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Zigzag – August 3, 2014

Some roads in South America are noted for their zigzags with good reason.  You simply don’t want to take the fast way down.  Here are a couple.  The first is the main highway from Santiago that crosses over the Andes and takes you to Mendoza.  Raeski took this photo from the bus window.  The second dirt road takes you to Machu Piccu.  If you are like most, you wish the bus driver would take it a little slower.

Chilean Spaghetti

It’s a fun bus ride to Machu Piccu!

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Relics – July 16, 2014

Some relics we hate to see go because they remind us of a time when things moved at a slower pace and we didn’t feel so rushed.  Others are better at adding ‘character’ to fields and yards.  Those are probably best left where they are found.  Some become monuments leaving us in awe and wonderment.  And finally some remind us of a past taken from storybook pages.

Artillería

Front yard farm equipment

L’Amphitheatre

How do I pack this?

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Contrasts – June 29, 2014

Sharing the road Easter Island style.

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Rooms – June 6, 2014

Dia de Patrimonia – One of the nice things about spending a year in a foreign country is that you get to see things and attend events that tourists miss.  The Day of Patriotism is one of those events.  The presidential palace in Viña del Mar in Chile is only open to the public one day a year.  People, along with Wooly and Raeski line up for blocks to see the inside and outside of the summertime residence of the president of Chile.  Here are a few of the rooms in the palace

The presidential study.

Another view of the presidential study.

Presidential dining.

The presidential sunroom looking north.

Presidential sunroom looking south.

Raeski looking presidential.

The current resident – Michelle Bachelet Jeria.

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Split Second – May 30, 2014

It’s a life or death split second for what’s swimming below.

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Twist – May 25, 2014

Stairwells make such interesting subjects.  However most photographs are taken from the topside perspective.  In my continuing quest for the unusual, here is the underside of another famous stairwell.  This time it’s the underside of the stairs leading to the top of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

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Twisty – May 23, 2014

Sometimes interesting and occasional great photos are taken from a perspective others don’t think of.  This photo was taken at Sagrat Cor, the cathedral which sits on top of Tibidabo mountain overlooking Barcelona.  This is the staircase that leads you to the top of the cathedral.  Only you are looking at the underside of the stairs.

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Work of Art – May 17, 2014

 Nature is the best artist of the ages.  Her work is ever-present in her studio.  In this work of art, “Watercolors”, Nature’s brush strokes are glacier fed waters rushing over previously painted rocks in Glacier National Park.  Ms. Nature was very pleased when the United States protected this studio for all time as a National Park, however she is a bit annoyed we aren’t doing enough to save her glaciers.

Glacier fed waters

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On the Move – May 15, 2014 – Surfing Easter Island

Polynesians invented and love surfing.  This sport almost died at the hands of missionaries who attempted to prohibit just about anything that defined Polynesian culture.  Fortunately zealotry wasn’t able to erase a wonderful sport that people today enjoy worldwide.  If there’s a wave, someone wants to catch it.

The first photo is someone on a large wave that would take him into rocks.  That’s right, no beach or sand, just rocks.  I watched how he gave up the wave when the water got too shallow and the rocks too close.  The rest of the photos are of a guy riding a wave on the west side of the island where he could ride the wave all the way to the beach if he wanted to.

If you surf I would add Easter Island to your bucket list.  And if you’re really good, try the big waves on the west side of the island where the rocks are.

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The ascensors in Valparaiso Chile are an inexpensive way people get up the steep hills.  Ascensor Reina Victoria was built in 1902 and is one of the few working ascensors left in the city.  These cars are counter-balanced and only require a 35 HP electric motor to move people up and down the hill.  And at the top of the ascensors you will invariably find great street art (graffiti).

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Letters – April 25, 2014 – Easter Island Signs

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Wherever you go signs are waiting to be read.  Easter Island is no exception.  One of the most useful signs, the language sign, was at our hotel.  So why did the state of Montana drop the tilde over the ‘n’?I have always liked the ‘how far’ signs found in remote places.  Of course the Polo North is the top sign.But the real reason people travel to Isla de Pascua are the Moai.  Easter Island is one of the most remote islands in world and the Moai make the trip worthwhile.  Due to age, weather, tsunamis and earthquakes, some of the Moai have fallen.  As representatives of the people’s ancestors, it is very disrepectful to walk on them.  As I have mentioned in previous posts, the trust system is prevalent in Chile and this is an example of that.Tahai is one of the many Moai sites on the island and it can only be reached by a short hike.  There are many hikes on the island that take you to some of the more interesting sites on the island.Enjoy the photos from our Easter trip to Easter Island.  I am planning to post a series of articles/photos on Easter Island.  The topics will be big waves, birds (most in flight), the Moai, landscapes and beach scenes.  Stay tuned…

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On Top – April 22, 2014 – On Top of Paris

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If you have never taken the elevator to the top, you must do it no matter what the weather may be.  Dominating the skyline, the Eiffel Tower is a must see, must go to the top attraction to do at least once in your life.  It’s worth the wait in line.

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Monumental – April 11, 2014

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Evita Perón was a monumental lady with a monumental personality.  In Argentina her star still burns brightly.  The choice of a photo with lens flare  highlighting her face is purposeful.  And in spite of all their economic troubles, Argentinians still manage to keep their sense of humor which is why a monument to Homer Simpson can be found in the Buenos Aires Buquebus ferry terminal.

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Threshold – April 10, 2014 – On the Threshold of Flight

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Raeski and I really love watching pelicans.  In flight they are among the most graceful of birds in spite of the huge beak.  While on a harbor cruise I was able to capture the magnificent pelican water takeoff.  I was pleased the photos came out reasonably clear even though I was panning the camera by hand while in a boat bobbing in the bay.

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Street Life – April 1, 2014 – Cerro Barón, Valparaiso Chile

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Cerro Barón residents have recently had a hard time.  Their homes ravaged by recent earthquakes and fires, the people still return to rebuild and they may best represent the spirit of Valparaiso.  It’s not the best nor the worst neighborhood in Valparaiso.  It’s resilient and manages to thrive in spite of the hardships.  Homes are colorful and people are friendly.  Here is a taste of street life in Cerro Barón.

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Reflections – March 23, 2014 – Lyon

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To most travelers on their way to the Mediterranean Sea or the Alps, it’s only another city to pass through.   Known more as an industrial city and often overlooked, Lyon rewards those who move at a more leisurely pace.   Ornate old buildings are reflected on modern glass buildings; the old and new artfully co-existing side by side.

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The Old Reflected in the NewExplore the city’s secret passages that baffled and vexed German soldiers during WWII.  Marvel at the magnificent artwork painted on the sides of buildings.  Meander along the Rhone River and by all means visit the Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourviere for a panoramic view of the city.

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Inside – March 16, 2014

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You’ve traveled to the other side of the world drawn by a perfect environment where nature marries the Andes Mountains, soil, climate and sunlight.  Tucked under the shadow of the Andes you find it deep inside a cellar.  As you peer through the doorway you see the elixir you’ve sought being carefully poured.  The climax of nature’s and man’s best effort, the finest Malbec wines in the world.

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Can you taste it?

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Abandoned – March 5, 2014 – Valparaiso’s Ascensors

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Slowly, one by one, with the advent of modern transportation, many have disappeared into the pages of history.  Ask a resident and none seem to know how many still work.  They only know if the one closest to their home is still operational.  Even the maps don’t get it right.  Each one is different down to the carriage paint scheme and they all transport you to areas unique from each other.  Step onto one and you are transported into another world. Once the main mode of transportation for the people of Valparaiso, they have been replaced by buses and taxis.  For their time they were brilliantly designed and required minimal power to move them up and down the hill.  I’m told a five horsepower is all it takes to move the carriages on their rails. In a different time they saved people from having to walk up steep hills to get home.  If you have walked a mile up a hill carrying groceries you know what a blessing the ascensors were to the people of Valpo.

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Threes – February 23, 2014

This weeks challenge was an easy one for Wooly.  This is one of his favorite photos taken at Salar de Atacama in Chile.  Due to climate change the environment for these flamingos is slowly drying up.  It will be a sad day if this happens and these Andean Flamingos become extinct due to habitat loss.

 

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Family – January 19, 2014

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Window – January 12, 2014

Four Fifths

Broken windows in an abandoned shack.

Contemplation

Sometimes you would like to know what the person is thinking as they look out a window.