB4TKVUMa0oxj5kmm/s1600/Castle+photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vsg2DTwvI6wYVU1bJPhvIJVSbVV8iodg4-RP3AiYegyVmPlsF5oXXB7fpGlh2Cx9iCBqOB6OSqj21nBdCTIT21b3MIWoy6W1P4cpBN3f3x-R1LsCc2qNinwKqDoPB4TKVUMa0oxj5kmm/s1600/Castle+photo+3.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: 6th century Castle of Villafranca.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 21 (5-19-14): Vega de Valcarce to Fonfria</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Written, Monday afternoon (Day 21), about 3:30 pm (Spain time), 5-19-14...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">About the turn-off yesterday that I missed to a slightly longer but more scenic hike out of Villafranca del Bierzo to Trabadelo; several people told me they enjoyed the non-scenic roadway route because there was a river that sounded lovely all the way, and that is true, but I didn't enjoy it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today I walked from Vega de Valcarce to Fonfria, a distance of about 24.5 km, or 15 miles. And I am staying at the <i>Albergue A Reboleira</i> in Fonfria. This albergue has 70 beds; not all in one room, but a lot in the room where I am. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The first attached photo is of a hedgehog, I've never seen a hedgehog before, and I was amused. Since a black cat is bad luck, I wonder if a hedgehog is good luck? I passed this guy about 4 km after I left Vega de Valcarce this morning, a little past a village called Las Herrerias.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Once we reached the town of O Cebreiro we climbed even higher on the trail. Some people take the road to avoid the really steep up-hill climb. I think I have climbed ladders that weren't as steep as some of the trail. Particularly, the last climb to Alto de Poio, which is another 8+ km beyond O Cebreiro. I am tired and I am proud.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I met mostly Brazilians today, funny eh? As I mentioned earlier, I am staying in Fonfria, which is billed as a typical Galician village. I think that means farm town.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The forecast for today was for rain, but it didn't rain and the views were great. I feel less cheated since I didn't get to see any views when I crossed over the Pyrenees Mountains.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Oh, flowers, all small today. Maybe even some edelweiss as I went over the mountain, so I sang songs from "The Sound of Music" as I walked.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I just finished dinner and it is snowing here. There were two Asian ladies at dinner that have never seen snow. It is so fun and cold.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Photos from today are as follows:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(1) Hedgehog, after leaving Vega de Valcarce</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(2) Diane at a border marker crossing the border of Castilla y Leon and entering into Galicia. Galicia is an autonomous community in northwest Spain.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(3) Diane on the peak at O Cebreiro, but I did go a little higher than O Cebreiro (to Alto de Poio, another 65 km in elevation).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(4) Scenery of Galicia area</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(5) Church of Santa Maria la Real Cebreiro, aka The Church of St. Mary (O Cebreiro). This church sits on top of the Cebreiro Pass as you go into Galicia, the Eucharistic miracle of O Cebreiro was performed here This miracle may not be as well known as the miracle of the rooster and the hen in Santo Domingo de la Calzada, but it is a big deal in this area.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(6) Made at Cebreiro also</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(7) Also attached is a chart showing the elevations that I have hiked. As you can see, O Cebreiro is not the highest climb I've had, but it has been the steepest climb (elevation change vs. distance traveled) since I came through the Pyrenees Mountains (St. Jean Pied de Port to Col de Lepoeder).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(8) Also attached is a map showing Galicia, as part of Spain.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iL0-8hvD49SvG_L5ln-dcPKPSXtw5xI9GYkmUDlBUkN6JvYWTxhiO3K-9OTAGyOjyZ9MVAO4F-d9aBHRqyNMZ47WIZWIjNcGKqux89rAO0S_LhRExFc4AXVUjHt2HgBHlLc-pNSfZmeZ/s1600/Hedgehog+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iL0-8hvD49SvG_L5ln-dcPKPSXtw5xI9GYkmUDlBUkN6JvYWTxhiO3K-9OTAGyOjyZ9MVAO4F-d9aBHRqyNMZ47WIZWIjNcGKqux89rAO0S_LhRExFc4AXVUjHt2HgBHlLc-pNSfZmeZ/s1600/Hedgehog+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Hedgehog, after leaving Vega de Valcarce.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kOZSD7dmElfCGCVV8-yNbgT4EszYpyAFRwWECd_nURjSgB-V6DPZp0eds65QffKPbSdbJg_IvMbvqYFn9gimrr_qRYuiSvvOQ7NOjMzRMsY_EAzJweO2AB3kZYh0Uyk2vzvkQe2CMHhj/s1600/Diane+%2540+Galicia+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kOZSD7dmElfCGCVV8-yNbgT4EszYpyAFRwWECd_nURjSgB-V6DPZp0eds65QffKPbSdbJg_IvMbvqYFn9gimrr_qRYuiSvvOQ7NOjMzRMsY_EAzJweO2AB3kZYh0Uyk2vzvkQe2CMHhj/s1600/Diane+%2540+Galicia+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane at a border marker crossing the border of Castilla y Leon and entering into Galicia.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKO_Q-p8qVb68i_LigoBli3cx0Ar8eyOO29nXo80VVNZhcW0eDIDZNHt6uuqyOe_6cf3Ght5a6AXyBvGLas3_Rj6njxLtnKm6GaXl6gJmTWLX237Dz4gSkAel1VPHynlBfiYavO4OEaoID/s1600/Diane+%2540+O+%2527Cebreiro+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKO_Q-p8qVb68i_LigoBli3cx0Ar8eyOO29nXo80VVNZhcW0eDIDZNHt6uuqyOe_6cf3Ght5a6AXyBvGLas3_Rj6njxLtnKm6GaXl6gJmTWLX237Dz4gSkAel1VPHynlBfiYavO4OEaoID/s1600/Diane+%2540+O+%2527Cebreiro+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane on the peak at O Cebreiro.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWbWSa1d89kOiAbDsxduaocJHGFcWZbevHl11dCDuU03uic18tZftNHh4zbr0vIr7oCxYOJB38p4LuC1ceBPgVfdOsmFvzX4DVn_Qc6RcFy25s7l2R4PahFTGN4T3hV-tzEePKHyYzaxV/s1600/View+of+Galicia+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWbWSa1d89kOiAbDsxduaocJHGFcWZbevHl11dCDuU03uic18tZftNHh4zbr0vIr7oCxYOJB38p4LuC1ceBPgVfdOsmFvzX4DVn_Qc6RcFy25s7l2R4PahFTGN4T3hV-tzEePKHyYzaxV/s1600/View+of+Galicia+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scenery of Galicia area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6RtpJ2MO-bEL9kGzZX-j6Y0Ud4f2xr7liHkICVwy50MRH0yldC_v-fxDoVe2W7qkLbp2lmFikxPzRwJOoulEuP7Y4Wjk3O8Q4E3E1ZhJmTUDkbc-xY0GFiSRePKI9sVmKqvuzHK9cMEw/s1600/Church+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6RtpJ2MO-bEL9kGzZX-j6Y0Ud4f2xr7liHkICVwy50MRH0yldC_v-fxDoVe2W7qkLbp2lmFikxPzRwJOoulEuP7Y4Wjk3O8Q4E3E1ZhJmTUDkbc-xY0GFiSRePKI9sVmKqvuzHK9cMEw/s1600/Church+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Church of Santa Maria la Real Cebreiro, aka The Church of St. Mary (O Cebreiro).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjmmwTa9x-EfDS8k8664ZkbGw1VcXhVz3Po1sJyq9j0MvWiv3MN0jySpF796MT8kWa2pKQDf6tXxMvwCUbmsswuxJC5eQw_gfWzO_BFcbrNU0X13okwT3VgfQJBCmJM4x8o_APn9p7wfu/s1600/Diane+with+piligrim+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjmmwTa9x-EfDS8k8664ZkbGw1VcXhVz3Po1sJyq9j0MvWiv3MN0jySpF796MT8kWa2pKQDf6tXxMvwCUbmsswuxJC5eQw_gfWzO_BFcbrNU0X13okwT3VgfQJBCmJM4x8o_APn9p7wfu/s1600/Diane+with+piligrim+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane at O Cebreiro.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3iP8oXrqJaID7WVU46y2sRlk6iscGXiQ8ax_DNyJ0ew80R9OIl7tC9NsBrduKzdfvNnUF63tiXkvvbmZDC09ZL2MFQ8B6dTmy5uE6hnT97lrNf824I79MR33-8Kw-Ip97LdDUCwJg_Yi/s1600/Climb+rates3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="760" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3iP8oXrqJaID7WVU46y2sRlk6iscGXiQ8ax_DNyJ0ew80R9OIl7tC9NsBrduKzdfvNnUF63tiXkvvbmZDC09ZL2MFQ8B6dTmy5uE6hnT97lrNf824I79MR33-8Kw-Ip97LdDUCwJg_Yi/s1600/Climb+rates3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: chart showing the elevations that I have hiked.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzIAws7Hsk03fqaFi3ns7xsoGAANsN8SUUTmm7YRWL-s1P9xSNtwndP_LSTMrF8_2ladbyDwdxpw-_l6h3XCA_8bW0zOdswPBNhwKNwuM7fXSQUU7QWJIAXAeRbdqGZX5W0G4tkj3dOOx/s1600/mapGaliciaSmall.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="581" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzIAws7Hsk03fqaFi3ns7xsoGAANsN8SUUTmm7YRWL-s1P9xSNtwndP_LSTMrF8_2ladbyDwdxpw-_l6h3XCA_8bW0zOdswPBNhwKNwuM7fXSQUU7QWJIAXAeRbdqGZX5W0G4tkj3dOOx/s1600/mapGaliciaSmall.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: map showing Galicia, as part of Spain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 22 (Tuesday, 5-20-14)): Fonfria to Sarria</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Written, Tuesday afternoon (Day 22), about 6:30 pm (Spain time), 5-20-14...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today I walked from Fonfria to Samos and then took a taxi to Sarria, a distance of about 32.7 km, or 20.3 miles. And I am staying tonight at the <i>Albergue Oasis</i> in Sarria.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We started this morning at 7:30, fresh as they say; with snow still on the trail where the sun hadn't hit. We started our mostly downhill climb to the town Triacastela, which is named after three castles that once protected the town. The walk was mostly on wooded trails with stunning views.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When we reached Triacastela, we had a choice to make as there are two trails that go to Sarria. The shorter trail goes through San Xil with supposedly a spectacular view from the top of a ridge. We opted to take the longer way, thinking we might stay at the Monastery at Samos. The refuge at the monastery had 100 beds in one room, which we didn't like, so we didn't stay there.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We were later sitting in a nice Samos bar run by a mother and daughter, it was raining and the forecast was for more rain; so we decided to take a taxi into Sarria, where it was pouring also. We checked into the <i>Albergue Oasis</i> at Sarria, it wasn't charming but it was clean and dry.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A quick adventure later into town resulted in us getting even more soaked. More and more drenched peregrinos were coming into town from Samos, one man said the walk was 3.5 hours. Too much for my injured leg even in dry weather.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We walked almost 19 km today, from Fonfria to Samos, before we decided to take the taxi on to Sarria. Right now I'm having a cup of teas waiting for a warm shower, then later a pilgrim dinner. When you only have two changes of clothing and you get wet, it's hard to have something dry to wear.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Attached are some photos from today and one from last night.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(1) My Norwegian friend and I in Fonfria, Monday night at dinner</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(2) Three scenery scenes from Triacastela</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(3) Yours truly, hugging a chestnut tree that is said to be 800 years old, in Triacastela</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(4) Four scenery scenes from Samos, including one distant shot of the Monastery</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71PvW51bEtsKdD93vM8brbPG9JcOudVJnEf68rEgH-EUBLoWY1G4sbJh_IsUUPYWT-0HUKFm3bYzYudlw24gv8TvsIEcdolcFC435mmIw-mtzxdCZ2YpAGjNvK6tJ1NXas4LdqEXMiA3l/s1600/Norwegian+friend+photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71PvW51bEtsKdD93vM8brbPG9JcOudVJnEf68rEgH-EUBLoWY1G4sbJh_IsUUPYWT-0HUKFm3bYzYudlw24gv8TvsIEcdolcFC435mmIw-mtzxdCZ2YpAGjNvK6tJ1NXas4LdqEXMiA3l/s1600/Norwegian+friend+photo+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: My Norwegian friend and I in Fonfria, Monday night at dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetFvGAR9eDcI8yDZRVjnlrA9_C-OvHSM2yzpoenhs0l3bOG6aHvS-UsLRdS7xms2n3lli_wQdn2gAxj2q6lTdbPL37qVIoxHUhGTzFWIYT-9XNiJaaX_eXpM6GZgu5qv7x4mrXU2YV7x1/s1600/Scenery+photo+2-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetFvGAR9eDcI8yDZRVjnlrA9_C-OvHSM2yzpoenhs0l3bOG6aHvS-UsLRdS7xms2n3lli_wQdn2gAxj2q6lTdbPL37qVIoxHUhGTzFWIYT-9XNiJaaX_eXpM6GZgu5qv7x4mrXU2YV7x1/s1600/Scenery+photo+2-1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scenery scene from Triacastela.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPXkVQJFHCfcbAdhDeioyPE_C1ocY7GqTEl47IYDegevKApKVw8s2dWN7tF4qVSn11s0vQSR8oNqUhn9q91rbu9uecomBqtNpuGj-QRP_LNIppRcgeWEdaFQVW_V_J28eTkANsI-l5JgY/s1600/Scenery+photo+3-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPXkVQJFHCfcbAdhDeioyPE_C1ocY7GqTEl47IYDegevKApKVw8s2dWN7tF4qVSn11s0vQSR8oNqUhn9q91rbu9uecomBqtNpuGj-QRP_LNIppRcgeWEdaFQVW_V_J28eTkANsI-l5JgY/s1600/Scenery+photo+3-1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scenery scene from Triacastela.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-eZNNXwBROY03HbQE5bwExHq6be-1wHpXbY4VNT8TJGTa-Kun2RL66d_HU9P9lLRzIrVbGOr1RyNZfHhqgxOZCm6VLcIQyxr49b3F2K4Z20qFz-unt4cVF_XSwOY5T-UcxsrBVP05zp9i/s1600/Scenery+photo+4-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-eZNNXwBROY03HbQE5bwExHq6be-1wHpXbY4VNT8TJGTa-Kun2RL66d_HU9P9lLRzIrVbGOr1RyNZfHhqgxOZCm6VLcIQyxr49b3F2K4Z20qFz-unt4cVF_XSwOY5T-UcxsrBVP05zp9i/s1600/Scenery+photo+4-1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scenery scene from Triacastela.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLQiOk_wDfImL0bG3dveYi3WUuKgkyfEFygYSxIbUhcN09ULVrIvXNLT6OV5GTNQSnMnlHzkeE5pIOV559v3tWVy6MU43CRCrPjOe5MUDgLUMTZ46pXK8w_d8ImY-zZ3U7G_XYZLTLfP-/s1600/Tree+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLQiOk_wDfImL0bG3dveYi3WUuKgkyfEFygYSxIbUhcN09ULVrIvXNLT6OV5GTNQSnMnlHzkeE5pIOV559v3tWVy6MU43CRCrPjOe5MUDgLUMTZ46pXK8w_d8ImY-zZ3U7G_XYZLTLfP-/s1600/Tree+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane hugging a chestnut tree that is said to be 800 years old, in Triacastela.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMOat6XlKms4ZNM8oEXfsS9fqeqGRS8nXwGEh80HyZpmzAbOOBtpOsh4T3oO2gkDdsARMEpSJnI2Y-tPTFs9huj1ox0Xa9BNqy7ntXbOeuZ4Ms56HKKNibZDgbuCsgjSot_MIOKHQiGkr/s1600/View+photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMOat6XlKms4ZNM8oEXfsS9fqeqGRS8nXwGEh80HyZpmzAbOOBtpOsh4T3oO2gkDdsARMEpSJnI2Y-tPTFs9huj1ox0Xa9BNqy7ntXbOeuZ4Ms56HKKNibZDgbuCsgjSot_MIOKHQiGkr/s1600/View+photo+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scenery scenes from Samos.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbm5ambAwSHstCOtiHq-rdIYPJXqXsFV-aUvJXlmH7QRRbgxfk-b2tBzwFFjWLxsEoEh_NCOGi1mkze3IWs9xAYNZBgkPNA3mIANzWZMtYn98qwn4UpqScgtl3Z6uKJmF7BmKxVBKxjx2/s1600/View+photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbm5ambAwSHstCOtiHq-rdIYPJXqXsFV-aUvJXlmH7QRRbgxfk-b2tBzwFFjWLxsEoEh_NCOGi1mkze3IWs9xAYNZBgkPNA3mIANzWZMtYn98qwn4UpqScgtl3Z6uKJmF7BmKxVBKxjx2/s1600/View+photo+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scenery scenes from Samos.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWb2MEl4ogzUMcu8YuOSemv5QVFeU_Igxh-o1ZSrfQwnVPAts7BPTFu6dKtPf76Aj86A9I_uwc0NRc8BfYgXXd1palCYGcrKLZLODxSgTJN8twGTabm-UlZ2OjcwBaQ7HSa0IhyZ2F4MNo/s1600/View+photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWb2MEl4ogzUMcu8YuOSemv5QVFeU_Igxh-o1ZSrfQwnVPAts7BPTFu6dKtPf76Aj86A9I_uwc0NRc8BfYgXXd1palCYGcrKLZLODxSgTJN8twGTabm-UlZ2OjcwBaQ7HSa0IhyZ2F4MNo/s1600/View+photo+3.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scenery scenes from Samos.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSRA7_K8D_zd3h2YOlw4AwBuHAhUWYTTJX5-R7zfu7V-5jTcwIxsx47M7EgUlhQRLtliaxgjD47zkwCmHM2rz0LBsuCqG5D_PBfjTF5s40btLhcyfPOpF5fyB81o3o3uUkmpUqJyhVgm-/s1600/View+photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSRA7_K8D_zd3h2YOlw4AwBuHAhUWYTTJX5-R7zfu7V-5jTcwIxsx47M7EgUlhQRLtliaxgjD47zkwCmHM2rz0LBsuCqG5D_PBfjTF5s40btLhcyfPOpF5fyB81o3o3uUkmpUqJyhVgm-/s1600/View+photo+4.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scenery scenes from Samos.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKi64ghJoYC49oeDt9Rgo7ApnruR53IpQF-GvWCy840sdlR93kmfdJ4rrT1s_mpeimC7ajygvLsUq70Rt9DruFLklUCaypIJSWuh88IoefyU0xfky_4BmvHiu5LJLiJUhoQ2T1AH6PrY2t/s1600/View+photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKi64ghJoYC49oeDt9Rgo7ApnruR53IpQF-GvWCy840sdlR93kmfdJ4rrT1s_mpeimC7ajygvLsUq70Rt9DruFLklUCaypIJSWuh88IoefyU0xfky_4BmvHiu5LJLiJUhoQ2T1AH6PrY2t/s1600/View+photo+5.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scenery scenes from Samos with distant shot of the Monastery.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 23 (Wednesday, 5-21-14)): Sarria to Portomarin</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Written, Wednesday afternoon (Day 23), about 6:45 pm (Spain time), 5-21-14...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today I walked from Sarria to Portomarin, a distance of about 24.6 km, or 15+ miles. And I am staying tonight at the <i>Albergue O Mirador</i> in Portomarin.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As I'm writing this, I'm in the bar drinking Rioja wine waiting for dinnertime. Our main objective in this town is going to the church to get our passports stamped, to the pharmacy for blister band-aids and the super mercado for fruit and yogurt. Neither Luiza nor I like it here but it is only one night. We left Sarria in the rain and climbed very, very steep trails to get to a fabulous, very greasy huevos and bacon breakfast . What we figured out was if you get potatoes with this, then it is dinner. Just the opposite of USA.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yum, this Rioja wine (16 euros) is better than the Vin de la Casa we have been drinking copious amounts of. This will slow us down.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The rain cleared up from time to time, so it wasn't so awful except the trails were muddy and the cows use them as well; so there were some very slick places, if you get my drift.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We walked through some nice little streams to clean off our boots. The funniest thing of the day was the bottleneck, like rush hour on the pilgrim trail, a huge back up.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There was the biggest cow in Galicia across the path munching weeds on one side and swishing her tail on the other side. The pilgrims in front must have been from the city and didn't know how to get the cow out of the way. It amused me and my foot wasn't complaining about the respite.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So many abandoned stone houses in the villages, interesting.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Attached are some photos from the day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(1) The first 2 photos were made at various places after leaving Sarria</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(2) The 3rd photo was of the 100 km marker. Sarria is the last starting point for those wishing to obtain the ‘Compostela’ certificate confirming completion of the Camino – a minimum of 100 kilometers is required (200 kilometers if you choose to cycle).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(3) The 4th is of some old stone houses.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(4) The next 3 photos are of the roman road into Portomarin</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(5) The last photo is of the 16-euro wine I had before dinner</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">On a side and technical note, this hike has been a lot of ups and downs, as there are a lot of mountains in Spain. On Day 1 of my Camino de Santiago, I started my walk in St. Jean Pied de Port, France at an elevation of about 590 feet above sea level. On Day 2, I hiked as high as 4,692 feet at Col Lepoeder when I crossed the Pyrenees Mountains. After the Pyrenees Mountains I dropped as low as about 1,100 feet on Day 6, just outside of the valley town of Puente la Reina, in what is called the Ebro Depression.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">On Day 11, I hiked back up to over 3,700 feet, between Santo Domingo de la Calzada and Burgos as I crossed through the Oca Mountains; which are more like big hills than mountains.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">On Day 18, I hiked back up as high as 4,970 feet when I came through the León Mountain range, near Manjarin, which was just after the Cruz de Ferro. On Day 18 also, I dropped below an altitude of around 1,900 feet during the very steep descent to the small town of Molinaseca where I spent the night.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now that I'm in Portomarin at about 1,100 feet, I have covered about 93% of the total distance of my planned walk. I have another 86+ km (about 54 miles) to Santiago de Compostela. Plus I have to go through the Galician Mountain Range, but they are not very high, about 1,600 feet on the Camino.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Buen Camino. xo Diane (8 photos attached, plus 2 maps of Spain showing where I currently am and some of the mountains).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlts3ZuvF9HSSGLJT-U_ufhPFOE25L0WdiOk4iLH0SFjvuEBReOcIqqLy7arcyEonIDAiUkG13x5oPDbP7hqdbLfloLO62W_QzimMliAYGjLxnNPdNk6AmTBOHEmqeuzJHOnXmTILGxoAc/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlts3ZuvF9HSSGLJT-U_ufhPFOE25L0WdiOk4iLH0SFjvuEBReOcIqqLy7arcyEonIDAiUkG13x5oPDbP7hqdbLfloLO62W_QzimMliAYGjLxnNPdNk6AmTBOHEmqeuzJHOnXmTILGxoAc/s1600/photo+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Leaving Sarria.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsqdIjesWL6n4pXvYmKYRca-ZkIQyPIELvFPEDib3dROqTas9mUUz-NIPdJYlijPupZeYJkq-XQh-K_rtWxNcnz6morxV8YPyliZu-SAoSQIhfIHK-xCPr-Mln-qFzGOeItDH_JEtv3K5/s1600/photo+2-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsqdIjesWL6n4pXvYmKYRca-ZkIQyPIELvFPEDib3dROqTas9mUUz-NIPdJYlijPupZeYJkq-XQh-K_rtWxNcnz6morxV8YPyliZu-SAoSQIhfIHK-xCPr-Mln-qFzGOeItDH_JEtv3K5/s1600/photo+2-1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Leaving Sarria.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_4IESSuR1pYo8Y0D0AaDPX106m9B9fHM-2gA6voXuwuRT1tBUzRsfPUgYwuanGHasLprhro9-URkONpZfghGIn0aX2pPMtTeNS0omfMzFCoNQx7YOe67mo5FPwyG1xASV4WPqMaEkfa8/s1600/200+km+mark+photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_4IESSuR1pYo8Y0D0AaDPX106m9B9fHM-2gA6voXuwuRT1tBUzRsfPUgYwuanGHasLprhro9-URkONpZfghGIn0aX2pPMtTeNS0omfMzFCoNQx7YOe67mo5FPwyG1xASV4WPqMaEkfa8/s1600/200+km+mark+photo+3.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: 100 km marker. Sarria is the last starting point for those wishing to obtain the ‘Compostela’ certificate confirming completion of the Camino.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtslRANChc1sv7r5kdSUM8sWb8Ee89VtBINDZvP1aIq1xQq8jxN8nfIMau-v5rDPHjIGROJN80gWXpZjYLov8TIPgiDZisgOBaTyib7cim-5iMKhdNIkgbSaJgmnkKHRe3mCGTdbO0Yfq2/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtslRANChc1sv7r5kdSUM8sWb8Ee89VtBINDZvP1aIq1xQq8jxN8nfIMau-v5rDPHjIGROJN80gWXpZjYLov8TIPgiDZisgOBaTyib7cim-5iMKhdNIkgbSaJgmnkKHRe3mCGTdbO0Yfq2/s1600/photo+4.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: some old stone houses.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lvSx3lleOQLBMw4m1mBJkwuLyTDRAp2a04GzsOjQJlOrvpnLLf0s7TboDPQ0T4RPLW_5S9vUK6V191y7zKvaGTkUaxrglbR53t7hbexlekavVtmPgqziC-pRNtNRf9q9beKjS9e-a7rO/s1600/Portomarin+photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lvSx3lleOQLBMw4m1mBJkwuLyTDRAp2a04GzsOjQJlOrvpnLLf0s7TboDPQ0T4RPLW_5S9vUK6V191y7zKvaGTkUaxrglbR53t7hbexlekavVtmPgqziC-pRNtNRf9q9beKjS9e-a7rO/s1600/Portomarin+photo+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Roman road into Portomarin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZvkQKasxWtnUHnff6zB5Z62YFt9e9QFr2U8JUfTYCShTruoKg6W3WTFrFQa_f8R_jVso_MzeT8w1O7pr_Ee26Vqn522l1aSzRIsOzBTyIzrHt2x260X9cmi2eUzf-SKxXAD4YI8jeQ9i/s1600/Portomarin+photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZvkQKasxWtnUHnff6zB5Z62YFt9e9QFr2U8JUfTYCShTruoKg6W3WTFrFQa_f8R_jVso_MzeT8w1O7pr_Ee26Vqn522l1aSzRIsOzBTyIzrHt2x260X9cmi2eUzf-SKxXAD4YI8jeQ9i/s1600/Portomarin+photo+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Roman road into Portomarin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCw8xHmGoU85pyBkhYWQK6dkKFXAdKKasOZMdvb-dAItBFOvxRy_8GDemaFAZ6b_PzsY_nZgz0APzrjbzbwqvaVrrI4Zj4DF-gY3pDAdQEuzseS1KsgjMrB-epDkdNUmOW-ozHJSBqwMg/s1600/Portomarin+photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCw8xHmGoU85pyBkhYWQK6dkKFXAdKKasOZMdvb-dAItBFOvxRy_8GDemaFAZ6b_PzsY_nZgz0APzrjbzbwqvaVrrI4Zj4DF-gY3pDAdQEuzseS1KsgjMrB-epDkdNUmOW-ozHJSBqwMg/s1600/Portomarin+photo+3.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Roman road into Portomarin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxl0T4prLuUUijDihbodNti1JaMeb7eyYFpa6UTeE799RPwqkAhaIFn_2hwF9HhKve5ezXjYL1aofQnr5jXTF1FNOvagzjjsGizrFyCRacTJNhRT08jcZdfVUX3B89tQuvpbzT1sOkrAk/s1600/16+euro+wine+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxl0T4prLuUUijDihbodNti1JaMeb7eyYFpa6UTeE799RPwqkAhaIFn_2hwF9HhKve5ezXjYL1aofQnr5jXTF1FNOvagzjjsGizrFyCRacTJNhRT08jcZdfVUX3B89tQuvpbzT1sOkrAk/s1600/16+euro+wine+photo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: 16-euro wine I had before dinner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSC8xibvULpSvKNjHjyJ_cDM40vaIf4HuCvT3hmlzWKs8O1Snk2wecaOtkDSQ6V3hyKwjMLN9QOC23ypR9BozZbQBG0Z-X4n9sWwVjwxTqSo5kaKXxNhTOnmjGyHbayLyI9jZtmYUrHv25/s1600/Diane+is+here+on+Day+23-1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSC8xibvULpSvKNjHjyJ_cDM40vaIf4HuCvT3hmlzWKs8O1Snk2wecaOtkDSQ6V3hyKwjMLN9QOC23ypR9BozZbQBG0Z-X4n9sWwVjwxTqSo5kaKXxNhTOnmjGyHbayLyI9jZtmYUrHv25/s1600/Diane+is+here+on+Day+23-1200.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Map of Spain showing where I currently am.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirG0L5zP2enwmeqWDHuaRitZFdUGkMkWGh3Tolz17Y8fZr-eygf2_fKwL5-R72yRbNbFFWFS3BPn0YT9XVKsjBhTl83sPoylgBVc6hvYXAartbox13ERb12aRrBz6IiXNIeB796AGkmPUZ/s1600/mountains+and+plains+in+spain1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="969" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirG0L5zP2enwmeqWDHuaRitZFdUGkMkWGh3Tolz17Y8fZr-eygf2_fKwL5-R72yRbNbFFWFS3BPn0YT9XVKsjBhTl83sPoylgBVc6hvYXAartbox13ERb12aRrBz6IiXNIeB796AGkmPUZ/s1600/mountains+and+plains+in+spain1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Map of Spain showing some of the mountain ranges.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 24 (5-22-14): Portomarin to Palas de Rei</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">On Day 24, I walked from Portomarin to Palas de Rei, a distance of about 24.2 km, or 15 miles. I stayed at the <i>Albergue Castro</i> in Palas de Rei.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The following photos are from Thursday (Day 24):</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(1) "Way Post" after leaving Portomarin, showing 78 km to Santiago de Compostela. Notice my thumb?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(2) Some contented brown Galician cows after leaving Portomarin. Remember the nursery rhyme "How now brown cow?"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(3) Original Camino landmark, the Cruceiro de Lameiros (Cross of Lamerios). The 1670 AD stone cross represents the maternity and life through images of Jesus Christ and the Virgen de los Dolores.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(4) Lady selling really good cheese she made, coming into Ligonde. We bought 4-euros worth.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(5) Me getting a hug from a guy from Virginia, USA volunteering for his church to encourage pilgrims. A fun group.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(6) Another landmark from original Camino, the Iglesia de Santiago (Church of Santiago), outside of Letedo, before going into Palas de Rei. It's in the middle of a graveyard.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(7) My injured leg. To help me make the last few days. When we got to <i>Albergue Castro</i> in Palas de Rei. The muscle in my leg was hard as a rock and hurt beyond words. I took a nap and did shin splint exercises. No luck, so I went to a fisioterapista (physiotherapist in English) around the corner who worked on it for an hour for only 35 euros. I couldn't believe it. What she did was good and I will now make it to Santiago de Compostela. I was having doubts yesterday if I would make it. But things change on the Camino.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURuwNklOz-s1uwV5vL9nTwf6Y8qJ4Tc1_UfIYhFSJH_sILgRhWxkj4Us3r9Ow3IP0Jtsmp3cRcMt1nvllsJCoeyPwEpRHMyPQwgEZKPbNtw5OOegxXlye32SMQY0jLWOwJmUgo1CrE_Iy/s1600/Way+post+photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURuwNklOz-s1uwV5vL9nTwf6Y8qJ4Tc1_UfIYhFSJH_sILgRhWxkj4Us3r9Ow3IP0Jtsmp3cRcMt1nvllsJCoeyPwEpRHMyPQwgEZKPbNtw5OOegxXlye32SMQY0jLWOwJmUgo1CrE_Iy/s1600/Way+post+photo+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: "Way Post" after leaving Portomarin, showing 78 km to Santiago de Compostela. Notice my thumb?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOGIams2NID6WdUejSF9_yA0CyyZpjX92BiA4bqMWoSWcBuAE9R_AIvS2iq8BbaNJ4OQU_cxpTxeSzS9a69p4DoNOkDfmvTxFcHJbZPibax1XbtEV-QClfa_yEDdOzWrxDn5xjaMdqKln/s1600/cows+photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOGIams2NID6WdUejSF9_yA0CyyZpjX92BiA4bqMWoSWcBuAE9R_AIvS2iq8BbaNJ4OQU_cxpTxeSzS9a69p4DoNOkDfmvTxFcHJbZPibax1XbtEV-QClfa_yEDdOzWrxDn5xjaMdqKln/s1600/cows+photo+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Some contented brown Galician cows after leaving Portomarin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7pJv9c8RCdVfslcGiCkM0Lksi8pV83z8OH7p4V39rqw5Sx9t-0JYGFTR4K50A_ton-l5gS9SuEUiJ2TgjXvX9UzOJmqCm7Xd3yA2KA_VWPGo0_I7Q00diwcxgNpaZRsAEwCZ1mj8KUuV/s1600/cross+photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7pJv9c8RCdVfslcGiCkM0Lksi8pV83z8OH7p4V39rqw5Sx9t-0JYGFTR4K50A_ton-l5gS9SuEUiJ2TgjXvX9UzOJmqCm7Xd3yA2KA_VWPGo0_I7Q00diwcxgNpaZRsAEwCZ1mj8KUuV/s1600/cross+photo+3.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: The Cruceiro de Lameiros (Cross of Lamerios).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hNlbUKIEaTpYDTywZRaVwcEkc1CR0qPlE8Ag82c-6t1mL5V2ds48L2JDPMnTztf-Qp6-M0UvWZ9H44OQWU1fkFGz6juPIMBl3cfRmsNtEVgMv2dTlsWACJ73bOnRS1LUfVFGIcH_MYW8/s1600/Cheese+lady+photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hNlbUKIEaTpYDTywZRaVwcEkc1CR0qPlE8Ag82c-6t1mL5V2ds48L2JDPMnTztf-Qp6-M0UvWZ9H44OQWU1fkFGz6juPIMBl3cfRmsNtEVgMv2dTlsWACJ73bOnRS1LUfVFGIcH_MYW8/s1600/Cheese+lady+photo+4.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Coming into Ligonde, lady selling really good cheese she made, .</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vGi-STAObaL5NsC-wvwZw2D4AtB5yMtB6pq3VQOgPiIqMOoXyq05VNMHIBwBN_h4yLz9GuoEUEQiJQ_U-h3a5-TDHBBnTvZmdp0E_Jl_V13Q0cMFYF7W3VCp-lpqrhRDkwagW7bGiPI8/s1600/Hug+photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vGi-STAObaL5NsC-wvwZw2D4AtB5yMtB6pq3VQOgPiIqMOoXyq05VNMHIBwBN_h4yLz9GuoEUEQiJQ_U-h3a5-TDHBBnTvZmdp0E_Jl_V13Q0cMFYF7W3VCp-lpqrhRDkwagW7bGiPI8/s1600/Hug+photo+5.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane getting a hug from a guy from Virginia, USA volunteering for his church to encourage pilgrims.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqd1gLRQ1Ns1MsV9NRhl8JBehVcr9Fo1R-yvU22DZ8PCQ22cZC2ysQzJYvocN-Is5vzIBC7BqVijXXlu0ITebDMe3gsFciHRheR7Hw5pbU7aU4B15F6XiuYCnBvTmEdRepAVh2GPc3XhVp/s1600/Church+landmark+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqd1gLRQ1Ns1MsV9NRhl8JBehVcr9Fo1R-yvU22DZ8PCQ22cZC2ysQzJYvocN-Is5vzIBC7BqVijXXlu0ITebDMe3gsFciHRheR7Hw5pbU7aU4B15F6XiuYCnBvTmEdRepAVh2GPc3XhVp/s1600/Church+landmark+6.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: The Iglesia de Santiago (Church of Santiago), outside of Letedo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJiW7A93VPZs9UBaX0N8llxLv_ONaCiUYxwup_I5J3A4ycF5PUXdI3sWLfGGkLL7hnggKAS6iFeOmKw6DC7JWAht1ZvxR6WU0GNuApKxPd8cQD6KG9p-tmaGISX52Uchtxoq26OiXlcXu/s1600/injured+leg+photo+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJiW7A93VPZs9UBaX0N8llxLv_ONaCiUYxwup_I5J3A4ycF5PUXdI3sWLfGGkLL7hnggKAS6iFeOmKw6DC7JWAht1ZvxR6WU0GNuApKxPd8cQD6KG9p-tmaGISX52Uchtxoq26OiXlcXu/s1600/injured+leg+photo+7.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: My injured leg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 25 (Friday, 5-23-14): Palas de Rei to Boente</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Written, Friday afternoon (Day 25), about 5 pm Spain time, 5-23-14...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today I walked from Palas de Rei to Boente, a distance of about 20.7 km, or 13 miles. And I am staying tonight at the <i>Albergue Boente</i> in Boente. And I spent extra money, 17 euros for a private room. Real sheets, a blanket and a towel. What luxury!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was rainy and cold when we started out this morning in Palas de Rei. Breakfast at the albergue was standard, but they also had these awesome fresh orange juice machines. They put 8 oranges in a rack, the machine drops the oranges down one at a time, cuts then in half and squeezes them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My leg seemed to doing ok as I wore long johns as well as my heavier pants. All of which has been worn for many days, so they have extra layers called dirt and sweat. All the tape the physiotherapist put on my leg stayed on.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We trudged over hill and dale in the drip, drip, drip in what is supposed to be beautiful countryside. We stopped at a pilgrim bar for coffee and an enormous croissant, and ate it all with gusto.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We then continued on into Melide where we had lunch at what I would call a Spanish diner, full of local people, not pilgrims. The church in Furelos (shortly before Melide) is famous for the Jesus statue with his arm hanging down to pick us up and take us to Heaven. I am not so fond of Jesus on the cross statues but this was an interesting one and even more curious was that his knees were bleeding. I don't remember seeing that before but maybe I haven't looked closely enough.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">At Melide we decided we could go on to Boente, which is about 5.8 km beyond Melide.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am doing laundry in a machine that they use a chisel to open. And the dryer takes an hour. Luisa is sleeping and my German friends are only 10 km ahead of us I think.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It is clear I won't get to Santiago for the Sunday pilgrim mass, but I figure they have one everyday. I may not get to see the Botafumeiro as I think they do that on Friday nights. But maybe it will be when I am there or on my way back from Finisterre.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The sun is out now. Go figure.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Attached are some photos from today.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(1) Me, this morning, in Furelos, at bridge over rio Furelos </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(2) Statue in the church at Furelos</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(3) Statue also in the church at Furelos</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(4) A statue of St James at the bar in Boente</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(5) One of the many statues/icons of St. James that I've seen on my journey.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(6) A manhole cover with the St. James shell embossed in it. You also see the St. James shell imbedded in stone pavements in many cities and towns, as a guide for the pilgrims.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When it was raining hard this morning, the road was so wet I started calling it the 'Alligator Camino" instead of Camino de Santiago.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When I was in the <i>Albergue Boente</i> in Boente at the bar drinking wine, I was drinking the famous Galician white wine, Albariño. Very tasty.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3eUgeXNsK0tUkOFola-iQDCxMucDQgjncVNyZ2G-dBEzXzqsw9Ucgr0c-M2niEovjwG9xp1HYujSi1gS4muoKyRFwB91TTz6TXyJhjtd2uGXMKOFFylE4-IK6wtDlk0ZpQTry2wEP_Wts/s1600/Diane+rain+photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3eUgeXNsK0tUkOFola-iQDCxMucDQgjncVNyZ2G-dBEzXzqsw9Ucgr0c-M2niEovjwG9xp1HYujSi1gS4muoKyRFwB91TTz6TXyJhjtd2uGXMKOFFylE4-IK6wtDlk0ZpQTry2wEP_Wts/s1600/Diane+rain+photo+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane in Furelos, at bridge over Rio Furelos.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdtQICLxpTUBReT7Agz0go0fZmaH6FRlouCKINaUDsWC5VM592MbEhbf5ecXxEosX8eGw3sNGjePpC7v8xWpluJttp4lXgfF0Fomwfv7SUhqSU6CZiGLvTIQs1a0fDR43f6mEP5Nd_PzAg/s1600/statue+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdtQICLxpTUBReT7Agz0go0fZmaH6FRlouCKINaUDsWC5VM592MbEhbf5ecXxEosX8eGw3sNGjePpC7v8xWpluJttp4lXgfF0Fomwfv7SUhqSU6CZiGLvTIQs1a0fDR43f6mEP5Nd_PzAg/s1600/statue+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Statue in the church at Furelos.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zb95Swy6QOvSnRNOHS0uNBnl_wUWfopzLfiwzHRQHbFehT-38KBrGsEOLG0GCsU0vVT4PvHVU8hakncXeWizSBF5Q7mmAISCBMreU_YWJ07ynM58GzgsL6JtKrRCKMVEbmeASsvFCTQm/s1600/statue+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zb95Swy6QOvSnRNOHS0uNBnl_wUWfopzLfiwzHRQHbFehT-38KBrGsEOLG0GCsU0vVT4PvHVU8hakncXeWizSBF5Q7mmAISCBMreU_YWJ07ynM58GzgsL6JtKrRCKMVEbmeASsvFCTQm/s1600/statue+3.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Statue in the church at Furls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-12UvDOSv6aT0a80_gHqsOPfoAfRCC8b3jKfWvXNCw9bWETd8BWUzvisTTQSsssFTMmyr3EjI-6-cjnW8OmhaUyUy3pUk9iUH-BN1mQ_XRAmKtu8aH-PRQ99K7WZdgFkvrpOaNBdXdAFM/s1600/Bar+photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-12UvDOSv6aT0a80_gHqsOPfoAfRCC8b3jKfWvXNCw9bWETd8BWUzvisTTQSsssFTMmyr3EjI-6-cjnW8OmhaUyUy3pUk9iUH-BN1mQ_XRAmKtu8aH-PRQ99K7WZdgFkvrpOaNBdXdAFM/s1600/Bar+photo+4.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Statue of St. James at the bar in Boente.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjZCRvjkSeS9Dz8BvkppfjEjv28nBROYxzHhDbVW-_baAERYrRHWO-18VQznDF6AQdLMzX1UBxne5qCJ4yT1RW4lJVp0_ZbBqeTrlwc5j-SCe5DzzaiPRdyQGXune648CuCZsOgE2r9dS/s1600/Statue+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjZCRvjkSeS9Dz8BvkppfjEjv28nBROYxzHhDbVW-_baAERYrRHWO-18VQznDF6AQdLMzX1UBxne5qCJ4yT1RW4lJVp0_ZbBqeTrlwc5j-SCe5DzzaiPRdyQGXune648CuCZsOgE2r9dS/s1600/Statue+5.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: One of the many statues/icons of St. James that I've seen on my journey.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNieemcJS7S5aMyMqtK_GJxTL12kn4xvlNSqO8pqLyxsLyivwLY0cl9r15DbdrdXmT_O9IbB69zGrvFHU2GAl-NHcUOAg8YYbHGkGJXYawUxIo1f7zzSOUb5jn4Yo13zeYB3AOKByGW0qk/s1600/Shell+photo+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNieemcJS7S5aMyMqtK_GJxTL12kn4xvlNSqO8pqLyxsLyivwLY0cl9r15DbdrdXmT_O9IbB69zGrvFHU2GAl-NHcUOAg8YYbHGkGJXYawUxIo1f7zzSOUb5jn4Yo13zeYB3AOKByGW0qk/s1600/Shell+photo+6.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: A manhole cover with the St. James shell embossed in it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 26 (Saturday, 5-24-14): Boente to O Pedrouzo</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Written, Saturday night (Day 26), 5-24-14...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today we walked from Boente to O Pedrouzo, a distance of about 35 km, or just under 22 miles. This was my longest walk of any single day, although Roncesvalles to Larrasoana was a close second.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I started today with another greasy bacon and egg breakfast before hitting the trail, and there was no rain, ...yay on the 'no rain.' But I have never had bacon with bones in it before.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We walked and walked, walked in sunshine and walked in shade. It was both warm and cool, my jacket was on and my jacket was off, my jacket pit zips were opened and closed (pit zips are zippers in the armpits of good hiking clothes).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There weren't many places between Boente and O Pedrouzo to stop, but I found one place that had the most amazing chocolate croissant ever.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We got as far as Santa Irene and thought about putting up there for the night, but there was "no room at the Inn," that is no room at the albergue. So we walked on to O Pedrouzo where my German college girls secured a place for us...yay.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We spent the extra euros for a room and had a wonderful Galician white wine before a nap and a shower. Then we had dinner at Parrillada o' Boi Pulperia, our "last supper" on the Camino, having (pulpo, aka octopus) with more white wine. Mary Magdalene was here too. :o)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We are now in a local bar watching the "BIG" game, two Madrid teams playing futbol (soccer in the US). As soon as Luisa finishes her Patxaran (liqueur) and me my vino tinto we are going to turn in, before dark, which is against my normal rules.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Santiago de Compostela is only 20 km (5 hour walk) from where we are now, so we walk into Santiago tomorrow (Sunday). Wow!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I have some photos to share from today.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(1) The first four photos are just some early-in-the-day scenery shots from the farmland area between Boente and Rivadiso (aka Ribadiso), including an old Roman town close to Rivadiso.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(2) The last photo is the Galician white wine.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of photos, a friend of mine has put copies of all the photos I have emailed into one Picasa Web Album. If you might be interested in viewing them online, go to the Picasa URL below and either click on the "Slideshow" button or just view them as individual photos using your right and left keyboard arrows. This album contains all the photos I have sent since I left New York City on April 29.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><https://picasaweb.google.com/ArizonaRFZ/CaminoPhotos?authkey=Gv1sRgCPbzvJLt3__MqQE></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The attached screen shot shows what the above site might look like on your computer.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The site has a neat feature in the "Show photo locations to viewers of this album via either a Google map or a Google Earth map)." For example, Picasa will automatically place a small thumbnail of each photo on a Google map, based on the GPS coordinates embedded in my iPhone photo. This map will show where I've been and where I took photos or didn't take photos (or just forgot to turn the GPS on).</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uFMLUl7X6NzeXq3URHDTGBgCTNLBZNn-nMTysM5yBThq6de7nTommKAMvJknnjWtzU5Cxpwp_HQaBShAOQQcprOW9Dm263CjHZ1HC-p1sKvOADe1EF9cPKYOo0koU6cIaKYEccqpJMmO/s1600/Rivadiso+photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uFMLUl7X6NzeXq3URHDTGBgCTNLBZNn-nMTysM5yBThq6de7nTommKAMvJknnjWtzU5Cxpwp_HQaBShAOQQcprOW9Dm263CjHZ1HC-p1sKvOADe1EF9cPKYOo0koU6cIaKYEccqpJMmO/s1600/Rivadiso+photo+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scenery from the farmland area between Boente and Rivadiso (aka Ribadiso).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1k5WkW0smFmyGmwWmce0ucfV6HFQHzO1I20y1ej5Hdk9zRXwMfDhW_6QvPUc0C-zq5WuMzQwkjYAnnA76vOBWnhYy5kcySBne6QqPtTdsCHuGQgNpQ1z4Zr6s8avdCCirJE34WF-Yj7I/s1600/Rivadiso+photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1k5WkW0smFmyGmwWmce0ucfV6HFQHzO1I20y1ej5Hdk9zRXwMfDhW_6QvPUc0C-zq5WuMzQwkjYAnnA76vOBWnhYy5kcySBne6QqPtTdsCHuGQgNpQ1z4Zr6s8avdCCirJE34WF-Yj7I/s1600/Rivadiso+photo+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scenery from the farmland area between Boente and Rivadiso (aka Ribadiso).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfN-H9FhgwdcBLvRCcaZPV6VRMkJF8qI8AIzUShFPbTErGzRVQnU3XlZS7-tO27CNZ8J1Ywt6hxiyJzM2hQw5HJ-GhcdljtTvNNTmaXSokeEyqraxiNXYvPp-TVA0fl3p_duy88yVpSwM/s1600/Rivadiso+photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfN-H9FhgwdcBLvRCcaZPV6VRMkJF8qI8AIzUShFPbTErGzRVQnU3XlZS7-tO27CNZ8J1Ywt6hxiyJzM2hQw5HJ-GhcdljtTvNNTmaXSokeEyqraxiNXYvPp-TVA0fl3p_duy88yVpSwM/s1600/Rivadiso+photo+3.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scenery from the farmland area between Boente and Rivadiso (aka Ribadiso).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoQj25nLgDtmt0vp1S6stxXYqomHoG_fMZsDAdM7mnonQSmJET5s4OtsNMjtyKMA4K-o-9C2plLBj9_pQyfSzcxQZ0c3c7iMRGKA_ePRi4B1Y3oMNav-Z88I0FPeBb0Moh_po0kEXVxjy/s1600/Rivadiso+photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoQj25nLgDtmt0vp1S6stxXYqomHoG_fMZsDAdM7mnonQSmJET5s4OtsNMjtyKMA4K-o-9C2plLBj9_pQyfSzcxQZ0c3c7iMRGKA_ePRi4B1Y3oMNav-Z88I0FPeBb0Moh_po0kEXVxjy/s1600/Rivadiso+photo+4.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scenery from the farmland area between Boente and Rivadiso (aka Ribadiso).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHugI6OJlmpWh6WYbnOwV_hPnU0zGHny2iGZZ3rTuTD5duLFTwVuvTHqa6aAkLZRcgjztWQAX62BRhDBgut9jaMNIRBqZLdESbqAD6EnBrY-IE3neKe0Nwj899mGqejvHXc3zqO7oBua4J/s1600/Wine+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHugI6OJlmpWh6WYbnOwV_hPnU0zGHny2iGZZ3rTuTD5duLFTwVuvTHqa6aAkLZRcgjztWQAX62BRhDBgut9jaMNIRBqZLdESbqAD6EnBrY-IE3neKe0Nwj899mGqejvHXc3zqO7oBua4J/s1600/Wine+photo.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Galician white wine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jaEURUJ0uZCxT9rxAWy6ZuYGPkktpGxvudlYxNL8EdCX4KmYrqSQ4-5MSTQldgxs3YOB6v9ZEsx1DCTVfZzL-eDM_Q6ZhB6s0-Ek7P6eHQRmmeiOjporwwG3dUWn0srVnCYlgsccvd2c/s1600/Diane%2527s+photos+%2540+Picasa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="834" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jaEURUJ0uZCxT9rxAWy6ZuYGPkktpGxvudlYxNL8EdCX4KmYrqSQ4-5MSTQldgxs3YOB6v9ZEsx1DCTVfZzL-eDM_Q6ZhB6s0-Ek7P6eHQRmmeiOjporwwG3dUWn0srVnCYlgsccvd2c/s1600/Diane%2527s+photos+%2540+Picasa.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Picasa Web Album showing all the photos I have sent since I left New York City on April 29. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXxn498yvvrnN1SLkFPCEvMgA4ZyD2WUcwRRw_FaeHP-SyasJuTtBMSE3NcykhSDgP9MrqnxzqE82MI5B5IqdtmGl7P7gY9K2QLX0F6-mNfOf2_Lxj1YHcjZXOy6PgeHMXlTF2j44E9Hl/s1600/Diane%2527s+photos2+%2540+Picasa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXxn498yvvrnN1SLkFPCEvMgA4ZyD2WUcwRRw_FaeHP-SyasJuTtBMSE3NcykhSDgP9MrqnxzqE82MI5B5IqdtmGl7P7gY9K2QLX0F6-mNfOf2_Lxj1YHcjZXOy6PgeHMXlTF2j44E9Hl/s1600/Diane%2527s+photos2+%2540+Picasa.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Picasa Web Album feature, "Show photo locations to viewers of this album via either a Google map or a Google Earth map)."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Sunday: Santiago de Compostela!</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Attached is a Google map showing the distance I have covered and where I am now (O Pedrouzo). Tomorrow I will walk into Santiago de Compostela.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVW-ECBnt8Ifny6NVQJzPKind3nKnh1Ds1rW0hBCSfw39OmZgOYI5_WFbiAKStmnYoX_NBK2sZcuNd1YMqLuYD7gzBh_AByiUTj5zy6z0N-t8YmDpletrq9hys8g6o2eoAbDN3ZzwRepu/s1600/Diane+on+Day+26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="1569" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVW-ECBnt8Ifny6NVQJzPKind3nKnh1Ds1rW0hBCSfw39OmZgOYI5_WFbiAKStmnYoX_NBK2sZcuNd1YMqLuYD7gzBh_AByiUTj5zy6z0N-t8YmDpletrq9hys8g6o2eoAbDN3ZzwRepu/s1600/Diane+on+Day+26.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Google map showing the distance I have covered and where I am now (O Pedrouzo).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 27 (Sunday, 5-25-14): Finally reached O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Written, Sunday night (Day 27), at about 9:15 pm, 5-25-14...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today we walked from O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela, a distance of about 20 km, or 12 miles.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This morning we left the <i>Albergue O Burgo</i> in O Pedrouzo, which was close to where we had dinner last night. It was foggy when we left and there was no place open for breakfast for about 2 hours. It alternated between rain and sunshine all day, very refreshing. I saw newborn lambs and some sheep that hadn't been sheared. The countryside was beautiful with purple flowers called fox gloves I think; and yellow ones to complete the palette. We saw a beautiful rainbow, a good sign maybe. I took some photos from the trail and they are attached.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After arriving in Santiago de Compostela the first thing we had to do was find a room early, as the city was very crowded with pilgrims. A lady picked us up in front of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and took us to her apartment, which she has organized, for pilgrims. We had hot water, but no heat, only blankets. We are staying in a good location. At 2:30 pm it was pouring rain outside and cold in our room. We weren't able to get out early for any wine, bread or cheese.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A few hours later we finally got out and went to the Pilgrim Office and received our Compostelas. The Compostela is a document written in Latin that states you completed the Camino for spiritual or religious purposes. If you complete the Camino for non-spiritual or religious purposes, you receive a different document, but it also is an acknowledgment that you completed the Camino. I'm also including some photos from the city of Santiago de Compostela.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We are in a bar right now, drinking some Galician red wine. I don't like it as much as the white. A whole group of men came in with big towels on their shoulders; it has to do with Towel Day, the annual celebration on May 25th as a tribute to the late author Douglas Adams. Quite a scene. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today is Sunday and my flight home is not until Wednesday (June 4), so there are still more adventures; like Finisterre. Finisterre is about another 90 km west on the coast of Spain. More on this later.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The attached photos are as follows:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Photos 1-8: These are sightseeing photos taken on the walk from O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela. Pictures include a rainbow jut outside of O Pedrouzo, a road marker, 3 scenery shots, the Monte de Gozo statue (stone and metal, with cross on top) that is much taller than it looks in this photo (maybe 30 feet?) and 2 more scenery/roadside shots.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Photo 9: A picture of me at the city limits of Santiago de Compostela.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Photo 10: This is a photo of my first sighting of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Photo 11: A stone cross of St. James, a marker for pilgrims going to Santiago de Compostela.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Photo 12 & 13: A picture of me waiting in line outside at the Pilgrim Office to get my Compostela, and a photo taken inside.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPG_4MrZNUy5m7cdXtdGYIdoN6W7oXr-JwkkfjgIrDUG9qe_69epAwteH2Uf0VhM8ChahRmyWDI3bbrnJHP286cJz7PZPMBtJZX6mEaEmlzGJ6lYjt0WwyeiX0LBv53U9XQkMH5dKbXxkF/s1600/photo+02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPG_4MrZNUy5m7cdXtdGYIdoN6W7oXr-JwkkfjgIrDUG9qe_69epAwteH2Uf0VhM8ChahRmyWDI3bbrnJHP286cJz7PZPMBtJZX6mEaEmlzGJ6lYjt0WwyeiX0LBv53U9XQkMH5dKbXxkF/s1600/photo+02.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Rainbow jut outside of O Pedrouzo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52LybXrvST3Gfvf8cQNMU8QVModd41MMZZE_0tYiTctDUiq2cBdZe8EQYFQhBjbI8wu9fXZYtKcfmtGsMSNQY3YIafyhLx77McCKSdsVcNxM-OGvnB0QpBmLZ6WOsy63QCk5ky6SJvpER/s1600/photo+03.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52LybXrvST3Gfvf8cQNMU8QVModd41MMZZE_0tYiTctDUiq2cBdZe8EQYFQhBjbI8wu9fXZYtKcfmtGsMSNQY3YIafyhLx77McCKSdsVcNxM-OGvnB0QpBmLZ6WOsy63QCk5ky6SJvpER/s1600/photo+03.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Road marker.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARL79lgwSmR_ow2eqxnCi-l0YWhNaBdoWuZl8Nepue2fDoLQLpm2oWltfUC8V-aMUQX7LWPDpCb189p9rzPFqZOJJov2c2yPQ3cApvuhuwob6AzzyQ9NhZGCHRiaE-fZ2V2XJTs4hrhg3/s1600/photo+04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARL79lgwSmR_ow2eqxnCi-l0YWhNaBdoWuZl8Nepue2fDoLQLpm2oWltfUC8V-aMUQX7LWPDpCb189p9rzPFqZOJJov2c2yPQ3cApvuhuwob6AzzyQ9NhZGCHRiaE-fZ2V2XJTs4hrhg3/s1600/photo+04.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scenery shot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoa6IyF8xBjHIfWTTTu2u3C8FsunQ84cjAgdMzrLZfp_NLO3o5oVC4aG63cz8L8KzEo__BGLxXYRdkBPec8u97g9Bsws6taxiCUIptM5zDyEJEa0vU-yQ99HBfR6KM7zdnixmGjaELXkW/s1600/photo+05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoa6IyF8xBjHIfWTTTu2u3C8FsunQ84cjAgdMzrLZfp_NLO3o5oVC4aG63cz8L8KzEo__BGLxXYRdkBPec8u97g9Bsws6taxiCUIptM5zDyEJEa0vU-yQ99HBfR6KM7zdnixmGjaELXkW/s1600/photo+05.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scenery shot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuu6F2DRhSn2n3MvCT3mLn8B4GO79Q3R2juV-CYTn3QyWFIjR87cuL6whkIX-1KtO6mMm65AlMbAeqzJohyphenhyphenW3Go3ghq68kBC4JMzOqwDryrO693g9Medaepq_IiyP4tbfhKmRUKKqV5Adh/s1600/photo+06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuu6F2DRhSn2n3MvCT3mLn8B4GO79Q3R2juV-CYTn3QyWFIjR87cuL6whkIX-1KtO6mMm65AlMbAeqzJohyphenhyphenW3Go3ghq68kBC4JMzOqwDryrO693g9Medaepq_IiyP4tbfhKmRUKKqV5Adh/s1600/photo+06.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scenery shot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnsqLSpWxTGHJkNAE1iBt60IfbPnf6jfBE_T2gvbV7FWpX1oq3PQFABaZoL6UAIbxrsmL-KsmXXq-u5E8nahTwkwioXc3sh_p2iIq44T0EwkJWU_0nXiOtn-sLbc5nXJLpt7aAE4Jjpt-/s1600/photo+07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnsqLSpWxTGHJkNAE1iBt60IfbPnf6jfBE_T2gvbV7FWpX1oq3PQFABaZoL6UAIbxrsmL-KsmXXq-u5E8nahTwkwioXc3sh_p2iIq44T0EwkJWU_0nXiOtn-sLbc5nXJLpt7aAE4Jjpt-/s1600/photo+07.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Monte de Gozo statue.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WkJ6auMZWcsEFk-0t4ZQ0tkMFHhyeCVbNPEQg8P1JjqcKWOFqdTMGz0eC_rsnTm3WOmRy3U8_zoGct8-fF9RGwwhD7NHT9USXHPoew-rgWhmEdPo9FA0nVosJCg2vZO8OXjpIL9pfSNh/s1600/photo+08.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WkJ6auMZWcsEFk-0t4ZQ0tkMFHhyeCVbNPEQg8P1JjqcKWOFqdTMGz0eC_rsnTm3WOmRy3U8_zoGct8-fF9RGwwhD7NHT9USXHPoew-rgWhmEdPo9FA0nVosJCg2vZO8OXjpIL9pfSNh/s1600/photo+08.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scenery/roadside shot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45OFeUpDuBFIIb4si2qbHwkRJ9Z9ldfxbeQAAgMUR8i6_29OoQrQh4u5glP-nhnAqK18ulObdxOySso4hHWDjZWOFCf3MuAleaVRiMbruktOjp-qnvstb1lreIJDhYYjdSS_5BNlUDjtg/s1600/photo+09.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45OFeUpDuBFIIb4si2qbHwkRJ9Z9ldfxbeQAAgMUR8i6_29OoQrQh4u5glP-nhnAqK18ulObdxOySso4hHWDjZWOFCf3MuAleaVRiMbruktOjp-qnvstb1lreIJDhYYjdSS_5BNlUDjtg/s1600/photo+09.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scenery/roadside shot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5azxYAE-W2o2k5q5a5P6dBdVtNxRucuHBNO32LjgtaUXGcmkT0SgRAB6I67rmYXdV_5JiOEaqB_UOBq01rwu4Uaa5v6XDw9-tjX7eln8wc6qINCv2QXiViMa5EmYUnH9ufgOchlv2bfv/s1600/photo+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5azxYAE-W2o2k5q5a5P6dBdVtNxRucuHBNO32LjgtaUXGcmkT0SgRAB6I67rmYXdV_5JiOEaqB_UOBq01rwu4Uaa5v6XDw9-tjX7eln8wc6qINCv2QXiViMa5EmYUnH9ufgOchlv2bfv/s1600/photo+10.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane at the city limits of Santiago de Compostela.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjmXKSQVTphEHaiAUWSxxkeS-VU6e8JcvgLbZL0yflmJlb0Aq0woS1Hp-Hj0yTGrTIeqMM0smJ2unCFiQnEhjKnDy4M4tt2AYNM05Avk0qz0wMZEkE25dSgUbLE5koewiqx9ItldiRxeq/s1600/photo+11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjmXKSQVTphEHaiAUWSxxkeS-VU6e8JcvgLbZL0yflmJlb0Aq0woS1Hp-Hj0yTGrTIeqMM0smJ2unCFiQnEhjKnDy4M4tt2AYNM05Avk0qz0wMZEkE25dSgUbLE5koewiqx9ItldiRxeq/s1600/photo+11.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: My first sighting of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (far background).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsl21r4J8O3ScNQSj5mpzr09CkSEvicErlVWWThE3A2GpJ2Ip8D2KUlHTOffya8LN5Fpac5PTtEZZveHNUZ16a8Lh6fWQFyl00y4LB3BFJS2MoaQcynKTXyxwSAsk1O3eDv2HPW1GGZUxz/s1600/photo+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsl21r4J8O3ScNQSj5mpzr09CkSEvicErlVWWThE3A2GpJ2Ip8D2KUlHTOffya8LN5Fpac5PTtEZZveHNUZ16a8Lh6fWQFyl00y4LB3BFJS2MoaQcynKTXyxwSAsk1O3eDv2HPW1GGZUxz/s1600/photo+12.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: A stone cross of St. James, a marker for pilgrims going to Santiago de Compostela.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoZW53Bn262_9Wnws8OHNN9FP1MlqdB6-T3yxbyWr0D_fJ6g6YJ_WiAM_UN1Y291k9PBtlcuE5AMxaFwc7T_Ld-7WkQYaH11HoH8UgpdTsbMzWUt2EpgowtVCEHijQMHrpD_TQhTL75g8/s1600/photo+13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoZW53Bn262_9Wnws8OHNN9FP1MlqdB6-T3yxbyWr0D_fJ6g6YJ_WiAM_UN1Y291k9PBtlcuE5AMxaFwc7T_Ld-7WkQYaH11HoH8UgpdTsbMzWUt2EpgowtVCEHijQMHrpD_TQhTL75g8/s1600/photo+13.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane waiting in line outside at the Pilgrim Office to get her Compostela.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzBdFkXnMuQ50x2uUJVMwYiEPRnthrpAtvP5XoXxaP0WpkPHqwttU04dQMySagmePbbpkifbMoD2sjxXew_MPAq2BZdalvqpVD5IzzNtddn6cebnSMxIcJ-0nbPJhamDLb3VB_MT54aR1/s1600/photo+14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzBdFkXnMuQ50x2uUJVMwYiEPRnthrpAtvP5XoXxaP0WpkPHqwttU04dQMySagmePbbpkifbMoD2sjxXew_MPAq2BZdalvqpVD5IzzNtddn6cebnSMxIcJ-0nbPJhamDLb3VB_MT54aR1/s1600/photo+14.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Inside at the Pilgrim Office.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 28 (Monday, 5-26-14): Second day at Santiago de Compostela</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Written, Monday night (Day 28), at about 11 pm, 5-26-14m from Santiago de Compostela</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This morning in Santiago de Compostela we had a luxurious breakfast buffet and later went to the pilgrim’s mass and saw the swinging of the Botafumeiro (a metal container suspended from the ceiling on chains, that burns incense). They swing the Botafumeiro in a huge swinging motion and it produces a lot of smoke. It was quite emotional for me and really marked the end of the pilgrimage for me. The music in the cathedral was heavenly. I got to "hug the saint" (the bust of Saint James), called the "Abrazo del Apostol (Hug the Apostle)." And I saw the tomb of James and his two companions, Anastasius and Theodore</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This year is the 800-year anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s pilgrimage to Santiago, so I also received a St. Francis Compostela. This one you can get only every 100 years, the next ones won't be available until the year 2114.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Did I mention that I heard in Spain if there are two otherwise equal applicants for one job, the one with the Compostela gets the job? So now I am all set for my next job. :o)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Many of the other pilgrims seem to have PCD, Post Camino Depression. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am now working on my plans for the rest of my time in Spain (my flight from Madrid is June 4th). I am hoping to work in a trip to the "end of the world," Finisterre. Until the discovery of the Americas, Finisterre was the last outpost of the known world, as it is at the far western part of Spain. I would like to go to the famous lighthouse Faro de Fisterra, one of the most recognized landmarks in Galicia. There is a fire pit there where pilgrims offer up a piece of clothing to be burned as a ritual. I would like to burn something to leave doubt, fear and bad judgment behind, although I tried to leave them at La Cruz de Ferro (the Iron Cross).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am having one last glass of Galician wine while trying to figure out how to make the Finisterre trip. It is much more complex than I imagined and it may not happen. Boo hoo.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Attached are a few photos from my iPhone 4s from today in Santiago de Compostela:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Photo 1: Me at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Photo 2: The Botafumeiro inside the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Photo 3: Elephant Pilgrim sign outside a building in the Plaza de Cervantes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Photo 4: Front of the Chapel of Souls Church, the Image is of "souls being purified in the fires Purgatory."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Photo 5: <i>Pensione de Encantada</i>, where I am staying tonight.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVl_QeFveHVuh_yrcbNLIV8wnrQOVpLvhl13yQiopgLA1EjeM1PLX5xlbI2kYajNRSzyX4NVjPp6bas31o3eLIyoDPD3cEHIzjtPauHLwkOrk_eBPUMja2d0a9KL8J4BTZxCERn90Yucxb/s1600/Diane-Cathedral+photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVl_QeFveHVuh_yrcbNLIV8wnrQOVpLvhl13yQiopgLA1EjeM1PLX5xlbI2kYajNRSzyX4NVjPp6bas31o3eLIyoDPD3cEHIzjtPauHLwkOrk_eBPUMja2d0a9KL8J4BTZxCERn90Yucxb/s1600/Diane-Cathedral+photo+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIvKTpVSJlqYizhNqxubo0yCAgl0xmPnzRk68O7HakjqBC4VeE_vJlbJWRrz0YhKpJiQFbUoq0JIexuBptWTjgHkUyG6bo6vn17zZDM1662HGjwpFVlcQg49XCF3oeSP0GpCM1EcoIMZN/s1600/Botafumeria+photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIvKTpVSJlqYizhNqxubo0yCAgl0xmPnzRk68O7HakjqBC4VeE_vJlbJWRrz0YhKpJiQFbUoq0JIexuBptWTjgHkUyG6bo6vn17zZDM1662HGjwpFVlcQg49XCF3oeSP0GpCM1EcoIMZN/s1600/Botafumeria+photo+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: The Botafumeiro inside the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic26anqdB4Zisxr3J_0LvgL_YDbVdMuHH0ap2wsM_qMMsi2e_ncZDix-qZVj9USLBh85uqh0UXoyyQxod9ImPDZE7F2sowohKFz73f8MuWf5y4eaNXjccWCnsAzP2m2iTgiA7OWKcPcBte/s1600/elephant+pilgrim+photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic26anqdB4Zisxr3J_0LvgL_YDbVdMuHH0ap2wsM_qMMsi2e_ncZDix-qZVj9USLBh85uqh0UXoyyQxod9ImPDZE7F2sowohKFz73f8MuWf5y4eaNXjccWCnsAzP2m2iTgiA7OWKcPcBte/s1600/elephant+pilgrim+photo+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Elephant Pilgrim sign outside a building in the Plaza de Cervantes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrmWXz__BCj54TLotS2RJc53voEBoxZczlxBuYvZ_b8I_gl9qxd2SKKTZ1LKiM3kA_MtenV8wwBDfYLhDQJ9BUQseXBcldzuGH1tuzxUF-5CbzW2hHXwtMYhzuN8AwbJ3aK73GRi-qmIr/s1600/Capilla+de+A%25CC%2581nimas+photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrmWXz__BCj54TLotS2RJc53voEBoxZczlxBuYvZ_b8I_gl9qxd2SKKTZ1LKiM3kA_MtenV8wwBDfYLhDQJ9BUQseXBcldzuGH1tuzxUF-5CbzW2hHXwtMYhzuN8AwbJ3aK73GRi-qmIr/s1600/Capilla+de+A%25CC%2581nimas+photo+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Front of the Chapel of Souls Church, the Image is of "Souls being purified in the fires Purgatory."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGksXgxlniGPQObsALnOvl09eaQedM7vQ3HPz8rMToL6CvUawiUxaVwca7qkqKQrLh9NxlpfiIFa46DFO8soM1jvDfaZKHruHGpO5R3THT7ysxmvyeoO0k6a4RaMw7bk1XShPCeL7i-eYo/s1600/pensione+de+encantada+photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGksXgxlniGPQObsALnOvl09eaQedM7vQ3HPz8rMToL6CvUawiUxaVwca7qkqKQrLh9NxlpfiIFa46DFO8soM1jvDfaZKHruHGpO5R3THT7ysxmvyeoO0k6a4RaMw7bk1XShPCeL7i-eYo/s1600/pensione+de+encantada+photo+3.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: <i>Pensione de Encantada</i>, where Diane stayed this night. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 29 (Tuesday): Santiago de Compostela to Finisterre</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Written, Tuesday afternoon (Day 29), at about 5 pm, on the bus back to Santiago de Compostela; 5-27-14 pm</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I jumped out of bed this morning and rushed to the bus station for the 8 o'clock bus to Finisterre on Cape Finisterre, only to find out the bus didn't leave until 9 o’clock. My friend made it just in the nick of time. The day started out sunny and the bus ride was beautiful, then it started to rain and never really stopped.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After arriving in Finisterre after the two-and-a-half hour bus ride, the walk to the "end of the earth" where the lighthouse is took another 46 minutes. The "Last Cross" on the Camino, the 0.0 km marker (the place which people once thought was the end of the world) and the lighthouse were cool.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I took 3 "Last Cross" photos and then another one would appear, so I think I got the last one. I've included the last "Last Cross" photo with this email. Cape Finisterre is the final destination for many pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago, hence the "Last Cross" marker.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When I was on the southern point of Cape Finisterre, I used the compass on my iPhone to find west as it was not intuitive, what seemed liked west was south. So I took a photo of the vision of the new world (looking west) and a selfie at the "end of the earth."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm now on the bus back to Santiago. The bus driver always goes 10 km more than the speed limit. My kind of driver!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We are changing Albergues tonight and I'm not sure I will have Wi-Fi at the new one and I almost out of battery power, so this may be my last chance to send an email for today.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I forgot to mention that I actually received a total of 3 certificates yesterday for doing the Camino de Santiago; they are as follows:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">(1) Standard Compostela: The document declaring that you arrived at the tomb of the Apostle, that you walked the last contiguous 100 km and made the journey for religious reasons.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"> (2) Saint Francis of Assisi Compostela: Available this year to celebrate the 800-year anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s pilgrimage to Santiago.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;">(3) Certificate of Distance: Something new this year. It records the route which the pilgrim walked, the starting point, the amount of kilometers and the date of arrival in Santiago. My starting point was St. Jean Pied de Port in France.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The photos I took today with my iPhone are attached:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(1) Me and the 0.0 km marker</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(2) Finisterre Lighthouse</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(3) "Last Cross" on the Camino</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(4) Looking West towards the New World (the Americas)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(5) Selfie at the "end of the earth"</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_JCO8zfv-9PpOCoJzq7ZzBbXCQiDFqUpTLmE1kH_27CVw35rLAalxLCHHpjT1QRy8mW10Y1fIc0B8W-KEJ88qIfgp8jvRHpXKOBu6vmUHCawk97Ji6fJpSHm_FAEzqVsovdcRqoOAWzU/s1600/0+marker+photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_JCO8zfv-9PpOCoJzq7ZzBbXCQiDFqUpTLmE1kH_27CVw35rLAalxLCHHpjT1QRy8mW10Y1fIc0B8W-KEJ88qIfgp8jvRHpXKOBu6vmUHCawk97Ji6fJpSHm_FAEzqVsovdcRqoOAWzU/s1600/0+marker+photo+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Diane and the 0.0 km marker.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0BoFKdKi5NlDEdPrYb1JKlt0BDmZnW4DSTYgC16vLf1PHizm3jqthGCYv3sYXvR51rcvEq1dJIOcrT4BYjkBUHSv2xgTMqQtiguMiv096L8yp7lgQIi5ztVNfoEA-JuN0moFFnUvCWWG/s1600/Lighthouse+photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0BoFKdKi5NlDEdPrYb1JKlt0BDmZnW4DSTYgC16vLf1PHizm3jqthGCYv3sYXvR51rcvEq1dJIOcrT4BYjkBUHSv2xgTMqQtiguMiv096L8yp7lgQIi5ztVNfoEA-JuN0moFFnUvCWWG/s1600/Lighthouse+photo+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Finisterre Lighthouse.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhef0I2KdijtteV_mwondIp0P_aNo7hoBanXPN5q_ZQU3Dh4CHQRg_Y3egG8x-fSgZgaEh0WwoWxzeHbU-SbIg4Ql1Ic4_WCo0fsVl9OwLStpcfokXxi77WlDaBX1V5_WgBPPeb5lXp6_o0/s1600/Last+cross+photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhef0I2KdijtteV_mwondIp0P_aNo7hoBanXPN5q_ZQU3Dh4CHQRg_Y3egG8x-fSgZgaEh0WwoWxzeHbU-SbIg4Ql1Ic4_WCo0fsVl9OwLStpcfokXxi77WlDaBX1V5_WgBPPeb5lXp6_o0/s1600/Last+cross+photo+3.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: "Last Cross" on the Camino.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Sb27rmY16LkYec42Kwmv8rDIBFw4FYPEVfg3bYwVs1mvRSnFHzYxMUh_RWv9uCNkLOQOvZyspWPKEazP6ZUt6yxhgMUF4O_bzg5k3DL1gPYd0SeMUaGSnoF5bE4ozdLdS3QmP7rKVMYo/s1600/Looking+west+photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Sb27rmY16LkYec42Kwmv8rDIBFw4FYPEVfg3bYwVs1mvRSnFHzYxMUh_RWv9uCNkLOQOvZyspWPKEazP6ZUt6yxhgMUF4O_bzg5k3DL1gPYd0SeMUaGSnoF5bE4ozdLdS3QmP7rKVMYo/s1600/Looking+west+photo+4.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Looking West towards the New World (the Americas).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifq_DO52Dv9ds-Vv6G5DBrv5Q8PU77Y4mezpMi2P0G6Jhp_eHXwesicngy-tFZj4rb9lGnevbsh48-ZeQh6hDGZ4QBVnkXy7ABJe4Otjqz3tp5ywjuX3z-B4MfteZaeEY4hbHqkFLZeE4B/s1600/Diane+selfie+photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifq_DO52Dv9ds-Vv6G5DBrv5Q8PU77Y4mezpMi2P0G6Jhp_eHXwesicngy-tFZj4rb9lGnevbsh48-ZeQh6hDGZ4QBVnkXy7ABJe4Otjqz3tp5ywjuX3z-B4MfteZaeEY4hbHqkFLZeE4B/s1600/Diane+selfie+photo+5.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Selfie at the "end of the earth."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Subject: Day 30: 4th Day at Santiago de Compostela</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Written Wednesday night (Day 30), at about 11:30 pm, in Santiago de Compostela; 5-28-14...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Last night (Tuesday) we stayed at the <i>Pensión Santa Cristina</i>, which is a few blocks from the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela; and we are staying here again tonight (Wednesday) although we have no Wi-Fi.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We slept a little late today, and then had breakfast and did a bit of shopping; quite a dull morning until I went back to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela to take some more photos with my iPhone 4S. Supposedly the original purpose of the swinging of the Botafumeiro (full of burning charcoal and incense) was to be used as a purifying element to combat the crowds that gathered inside the temple. Today it is just a tradition, but with the Apostle’s Anthem being played in the background on an organ, the swinging of Botafumeiro continued to move me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Botafumeiro is made of an alloy of brass and bronze, is plated by a very thin layer of silver and has a golden sheen. Sometimes it looks gold in color; sometimes silver, depending on the reflections from the cathedral.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you would like to watch a video of the swinging of the Botafumeiro there are quite a few online, but you might check this one at <https://vimeo.com/41405497>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I've had a little extra time in Santiago de Compostela due to my leg injury that I suffered on Day 7 coming out of Irache. To give my leg time to heal, I (along with other "walking wounded") took the bus for a few days in order not to fall behind in my schedule, but the bussing for a few days also put me into Santiago de Compostela earlier than my original plans. There is no part of the French Way that I didn't want to walk, but the stretch along the meseta (plateau in English) part of Spain may have been the best place for a bus ride, as that stretch is miles of flat un-shaded desert-like land, with the path often running parallel to the highway. A lot of pilgrims just skip this part entirely as they consider it boring. As I mentioned in an earlier email, our bus driver agreed we made very good decision as he said the meseta section is indeed long, hot, boring and in traffic part of the time. If I hadn't injured my leg, I'm sure I would have enjoyed this section also.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">With my leg problem, there were times when I felt I might not complete my journey to Santiago de Compostela, but a few things on the way lifted my spirits; the rooster crowing in the cathedra at Santo Domingo de la Calzada, meeting a man from my mother's home town and the rainbow jut outside of O Pedrouzo to name just a few.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Attached are a few photos from today:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(1) A picture of the ropes that hold the Botafumeiro and swing it. The men that swing the Botafumeiro are called tiraboleiros and they all wear red robes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(2) Some of the tiraboleiros swinging the Botafumeiro.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(3) The Botafumeiro swinging.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">(4) Another photo of tiraboleiros swinging the Botafumeiro.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> (5) A picture of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela taken from my room at the <i>Pensión Santa Cristina</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> (6) A picture of the final page of my pilgrim passport.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzQWpY3eLGB2VYQULUUoA2C5-f88RUbNhcrKQ4U3ZzjxgpRWfKMkM-MNcUITt2iRYzU5OH97NYCXrnPkVSP42YAw0mRROSzpYosv6fc2AHl3nyzIewHoJnRIKYyjPAiIBL0k5IsgP3mjh/s1600/Botafumeiro+photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzQWpY3eLGB2VYQULUUoA2C5-f88RUbNhcrKQ4U3ZzjxgpRWfKMkM-MNcUITt2iRYzU5OH97NYCXrnPkVSP42YAw0mRROSzpYosv6fc2AHl3nyzIewHoJnRIKYyjPAiIBL0k5IsgP3mjh/s1600/Botafumeiro+photo+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Ropes that hold the Botafumeiro and swing it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGkxpGwr8v4SxV_nlcFEaq4PsPNSoTfH1HvHr5__Sq3LbaQUWmNTdAo5elHBjh2AgoqupA0tx33JvVtcfXKd4dju2sGlHMeUWQy7dqwNxrfhOTAJcDLVhM-vtdn5XgnJB3muhP4Gnh0xU/s1600/Botafumeiro+photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGkxpGwr8v4SxV_nlcFEaq4PsPNSoTfH1HvHr5__Sq3LbaQUWmNTdAo5elHBjh2AgoqupA0tx33JvVtcfXKd4dju2sGlHMeUWQy7dqwNxrfhOTAJcDLVhM-vtdn5XgnJB3muhP4Gnh0xU/s1600/Botafumeiro+photo+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Some of the tiraboleiros swinging the Botafumeiro.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gNtKgx2Ew0cgmlAsdwFZ1rm03jZ_BtRadQsHi6XcRnPLmQMZd7dKntpXks2bTjumgR3FF4_i6e-XKPuu3q5qJWL0WCI2GrBMgZLu1poe8owMWST5fIqO8tauE0cd8IIKQZJqaZ9uqDMm/s1600/Botafumeiro+photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gNtKgx2Ew0cgmlAsdwFZ1rm03jZ_BtRadQsHi6XcRnPLmQMZd7dKntpXks2bTjumgR3FF4_i6e-XKPuu3q5qJWL0WCI2GrBMgZLu1poe8owMWST5fIqO8tauE0cd8IIKQZJqaZ9uqDMm/s1600/Botafumeiro+photo+3.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: The Botafumeiro swinging.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKoLxZuthotoeKg_tjlHhIlLNUWVUjqV8g7AOxfT-TMlGR4dnKQ0CJ2pQAnOXDz2XNsj2-3a9WTH3hSML9F0bNX1RTX6sJQMhOwDhmu2RuPnqdFZL3nmiX455pCecbLFQr9LU2QK1uMgzK/s1600/Botafumeiro+photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKoLxZuthotoeKg_tjlHhIlLNUWVUjqV8g7AOxfT-TMlGR4dnKQ0CJ2pQAnOXDz2XNsj2-3a9WTH3hSML9F0bNX1RTX6sJQMhOwDhmu2RuPnqdFZL3nmiX455pCecbLFQr9LU2QK1uMgzK/s1600/Botafumeiro+photo+4.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Another photo of tiraboleiros swinging the Botafumeiro.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfji8oL12RPCZT4vYBP5FED9lfXX6c3vrxwDowzwhj13CQT1oYQu1IraPOo8DBhkfGB7l1RNcLVkGAQ3F9DkTaANpKMT2irEzdj6dXK3189SZ2zbKROA2XU8C2UX6JzSnfAMWAOU36D7Ck/s1600/Cathedral+photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfji8oL12RPCZT4vYBP5FED9lfXX6c3vrxwDowzwhj13CQT1oYQu1IraPOo8DBhkfGB7l1RNcLVkGAQ3F9DkTaANpKMT2irEzdj6dXK3189SZ2zbKROA2XU8C2UX6JzSnfAMWAOU36D7Ck/s1600/Cathedral+photo+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: A picture of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela taken from Diane's room at the <i>Pensión Santa Cristina</i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3r7Eh1XmU4TeyLQG_2tteGpTV2x3GmD-wsZUgMVHcm3qkSN02k8XfWFOaPPynRCssZpSOwpPwRWSEGrPO6JNHMLBoMdrXBwRGJfU0gqIArgDcL06rJJ8AIH_ckHU24JAhSjkucfOHNqyu/s1600/Passport+photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="236" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3r7Eh1XmU4TeyLQG_2tteGpTV2x3GmD-wsZUgMVHcm3qkSN02k8XfWFOaPPynRCssZpSOwpPwRWSEGrPO6JNHMLBoMdrXBwRGJfU0gqIArgDcL06rJJ8AIH_ckHU24JAhSjkucfOHNqyu/s1600/Passport+photo+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: the final page of Diane's pilgrim passport.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day 31 5-29-14): Heading to Madrid</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: large;">In the station at Santiago. Views along the way. The trains. I am relieved and sad. Can't figure out my emotions. But that is how emotions are aren't they? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4CouFt4ja9OHmURbXgDzUW5MKqMwcrkP4BwLSdI35gIQvW1Z-yCfZtTP7pc1blR1de2SnIHyarOoD-NlyU79w2czqQZNerzClKeCg9pvt4NokBITqu7f_lNSisbVEAQcDqHRfbyP6PcM/s1600/photo+1-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4CouFt4ja9OHmURbXgDzUW5MKqMwcrkP4BwLSdI35gIQvW1Z-yCfZtTP7pc1blR1de2SnIHyarOoD-NlyU79w2czqQZNerzClKeCg9pvt4NokBITqu7f_lNSisbVEAQcDqHRfbyP6PcM/s1600/photo+1-1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Inside the station at Santiago.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqcmB6MORX93CwiqZYglQ5vB06PTs0d2KKVqnGQIi6TkEOR6Txcy6HrnWixskP2_yqzS_XIzXj49ZH6A1l033-T71b2qNhvRIvI8LXaURJuQXIneHAp0OWRObe1nEd616zKp_SpkliKgk/s1600/photo+2-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqcmB6MORX93CwiqZYglQ5vB06PTs0d2KKVqnGQIi6TkEOR6Txcy6HrnWixskP2_yqzS_XIzXj49ZH6A1l033-T71b2qNhvRIvI8LXaURJuQXIneHAp0OWRObe1nEd616zKp_SpkliKgk/s1600/photo+2-2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Scenery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJxIWOvR47AHUqMx8ofx09SiJRncx-iM74-WKvj9CbChj7RLFBz0WhZqO-ubERu17R67LIPfsDKkLrE-5BEcCV_UgqVO5nuLkfCazfGgkftIZ2ijMiD_1kHXuk-E-gk-tl-82xwMUb1XN/s1600/photo+3D2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJxIWOvR47AHUqMx8ofx09SiJRncx-iM74-WKvj9CbChj7RLFBz0WhZqO-ubERu17R67LIPfsDKkLrE-5BEcCV_UgqVO5nuLkfCazfGgkftIZ2ijMiD_1kHXuk-E-gk-tl-82xwMUb1XN/s1600/photo+3D2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Train Station in Madrid, Spain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
-----------------------------------------------------------<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>August 28, 2014: A few months after the Camino de Santiago journey</b></span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I was asked to give a </span><span style="font-size: large;">presentation on my Camino de Santiago journey, this was held at the YMCA at 63rd St. and Central Park West in New York City. If interested, you can listen to this presentation at the following URL link, it's about 55 minutes long, and has a few photos tossed in.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/105037436">https://vimeo.com/105037436</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Diane</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626364476155545127noreply@blogger.com0