tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10941857059619552802011-04-21T11:13:33.831-07:00Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.comBlogger291100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-45186221902593579032009-03-08T06:59:00.000-07:002009-03-08T07:26:19.106-07:00Some shots of the villa backyard which has been transformed over the past couple of months...the ducks have gone (they became too much of a nuisance and are now resident in Villa 11)...and a horticultural aspect has replaced them.<br /><br />First of all a shot of the newly veiled tomato plants...they were going very <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">wel</span>l and had actually grown from seeds...until a couple of very very hot days knocked them about and death was nigh...but they were just saved.<br /><br />Recently we have admired the ripening of the tomatoes on a regular basis...but they were also admired, it seems, by the local <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">bird-life</span>...after overcoming the loss of several juicy ripe red tomatoes, a solution was found and the tomatoes are now firmly covered....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SbPSYKna9-I/AAAAAAAABSs/6J6D9PrucWA/s1600-h/IMG_8865.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SbPSYKna9-I/AAAAAAAABSs/6J6D9PrucWA/s400/IMG_8865.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310819698208339938" border="0" /></a><br />Here is a close-up of some of the tomatoes <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">pre</span>-veiling...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SbPSXRvOu8I/AAAAAAAABSU/m62FTGo4IBM/s1600-h/IMG_8862.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SbPSXRvOu8I/AAAAAAAABSU/m62FTGo4IBM/s400/IMG_8862.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310819682940271554" border="0" /></a><br />The roses had fallen into disrepair, but have now been saved, drastically pruned, trellis-ed and are now springing back into life...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SbPSX7YRNcI/AAAAAAAABSk/NaAKFq72l-M/s1600-h/IMG_8864.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SbPSX7YRNcI/AAAAAAAABSk/NaAKFq72l-M/s400/IMG_8864.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310819694118254018" border="0" /></a><br />Same with the hibiscus...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SbPSXT8UMUI/AAAAAAAABSc/epUK9uEMiYU/s1600-h/IMG_8863.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SbPSXT8UMUI/AAAAAAAABSc/epUK9uEMiYU/s400/IMG_8863.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310819683532026178" border="0" /></a><br />Some of the basil..also grown from seed...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SbPQZP34SmI/AAAAAAAABSM/XqkaigJ9MFY/s1600-h/IMG_8858.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SbPQZP34SmI/AAAAAAAABSM/XqkaigJ9MFY/s400/IMG_8858.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310817517776161378" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is another section of tomato plants...they are going like the clappers, although lack a little sunlight so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">haven't</span> produced the fruit that the others one have...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SbPQYMP46kI/AAAAAAAABRs/0E7UxX80kq4/s1600-h/IMG_8859.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SbPQYMP46kI/AAAAAAAABRs/0E7UxX80kq4/s400/IMG_8859.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310817499623254594" border="0" /></a><br />But we aren't too far away....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SbPQYwx6GcI/AAAAAAAABSE/t6ZZY31BcSs/s1600-h/IMG_8868.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SbPQYwx6GcI/AAAAAAAABSE/t6ZZY31BcSs/s400/IMG_8868.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310817509429615042" border="0" /></a><br />And some newly re-planted tomato plants...there is a story to these plants. We use to feed the ducks a lot of tomatoes and it seems that the seed fell onto the ground and laid dormant until we completely <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">renovated</span> the backyard and whacked a load of soil on it...days later, tomato seedlings popped up, along with some pumpkin seedlings! After a month or so, more than 200 tomato seedlings dotted the new lawn! Prior to cutting the lawn for the first time, these were transplanted....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SbPQYiKBuTI/AAAAAAAABR8/swHCDS3CaV0/s1600-h/IMG_8861.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SbPQYiKBuTI/AAAAAAAABR8/swHCDS3CaV0/s400/IMG_8861.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310817505504246066" border="0" /></a><br />Here is a shot of the backyard with the roses and snazzy new lawn...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SbPQYS-oJbI/AAAAAAAABR0/gRLbGD9LOkI/s1600-h/IMG_8860.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SbPQYS-oJbI/AAAAAAAABR0/gRLbGD9LOkI/s400/IMG_8860.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310817501429900722" border="0" /></a>Looking <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">forward</span> to our first meal of tomato and basil in the coming weeks!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-4518622190259357903?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-62672182034473355702009-02-13T01:26:00.000-08:002009-02-13T01:37:59.929-08:00The Aussie boys, led by the GGArmy stormed Tokyo over the past week...with the crescendo being in Yokohama on Wednesday night against the might of the Blue Samurai...a 0-0 result just in case you have been on the moon.<br /><br />On the train to Yokohama...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU92XRTBnI/AAAAAAAABRk/5vI507wF1Aw/s1600-h/IMG_8353.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU92XRTBnI/AAAAAAAABRk/5vI507wF1Aw/s400/IMG_8353.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302212140467422834" border="0" /></a><br />Walking from the station to the pre-game function at the uniquely named Cafe Bar Funky...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU92bW7e1I/AAAAAAAABRc/0xrlUqcCWzo/s1600-h/IMG_8354.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU92bW7e1I/AAAAAAAABRc/0xrlUqcCWzo/s400/IMG_8354.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302212141564787538" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU9vOElM-I/AAAAAAAABRU/M9X2hcXiyZ4/s1600-h/IMG_8358.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU9vOElM-I/AAAAAAAABRU/M9X2hcXiyZ4/s400/IMG_8358.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302212017739084770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU9mzsLS_I/AAAAAAAABRM/_mpFs5g-3Uk/s1600-h/IMG_8359.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU9mzsLS_I/AAAAAAAABRM/_mpFs5g-3Uk/s400/IMG_8359.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302211873218448370" border="0" /></a><br />And finally we are on our way to the stadium after a quiet day of consuming ale...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU9mwUPoyI/AAAAAAAABRE/uAbAkN5a99U/s1600-h/IMG_8361.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU9mwUPoyI/AAAAAAAABRE/uAbAkN5a99U/s400/IMG_8361.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302211872312763170" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU9m2jW1_I/AAAAAAAABQ8/4C6jfmLwsRc/s1600-h/IMG_8362.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 228px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU9m2jW1_I/AAAAAAAABQ8/4C6jfmLwsRc/s400/IMG_8362.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302211873986762738" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU9dDng3OI/AAAAAAAABQ0/w8UET1MeT1k/s1600-h/IMG_8364.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU9dDng3OI/AAAAAAAABQ0/w8UET1MeT1k/s400/IMG_8364.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302211705695165666" border="0" /></a><br />And in the stadium...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU9cwUeySI/AAAAAAAABQs/Qjn2k5Mf8lk/s1600-h/IMG_8367.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU9cwUeySI/AAAAAAAABQs/Qjn2k5Mf8lk/s400/IMG_8367.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302211700515064098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU9cwOXK3I/AAAAAAAABQk/pmLhWO_kWWU/s1600-h/IMG_8368.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU9cwOXK3I/AAAAAAAABQk/pmLhWO_kWWU/s400/IMG_8368.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302211700489399154" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU9L-lCMeI/AAAAAAAABQc/YhjsCtrojy4/s1600-h/IMG_8369.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU9L-lCMeI/AAAAAAAABQc/YhjsCtrojy4/s400/IMG_8369.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302211412284813794" border="0" /></a><br />The boys on the park get things warmed up...Chippers and Culina...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU9L4--iKI/AAAAAAAABQU/fJLGs3o7c5A/s1600-h/IMG_8371.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU9L4--iKI/AAAAAAAABQU/fJLGs3o7c5A/s400/IMG_8371.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302211410783013026" border="0" /></a><br />Mile Jedinak and Jade North...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU9L5a5NbI/AAAAAAAABQM/lY-zLMsdhNY/s1600-h/IMG_8372.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU9L5a5NbI/AAAAAAAABQM/lY-zLMsdhNY/s400/IMG_8372.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302211410900104626" border="0" /></a><br />The great Schwarz...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU9L-ZGsBI/AAAAAAAABQE/BMr0Gpy4TC8/s1600-h/IMG_8375.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 255px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SZU9L-ZGsBI/AAAAAAAABQE/BMr0Gpy4TC8/s400/IMG_8375.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302211412234776594" border="0" /></a><br />Can't be in Canberra for the Kuwait game due to geographical disadvantage (well, not unless the Concorde gets going again and does an Abu Dhabi-Canberra direct flight)...next game for me is probably Aus v Qatar in Doha and Aus v Japan in Melbourne.<br /><br />More stuff to come soon on the sights of Tokyo and wonderful Kyoto...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-6267218203447335570?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-45457157369146742612008-12-01T12:09:00.002-08:002008-12-13T00:44:18.418-08:00My football pursuits began again when the Aussie boys, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Socceroos</span>, took on Bahrain in a World Cup qualifier...brother Michael joined me in travelling to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bahraini</span> capital, Manama, for the game...<br /><br />Oddly, when the Aussie travelling fans turned up to the stadium in a clutch of mini-buses, they were <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">shepherded</span> into the bowels of the stadium and then right onto the ground allowing us to observe, at arms length, the warm-up of the Aussie footballing lads...it <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">wasnt</span> until an Australian football official politely asked us to go back to the stands that this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">bizarre</span> situation concluded...<br /><br />This is the national stadium of Bahrain...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmFBPw4zoI/AAAAAAAABOw/tRQnnvV2shQ/s1600-h/IMG_7820.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 186px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmFBPw4zoI/AAAAAAAABOw/tRQnnvV2shQ/s400/IMG_7820.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276394694899191426" border="0" /></a><br />Mark <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Schwarzer</span>, the Aussie goalkeeper warming up...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmFA8W9YBI/AAAAAAAABOo/7LQajr2BEc4/s1600-h/IMG_7816.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmFA8W9YBI/AAAAAAAABOo/7LQajr2BEc4/s400/IMG_7816.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276394689690165266" border="0" /></a><br />Michael <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Petkovic</span>, back-up goalkeeper warming up to sit on the bench...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmFA58Qu8I/AAAAAAAABOg/0hRMkbXZsW4/s1600-h/IMG_7815.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 391px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmFA58Qu8I/AAAAAAAABOg/0hRMkbXZsW4/s400/IMG_7815.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276394689041316802" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Marco <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Bresciano</span>, Aussie mid-fielder also warming up...this practice shooting from this distance was actually very important...<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Bresciano</span> scored the winning goal in the final seconds of the game from almost this exact spot!!!...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmFBHrrp3I/AAAAAAAABO4/CawqfDS25no/s1600-h/IMG_7824.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 162px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmFBHrrp3I/AAAAAAAABO4/CawqfDS25no/s400/IMG_7824.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276394692729874290" border="0" /></a><br />This is just after than final minute moment which caused delirium among the Aussie fans numbering about 200-300...that's me on the left hanging on to the fence (credit to esteemed <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">GG</span> Army member Mikey R for the photo)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SUNyUhKUG4I/AAAAAAAABP8/6bkKBXeAib8/s1600-h/Bahrain+v+Australia+064.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SUNyUhKUG4I/AAAAAAAABP8/6bkKBXeAib8/s400/Bahrain+v+Australia+064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279188885032934274" border="0" /></a><br />And the lads coming over to the faithful fans after the match...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmFBSrsPAI/AAAAAAAABPA/Xl9ZUSNXgxU/s1600-h/IMG_7827.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 195px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmFBSrsPAI/AAAAAAAABPA/Xl9ZUSNXgxU/s400/IMG_7827.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276394695682702338" border="0" /></a><br />So off it was back to a pub...which was also the pub of choice for the players and team management....<br /><br />Tim <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Cahill</span> of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Everton</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">FC</span> (left) and me (right)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmEO8kUfkI/AAAAAAAABOQ/ai1rW4336Dc/s1600-h/IMG_7830.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 348px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmEO8kUfkI/AAAAAAAABOQ/ai1rW4336Dc/s400/IMG_7830.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276393830752747074" border="0" /></a><br />Marco <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Bresciano</span> of Palermo (left), VB <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">stubbie</span> (centre) and me (right)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmEOhLFozI/AAAAAAAABOI/G0z_AMqir_Q/s1600-h/IMG_7832.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmEOhLFozI/AAAAAAAABOI/G0z_AMqir_Q/s400/IMG_7832.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276393823399158578" border="0" /></a><br />Jesus of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Karlsruhe</span> (alias Josh Kennedy, left) and me (right)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmEOR8yaDI/AAAAAAAABOA/TEoGdpm-gWY/s1600-h/IMG_7833.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmEOR8yaDI/AAAAAAAABOA/TEoGdpm-gWY/s400/IMG_7833.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276393819312646194" border="0" /></a><br />Lucas Neill of West Ham decided to get up and karaoke with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Philipino</span> band...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmEOQLxEWI/AAAAAAAABN4/gmoO-qLNPbs/s1600-h/IMG_7836.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmEOQLxEWI/AAAAAAAABN4/gmoO-qLNPbs/s400/IMG_7836.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276393818838602082" border="0" /></a><br />Dutch guy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Pim</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Verbeek</span>, manager of the Aussie team, and my brother, Michael...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmEN6GVO7I/AAAAAAAABNw/qsWbMg1NOkw/s1600-h/IMG_7838.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmEN6GVO7I/AAAAAAAABNw/qsWbMg1NOkw/s400/IMG_7838.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276393812910226354" border="0" /></a><br />The next hazy day a tour of the Manama streets was in order...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmEfXMqrBI/AAAAAAAABOY/AvEfTxJN_jw/s1600-h/IMG_7839.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 245px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmEfXMqrBI/AAAAAAAABOY/AvEfTxJN_jw/s400/IMG_7839.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276394112779201554" border="0" /></a><br />The newish World Trade Centre building of Bahrain...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmDW39uZII/AAAAAAAABNo/mNvuzp7Gc3U/s1600-h/IMG_7849.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmDW39uZII/AAAAAAAABNo/mNvuzp7Gc3U/s400/IMG_7849.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276392867444450434" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmDWqCiwfI/AAAAAAAABNg/O3knXVwUAk4/s1600-h/IMG_7860.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmDWqCiwfI/AAAAAAAABNg/O3knXVwUAk4/s400/IMG_7860.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276392863706563058" border="0" /></a><br />with window cleaners who do work...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmDWZjWNBI/AAAAAAAABNY/5YQyjiJU4tI/s1600-h/IMG_7861.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmDWZjWNBI/AAAAAAAABNY/5YQyjiJU4tI/s400/IMG_7861.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276392859280749586" border="0" /></a><br />but wind turbines that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">dont</span> work...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmDWT52ilI/AAAAAAAABNQ/aYFw4fgAA5Y/s1600-h/IMG_7862.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmDWT52ilI/AAAAAAAABNQ/aYFw4fgAA5Y/s400/IMG_7862.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276392857764530770" border="0" /></a><br />And, finally, the concluding stages of a sunset over the Manama metropolis...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmDWL7_XLI/AAAAAAAABNI/NPyXzdy_2NE/s1600-h/IMG_7864.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 186px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STmDWL7_XLI/AAAAAAAABNI/NPyXzdy_2NE/s400/IMG_7864.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276392855626013874" border="0" /></a><br />More travels are planned...can't wait!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-4545715736914674261?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-64067777853277970112008-12-01T12:08:00.001-08:002008-12-05T11:21:22.457-08:00With it being so close (relatively speaking), the lure of neighbouring Oman couldn't be resisted for much longer. So, when an old friend, Rosabella, visited from Edinburgh, it was time to get the car loaded and take a road trip to the nation to my immediate left...<br /><br />It's about a 5 hour drive from Abu Dhabi to Omani capital, Muscat (taking into account border crossing red-tape). Here are some of the sights of the older part of the city which is dominated by government buildings including the Sultan's palace...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl8LLoHzxI/AAAAAAAABLQ/57aYfUQybGE/s1600-h/IMG_7797.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 167px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl8LLoHzxI/AAAAAAAABLQ/57aYfUQybGE/s400/IMG_7797.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276384969982725906" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl8LLUQ5zI/AAAAAAAABLI/BlbUsefHpaQ/s1600-h/IMG_7785.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl8LLUQ5zI/AAAAAAAABLI/BlbUsefHpaQ/s400/IMG_7785.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276384969899435826" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl8Kz9z6aI/AAAAAAAABLA/ISE9RguBuSk/s1600-h/IMG_7780.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 255px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl8Kz9z6aI/AAAAAAAABLA/ISE9RguBuSk/s400/IMG_7780.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276384963631245730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl8KuUhbEI/AAAAAAAABK4/fK1rA6mftJU/s1600-h/IMG_7778.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl8KuUhbEI/AAAAAAAABK4/fK1rA6mftJU/s400/IMG_7778.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276384962115890242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl8KEvw-II/AAAAAAAABKw/E8FNwFRfNQo/s1600-h/IMG_7774.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl8KEvw-II/AAAAAAAABKw/E8FNwFRfNQo/s400/IMG_7774.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276384950955866242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl7AdKrQGI/AAAAAAAABKo/lXn4IP3uaIc/s1600-h/IMG_7767.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 227px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl7AdKrQGI/AAAAAAAABKo/lXn4IP3uaIc/s400/IMG_7767.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276383686200868962" border="0" /></a><br />A day trip to one of the better sights of Oman, Wadi Shab (translated Shab Valley) was slightly interrupted by driving down a few cul de sacs...but nonetheless some fabulous sights were come across...<br /><br />This is the actual Wadi that we finally got to towards the end of the day...unfortunately we didnt get to explore the entire sight...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl7ABOW1gI/AAAAAAAABKg/0mPY-CuzbVM/s1600-h/IMG_7764.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl7ABOW1gI/AAAAAAAABKg/0mPY-CuzbVM/s400/IMG_7764.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276383678700115458" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6_-euslI/AAAAAAAABKY/MrpyHuIX7uM/s1600-h/IMG_7762.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6_-euslI/AAAAAAAABKY/MrpyHuIX7uM/s400/IMG_7762.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276383677963481682" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6_wGAUZI/AAAAAAAABKQ/6OD65gZjDBE/s1600-h/IMG_7757.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 159px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6_wGAUZI/AAAAAAAABKQ/6OD65gZjDBE/s400/IMG_7757.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276383674101682578" border="0" /></a><br />On the way, we came across a village that seemed to be invaded or even infested with goats...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6_ZlAxDI/AAAAAAAABKI/dcxYLmZk1rM/s1600-h/IMG_7747.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6_ZlAxDI/AAAAAAAABKI/dcxYLmZk1rM/s400/IMG_7747.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276383668057719858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6jf9OH1I/AAAAAAAABKA/M2BDV7hZO54/s1600-h/IMG_7744.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6jf9OH1I/AAAAAAAABKA/M2BDV7hZO54/s400/IMG_7744.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276383188733534034" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6jKJXYBI/AAAAAAAABJ4/DyhIn_jjpjM/s1600-h/IMG_7742.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6jKJXYBI/AAAAAAAABJ4/DyhIn_jjpjM/s400/IMG_7742.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276383182878892050" border="0" /></a><br />The sunsets were beautiful in Oman...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6ilAK89I/AAAAAAAABJw/2KFOox5u2Xo/s1600-h/IMG_7734.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6ilAK89I/AAAAAAAABJw/2KFOox5u2Xo/s400/IMG_7734.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276383172908217298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6ipBVrNI/AAAAAAAABJo/r4eisTbnc0M/s1600-h/IMG_7729.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 201px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6ipBVrNI/AAAAAAAABJo/r4eisTbnc0M/s400/IMG_7729.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276383173986856146" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6ioLLmmI/AAAAAAAABJg/WNWJGvReDbQ/s1600-h/IMG_7728.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 88px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6ioLLmmI/AAAAAAAABJg/WNWJGvReDbQ/s400/IMG_7728.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276383173759703650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6NO-s7HI/AAAAAAAABJY/SMn-6mDtGek/s1600-h/IMG_7726.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6NO-s7HI/AAAAAAAABJY/SMn-6mDtGek/s400/IMG_7726.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276382806219222130" border="0" /></a><br />The national flag against a typical mountainous backdrop in Oman...so many of the mountains look like nothing more than very large piles of rubble...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6M6xec5I/AAAAAAAABJQ/Oh1oZ0p2qXY/s1600-h/IMG_7708.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6M6xec5I/AAAAAAAABJQ/Oh1oZ0p2qXY/s400/IMG_7708.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276382800795038610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6M58NydI/AAAAAAAABJI/ZvhZk3H17_w/s1600-h/IMG_7697.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6M58NydI/AAAAAAAABJI/ZvhZk3H17_w/s400/IMG_7697.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276382800571648466" border="0" /></a><br />The ruins of Wadi Tanuf village...I am informed that this was bombed by the British airforce in the 1950s as part of a civil war between the Omani rulers and rebels situated in the mountains. The rebels apparently used this village to hide-out hence its downfall. The villagers obviously decamped and re-built their village literally next door...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6MUCiR1I/AAAAAAAABJA/LpYVJRh0qnA/s1600-h/IMG_7675.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6MUCiR1I/AAAAAAAABJA/LpYVJRh0qnA/s400/IMG_7675.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276382790397609810" border="0" /></a><br />The small city of Nizwa...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6MF79IwI/AAAAAAAABI4/HxrKLQUbDl4/s1600-h/IMG_7657.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl6MF79IwI/AAAAAAAABI4/HxrKLQUbDl4/s400/IMG_7657.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276382786611913474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl5lZkbqLI/AAAAAAAABIw/kiIcOQIs1hE/s1600-h/IMG_7668.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 386px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl5lZkbqLI/AAAAAAAABIw/kiIcOQIs1hE/s400/IMG_7668.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276382121867061426" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl5kzXPW6I/AAAAAAAABIo/EE4oV8rB3ZQ/s1600-h/IMG_7662.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl5kzXPW6I/AAAAAAAABIo/EE4oV8rB3ZQ/s400/IMG_7662.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276382111611181986" border="0" /></a><br />From the very impressive fort at Nizwa...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl5k4pnexI/AAAAAAAABIg/WYYYGfrwVJo/s1600-h/IMG_7654.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 211px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl5k4pnexI/AAAAAAAABIg/WYYYGfrwVJo/s400/IMG_7654.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276382113030437650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl5kavQHZI/AAAAAAAABIY/tDZIr5YdV6w/s1600-h/IMG_7649.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl5kavQHZI/AAAAAAAABIY/tDZIr5YdV6w/s400/IMG_7649.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276382105001008530" border="0" /></a><br />A typical view in Oman of the mountains...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl5kLxb93I/AAAAAAAABIQ/Pu998KMQQwk/s1600-h/IMG_7640.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 193px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/STl5kLxb93I/AAAAAAAABIQ/Pu998KMQQwk/s400/IMG_7640.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276382100983641970" border="0" /></a><br />Next stop: Bahrain<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-6406777785327797011?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-28023521027910004522008-11-08T11:08:00.000-08:002008-11-09T09:25:19.841-08:00The Western Region (or Al <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Gharbia</span> in the local speak) of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Abu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Dhabi</span> Emirate is my 1/2 home for the last month and the next couple of months. This area, commonly known as the Empty Corner, is a land of surprises. You never know what might pop up from behind a tremendously large sand dune...<br /><br />Before we get there, I have taken a couple of pics of the amazingly beautiful and hazy Autumn sunrise that can be experienced around these parts. This is on the road out of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Abu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Dhabi</span>...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXlmEwmX8I/AAAAAAAABII/KsJlSqmfdqc/s1600-h/IMG_7401.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXlmEwmX8I/AAAAAAAABII/KsJlSqmfdqc/s400/IMG_7401.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266367781555036098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXlldCREII/AAAAAAAABIA/_NNQ_24yMUQ/s1600-h/IMG_7399.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 198px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXlldCREII/AAAAAAAABIA/_NNQ_24yMUQ/s400/IMG_7399.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266367770891718786" border="0" /></a><br />This is our home for 1/2 of the week...the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Liwa</span> Hotel...a lovely hotel, though a little bit spoiled due to some architectural misgivings...the poolside has amazing views of endless miles of sand dunes (which are possible to see in this pic)...the design is roughly based on a traditional <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Emirati</span> fort...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXlbdASgdI/AAAAAAAABH4/OELY0Hkoyeo/s1600-h/IMG_7379.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXlbdASgdI/AAAAAAAABH4/OELY0Hkoyeo/s400/IMG_7379.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266367599084732882" border="0" /></a><br />Another sunrise...this time from the hotel balcony of a morning...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXlbRjQ54I/AAAAAAAABHw/Av3ReGGLvks/s1600-h/IMG_7385.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXlbRjQ54I/AAAAAAAABHw/Av3ReGGLvks/s400/IMG_7385.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266367596010203010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXlbNm4TzI/AAAAAAAABHo/CrzlwjjI5vI/s1600-h/IMG_7388edit.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXlbNm4TzI/AAAAAAAABHo/CrzlwjjI5vI/s400/IMG_7388edit.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266367594951626546" border="0" /></a><br />This extraordinary sight was spotted on our first drive to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Liwa</span>, the town of our hotel in the Western Region. Despite this being the middle of the desert, you can see lots of fodder farms and hay baling...with huge sand dunes just hundreds of metres away...the reason being that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Liwa</span> area is surrounded by an oasis allowing the local to grow fodder, tomatoes and lots of other horticulture...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXlIC5zSgI/AAAAAAAABHg/_yau4uUyD3s/s1600-h/IMG_7393.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXlIC5zSgI/AAAAAAAABHg/_yau4uUyD3s/s400/IMG_7393.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266367265660684802" border="0" /></a><br />The highway into <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Liwa</span>...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXlH8qnDVI/AAAAAAAABHY/_R6rpT7siaE/s1600-h/IMG_7395.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXlH8qnDVI/AAAAAAAABHY/_R6rpT7siaE/s400/IMG_7395.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266367263986355538" border="0" /></a><br />A typical series of enormous sand dunes, symbolic of the area...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXlHsTfoJI/AAAAAAAABHQ/0sx_wLr9xhw/s1600-h/IMG_7407.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXlHsTfoJI/AAAAAAAABHQ/0sx_wLr9xhw/s400/IMG_7407.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266367259594432658" border="0" /></a><br />Sunset in the Empty Corner...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXlHd1M36I/AAAAAAAABHI/sNWxqY2CrVI/s1600-h/IMG_7422.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 159px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXlHd1M36I/AAAAAAAABHI/sNWxqY2CrVI/s400/IMG_7422.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266367255709278114" border="0" /></a><br />The place is also dotted with camel farms...with camel racing being a hugely popular local pastime...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXkkW5SU7I/AAAAAAAABGo/Ck9hlEI5Qig/s1600-h/IMG_7425.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXkkW5SU7I/AAAAAAAABGo/Ck9hlEI5Qig/s400/IMG_7425.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266366652551943090" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXkc7M-TlI/AAAAAAAABGg/zUKawiYLh5g/s1600-h/IMG_7426.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXkc7M-TlI/AAAAAAAABGg/zUKawiYLh5g/s400/IMG_7426.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266366524859240018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXkchcB5AI/AAAAAAAABGY/5b89Hn6hwzU/s1600-h/IMG_7432.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXkchcB5AI/AAAAAAAABGY/5b89Hn6hwzU/s400/IMG_7432.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266366517943067650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXkcTTMJ2I/AAAAAAAABGQ/x8y10omJjOw/s1600-h/IMG_7433.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXkcTTMJ2I/AAAAAAAABGQ/x8y10omJjOw/s400/IMG_7433.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266366514147895138" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXkcIhfRpI/AAAAAAAABGI/xIVsXnErijs/s1600-h/IMG_7434.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 197px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXkcIhfRpI/AAAAAAAABGI/xIVsXnErijs/s400/IMG_7434.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266366511255078546" border="0" /></a><br />One of the roads into a mountainous sand dune area...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXkbuwLPCI/AAAAAAAABGA/jwswZObpMlA/s1600-h/IMG_7436.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXkbuwLPCI/AAAAAAAABGA/jwswZObpMlA/s400/IMG_7436.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266366504337357858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXkBsAAjKI/AAAAAAAABF4/a-db13oXo9Y/s1600-h/IMG_7443.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXkBsAAjKI/AAAAAAAABF4/a-db13oXo9Y/s400/IMG_7443.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266366056921861282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXkBYMaeZI/AAAAAAAABFw/-qKbEpc2IyI/s1600-h/IMG_7444.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXkBYMaeZI/AAAAAAAABFw/-qKbEpc2IyI/s400/IMG_7444.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266366051605182866" border="0" /></a><br />An absolutely glorious desert sunset...the sunsets and sunrises here are amongst the best I have ever seen (well, on a par with southern Tasmania)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXkBTrFpwI/AAAAAAAABFo/SuO-CJ4GgCo/s1600-h/IMG_7447edit.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXkBTrFpwI/AAAAAAAABFo/SuO-CJ4GgCo/s400/IMG_7447edit.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266366050391664386" border="0" /></a><br />A favourite photo...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXkBCA-hzI/AAAAAAAABFg/sVJh9Q644cw/s1600-h/IMG_7449.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXkBCA-hzI/AAAAAAAABFg/sVJh9Q644cw/s400/IMG_7449.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266366045651633970" border="0" /></a><br />A farm outpost...a common sight among the desert dunes...a closer look will show the presence of sheep, goats, camels, horses and chickens...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXkA-s3BiI/AAAAAAAABFY/0wX6HaaRBaY/s1600-h/IMG_7457.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 122px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SRXkA-s3BiI/AAAAAAAABFY/0wX6HaaRBaY/s400/IMG_7457.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266366044761949730" border="0" /></a><br />In all, this is an amazing place which gives a facade of nothing-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">ness</span>, but is actually rich with excitement and surprise.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-2802352102791000452?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-82991085358386797182008-11-06T06:54:00.000-08:002008-11-06T12:04:11.370-08:00Next stop on my Gulf travels was a weekend across the bright blue waters of the Gulf in Qatar...this was actually my first trip outside of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">UAE</span> back in July...I just forgot to post the pics...Doha, the capital is much like a mini Dubai, striving to attract the world's investors through uniquely designed buildings and off-shore suburbs...here is a sample...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPILJdzEUzI/AAAAAAAABE4/PUyquQEvHgE/s1600-h/IMG_7085.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPILJdzEUzI/AAAAAAAABE4/PUyquQEvHgE/s400/IMG_7085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256275972340339506" border="0" /></a><br />Doha's Islamic Centre viewed from the bay which lines a great deal of the city...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPILJvZY0XI/AAAAAAAABFA/kbkZ7C-vP30/s1600-h/IMG_7078.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPILJvZY0XI/AAAAAAAABFA/kbkZ7C-vP30/s400/IMG_7078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256275977064468850" border="0" /></a><br />Part of the skyline with one of its unique....though not quite finished skyscrapers...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPILJs5bqYI/AAAAAAAABFI/RbdRp39_df4/s1600-h/IMG_7088.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPILJs5bqYI/AAAAAAAABFI/RbdRp39_df4/s400/IMG_7088.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256275976393566594" border="0" /></a><br />Another fabulous tall building...this one with a very large golden ball joining the two towers on about the 20<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> floor (I am told that there is a meeting room within the ball)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPILJhngvbI/AAAAAAAABFQ/GEZmFaKDldI/s1600-h/IMG_7094.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPILJhngvbI/AAAAAAAABFQ/GEZmFaKDldI/s400/IMG_7094.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256275973365611954" border="0" /></a><br />Some colourful spices at the Doha Souk (market)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIKV_uWBkI/AAAAAAAABEQ/kZx3YVMa5As/s1600-h/IMG_7061.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIKV_uWBkI/AAAAAAAABEQ/kZx3YVMa5As/s400/IMG_7061.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256275088094135874" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIKWB03nVI/AAAAAAAABEY/RGnLGcV3Z7E/s1600-h/IMG_7055.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIKWB03nVI/AAAAAAAABEY/RGnLGcV3Z7E/s400/IMG_7055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256275088658373970" border="0" /></a><br />The Doha skyline...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIKWDV5HWI/AAAAAAAABEg/Bzx1Y2CPeX8/s1600-h/IMG_7071.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIKWDV5HWI/AAAAAAAABEg/Bzx1Y2CPeX8/s400/IMG_7071.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256275089065319778" border="0" /></a><br />The new and yet to be opened Doha <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Museum</span> of Islamic Arts which lies on the bay...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIKWfqkCmI/AAAAAAAABEo/i6LkWpdHSGo/s1600-h/IMG_7074.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIKWfqkCmI/AAAAAAAABEo/i6LkWpdHSGo/s400/IMG_7074.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256275096668211810" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIKWhNWO-I/AAAAAAAABEw/zZ0tGW6PkLg/s1600-h/IMG_7075.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIKWhNWO-I/AAAAAAAABEw/zZ0tGW6PkLg/s400/IMG_7075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256275097082543074" border="0" /></a><br />Two more superb looking buildings...believe it or not, these, when finished, will be the tallest <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">zig</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">zag</span> buildings in the world!!! Wow!...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJ3HbtKKI/AAAAAAAABDo/CIr1n_c8G9o/s1600-h/IMG_7022.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJ3HbtKKI/AAAAAAAABDo/CIr1n_c8G9o/s400/IMG_7022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256274557587499170" border="0" /></a><br />Inside the souk...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJ3ILYqdI/AAAAAAAABDw/cOMn_4pPMcs/s1600-h/IMG_7039.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJ3ILYqdI/AAAAAAAABDw/cOMn_4pPMcs/s400/IMG_7039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256274557787482578" border="0" /></a><br />Outside the souk...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJ3ALQYoI/AAAAAAAABD4/726LPqMXheo/s1600-h/IMG_7043.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJ3ALQYoI/AAAAAAAABD4/726LPqMXheo/s400/IMG_7043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256274555639456386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJ3VXRmAI/AAAAAAAABEA/BbshqrWH3cU/s1600-h/IMG_7044.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJ3VXRmAI/AAAAAAAABEA/BbshqrWH3cU/s400/IMG_7044.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256274561327011842" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJ3oXyvII/AAAAAAAABEI/4sw8mfelmds/s1600-h/IMG_7050.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJ3oXyvII/AAAAAAAABEI/4sw8mfelmds/s400/IMG_7050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256274566429457538" border="0" /></a><br />A closer look at the soon to be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">anointed</span> tallest <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">zig</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">zag</span> buildings in the world...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJcCLpTeI/AAAAAAAABDA/KveFgzP15GA/s1600-h/IMG_7009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJcCLpTeI/AAAAAAAABDA/KveFgzP15GA/s400/IMG_7009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256274092321492450" border="0" /></a><br />Looking out towards the Arabian Gulf from a Doha beach...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJcCsveBI/AAAAAAAABDI/7p3W8DH5Gg8/s1600-h/IMG_7018.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJcCsveBI/AAAAAAAABDI/7p3W8DH5Gg8/s400/IMG_7018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256274092460308498" border="0" /></a><br />A former royal palace which has been converted into the Diplomatic Club...a place for the expats to act like gentlemen...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJcEeqFFI/AAAAAAAABDQ/l6epAB1qHVE/s1600-h/IMG_7013.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJcEeqFFI/AAAAAAAABDQ/l6epAB1qHVE/s400/IMG_7013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256274092938105938" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJcYEa7FI/AAAAAAAABDY/KL2mysCGQ80/s1600-h/IMG_7014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJcYEa7FI/AAAAAAAABDY/KL2mysCGQ80/s400/IMG_7014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256274098196769874" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJcXoTmOI/AAAAAAAABDg/gTAZtj8X1BE/s1600-h/IMG_7021.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJcXoTmOI/AAAAAAAABDg/gTAZtj8X1BE/s400/IMG_7021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256274098078849250" border="0" /></a><br />Some snaps of the a short trip to a fishing village north of Doha, the village of Al <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Khawr</span>...<br /><br />On the way up, I was constantly distracted by the busy-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">ness</span> of the landscape...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJC3w30MI/AAAAAAAABCo/ib3d4khFoP4/s1600-h/IMG_6982.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJC3w30MI/AAAAAAAABCo/ib3d4khFoP4/s400/IMG_6982.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256273660028113090" border="0" /></a><br />A fishing boat '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">rego</span> plate' as we might call it back in Oz...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJCR3QAsI/AAAAAAAABCY/9vvApVL8aDg/s1600-h/IMG_6996.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJCR3QAsI/AAAAAAAABCY/9vvApVL8aDg/s400/IMG_6996.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256273649854317250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJC-zmnSI/AAAAAAAABCg/MPXhuq6evQ8/s1600-h/IMG_7000.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJC-zmnSI/AAAAAAAABCg/MPXhuq6evQ8/s400/IMG_7000.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256273661918616866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJC01banI/AAAAAAAABCw/YHMWGtBmxLI/s1600-h/IMG_6990.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJC01banI/AAAAAAAABCw/YHMWGtBmxLI/s400/IMG_6990.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256273659241917042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJC40E1yI/AAAAAAAABC4/K3RrBhsvXkA/s1600-h/IMG_7008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SPIJC40E1yI/AAAAAAAABC4/K3RrBhsvXkA/s400/IMG_7008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256273660309985058" border="0" /></a>...and so I returned to AD as we locals call it now all ready for the next journey...(which is not far away)...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-8299108535838679718?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-4966549206118724832008-10-03T05:38:00.000-07:002008-10-03T06:08:55.255-07:00A few Abu Dhabi homely pics which I thought might be of interest...mostly involve birds...the type with wings that is...<br /><br />This is Villa 98, the place I call home....<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SOYULflux6I/AAAAAAAAAsk/-jP03l03ksw/s1600-h/Villa+98.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SOYULflux6I/AAAAAAAAAsk/-jP03l03ksw/s400/Villa+98.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252908203065132962" border="0" /></a><br />The Khalidiya Village streetscape...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SOYULTfnOAI/AAAAAAAAAss/sMKWzHqVzQM/s1600-h/Khalidiya+Village+streetscape.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SOYULTfnOAI/AAAAAAAAAss/sMKWzHqVzQM/s400/Khalidiya+Village+streetscape.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252908199818246146" border="0" /></a><br />Views from my bedroom balcony looking towards part of Abu Dhabi (including a lovely private garden just behind our villa - which, now that I look at it, has grown considerably since I took this photo 4 months ago)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SOYULSgxWlI/AAAAAAAAAs0/7kBRlCML93A/s1600-h/View+from+Villa+98.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SOYULSgxWlI/AAAAAAAAAs0/7kBRlCML93A/s400/View+from+Villa+98.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252908199554669138" border="0" /></a><br />I always have birds on my balcony waking me up in the morning...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SOYS4t7sUzI/AAAAAAAAAr0/8V1DFf0LPNY/s1600-h/IMG_7342.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SOYS4t7sUzI/AAAAAAAAAr0/8V1DFf0LPNY/s400/IMG_7342.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252906780986200882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SOYS4sDqkVI/AAAAAAAAAr8/qwaKDABdpVU/s1600-h/IMG_7358.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SOYS4sDqkVI/AAAAAAAAAr8/qwaKDABdpVU/s400/IMG_7358.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252906780482769234" border="0" /></a><br />Duck and Little Duck...the Villa pets...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SOYS4s7N9VI/AAAAAAAAAsE/UKmi2ZQvAV8/s1600-h/IMG_7360.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SOYS4s7N9VI/AAAAAAAAAsE/UKmi2ZQvAV8/s400/IMG_7360.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252906780715775314" border="0" /></a><br />Ducks in specially constructed pond...of course, this pond was carefully selected and installed to be closely emblematic of an Abu Dhabi duck's natural environment...lions, deer, North American brown bear and all...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SOYS4x-s3FI/AAAAAAAAAsM/Sc7imFBUNj0/s1600-h/IMG_7374.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SOYS4x-s3FI/AAAAAAAAAsM/Sc7imFBUNj0/s400/IMG_7374.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252906782072560722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SOYS49MdcFI/AAAAAAAAAsU/neSNOxg8fgA/s1600-h/IMG_7361.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SOYS49MdcFI/AAAAAAAAAsU/neSNOxg8fgA/s400/IMG_7361.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252906785083060306" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SOYTs86KfzI/AAAAAAAAAsc/0osjE-5Qa70/s1600-h/IMG_7369.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SOYTs86KfzI/AAAAAAAAAsc/0osjE-5Qa70/s400/IMG_7369.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252907678359519026" border="0" /></a><br />A few months ago when Little Duck was little...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SOYULfg38KI/AAAAAAAAAs8/bJnJ6L4JOV0/s1600-h/Two+Ducks.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SOYULfg38KI/AAAAAAAAAs8/bJnJ6L4JOV0/s400/Two+Ducks.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252908203044761762" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SOYWbXQxFUI/AAAAAAAAAtE/gt5zzNu2pDg/s1600-h/Snoozy+Small+Duck.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SOYWbXQxFUI/AAAAAAAAAtE/gt5zzNu2pDg/s400/Snoozy+Small+Duck.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252910674730882370" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SOYZOzpGIfI/AAAAAAAAAtM/j9m7LKsS_vs/s1600-h/Duck+Pond+and+Small+Duck.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SOYZOzpGIfI/AAAAAAAAAtM/j9m7LKsS_vs/s400/Duck+Pond+and+Small+Duck.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252913757545701874" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-496654920611872483?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-3003842348508406272008-09-11T13:32:00.000-07:002008-09-11T14:09:43.608-07:00I have finally got myself back into gear on this blog thing...and am now using Lebanon as my launch pad to further posting of my travel photographs...<br /><br />Lebanon is a gem...hidden away by the veil of a reputation for civil war and terrorism...but, luckily this not the way of regular Lebanese life<br /><br />The capital, Beirut, is full of life...in much the same way I found in atmospheric <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Buenos</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Aires</span>...and the mountain side towns often mirror what one might find in Italy.<br /><br />This a building on campus of the American University of Beirut...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmE2L1MSpI/AAAAAAAAArk/7w1khHN-GZA/s1600-h/IMG_7208.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmE2L1MSpI/AAAAAAAAArk/7w1khHN-GZA/s400/IMG_7208.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244869307473349266" border="0" /></a><br />Typical apartments in west Beirut...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmE2TDk8gI/AAAAAAAAArs/1ri2HMsQha4/s1600-h/IMG_7198.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmE2TDk8gI/AAAAAAAAArs/1ri2HMsQha4/s400/IMG_7198.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244869309412733442" border="0" /></a><br />More from the university...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmEaCkjThI/AAAAAAAAAq8/-SQKufsVAbE/s1600-h/IMG_7245.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmEaCkjThI/AAAAAAAAAq8/-SQKufsVAbE/s400/IMG_7245.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244868823951298066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmEaRQ_VrI/AAAAAAAAArE/k1ePcEyZZsQ/s1600-h/IMG_7238.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmEaRQ_VrI/AAAAAAAAArE/k1ePcEyZZsQ/s400/IMG_7238.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244868827895781042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmEan-Mp-I/AAAAAAAAArM/xtH_r6gteyU/s1600-h/IMG_7225.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmEan-Mp-I/AAAAAAAAArM/xtH_r6gteyU/s400/IMG_7225.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244868833990977506" border="0" /></a><br />A feline friend emerges from the cracked walls of a uni building...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmEaxSSIRI/AAAAAAAAArU/_10fh6mQD2U/s1600-h/IMG_7212.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmEaxSSIRI/AAAAAAAAArU/_10fh6mQD2U/s400/IMG_7212.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244868836491141394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmEazwO4_I/AAAAAAAAArc/TAs7qd0UsHs/s1600-h/IMG_7209.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmEazwO4_I/AAAAAAAAArc/TAs7qd0UsHs/s400/IMG_7209.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244868837153629170" border="0" /></a><br />Downtown Beirut...ancient ruins run alongside the re-built city centre...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmDxotzBjI/AAAAAAAAAqU/5ftviFZX3rE/s1600-h/IMG_7275.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmDxotzBjI/AAAAAAAAAqU/5ftviFZX3rE/s400/IMG_7275.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244868129815987762" border="0" /></a><br />The Mohammad <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">el</span> Amine mosque in downtown...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmDxx4_JfI/AAAAAAAAAqc/57sxUe7O1y0/s1600-h/IMG_7256.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmDxx4_JfI/AAAAAAAAAqc/57sxUe7O1y0/s400/IMG_7256.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244868132278838770" border="0" /></a><br />The information I want is what does this sign mean?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmDx4N5mQI/AAAAAAAAAqk/D-0Wwq9aCwg/s1600-h/IMG_7255.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmDx4N5mQI/AAAAAAAAAqk/D-0Wwq9aCwg/s400/IMG_7255.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244868133977168130" border="0" /></a><br />Beirut <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">streetscape</span>...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmDyILcuKI/AAAAAAAAAqs/FgSeUPtoLkM/s1600-h/IMG_7249.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmDyILcuKI/AAAAAAAAAqs/FgSeUPtoLkM/s400/IMG_7249.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244868138261854370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmDyNmfqsI/AAAAAAAAAq0/tr6o3u14JJc/s1600-h/IMG_7248.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmDyNmfqsI/AAAAAAAAAq0/tr6o3u14JJc/s400/IMG_7248.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244868139717470914" border="0" /></a><br />Into the hills to the east of Beirut...looking across towards the Syrian border...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmCyt4j6lI/AAAAAAAAAqE/v83pBEhe6Ws/s1600-h/IMG_7284.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmCyt4j6lI/AAAAAAAAAqE/v83pBEhe6Ws/s400/IMG_7284.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244867048871553618" border="0" /></a><br />The road up from Beirut into the hills...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmCy2ih0jI/AAAAAAAAAqM/rFwG2d1Z2wQ/s1600-h/IMG_7280.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmCy2ih0jI/AAAAAAAAAqM/rFwG2d1Z2wQ/s400/IMG_7280.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244867051195060786" border="0" /></a><br />The world's largest set of rosary beads? Just near <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Zahle</span>...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmCBl5X5NI/AAAAAAAAApk/acnY-kaMIIk/s1600-h/IMG_7304.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmCBl5X5NI/AAAAAAAAApk/acnY-kaMIIk/s400/IMG_7304.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244866204913886418" border="0" /></a><br />Looking from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Zahle</span> across the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Bekaa</span> valley towards the Syrian border...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmCCV8UVtI/AAAAAAAAAps/YdSu3GDMQTA/s1600-h/IMG_7299.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmCCV8UVtI/AAAAAAAAAps/YdSu3GDMQTA/s400/IMG_7299.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244866217811138258" border="0" /></a><br />Our Lady of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Zahle</span> and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Beqaa</span> tower...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmCCnE7xaI/AAAAAAAAAp0/viISOxeY3QY/s1600-h/IMG_7297.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmCCnE7xaI/AAAAAAAAAp0/viISOxeY3QY/s400/IMG_7297.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244866222410679714" border="0" /></a><br />A <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Zahle</span> mosaic...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmCCmtsC9I/AAAAAAAAAp8/vvUhwDKfFOc/s1600-h/IMG_7288.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmCCmtsC9I/AAAAAAAAAp8/vvUhwDKfFOc/s400/IMG_7288.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244866222313180114" border="0" /></a><br />The tower again...I walked the stairs to the top...and it was a wonderful view...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmBFbrlvgI/AAAAAAAAApc/JisqH62BO28/s1600-h/IMG_7305.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmBFbrlvgI/AAAAAAAAApc/JisqH62BO28/s400/IMG_7305.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244865171379568130" border="0" /></a><br />The idyllic town of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Zahle</span> nestled in a valley...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmA6FmE1fI/AAAAAAAAApU/16sFfepw0JA/s1600-h/IMG_7308.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SMmA6FmE1fI/AAAAAAAAApU/16sFfepw0JA/s400/IMG_7308.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244864976472298994" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-300384234850840627?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-31270922163477300962008-04-22T19:58:00.001-07:002008-12-12T13:54:21.085-08:00Back home...the view from the computer desk (and, yes, that is a red-and-black Bombers windmill in the background)...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6m4oRHusI/AAAAAAAAApE/N3u8ngF_r1Q/s1600-h/IMG_6830.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192270912216873666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6m4oRHusI/AAAAAAAAApE/N3u8ngF_r1Q/s400/IMG_6830.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6m5oRHutI/AAAAAAAAApM/pFGMWr54QxY/s1600-h/IMG_6831.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192270929396742866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6m5oRHutI/AAAAAAAAApM/pFGMWr54QxY/s400/IMG_6831.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-3127092216347730096?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-16038416588466689042008-04-20T06:52:00.001-07:002008-12-12T13:54:26.198-08:00Arriving at 5am in Santiago, Chile, without a hostel booking, was an unwise decision. For 4 months, booking hostels has not been necessary...but at 6am, one finds that hostel receptions are not manned...and so it looked like 2 hours or more on a park-bench...after an encounter with some would-be-street-thieves (you scoundrels!) and then the hospitality of an office building foyer guard, I finally got myself into a hostel...and all returned to normal.<br /><br />Santiago is a modern city...with little of the noticeable poverty of other large South American cities...and the sight of the Andes towering above it to the east is awesome (for you Tasmanians, it's a bit like Mt Wellington over Hobart...but on a far grander scale)...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6fbIRHuqI/AAAAAAAAAo0/mg-3paQSxms/s1600-h/IMG_6672.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192262708829338274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6fbIRHuqI/AAAAAAAAAo0/mg-3paQSxms/s400/IMG_6672.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6fbYRHurI/AAAAAAAAAo8/YNTL5c03jHM/s1600-h/IMG_6669.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192262713124305586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6fbYRHurI/AAAAAAAAAo8/YNTL5c03jHM/s400/IMG_6669.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6fa4RHupI/AAAAAAAAAos/-RXT7Zf9MqY/s1600-h/IMG_6677.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192262704534370962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6fa4RHupI/AAAAAAAAAos/-RXT7Zf9MqY/s400/IMG_6677.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Sculpture park in one of Chile's pleasant green areas...<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6eWIRHukI/AAAAAAAAAoE/EuY-QOukqVU/s1600-h/IMG_6710.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192261523418364482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6eWIRHukI/AAAAAAAAAoE/EuY-QOukqVU/s400/IMG_6710.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6eWYRHulI/AAAAAAAAAoM/PbXavbn9YNg/s1600-h/IMG_6706.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192261527713331794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6eWYRHulI/AAAAAAAAAoM/PbXavbn9YNg/s400/IMG_6706.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Owing to being located in a valley of sorts, the city's pollution has great difficulty in escaping and, so, for much of my time in Santiago, a grey blanket hovered above the skyline...<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6eWYRHumI/AAAAAAAAAoU/MaAk0GqEcog/s1600-h/IMG_6701.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192261527713331810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6eWYRHumI/AAAAAAAAAoU/MaAk0GqEcog/s400/IMG_6701.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6eWoRHunI/AAAAAAAAAoc/0UAJEgp7Dwk/s1600-h/IMG_6690.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192261532008299122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6eWoRHunI/AAAAAAAAAoc/0UAJEgp7Dwk/s400/IMG_6690.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6eW4RHuoI/AAAAAAAAAok/pqMXzA5hr8A/s1600-h/IMG_6689.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192261536303266434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6eW4RHuoI/AAAAAAAAAok/pqMXzA5hr8A/s400/IMG_6689.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p>A tour of local vineyards was most enjoyable for not only the lovely tasting wines, but also the brilliant sights...</p><p> </p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6ca4RHugI/AAAAAAAAAnk/7612rq_tenQ/s1600-h/IMG_6735.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192259405999487490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6ca4RHugI/AAAAAAAAAnk/7612rq_tenQ/s400/IMG_6735.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6cbIRHuhI/AAAAAAAAAns/Lt9FnEPJTBk/s1600-h/IMG_6730.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192259410294454802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6cbIRHuhI/AAAAAAAAAns/Lt9FnEPJTBk/s400/IMG_6730.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6cbIRHuiI/AAAAAAAAAn0/sHhdcbOWWF8/s1600-h/IMG_6728.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192259410294454818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6cbIRHuiI/AAAAAAAAAn0/sHhdcbOWWF8/s400/IMG_6728.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6caoRHufI/AAAAAAAAAnc/MTmoqYpY4-0/s1600-h/IMG_6740.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192259401704520178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6caoRHufI/AAAAAAAAAnc/MTmoqYpY4-0/s400/IMG_6740.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6cbYRHujI/AAAAAAAAAn8/DdCYmsSm2Mk/s1600-h/IMG_6714.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192259414589422130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6cbYRHujI/AAAAAAAAAn8/DdCYmsSm2Mk/s400/IMG_6714.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6a_4RHubI/AAAAAAAAAm8/GN4ql1Dr0B4/s1600-h/IMG_6786.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192257842631391666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6a_4RHubI/AAAAAAAAAm8/GN4ql1Dr0B4/s400/IMG_6786.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6bAIRHucI/AAAAAAAAAnE/-8QBjjG-4Vw/s1600-h/IMG_6762.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192257846926358978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6bAIRHucI/AAAAAAAAAnE/-8QBjjG-4Vw/s400/IMG_6762.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6bAIRHudI/AAAAAAAAAnM/X-67a17-fJg/s1600-h/IMG_6749.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192257846926358994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6bAIRHudI/AAAAAAAAAnM/X-67a17-fJg/s400/IMG_6749.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6bAYRHueI/AAAAAAAAAnU/2yBliRboIao/s1600-h/IMG_6743.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192257851221326306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6bAYRHueI/AAAAAAAAAnU/2yBliRboIao/s400/IMG_6743.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Back to the city...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6a_4RHuaI/AAAAAAAAAm0/ax88rrFoYpQ/s1600-h/IMG_6797.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192257842631391650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6a_4RHuaI/AAAAAAAAAm0/ax88rrFoYpQ/s400/IMG_6797.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6Zv4RHuWI/AAAAAAAAAmU/dsGPQ1tOv4g/s1600-h/IMG_6817.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192256468241856866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6Zv4RHuWI/AAAAAAAAAmU/dsGPQ1tOv4g/s400/IMG_6817.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6Zv4RHuXI/AAAAAAAAAmc/C5OM-UIaVh0/s1600-h/IMG_6818.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192256468241856882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6Zv4RHuXI/AAAAAAAAAmc/C5OM-UIaVh0/s400/IMG_6818.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6ZwIRHuYI/AAAAAAAAAmk/SsFeCTgsTlU/s1600-h/IMG_6827.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192256472536824194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6ZwIRHuYI/AAAAAAAAAmk/SsFeCTgsTlU/s400/IMG_6827.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6ZwYRHuZI/AAAAAAAAAms/w-NMqExnhHU/s1600-h/IMG_6829.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192256476831791506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6ZwYRHuZI/AAAAAAAAAms/w-NMqExnhHU/s400/IMG_6829.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Suburban night skyline from the hostel terrace (incidentally, another highly recommended hostel... Happy House Hostel)...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6ZvYRHuVI/AAAAAAAAAmM/X0vwhKm4h-Q/s1600-h/IMG_6807.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192256459651922258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SA6ZvYRHuVI/AAAAAAAAAmM/X0vwhKm4h-Q/s400/IMG_6807.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />And so, my world travel trip comes to an end...a flight across the Pacific, quick stop at the Auckland airport and then a final flight into a cloud covered Melbourne signalled a temporary hiatus in my global travels...<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-1603841658846668904?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-72852756067416457082008-04-15T17:02:00.000-07:002008-12-12T13:54:27.389-08:00<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Buenos</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Aires</span> is a place of hissing buses, friendly stray dogs roaming in packs and seemingly disposable plastic toilet seats...but more than anything <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Buenos</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Aires</span> is a city to indulge in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">beef</span> steak.<br /><br /><br /><br />I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">dont</span> know what precisely they do with it <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">between</span> paddock and plate, but it is, without doubt, the best steak in the world...and I say that as an Australian who has a lot of time for our own beef cows and farmers.<br /><br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Buenos</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Aires</span> is also an intriguing place with its architecture...while some buildings in the city are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">immaculate</span> and appear to be something out of the beginning of last century Europe, others are little more than the ramshackle you would find in a run-down, depressed city.<br /><br /><br /><br />Unfortunately, I probably <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">didnt</span> take the amount of photos in BA as I had hoped...it was just a little bit too difficult to be swinging an expensive camera around on the streets, knowing that you would then become target no.1 for the local pickpocket/street thief...<br /><br /><br />Plaza <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">de</span> Mayo (one of the main squares for the frequent...hourly perhaps...demonstrations against this that or the other)...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATuoB-EaDI/AAAAAAAAAfM/AYPxWbMD6bw/s1600-h/IMG_6594.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189535042128603186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATuoB-EaDI/AAAAAAAAAfM/AYPxWbMD6bw/s400/IMG_6594.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATuoR-EaEI/AAAAAAAAAfU/Nx--oB3ARI0/s1600-h/IMG_6593.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189535046423570498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATuoR-EaEI/AAAAAAAAAfU/Nx--oB3ARI0/s400/IMG_6593.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Pigeon lady...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATuUx-EaBI/AAAAAAAAAe8/ak388JXZMkI/s1600-h/IMG_6598.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189534711416121362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATuUx-EaBI/AAAAAAAAAe8/ak388JXZMkI/s400/IMG_6598.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Looking down one of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">BA's</span> wide avenues, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Avenida</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">de</span> Mayo...some these avenues have countless lanes...well actually, I did count the widest one...I think it had 20 lanes....</div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATuUx-EaCI/AAAAAAAAAfE/CgqwBWlX6J4/s1600-h/IMG_6596.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189534711416121378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATuUx-EaCI/AAAAAAAAAfE/CgqwBWlX6J4/s400/IMG_6596.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Apart from the countless stray dogs, there appears to be a tendency for a high ratio of dog ownership in BA. Hence the need for the multi-leaded dog walker....( I counted 14 dogs)...<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATt8x-EZ_I/AAAAAAAAAes/1yIuRNn0Phg/s1600-h/IMG_6601.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189534299099260914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATt8x-EZ_I/AAAAAAAAAes/1yIuRNn0Phg/s400/IMG_6601.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I stood for quite some time wondering why you would need so many doors (6) so close together? I am still not quite sure...and it was not an uncommon thing in BA...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATt9B-EaAI/AAAAAAAAAe0/ZRmQWUqSsto/s1600-h/IMG_6599.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189534303394228226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATt9B-EaAI/AAAAAAAAAe0/ZRmQWUqSsto/s400/IMG_6599.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Next stop: Ecuador<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-7285275606741645708?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-76908649151825499562008-04-15T15:46:00.000-07:002008-12-12T13:54:29.925-08:00My first two memories of Ecuador...or rather Quito, its capital...were of loud, chanting football fans in the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">minuscule</span> arrivals hall waiting for their sporting gods to return from whence they'd been (presumably tasting victory)...<br /><br />and then an extraordinary, though practical, sight of the local <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">garbos</span> (the gentlemen employed to collect one's refuse) adorning themselves with those army dark green garbage bags to protect themselves from the torrential elements. I chuckled.<br /><br />But my time in Ecuador was mostly spent on the north west coast...enjoying the sunshine and the sea (ocean)...actually this was the closest I had come to to ocean since the Dingle Peninsula in Ireland and perhaps also the boardwalk at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Wallasey</span> on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Birkenhead</span> Peninsula which is over the river from Liverpool....anyways...<br /><br />The three places I spent my time were two small, relatively isolated fishing villages of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Muisne</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Mompiche</span>...both of which had fantastic beaches...and then <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Atacames</span>, a resort town which is said to be raucous at the peak vacation times, but was mild enough for me...<br /><br />Some sights as the bus passed through...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT5Fh-Ea4I/AAAAAAAAAl0/qWcQX2YASnU/s1600-h/IMG_6661.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189546544051022722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT5Fh-Ea4I/AAAAAAAAAl0/qWcQX2YASnU/s400/IMG_6661.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT5Fh-Ea5I/AAAAAAAAAl8/QO-PqfMM76M/s1600-h/IMG_6660.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189546544051022738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT5Fh-Ea5I/AAAAAAAAAl8/QO-PqfMM76M/s400/IMG_6660.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT5Fx-Ea6I/AAAAAAAAAmE/m3HUDXSOLhI/s1600-h/IMG_6656.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189546548345990050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT5Fx-Ea6I/AAAAAAAAAmE/m3HUDXSOLhI/s400/IMG_6656.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT41h-Ea3I/AAAAAAAAAls/UKkM2dERDxo/s1600-h/IMG_6645.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189546269173115762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT41h-Ea3I/AAAAAAAAAls/UKkM2dERDxo/s400/IMG_6645.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Muisne</span> beach...<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT41B-Ea1I/AAAAAAAAAlc/DCkyUoGlkQ0/s1600-h/IMG_6604.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189546260583181138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT41B-Ea1I/AAAAAAAAAlc/DCkyUoGlkQ0/s400/IMG_6604.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Mompiche</span>...a view from my hostel window...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT41R-Ea2I/AAAAAAAAAlk/Ln6lyb2UvYM/s1600-h/IMG_6639.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189546264878148450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT41R-Ea2I/AAAAAAAAAlk/Ln6lyb2UvYM/s400/IMG_6639.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And some fabulous sunset views from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Muisne</span> beach...matching the sunset from when I travelled up the Danube a couple of months ago...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT4gB-EayI/AAAAAAAAAlE/AKR7HSNZhLM/s1600-h/IMG_6615.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189545899805928226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT4gB-EayI/AAAAAAAAAlE/AKR7HSNZhLM/s400/IMG_6615.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT4gR-EazI/AAAAAAAAAlM/L13agnq76G4/s1600-h/IMG_6612.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189545904100895538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT4gR-EazI/AAAAAAAAAlM/L13agnq76G4/s400/IMG_6612.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT4gR-Ea0I/AAAAAAAAAlU/zuFC0wOdP5M/s1600-h/IMG_6617.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189545904100895554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT4gR-Ea0I/AAAAAAAAAlU/zuFC0wOdP5M/s400/IMG_6617.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT4SB-EauI/AAAAAAAAAkk/KSadIGu2XSo/s1600-h/IMG_6637.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189545659287759586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT4SB-EauI/AAAAAAAAAkk/KSadIGu2XSo/s400/IMG_6637.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT4SB-EavI/AAAAAAAAAks/PDLreY7gtI8/s1600-h/IMG_6635.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189545659287759602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT4SB-EavI/AAAAAAAAAks/PDLreY7gtI8/s400/IMG_6635.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT4SB-EawI/AAAAAAAAAk0/aU4eTcHKG5o/s1600-h/IMG_6631.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189545659287759618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT4SB-EawI/AAAAAAAAAk0/aU4eTcHKG5o/s400/IMG_6631.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT4SR-EaxI/AAAAAAAAAk8/yUQjhdyxnsQ/s1600-h/IMG_6628.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189545663582726930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT4SR-EaxI/AAAAAAAAAk8/yUQjhdyxnsQ/s400/IMG_6628.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Next stop: Santiago, Chile<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-7690864915182549956?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-79727279260709957772008-04-15T13:26:00.000-07:002008-12-12T13:54:33.296-08:00My next journey was across the southern ranges of the Andes from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Argentinian</span> Patagonia to Chilean Patagonia...travel was by bus and, yet again, wonderful views could be had along the way...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT3PR-EarI/AAAAAAAAAkM/u-w5dJz0rwE/s1600-h/IMG_6474.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189544512531491506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT3PR-EarI/AAAAAAAAAkM/u-w5dJz0rwE/s400/IMG_6474.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT3PR-EasI/AAAAAAAAAkU/YRRGxZoXhQc/s1600-h/IMG_6464.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189544512531491522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT3PR-EasI/AAAAAAAAAkU/YRRGxZoXhQc/s400/IMG_6464.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT3Ph-EatI/AAAAAAAAAkc/mNQTWjnA-Z8/s1600-h/IMG_6460.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189544516826458834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT3Ph-EatI/AAAAAAAAAkc/mNQTWjnA-Z8/s400/IMG_6460.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />My first stop in Chile was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Puerto</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Natales</span>...a large town bound by fjords which are connected to the Pacific Ocean...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT3AR-EaoI/AAAAAAAAAj0/leA3gm9tMvw/s1600-h/IMG_6490.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189544254833453698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT3AR-EaoI/AAAAAAAAAj0/leA3gm9tMvw/s400/IMG_6490.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT3Ah-EapI/AAAAAAAAAj8/w0al1RqgWTs/s1600-h/IMG_6489.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189544259128421010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT3Ah-EapI/AAAAAAAAAj8/w0al1RqgWTs/s400/IMG_6489.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT3Ax-EaqI/AAAAAAAAAkE/UrtFD9ULLqQ/s1600-h/IMG_6479.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189544263423388322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT3Ax-EaqI/AAAAAAAAAkE/UrtFD9ULLqQ/s400/IMG_6479.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div>My first live football match in South America...two local teams I guess...much action all round...a bit of biff, followed not long later by a red card sending off and then minutes later a missed penalty shot! The pitch reminded me of my days kicking the football around in the front paddock at home...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT2yR-EalI/AAAAAAAAAjc/o2CL5F3kCXI/s1600-h/IMG_6501.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189544014315285074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT2yR-EalI/AAAAAAAAAjc/o2CL5F3kCXI/s400/IMG_6501.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT2yx-EamI/AAAAAAAAAjk/qR5uecaXTCc/s1600-h/IMG_6496.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189544022905219682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT2yx-EamI/AAAAAAAAAjk/qR5uecaXTCc/s400/IMG_6496.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT2zB-EanI/AAAAAAAAAjs/J-ltTgbA24k/s1600-h/IMG_6491.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189544027200186994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT2zB-EanI/AAAAAAAAAjs/J-ltTgbA24k/s400/IMG_6491.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Puerto</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Natales</span>' tourism market is made through it locality to the spectacular Torres <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">del</span> Paine national park...of which I toured and got some great sights of local wildlife<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATpnx-EZzI/AAAAAAAAAdM/y89H4U_N8Qc/s1600-h/IMG_6502.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189529540275496754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATpnx-EZzI/AAAAAAAAAdM/y89H4U_N8Qc/s400/IMG_6502.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATo0x-EZwI/AAAAAAAAAc0/6e2XCx3f7X0/s1600-h/IMG_6523.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189528664102168322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATo0x-EZwI/AAAAAAAAAc0/6e2XCx3f7X0/s400/IMG_6523.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATo1B-EZyI/AAAAAAAAAdE/zBBRIgZBy4Y/s1600-h/IMG_6506.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189528668397135650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATo1B-EZyI/AAAAAAAAAdE/zBBRIgZBy4Y/s400/IMG_6506.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>But, alas, my bad luck with the weather in southern South America continued and the marvellous postcard sights of the mountains and lakes were largely hidden by low cloud...most unfortunate...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATo1B-EZxI/AAAAAAAAAc8/jyl18kTro9M/s1600-h/IMG_6514.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189528668397135634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATo1B-EZxI/AAAAAAAAAc8/jyl18kTro9M/s400/IMG_6514.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATokh-EZuI/AAAAAAAAAck/4snj3ifv4Ts/s1600-h/IMG_6543.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189528384929294050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATokh-EZuI/AAAAAAAAAck/4snj3ifv4Ts/s400/IMG_6543.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATokx-EZvI/AAAAAAAAAcs/6Aj8T4fNRlg/s1600-h/IMG_6524.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189528389224261362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATokx-EZvI/AAAAAAAAAcs/6Aj8T4fNRlg/s400/IMG_6524.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-7972727926070995777?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-56894339488092613892008-04-15T13:25:00.000-07:002008-12-12T13:54:35.370-08:00And so I ventured further south...my southern most journey in life thus far...to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Punta</span> Arenas...Chile's most southern city...like Argentinian Patagonia, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Punta</span> Arenas has also made seen great wealth come through sheep (albeit, I think to a select number of immigrant families rather than the entire local population)...the downtown mansions once owned by prominent sheep grazing families are grand...<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATsFR-EZ8I/AAAAAAAAAeU/t5aJ7xuIdaA/s1600-h/IMG_6567.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189532246104893378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATsFR-EZ8I/AAAAAAAAAeU/t5aJ7xuIdaA/s400/IMG_6567.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATsFh-EZ9I/AAAAAAAAAec/Z8NwoXLw85g/s1600-h/IMG_6563.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189532250399860690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATsFh-EZ9I/AAAAAAAAAec/Z8NwoXLw85g/s400/IMG_6563.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATsFh-EZ-I/AAAAAAAAAek/Nwn8xQS4bnw/s1600-h/IMG_6564.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189532250399860706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATsFh-EZ-I/AAAAAAAAAek/Nwn8xQS4bnw/s400/IMG_6564.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The cemetery is also something to behold...bursting at the seams with mini mausoleums containing numerous members of the aristocratic families...most of the families had roots in the UK, Croatia or central Europe...<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATrlB-EZ6I/AAAAAAAAAeE/AN_s0ZfHjhw/s1600-h/IMG_6577.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189531692054112162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATrlB-EZ6I/AAAAAAAAAeE/AN_s0ZfHjhw/s400/IMG_6577.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATrbB-EZ4I/AAAAAAAAAd0/Ksq3BRUPmAc/s1600-h/IMG_6578.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189531520255420290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATrbB-EZ4I/AAAAAAAAAd0/Ksq3BRUPmAc/s400/IMG_6578.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div>To demonstrate that the wealth has not been entirely spread around, you only have to venture down to the back of the grand cemetery and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">observe</span> the 'chicken coop' burial sites...</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATrbh-EZ5I/AAAAAAAAAd8/DEnqnX2-p_Y/s1600-h/IMG_6580.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189531528845354898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATrbh-EZ5I/AAAAAAAAAd8/DEnqnX2-p_Y/s400/IMG_6580.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">certainly</span> a rougher edge to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Punta</span> Arenas...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATrvx-EZ7I/AAAAAAAAAeM/GHnGE8XA8gI/s1600-h/IMG_6569.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189531876737705906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATrvx-EZ7I/AAAAAAAAAeM/GHnGE8XA8gI/s400/IMG_6569.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div>Parts of the 'promenade' to the Magellan Strait (which in most parts of the world would be prime real estate) are lined with nothing more than tin shed houses and rubbish dumps...</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATq8R-EZ2I/AAAAAAAAAdk/A2UNnmY9otQ/s1600-h/IMG_6584.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189530991974442850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATq8R-EZ2I/AAAAAAAAAdk/A2UNnmY9otQ/s400/IMG_6584.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div>This is the view from the house above...</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATq8R-EZ3I/AAAAAAAAAds/QBDQ-xTlODY/s1600-h/IMG_6582.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189530991974442866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATq8R-EZ3I/AAAAAAAAAds/QBDQ-xTlODY/s400/IMG_6582.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>And there were a hell of a lot of dogs around the neighbourhood...all mostly friendly...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATqqh-EZ0I/AAAAAAAAAdU/9CYBXNP9QTs/s1600-h/IMG_6585.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189530687031764802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATqqh-EZ0I/AAAAAAAAAdU/9CYBXNP9QTs/s400/IMG_6585.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATqqx-EZ1I/AAAAAAAAAdc/66uczRj7OPM/s1600-h/IMG_6586.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189530691326732114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATqqx-EZ1I/AAAAAAAAAdc/66uczRj7OPM/s400/IMG_6586.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Next stop: back to BA<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-5689433948809261389?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-79970304812409706002008-04-15T11:25:00.001-07:002008-12-12T13:54:38.252-08:00Patagonia´s history of the past 1<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">oo</span> years or so has been largely dominated by farming...particularly sheep farming...much like inner parts of Australia, the farms are very big and largely isolated...and these significant landowners have, for the most part, made a lot of money from the industry...<br /><br />I took a tour of one of these ´<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">estancias</span>´ called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Nibepo</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Aike</span>...I was a little disappointed as this was not a true farm anymore...it had been taken over by the national parks authority...and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">isnt</span> the true working farm that you would expect to see despite having significant numbers of cattle and enough sheep to shear to entertain the tourists...and a number of cats...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT2UR-EajI/AAAAAAAAAjM/tB4iCuYXcDg/s1600-h/IMG_6376.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189543498919209522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT2UR-EajI/AAAAAAAAAjM/tB4iCuYXcDg/s400/IMG_6376.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The attraction for me was the wonderful views from the farm...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT2Ux-EakI/AAAAAAAAAjU/EE9YK1rf0LY/s1600-h/IMG_6375.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189543507509144130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT2Ux-EakI/AAAAAAAAAjU/EE9YK1rf0LY/s400/IMG_6375.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT2Eh-EagI/AAAAAAAAAi0/Ve1QtioH4XI/s1600-h/IMG_6382.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189543228336269826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT2Eh-EagI/AAAAAAAAAi0/Ve1QtioH4XI/s400/IMG_6382.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT2Eh-EahI/AAAAAAAAAi8/2dG8MFV3eMg/s1600-h/IMG_6380.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189543228336269842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT2Eh-EahI/AAAAAAAAAi8/2dG8MFV3eMg/s400/IMG_6380.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is a lamb and became some of the most delicious lamb I have ever tasted...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT2Ex-EaiI/AAAAAAAAAjE/WB9j9V-uIOg/s1600-h/IMG_6378.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189543232631237154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT2Ex-EaiI/AAAAAAAAAjE/WB9j9V-uIOg/s400/IMG_6378.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT1vx-EadI/AAAAAAAAAic/2cj4_nDk148/s1600-h/IMG_6408.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189542871853984210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT1vx-EadI/AAAAAAAAAic/2cj4_nDk148/s400/IMG_6408.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT1wB-EaeI/AAAAAAAAAik/Yu2DqIiQb54/s1600-h/IMG_6395.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189542876148951522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT1wB-EaeI/AAAAAAAAAik/Yu2DqIiQb54/s400/IMG_6395.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT1wR-EafI/AAAAAAAAAis/UQXk4bZA26M/s1600-h/IMG_6393edit.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189542880443918834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT1wR-EafI/AAAAAAAAAis/UQXk4bZA26M/s400/IMG_6393edit.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />For the tourists, the old-style shearing of a sheep...you only get to see 1 sheep...they have enough sheep scattered around the farm to shear one per day...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT1YR-EabI/AAAAAAAAAiM/wz5dCTs8ekg/s1600-h/IMG_6420.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189542468127058354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT1YR-EabI/AAAAAAAAAiM/wz5dCTs8ekg/s400/IMG_6420.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT1Yx-EacI/AAAAAAAAAiU/CZ8WKBlVxbM/s1600-h/IMG_6416.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189542476716992962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT1Yx-EacI/AAAAAAAAAiU/CZ8WKBlVxbM/s400/IMG_6416.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT1HR-EaaI/AAAAAAAAAiE/nbqQwdKPHjY/s1600-h/IMG_6440.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189542176069282210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT1HR-EaaI/AAAAAAAAAiE/nbqQwdKPHjY/s400/IMG_6440.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT0Kx-EaXI/AAAAAAAAAhs/qPLUB9-D6r0/s1600-h/IMG_6458.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189541136687196530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT0Kx-EaXI/AAAAAAAAAhs/qPLUB9-D6r0/s400/IMG_6458.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div></div><div>I was told that they have several thousand head of cattle too, but these were the only ones in sight...</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT0LB-EaYI/AAAAAAAAAh0/QbhKgojs--I/s1600-h/IMG_6445.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189541140982163842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT0LB-EaYI/AAAAAAAAAh0/QbhKgojs--I/s400/IMG_6445.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>These are birds...not sheep or cattle...</div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT0LR-EaZI/AAAAAAAAAh8/GD57ZVtT0Q0/s1600-h/IMG_6444edit.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189541145277131154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SAT0LR-EaZI/AAAAAAAAAh8/GD57ZVtT0Q0/s400/IMG_6444edit.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Next stop: Patagonian Chile<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-7997030481240970600?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-78783517415404437752008-04-15T10:22:00.000-07:002008-12-12T13:54:43.995-08:00<div></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATyMB-EaWI/AAAAAAAAAhk/5mcA9mIlWhE/s1600-h/IMG_6218.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189538959138777442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATyMB-EaWI/AAAAAAAAAhk/5mcA9mIlWhE/s400/IMG_6218.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />Things have most <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">certainly</span> travel-wise. I left you, on a photographic basis, at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Heathrow</span> airport and am now on the northern coast of Ecuador lapping up sun-rays, glorious sunsets and endless beach bars selling <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">caiparinhas</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">pina</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">coladas</span> and other assorted beach drinks...but before that...<br /><br /><br /><br />Following a few months of city-habitation, I made my mind up to return to nature and visit the southern lands of Patagonia in Argentina...a quick stay in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Buenos</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Aires</span> was enough to find a ways and means down to Patagonia...<br /><br /><br /><br />First a very, very late plane and then a wonderful bus ride across the plains of Patagonia which are filled in by large ´<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">estancias</span>´ or ranches or farms...whatever takes your fancy...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATyAx-EaTI/AAAAAAAAAhM/L9BCvvZUIIE/s1600-h/IMG_6244.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189538765865249074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATyAx-EaTI/AAAAAAAAAhM/L9BCvvZUIIE/s400/IMG_6244.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATyAx-EaUI/AAAAAAAAAhU/kdPgwwdodbU/s1600-h/IMG_6242.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189538765865249090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATyAx-EaUI/AAAAAAAAAhU/kdPgwwdodbU/s400/IMG_6242.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATyBB-EaVI/AAAAAAAAAhc/ofHTldUKOik/s1600-h/IMG_6232.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189538770160216402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATyBB-EaVI/AAAAAAAAAhc/ofHTldUKOik/s400/IMG_6232.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A few hours on the bus then brought us to a beautiful valley <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">with</span> imposing mountains (the Andes) shadowing Lagos (Lake) Argentina...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATyAh-EaSI/AAAAAAAAAhE/9cQ9gQ6jC8k/s1600-h/IMG_6255.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189538761570281762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATyAh-EaSI/AAAAAAAAAhE/9cQ9gQ6jC8k/s400/IMG_6255.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My stay was in El <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Calafate</span>...a touristy town of sorts...here is a shot from my hostel bedroom window...glorious!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATlXB-EZpI/AAAAAAAAAb8/RTk7jvaMbVQ/s1600-h/IMG_6373.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189524854466176658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATlXB-EZpI/AAAAAAAAAb8/RTk7jvaMbVQ/s400/IMG_6373.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />El <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Calafate</span> is a launch pad to visit some of the Andean glaciers....either by land or by catamaran...the latter of which I did and was amazed...despite the ordinary weather...here is a selection of photos from the trip including those of glaciers and icebergs floating in the lake which have broken off the glaciers...<br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATxwh-EaRI/AAAAAAAAAg8/vyTfZgaT_m0/s1600-h/IMG_6263.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189538486692374802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATxwh-EaRI/AAAAAAAAAg8/vyTfZgaT_m0/s400/IMG_6263.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATxmR-EaQI/AAAAAAAAAg0/wa3QTraZU1E/s1600-h/IMG_6284.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189538310598715650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATxmR-EaQI/AAAAAAAAAg0/wa3QTraZU1E/s400/IMG_6284.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATxSR-EaLI/AAAAAAAAAgM/_IqNyFiQ4Zw/s1600-h/IMG_6316.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189537967001331890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATxSR-EaLI/AAAAAAAAAgM/_IqNyFiQ4Zw/s400/IMG_6316.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATxSh-EaMI/AAAAAAAAAgU/idaHy7vH0_w/s1600-h/IMG_6314edit.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189537971296299202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATxSh-EaMI/AAAAAAAAAgU/idaHy7vH0_w/s400/IMG_6314edit.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATxSh-EaNI/AAAAAAAAAgc/f7hOG9pHuX4/s1600-h/IMG_6308.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189537971296299218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATxSh-EaNI/AAAAAAAAAgc/f7hOG9pHuX4/s400/IMG_6308.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATxSx-EaOI/AAAAAAAAAgk/ukCr_TTkdxI/s1600-h/IMG_6303.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189537975591266530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATxSx-EaOI/AAAAAAAAAgk/ukCr_TTkdxI/s400/IMG_6303.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATxSx-EaPI/AAAAAAAAAgs/iaZns0DzEGk/s1600-h/IMG_6288.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189537975591266546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATxSx-EaPI/AAAAAAAAAgs/iaZns0DzEGk/s400/IMG_6288.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATwth-EaII/AAAAAAAAAf0/x4X0LpPRKgo/s1600-h/IMG_6338.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189537335641139330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATwth-EaII/AAAAAAAAAf0/x4X0LpPRKgo/s400/IMG_6338.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATwtx-EaJI/AAAAAAAAAf8/iDLFAhyTENw/s1600-h/IMG_6331.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189537339936106642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATwtx-EaJI/AAAAAAAAAf8/iDLFAhyTENw/s400/IMG_6331.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The first time I have ever seen a waterfall from ice...phenomenal...</div><br /><div><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATwuB-EaKI/AAAAAAAAAgE/R1P2m2WlsyM/s1600-h/IMG_6322.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189537344231073954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATwuB-EaKI/AAAAAAAAAgE/R1P2m2WlsyM/s400/IMG_6322.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The boat also led us to a walking track which led us to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Onelli</span> Bay...itself the repository of icebergs from three separate glaciers...and hundreds of large and small icebergs...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATwTB-EaGI/AAAAAAAAAfk/gduiudVE1L4/s1600-h/IMG_6343.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189536880374605922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATwTB-EaGI/AAAAAAAAAfk/gduiudVE1L4/s400/IMG_6343.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div>I think this looks like a sheep jumping out of the water...</div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATwTR-EaHI/AAAAAAAAAfs/O6qG5D-vaH4/s1600-h/IMG_6342.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189536884669573234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATwTR-EaHI/AAAAAAAAAfs/O6qG5D-vaH4/s400/IMG_6342.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATvzR-EaFI/AAAAAAAAAfc/k-uOA1it12c/s1600-h/IMG_6346.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189536334913759314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATvzR-EaFI/AAAAAAAAAfc/k-uOA1it12c/s400/IMG_6346.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATl9x-EZsI/AAAAAAAAAcU/NgyWB9dYMrE/s1600-h/IMG_6360.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189525520186107586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATl9x-EZsI/AAAAAAAAAcU/NgyWB9dYMrE/s400/IMG_6360.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATl-R-EZtI/AAAAAAAAAcc/44PL3EdDB-0/s1600-h/IMG_6352.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189525528776042194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATl-R-EZtI/AAAAAAAAAcc/44PL3EdDB-0/s400/IMG_6352.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATl9B-EZrI/AAAAAAAAAcM/1pmOcRHJoWM/s1600-h/IMG_6364.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189525507301205682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATl9B-EZrI/AAAAAAAAAcM/1pmOcRHJoWM/s400/IMG_6364.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATlXR-EZqI/AAAAAAAAAcE/QqnFLmuMqyQ/s1600-h/IMG_6370.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189524858761143970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/SATlXR-EZqI/AAAAAAAAAcE/QqnFLmuMqyQ/s400/IMG_6370.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-7878351741540443775?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-74303900127217133542008-04-01T17:16:00.001-07:002008-12-12T13:54:45.309-08:00<div>A very slow train through Poland and then a very fast train through Germany delivered me to my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Deutsch</span> ´home away from home´ town of the beautiful <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Erfurt</span> (I wholly recommend it to anyone travelling in Germany). </div><div></div><br /><div>It was the Easter weekend and the heavens had opened up dumping extraordinary amounts of snow (at least extraordinary for this time of the year). So it was a ´White Easter´ and a day spent skiing in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Thuringian</span> forest...</div><div> </div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gT-9PFrsI/AAAAAAAAAb0/T-1OqQXim9c/s1600-h/IMG_6197.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185916943227793090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gT-9PFrsI/AAAAAAAAAb0/T-1OqQXim9c/s400/IMG_6197.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gTLNPFrqI/AAAAAAAAAbk/-uaZYxiVxKI/s1600-h/IMG_6207.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185916054169562786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gTLNPFrqI/AAAAAAAAAbk/-uaZYxiVxKI/s400/IMG_6207.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gTLdPFrrI/AAAAAAAAAbs/BMfWb-yHE30/s1600-h/IMG_6203.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185916058464530098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gTLdPFrrI/AAAAAAAAAbs/BMfWb-yHE30/s400/IMG_6203.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>On a walk through and around the village of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Langewiesen</span> on Easter Monday...or, at times, a trudge through the snow, friends and I came across a magnificent Easter display in front of one of the local homes...since they clearly went to so much effort to put together such a display, I thought it only proper to go to the effort of photographing and posting a picture...</div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gSDdPFrpI/AAAAAAAAAbc/lEKAtPRb3RA/s1600-h/IMG_6209.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185914821513948818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gSDdPFrpI/AAAAAAAAAbc/lEKAtPRb3RA/s400/IMG_6209.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />And thus my European adventure had effectively come to a close...an overnight journey to Stuttgart, a plane back to London, a final glance at London and some its sights (including, for the first time, the mightily impressive National Gallery) and I then checked in for my flight to South America (thankfully, it <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">wasnt</span> departing from the newly opened Terminal 5, so I am not still waiting in the airport lounge as I type this post)<br /><div></div><div> </div><div>In fact, I am in southern most Chile right now in the town of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Puerto</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Natales</span>...but more about that later...</div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-7430390012721713354?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-56576077596468635002008-04-01T17:10:00.000-07:002008-12-12T13:54:48.218-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gKa9PFrmI/AAAAAAAAAbE/3VlS5oMEzOc/s1600-h/IMG_6135.JPG"></a>My next stop after Dubai was suppose to be Vienna again...en route to eastern Czech Republic...until Royal Jordanian flight 613 was unable to make land at Amman´s famous Queen Alia International Airport and thus allow me to connect to my flight to Vienna...<br /><br />Dust or fog had prevented our landing...causing the plane to be diverted south to the Red Sea ´resort´ town of Al <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Aqaba</span>...unfortunately, I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">didnt</span> get to experience the delights of AA, as the three hours delay were spent in the comfortable confines of our Airbus ´something or other´ <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">model</span>...for your assistance, I have posted here a picture of the view outside the window...<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gKbNPFroI/AAAAAAAAAbU/5ZvgdBHoMHE/s1600-h/IMG_6130.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185906433442819714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gKbNPFroI/AAAAAAAAAbU/5ZvgdBHoMHE/s400/IMG_6130.JPG" border="0" /></a>Eventually we were off again and landing in Amman...but the connection had been lost and it was to the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">sumptuous</span> surrounds of the Alia Hotel on the fringes of the airport...also pictured...unfortunately, my stay was restricted to just the one night before I fled in the morning back to the terminal and my flight to Vienna...<br /><br /><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gKa9PFrnI/AAAAAAAAAbM/9R37_9BWU3I/s1600-h/IMG_6133.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185906429147852402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gKa9PFrnI/AAAAAAAAAbM/9R37_9BWU3I/s400/IMG_6133.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Following a mild two or so winter months in Europe and then a week or desert weather in Dubai (and Jordan), I returned to central Europe which had now turned on its <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">wintery</span> best...the snow was falling and would d0 so for almost a week...I hopped on board the train to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Olomouc</span> in eastern Czech Republic...</p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gJ4tPFrlI/AAAAAAAAAa8/CcYubfF2_c0/s1600-h/IMG_6140.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185905840737332818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gJ4tPFrlI/AAAAAAAAAa8/CcYubfF2_c0/s400/IMG_6140.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Part of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Olomouc</span>´s main square...<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gJ39PFrhI/AAAAAAAAAac/x5BapruB9bU/s1600-h/IMG_6152.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185905827852430866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gJ39PFrhI/AAAAAAAAAac/x5BapruB9bU/s400/IMG_6152.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Typical street...<br /></p><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gJ4NPFriI/AAAAAAAAAak/TbSqt2SwafM/s1600-h/IMG_6147.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185905832147398178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gJ4NPFriI/AAAAAAAAAak/TbSqt2SwafM/s400/IMG_6147.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gJ4NPFrjI/AAAAAAAAAas/B12egQiJ_Gg/s1600-h/IMG_6144.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185905832147398194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gJ4NPFrjI/AAAAAAAAAas/B12egQiJ_Gg/s400/IMG_6144.JPG" border="0" /></a>Church in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Olomouc</span>... </p><p><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gJ4dPFrkI/AAAAAAAAAa0/UbQJ5LIr5jA/s1600-h/IMG_6142.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185905836442365506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gJ4dPFrkI/AAAAAAAAAa0/UbQJ5LIr5jA/s400/IMG_6142.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />One of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Olomouc</span>´s biggest tourist attractions, the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">astronomical</span> clock planted in the front of the town hall building. Its not the most modern of technological <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">gizmos</span>, but it provides a hell of a lot of practical information. It was actually built in the 1400s, but has been altered over time...the major alteration coming in the period of socialist rule when pictures and figurines of the ´worker´ became the dominant decoration...(<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">nb</span>: its about 4 or 5 metres tall)<br /></p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gJPtPFrcI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/vxDEiz9FdZQ/s1600-h/IMG_6166.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185905136362696130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gJPtPFrcI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/vxDEiz9FdZQ/s400/IMG_6166.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />At midday, every day, the clock turns into a 5 minute performance (for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Melburnians</span>: not unlike the clock at Melbourne Central). The music is schmaltz central and you can see local residents run past the clock in embarrassment at this tourist feature of their town.<br /><br />The music is so terrible that the two pigeons who have set up home in the clock actually abandon their home as the music starts...and, no surprise, flap back in just seconds after the music concludes...I even have the photos to prove it! (one is below)...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gJPtPFrdI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/GPMFlLwv19k/s1600-h/IMG_6165.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185905136362696146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gJPtPFrdI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/GPMFlLwv19k/s400/IMG_6165.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gJPtPFreI/AAAAAAAAAaE/Yozgo8Wvc1o/s1600-h/IMG_6161.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185905136362696162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gJPtPFreI/AAAAAAAAAaE/Yozgo8Wvc1o/s400/IMG_6161.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Top of town square fountain...<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gJP9PFrfI/AAAAAAAAAaM/FjWhuylK9xI/s1600-h/IMG_6155.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185905140657663474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gJP9PFrfI/AAAAAAAAAaM/FjWhuylK9xI/s400/IMG_6155.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Town square statue...not quite sure what the connection is...</p><p> </p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gJQNPFrgI/AAAAAAAAAaU/3bq7VgppnyY/s1600-h/IMG_6153.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185905144952630786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gJQNPFrgI/AAAAAAAAAaU/3bq7VgppnyY/s400/IMG_6153.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />And, so off I whisked myself to Poland´s second city, Krakow, for a brief stay...many lovely buildings, the majority of which have been almost entirely rebuilt after feeling the brunt of World War II...one such example is the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Wawel</span> Castle...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gIkdPFrZI/AAAAAAAAAZc/79-8uFyQsdg/s1600-h/IMG_6191.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185904393333353874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gIkdPFrZI/AAAAAAAAAZc/79-8uFyQsdg/s400/IMG_6191.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Building in the Jewish quarter...<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gIldPFraI/AAAAAAAAAZk/8ix_BTXtd0o/s1600-h/IMG_6188.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185904410513223074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gIldPFraI/AAAAAAAAAZk/8ix_BTXtd0o/s400/IMG_6188.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p>And as I left Krakow, bound for Germany, the snow continued to fall...</p><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gIltPFrbI/AAAAAAAAAZs/L_JUsbbjEgQ/s1600-h/IMG_6171.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185904414808190386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_gIltPFrbI/AAAAAAAAAZs/L_JUsbbjEgQ/s400/IMG_6171.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Next stop: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Erfurt</span>, Germany<br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-5657607759646863500?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-18521127406594857442008-04-01T15:20:00.000-07:002008-12-12T13:54:52.575-08:00Yes, Dubai...an unplanned part of my initial world journeys...but most enjoyable nonetheless...it was an experience leaving the genteel , historic streets of Vienna for the new ´capital´ of the Middle East with all of its construction cranes, crazy drivers and ´hot´ sun...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K2hdPFrUI/AAAAAAAAAY0/-CmhT1RMs_E/s1600-h/IMG_6041.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184406806956715330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K2hdPFrUI/AAAAAAAAAY0/-CmhT1RMs_E/s400/IMG_6041.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This epitomises Dubai in some ways...we will not just have a Chrysler Tower...we will have two...<br /><br /><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K2htPFrVI/AAAAAAAAAY8/tBjPVnNgDh0/s1600-h/IMG_6038.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184406811251682642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K2htPFrVI/AAAAAAAAAY8/tBjPVnNgDh0/s400/IMG_6038.JPG" border="0" /></a> The Sheik <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Zayed</span> Mosque in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Abu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Dhabi</span>...</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K2h9PFrWI/AAAAAAAAAZE/NjdUttTHCUE/s1600-h/IMG_6037.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184406815546649954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K2h9PFrWI/AAAAAAAAAZE/NjdUttTHCUE/s400/IMG_6037.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Marina Mall, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Abu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Dhabi</span>...<br /></p><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K2iNPFrXI/AAAAAAAAAZM/uzn37h2NwQw/s1600-h/IMG_6032.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184406819841617266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K2iNPFrXI/AAAAAAAAAZM/uzn37h2NwQw/s400/IMG_6032.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Abu</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Dhabi</span> skyline...the capital city of the United Arab Emirates is much less a commercial powerhouse city than Dubai...but has its benefits...</p><p><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K2iNPFrYI/AAAAAAAAAZU/pdpxdsuK96o/s1600-h/IMG_6026.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184406819841617282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K2iNPFrYI/AAAAAAAAAZU/pdpxdsuK96o/s400/IMG_6026.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A very small part of the growing-by-the-day Dubai skyline...</p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K2TdPFrPI/AAAAAAAAAYM/6r_P1aMuVhs/s1600-h/IMG_6069.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184406566438546674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K2TdPFrPI/AAAAAAAAAYM/6r_P1aMuVhs/s400/IMG_6069.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Petunias...<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K2TtPFrQI/AAAAAAAAAYU/E3KC5mKl9SY/s1600-h/IMG_6063.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184406570733513986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K2TtPFrQI/AAAAAAAAAYU/E3KC5mKl9SY/s400/IMG_6063.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p>The impressive <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Medinat</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Jumeirah</span>...a shopping centre/hotel complex lying somewhere between an old-style Middle Eastern design and Vienna with its cooling canals...</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K2T9PFrRI/AAAAAAAAAYc/s6F8NRkJxFs/s1600-h/IMG_6059.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184406575028481298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K2T9PFrRI/AAAAAAAAAYc/s6F8NRkJxFs/s400/IMG_6059.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K2UdPFrSI/AAAAAAAAAYk/NkpaQPbPESI/s1600-h/IMG_6057.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184406583618415906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K2UdPFrSI/AAAAAAAAAYk/NkpaQPbPESI/s400/IMG_6057.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K2UtPFrTI/AAAAAAAAAYs/noYgoNogOzw/s1600-h/IMG_6044.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184406587913383218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K2UtPFrTI/AAAAAAAAAYs/noYgoNogOzw/s400/IMG_6044.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The older part of Dubai...yes, Dubai did exist before the advent of the skyscraper and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">supermall</span>...</p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K18dPFrKI/AAAAAAAAAXk/OJ7q85f_Wj0/s1600-h/IMG_6102.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184406171301555362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K18dPFrKI/AAAAAAAAAXk/OJ7q85f_Wj0/s400/IMG_6102.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K18tPFrLI/AAAAAAAAAXs/UediJ0UaucU/s1600-h/IMG_6100.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184406175596522674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K18tPFrLI/AAAAAAAAAXs/UediJ0UaucU/s400/IMG_6100.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K189PFrMI/AAAAAAAAAX0/eBopl4Kxl-g/s1600-h/IMG_6098.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184406179891489986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K189PFrMI/AAAAAAAAAX0/eBopl4Kxl-g/s400/IMG_6098.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K19NPFrNI/AAAAAAAAAX8/TF4OCvSzvlY/s1600-h/IMG_6094.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184406184186457298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K19NPFrNI/AAAAAAAAAX8/TF4OCvSzvlY/s400/IMG_6094.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">dont</span> know who owns this boat, but I want to...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K19dPFrOI/AAAAAAAAAYE/XkWXj0wEAfQ/s1600-h/IMG_6088.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184406188481424610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K19dPFrOI/AAAAAAAAAYE/XkWXj0wEAfQ/s400/IMG_6088.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A trip east in the direction of Oman...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K1q9PFrFI/AAAAAAAAAW8/Muvxvc1Bquk/s1600-h/IMG_6123.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184405870653844562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K1q9PFrFI/AAAAAAAAAW8/Muvxvc1Bquk/s400/IMG_6123.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K1rNPFrGI/AAAAAAAAAXE/0EoELqL4D00/s1600-h/IMG_6115.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184405874948811874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K1rNPFrGI/AAAAAAAAAXE/0EoELqL4D00/s400/IMG_6115.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K1rNPFrHI/AAAAAAAAAXM/DWNxnkT0YLI/s1600-h/IMG_6113.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184405874948811890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K1rNPFrHI/AAAAAAAAAXM/DWNxnkT0YLI/s400/IMG_6113.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K1rdPFrII/AAAAAAAAAXU/9N6I10bethI/s1600-h/IMG_6111.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184405879243779202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K1rdPFrII/AAAAAAAAAXU/9N6I10bethI/s400/IMG_6111.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />To conclude, a hazy picture somewhat of Dubai´s current remarkable feature, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Burj</span> Dubai...standing at about 700 metres, it is the world´s tallest building...but it is unfinished...it is rumoured that it will top-out at 800 metres, but no one really knows...I am guessing that the guys who operate the cranes at the top would want to know soon though...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K1rtPFrJI/AAAAAAAAAXc/yKkHK_xd3Gc/s1600-h/IMG_6104.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184405883538746514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_K1rtPFrJI/AAAAAAAAAXc/yKkHK_xd3Gc/s400/IMG_6104.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Next stop: back to Vienna...sort of...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-1852112740659485744?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-8749355321923435182008-04-01T14:56:00.000-07:002008-12-12T13:54:56.087-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_KxT9PFrEI/AAAAAAAAAW0/Hu4Y9Rhnr98/s1600-h/IMG_5987.JPG">Vienna was my next stop...admittedly, I had grown weary of old European cities after ...old building there, tall cathedral there, etc...but Vienna is wholly impressive enough to deliver you from such weariness...</a><br /><br />Some features of buildings designed by...Austrian designer/artist, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Friedensrich</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hundertwasser</span>..<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184401077470342210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_KxT9PFrEI/AAAAAAAAAW0/Hu4Y9Rhnr98/s400/IMG_5987.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_Kw_dPFq_I/AAAAAAAAAWM/KlnbmrGoAEU/s1600-h/IMG_5983.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184400725283023858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_Kw_dPFq_I/AAAAAAAAAWM/KlnbmrGoAEU/s400/IMG_5983.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_Kw_dPFrAI/AAAAAAAAAWU/eFJ31e2bSPE/s1600-h/IMG_5981.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184400725283023874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_Kw_dPFrAI/AAAAAAAAAWU/eFJ31e2bSPE/s400/IMG_5981.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_Kww9PFq-I/AAAAAAAAAWE/kexg0aO2tNA/s1600-h/IMG_5990.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184400476174920674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_Kww9PFq-I/AAAAAAAAAWE/kexg0aO2tNA/s400/IMG_5990.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_Kw_tPFrBI/AAAAAAAAAWc/gjUj75IxDm8/s1600-h/IMG_5980.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184400729577991186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_Kw_tPFrBI/AAAAAAAAAWc/gjUj75IxDm8/s400/IMG_5980.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Uniqa</span> Building...my love of which is seen in photos further on...</div><div> </div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_Kw_9PFrCI/AAAAAAAAAWk/OaLcZIXeytU/s1600-h/IMG_5978.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184400733872958498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_Kw_9PFrCI/AAAAAAAAAWk/OaLcZIXeytU/s400/IMG_5978.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Votiv</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Kirche</span> (church)...<br /><br /><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_Kw_9PFrDI/AAAAAAAAAWs/nJ6hPdatNxg/s1600-h/IMG_5975.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184400733872958514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_Kw_9PFrDI/AAAAAAAAAWs/nJ6hPdatNxg/s400/IMG_5975.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p>The quite enormous and amazing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Hofburg</span>...</p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_KwwdPFq6I/AAAAAAAAAVk/RDsFbaTYV-E/s1600-h/IMG_6012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184400467584986018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_KwwdPFq6I/AAAAAAAAAVk/RDsFbaTYV-E/s400/IMG_6012.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Karlskirche</span>...the insides of which are currently being restored...allowing visitors to travel by labourer´s lift up to the top of the dome and get a 360 degree view of Vienna...recommended if you get to Vienna anytime soon...I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">dont</span> believe that the lift will be there for a lot longer...<br /><br /><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_KwwtPFq7I/AAAAAAAAAVs/tHvmv2ABNfY/s1600-h/IMG_6005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184400471879953330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_KwwtPFq7I/AAAAAAAAAVs/tHvmv2ABNfY/s400/IMG_6005.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p>One of many <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">exquisite</span> paintings on the inside of the dome...</p><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_KwwtPFq8I/AAAAAAAAAV0/QGubwL5Mc9U/s1600-h/IMG_6003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184400471879953346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_KwwtPFq8I/AAAAAAAAAV0/QGubwL5Mc9U/s400/IMG_6003.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Johann Strauss...well, actually, a statue of him...</p><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_KwwtPFq9I/AAAAAAAAAV8/CmTc7IsZdQI/s1600-h/IMG_5994.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184400471879953362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_KwwtPFq9I/AAAAAAAAAV8/CmTc7IsZdQI/s400/IMG_5994.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The quite beautiful, through seemingly often overlooked <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Rathaus</span> (town hall)...</p><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_KwgtPFq5I/AAAAAAAAAVc/qx2oDTwj_Fo/s1600-h/IMG_6013.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184400197002046354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_KwgtPFq5I/AAAAAAAAAVc/qx2oDTwj_Fo/s400/IMG_6013.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />And, finally, my Vienna highlight...the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Uniqa</span> Building, on the Danube canal, at night...the building has a light display that never seems to finish...its about 20 storeys high and is covered in LED lights...<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">unfortunately</span>, my camera <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">hasnt</span> picked up the various colours of the lights...but you can stand there for a long time dazed by the spectacle...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_Kwf9PFq1I/AAAAAAAAAU8/fI54Ruk_bn8/s1600-h/IMG_6024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184400184117144402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_Kwf9PFq1I/AAAAAAAAAU8/fI54Ruk_bn8/s400/IMG_6024.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_KwgNPFq2I/AAAAAAAAAVE/3ksh87eFMQQ/s1600-h/IMG_6021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184400188412111714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_KwgNPFq2I/AAAAAAAAAVE/3ksh87eFMQQ/s400/IMG_6021.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_KwgdPFq3I/AAAAAAAAAVM/jHPab8sJjFU/s1600-h/IMG_6020.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184400192707079026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_KwgdPFq3I/AAAAAAAAAVM/jHPab8sJjFU/s400/IMG_6020.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_KwgdPFq4I/AAAAAAAAAVU/9TSQSksMlpg/s1600-h/IMG_6015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184400192707079042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R_KwgdPFq4I/AAAAAAAAAVU/9TSQSksMlpg/s400/IMG_6015.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Next stop: Dubai...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-874935532192343518?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-34898573030615509582008-03-19T07:11:00.000-07:002008-12-12T13:54:58.960-08:00A highlight of my journeys thus far has been a ferry ride up the Danube from Bratislava to Vienna...the sky was blue, the sun out and dusk was approaching...<br /><br />A final look at Bratislava's river-scape...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EiCUCHNZI/AAAAAAAAAUc/0Hk1G9kf0Nk/s1600-h/IMG_5907.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EiCUCHNZI/AAAAAAAAAUc/0Hk1G9kf0Nk/s400/IMG_5907.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179458469585434002" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EiCkCHNaI/AAAAAAAAAUk/EZ8CLVx4vbc/s1600-h/IMG_5911.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EiCkCHNaI/AAAAAAAAAUk/EZ8CLVx4vbc/s400/IMG_5911.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179458473880401314" border="0" /></a><br />Here is a perfect example of why communism-socialism can do bad things...an ancient castle lines the riverside hill at Devin just up from Bratislava...and look at that ugly structure in the middle would you!!!!...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EgxECHNWI/AAAAAAAAAUE/YEqsBzA2l8Y/s1600-h/IMG_5947.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EgxECHNWI/AAAAAAAAAUE/YEqsBzA2l8Y/s400/IMG_5947.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179457073721062754" border="0" /></a><br />But the best was to come as the sun slowly set over the Danube...<br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EiCECHNYI/AAAAAAAAAUU/CDShECmb8vU/s1600-h/IMG_5901.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EiCECHNYI/AAAAAAAAAUU/CDShECmb8vU/s400/IMG_5901.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179458465290466690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EiC0CHNbI/AAAAAAAAAUs/OFdeTM6DIqs/s1600-h/IMG_5918.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EiC0CHNbI/AAAAAAAAAUs/OFdeTM6DIqs/s400/IMG_5918.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179458478175368626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EiC0CHNcI/AAAAAAAAAU0/y8m62Wy4XSw/s1600-h/IMG_5925.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EiC0CHNcI/AAAAAAAAAU0/y8m62Wy4XSw/s400/IMG_5925.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179458478175368642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EgwECHNTI/AAAAAAAAATs/etm-62c7Qx0/s1600-h/IMG_5959.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EgwECHNTI/AAAAAAAAATs/etm-62c7Qx0/s400/IMG_5959.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179457056541193522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EgwkCHNUI/AAAAAAAAAT0/-_uxkpvOe8U/s1600-h/IMG_5955edit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EgwkCHNUI/AAAAAAAAAT0/-_uxkpvOe8U/s400/IMG_5955edit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179457065131128130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-Egw0CHNVI/AAAAAAAAAT8/EEDDDFPqKUQ/s1600-h/IMG_5948.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-Egw0CHNVI/AAAAAAAAAT8/EEDDDFPqKUQ/s400/IMG_5948.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179457069426095442" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EgGUCHNSI/AAAAAAAAATk/QEtv9KoXTL8/s1600-h/IMG_5960.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EgGUCHNSI/AAAAAAAAATk/QEtv9KoXTL8/s400/IMG_5960.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179456339281655074" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EgxUCHNXI/AAAAAAAAAUM/FiNtUMMCuJA/s1600-h/IMG_5929.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EgxUCHNXI/AAAAAAAAAUM/FiNtUMMCuJA/s400/IMG_5929.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179457078016030066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EgGUCHNRI/AAAAAAAAATc/xEMjX_1MD5U/s1600-h/IMG_5962.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EgGUCHNRI/AAAAAAAAATc/xEMjX_1MD5U/s400/IMG_5962.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179456339281655058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EgFkCHNOI/AAAAAAAAATE/m7Y062fTe-I/s1600-h/IMG_5969.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EgFkCHNOI/AAAAAAAAATE/m7Y062fTe-I/s400/IMG_5969.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179456326396753122" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EgGECHNPI/AAAAAAAAATM/Pj_0NzGjuG0/s1600-h/IMG_5968.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EgGECHNPI/AAAAAAAAATM/Pj_0NzGjuG0/s400/IMG_5968.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179456334986687730" border="0" /></a><br />And finally dips below the horizon to treat those further west to its glorious setting...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EgGECHNQI/AAAAAAAAATU/_G7vPT8uze0/s1600-h/IMG_5963.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EgGECHNQI/AAAAAAAAATU/_G7vPT8uze0/s400/IMG_5963.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179456334986687746" border="0" /></a><br />Next stop: Vienna<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-3489857303061550958?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-5970219457315312362008-03-19T06:34:00.001-07:002008-12-12T13:55:01.184-08:00A relatively short train ride at dusk from saw me up camp from Budapest and arrive in Bratislva, the capital of Slovakia...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EXlkCHNMI/AAAAAAAAAS0/QGFK3-nSQAs/s1600-h/IMG_5842.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EXlkCHNMI/AAAAAAAAAS0/QGFK3-nSQAs/s400/IMG_5842.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179446980547916994" border="0" /></a><br />Bratislava has been significantly modernised since the fall of the Iron Curtain and entry in to the EU, but there is one symbol of Soviet glorification that remains, in fact, dominates the city skyline...the New Bridge... clearly all of the creativity available had all been swallowed by the design with none left for a decent name...by the way, the bridge crosses the Danube...<br /><br />I like it...as you can see from the gallery below...there is a restaurant and viewing deck in the 'UFO-shaped' structure at the top of the bridge...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EXmkCHNNI/AAAAAAAAAS8/_kVypeLdVL4/s1600-h/IMG_5865.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EXmkCHNNI/AAAAAAAAAS8/_kVypeLdVL4/s400/IMG_5865.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179446997727786194" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EXU0CHNHI/AAAAAAAAASM/X348sPJ5o2k/s1600-h/IMG_5883.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EXU0CHNHI/AAAAAAAAASM/X348sPJ5o2k/s400/IMG_5883.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179446692785108082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EXVECHNII/AAAAAAAAASU/iuGdfFj-j40/s1600-h/IMG_5879.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EXVECHNII/AAAAAAAAASU/iuGdfFj-j40/s400/IMG_5879.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179446697080075394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EXVECHNJI/AAAAAAAAASc/rKE7pajNNrg/s1600-h/IMG_5874.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EXVECHNJI/AAAAAAAAASc/rKE7pajNNrg/s400/IMG_5874.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179446697080075410" border="0" /></a><br />This is the view from the top of the UFO towards the old part of Bratislava...quite pretty really, albeit a shade of wintery grey...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EXVUCHNKI/AAAAAAAAASk/pi0EZd3RPpE/s1600-h/IMG_5872.JPG"><br /><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EXVkCHNLI/AAAAAAAAASs/C0ql88w4WZk/s1600-h/IMG_5869.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EXVkCHNLI/AAAAAAAAASs/C0ql88w4WZk/s400/IMG_5869.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179446705670010034" border="0" /></a><br />But turn 180 degrees and you sight a jungle of memorials to the Soviet era...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EXVUCHNKI/AAAAAAAAASk/pi0EZd3RPpE/s1600-h/IMG_5872.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EXVUCHNKI/AAAAAAAAASk/pi0EZd3RPpE/s400/IMG_5872.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179446701375042722" border="0" /></a><br />Roof of building in main square...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EW40CHNCI/AAAAAAAAARk/kmN5FN8sjCQ/s1600-h/IMG_5900.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EW40CHNCI/AAAAAAAAARk/kmN5FN8sjCQ/s400/IMG_5900.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179446211748770850" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EW5UCHNDI/AAAAAAAAARs/Jnu21O4TDp8/s1600-h/IMG_5897.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EW5UCHNDI/AAAAAAAAARs/Jnu21O4TDp8/s400/IMG_5897.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179446220338705458" border="0" /></a><br />Slovan Bratislava fans givin' it hard...the opposition fans are in picture towards the top right of the photo behind a small red banner...there may have been 20 of them, if that!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EW50CHNEI/AAAAAAAAAR0/Hue6S5m5u0A/s1600-h/IMG_5893.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EW50CHNEI/AAAAAAAAAR0/Hue6S5m5u0A/s400/IMG_5893.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179446228928640066" border="0" /></a><br />Town square building...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EW50CHNFI/AAAAAAAAAR8/G-T6qh8LUfg/s1600-h/IMG_5886.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EW50CHNFI/AAAAAAAAAR8/G-T6qh8LUfg/s400/IMG_5886.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179446228928640082" border="0" /></a><br />You can see why they would think it looks like a UFO...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EW6ECHNGI/AAAAAAAAASE/tyOmFHHxxU0/s1600-h/IMG_5883edit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EW6ECHNGI/AAAAAAAAASE/tyOmFHHxxU0/s400/IMG_5883edit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179446233223607394" border="0" /></a><br />Next stop: up the Danube to Vienna<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-597021945731531236?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-27799013939204826122008-03-19T05:49:00.000-07:002008-12-12T13:55:02.388-08:00So it was down a number of degrees latitude that I travelled from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Gothenburg</span> to Budapest...a bigger city than those recently visited...and if you ever want to visit Budapest and stay cheaply, then I strongly suggest the Loft Hostel - www.lofthostel.hu - which would rank as one of the better hostels I have stayed in around the world. The atmosphere is brilliant and facilities top notch...get to know the hostel staff and you will enjoy this place immensely...<br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Buda</span> Castle Palace...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EMvkCHNAI/AAAAAAAAARU/t2WI4JeZCwY/s1600-h/IMG_5818.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EMvkCHNAI/AAAAAAAAARU/t2WI4JeZCwY/s400/IMG_5818.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179435057718703106" border="0" /></a><br />Another angle...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EMvkCHNBI/AAAAAAAAARc/N8tUqa5MQcg/s1600-h/IMG_5813.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EMvkCHNBI/AAAAAAAAARc/N8tUqa5MQcg/s400/IMG_5813.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179435057718703122" border="0" /></a><br />My take on a chandelier in the Hungarian Parliament building...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EMkECHM7I/AAAAAAAAAQs/DFjxop0uyXE/s1600-h/IMG_5834.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EMkECHM7I/AAAAAAAAAQs/DFjxop0uyXE/s400/IMG_5834.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179434860150207410" border="0" /></a><br />Parliament domed ceiling...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EMkkCHM8I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/FTlcP-SW0xc/s1600-h/IMG_5829.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EMkkCHM8I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/FTlcP-SW0xc/s400/IMG_5829.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179434868740142018" border="0" /></a><br />Hungarian crown jewels...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EMk0CHM9I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/9MZxQqDR39I/s1600-h/IMG_5826.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EMk0CHM9I/AAAAAAAAAQ8/9MZxQqDR39I/s400/IMG_5826.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179434873035109330" border="0" /></a><br />A local monument...two pieces of gigantic licorice?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EMlECHM-I/AAAAAAAAARE/IvS7WCVAKbY/s1600-h/IMG_5823.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EMlECHM-I/AAAAAAAAARE/IvS7WCVAKbY/s400/IMG_5823.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179434877330076642" border="0" /></a><br />Hungarian Parliament building...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EMlECHM_I/AAAAAAAAARM/QzhCJNjXp7A/s1600-h/IMG_5820.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R-EMlECHM_I/AAAAAAAAARM/QzhCJNjXp7A/s400/IMG_5820.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179434877330076658" border="0" /></a><br />Next stop: Bratislava, Slovakia<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-2779901393920482612?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-5972083726987284132008-03-10T03:13:00.000-07:002008-12-12T13:55:04.238-08:00A suprisingly fun night was had aboard the Tallink company's ferry from Riga to Latvia...owing to it still being the colder months, the numbers aboard the ship were low...but that did not prevent quite a line-up of Latvian dancing girls (scantily clad no less), a schmaltzy cover band with a male vocalist from the 80s and a pass-the-parcel competition from entertaining the paying passengers...<br /><br />The ship sailed into the Stockholm Archipelago at dawn...cold for sure...but beautiful nonetheless...I have no doubt that this area is a haven for Swedish summer holidayers...a further two ferries were cruising just behind us as we made some fairly tight lefts and rights to navigate our way through...(in case you were wondering, this ship behind didn't tear through this island, but did a sharp starboard tack followed by a similarly sharp port tack)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UM3UCHM6I/AAAAAAAAAQk/aeXsqwVesFk/s1600-h/IMG_5772.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UM3UCHM6I/AAAAAAAAAQk/aeXsqwVesFk/s400/IMG_5772.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176057491142161314" border="0" /></a><br />About halfway through the archipelago, we experienced a brief snowfall, this was as it looked in front of the ferry...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UMn0CHM5I/AAAAAAAAAQc/0OPtVlI6iR8/s1600-h/IMG_5782.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UMn0CHM5I/AAAAAAAAAQc/0OPtVlI6iR8/s400/IMG_5782.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176057224854188946" border="0" /></a><br />And when the snowfall disappeared...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UMZUCHM4I/AAAAAAAAAQU/xaFYDvWcOVA/s1600-h/IMG_5784.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UMZUCHM4I/AAAAAAAAAQU/xaFYDvWcOVA/s400/IMG_5784.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176056975746085762" border="0" /></a><br />Finally ashore in Stockholm, some of the guards at the Royal Palace...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UMKkCHM3I/AAAAAAAAAQM/wbvQAgs5KWM/s1600-h/IMG_5787.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UMKkCHM3I/AAAAAAAAAQM/wbvQAgs5KWM/s400/IMG_5787.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176056722343015282" border="0" /></a><br />The first red church that I have seen...St Jakob's church in Stockholm...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UL6ECHM2I/AAAAAAAAAQE/qe50zWtCxVs/s1600-h/IMG_5790.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UL6ECHM2I/AAAAAAAAAQE/qe50zWtCxVs/s400/IMG_5790.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176056438875173730" border="0" /></a><br />I then travelled by train to Gothenburg on the west coast (or near enough) of Sweden...<br /><br />Sailing ship on harbour...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9ULrECHM1I/AAAAAAAAAP8/96eOKONvwCA/s1600-h/IMG_5794.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9ULrECHM1I/AAAAAAAAAP8/96eOKONvwCA/s400/IMG_5794.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176056181177135954" border="0" /></a><br />More harbourside...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9ULeECHM0I/AAAAAAAAAP0/BXSfRxYkntU/s1600-h/IMG_5795.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9ULeECHM0I/AAAAAAAAAP0/BXSfRxYkntU/s400/IMG_5795.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176055957838836546" border="0" /></a><br />The building behind is the Gothenburg -Utkiken...a fairly unique skyscraper on the harbour...<br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9ULLUCHMzI/AAAAAAAAAPs/NIUEGK3dzjk/s1600-h/IMG_5797.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9ULLUCHMzI/AAAAAAAAAPs/NIUEGK3dzjk/s400/IMG_5797.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176055635716289330" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UK7ECHMyI/AAAAAAAAAPk/GwGuQuRwXsY/s1600-h/IMG_5805.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UK7ECHMyI/AAAAAAAAAPk/GwGuQuRwXsY/s400/IMG_5805.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176055356543415074" border="0" /></a><br />On a marvellous day such as this one, the reflections were brilliant...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UKokCHMxI/AAAAAAAAAPc/tNgoprtKsmc/s1600-h/IMG_5812.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UKokCHMxI/AAAAAAAAAPc/tNgoprtKsmc/s400/IMG_5812.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176055038715835154" border="0" /></a><br />Next stop: Budapest<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-597208372698728413?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-16432807847051092272008-03-10T02:27:00.000-07:002008-12-12T13:55:09.512-08:00And so I left the centre of world capitalism...and made my way to the former Baltic states of Lenin and Stalin's failed experiment of governance and inhumanity, the Soviet Union. Of course, both Latvia and Estonia are now divorced from their communist shackles and, in the respective capital cities, things are going gangbusters it seems. A separate tale, I am informed, is to be told in the regions...but that can be saved for another forum...<br /><br />First to Tallinn, Estonia...a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">mish</span>-mash of an old town centre, hip architecture and Soviet style concrete jungles...<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Aleksander</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Nevsku</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Cathedral</span>...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UJpUCHMuI/AAAAAAAAAPE/PNvFWRUHDnM/s1600-h/IMG_5685.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UJpUCHMuI/AAAAAAAAAPE/PNvFWRUHDnM/s400/IMG_5685.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176053952089109218" border="0" /></a><br />Tallinn city authority building...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UJXkCHMtI/AAAAAAAAAO8/Hhbz5bmszyU/s1600-h/IMG_5688.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UJXkCHMtI/AAAAAAAAAO8/Hhbz5bmszyU/s400/IMG_5688.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176053647146431186" border="0" /></a><br />Doors...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UI_kCHMsI/AAAAAAAAAO0/Lz5QCyBHm18/s1600-h/IMG_5689.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UI_kCHMsI/AAAAAAAAAO0/Lz5QCyBHm18/s400/IMG_5689.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176053234829570754" border="0" /></a><br />Cathedral again...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UIpkCHMrI/AAAAAAAAAOs/qdGIJYU3d7o/s1600-h/IMG_5698.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UIpkCHMrI/AAAAAAAAAOs/qdGIJYU3d7o/s400/IMG_5698.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176052856872448690" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I understand that there are not too many male visitors to this Tallinn tourist attraction...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UIM0CHMqI/AAAAAAAAAOk/-WQAFe9YZrQ/s1600-h/IMG_5701.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UIM0CHMqI/AAAAAAAAAOk/-WQAFe9YZrQ/s400/IMG_5701.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176052362951209634" border="0" /></a><br />Contrary to expectations, this is not an advertisement for one of Tallinn's multitude of strip-tease joints...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UHqkCHMpI/AAAAAAAAAOc/2p9G83XNw5A/s1600-h/IMG_5703.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UHqkCHMpI/AAAAAAAAAOc/2p9G83XNw5A/s400/IMG_5703.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176051774540690066" border="0" /></a><br />Installation of heads...some identifiable, some not...at Tallinn's national gallery...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UG_0CHMoI/AAAAAAAAAOU/x96NaBqRYmI/s1600-h/IMG_5712.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UG_0CHMoI/AAAAAAAAAOU/x96NaBqRYmI/s400/IMG_5712.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176051040101282434" border="0" /></a><br />The exterior of the very impressive and brilliantly designed Tallinn national gallery...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UGaECHMnI/AAAAAAAAAOM/Z5ewXCErCCQ/s1600-h/IMG_5730.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UGaECHMnI/AAAAAAAAAOM/Z5ewXCErCCQ/s400/IMG_5730.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176050391561220722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UGJkCHMmI/AAAAAAAAAOE/bxbooTRjcuE/s1600-h/IMG_5732.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UGJkCHMmI/AAAAAAAAAOE/bxbooTRjcuE/s400/IMG_5732.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176050108093379170" border="0" /></a><br />Wintertime in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Kadrioru</span> Park, just a couple of kilometres to the east of the city centre...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UF50CHMlI/AAAAAAAAAN8/HjnpnlObwyw/s1600-h/IMG_5734.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UF50CHMlI/AAAAAAAAAN8/HjnpnlObwyw/s400/IMG_5734.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176049837510439506" border="0" /></a><br />Building facade demonstrating that not all of Tallinn is spruced up and tourism oriented...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UFsUCHMkI/AAAAAAAAAN0/PzTVTSqfWOc/s1600-h/IMG_5740.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UFsUCHMkI/AAAAAAAAAN0/PzTVTSqfWOc/s400/IMG_5740.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176049605582205506" border="0" /></a><br />Though this facade has been a recipient of significant investment in Estonia...particularly since entry into the European Union in 2004...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UFbECHMjI/AAAAAAAAANs/IW1t5YCY2-0/s1600-h/IMG_5741.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UFbECHMjI/AAAAAAAAANs/IW1t5YCY2-0/s400/IMG_5741.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176049309229462066" border="0" /></a><br />And so I was on the bus...down to Riga, Latvia...much the same as Tallinn, there has been much recent investment, re-building and cleaning up...but not entirely...<br /><br />Parts of Riga are famous for their Art <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Nouveau</span> style of architecture...its not something I have seen elsewhere to the extent that it exists in Riga...amazing that such buildings have survived through so many difficulties in the 20<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">th</span> century...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UFF0CHMiI/AAAAAAAAANk/i34bZeTk47Q/s1600-h/IMG_5744.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UFF0CHMiI/AAAAAAAAANk/i34bZeTk47Q/s400/IMG_5744.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176048944157241890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UEZkCHMfI/AAAAAAAAANM/vHoQxg-RoU8/s1600-h/IMG_5747.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UEZkCHMfI/AAAAAAAAANM/vHoQxg-RoU8/s400/IMG_5747.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176048183948030450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UEKkCHMeI/AAAAAAAAANE/dCmwdmdzQjk/s1600-h/IMG_5751.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UEKkCHMeI/AAAAAAAAANE/dCmwdmdzQjk/s400/IMG_5751.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176047926249992674" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UD3kCHMdI/AAAAAAAAAM8/fLbopvJr538/s1600-h/IMG_5754.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UD3kCHMdI/AAAAAAAAAM8/fLbopvJr538/s400/IMG_5754.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176047599832478162" border="0" /></a><br />But again, its not all beer and skittles in Riga...you <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">don't</span> have to wander far from the city centre to see what suburban life can be...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UDR0CHMaI/AAAAAAAAAMk/Pkfiws5Trws/s1600-h/IMG_5756.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UDR0CHMaI/AAAAAAAAAMk/Pkfiws5Trws/s400/IMG_5756.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176046951292416418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UDDkCHMZI/AAAAAAAAAMc/wqX3yscVGc8/s1600-h/IMG_5765.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UDDkCHMZI/AAAAAAAAAMc/wqX3yscVGc8/s400/IMG_5765.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176046706479280530" border="0" /></a><br />Following a few days in Riga, I hopped aboard the overnight ferry to Stockholm in Sweden...the passage along the river from the Latvian capital to the Baltic Sea is....well, err...industrial. I find it quite interesting actually...here is an example...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UCbUCHMWI/AAAAAAAAAME/aO-selLdf9M/s1600-h/IMG_5767.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9UCbUCHMWI/AAAAAAAAAME/aO-selLdf9M/s400/IMG_5767.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176046014989545826" border="0" /></a><br />Next stop: Sweden<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-1643280784705109227?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-52556339737316445982008-03-08T02:14:00.000-08:002008-12-12T13:55:11.624-08:00From New York, it was a very cheap bus ride up to Boston, as much the home of the bun as France is the home of the fries. Not too much in the way of photography here...but a great time was had...<br /><br />Church reflection...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9JsUECHL1I/AAAAAAAAAH8/Xsh3aoUURU0/s1600-h/aIMG_5533.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175318013737906002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9JsUECHL1I/AAAAAAAAAH8/Xsh3aoUURU0/s400/aIMG_5533.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Back Bay area of Boston...very continental European looking...<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9JsUUCHL2I/AAAAAAAAAIE/1--zN2QlxMc/s1600-h/aIMG_5535.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175318018032873314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9JsUUCHL2I/AAAAAAAAAIE/1--zN2QlxMc/s400/aIMG_5535.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Church at Harvard...</p><p> </p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9JsUkCHL3I/AAAAAAAAAIM/PVY2eZz94ik/s1600-h/aIMG_5536.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175318022327840626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9JsUkCHL3I/AAAAAAAAAIM/PVY2eZz94ik/s400/aIMG_5536.JPG" border="0" /></a> <p>And so it was on to Washington DC...I am never sure whether or not to add the 'D.C.' part...as you may be aware, there is also a state in the USA called 'Washington'...its as far away from Washington DC as you can get on the American mainland being on the Pacific coastline in the north-west...but nonetheless I am not prepared to risk just one person misunderstanding which place I am referring to, so let's add the 'D.C.' for now...<br /></p><p>For Australians, Washington DC is a mega-Canberra...full of memorials and monuments, national museums/galleries and politicians accompanied by their groupies...this is the Washington Monument in the centre of the National Mall...</p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9Ju40CHMLI/AAAAAAAAAKs/jlb_ys_C1Kc/s1600-h/IMG_5612.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175320844121354418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9Ju40CHMLI/AAAAAAAAAKs/jlb_ys_C1Kc/s400/IMG_5612.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />My first taste of snow in the States...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9JuBkCHMFI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/irPzdgGtU1s/s1600-h/IMG_5592.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175319894933581906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9JuBkCHMFI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/irPzdgGtU1s/s400/IMG_5592.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Self explanatory...<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9JuB0CHMGI/AAAAAAAAAKE/o_ubmuKZQkE/s1600-h/IMG_5600.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175319899228549218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9JuB0CHMGI/AAAAAAAAAKE/o_ubmuKZQkE/s400/IMG_5600.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />United States Capitol...I was astounded by the sheer size of this building...</p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9Jty0CHMAI/AAAAAAAAAJU/V4KnkwaYAfU/s1600-h/IMG_5582.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175319641530511362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9Jty0CHMAI/AAAAAAAAAJU/V4KnkwaYAfU/s400/IMG_5582.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9JsUkCHL4I/AAAAAAAAAIU/CxPyNJt-WZA/s1600-h/IMG_5567.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175318022327840642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9JsUkCHL4I/AAAAAAAAAIU/CxPyNJt-WZA/s400/IMG_5567.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>National Museum of the American Indian...</div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9JsUkCHL5I/AAAAAAAAAIc/yao22YVoLF0/s1600-h/IMG_5569.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175318022327840658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9JsUkCHL5I/AAAAAAAAAIc/yao22YVoLF0/s400/IMG_5569.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Korean War Memorial...<br /><div> </div><div><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9JvF0CHMNI/AAAAAAAAAK8/v3B1PJ79tc8/s1600-h/IMG_5621.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175321067459653842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9JvF0CHMNI/AAAAAAAAAK8/v3B1PJ79tc8/s400/IMG_5621.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div>Arlington National Cemetery...burial place of military personnel, the Kennedy brothers and other notable American heroes...</div><div><br /></div><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9JvGUCHMOI/AAAAAAAAALE/nKfmmxQzlmk/s1600-h/IMG_5632.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175321076049588450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9JvGUCHMOI/AAAAAAAAALE/nKfmmxQzlmk/s400/IMG_5632.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p>World War II memorial...<br /><div><br /></div><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9Ju40CHMMI/AAAAAAAAAK0/R6popMEPzSU/s1600-h/IMG_5616.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175320844121354434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9Ju40CHMMI/AAAAAAAAAK0/R6popMEPzSU/s400/IMG_5616.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Next stop: back to Europe...the Baltic States of Estonia and Latvia<br /></p><div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-5255633973731644598?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-35595434770548277182008-03-06T08:36:00.000-08:002008-12-12T13:55:17.894-08:00My first time in the world's largest economy, the third largest national land mass, third largest population and inventor of the toilet paper consisted of stays in New York, Boston and Washington D.C....here are some shots of New York to start with...<br /><br />WARNING...don't say you weren't warned that this collection is made up primarily of photos of large buildings...I apologise not...I am a lover of the tall building, the long bridge, the high mountain, etc...though not necessarily, as some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Amercians</span> seems to be, the 20lb beef burger with fries...<br /><br />7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> Avenue...you mean these signs actually help drivers?...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9Ahz3qPdpI/AAAAAAAAAH0/NgNSVsKfhaY/s1600-h/IMG_5529.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174673146846869138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9Ahz3qPdpI/AAAAAAAAAH0/NgNSVsKfhaY/s400/IMG_5529.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Winter in Central Park...as you can see, much fun to be had...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9Ahp3qPdkI/AAAAAAAAAHM/aiv9mQmj7sU/s1600-h/IMG_5507.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174672975048177218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9Ahp3qPdkI/AAAAAAAAAHM/aiv9mQmj7sU/s400/IMG_5507.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Unless of course you are an ice-skater, which is not fun by my reckoning...<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AhqHqPdlI/AAAAAAAAAHU/SHgO1CZN9fg/s1600-h/IMG_5510.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174672979343144530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AhqHqPdlI/AAAAAAAAAHU/SHgO1CZN9fg/s400/IMG_5510.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Here is the first of my array of photos of the glorious tall buildings of NYC...</p><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AhqXqPdmI/AAAAAAAAAHc/izdM8EkBNrc/s1600-h/IMG_5520.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174672983638111842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AhqXqPdmI/AAAAAAAAAHc/izdM8EkBNrc/s400/IMG_5520.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p> </p><p>And a slightly more eclectic arrangement of smaller buildings...</p><p> </p><p></p><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AhqnqPdnI/AAAAAAAAAHk/sTUh69LDD_k/s1600-h/IMG_5522.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174672987933079154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AhqnqPdnI/AAAAAAAAAHk/sTUh69LDD_k/s400/IMG_5522.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p> </p><p>Fire exits...</p><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9Ahq3qPdoI/AAAAAAAAAHs/DO1CPYNmjuY/s1600-h/IMG_5524.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174672992228046466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9Ahq3qPdoI/AAAAAAAAAHs/DO1CPYNmjuY/s400/IMG_5524.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Battery Park boardwalk at the southern tip of Manhattan...</p><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AhJXqPdfI/AAAAAAAAAGk/DwiPluanq0g/s1600-h/IMG_5486.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174672416702428658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AhJXqPdfI/AAAAAAAAAGk/DwiPluanq0g/s400/IMG_5486.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p> </p><p>This is one of the Trump Towers...there seem to be a proliferation of them about town (including another one later on in this post)...this one had trees growing out of it starting from about level 5...</p><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AhKHqPdhI/AAAAAAAAAG0/NvgAfjJh5mI/s1600-h/IMG_5489.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174672429587330578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AhKHqPdhI/AAAAAAAAAG0/NvgAfjJh5mI/s400/IMG_5489.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p>The newish and the oldish...<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AhKnqPdiI/AAAAAAAAAG8/ycdzKjpK-8g/s1600-h/IMG_5499.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174672438177265186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AhKnqPdiI/AAAAAAAAAG8/ycdzKjpK-8g/s400/IMG_5499.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AhLHqPdjI/AAAAAAAAAHE/uDHf4aXD4BI/s1600-h/IMG_5501.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174672446767199794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AhLHqPdjI/AAAAAAAAAHE/uDHf4aXD4BI/s400/IMG_5501.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Seagram tower...<br /></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AgnnqPdaI/AAAAAAAAAF8/BHbRgkV3tDc/s1600-h/IMG_5449.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174671836881843618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AgnnqPdaI/AAAAAAAAAF8/BHbRgkV3tDc/s400/IMG_5449.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />GE Tower at the Rockefeller Centre...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AgoHqPdbI/AAAAAAAAAGE/GFYv5vjJ45o/s1600-h/IMG_5455.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174671845471778226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AgoHqPdbI/AAAAAAAAAGE/GFYv5vjJ45o/s400/IMG_5455.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><p>Self <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">explanatory</span>...</p><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AgpXqPddI/AAAAAAAAAGU/FhqOxmOOS7Y/s1600-h/IMG_5475.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174671866946614738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AgpXqPddI/AAAAAAAAAGU/FhqOxmOOS7Y/s400/IMG_5475.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p></p><p>Goldman Sachs tower over the river in New Jersey...</p><p><br /></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AgpnqPdeI/AAAAAAAAAGc/lzimaAAw2bA/s1600-h/IMG_5484.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174671871241582050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AgpnqPdeI/AAAAAAAAAGc/lzimaAAw2bA/s400/IMG_5484.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />United Nations building...<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AgDnqPdVI/AAAAAAAAAFU/VsOdHt2fCAg/s1600-h/IMG_5423.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174671218406552914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AgDnqPdVI/AAAAAAAAAFU/VsOdHt2fCAg/s400/IMG_5423.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Reflecting globe outside UN HQ...<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AgEXqPdWI/AAAAAAAAAFc/hejbgPmqibU/s1600-h/IMG_5425a.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174671231291454818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AgEXqPdWI/AAAAAAAAAFc/hejbgPmqibU/s400/IMG_5425a.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p>A Trump Tower...no apprentices nor Miss [insert nation] to be seen<br /></p><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AgEnqPdXI/AAAAAAAAAFk/YON_lPNnK3I/s1600-h/IMG_5427.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174671235586422130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AgEnqPdXI/AAAAAAAAAFk/YON_lPNnK3I/s400/IMG_5427.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p>UN HQ again...<br /></p><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AgE3qPdYI/AAAAAAAAAFs/vCNPDmMByXc/s1600-h/IMG_5428.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174671239881389442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AgE3qPdYI/AAAAAAAAAFs/vCNPDmMByXc/s400/IMG_5428.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Grand Central Station...the Australians are pathetic with the design of their major railway stations (maybe save for Melbourne), the Europeans are very good, but Grand Central and South Station in Washington D.C. are two of the most impressive stations I have seen to date...</p><p><br /></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AgFnqPdZI/AAAAAAAAAF0/wA2Xx2Mqjos/s1600-h/IMG_5440.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174671252766291346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AgFnqPdZI/AAAAAAAAAF0/wA2Xx2Mqjos/s400/IMG_5440.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Downtown Manhattan from the Empire State Building...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AfoXqPdQI/AAAAAAAAAEs/JB-9_nlH3cQ/s1600-h/IMG_5399.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174670750255117570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AfoXqPdQI/AAAAAAAAAEs/JB-9_nlH3cQ/s400/IMG_5399.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The beautiful Flatiron Building...<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Spiderman</span> buffs will know this building as the location of the Daily Bugle offices...it is also the world's oldest skyscraper...<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AfpHqPdRI/AAAAAAAAAE0/0LgG30ZbMoE/s1600-h/IMG_5401.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174670763140019474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AfpHqPdRI/AAAAAAAAAE0/0LgG30ZbMoE/s400/IMG_5401.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p>My favourite...the glorious Chrysler Building...finished in 1930...and still the 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">nd</span> tallest in NYC...</p><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AfpHqPdSI/AAAAAAAAAE8/Fl6n1HSFAlc/s1600-h/IMG_5409.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174670763140019490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AfpHqPdSI/AAAAAAAAAE8/Fl6n1HSFAlc/s400/IMG_5409.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p>My angle on a Grand Central Station <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">chandelier</span>...</p><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AfpnqPdTI/AAAAAAAAAFE/4sCruQo5h6o/s1600-h/IMG_5416.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174670771729954098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AfpnqPdTI/AAAAAAAAAFE/4sCruQo5h6o/s400/IMG_5416.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Silver beauty again...great day for pics by the way...though bleeding cold outside on the 86<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">th</span> level of the Empire State Building...</p><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9Afp3qPdUI/AAAAAAAAAFM/C0eJniwhC4k/s1600-h/IMG_5419.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174670776024921410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9Afp3qPdUI/AAAAAAAAAFM/C0eJniwhC4k/s400/IMG_5419.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Driving towards Times Square...</p><p><br /></p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AfRHqPdLI/AAAAAAAAAEE/ec-ODyXTagU/s1600-h/IMG_5388.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174670350823158962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AfRHqPdLI/AAAAAAAAAEE/ec-ODyXTagU/s400/IMG_5388.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Building...<br /><br /><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AfRXqPdMI/AAAAAAAAAEM/FBlqLYvsUX0/s1600-h/IMG_5382.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174670355118126274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AfRXqPdMI/AAAAAAAAAEM/FBlqLYvsUX0/s400/IMG_5382.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Brilliant...<br /></p><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AfRnqPdNI/AAAAAAAAAEU/Vnfjq7Nxq4Y/s1600-h/IMG_5392.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174670359413093586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AfRnqPdNI/AAAAAAAAAEU/Vnfjq7Nxq4Y/s400/IMG_5392.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Closer inspection...<br /></p><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AfR3qPdOI/AAAAAAAAAEc/pBogVYTQI-M/s1600-h/IMG_5395.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174670363708060898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AfR3qPdOI/AAAAAAAAAEc/pBogVYTQI-M/s400/IMG_5395.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Empire State Building pigeon...</p><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AfSHqPdPI/AAAAAAAAAEk/_ZbCDdbCYXY/s1600-h/IMG_5397.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174670368003028210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AfSHqPdPI/AAAAAAAAAEk/_ZbCDdbCYXY/s400/IMG_5397.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />And, finally a self explanatory feature of New York at dusk...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AgonqPdcI/AAAAAAAAAGM/IoowvG6aGjg/s1600-h/IMG_5471.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174671854061712834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R9AgonqPdcI/AAAAAAAAAGM/IoowvG6aGjg/s400/IMG_5471.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p><br />Next stop: Boston<br /><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-3559543477054827718?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-18257058078837509012008-03-06T05:25:00.000-08:002008-12-12T13:55:18.730-08:00A brief interlude was had in London prior to flying out to the USA...some pics below...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R8_xJHqPdGI/AAAAAAAAADc/LX_5xa-w810/s1600-h/IMG_5348.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174619635849327714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R8_xJHqPdGI/AAAAAAAAADc/LX_5xa-w810/s400/IMG_5348.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is not a real panda with tiny ladders across its nose...its 'artwork' in Earls Court <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">tube</span> station</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R8_xJnqPdHI/AAAAAAAAADk/hVU2GVl41a4/s1600-h/IMG_5352.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174619644439262322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R8_xJnqPdHI/AAAAAAAAADk/hVU2GVl41a4/s400/IMG_5352.JPG" border="0" /></a> The experiment of using Peter Crouch in the England national team has been deemed a success leaving <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Capello</span> to now start with 11 Peter Crouch-sized players every game</p><p align="center">(note that these are not real players...they are gantries with light emitting devices used to grow the grass at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Wembley</span>)</p><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R8_xKHqPdII/AAAAAAAAADs/7ojd6ql8ilM/s1600-h/IMG_5362.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174619653029196930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R8_xKHqPdII/AAAAAAAAADs/7ojd6ql8ilM/s400/IMG_5362.JPG" border="0" /></a>United and Liverpool players really do like each other after all </p><p><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R8_xKXqPdJI/AAAAAAAAAD0/T0nuXTEijnM/s1600-h/IMG_5365.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174619657324164242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R8_xKXqPdJI/AAAAAAAAAD0/T0nuXTEijnM/s400/IMG_5365.JPG" border="0" /></a> The players' tunnel out onto the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Wembley</span> pitch</p><p><br /></p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R8_xKnqPdKI/AAAAAAAAAD8/JGNtbG-VZIg/s1600-h/IMG_5373.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174619661619131554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R8_xKnqPdKI/AAAAAAAAAD8/JGNtbG-VZIg/s400/IMG_5373.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>This is what the Queen uses to drink her <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Pimms</span> &amp; lemonade out of when she watches the football at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Wembley</span>...note that it is covered to prevent commoners in upper tiers from tossing objects into it (or this could be the FA Cup...or both)<br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-1825705807883750901?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1094185705961955280.post-53064598504819767362008-03-05T07:37:00.000-08:002008-12-12T13:55:22.121-08:00Welcome everyone to my new blog.<br /><br /><div align="left">This 'initiative' (as a government would call it) is intended primarily to reduce the inboxes of family and friends who I have intermittently sent photos to while travelling about. I will still send emails...it's just that they will mostly only include a link to this page.</div><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><div align="left">For the most part, I am not going to deliver extensive commentary (read: can be bothered), but please enjoy</div><div align="left"><br />Where to start?...</div><div align="left"><br />Some housekeeping first perhaps...if I ever get the time (read: can be bothered), I will put up some of my more historic photos, that is, any photo that I haven't already emailed around.<br /></div><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><div align="left">But to start with, I am going to post photos of my times since leaving Dublin Airport on FR 1964 en route to Eindhoven with my final destination for the evening being Amsterdam...<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174290718663865026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87F_nqPcsI/AAAAAAAAAAM/bveXqYwtTz0/s320/IMG_5196.JPG" border="0" /> Amsterdam buildings</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174291216880071378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87GcnqPctI/AAAAAAAAAAU/MI-ZRVZ9YS0/s320/IMG_5208.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Amsterdam buildings</p><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><br /><p align="left">And then I travelled by train through Belgium down to Paris...</p><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174291229764973298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87GdXqPcvI/AAAAAAAAAAk/67eENr9bYDQ/s320/IMG_5222.JPG" border="0" /></p><div align="center">Montmarte silhouettes</div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174291225470005986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87GdHqPcuI/AAAAAAAAAAc/zquR-hZ4U00/s320/IMG_5212.JPG" border="0" /></div><p align="center">Sacre Coeur at dusk from hostel courtyard</p><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174291234059940610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87GdnqPcwI/AAAAAAAAAAs/-moLeuU6Tb8/s320/IMG_5233.JPG" border="0" />Le Louvre looking skywards (obviously)<br /></p><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174291238354907922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87Gd3qPcxI/AAAAAAAAAA0/ebcUYQ-lmR4/s320/IMG_5247.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">Wedding Feast at Cana...possibly the biggest painting in the Louvre at almost 7 m x 10m...incidentally, I couldn't get all of the painting in my photo</div><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87Ny3qPc7I/AAAAAAAAACE/evUcAyziceg/s1600-h/IMG_5262.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174299295713555378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87Ny3qPc7I/AAAAAAAAACE/evUcAyziceg/s320/IMG_5262.JPG" border="0" /> </a>but here's a section in the bottom right hand corner that is mildly amusing...and perhaps a little off-topic for such a grand religious painting </div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87NzXqPc8I/AAAAAAAAACM/mltkvu3ghwg/s1600-h/IMG_5275.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174299304303489986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87NzXqPc8I/AAAAAAAAACM/mltkvu3ghwg/s320/IMG_5275.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a></p>a stony faced man at the Louvre hiding behind bushes<p align="center"></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87NznqPc9I/AAAAAAAAACU/1XAyIt3UcQs/s1600-h/IMG_5281.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174299308598457298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87NznqPc9I/AAAAAAAAACU/1XAyIt3UcQs/s320/IMG_5281.JPG" border="0" /></a> A fishy Dutch painting (details are absent from my mind)</p><br /><br /><p align="center"></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174302757457196114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87Q8XqPdFI/AAAAAAAAADU/EesmoawxYhg/s320/IMG_5282.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87Nz3qPc-I/AAAAAAAAACc/z32tdIPzQuM/s1600-h/IMG_5282.JPG"></a>Detail of painting above</p><br /><p><br /></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87N0HqPc_I/AAAAAAAAACk/0x4OZ8qYaWE/s1600-h/IMG_5307.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174299317188391922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87N0HqPc_I/AAAAAAAAACk/0x4OZ8qYaWE/s320/IMG_5307.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a></p>Sacre Coeur from Montmarte Sunday market<p align="center"></p><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87MK3qPcyI/AAAAAAAAAA8/WZKXPIagMD0/s1600-h/IMG_5262.JPG"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87MLXqPczI/AAAAAAAAABE/uyrEtScPHS4/s1600-h/IMG_5275.JPG"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87MLnqPc0I/AAAAAAAAABM/Q5iUCuF-YT4/s1600-h/IMG_5281.JPG"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87MMHqPc1I/AAAAAAAAABU/kto7ZPcUZjo/s1600-h/IMG_5282.JPG"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87MMnqPc2I/AAAAAAAAABc/O7strwHEKkI/s1600-h/IMG_5307.JPG"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87OLHqPdAI/AAAAAAAAACs/KZ6roa6ARx0/s1600-h/IMG_5310.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174299712325383170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87OLHqPdAI/AAAAAAAAACs/KZ6roa6ARx0/s320/IMG_5310.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">Are you looking at me?</p><p align="center"><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87OLXqPdBI/AAAAAAAAAC0/FLSODK-dyTQ/s1600-h/IMG_5316.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174299716620350482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87OLXqPdBI/AAAAAAAAAC0/FLSODK-dyTQ/s320/IMG_5316.JPG" border="0" /></a> You know what it is</p><p><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87OLnqPdCI/AAAAAAAAAC8/zhPo-mZz4Zk/s1600-h/IMG_5320.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174299720915317794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87OLnqPdCI/AAAAAAAAAC8/zhPo-mZz4Zk/s320/IMG_5320.JPG" border="0" /></a> And this too</p><p><br /></p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87OL3qPdDI/AAAAAAAAADE/TxMATtYiarY/s1600-h/IMG_5342.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174299725210285106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wAiRYEOb--Q/R87OL3qPdDI/AAAAAAAAADE/TxMATtYiarY/s320/IMG_5342.JPG" border="0" /></a>Police station exterior in Latin Quarter<br /><br />Next stop...United States of America...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1094185705961955280-5306459850481976736?l=patclancy.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Pat Clancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485584778569348148noreply@blogger.com2