Ani, perched dangerously on the edge of Turkey and overlooking its old host, Armenia, is a fantastic site that not too many people get to go to.
Once a bustling metropolis to rival the other big cities of its time, Ani, has wasted away thanks to invasions, earthquakes, and even modern-day arguments. The land it sits on is still debated upon by the Armenians and the Turks. The Armenians want it back.
As we walked around the ruins, we could feel both Armenian guards, from across the river, and Turkish guards high in the citadel watching us.
A day [...]
Continue reading Ani Straddling the Turkish and Armenian Frontiers
View from the boat in Puerto Princesa Bay.
The Philippines should be high on your list if you like a destination with water. Whether it be beaches, boats, or any type of water sport, the Philippines has it.
I am not a beach person. I do like boats, but I like sturdy boats. I was a little unsure riding one of these boats. It seems they would be super-stable and not really rock that much, but the one we were on was just a little too rocky for me. I have a couple of really unflattering pictures of me [...]
Continue reading Reflection #572 – Puerto Princesa Bay
A koala peacefully munching on some leaves.
The wildlife in Australia is one of the main reasons people go. That’s why we went. Oh yeah, we visited some cool family, too. What a bonus!
One of my third graders has chosen to study koalas, and he is constantly coming up to me and reminding me what awesome little creatures these are. Two of his favorite facts are that they sleep up to 20 hours each day and that they drink little water, getting most of their moisture from the eucalyptus.
He’s right! Koalas are totally cool animals, and we [...]
Continue reading Reflection #571 – Koala
I want to go here…now! I just want to head to Jerusalem and sit on this patio with a cappucino. Wanna come?
It’s been a stressful couple of weeks. It gets that way towards the end of a school year when you are a teacher. The fewer the days before the final report card is handed out, the more the stress, or so it seems. I guess the great thing is that in just three weeks I’ll be on vacation…for two months!
And then, you ask? Yes, I’ll be traveling. Younger daughter is coming for a couple of weeks, [...]
Continue reading Reflection #570 – Inviting Patio in Jerusalem
Ok, so I love cats…what of it?
I must have hundreds of cat photos. I take them all over the world. I have cat pictures from Turkey, from Bulgaria, from Thailand, from Japan. You name it, I got it.
This particular cutie was taken a couple of weekends ago in Kientzheim, France. Yep, in the Alsace!
You may wonder why I take so many cat photos. It’s simple. I love cats, dogs, all animals. I’d love to have pets, but I live to travel and travel to live. It’s pretty hard to explain to a pet that you’re [...]
Continue reading Reflection #569 – Cat Photo from Kientzheim, France
When you hear the word “China” all types of exotic images run through my mind. For me, words like “busy,” “crowded,” and “ancient” pop in mind as well.
I took this photo of one of the canals in the Forbidden City as soon as the ticket booth opened. There were people around, and they were beginning to enter by droves, but I was able to capture an almost empty and serene scene.
Beijing is a fascinating place, full of food, people, and customs so unlike those in the western world. I’ve been there a number of times, and each [...]
Continue reading Reflection #567 – Forbidden City
Fishing Boats in Chile
Valparaiso, Chile, is right on the coast. There are some beautiful beaches and plenty of fishing.
These boats were on the dock. I don’t know if they are waiting to be repaired or if they are just stored that way, but it makes for a nice still life.
We also got an interesting shot of a boat and the fisherman being hoisted onto the dock.
Have you been to Chile?
A fairy tale castle not far from Lisbon, the Pena Palace.
The Pena National Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in Sintra, Portugal. Only a half hour drive from Lisbon, Sintra is one of my favorite cities on the Iberian Peninsula. There is way too much to see in one day, though, so you might want to stay overnight. Sintra is full of parks and palaces, it’s very near the ocean with cliff views and beaches, and there are plenty of restaurants to choose from as well.
We visited the Pena Palace in the later afternoon, after we [...]
Continue reading World Heritage Site – Pena Palace Portugal
Spring and babies! These little falcons are so wide-eyed.
Who doesn’t love it when spring arrives, bringing all manner of new little babies in the world. And I didn’t know how cute falcons could be!
These little guys were hatched in a window cell of an attic way at the top of a huge hill not far from Mardin, Turkey. We weren’t out looking for falcons or their offspring, we were there for the architecture, markets, and Turkish hospitality, but hey, what a bonus!
They are probably at their fuzziest, cutest stage of development. We didn’t bother them for [...]
Continue reading Reflection #554 – Falcon Babies
Not quite as large or impressive or well-known as Christ the Redeemer in Rio, this statue of the Virgin Mary overlooks the gorgeous city of Santiago, Chile.
We took the funicular up the hill and it provided a panoramic view of the entire city. I love a funicular, and this was one of the best I’ve been on.
At the top of San Cristobal Hill, where the statue is located is a nice park to walk around, and many vendors and cafes. It’s a great little jaunt if you are in the city.
Down below, where you pick up [...]
Continue reading Reflection #552 – Santiago Statue of the Virgin Mary
|