The Rock of Gibraltar, UK

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I never thought as a kid watching the Prudential Insurance ads on television that I would one day climb to the very top of the Rock of Gibraltar.  Further, who would have thought that monkeys were at the top waiting to steal food from tourists?  Actually we were told they are Barbary apes, so I guess I’ll soon need to go look up the difference.  This was a strenuous hike up a steep trail with many steps, called the Mediterranean Steps.  One member of our party had to turn back, so the rest of our group went on without our guide.  The mountains in the distance across the Straits of Gibraltar are part of north Africa!

We were told there is no unemployment in Gibraltar, UK.   In fact, there is a labor shortage so the businesses there must hire thousands of people from Spain who commute over the narrow land bridge connecting Spain to Gibraltar.  This road actually crosses the airport runways on Gibraltar.  However, Spain still feels like Gibraltar should be theirs, so they refuse to hire anybody from Gibraltar….

Funchal, Maderia Island, Portugal

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Funchal on the island of Madeira, Portugal was our first stop after seven days at sea.  It is our favorite port so far.  The sidewalks are not cement, rather designs made with black and white rocks, just as they were in the Portuguese city of Macau, China.  Many flowers were in full bloom including tall purple trees.  A lot of their culture showed through with their colorful doorways and brightly painted buildings.

Toboggan Ride, Funchal Style

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One of our favorite cities so far was Funchal, on the Island of Madeira, Portugal.  We made our way across the beautiful town, over the black and white stone inlaid sidewalks, listening to unique street musicians, to a an aerial tram that took us high in the mountains overlooking the city.  After visiting the botanical gardens, downing a cold local brew and visiting a church, the question was how to get back down to the boat?  The answer was a toboggan ride down the steep, narrow streets.  Two Portuguese men pushed the toboggan off the summit and then jumped on the back of the vehicle.  They would jump off and pull the toboggan over the slower sections, then hop back on for the ride.  At the end they would very forcefully suggest that a tip was in order and then sell you a photograph.  All in all, a great experience….Toboggan pull

Sailing, Sailing, Over the Ocean Blue…

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SLIDE SHOW, 7 PHOTOS

We recently took our first trans-Atlantic cruise from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to Rome. The 15 days were very enjoyable and relaxing. One can approach such a trip as a non-stop 24 hour a day feed trough, or one can approach it as a health club. I chose the latter, but still think I may have added some pounds. I exercised an hour every single day we were not in a seaport.  While at the various ports we did a lot of exercising as well, like climbing to the top of the Rock of Gibraltar. Other time was spent relaxing on the balcony of our cabin.  More photos will be added later, but here is one of the blue, blue ocean. During the days out to sea, air pollution was not at all apparent.

Ship Sunset

Ship Sunset

Sea World FL, All Creatures Great and Small

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JellyfishOrkas-20140415-_ALL1108Just finished a tour of Sea World with my niece who works there part time.  I was surprised at the $92 entry fee per adult.  Adding in Disney World, and Epcot, a Florida vacation could cost several thousand dollars for the family of four flying in from the cold.  It is clearly directed to family fun and entertainment for the kids, kind of like a giant water circus…..  Sea World also does many injured animal rescues each year.  From my point of view, it was hard to imagine not just the initial expense of building the very special water facilities, but the ongoing maintenance and upkeep required.

Crested Butte, Colorado Quaint Town USA; Photo Manipulation?

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Purple House

Photo Manipulation?

In addition to Crested Butte, Colorado’s well known reputation for skiing, it is also a great place to go for wild flowers viewing and hanging out in a very western town with many quaint houses.  We hung out here while the National Parks were closed due to the irrational government shut down of all our National Parks.  Who would not love coming home to this little house every day?  Do you think this photo is an example of photo manipulation?  Well, I am not sure myself….
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Going Green? iPhone Photography

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OlivesPorsche-20120215-IMG_0394-EditHere are a couple photos taken in Las Vegas, both in the same evening.  The design in both appealed to me, plus who would not like these greens??

The iPhone is a little irritating to a serious photographer.  The iPhone takes some wonderful photos in a much easier manner than carrying around a large DSLR camera with interchangeable lenses.  Now days, most photos do not go past the sharing on the Internet phase, so the resolution and ability to enlarge and print does not come into play.  It also helps prove the best camera is the one you have with you, and the iPhone or any such Smart Phone camera is certainly always by our side.

Pie Town Artwork IPhone Photography

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Pie Town, New MexicoThis picture sums up a trip to Pie Town, New Mexico.  Why get traditional pies when you can get Red or Green Chile?  Sometimes it is more spicy than at other times, but always good.  The contrast between the unkempt picnic table and the smooth ice cream was inviting to photograph.  This is an old photograph that I never got around to putting on the blog…..

Gulf Shores, Alabama

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Herons NestWe are working our way to Florida where we will board a cruise ship for Italy.  However, along the way we need to get our taxes done.  This requires us to be in one spot for a while to receive our mail package from Alternative Resources.  (See my Details / Travel Links page in the Menu)  We rented this cute one bedroom house on the water based on the suggestion of someone we met 1,110 miles to the west, in Tucumcari, NM.  He said it is possible to cast your fishing line into the back bay waters from the front deck.  While not fishing on this trip, we found that to be true.  Instead, it only provided a nice view to enjoy while struggling with our way-too-complex tax regulations.

If you click ‘..more’ the slide show will be above this post.

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USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park

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There are a couple of good stops we have had simply because we took the time to talk to someone along the way.  A lady at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge suggested we visit this military park.  In addition to the main attraction of the battleship, the submarine called the ‘Drum’ is also on display for one to walk through.  Numerous large planes are in the parking lot area for one to stroll around and try to grasp the enormity of a B-52D Stratofortress.  After this tour, we realize we still know nothing of what it would be like to be on the USS Alabama in actual combat conditions in a rolling sea…

All three of these photos were taken with the IPhone.  See the slide show below.  Some devices may require you to swipe the photo from right to left.