tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256016568360029202023-11-16T03:11:21.686-08:00Dream it. Discover it.My favorite places on earthNancy Wilkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05675284328133320902noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125601656836002920.post-91592886481645854742010-07-22T17:53:00.000-07:002010-07-22T17:53:59.335-07:00Walking Tour of Rome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ONaOIJ-RnPDSubQtt-IC1wziUZiagRu1XDP01124rB11EIUtB0x6aS5mhXZK4fw7gd8GqgxRTATX9Qy1h2_dzbhrbW0XCnKDagRzRKl_t2kPsC6GIozUgAsDB2P5CMc9LHEjWFAtTrk/s1600/Rome.2008_896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ONaOIJ-RnPDSubQtt-IC1wziUZiagRu1XDP01124rB11EIUtB0x6aS5mhXZK4fw7gd8GqgxRTATX9Qy1h2_dzbhrbW0XCnKDagRzRKl_t2kPsC6GIozUgAsDB2P5CMc9LHEjWFAtTrk/s400/Rome.2008_896.JPG" width="267" /></a></div>I have walked and walked and walked the city of Rome. I have visited 5 times now and each time fought with that map and the horribly crooked streets that are hard to follow. But I was determined to see as much as I could in the short time that I had. And I did. I loved it all. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I loved the Spanish Steps, at the Piazza de Spagna. I would love to just sit at the steps with someone and "hang out" for a while. But there is always such limited time and I have to hurry to get to the next site. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Fontana de Trevi is the most famous and arguably the most beautiful fountain in all of Rome. I could spend hours shooting that architecture. </div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVn-LEGBPuxsgOLTfidgLsohWej2N3VJiEekwK78ZRVUyGFFDNmBwZtPRGq1_Odmj-0dB8wse31WhYVXQBSfFn2nurY3ZgAGr-Iv_yQDg7DloQmXIXk3uPlWo8qEe_Df0_pQ2vY_EKSWY/s1600/Rome_018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVn-LEGBPuxsgOLTfidgLsohWej2N3VJiEekwK78ZRVUyGFFDNmBwZtPRGq1_Odmj-0dB8wse31WhYVXQBSfFn2nurY3ZgAGr-Iv_yQDg7DloQmXIXk3uPlWo8qEe_Df0_pQ2vY_EKSWY/s200/Rome_018.JPG" width="200" /></a> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Trevi Fountain is a little difficult to find on your own. The surrounding streets are crooked and not all of them appear on the map. I am not that great with a map in the first place, and have no sense of direction. But suddenly you turn a corner and there it is. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The figures in the fountain tell a story. The water at the bottom of the fountain represents the sea. Legend has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water. (I emptied my purse).</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZRgRyGkXSRTT4zgjys2y0d6g1t_kjoEsDcrXLe-ndaiR0ti9ZrMz_0o4F-S52YjIARMSB6QT-s8hLLpk-34zcVyWWn7DAKy2qPsNU2NUjtQhHvtFIGqP4dcY_IkjpqPDhXw6KBypCRI/s1600/Rome.2008_863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZRgRyGkXSRTT4zgjys2y0d6g1t_kjoEsDcrXLe-ndaiR0ti9ZrMz_0o4F-S52YjIARMSB6QT-s8hLLpk-34zcVyWWn7DAKy2qPsNU2NUjtQhHvtFIGqP4dcY_IkjpqPDhXw6KBypCRI/s200/Rome.2008_863.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Continuing on to Castel Sant'Angelo, the cylindrical building that used to be a fortress, now a museum. Once used as a prison, the Popes turned it into a castle. This castle is connected to St. Peter's Basilica (The Vatican). </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34neErB6GJ8xdXi22o-Rx0ccmuT2ZSyAqiFnVogl55PUT1VG-HFhOy_AkcTRCjiNcrmlPPNZhYwoSY7Z_BMKoZrxjQoDhtJrpiI6wTC6KtL8agwJ7TMZWh_k4lLdnyIIdDpkoSaqIcD4/s1600/Rome.2008_826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34neErB6GJ8xdXi22o-Rx0ccmuT2ZSyAqiFnVogl55PUT1VG-HFhOy_AkcTRCjiNcrmlPPNZhYwoSY7Z_BMKoZrxjQoDhtJrpiI6wTC6KtL8agwJ7TMZWh_k4lLdnyIIdDpkoSaqIcD4/s320/Rome.2008_826.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDh1TkW_KfFNNxtwXcH2Mz97_okIkOjh2ClHu88BFtv5eG5n3_kJ_3zapQxJp3YBKpm3yTgTvSJQ6R0gus5iy56r4ayHeDxrydrSc5kZsaSVBmeR9aRjZvpawpKwP9DRYIyEadazX3WL4/s1600/Rome.2008_156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDh1TkW_KfFNNxtwXcH2Mz97_okIkOjh2ClHu88BFtv5eG5n3_kJ_3zapQxJp3YBKpm3yTgTvSJQ6R0gus5iy56r4ayHeDxrydrSc5kZsaSVBmeR9aRjZvpawpKwP9DRYIyEadazX3WL4/s200/Rome.2008_156.JPG" width="200" /></a>I've also visited the Pantheon, the most complete ancient building in Rome. It is absolutely worth it to take the time and go inside. The dome is amazing. Michelangelo studied this dome before beginning his work on St. Peter's Basilica. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4x0iNCo4V5_JPjM4yEp6pjUVVw1hX83fhD1S2brwLyZnp3KrgpqIo_DqEUHydWjPA3HWZqd1xVRzM5sKBgdhORdPraiuVxpg16l0M-1xqRv4SzRDHOcgq04a1fKS2VYbPdtsq_K5YMs/s1600/Rome.2008_1062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4x0iNCo4V5_JPjM4yEp6pjUVVw1hX83fhD1S2brwLyZnp3KrgpqIo_DqEUHydWjPA3HWZqd1xVRzM5sKBgdhORdPraiuVxpg16l0M-1xqRv4SzRDHOcgq04a1fKS2VYbPdtsq_K5YMs/s200/Rome.2008_1062.JPG" width="200" /></a>Also steeped in history is the Colosseum. Capable of seating 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum was used for gladiator contests and public spectacles. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCkLEkNcHyqwjtAXVxX4q57-6FvyK4lrtmvbSEnzSQCbEpIs20wMA-hWZvm8iW99Cs2lLPQX6494FUnImfVkfXwRScXMK0SzcCgxljIq4iUO0KlsfyOJOJfhlhS1wfFKm6y9syF0fAb8/s1600/Rome.2008_320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCkLEkNcHyqwjtAXVxX4q57-6FvyK4lrtmvbSEnzSQCbEpIs20wMA-hWZvm8iW99Cs2lLPQX6494FUnImfVkfXwRScXMK0SzcCgxljIq4iUO0KlsfyOJOJfhlhS1wfFKm6y9syF0fAb8/s200/Rome.2008_320.JPG" width="200" /></a>I love every bit of Rome and can not wait to go back sometime and walk the city again. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EKvoMbNG76Y4brkpMHYPVMksXuUYbXcHyo_rd-G4redn9vU-m0_ACYDxSINNfh4yqRdS0eGFlsX8qDqJRVzLtFOOwn9C-WeRt7TH3fBL_sUpdCa1qjBjfrgkCBHP5k_yklnLeNIRDlY/s1600/Rome.2008_827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EKvoMbNG76Y4brkpMHYPVMksXuUYbXcHyo_rd-G4redn9vU-m0_ACYDxSINNfh4yqRdS0eGFlsX8qDqJRVzLtFOOwn9C-WeRt7TH3fBL_sUpdCa1qjBjfrgkCBHP5k_yklnLeNIRDlY/s400/Rome.2008_827.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Nancy Wilkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05675284328133320902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125601656836002920.post-71233446176172452712010-06-12T09:45:00.000-07:002010-06-22T19:00:45.872-07:00The Waterways of Venice<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_oq0CvqsNks-aSUnvz0y9jROtGf008zaHTP2eRgrfEJkFfBaeRcfnbX8KptmSiriZvLkVCLhRP463-Z7eYe7NcvalrT6tGX0cpilGeiHbwJDEWf_sYgDtiqURkx5txk_MQpLnKuRnv4/s1600/NSW0610_Venice_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_oq0CvqsNks-aSUnvz0y9jROtGf008zaHTP2eRgrfEJkFfBaeRcfnbX8KptmSiriZvLkVCLhRP463-Z7eYe7NcvalrT6tGX0cpilGeiHbwJDEWf_sYgDtiqURkx5txk_MQpLnKuRnv4/s400/NSW0610_Venice_0054.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Venice is such a beautiful city, full of photographic charm. I was here in the fall of 2006 and was barely into photography. I got a couple of nice shots, but would love to go back and get a few thousand more. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlKnT5e7luSEsTJ_8BkrZ_q8smHDXdaz-b7n6USHf67-JDAOVX9GKpTJan3KlXsZyBaS9lW6vKrdPr0xGdH-yLVymY6eVaOHtwaDXuth1fI4rHEIIZuVkqmhjxejkQlfLUWFKPzlEhY8/s1600/NSW0610_Venice_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlKnT5e7luSEsTJ_8BkrZ_q8smHDXdaz-b7n6USHf67-JDAOVX9GKpTJan3KlXsZyBaS9lW6vKrdPr0xGdH-yLVymY6eVaOHtwaDXuth1fI4rHEIIZuVkqmhjxejkQlfLUWFKPzlEhY8/s320/NSW0610_Venice_0014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the highlights is the sail into Venice - you go though miles of picturesque waterways and can see St. Mark's Square from the deck. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1MU_FuoCNMyRj3e5vw-xKdi_t-OTYzwK7Q_UGWXZlxrxj4MbA5NQLOqS52xjUC7rWX2LFQUWrXeE4Mm62eQDP3Fe-59isK0noN-FN2upPcZ329428Z7xaBrlVLBzm2br5fNKmCrqkV8/s1600/NSW0610_Venice_0060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1MU_FuoCNMyRj3e5vw-xKdi_t-OTYzwK7Q_UGWXZlxrxj4MbA5NQLOqS52xjUC7rWX2LFQUWrXeE4Mm62eQDP3Fe-59isK0noN-FN2upPcZ329428Z7xaBrlVLBzm2br5fNKmCrqkV8/s200/NSW0610_Venice_0060.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">St. Mark's Square is a fun place to just walk around and shop. You have to purchase some Murano glass... and you can not leave hungry! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EeMtQFewb-0FyDl4X-6OZzQPB3yKnagNmPXZHlSiDZOXrL_eHbBvN9YYm67HYm3ChT9b6wGxY9-OTMYQsEjzGdW94tmn-gybzXZ3DOuKe2m6wquU9rbjT3MHwOysyAR8RT_nekr6C3k/s1600/NSW0610_Venice_0063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EeMtQFewb-0FyDl4X-6OZzQPB3yKnagNmPXZHlSiDZOXrL_eHbBvN9YYm67HYm3ChT9b6wGxY9-OTMYQsEjzGdW94tmn-gybzXZ3DOuKe2m6wquU9rbjT3MHwOysyAR8RT_nekr6C3k/s200/NSW0610_Venice_0063.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Pizzas, pastas - all kinds of wonderful Italian cuisine - but most of all, the gelato. There's nothing like it.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Rsmcl11ok2HzjKSXkctvxnEqxFfgGcZ77UOXrTAjCqJppsZFnPevZ-LWC2tEZcYgSoLLYoPzA2ZyNquSxOV3jy2Uqg2ilaTDWrzBEy3A4-wPw-26hHyr651KsXveaUwRo4o9XdI-2go/s1600/NSW0610_Venice_0062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Rsmcl11ok2HzjKSXkctvxnEqxFfgGcZ77UOXrTAjCqJppsZFnPevZ-LWC2tEZcYgSoLLYoPzA2ZyNquSxOV3jy2Uqg2ilaTDWrzBEy3A4-wPw-26hHyr651KsXveaUwRo4o9XdI-2go/s320/NSW0610_Venice_0062.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">There's also nothing like a gondola ride through the waterways of Venice. Truly one of life's pleasures.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3R2rJzi_wf7DcKvhdwxFUCdncRFSmMQmRaVD6q1SraYPAM6i1UIwRIX7ztV-Z4-Ya9cJ81c2WvYzF_lKmtR65r4b7OV5w9OE5DTiKOihXLXJPqwVRI4Zk2Xg7Z-nuSlJOMCr1c8Fy64A/s1600/NSW0610_Venice_0198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3R2rJzi_wf7DcKvhdwxFUCdncRFSmMQmRaVD6q1SraYPAM6i1UIwRIX7ztV-Z4-Ya9cJ81c2WvYzF_lKmtR65r4b7OV5w9OE5DTiKOihXLXJPqwVRI4Zk2Xg7Z-nuSlJOMCr1c8Fy64A/s400/NSW0610_Venice_0198.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I would love to go back again. And again.<br />
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</script>Nancy Wilkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05675284328133320902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125601656836002920.post-28056846560935539112010-05-05T13:38:00.000-07:002010-05-05T13:38:42.433-07:00Santorini, Greece<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5gFPXu1oEBIPfBXxQuFzrjsL1oRhhb2C_69CP1rGhWcnBVMjxp_RWm5SAA6pVZo3NVnc4lkGCke3Uenpjfq_tfa9ZFyFb9XlNM6SGoTo-xMdfu86cfq8c2nSC_ufXlf7WE2LAZa2wP4/s1600/Santorini.2008_053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5gFPXu1oEBIPfBXxQuFzrjsL1oRhhb2C_69CP1rGhWcnBVMjxp_RWm5SAA6pVZo3NVnc4lkGCke3Uenpjfq_tfa9ZFyFb9XlNM6SGoTo-xMdfu86cfq8c2nSC_ufXlf7WE2LAZa2wP4/s400/Santorini.2008_053.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Santorini has one of the most spectacular landscapes in Greece. The villages are built on tall cliffs, offering a breathtaking view over a submerged volcano. I went to the village of Oia, which has some of the most incredible views - and shopping!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53ClkQRg7oBrPxV2dBb-HW_le-QMtZVlHig8HnSPd6z2N4WLVm0SWy1qZl_5qTgFSInO9SLf-6viOR27jFpB7jtX3sVaYGYIuIjSzJygd4cSestrp3upSXXb-bK1KmUdc7WjTZWxgQrA/s1600/NSW0808_Santorini_0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53ClkQRg7oBrPxV2dBb-HW_le-QMtZVlHig8HnSPd6z2N4WLVm0SWy1qZl_5qTgFSInO9SLf-6viOR27jFpB7jtX3sVaYGYIuIjSzJygd4cSestrp3upSXXb-bK1KmUdc7WjTZWxgQrA/s200/NSW0808_Santorini_0022.jpg" tt="true" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHM58fGLlCOivnCov8HZIN8x7VZKlAc4rGRN9fRVXylIVgYoUdYDwj8-TRwfdTqjiEaF3TjfhPET76nWZweRmU2urz52tTVoyBEt3xj09OVjES6UnOcHsZT5eau-pPMb5Hq9CoZmLOlTU/s1600/NSW0808_Santorini_0037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHM58fGLlCOivnCov8HZIN8x7VZKlAc4rGRN9fRVXylIVgYoUdYDwj8-TRwfdTqjiEaF3TjfhPET76nWZweRmU2urz52tTVoyBEt3xj09OVjES6UnOcHsZT5eau-pPMb5Hq9CoZmLOlTU/s200/NSW0808_Santorini_0037.jpg" tt="true" width="200" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">Bell towers and blue domes - the signature of Greece. </div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGuoCSkM24hBFggjCJkYkQVksPHe2KkRokgCPak6F2sVav1sO_gxv3jQlFcxs8vZX7sK-XIp4qOynJkE3sy3c-EKsJ-fT0qbyg-oyBgLztNZ9Lbvres6pu_1e9eIBSPwGBq_8yDVCHB8/s1600/NSW0808_Santorini_0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGuoCSkM24hBFggjCJkYkQVksPHe2KkRokgCPak6F2sVav1sO_gxv3jQlFcxs8vZX7sK-XIp4qOynJkE3sy3c-EKsJ-fT0qbyg-oyBgLztNZ9Lbvres6pu_1e9eIBSPwGBq_8yDVCHB8/s200/NSW0808_Santorini_0061.jpg" tt="true" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9mKoIeWrpP0buJli5jAlFuSZ9XOpAkk0QKcV89q9IekDO5RlB884xGnKGu9tWTm_lOmXqxJ9m8rfqjeCKWvfKJSgeB5LiY6A4Fov_aHK1eZUbVRND8xr6XLCgUJGZXrmcUhsNOG4WWY/s1600/NSW0808_Santorini_0025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9mKoIeWrpP0buJli5jAlFuSZ9XOpAkk0QKcV89q9IekDO5RlB884xGnKGu9tWTm_lOmXqxJ9m8rfqjeCKWvfKJSgeB5LiY6A4Fov_aHK1eZUbVRND8xr6XLCgUJGZXrmcUhsNOG4WWY/s200/NSW0808_Santorini_0025.jpg" tt="true" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Colorful pastels and Mediterranean charm. I was here in August, 2008.<br />
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Tiny paths, whitewashed buildings, narrow walkways - and the blue Mediterranean waters. It is such a picturesque place. The shopping was a lot of fun. A lot of symbols of Greece - jewelry and many other items with the symbol of infinity. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmco2a5ja7P4fN-E1mTybSESsz2PSenu4-APDlHlSeJlqtXyV99QDRF9ReDi2617tqnOdftgLXJAR1PhIyZQzRNEdWOfQJDOAi9A8HPrrBp-dewZEpcHbm21kH9f78zk1ZjL2wwNoeFFA/s1600/NSW0808_Santorini_0049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmco2a5ja7P4fN-E1mTybSESsz2PSenu4-APDlHlSeJlqtXyV99QDRF9ReDi2617tqnOdftgLXJAR1PhIyZQzRNEdWOfQJDOAi9A8HPrrBp-dewZEpcHbm21kH9f78zk1ZjL2wwNoeFFA/s200/NSW0808_Santorini_0049.jpg" tt="true" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpt6KtIbkAP1uA2CswOU6EITlCR2JGZ4pNMJ4U9RBV3SDbib5xtGT5toqpzBPgFWchjXBGojhQxiSG8w_SoAqfABHC0QYvxiSN-7UCd-58zADwREXlPzmWvdu_CY9BkfvR5oHsj7bWzs/s1600/NSW0808_Santorini_0027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpt6KtIbkAP1uA2CswOU6EITlCR2JGZ4pNMJ4U9RBV3SDbib5xtGT5toqpzBPgFWchjXBGojhQxiSG8w_SoAqfABHC0QYvxiSN-7UCd-58zADwREXlPzmWvdu_CY9BkfvR5oHsj7bWzs/s200/NSW0808_Santorini_0027.jpg" tt="true" width="150" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2raYhbaPvVb7OmiGH_nipD-8DgsAZ5WIFqZhxOWI5pw0W7MyrCC0Vvyd9aV3JMLLVdGuQL1PQa8jPnHYqUFDYpSxQSkRQ5Vt4lPNIEr9ePBDL0WLeTHFwFmoJkv3BKV-qfJVjKSkcN0/s1600/NSW0808_Santorini_0080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2raYhbaPvVb7OmiGH_nipD-8DgsAZ5WIFqZhxOWI5pw0W7MyrCC0Vvyd9aV3JMLLVdGuQL1PQa8jPnHYqUFDYpSxQSkRQ5Vt4lPNIEr9ePBDL0WLeTHFwFmoJkv3BKV-qfJVjKSkcN0/s400/NSW0808_Santorini_0080.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div>Nancy Wilkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05675284328133320902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125601656836002920.post-19130970547888335882010-04-25T09:27:00.000-07:002010-04-25T09:27:39.237-07:00Taormina, Italy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLp9XuMDHA714mz1-7V-dwkAgtCUhYw2owkJMMZl_F0YXcWOh4qPlwxY9oRGpu8UJezVDNfvzJTfCWSsuU9MchqTfsdGQFu6uVVrRXhQDtnMOJvUYG53R93-W_RhTSxNTw3_BlUVi6LU/s1600/NSW0808_Taormina_0278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLp9XuMDHA714mz1-7V-dwkAgtCUhYw2owkJMMZl_F0YXcWOh4qPlwxY9oRGpu8UJezVDNfvzJTfCWSsuU9MchqTfsdGQFu6uVVrRXhQDtnMOJvUYG53R93-W_RhTSxNTw3_BlUVi6LU/s400/NSW0808_Taormina_0278.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Taormina, Italy is a quaint little town to just walk around on your own. You start on one end and walk all the way to the other, until you reach the grand theater. I spent most of my time at the theater because it offered spectacular views of the blue mediterranean waters with the ship drifting peacefully in the background. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheocSFUSfGxRMac4NshAAuTNW2vEC5MtEp_cckDI4qjn43TwdwUh-FckYG_vlr0Lbr8dyhvTkMoi8kP56N6VTcoJSe9SetxKcqUv_DZgCX63359hFENqnPwBzAIQbjDFYDOSR7x_1PZt0/s1600/NSW0808_Taormina_0025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheocSFUSfGxRMac4NshAAuTNW2vEC5MtEp_cckDI4qjn43TwdwUh-FckYG_vlr0Lbr8dyhvTkMoi8kP56N6VTcoJSe9SetxKcqUv_DZgCX63359hFENqnPwBzAIQbjDFYDOSR7x_1PZt0/s400/NSW0808_Taormina_0025.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is an nice view of the theater from the back. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_yNNz-MWLpWWYzVwDxVFBhKongZU3bmEVp-rX5HPRV2srhsJt4LMVzkpKmIRnvlRc5pB7lF1FIXuq_tiSuEl70jyK7XS8N95fEPaAMGGtG_3Znt6aJcAiLQFSFyILbDTz8HD617jvlI/s1600/NSW0808_Taormina_0118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_yNNz-MWLpWWYzVwDxVFBhKongZU3bmEVp-rX5HPRV2srhsJt4LMVzkpKmIRnvlRc5pB7lF1FIXuq_tiSuEl70jyK7XS8N95fEPaAMGGtG_3Znt6aJcAiLQFSFyILbDTz8HD617jvlI/s320/NSW0808_Taormina_0118.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I did a lot of climbing up and down those steps! I tried to shoot from all angles and had to work around the sun - and the ship drifting. I was there in August of 2008 and it was very hot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmwNeOWwmJyAAf2D29u6p9RGPCIkkRDCyufIndyqIPDedt-u30PR8BmmICehMVN3tKINggdxjF5ojhfi3skAsj-qf1soVVjma4tGssWXX8XuL4wl3dpeBQIRVnrX_iq0k1qtkK7tSf9U/s1600/NSW0808_Taormina_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmwNeOWwmJyAAf2D29u6p9RGPCIkkRDCyufIndyqIPDedt-u30PR8BmmICehMVN3tKINggdxjF5ojhfi3skAsj-qf1soVVjma4tGssWXX8XuL4wl3dpeBQIRVnrX_iq0k1qtkK7tSf9U/s200/NSW0808_Taormina_0002.jpg" tt="true" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyeseWWKbpX2u8U_Om7zSDFRig315A9-riLOGJYl_zx7SXcFqQMq394XfG2NP5TFbw-T3lyGLakVeCW6a6ROnEc2Q1ZcaClt0VCF9gCAhXWji0La4_Aj-CjhEwGCBMTKSqj5vYyKeEkTs/s1600/NSW0808_Taormina_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyeseWWKbpX2u8U_Om7zSDFRig315A9-riLOGJYl_zx7SXcFqQMq394XfG2NP5TFbw-T3lyGLakVeCW6a6ROnEc2Q1ZcaClt0VCF9gCAhXWji0La4_Aj-CjhEwGCBMTKSqj5vYyKeEkTs/s200/NSW0808_Taormina_0006.jpg" tt="true" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Little shops line the streets to and from the theater.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love the blue hues of the Mediterranean.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrJ7KxSo_3Ec4P_e26huo4M-AvhRpribk7phtKyDoTkXgGqOYezHrETLgHkoo3TAVJsxgHjr8b1dW7F4y6gpK8kI3R6voNiyhfNWcmjgfJ1bTRCMbGV8yZ-9wdTn8rnsXMe3sbda7wZk/s1600/NSW0808_Taormina_0178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrJ7KxSo_3Ec4P_e26huo4M-AvhRpribk7phtKyDoTkXgGqOYezHrETLgHkoo3TAVJsxgHjr8b1dW7F4y6gpK8kI3R6voNiyhfNWcmjgfJ1bTRCMbGV8yZ-9wdTn8rnsXMe3sbda7wZk/s400/NSW0808_Taormina_0178.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcf0x8P3-33WT1qEAExcUa5P0JjjNPtfpBz3uNGsxmQHz2O2oF9X7oHsnwcxg1OMjvGOTwkZE6iOEhRpE73SNluGx5BMGqEt5UTF0Sm7OzaySace2F9fiJd3MiLsJHFtwRoa8QNhbUtqY/s1600/NSW0808_Taormina_0098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcf0x8P3-33WT1qEAExcUa5P0JjjNPtfpBz3uNGsxmQHz2O2oF9X7oHsnwcxg1OMjvGOTwkZE6iOEhRpE73SNluGx5BMGqEt5UTF0Sm7OzaySace2F9fiJd3MiLsJHFtwRoa8QNhbUtqY/s400/NSW0808_Taormina_0098.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div>Nancy Wilkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05675284328133320902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125601656836002920.post-88076715957336346442010-04-18T18:22:00.000-07:002010-04-18T18:22:42.865-07:00Barcelona - Park Guell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7VraqPZnIanU57tSgh5M7uov2l347YI0DVC6x7kLhdv26AQYoTmXS761N6ZEWmQbT8NrJOmZLqdHxy25nXWPzklEguFx_fPZhj33MfpRetagtLxI4PM3osZ2tNzLlZLc13h-ZvB5fOU/s1600/NSW0711_Barcelona_0227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7VraqPZnIanU57tSgh5M7uov2l347YI0DVC6x7kLhdv26AQYoTmXS761N6ZEWmQbT8NrJOmZLqdHxy25nXWPzklEguFx_fPZhj33MfpRetagtLxI4PM3osZ2tNzLlZLc13h-ZvB5fOU/s400/NSW0711_Barcelona_0227.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div>Park Guell in Barcelona is an amazing place. I had one day to spend in Barcelona and something had happened to my Canon Rebel so I only had my point-and-shoot camera. I knew I had limited time and limited battery. I did what I could!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_SJDYTx6Znx9kUwIa7dX2tvjBXAYNcX8RSdl0-IR-mXYGl29FKhDtb6yrcEvqwL3E8walqURqKc5QN1uWhNAOMhEGH1qfxSGRwM-gukCaHwD7Zk7cgUKJe3OakVfWP-rrl60MArLVsw/s1600/NSW0711_Barcelona_0240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_SJDYTx6Znx9kUwIa7dX2tvjBXAYNcX8RSdl0-IR-mXYGl29FKhDtb6yrcEvqwL3E8walqURqKc5QN1uWhNAOMhEGH1qfxSGRwM-gukCaHwD7Zk7cgUKJe3OakVfWP-rrl60MArLVsw/s200/NSW0711_Barcelona_0240.jpg" width="150" wt="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLY3VScyNCoRUOfwxqITzlpm0WQIOq1WvuAdBxpXuYUyavi8_KcIr6OX9x21yCXoy4TVQIKopWxQych-v8Pt8F024EbrPn5aRhS9xo9UATW9vlIy0W9Lg8IH_JCbGlMoL_ThGVdM7Qkmw/s1600/NSW0711_Barcelona_0238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLY3VScyNCoRUOfwxqITzlpm0WQIOq1WvuAdBxpXuYUyavi8_KcIr6OX9x21yCXoy4TVQIKopWxQych-v8Pt8F024EbrPn5aRhS9xo9UATW9vlIy0W9Lg8IH_JCbGlMoL_ThGVdM7Qkmw/s200/NSW0711_Barcelona_0238.jpg" width="150" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Park Guell was designed by Antoni Gaudi and all the mosaic is so hard to describe unless you have actually been there to see it. The two buildings (above) on either side of the entrance bear a striking resemblance to the houses from the fairy tale Hansel and Gretel. I was dying for my other camera and a good zoom lens, these buildings were so fun to photograph. </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxSjYlEApoPtiKyyA1Hc9ht94IcCI0Z4YGx0f8_vAs2_1bTb3l0WxAPWIJ3j7CN-xCa94CxSn9DaAbVSCbfm9NLZhvqAcoOFfAdy7tzltmyHSfCUJBzFyFgmqVC9UrvsiIKRPXZmHUXo/s1600/NSW0711_Barcelona_0208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxSjYlEApoPtiKyyA1Hc9ht94IcCI0Z4YGx0f8_vAs2_1bTb3l0WxAPWIJ3j7CN-xCa94CxSn9DaAbVSCbfm9NLZhvqAcoOFfAdy7tzltmyHSfCUJBzFyFgmqVC9UrvsiIKRPXZmHUXo/s400/NSW0711_Barcelona_0208.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I wish I could have spent more time in the park, but my battery ended things for me. I also had to get back to the hop on hop off bus to get back on the route that picked me up and dropped me off in front of my hotel. One day is not enough in Barcelona.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKH8upDpMkBcX6lR_sYuMmW4EWvBWNAKqkuRfx8V2ESw10faHr9d86sD3Yx_0Rd2zR37kA2EMdsCmLcRBfHfBS5JN_-VDd-zKz3oDi0YtgD5yKXRL9JwBScpputbkGWrLUbirLEfi2Jjk/s1600/NSW0711_Barcelona_0166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKH8upDpMkBcX6lR_sYuMmW4EWvBWNAKqkuRfx8V2ESw10faHr9d86sD3Yx_0Rd2zR37kA2EMdsCmLcRBfHfBS5JN_-VDd-zKz3oDi0YtgD5yKXRL9JwBScpputbkGWrLUbirLEfi2Jjk/s400/NSW0711_Barcelona_0166.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the park "marketplace" there are 86 columns, with mosaic rosettes of suns and moons in the ceiling. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJxrmZlBLnC5ZVT2eGFleUrfiPcM4V51CatGATgA9KXkoL4M-ioixwZ1w_5TICu2dtRFJR1RJfQ21wsOSN2g1agvQOa31lRjBrImR81BQKmed5ulV5-MtHJv3h252mODQOqSRSyJcYYA/s1600/NSW0711_Barcelona_0191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJxrmZlBLnC5ZVT2eGFleUrfiPcM4V51CatGATgA9KXkoL4M-ioixwZ1w_5TICu2dtRFJR1RJfQ21wsOSN2g1agvQOa31lRjBrImR81BQKmed5ulV5-MtHJv3h252mODQOqSRSyJcYYA/s400/NSW0711_Barcelona_0191.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7pdq2b5U3jpq2oRPlmoZcLwQOBHUbL-w_jMpaU4ORuQ9wHqX0gcrnLTm2EV52DEpjN6k0LLkUw_W8tk1uoUEHn_uYsXBMuaudo1WMB0_Q0-cfRI33U1l67IeiUJSaBzB59482jd-q-I/s1600/NSW0711_Barcelona_0231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7pdq2b5U3jpq2oRPlmoZcLwQOBHUbL-w_jMpaU4ORuQ9wHqX0gcrnLTm2EV52DEpjN6k0LLkUw_W8tk1uoUEHn_uYsXBMuaudo1WMB0_Q0-cfRI33U1l67IeiUJSaBzB59482jd-q-I/s400/NSW0711_Barcelona_0231.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div>Nancy Wilkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05675284328133320902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125601656836002920.post-73886952174200606582010-04-18T18:21:00.000-07:002010-04-18T18:22:00.490-07:00Barcelona - La Sagrada Familia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWG1nf9ypHCJOGmdDkM_fvUnfYhGxbHWjWZoStVqmESMQa564dV3T4iN5TfmYq22lMBcwvdSdDVNCBk7WvYZ_zHqc-VK0Yoy3JR8WcJIMTL66dmT4sYR7E_SCT7P05Bo5XIbtn9r8y4w/s1600/NSW0711_Barcelona_0155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWG1nf9ypHCJOGmdDkM_fvUnfYhGxbHWjWZoStVqmESMQa564dV3T4iN5TfmYq22lMBcwvdSdDVNCBk7WvYZ_zHqc-VK0Yoy3JR8WcJIMTL66dmT4sYR7E_SCT7P05Bo5XIbtn9r8y4w/s400/NSW0711_Barcelona_0155.jpg" width="225" wt="true" /></a></div>La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona was the project to which Antoni Gaudi dedicated the last 43 years of his life. His sole objective was to make La Sagrada Familia the perfect temple. <br />
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I had one day to spend in Barcelona and I specifically wanted to see La Sagrada Familia. I had been on a cruise and made a detour on the way home to spend one night in Barcelona. I had one day to see as much as I could. I was having camera problems and had to rely on my point-and-shoot with it's limited battery.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcG82YJiDITFklepZTthyphenhyphenbzxUWwVJORBeS5-Zo8lqSKeA3qSJNp6DmxWEw-HTp6ftH4n3sqlzV33qbDTphnb5eSdXYZi9d0QCpMn7LWN-jeqdnogbtxEqZEmuM4ktsXDnfSpVtT7MOiA/s1600/NSW0711_Barcelona_0073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcG82YJiDITFklepZTthyphenhyphenbzxUWwVJORBeS5-Zo8lqSKeA3qSJNp6DmxWEw-HTp6ftH4n3sqlzV33qbDTphnb5eSdXYZi9d0QCpMn7LWN-jeqdnogbtxEqZEmuM4ktsXDnfSpVtT7MOiA/s200/NSW0711_Barcelona_0073.jpg" width="150" wt="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJSnKPcOaaRKhgiL12xer961S_UW3R5OGotfX89YeURvE7JQF_GktMx71rpz97rzSYEK16so94PM64u01UdzE2JCw2qQRjia4vgiGEGRgJewAPdXqaHd_H4Gii9CuU5pMIv5vgF-OoI0/s1600/NSW0711_Barcelona_0052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJSnKPcOaaRKhgiL12xer961S_UW3R5OGotfX89YeURvE7JQF_GktMx71rpz97rzSYEK16so94PM64u01UdzE2JCw2qQRjia4vgiGEGRgJewAPdXqaHd_H4Gii9CuU5pMIv5vgF-OoI0/s200/NSW0711_Barcelona_0052.jpg" width="150" wt="true" /></a>The detail on this building is absolutely amazing. I could have stayed there all day and photographed this beautiful place, it was stunning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHPOvVSpfGomNewXWhg7UXmbCVKiGLHmcfOQaiABW4YO2bExJQejI8sfgsHPTUnyCxT7XtC1xffuZDZGq0RIe2tQeHeI-PMWc9ycdzy2_xfbt0gRhXkpBSVUBjXKwfrOLpGsz_49vuKw/s1600/NSW0711_Barcelona_0037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHPOvVSpfGomNewXWhg7UXmbCVKiGLHmcfOQaiABW4YO2bExJQejI8sfgsHPTUnyCxT7XtC1xffuZDZGq0RIe2tQeHeI-PMWc9ycdzy2_xfbt0gRhXkpBSVUBjXKwfrOLpGsz_49vuKw/s200/NSW0711_Barcelona_0037.jpg" width="150" wt="true" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkb1Jy6Os1nXiKkt_TEH8dY7PY7YUVCLjCBhq3_iEzvFsWDdHCvE2e5aCwH8B4dro3f1GCvdX34rxOw-93fNTiYGO8-o8TPSm-7_fxq6kggrBjj2o0gOS4q4rY_1vB-1dmrOXlpSq59r8/s1600/NSW0711_Barcelona_0036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkb1Jy6Os1nXiKkt_TEH8dY7PY7YUVCLjCBhq3_iEzvFsWDdHCvE2e5aCwH8B4dro3f1GCvdX34rxOw-93fNTiYGO8-o8TPSm-7_fxq6kggrBjj2o0gOS4q4rY_1vB-1dmrOXlpSq59r8/s200/NSW0711_Barcelona_0036.jpg" width="150" wt="true" /></a> The inside of this building is also stunning. This is the view looking up - the vaults in the ceiling and the amazing stained glass. <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dAITUYtjXvXH68TbzSoc_a_66ceK9CghYlF88vl1yR12yz_lbAJaZiwYWLKoWvcNpbBdt2Fn3bSJMqhLix0S4R3gr70do6-E8cwaA_0VvgqEnEvl1ZcDnZrFjnY5VEhQqG4M8mVCSAs/s1600/NSW0711_Barcelona_0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dAITUYtjXvXH68TbzSoc_a_66ceK9CghYlF88vl1yR12yz_lbAJaZiwYWLKoWvcNpbBdt2Fn3bSJMqhLix0S4R3gr70do6-E8cwaA_0VvgqEnEvl1ZcDnZrFjnY5VEhQqG4M8mVCSAs/s200/NSW0711_Barcelona_0026.jpg" width="150" wt="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTu1TX2Q2vlxpABz1yK5Lca7xgKwzb8yNczPHxHYQ4PUA512JCU2FnOYSf7jaG96732w-JYExJh6gVY2bljZuBeWcbMvc_HOuicgvoNoseCb0Y8gXVsgZXPJFX944DF-ofsXzTvVo42k/s1600/NSW0711_Barcelona_0142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTu1TX2Q2vlxpABz1yK5Lca7xgKwzb8yNczPHxHYQ4PUA512JCU2FnOYSf7jaG96732w-JYExJh6gVY2bljZuBeWcbMvc_HOuicgvoNoseCb0Y8gXVsgZXPJFX944DF-ofsXzTvVo42k/s200/NSW0711_Barcelona_0142.jpg" width="112" wt="true" /></a>I was fortunate enough to have gotten an upgrade on my hotel room on my one night in this amazing city. Unfortunately, I was by myself - because that room was more like an apartment - and included a wonderful bottle of champagne. But I had a wonderful time on my one day in Barcelona despite my camera problems and limited time. I plan to go back whenever I can.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2l1kY2GQ4GVQi_mT6ZuFxnOr-feOoWn91PoZ45utErcSUhI6qEJDESNpMbDWKHPyc6CS-WFah7NrEUuRHK3hO5B0P5TZwKVqbE7FskzgW24mAfEiTf_eR2Skw-gRvLQ8IVXmx7-ILUkM/s1600/NSW0711_Barcelona_0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2l1kY2GQ4GVQi_mT6ZuFxnOr-feOoWn91PoZ45utErcSUhI6qEJDESNpMbDWKHPyc6CS-WFah7NrEUuRHK3hO5B0P5TZwKVqbE7FskzgW24mAfEiTf_eR2Skw-gRvLQ8IVXmx7-ILUkM/s400/NSW0711_Barcelona_0024.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div>Nancy Wilkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05675284328133320902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125601656836002920.post-69191231831123569612010-04-06T21:42:00.000-07:002010-04-07T23:24:30.576-07:00Dubrovnik, Croatia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4V1KB6IDSNVyPHAjbNCqIW3-4JTm1-CRtoYqpjwP1wPWKE3MDPad1MuFKVmTQ-hnq6bPP_SIC7Bnc-gpM5eKqqiEF97Kpvk_Gm1jk4v9Ch8z0c2fkjOUV-nlGXyMK08KpHcvxXyO3ck/s1600/Dubrovnik_053_036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4V1KB6IDSNVyPHAjbNCqIW3-4JTm1-CRtoYqpjwP1wPWKE3MDPad1MuFKVmTQ-hnq6bPP_SIC7Bnc-gpM5eKqqiEF97Kpvk_Gm1jk4v9Ch8z0c2fkjOUV-nlGXyMK08KpHcvxXyO3ck/s400/Dubrovnik_053_036.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The walled city of Dubrovnik is also known as "the Pearl of the Adriatic". The Old Town of Dubrovnik is a neat place to just stroll through at leisure. <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXPzkf1r-Mb6beiYCnLCfGDtjuRvh1YRzhTIU9VOJtZFJ0yCsvzW8GCsiUnW1MCRXTRvi70Ah4XTEwCoUK6_ayWqWrmyORvUCT2oe7oEtEkVTCV80wYpsjKNMn-qYgWRa1pMufIKvbyc/s1600/Dubrovnik_061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXPzkf1r-Mb6beiYCnLCfGDtjuRvh1YRzhTIU9VOJtZFJ0yCsvzW8GCsiUnW1MCRXTRvi70Ah4XTEwCoUK6_ayWqWrmyORvUCT2oe7oEtEkVTCV80wYpsjKNMn-qYgWRa1pMufIKvbyc/s200/Dubrovnik_061.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGLfK-Zh2G0Ou5H9ijEZxljJguk58c990Xn4luVtgZvJPnZGc12-e3-LURxL3wOn4zoTsMZ6W9Na-adpbSmt6O_WklZ7AwP5XMBVyb0AbKRv7pjsGyrHdHpUJWm3-czzab6rW9aAXa8g/s1600/Dubrovnik_053_041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGLfK-Zh2G0Ou5H9ijEZxljJguk58c990Xn4luVtgZvJPnZGc12-e3-LURxL3wOn4zoTsMZ6W9Na-adpbSmt6O_WklZ7AwP5XMBVyb0AbKRv7pjsGyrHdHpUJWm3-czzab6rW9aAXa8g/s200/Dubrovnik_053_041.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My day in Edinburgh, Scotland was spent at the castle, and then some free time to walk around the city. I love the Scottish kilts. Our Captain on the ship - Captian O'Neil - was from Scotland and he wore his kilt in the evenings. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsEzRJ6Wk3mLdfi83NQi2cNnDy0jNwTv0gw2Sdc5VTToPP1OwgB1oAKyCzvue0pi_F3yaw9SkTvLKPQYuI419rs9RGdIIc2-pa4h-C4MO-WCJnL7tyXrAUbyeVXcng5VgSy6g8Uk_Ias/s1600/Edinburgh_108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsEzRJ6Wk3mLdfi83NQi2cNnDy0jNwTv0gw2Sdc5VTToPP1OwgB1oAKyCzvue0pi_F3yaw9SkTvLKPQYuI419rs9RGdIIc2-pa4h-C4MO-WCJnL7tyXrAUbyeVXcng5VgSy6g8Uk_Ias/s320/Edinburgh_108.jpg" width="240" /></a>I bought a few things, some jewelry with the Celtic design. The family symbols or clan coat of arms was prominent here, and I found the coat of arms for "Fletcher" which is my mom's maiden name. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This "castle" in Scotland is where I made the important distinction between castles in Europe and castles in the British Isles. I was envisioning gold and grandeur, and was a little surprised by these old ruins. But beautiful in their own way, and full of history. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHcidSw6_s9r2MT5dkdOR3TexHdmf61WYQFQsZ4UnXzMkLXbbLq8gsSuYWUF5Zew3aBdD7r2sOtXmOR22MsiJBEIQ1oGZuId3ZutZXvBT3Yn49cyCYphMzyma80eJVcjkRlJMNXnei9GE/s1600/Scotland_001_328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHcidSw6_s9r2MT5dkdOR3TexHdmf61WYQFQsZ4UnXzMkLXbbLq8gsSuYWUF5Zew3aBdD7r2sOtXmOR22MsiJBEIQ1oGZuId3ZutZXvBT3Yn49cyCYphMzyma80eJVcjkRlJMNXnei9GE/s320/Scotland_001_328.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">The Edinburgh Castle houses the crown jewels of Scotland. On display were the crown, sword, and sceptre. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hq4o3vU4f95XY3hwCri8aIUvNBialAEaUTgOzGx98Pi34NXSxi1CPKpU-5DjIUtBVHP2EnrheJ1lsgagSpIG_HjaTSgZRDL8F-7UQndm1mIFtOcSrtVVN0hYrXuC5hgHWsOKMmp5LzA/s1600/Edinburgh_175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hq4o3vU4f95XY3hwCri8aIUvNBialAEaUTgOzGx98Pi34NXSxi1CPKpU-5DjIUtBVHP2EnrheJ1lsgagSpIG_HjaTSgZRDL8F-7UQndm1mIFtOcSrtVVN0hYrXuC5hgHWsOKMmp5LzA/s200/Edinburgh_175.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNwxMMaYPNyVM9uQ_71nLKWaRn3lfOdgfRdbCoRG3JIG2PVSc01jqI0TX6QG4UYpX_GVvFiZZCPqtXQeCjyyiZ9xwc1ApM8mZVEdEv8Ye3KpJeHN-m8uYgo4_sMyl6VpNRhvi9b-6hto/s1600/Edinburgh_182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNwxMMaYPNyVM9uQ_71nLKWaRn3lfOdgfRdbCoRG3JIG2PVSc01jqI0TX6QG4UYpX_GVvFiZZCPqtXQeCjyyiZ9xwc1ApM8mZVEdEv8Ye3KpJeHN-m8uYgo4_sMyl6VpNRhvi9b-6hto/s200/Edinburgh_182.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Other cities visited in Scotland were Isle of Skye and Portree. There was a group of us from the office onboard, and we all met at a local pub for fish and chips. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">And, of course, you can't leave Scotland without seeing the Loch Ness monster.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_eNCI18ectrelXhhA60032iB4_ocyiPG2YpGfZYscGDR8ZEo2d8XOgNxtyU76AEF25LyFdAT3gDeX5aZBy1cf_l76UjvvaQHevTuzAE_lKkOvKHIckhcQx2GeQbg17A-p4W-lYUqf90/s1600/Edinburgh_234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_eNCI18ectrelXhhA60032iB4_ocyiPG2YpGfZYscGDR8ZEo2d8XOgNxtyU76AEF25LyFdAT3gDeX5aZBy1cf_l76UjvvaQHevTuzAE_lKkOvKHIckhcQx2GeQbg17A-p4W-lYUqf90/s320/Edinburgh_234.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnJQv5GPnHk9XA2hJVZ8IY44UsnC2S-ZrjHzCDaRkETgAf6lQcS0TcABv8zrFy4uJRc-5jwjGne8E5jPjF_n_QwreyPyeRiWl2NzlnvTRyJPRo44nGRprKvvwRvpZI51Plrwui9ZudAY/s1600/Ireland_074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnJQv5GPnHk9XA2hJVZ8IY44UsnC2S-ZrjHzCDaRkETgAf6lQcS0TcABv8zrFy4uJRc-5jwjGne8E5jPjF_n_QwreyPyeRiWl2NzlnvTRyJPRo44nGRprKvvwRvpZI51Plrwui9ZudAY/s200/Ireland_074.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>I also remember a small park area where people "hung out" and there was a memorial to the lost lives of the Titanic.<br />
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I visited the British Isles in September of 2007.Nancy Wilkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05675284328133320902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125601656836002920.post-28459373155282270632010-04-05T18:14:00.000-07:002010-04-06T19:47:29.834-07:00Dublin, Ireland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlvNHwWcUWUw-6pn7U4i_C_9gmgp045S0xul5fr2DhMyZIwicXIxB-6cQtfvTtyNExKg709misPuUVdXKdNHqSCFtL-Bk-pfd1U990KORdF0Y4iqj8eD7bfBYrWcz12mOovvp6oZC6Ik/s1600/Ireland_309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlvNHwWcUWUw-6pn7U4i_C_9gmgp045S0xul5fr2DhMyZIwicXIxB-6cQtfvTtyNExKg709misPuUVdXKdNHqSCFtL-Bk-pfd1U990KORdF0Y4iqj8eD7bfBYrWcz12mOovvp6oZC6Ik/s320/Ireland_309.jpg" /></a></div>I had a day to walk around Dublin and it was much too big of a city to try to walk it. I spent more time walking and it took forever to get anywhere. I walked to St. Patrick's Cathedral (left) and went inside. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaq9kFDHhQszmskREOvGO6nsKBc4PSdYRzYVp0qVUvKztJyXGMwWB_NyofaZbyhWve-gKHqy2SY-JzWjkEIbTrP-3pEBRB3T-sTsaGY73gGVROYvKdBvPHNwCu5UbY2XiDkZaIju0hows/s1600/Ireland_253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaq9kFDHhQszmskREOvGO6nsKBc4PSdYRzYVp0qVUvKztJyXGMwWB_NyofaZbyhWve-gKHqy2SY-JzWjkEIbTrP-3pEBRB3T-sTsaGY73gGVROYvKdBvPHNwCu5UbY2XiDkZaIju0hows/s200/Ireland_253.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I saw the Book of Kells on display in the Library of Trinity College. The Book of Kells contains the four gospels of the New Testament - St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke and St. John, written in Latin.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_lA3wcWqaY0flqktP0_mVHHxJivOcW2KwFBVMBnmU2epdmEr9gmrpkd63dxNHVJ-evKzghiOKYJXDyDav2TSWxWt0HBqAmLtCfIcWDtrw_Q5NBBBzvr6Q8z7AJ-idCGmc_Ac9m1jUQ0/s1600/Ireland_255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_lA3wcWqaY0flqktP0_mVHHxJivOcW2KwFBVMBnmU2epdmEr9gmrpkd63dxNHVJ-evKzghiOKYJXDyDav2TSWxWt0HBqAmLtCfIcWDtrw_Q5NBBBzvr6Q8z7AJ-idCGmc_Ac9m1jUQ0/s200/Ireland_255.jpg" width="200" /></a>During all that walking, and being in Ireland, I did see a few pubs along the way.</div>Nancy Wilkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05675284328133320902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125601656836002920.post-43359355295581736292010-04-04T12:56:00.000-07:002010-04-04T12:56:59.486-07:00Nice & Eze, France<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBL4uUMLaNQJeIg90N1sHsqu78l3JIlNJzSjlXRZDde98yQ_8LWeKClmGlF3XUOIwOjLMM2KJ5ERxkihupDABKolQSSA3KFe8xvypy6XaegoM9KD3jxHNdgK2hrMu88PRW79vQ2aUqvs/s1600/Nice_023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBL4uUMLaNQJeIg90N1sHsqu78l3JIlNJzSjlXRZDde98yQ_8LWeKClmGlF3XUOIwOjLMM2KJ5ERxkihupDABKolQSSA3KFe8xvypy6XaegoM9KD3jxHNdgK2hrMu88PRW79vQ2aUqvs/s400/Nice_023.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I have flown into Nice several times as it is the airport to catch the ship when it sails out of Nice or Monte Carlo. The airport is right on the coast, you fly in from the water. I spent the day one time, with friends. Nice has the beautiful blue waters of the Mediterranean coast.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38CfuUoXbH4DQkV4xZM47Wv_Lu91ktn9txsp0UdGdSxgahBdyxDKiQBeaCQNTe7VkEq0kK6ktoKTRnVfNHBM2MDvgMhCvna-aFfodjeYhu1ZYRdQ9PKpMoKltjAZrgfPoNrd3O2GkWUA/s1600/Nice_002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38CfuUoXbH4DQkV4xZM47Wv_Lu91ktn9txsp0UdGdSxgahBdyxDKiQBeaCQNTe7VkEq0kK6ktoKTRnVfNHBM2MDvgMhCvna-aFfodjeYhu1ZYRdQ9PKpMoKltjAZrgfPoNrd3O2GkWUA/s200/Nice_002.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOcAr_HSfaglVYwipnw8IOEXt23Raiqv7ltaj0mSMvoV7RiOtHkzBY8ouly_v3D3323fF8V4QUvGe0f7uftsxkHUwpd1BSjQA1dKdMd7o87D021wfxnk-7gv9QrSkv-1YAwvuQPqW370/s1600/Nice_001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOcAr_HSfaglVYwipnw8IOEXt23Raiqv7ltaj0mSMvoV7RiOtHkzBY8ouly_v3D3323fF8V4QUvGe0f7uftsxkHUwpd1BSjQA1dKdMd7o87D021wfxnk-7gv9QrSkv-1YAwvuQPqW370/s200/Nice_001.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>On our day in Nice we traveled a short distance to Eze. Cute little place to walk around. It is a little hilltop city, right on the coast. Lots of little shops and cafes, a neat place to visit.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHeOq7fPeF8QixbNkmU1X-Bjox7ialTQ7Qu3aKG7TZloS2YjSUxA6C5u8FTdNpfBHQqiegAOLQkr6KQIDAenWvcoPpWfTTZ1cXhJU713MkN5KVQ3QLaXEfcBcA9NTEwiRB0aG30CtF3w/s1600/Nice_004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHeOq7fPeF8QixbNkmU1X-Bjox7ialTQ7Qu3aKG7TZloS2YjSUxA6C5u8FTdNpfBHQqiegAOLQkr6KQIDAenWvcoPpWfTTZ1cXhJU713MkN5KVQ3QLaXEfcBcA9NTEwiRB0aG30CtF3w/s400/Nice_004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Nancy Wilkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05675284328133320902noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125601656836002920.post-14330327325432790582010-04-04T12:33:00.000-07:002010-04-04T12:33:30.713-07:00Monte Carlo, Monaco<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj639MHj2WlGiOTfdV_HLgmad0bk5H3p7H8ys9NzvnCKG3qYSc99YCiDJ7a7yfnGmCcpxx4z5LGbpZY0hr-KS4DGjdiL-_HdX6PuS84UyflJ2NWiA9gePAQDueTAIkh_dv_gzsorWF6JLg/s1600/NSW+Monte+Carlo.2008_078_003_020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj639MHj2WlGiOTfdV_HLgmad0bk5H3p7H8ys9NzvnCKG3qYSc99YCiDJ7a7yfnGmCcpxx4z5LGbpZY0hr-KS4DGjdiL-_HdX6PuS84UyflJ2NWiA9gePAQDueTAIkh_dv_gzsorWF6JLg/s400/NSW+Monte+Carlo.2008_078_003_020.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Monte Carlo is a turnaround port for the ship, so several sailings left out of Monte Carlo. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNFn_QBuNZ2PW04OiJSOl37A3LCbzBXp_yjiV8ZB9kFga93nl74kXL4Txt9anlIjGoB05rzTVSCNnsoK5VCiiQOnNlESAxLpWKbSc7Yr5M8c6d84Pvb0jVrFE5Q7BSEFwwHQ2NdTgAEw/s1600/NSW+Monte+Carlo.2008_078_003_017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNFn_QBuNZ2PW04OiJSOl37A3LCbzBXp_yjiV8ZB9kFga93nl74kXL4Txt9anlIjGoB05rzTVSCNnsoK5VCiiQOnNlESAxLpWKbSc7Yr5M8c6d84Pvb0jVrFE5Q7BSEFwwHQ2NdTgAEw/s200/NSW+Monte+Carlo.2008_078_003_017.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>You fly into Nice and drive to Monte Carlo. There is enough to walk to, right at the port. I've walked around the port of Monte Carlo several times. The landmark is the grand casino and the little plaza there. I've been inside, but casino's aren't my thing so I kind of walked in, looked around and walked out. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjB6Y3MK4m8Hth8kv-BJQ_GaB6_Mw8qUdkxcW481HfaiAlpKqIchnCzoNBI0-tMF3qFsbEepfqkHDawfnfuZhmf3cxO99sYZoG8z4GxDVz0wwwCLtq63xwaWh4aCB1Nq67rTq3InPSRnA/s1600/NSW+Monte+Carlo.2008_078_003_004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjB6Y3MK4m8Hth8kv-BJQ_GaB6_Mw8qUdkxcW481HfaiAlpKqIchnCzoNBI0-tMF3qFsbEepfqkHDawfnfuZhmf3cxO99sYZoG8z4GxDVz0wwwCLtq63xwaWh4aCB1Nq67rTq3InPSRnA/s200/NSW+Monte+Carlo.2008_078_003_004.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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I had a glass of wine with a friend at the Hotel de Paris (next door to the casino), it is special just to be there. I was with a group one time and we also stopped into one of the local cafes to enjoy a drink and good conversation. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5DqAVQTNBc0AaOSyiiTdjdGzgXvnXTcSYTrJpD_t1ICbv6v9cEjSil2okqXHZ_zuYe_LWv-FKHEDvy1IBdcboTajXL1PdqDVHkCVIUPs0ra93A84ZjAOlpZ_v2NkfB8G80jtN7vhBVg/s1600/106_1531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5DqAVQTNBc0AaOSyiiTdjdGzgXvnXTcSYTrJpD_t1ICbv6v9cEjSil2okqXHZ_zuYe_LWv-FKHEDvy1IBdcboTajXL1PdqDVHkCVIUPs0ra93A84ZjAOlpZ_v2NkfB8G80jtN7vhBVg/s320/106_1531.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Nancy Wilkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05675284328133320902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125601656836002920.post-37365076466000511932010-04-04T11:02:00.000-07:002010-04-04T11:07:20.913-07:00London, England<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUaV3Ozb3QNukpxEaE_PQ0BCQyIDdvAmQS_DETjoOMdUGaRB9GMqtFyn2X9YQ1HH_hcKePzleLleHPzBLY_732GzJmRAOkMTXtj1xXxRQGvAuFJXJ6xEZCgF55rflzpwLKE913qL1PCXE/s1600/London_001_057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUaV3Ozb3QNukpxEaE_PQ0BCQyIDdvAmQS_DETjoOMdUGaRB9GMqtFyn2X9YQ1HH_hcKePzleLleHPzBLY_732GzJmRAOkMTXtj1xXxRQGvAuFJXJ6xEZCgF55rflzpwLKE913qL1PCXE/s400/London_001_057.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>We spent an overnight in London before catching up with the ship in Monte Carlo. I was with Dale (brother), and we walked and walked and walked that entire day. We were exhausted. I learned later about the red hop on hop off bus, but we walked it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4DmBIBUDYNCGgdl5K6C7rtceLbjiz0GtMItP_vUBqipikK9FPy5nWvg37HbMccZSHCwYHEFkbDjNNEnP2BNV8riv0E_i83JxaQsqM1RoFkq4Jc7QC0zXeNXLxLGyd6sThnTTIf1OHCI/s1600/London_001_113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4DmBIBUDYNCGgdl5K6C7rtceLbjiz0GtMItP_vUBqipikK9FPy5nWvg37HbMccZSHCwYHEFkbDjNNEnP2BNV8riv0E_i83JxaQsqM1RoFkq4Jc7QC0zXeNXLxLGyd6sThnTTIf1OHCI/s200/London_001_113.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>We went to Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and rode the London Eye for it's specatular view of the city.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCqdcSYnuRnKZSlgB-Si8QoiQgfrFVMfbHI59t04SsVlqsaIMFTkZ37faVAgLQgebT84QefQ9SeCYOsJoP5v1j2gsNPPhb7YskgKiic4VZ-FR1areQ4oNPDyIkWsN9g2F7_Uf5bgzbgI/s1600/London_001_023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCqdcSYnuRnKZSlgB-Si8QoiQgfrFVMfbHI59t04SsVlqsaIMFTkZ37faVAgLQgebT84QefQ9SeCYOsJoP5v1j2gsNPPhb7YskgKiic4VZ-FR1areQ4oNPDyIkWsN9g2F7_Uf5bgzbgI/s200/London_001_023.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
I so wanted to see the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace but there was a sign saying it was cancelled for that day. I was disappointed, but it gives me a good reason to go back again someday.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMU_p9iOTFg1L_hxgSMrHbFOAG2iAnAlj0D49bTPjS5SJdKEiAZA9nhbOTyLWfw8EUPQ9utyOV0x8AM6J4NNjX69M15PtbiJxCjw5CvwbePWQjXRx94E7ZvqDBZRiJrwSxDO-vQBAdzc/s1600/London_001_098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMU_p9iOTFg1L_hxgSMrHbFOAG2iAnAlj0D49bTPjS5SJdKEiAZA9nhbOTyLWfw8EUPQ9utyOV0x8AM6J4NNjX69M15PtbiJxCjw5CvwbePWQjXRx94E7ZvqDBZRiJrwSxDO-vQBAdzc/s320/London_001_098.JPG" /></a></div>Nancy Wilkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05675284328133320902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125601656836002920.post-52710717807436034912010-04-04T10:14:00.000-07:002010-04-07T23:00:29.814-07:00Portofino, Italy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SustkRQ11YZnY_4i8qrWlordtjRUp6HsLlAFDPwfMLSiywjwUpVD4HlP_luPd_vq-i5tPPK-lpeX4K9CdhBlHRlZ-a5OFtQFnOS-UpJXQAEU3Xc2SrTjGiJGvli-umcrc3GJYL6SEGs/s1600/Portofino_030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SustkRQ11YZnY_4i8qrWlordtjRUp6HsLlAFDPwfMLSiywjwUpVD4HlP_luPd_vq-i5tPPK-lpeX4K9CdhBlHRlZ-a5OFtQFnOS-UpJXQAEU3Xc2SrTjGiJGvli-umcrc3GJYL6SEGs/s400/Portofino_030.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qTomINkmKgTT79gorsfxw5IgC6YMXbpoKtR93Zr7YMU0Hj2M61WDIeX7krnI0NZiZaoWpw6DjT6chjbQtKOCd9zcviH5FxvvspuqIgn39v_mMlMZVwuTBA2y4zjNl3D2qkrzUrdEv74/s1600/Portofino_054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qTomINkmKgTT79gorsfxw5IgC6YMXbpoKtR93Zr7YMU0Hj2M61WDIeX7krnI0NZiZaoWpw6DjT6chjbQtKOCd9zcviH5FxvvspuqIgn39v_mMlMZVwuTBA2y4zjNl3D2qkrzUrdEv74/s200/Portofino_054.JPG" width="200" /></a>Portofino, Italy - full of charm. I love the colored buildings that surround the small port, with the yachts in the harbor. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EAr1mEo2wSseeJZhOxswERaeL_7Y0s2XEztZOxCdXQsei5f87T2WOhsvRsTwRTvWK5KbTiD_82WDpcc9m6HFzSoO-6ncRKyB22OySRVy4cs24LffHOEeM8kxe8yW_jN1bLa27VaP2WY/s1600/Portofino_246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EAr1mEo2wSseeJZhOxswERaeL_7Y0s2XEztZOxCdXQsei5f87T2WOhsvRsTwRTvWK5KbTiD_82WDpcc9m6HFzSoO-6ncRKyB22OySRVy4cs24LffHOEeM8kxe8yW_jN1bLa27VaP2WY/s200/Portofino_246.jpg" width="200" /></a>You can walk around the little harbor and stop in a few shops. The laundry hanging out the window adds to the charm. We had dinner in a local cafe and what a treat it was to sit in Portofino, sipping wine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of my memories of Portofino is when I was a more inexperienced photographer, and I was walking around the tiny harbor with too powerful of a lens. It was a lens for greater distances and close ups were not working out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm874LJj_-pekvCzY6PqsNJYoYUHDArqR9NTwnRo7Q75pRo9hf_weEOUrLTVzk1PMaLFRJqChoUxyu-2K3y4dwcBtLEf8H1PBGVZxVwAs3i2CcY0yU78JB-5Qp2srrYs3WcVb5zulqfF4/s1600/Portofino_214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm874LJj_-pekvCzY6PqsNJYoYUHDArqR9NTwnRo7Q75pRo9hf_weEOUrLTVzk1PMaLFRJqChoUxyu-2K3y4dwcBtLEf8H1PBGVZxVwAs3i2CcY0yU78JB-5Qp2srrYs3WcVb5zulqfF4/s200/Portofino_214.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHyxKsaGgDEyPKPph7TsGdcaCVl1vgPPTtXyRudyl85HyZ2YFkCbS7XUMvQCQb72BaThNyQGgpPUAyw81MHf4wgJFlwm0cUOyoUO8-Vx2R_ngobGcK99U6egZjfctatLk1PBwoRpe_Bc/s1600/Portofino_322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHyxKsaGgDEyPKPph7TsGdcaCVl1vgPPTtXyRudyl85HyZ2YFkCbS7XUMvQCQb72BaThNyQGgpPUAyw81MHf4wgJFlwm0cUOyoUO8-Vx2R_ngobGcK99U6egZjfctatLk1PBwoRpe_Bc/s200/Portofino_322.jpg" width="200" /></a>I had climbed to the top of a pretty steep hill overlooking the harbor. Any time they say it is a spectacular view, I have to go there. So I climbed and climbed and they were right, it was fantastic. But I had the wrong lens and couldn't fit the view in the picture. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbqRmI9h39cHKCSmjDr3q4iN3u5mjpkZgxBcP1jEDmmn4sO_1CwaWbSSwWciSxIPQoky988o0GNrOffsf-byfGbwWO4_NDkq-QTEjsQGyk8rclgaIQKA15WlYy_fQUWhsZdiXvzV-J_c/s1600/Portofino_078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbqRmI9h39cHKCSmjDr3q4iN3u5mjpkZgxBcP1jEDmmn4sO_1CwaWbSSwWciSxIPQoky988o0GNrOffsf-byfGbwWO4_NDkq-QTEjsQGyk8rclgaIQKA15WlYy_fQUWhsZdiXvzV-J_c/s200/Portofino_078.JPG" width="200" /></a>I was also short on time because I had to be back to the ship for a dinner. But I was determined to get that shot. So I walked all the way back down the hill, into the harbor, back on the tender, to the ship, to my room, and changed the lens. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And yes, I retraced my steps and hiked up that hill again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNXixMN04-Ybb8A7_B6v5mGu4Me6yQ2M6rU5Y5L3eRYxMLptRndChG6IqZxd87XFlF3SIFDF-xHo6wISRRwtamSxCIdepu7LkT2oZD0P9YCvn7B81nf38RCCSmSYZk802e2dXAvwSx_I/s1600/Portofino_343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNXixMN04-Ybb8A7_B6v5mGu4Me6yQ2M6rU5Y5L3eRYxMLptRndChG6IqZxd87XFlF3SIFDF-xHo6wISRRwtamSxCIdepu7LkT2oZD0P9YCvn7B81nf38RCCSmSYZk802e2dXAvwSx_I/s320/Portofino_343.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">By this time I was hot and tired - but I got my shot! Only time for a few clicks at this point, I went back to the ship again. I was out of time to get ready for dinner so I hurried as fast as I could and arrived in the lounge on time, no one knew what I had just packed into that last few hours.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfKZ_ua_OvHeb1tFDyLdYklHITCIDkXu1_y0zjaFrz3bXKtouvvRTi6oHt3uGx5JR0G8ihtuzZ4pltyJMhOvtA83oDzFCnG-0E_7S_a92iRd_j9acm8woDFcJzYYkRSs42aTEJ8p0lys/s1600/portofino6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfKZ_ua_OvHeb1tFDyLdYklHITCIDkXu1_y0zjaFrz3bXKtouvvRTi6oHt3uGx5JR0G8ihtuzZ4pltyJMhOvtA83oDzFCnG-0E_7S_a92iRd_j9acm8woDFcJzYYkRSs42aTEJ8p0lys/s400/portofino6.jpg" width="400" /></a>Nancy Wilkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05675284328133320902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125601656836002920.post-74635930048909002732010-04-04T09:28:00.000-07:002010-04-04T09:28:45.371-07:00The Island of Capri<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQAG6wBgYpz3NBGTP9TOAovJNTnjLit6KYPkXyYZSnOtZ2VbIaJacsbWAD1U8G8H2AlkWIds1nrQVCkySAiZeEmSK64gttPZyOB1t5d5KErUrDGa2ZeYErYtkmNq4Jc4t40AJYGe03DA/s1600/NSW+Capri.2008_006_011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQAG6wBgYpz3NBGTP9TOAovJNTnjLit6KYPkXyYZSnOtZ2VbIaJacsbWAD1U8G8H2AlkWIds1nrQVCkySAiZeEmSK64gttPZyOB1t5d5KErUrDGa2ZeYErYtkmNq4Jc4t40AJYGe03DA/s320/NSW+Capri.2008_006_011.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Capri is another place I've been to several times. From Sorrento, you take a hydrofoil to the island of Capri. What a beautiful little island! Capri is full of charm and I always think of sunshine and the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4MT_HS1Q-hupt7nwaIcfALjuC54xYTXVh6_vSdz-_IZGcbq5A3dwVclQngKBy7s2ZgxConW0H2kQQqdayB42iezwLKWNlKZDt_Fdpq_aERWLMj43YZozIg64w00Bq8niGckv-klLy04/s1600/Sorrento_053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4MT_HS1Q-hupt7nwaIcfALjuC54xYTXVh6_vSdz-_IZGcbq5A3dwVclQngKBy7s2ZgxConW0H2kQQqdayB42iezwLKWNlKZDt_Fdpq_aERWLMj43YZozIg64w00Bq8niGckv-klLy04/s200/Sorrento_053.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I do not have a picture to do it justice, but the Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) is amazing. It is a sea cave where sunlight shines through the sea water and creates a blue reflection that illuminates the cavern. They take you in by rowboat - which is a comical experience itself - but once inside - simply breathtaking.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiD7gqKBs4FJYv8cQ504Q-r3c6NEhsG_dqWISosSme2F57pC72XpavjUkDfs3AbVz_uN0aav_dYtH9FcfaB3d0j1MZI8IY1mb6ssRFv99-2oTOai1O_itAg5fiqW93coUiZdpBXbhXPec/s1600/NSW+Capri.2008_006_008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiD7gqKBs4FJYv8cQ504Q-r3c6NEhsG_dqWISosSme2F57pC72XpavjUkDfs3AbVz_uN0aav_dYtH9FcfaB3d0j1MZI8IY1mb6ssRFv99-2oTOai1O_itAg5fiqW93coUiZdpBXbhXPec/s200/NSW+Capri.2008_006_008.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>You can also take a funicular to the top of the island, Anacapri. Enjoying the views from all sides as the chair lift takes you to the top. <br />
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Whatever you decide to do in Capri, you will no doubt enjoy the beautiful waters of your surroundings.Nancy Wilkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05675284328133320902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125601656836002920.post-85134641938437138962010-04-04T04:02:00.000-07:002010-04-04T13:23:24.068-07:00Athens - Syntagma Square<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCHQLbqcaC9fUu2H1xwUPKmLH_odL58Nq9Oeghz4u6J_eBN0fRd8BECF4jQN7qzZoBSrd0jfVil1hvLIAzfQEP_e6dDixwh3lTUCtbKGT6UzVBvNOz2szy1AmzuWm79Ud9wr-ohFWbBM/s1600/Athens.2008_445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCHQLbqcaC9fUu2H1xwUPKmLH_odL58Nq9Oeghz4u6J_eBN0fRd8BECF4jQN7qzZoBSrd0jfVil1hvLIAzfQEP_e6dDixwh3lTUCtbKGT6UzVBvNOz2szy1AmzuWm79Ud9wr-ohFWbBM/s320/Athens.2008_445.JPG" /></a></div>I love the colors and costume of the changing of the guard in any country. The uniforms, the distinction, the status, the ceremony - all of it. Syntagma Square in Athens, Greece is the site of the tomb of the unknown soldier.<br />
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The tomb of the unknown soldier is guarded by Evzones, the elite soldiers who also guard the palace and are chosen for their height and strength. The pleated skirt, the foustanela, was worn by the Greek fighters of the 1821 revolution and today it serves as the official uniform.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTgQJsm5-bVeJApHVbyeXcaj-oDlmyEIjLQlChbwbCCM-XdT7xMDaaz0T5JFkOAR8Y-t6txYlg6mrm5tPEOiuf3NTT7_A8zukjdySWbQbXOB7UpHHzgVt4MT_ZvqQK81cVPXpOp57nJ8/s1600/Athens.2008_464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTgQJsm5-bVeJApHVbyeXcaj-oDlmyEIjLQlChbwbCCM-XdT7xMDaaz0T5JFkOAR8Y-t6txYlg6mrm5tPEOiuf3NTT7_A8zukjdySWbQbXOB7UpHHzgVt4MT_ZvqQK81cVPXpOp57nJ8/s320/Athens.2008_464.JPG" /></a></div>Nancy Wilkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05675284328133320902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125601656836002920.post-88567374978937852112010-04-04T04:01:00.000-07:002010-04-04T13:23:47.308-07:00Athens - by day, by night<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzr5Afv0dqfl-3QLbV_tYj3hSS5ML45QLRlqiMlzt8cNXk4IPMPUvv21LWLgpbf1Z3SiKIdlrAJZ6OOLgc5xtLRKm8D9lG-U5L6TfVIzpJbAV78UoU4nrHjxccbqu2rZAyI5oWXXpcbs/s1600/Athens.2008_725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzr5Afv0dqfl-3QLbV_tYj3hSS5ML45QLRlqiMlzt8cNXk4IPMPUvv21LWLgpbf1Z3SiKIdlrAJZ6OOLgc5xtLRKm8D9lG-U5L6TfVIzpJbAV78UoU4nrHjxccbqu2rZAyI5oWXXpcbs/s400/Athens.2008_725.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Well, since I was thinking about Ephesus by day and by night, I had to think of Athens too.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQwVX2Dl6TDPRvDzLKF2WbYytLgbxQHg0oCAppEHUFCXIuGa0JT34kO51-x9EcwwPnWc5sKC5PCkJc-UM7qfIGk1sqQ52NMR9g4peYJKZQPIkr13B6dlB92TrbAgtVwo7B4FGd-grk-U/s1600/Athens.2008_212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQwVX2Dl6TDPRvDzLKF2WbYytLgbxQHg0oCAppEHUFCXIuGa0JT34kO51-x9EcwwPnWc5sKC5PCkJc-UM7qfIGk1sqQ52NMR9g4peYJKZQPIkr13B6dlB92TrbAgtVwo7B4FGd-grk-U/s320/Athens.2008_212.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I ended my trip with an overnight in Athens. I spent the day walking around the grounds at the Parthenon. It was so hot, I had trouble keeping hydrated and cool, and was near passing out. But I was determined to see the Parthenon on my one day in Athens! <br />
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I remember being scared because I was by myself and would get dizzy, and I thought "if I pass out no one in the world will know what happened to me". That thought drove me to find shade and try my best to remain conscious. But it was all worth it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8RbdNNBa6zbCf0SxCb65YdWxwVF72WRcLWpgDaELpIiVP8Glr9HgPuOZhQfvs6iSZLPGxvxCFVuRN_7P2eOUvbk-jp8anm1sOgCyu6lckMhoEgNVoyGfXQqXhwSpr-PKnWrcRxsJBrk/s1600/Athens.2008_507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8RbdNNBa6zbCf0SxCb65YdWxwVF72WRcLWpgDaELpIiVP8Glr9HgPuOZhQfvs6iSZLPGxvxCFVuRN_7P2eOUvbk-jp8anm1sOgCyu6lckMhoEgNVoyGfXQqXhwSpr-PKnWrcRxsJBrk/s320/Athens.2008_507.JPG" /></a><br />
I met up with a friend that evening, we were both staying at the Athens InterContinental Hotel. The special highlight - a restaurant on the rooftop of the hotel with a spectacular view of the Parthenon, lit up at night. We had a glass of wine, talked about our day, and enjoyed the amazing view. Truly a special evening.Nancy Wilkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05675284328133320902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125601656836002920.post-40898132752091657862010-04-04T03:39:00.000-07:002010-04-04T13:23:59.597-07:00Ephesus - by day, by night<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHB_1DUPQB7uBj8reFOk2hypoEwe5ZXtKWN7mPuB5nJl04rj2gZOZvo3zEjxc213cmxvJDqYvbHDvIhToOXvuG8bGrFAsbBX0lIRI1hGGYHxQr-vinDQZJg6dmOaEmrQ7_SVVG4OivjA/s1600/NSW+Ephesus+2008_038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHB_1DUPQB7uBj8reFOk2hypoEwe5ZXtKWN7mPuB5nJl04rj2gZOZvo3zEjxc213cmxvJDqYvbHDvIhToOXvuG8bGrFAsbBX0lIRI1hGGYHxQr-vinDQZJg6dmOaEmrQ7_SVVG4OivjA/s400/NSW+Ephesus+2008_038.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>My visit to Ephesus, Turkey in 2008 was truly remarkable. This was one of those special occasions when I felt so proud to be a part of what we offered to our guests. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRri_YJlaShiMZUJ7ZkYFpi7nQRCNutHW49Eu-vgGhP0GLQEZBBlJOy7uRQjKscTPHB0RqGGi4C6aFhA4f66qCl4tX37AhmtwakwWAZF_cy6N2r2t9RfH49F4Zy_uYShyphenhyphenjaMX3cX14s5k/s1600/NSW+Ephesus+2008_071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRri_YJlaShiMZUJ7ZkYFpi7nQRCNutHW49Eu-vgGhP0GLQEZBBlJOy7uRQjKscTPHB0RqGGi4C6aFhA4f66qCl4tX37AhmtwakwWAZF_cy6N2r2t9RfH49F4Zy_uYShyphenhyphenjaMX3cX14s5k/s200/NSW+Ephesus+2008_071.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>By day, the ruins of Ephesus were full of history and fascination. The Temple of Artemis is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and I was proud to see it. I'd like to see all of them someday.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQMoNK4gep-ptzNTUwmTXjTlhNxqYxk1jO7MuVtw-A-UZbUB92kUAwYdlWtHHtf-vIeXDYjLLY84tAvcvxzMRSvykfdp2o7pnhQ-ftnegyWbcK2ZkrMWeSroO4C01EDNd2My18Br3gDs/s1600/NSW+Ephesus+2008_023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQMoNK4gep-ptzNTUwmTXjTlhNxqYxk1jO7MuVtw-A-UZbUB92kUAwYdlWtHHtf-vIeXDYjLLY84tAvcvxzMRSvykfdp2o7pnhQ-ftnegyWbcK2ZkrMWeSroO4C01EDNd2My18Br3gDs/s200/NSW+Ephesus+2008_023.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>We reached Ephesus by sailing into Kusadasi, Which was interesting as well. I visited the Grand Bazaar and did a little shopping. I also saw a carpet-weaving demonstration and sipped some apple tea. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18J0BNtzOlwScSsjZNYXb02dtCIp7SihoA7EEkviaaDoI8hOdiUSS2MsKZlL7epADKQ7P9UeXK5tgnTnNBYbEAT640EGwZpf0QR4MG9QqgLw4Nj26HwYfgBtZam-lO7xon9CbinzgKzE/s1600/NSW+Ephesus+2008_128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18J0BNtzOlwScSsjZNYXb02dtCIp7SihoA7EEkviaaDoI8hOdiUSS2MsKZlL7epADKQ7P9UeXK5tgnTnNBYbEAT640EGwZpf0QR4MG9QqgLw4Nj26HwYfgBtZam-lO7xon9CbinzgKzE/s400/NSW+Ephesus+2008_128.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>As interesting as the ruins of Ephesus were during the day, the return visit that evening was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. That evening, we were treated to a private performance of a local orchestra right in the Library of Celsus. Lit up at night, it was simply spectacular. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFssELgv4URpVCYyA1_RFCvA562cha37s1sO7DEdTwt3728f-kftjW9Ipglj8KQ7RHP7BspKphU8tVtmFJEL7FEOKXdNPdbH21W_QbvtresJ2ERw4NavvUzYgNaJeSrLFF4uEJ6EzE48/s1600/NSW+Ephesus+2008_113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFssELgv4URpVCYyA1_RFCvA562cha37s1sO7DEdTwt3728f-kftjW9Ipglj8KQ7RHP7BspKphU8tVtmFJEL7FEOKXdNPdbH21W_QbvtresJ2ERw4NavvUzYgNaJeSrLFF4uEJ6EzE48/s320/NSW+Ephesus+2008_113.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I was glad I had seen it during the day as it was completely transformed in the evening. The ambiance of this amazing setting, the exclusive performance, the quiet balmy evening itself, all made for a memorable experience.Nancy Wilkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05675284328133320902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125601656836002920.post-26235419505549603212010-04-04T02:45:00.000-07:002010-04-07T23:19:43.912-07:00The Vatican - A Photographer's Paradise<blockquote></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmg22TlSLX-BxvbdNMa9NzbAr4x6jwshYo70z24y2hV4aAPg8YkfsUx3KrwYouM2ct_LNgr2wwY8c4paUfTKZlD905P7DlPohbsK_uQ7BaTjSC8tb85d47Db7ERHDjBN_PJrfqkdIYpg/s1600/Rome.2008_437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmg22TlSLX-BxvbdNMa9NzbAr4x6jwshYo70z24y2hV4aAPg8YkfsUx3KrwYouM2ct_LNgr2wwY8c4paUfTKZlD905P7DlPohbsK_uQ7BaTjSC8tb85d47Db7ERHDjBN_PJrfqkdIYpg/s400/Rome.2008_437.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Since I have been fortunate enough to have visited Rome numerous times, I thought I would start there. It is one of my favorite cities.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiacqlwS9aEdpJ8kZMarbQGL5_G977mybZ0_7-b9_JOnZwrGtNNOfzgzLujaQKEMweWV1weTpke7MeFztyiKJd5XhbvlyBjWti1tC-P0e30g292q3Vf1B0umk_mriPIS2SYGgNH4rZjqxs/s1600/Rome.2008_370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiacqlwS9aEdpJ8kZMarbQGL5_G977mybZ0_7-b9_JOnZwrGtNNOfzgzLujaQKEMweWV1weTpke7MeFztyiKJd5XhbvlyBjWti1tC-P0e30g292q3Vf1B0umk_mriPIS2SYGgNH4rZjqxs/s200/Rome.2008_370.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdTO6RE8RRXqQcSeiy7UjVecoLSxzyRQGSHqmpgRAaeOwikdB01DN3jB9kSo4sJ21A3midAJ1b1Fjly9Nfe7jT4WjYZPx8OzCfS7R3uH08ClZoB7VycdVC4810RM13W1iQeOiFELadIA/s1600/Rome.2008_544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdTO6RE8RRXqQcSeiy7UjVecoLSxzyRQGSHqmpgRAaeOwikdB01DN3jB9kSo4sJ21A3midAJ1b1Fjly9Nfe7jT4WjYZPx8OzCfS7R3uH08ClZoB7VycdVC4810RM13W1iQeOiFELadIA/s200/Rome.2008_544.JPG" width="200" /></a>The Vatican is a photographer's paradise, I could never get tired of shooting that beautiful building.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
The first time I was there, Dale (my brother) was with me. We were inexperienced travelers and were not dressed appropriately to be let inside (we had shorts on so our knees were not covered). We were sick! Just sick. </div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
How can you travel that far and not be allowed in?! At least it was both of us that were not allowed in so one wasn't holding the other one back.</div></div><br />
<div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyv5HN8Y3IuhQVp2do6kc8HKdnTDnqRGODkyrotLv1mMVxmZN4pFEj_Sgmx6MKUD2TarUroUQm7vpjoPuJNxBPpG_GAfGmJdnoy3k1U5n7dh7Ahq6V8Rer3ptDKMGOWXXAm5AM8hJ9Ds/s1600/Rome.2008_371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyv5HN8Y3IuhQVp2do6kc8HKdnTDnqRGODkyrotLv1mMVxmZN4pFEj_Sgmx6MKUD2TarUroUQm7vpjoPuJNxBPpG_GAfGmJdnoy3k1U5n7dh7Ahq6V8Rer3ptDKMGOWXXAm5AM8hJ9Ds/s200/Rome.2008_371.JPG" width="200" /></a>I wasn't really a photographer at that time, but the next time we were both there, I was. The Vatican was so crowded that day and I was trying to juggle my camera and not get lost from the tour guide. It was nearly impossible. Finally Dale said, don't worry, I will keep an eye on you and not let you get lost, take your pictures.</div></div><br />
<div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSc7UWe4JEstH0ut_fgfyJxm_DE30LfWMGrcAW6TZkmT6J6xQfN5S_3wdkhKWNdqotRvUmrIzFdIMBaskoftBm-0Wwk9JrE7aIqu3A2t3gHY3hM5QYGhMBtyGHR2kqNrjjJTJhXcpqiMw/s1600/Rome.2008_1057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSc7UWe4JEstH0ut_fgfyJxm_DE30LfWMGrcAW6TZkmT6J6xQfN5S_3wdkhKWNdqotRvUmrIzFdIMBaskoftBm-0Wwk9JrE7aIqu3A2t3gHY3hM5QYGhMBtyGHR2kqNrjjJTJhXcpqiMw/s200/Rome.2008_1057.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The inside of the Vatican is so amazing. I never had enough time but even if I had more time it still would have been hard to leave. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGJqw-EuOUkpCqf2dVSxK2Y2P8YbGq2xIeoC-zfUSvUyYGa_VQvHS91YVg0b_m9td5bYvu6JI1F_U4uAIdEeURTBp-iDV88DQn1AAI_PMHkmRgLpWuSw8RTbVMrGQD14Fy5S4vIwcN7s/s1600/Rome.2008_695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGJqw-EuOUkpCqf2dVSxK2Y2P8YbGq2xIeoC-zfUSvUyYGa_VQvHS91YVg0b_m9td5bYvu6JI1F_U4uAIdEeURTBp-iDV88DQn1AAI_PMHkmRgLpWuSw8RTbVMrGQD14Fy5S4vIwcN7s/s200/Rome.2008_695.JPG" width="133" /></a>The glorious high ceilings, the magnificent altar, the works of Bernini and the dome by Michelangelo, you just drink it all in. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We were not allowed to take pictures in the Sistine Chapel but I would have liked to. Since we were in some place "holy" and God was watching, I did not even try to sneak one!</div></div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWb6rjreIujtsCLQXylqOve8ET8qcexy-QdPgn6wj-AKrnW3NRrbEs8jmaQXaDoFRtKkORUN084gZ7UPWayj4Cq08POCWqWYro8TA4foVvnfqRZeyu4OoHHVjO5wGmyOOHZU3L17QyY70/s1600/Rome.2008_358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWb6rjreIujtsCLQXylqOve8ET8qcexy-QdPgn6wj-AKrnW3NRrbEs8jmaQXaDoFRtKkORUN084gZ7UPWayj4Cq08POCWqWYro8TA4foVvnfqRZeyu4OoHHVjO5wGmyOOHZU3L17QyY70/s320/Rome.2008_358.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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