https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass daily 1.0 2024-01-28 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2016/6/22/welcome-to-boomer-boarding-pass-1-jf3bm monthly 0.5 2024-02-03 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2022/10/6/i4sddfr9x8ptvwbjs7v6fy3ccyc3u0 monthly 0.5 2024-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/596dd5d5-64d0-429f-895f-d471c1499bc5/F1C0C87C-BD43-4937-8629-E674477992B5.jpeg Boarding Pass - Grecian Formula (without the dye) - Make it stand out We join the line of fellow tourists, climbing up to the Acropolis. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/9f929768-c3cf-46ce-b445-3d545663fbe0/63ECA6E5-04A9-4DA9-970F-4C8F80EE0415.jpeg Boarding Pass - Grecian Formula (without the dye) - Make it stand out The Acropolis makes a good easily visible landmark from which to orient ourselves. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/22a4eb3b-2e2e-4eb8-bc96-47390fd0b4c9/P1000083.JPG Boarding Pass - Grecian Formula (without the dye) - Make it stand out Sunset from our kitchen window on Ios perched over a nearly deserted town.. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/df2cdbb0-7df4-477d-92ca-d2b17231d99a/P1000072.JPG Boarding Pass - Grecian Formula (without the dye) - Make it stand out Lots of lounge chairs, but hardly anyone comes to this Ios beach this time of year, which is alright with us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/cb7c52de-5d1e-4db1-b8c1-f5db61c8a5fd/P1000053.JPG Boarding Pass - Grecian Formula (without the dye) - Make it stand out Looking down at the caldera on Santorini. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/ecfd649e-c4a7-4d7a-a4c5-1b4e3abaa90f/P1000023.JPG Boarding Pass - Grecian Formula (without the dye) - Make it stand out The Little Kook Cafe goes all out for Halloween. Their decorations take up the better part of a block. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/326bb514-0e8c-4b30-94d5-2e28314137ca/IMG_3064.jpeg Boarding Pass - Grecian Formula (without the dye) - Make it stand out A beautiful beach is a surprise below a not-so-beautiful entrance along one of the main roads in Santorini. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/e1765d0a-479c-4800-be77-28d036f12f55/IMG_3074.jpeg Boarding Pass - Grecian Formula (without the dye) - Make it stand out Actually, this is a picture from a caldera facing restaurant in Santorini, not from Sifnos. We couldn’t resist this picture of a happy and delicious memory! Their version of Saganaki was the best we tried, feta cheese wrapped and baked in phyllo dough then drizzled in honey and sprinkled with white and black sesame seeds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/e18c5527-d0b7-4834-9c96-4a014d03b50c/IMG_3107.jpeg Boarding Pass - Grecian Formula (without the dye) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/f2b75d2e-48e1-4b74-b1a7-a58a09159ad9/P1000065.JPG Boarding Pass - Grecian Formula (without the dye) - Make it stand out Taking a break on our hike to Fira. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/b04d5bba-3572-42f8-a027-a908fa091823/P1000084.JPG Boarding Pass - Grecian Formula (without the dye) - Make it stand out And great hiking with the goats! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/d8e94165-ba53-4878-af94-336e8eb96c4f/IMG_3103.jpeg Boarding Pass - Grecian Formula (without the dye) - Make it stand out . . . and by night https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/2f06079e-41f6-4fc1-b233-e4e554e86c8d/P1000110.JPG Boarding Pass - Grecian Formula (without the dye) - Make it stand out We returned to this cafe because it was so perfect in every way. It didn’t hurt that it had cats, too. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/a02b0513-70d3-45c6-af87-172b332e6c63/P1000103.JPG Boarding Pass - Grecian Formula (without the dye) - Make it stand out Mykonos by day . . . https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/0f613fdd-9def-401a-a236-98a916b468f6/P1000044.JPG Boarding Pass - Grecian Formula (without the dye) - Make it stand out Beneath the Acropolis is the neighborhood of Anafiotika. A wonderful escape from the city, we climb the narrow pathways between these small houses, more reminiscent of a Greek island than Athens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/93f232e3-a089-4815-bf6a-c9fbed0d29c0/P1000099.JPG Boarding Pass - Grecian Formula (without the dye) - Make it stand out The view from our apartment window. Sunday worshipers of God above and worshipers of the Sun below. https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2024/1/28/a-leisurely-walk-through-paris monthly 0.5 2024-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/9e59eea5-9736-4369-91d7-dcd626fdf187/IMG_3805.jpeg Boarding Pass - A Leisurely Walk Through Paris - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/8763b963-665b-4901-a305-213621250c9c/IMG_3730.jpeg Boarding Pass - A Leisurely Walk Through Paris - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1fe63cae-6186-4b48-8acc-9fa914674d0d/IMG_3716.jpeg Boarding Pass - A Leisurely Walk Through Paris - Make it stand out Stopping to look at details of a Rodin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/a35448ed-d437-4d8e-abbe-5584dda9b6c0/IMG_3747.jpeg Boarding Pass - A Leisurely Walk Through Paris - Make it stand out The Père Lachaise Cemetery is more like a lovely walk in the park except with dead people in it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/b09d6972-cc7f-489a-bdb3-65838b4095d0/IMG_3760photoshopped.jpg Boarding Pass - A Leisurely Walk Through Paris - Make it stand out Visiting Paris and not looking like vagabonds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/fb8f8d87-5609-4e2e-b97d-f3cfb7f06ac0/IMG_3713.jpeg Boarding Pass - A Leisurely Walk Through Paris - Make it stand out It’s always time for lunch in Paris. Iconic pic of Musee d’Orsay cafe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/47215a77-a73b-4258-9b04-59e2983142ce/IMG_3764.jpeg Boarding Pass - A Leisurely Walk Through Paris - Make it stand out Details that we failed to notice when attending concerts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/b3f46c0d-0032-4a53-a883-cf3959bbb9c8/IMG_0029.jpeg Boarding Pass - A Leisurely Walk Through Paris - Make it stand out There are also various monuments to groups of people such as World War II veterans and this one for the victims at Auschwitz. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/90b2caa3-090a-4293-a671-906dc419f5d5/R%26G-459.jpg Boarding Pass - A Leisurely Walk Through Paris - Make it stand out Reception at Le Cercle de l’Union Interalliée. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/baad30a0-96d5-440f-b071-771d9b4a00ab/IMG_3788.jpeg Boarding Pass - A Leisurely Walk Through Paris - Make it stand out Strolling through the Luxembourg Gardens after lunch on a warm spring day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/d3b201ac-b871-454d-92e4-58e209ade139/IMG_3736.jpeg Boarding Pass - A Leisurely Walk Through Paris - Make it stand out Painting a building can be a work of art. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/316399d1-8eb2-47c1-a327-e3d75ddf99b1/IMG_3811.jpg Boarding Pass - A Leisurely Walk Through Paris - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/4ef0d525-9990-4452-b3ce-3d1e092bf601/IMG_0034.jpeg Boarding Pass - A Leisurely Walk Through Paris - Make it stand out RIP Jim https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/e2523dd7-cc98-4ded-baba-ec24345e6487/R%26G-328.jpg Boarding Pass - A Leisurely Walk Through Paris - Make it stand out The American Cathedral in Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/b20ff7d9-6991-4781-bc17-76a5dfbc0108/IMG_3799.jpeg Boarding Pass - A Leisurely Walk Through Paris - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/0beec1f7-b2c9-46b6-8706-7ee031759f99/IMG_3773.jpeg Boarding Pass - A Leisurely Walk Through Paris - Make it stand out In the bar at the opera house, where the staff are setting up for an event as we take it all in. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/5a662bb0-f41d-4941-a421-b4b365c234d9/IMG_3725.jpeg Boarding Pass - A Leisurely Walk Through Paris - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/5858acfd-5f7d-42c5-ae48-e2d14d42def1/IMG_0023.jpeg Boarding Pass - A Leisurely Walk Through Paris - Make it stand out There are several subterranean columbariums, this one with many floral offerings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/dd85cb64-2f43-44d2-9b59-0a87b0d7ec08/IMG_3789.jpeg Boarding Pass - A Leisurely Walk Through Paris - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/58bbb6cf-f74d-4dc4-a7cc-2629a1a5df4c/IMG_3722.jpeg Boarding Pass - A Leisurely Walk Through Paris - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/36d4735f-1fef-4511-be6f-50b649d1c6f5/IMG_3743.jpeg Boarding Pass - A Leisurely Walk Through Paris - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/039c697e-7ea7-46e6-a498-742163937bac/IMG_3801.jpeg Boarding Pass - A Leisurely Walk Through Paris - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/22063a74-0a89-40f6-932b-a1b1a330098c/IMG_3790.jpeg Boarding Pass - A Leisurely Walk Through Paris - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/a745ee02-926c-4074-a1a0-df05fd679e43/IMG_3767.jpeg Boarding Pass - A Leisurely Walk Through Paris - Make it stand out Still crowded, but not so bad that we couldn’t still admire the grand staircase. Note influencer dressed up in pink dress for her blog post…SMH. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/d7ee7dbc-c2be-4e8e-8eb3-231ad4926298/IMG_3726.jpeg Boarding Pass - A Leisurely Walk Through Paris - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2024/1/27/blub-blub-blub-british-virgin-islands monthly 0.5 2024-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/32ea8995-824b-4e29-b1df-d9cbfff2ca19/DSCN9033.JPG Boarding Pass - Blub, blub, blub. Diving the British Virgin Islands on a Liveaboard - Make it stand out Bill still trying to equalize. Still not having much luck. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/6e37eb62-97e6-4c1c-be3f-691920d6a0e3/DSCN9064.JPG Boarding Pass - Blub, blub, blub. Diving the British Virgin Islands on a Liveaboard - Make it stand out A nice cool cave to splash around in. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/2a2bca47-a74d-4561-86a3-781609a0282c/DSCN9030.JPG Boarding Pass - Blub, blub, blub. Diving the British Virgin Islands on a Liveaboard - Make it stand out Ellen is off and on her way. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/cf5cdc22-0307-47d0-a276-55eeb3990bba/DSCN9021.JPG Boarding Pass - Blub, blub, blub. Diving the British Virgin Islands on a Liveaboard - Make it stand out After a sweaty hike, we all make it to the top of one of the islands with a great view. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/a3c0a8c8-e396-435f-87cb-462062329072/DSCN9136.JPG Boarding Pass - Blub, blub, blub. Diving the British Virgin Islands on a Liveaboard - Make it stand out Our skipper hunts Lionfish on our dives, thus helping to rid the area of a coral-wrecking invasive species while providing a very tasty supper. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/ca746db3-b3b7-4529-96ad-2eb9f5ceb98c/DSCN9122.JPG Boarding Pass - Blub, blub, blub. Diving the British Virgin Islands on a Liveaboard - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/5441985c-63f0-4439-b833-60b23334b46e/DSCN9192.JPG Boarding Pass - Blub, blub, blub. Diving the British Virgin Islands on a Liveaboard - Make it stand out Finally, ears are comfortable and off to explore. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/60abb184-3c7d-424f-bdea-b7629bd5b3c6/DSCN9093.JPG Boarding Pass - Blub, blub, blub. Diving the British Virgin Islands on a Liveaboard - Make it stand out As usual, Ellen is perfectly at home under the sea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/06d72381-911e-4604-937d-e6b7485cb6d7/DSCN3191.JPG Boarding Pass - Blub, blub, blub. Diving the British Virgin Islands on a Liveaboard - Make it stand out Everybody smile! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/6dbd1a6c-ee76-46fb-a812-8659c30c0fb3/DSCN9104.JPG Boarding Pass - Blub, blub, blub. Diving the British Virgin Islands on a Liveaboard - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/d1e211fe-c151-4333-ae21-ceb9ef50ebba/DSCN9087Corr.jpg Boarding Pass - Blub, blub, blub. Diving the British Virgin Islands on a Liveaboard - Make it stand out Meanwhile, Bill is still trying to equalize without much success. https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2020/6/21/new-zealand monthly 0.5 2020-10-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1593546601770-0XLLZC2BO2PSTY4CKX3X/IMG_0444.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan Downtown Auckland. Nice. Clean. Manageable. Hard to say much more. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1602109822759-XZ5BOGKQONB99KGJK8A3/IMG_0457.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan Chandeliers in a tasting room on Waiheke Island. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1595196792629-H3MOL3DYHKQEMNT0RNK6/IMG_0566.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan We had to go to a museum to see a kiwi. We talked to several New Zealanders who, despite going out late at night with flashlights, had never seen the nocturnal bird in the wild, so we didn’t feel so deprived. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1595197195723-IZ2LRO8QPNFUX3C2QU2O/IMG_0458.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan Many beaches, few people! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1601060579946-H5LA5B01RE5LQF6OIXLD/P1010883.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1595286824172-YY54KMV1ZDCCMHNC8AVC/P1010816.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan Wild colors and a variety of geothermal activity at the Wai-OTapu thermal park make for a surrealistic landscape and experience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1602361364157-8JXS96DHYCB8L4PZWJCB/IMG_0552.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan We combine many winery visits with plenty of bicycling. Loaded down with several bottles from our tastings, we often bike on until dusk. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1593545722669-NTKK0E8CKHBQ7UFZA8C2/IMG_0459.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan View from Mudbrick Winery on Waiheke Island. The island has many opportunities for first-class wine tasting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1595286165999-POWR3E91GDIACSZR6A64/IMG_0466.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan Among the largest insects in the world, we found this Weta in a cave while on our nighttime viewing of glow worms. We also took many pictures of the glow worms, but deleted them since they just looked like pictures of blackness with tiny specs of shiny dust here and there. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1602361521507-R4VDLNW4NS2IJQVFP1VP/P1010821.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1602361916157-9FHPWAK9QR4FMRJT7ALT/P1010889+2.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1595288453202-D2FLISJPUS65LS1WLY1U/P1010825.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan A surprising find near our Airbnb in Rotorua is a redwood forest. Lots of trails here for serious mountain bikers and first-timers such as ourselves. Notice those giant ferns! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1601060710274-NMDY7D556HKVJFWLNU2X/P1010907.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan At the end of the road, we board a boat tour of the fjords. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1602361434086-ILCHFJ6485GOF0EDOVFV/P1010831.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1602478663378-71Q6FCI13EGGIE1XBTRZ/IMG_1942.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan Wellington. Had we known what a wonderful city this is, we probably would have booked a few more nights here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1601059250353-93DF4QPO0L1W581UONOB/P1010840.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan Cape Farewell at the northernmost tip of the South Island. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1602361608805-83HWNQSZMHYO2NGQUAR2/IMG_0679.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1595289577326-F4R7L80LDABS16ZWTDJF/IMG_0678.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan Alison and Ellen, sad that the tide is out. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1601060513676-AFB4A08AEM74B47FPTJ4/P1010881.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan Our early morning bus ride stops for a coffee break and picture taking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1601059015395-QQRS8EGBMJ0VJI7IBXBC/P1010873.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan This is what we came to New Zealand for. Our photo file goes on and on with incredible shots of the natural beauty of the South Island. This shot was taken outside of Dunedin on the Otago Peninsula, heading for the Royal Albatross Centre. The journey was breathtaking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1595287787958-PSG0QA0ZM9YOVJM0XTWR/IMG_0540.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan We arrive just in time to experience some of the festivities at the annual Art Deco festival in Napier. Lots of music and food and many people in costume partying late into the night. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1601060791281-8HNNT8NRAF40Q1SVJ587/P1010912.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1602478623864-C21VDVE5C2AU1BPPV1PS/IMG_1922.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1601060847910-4HCGEYRWU9UU8QNZZCOW/P1010924.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1602361745625-PEXQZRSIPNV39KXPLBXJ/P1010898.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan Front seat on our tour bus convoy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1595287506218-L1QMR7AEL88X9RA9S659/IMG_0515.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan Afterwards, we head on over to soak in the Waikite thermal pools, about 1 km down the road. Afterwards we took a walk up this steaming river that feeds the pools. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1601060007508-LAZYBBRXLZRELQRODVWZ/P1010860.jpg Boarding Pass - New Zealand -- Before The S*** Hit the Fan We didn’t see any Albatross in flight, but with a 3 meter wing span (almost 10 feet!), they are supposed to be quite a sight. https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2019/4/5/japan monthly 0.5 2019-08-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564776694686-EMPV0FAIKXNNPNJCA604/IMG_1065.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon On our last day, we get on an early morning ferry, to get on a train, to get on a bus to get to an airport, to fly back to Tokyo, to finally fly home. Great transportation infrastructure here, practically seamless transfers throughout Japan! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564774257633-LIEKAGJ7K9GT172MXMGS/P1010471.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Hakone open air museum. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1554470785208-DJ798UZ9CDTRR69FOCW7/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1554470456916-ZAZFO2TSHQV8ZAQE8E1K/IMG_2522.JPG Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1554468710515-JZJ6R8QIVXRX87SJ56H3/IMG_2438.JPG Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Lanterns line the Meguro River as cherry blossoms are in full bloom. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564773630512-IW3US7Z1KWUZA96L2SYR/P1010295.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Akihabara, originally the electronics center of Tokyo after the war. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564686214793-R6JFK93SAA5P7PQCBCOS/P1010261.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564775758836-O0D56AEEOIWM6T7RUEEP/P1010670.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Many strange dark corridors in an area of Kyoto filled with restaurants and bars. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564775234310-1O7D9PO9U4NEAGFPVSGP/P1010727.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon An example of Bonseki, the ancient Japanese art of creating miniature landscapes on black lacquer trays using only white sand, pebbles, and small rocks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564683387069-R8XNIRN7953OG3W7W9X6/IMG_0915.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon A stoic guard chef greets us at the entry to Kappabashi street. Bill goes shopping for Japanese knives. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564775711671-QJLOBHHARNUG7JAD6Z92/IMG_0664.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Distressed geisha surrounded by dozens of tourists snapping photos, seeks refuge in a limousine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1565386425781-0CLJB3QRX9UHPOIN8QDQ/teshima_museum_top-thumb-1440x967-486.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon It is like being inside a large drop of water yourself where you then observe other, smaller droplets of water randomly roll past you on the concrete floor. Oddly, people sit there for hours in this minimalist space, presumably contemplating if they themselves are not like drops of water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564803114623-EJAXBCA5SUWOCRO61P23/IMG_0463.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Walking through the park, this couple seemed to be posing for a professional photo shoot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564774577242-RP80YJ4NEFDZ67GFKU4S/IMG_0979.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Mt. Fuji keeps appearing as if posing for portraits. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564803195897-9YNYSZJQSY4GFWJ8WQCH/IMG_0571.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon It was hard to resist taking picture after picture of all the cherry blossoms. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564775029031-YKL3MCO2N2AI6A6U5UCO/P1010739.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Historic merchant house in Naramachi district in Nara. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564775475874-F1RB55P6AFWBEMZOIW0N/P1010797.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon On Naoshima Island. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564683525298-D760FMOI6RTT2YO19UOR/P1010229.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Not fake news — but fake food. Wonderfully realistic replicas of fast food are like works of pop art. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564775607438-9DTZJESVNEK94Y6QXNBB/P1010629.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon In the district near the Kiyomizu-dera temple, Kyoto. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564775549869-TJ2B9NBMP1ZK5PTYYB11/IMG_1037.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Some of the well preserved buildings in Kyoto. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564803407827-228680E3TV2GXRIZ9HMQ/IMG_0735.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Some very warm Buddhas. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564784271282-HQV5TX7C5UFDNPED0WWZ/IMG_0539.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Outside the temple, thousands of wishes are tied to the fences which are interspersed with barrels of saki. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564774367182-UZUF7KMDHLZILGDSVANI/P1010485.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Up in the mountains, this is a wonderful blend of art and nature. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564802646530-KQG3ZMXPZRQT0CNCCGTI/P1010533.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon A popular thing to do is to rent kimonos. These young ladies were very willing to pose for tourists’ photos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564784592389-GBI9EXAW38JQMDIVCSF1/IMG_0576.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon The iconic Golden Temple (Kinkaku-ji) just outside Kyoto. Sadly, no one is allowed inside the building but it is still worth the trip. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564784140227-86AVUG00FXSL02U1VJ2R/IMG_0555.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Cartoon-like mascots are used to promote various enterprises; here a Shinto temple mascot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564775688626-QMJN85FEU0BEGVL58AYT/IMG_0669.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon In the geisha district of Kyoto. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564775317780-F1VZPTDY8C0SESJBW3HX/IMG_1047.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564775154713-BYMQ7PQWVOJUPOYRY3D3/P1010726.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Bonseki exhibition. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564773802596-4DMBM7UBEVQYK917WARW/P1010430.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564773084332-JDSVXGQMV8ISWW7G3V61/P1010304.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo’s Times Square. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564784390523-4QCO08Z0CPMZSVIR4DJX/IMG_0422.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Hmmm…While we appreciate the English translation . . .huh? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1554470357274-A14PTO08992M2G6VKPIY/IMG_2397.JPG Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Shinjuku Park, Tokyo, not far from our hotel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564685768882-EQRYW6ZP6RMQLXO9Z6W7/P1010263.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Walking around Tokyo at night: Sensō-ji temple. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564684812235-2DW9MW7B3BIC4KC5HABT/P1010329.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon It’s hard to resist so much beautiful seafood at the Tsukiji market in Tokyo. Broiled scallops, skewers of shrimp, and stand after stand of fresh sushi tempt us tourists. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564784046180-A1XYFEGX64S8LVMUF7QQ/IMG_0405.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564685403229-M8RZL8YNH2730XHDMIGY/P1010285.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Is there an obsession with order here? At least it makes for beautiful food displays. Unfortunately neither of us were able to fully appreciate the Japanese palate for sweets, which are gummy and seemed cloyingly sweet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564774479758-YHL7YMUBQ3XDBV8MNW86/IMG_1034.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Everywhere we go, people in Japan seem to love their street food. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564684875911-AT95A3GO1PMW62YHYKDZ/P1010331.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Interesting sculptural reflections at Hermes gallery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564775663965-Z7LELNAUA58H5YINS9UM/P1010661.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon During cherry blossom time, many impromptu beer gardens spring up beneath the blossoms. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564774670372-CU5SCN8BX5MIBUYKXL1P/P1010555.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon While Ellen stays back at the hotel, Bill joins the group tour up to a village in the mountains. On a walk into the woods he discovers that even in a remote outhouse, they still have heated toilet seats. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564774025060-Y8Q6VT251J754DQ27W5S/P1010376.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Dinner at our Ryokan in Nikko. It is as much a work of art as a meal, but who knows what it all is. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564775435064-3WK7TI3TFKE8V1XO455F/P1010786.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Teshima Island where there is a large art installation (see below) that is hard to describe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564784007682-5QDMWXITQDAR3I021BAL/IMG_0410.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon We knocked on the door, but apparently Darth Vader was not at home. This was a truly massive structure, but we never figured out what it was. Even our tour guide was stumped when we showed him the picture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564684670247-4R25UE7DAEUFYIZYJFPK/P1010252.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Cat cafes abound for those missing their kitties. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564772560070-71O5FRE0S0FK05UYC22S/IMG_0933.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Ameyoko shopping district, formerly the black market area of Tokyo. Noodle shops abound! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564803266977-9A6B7DSAPRFLL060UO00/IMG_0643.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon On a visit to a Buddhist temple we see this posting of Gandhi’s words, that seemed apropos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1554469935477-P7WG3YZ70OA3K8Y74E8G/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Sumo restaurant. We never knew this was a thing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1564802533547-RGF5LUO599IXYWCVD8OT/P1010601.jpg Boarding Pass - Japan--Notes on Nippon Inari gates. Going through these gates, which number in the thousands, takes you up a steep hillside to a mountaintop shrine overlooking Kyoto. https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2019/1/30/india-again monthly 0.5 2019-02-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549334361330-AHT9SDQLJ9836E2ZUQ09/P1000870.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again The milk inspector tests milk for fat content by sticking his hand into the container. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549001684140-I8E3CIWJNVU77WQ5XH4F/P1000668.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again Bicycle rickshaw through Old Delhi. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549000370093-ISOJCY2RQR3LD7OOL6L3/P1000655.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again This picture doesn’t do justice to the electric-blue feathers of this Kingfisher. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549000873696-NO6F9MKPRDHBDVUZ0IZV/P1030280.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again Taking a bicycle rickshaw around Old Delhi, we have plenty of opportunities to take food photos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549000424473-EEVQWCHC3UA8HPISZGS1/P1000685.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549000969371-UTCK2CM819HU164RCVQT/P1000676.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again Thankfully, with all of the vegetarian options, we were able to resist the tempting meat opportunities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1548913691982-36B42F6TNH0CU6MXSFCE/P1000645.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again A monkey enjoys a refreshing (ill-gotten) orange Fanta. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549334403121-TXOXPL7JXQ9IDG53VIW7/P1010019.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again Hawa Mahal in Jaipur. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549000664904-HET3DD71ZO8E8JAZ88X7/P1000661.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again This is actually light traffic and an unusually orderly street scene for India. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549320167593-WEAQOPV1HNBIUAA48GJM/P1010066.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again No passage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549334323427-GDQJ7T2JGHD362HKYQNC/P1000849.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549334266615-HXOO0Z6684MXP34V0BGO/P1000845.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again Arriving at the Amber Fort in Jaipur by elephant. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549334519144-F3U6NYZXD4DTA6XVGYXJ/P1010069.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again Patwa Haveli in Jaisalmer, a cluster of five mansions built by a wealthy Jain trader and his sons. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549320406131-H3PVMNWV3KGO8HJZDE3R/P1010150.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again Our bus comes face-to-face with Elephant. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549001520769-FRPFUO7L21N0SVSCAL05/P1000683.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again Near the Qutub Minar in Delhi. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549002479309-A3JR6BBBEYK8CSCFHXK5/P1000708.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again On the grounds of the Red Fort. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549334441164-I88CLDHXQ43N396ESYHN/P1010024.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again Visit to a Jain temple. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549334667492-1RHJGXBE4F1P4JVNDKEV/P1010077.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again Camel riding not far from the border with Pakistan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549334478530-P2IFM0DZJR6PJ151UL0Z/P1010025.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549000923914-2AVSV1IDNWH0J3ANMM3O/P1000675.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again Ghee is everywhere . . . not so great if you are trying to stay vegan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549319305024-XHU8GCM3C9ITGN4W8QBF/P1000731.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again Detail of the facade. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1548916176509-GMPZO5CO53V4WS3M4ZCC/P1000640.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again Lodhi Gardens near our hotel in Delhi. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549334718377-2D8T9WX5X1I8KA3OV4DA/P1010156.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again A new part of India for us — Udaipur. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549334553168-NB6ODPD22VIRJB54C3ET/P1010094.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again Street eggs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549319150137-YGBMV18JF0GQ417LLIF0/photo%282%29.JPG Boarding Pass - India . . . Again A picture that’s worth a thousand words…oh so India! We wouldn’t want to be the next riders in this Tuk Tuk. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549319565983-HKC5VOYHCI3E3SUOEPT0/IMG_0220.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again A sign outside a temple. Actually, this image is from our previous trip which included southern India, but we felt it necessary to include because it is oh so India. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549319260706-9AC9TJ468EEEOE2I5HBA/P1000729.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah, sometimes called the Baby Taj. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549003086895-R6FJDZQ07MOUVOHP3UAW/P1030284.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again Bolts of fabric await some seamstress’ imagination. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549319884876-P6HBYWSZV5TSEK99OH1K/P1000769.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again On the “Mother” Ganges, putting her to sleep at night with our prayers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549003051139-Q8RHG7AEFBCIMLNFT2F6/P1000819.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549319806844-VPYVN4JZSH83LYY3XA4X/P1000781.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again Our favorite part of the trip: the holy city of Varanasi. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1548914658984-7LKZLBZ05MYVJSNJUYLP/P1000714.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549320038314-XOCS9TD9SYANV7Q9G20U/P1000798.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1549319948789-M9EO1Y6M5C8YTE05V8FO/P1000808.jpg Boarding Pass - India . . . Again Daytime on the ghats of Varanasi. https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2018/7/4/fjording-ahead monthly 0.5 2018-07-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530805995258-RC6YA0KEXYTJWCEI9QKA/P1000412.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead Taking advantage of the opportunity to get off the ship, we join a tour of the Lofoten Islands, which proves to be well worth it for picture taking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530807584901-DKFJ7T1Q94FB1V1BJHYB/P1000448.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530823025082-IVLIHX1U6LC9IG0TCIWZ/P1000576.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead Overnight stay in a stable at the Røisheim Hotel. This is actually one of two historic hotels we stayed at in Norway. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530821054619-DENEP9NU75QH6VQHEQNC/P1000496.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead Stave church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530811196756-93IXOIJDMUDUO2V7KGAD/P1000485.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead In Bergen, we note how well they care for their trees, knitting them wraps to keep them warm during the cold winter months. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530823705030-J6I2G2IUVK8KA7BHUAVF/P1000624.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead Oslo's city center is decidedly mellow compared to most European capitals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530809555257-7UEQ9KB19MRBLO7CV5O7/P1000466.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530824602126-QYZGUOKQCGKPE6CAJ68Q/P1000620.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead More Norwegian wood at the Oslo Opera House. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530807654169-P5WZ06Y2BM1B9HAPJTLU/P1000450.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead Okay. Maybe there aren't many cultural differences. It was hard to find locals not on their smart phones. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530811288753-3F0Q80TH6KH7J24WGVW2/P1000475.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead Ellen's troll. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530824469525-IYRLY4A0M53UPKXXY9F1/P1000612.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530820798983-CLSGG7TA12RHNF449EWO/P1000528.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead Rooftop gardening. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530810241894-D3934XA9KNN0GVDD1CV1/P1000462.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead Bergen is a very pretty city, lying beneath steep hillsides. Here we are in the German Hanseatic part of town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530823314022-S3OV7C4NESUHB15DUFJD/P1000604.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead Magnificent waterfalls are everywhere, aided by heavy winter snows and an unusually warm spring. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530822059419-SZQN9W5PZE7BB4YOHMVI/P1000544.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead One of the many waterfalls we pass on our way north. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530821128191-E9ZRBTR7A4HPQ0HQHQVE/P1000510.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530821977556-YVH47OAB0QUHA6JLZEJQ/P1000499.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead Actual graffiti from medieval times. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530811347868-0SL6OF52QCT8J1UDUI3K/IMG_0236.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead We stay one night at a hotel in the German Hanseatic district of Bergen, rebuilt in the early 1700s after a fire destroyed the original buildings. Above the bathtub is all that remains of an old hoist once used to pull cargo up to the storage rooms in the attic of this building. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530811415547-M6BGGOJ0SS8MFIBU6018/IMG_0197.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead The day of celebration ends with a torchlight parade followed by fireworks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530806251141-KA7KMMYB3TY440RZF3XS/P1000406.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead Supposedly a source of national pride, stockfish (air-dried cod) is ubiquitous throughout this part of Norway. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530806620124-Y5I0EJUBS0FJW1IXPUTZ/P1000395.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530812315168-LIQTXJ5MWSNIW11IKS13/P1000521.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead Leaving Bergen, we drive a few hours north then ferry across another fjord for an overnight in the charming village of Balestrand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530823801328-5PN13ATD9UWTPNO4OFAG/P1000609.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead Sculpture by Gustav Vigeland in Vigeland Park. Supposedly Vigeland gave the boy a candy, then took it back to get this reaction. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530824657544-VZGXRLB97I8NFP0T03CW/P1000623.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead Sculpture in the harbor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530822143834-TEHZWWFAIKQJY7015BFV/P1000538.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530811118773-FI0JG3LJLCBCOGBH4ODB/P1000457.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead Walking in between the buildings in the Hanseatic district. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530823385423-2B8F6KJMMKRFDGP1O3F0/P1000607.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead Crystal-clean waters. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530822208192-SEH4HD2HJHSOMJS8A9GS/P1000586.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead The iconic and narrow Geiranger fjord. Beautiful but choked with cruise ships. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530806880450-FBFW182B15U1PKLZ60JH/P1000416.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead Nighttime on the Lofoten Islands. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530824715808-SMUU6BWLJ1B0AOXBTOV3/P1000625.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead Just one more Viking museum! This museum had some incredibly well-preserved Viking ships that were very much worth seeing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530748834539-IUZTZKQQVP86NJVJORVB/P1000345.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530823175816-Z9X5HQW2MUNCPOGMV2KU/IMG_0230.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead One of the many long and winding roads that we take. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530810153618-ONT8PWCA89H3YNYOZD4H/P1000440.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1530824539648-SHR8C1TZWG2G4QI6E7DG/P1000617.jpg Boarding Pass - Fjording Ahead Woodwork inside a room in Oslo City Hall. https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2018/5/15/the-skinny-on-scandinavia-sweden-and-denmark-that-is monthly 0.5 2018-05-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526394061340-3KKQK01064PKGIML3142/IMG_1913.JPG Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) Nice little cottage for sale in a great location. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526389096569-3AZLC1MG1IQH7UYRQK2T/IMG_1765.JPG Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) Windmills dot the island of Öland outside of Kalmar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526377079143-SIX7M546S6LG5CP7TI10/IMG_1691.JPG Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) Beautiful and clean Stockholm https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526394903597-PAXI29XHKY33Q3JCPBCN/IMG_1883.JPG Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526394995212-Y4WO43S07NZFUX6VURGJ/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) Tivoli becomes magical at night when the lights come on. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526387396821-SD3QNNHJO0IB1OCYZ1AY/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) unfortunately they only offered outdoor seating when we visited https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526386559229-WNJOKW9NSHU3IO3KINN5/IMG_1713.JPG Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) Strolling along the Stockholm waterfront headed toward Embassy Row. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526404404278-OEMBFQL05PSFQQHFTA6T/IMG_1836.JPG Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526388683352-ARHTRQ8KX8JUYAMUBEJV/IMG_1780.JPG Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) You know you’re right in the middle of things when you see the 7-Eleven, Burger King, and KFC before you.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526395223933-MIUADAX92G6JLGSUSQJA/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) Tivoli and its well-tended gardens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526393681625-143YRIWN0YNJIH3UBJLT/IMG_1845.JPG Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526389465790-1Z60RHHUCOUYC6G88MHU/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) Lots of churches, thatched cottages, and Viking burial sites to see in Öland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526387228164-6BH1NIT88WOQQ2BEWK4H/IMG_1728.JPG Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) One of the oldest buildings in Sigtuna, it currently houses a popular cafe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526388327059-1OAJ7K40X20QGKKX4DDP/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) This rug cleaning house is still in use. Rugs are placed on the floor, then the floor lowers down into the water where they can be scrubbed and cleaned with lake water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526393835538-M7MLC69RBI415TJACB41/IMG_1840.JPG Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) Ever challenging the boundaries between art and garbage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526387961805-G7FXTFFPFCRPTCDB4VKF/IMG_1745.JPG Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) The glass bar at a hotel in glass country known for its many glass decorations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526389891001-BOWJ3UZTLM1L0OF6SZTH/IMG_1798.JPG Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526387620930-8GHOWRTZ2LSLQH2KL3I3/IMG_1736.JPG Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) Overlooking the lake from a viewpoint above Sigtuna.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526388176282-22ET0JEIGVZGW1DEY0TP/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) Kalmar cathedral. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526394260893-3LSWIRGT0VCZF6TNDGF5/IMG_1902.JPG Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) More thatched roofs on Ærö. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526394399591-XBIS0Y732ZOR0U12UTQX/IMG_1904.JPG Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) Ellen goes shopping at an honor box. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526388833760-1P1PRP9LBANLZ60I5OV4/IMG_1816.JPG Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526387824600-QA58CH91UJLAQADF0ZA7/IMG_1740.JPG Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) Our little red cottage in Kalmar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526389390374-HKR4BJVE5TTX57IIEMIQ/IMG_1758.JPG Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526386846762-77GT35MZSD1LGEW40VE5/IMG_1703.JPG Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526387508562-PHJ1W9MMC2VTODXA8101/IMG_1735.JPG Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) Daffodils in Sigtuna. They seem to grow everywhere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526394159053-6RJV12PP3N1R9IQOWEV0/IMG_1901.JPG Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) Wonderful bicycling on Ærö. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526404305567-2Q7XOC4674NYOK4VTRZU/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526388105286-2WU9YLL25IYMY05ZL6BX/IMG_1769.JPG Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) Kalmar at night. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526388920523-BZD6VC76P53U8IHFH7JS/IMG_1777.JPG Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) Ecletic little stores manage to exist beside the H&Ms and TGIFridays chains in this central area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526394491314-QYKKRXC4W8FMVN27PP0O/IMG_1917.JPG Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) We paused here to photograph this typical Danish house, and after a minute of being quiet, hundreds of frogs began singing us a loud serenade. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526393765717-0JL0LTR0QL2ADRDRDSL1/IMG_1838.JPG Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1526387055212-KGC1KCVUKP1T21I1D8SD/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - The Skinny on Scandinavia (Sweden and Denmark, that is) The central square in Sigtuna. Even in the cold rain, this was a wonderful excursion.  https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2017/9/24/england monthly 0.5 2017-11-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1506279910905-GDPLDSON0J5IVLG9KGBT/IMG_1370.JPG Boarding Pass - England Punting on the River Cam through Cambridge--a great way to see the backyards of the colleges. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1506280111831-AQ2O6SQ4VU4P1TW11XY0/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - England The Corpus Clock, officially unveiled in 2008 by Stephen Hawking.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1506530631352-71AO0PF7PR42CPHPH1LU/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - England The sun sets in York as we walk the Medieval wall around the city and stop in to this hotel with Ellen's concerns regarding a distressed dog trapped in a stone holding pen in between the wall and their yard. Everything immediately came to a stop despite a very busy bar, as a hotel rescue party was organized. The English absolutely adore their dogs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1506277811962-N2D8SVMONVM0ZZ61JUE4/IMG_1318.JPG Boarding Pass - England Our dear friend, Alison Buck, shows us a different side of the UK as we leave London and fly to the old-fashioned Isle of Man with her for the weekend. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1510364417418-DVDUZYAPZZXJB7QOKXND/P1010940.jpg Boarding Pass - England https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1506273434669-EKIDKF4E0TKMZNZCNUJ9/IMG_1283.JPG Boarding Pass - England We begin our trip by visiting Tony and Christine, our friends in Kent, who take us on a tour of Canterbury and Dover. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1506273708928-YN3MVQD380RREQQRQRNU/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - England London with St. Paul’s Cathedral looming large in the background--a city with an exciting mix of old and new. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1506280650793-QTTKGPMM6G09AZ1ZG0MO/IMG_1411.JPG Boarding Pass - England A beautiful beginning to our first hike in the Cotswolds, before torrential rain, mud, and lack of reliable signposts causing frequent lost direction make our muscles ache and our moods a bit soggy as a 5 hour walk becomes a wet 9 hour trek. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1506273660124-91PG9VXHUXXEZS3OHAHG/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - England https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1506284293319-F3HDIJBEJDH6GCQ6KFUN/IMG_1430.JPG Boarding Pass - England Everywhere, lots and lots of sheep. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1506531633095-JVX9HTYONOK3HY6KTSU3/IMG_1477.JPG Boarding Pass - England More hiking, now in the Lake District. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1506531281301-AKUM5H80JE8V0O10U1V4/IMG_1453.JPG Boarding Pass - England We wish we had more time to spend in the fascinating city of York. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1506532049516-OHPAZF54K8RU1GE9532A/IMG_1488.JPG Boarding Pass - England Steep hike up to the top of Catbells Mountain in the Lake District. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1506531780930-UP6HK30105NRLEU2TZDX/IMG_1484.JPG Boarding Pass - England Our memory card is filled with dozens of shots like this in the Lake District. It was hard deciding which ones to post. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1506265661684-0DW8HEJ5ZM6HT569AIDL/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - England https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1506279681997-K2PL0TCFLKDUXVDRQA1S/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - England Water wheel/pump on the Isle of Man.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1506280024259-71FTW23SJ960OS0HW2O0/IMG_1371.JPG Boarding Pass - England The Mathematical Bridge in Cambridge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1506284182284-TXKMS8MEKKBQ0KFGVG18/IMG_1422.JPG Boarding Pass - England Many quaint villages like Stow-On-The-Wold to visit in the Cotswolds area of England. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1506284242162-M5GR0NX1Z53A16LW1X3X/IMG_1424.JPG Boarding Pass - England Ancient and marvelous Yew trees, like these, that were supposedly an inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien. https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2017/10/17/bqn121ojqt9fi6wcnl15knggb9skdw monthly 0.5 2023-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508299563236-FTP97EZPXHQZ6VBFDAEH/IMG_0087.jpg Boarding Pass - Ellen's "Roots" Trip https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508302031236-76HEAYP24JC6CM9FTTBT/IMG_0078.JPG Boarding Pass - Ellen's "Roots" Trip Shoes collected from the victims at Auschwitz. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508301959512-1GNVH2NGZG1MKT9QCZFU/IMG_0066.JPG Boarding Pass - Ellen's "Roots" Trip Sculpture at Dachau. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508305515204-NYMXRCICGQ56OFZUZLNB/IMG_0080.JPG Boarding Pass - Ellen's "Roots" Trip https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508302183816-Z9V8DJ9KO2OQ629NOQF5/IMG_0081.JPG Boarding Pass - Ellen's "Roots" Trip https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508305462291-FNFAN64RNOCQRYT1286G/IMG_0076.JPG Boarding Pass - Ellen's "Roots" Trip https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508305579567-PFXT4E6OQCH6Q87LU42D/IMG_0069.JPG Boarding Pass - Ellen's "Roots" Trip Gate of the Jewish memorial at Dachau. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508302099591-406FOTBD9UEMRLFC5OE1/IMG_0070.JPG Boarding Pass - Ellen's "Roots" Trip https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508299607241-UM1M5IJQ1A8JFTQ6G9UR/IMG_0072.JPG Boarding Pass - Ellen's "Roots" Trip The Memorial to the Murdered Members of the Reichstag commemorates 96 members of the parliament who were murdered for not sharing the political views of the Nazi party. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508302210157-CDMYYKM3SUQGB3RE86KS/IMG_0077.JPG Boarding Pass - Ellen's "Roots" Trip Empty canisters of cyanide that were used at Auschwitz. https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2017/8/15/the-bozobus-the-baltics-and-the-borsht monthly 0.5 2017-11-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1502847812369-I8LMV9CK5VFRK07TOZ3W/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Bozobus, the Baltics, and the Borscht https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1502848383639-9HJQ11OG5FNPL66YDM19/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Bozobus, the Baltics, and the Borscht Bringing back to life some of the buildings that survived the war is still an ongoing project. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1502860115770-L6SSRSO8XO65AIHS5GA1/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Bozobus, the Baltics, and the Borscht It seems that everywhere you look, there are ever more incredible mosaics in this church. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1502850808425-RQSB943X7VV63KVXCUVD/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Bozobus, the Baltics, and the Borscht Catherine's Palace about a 1 hour drive from St. Petersburg in a pastoral countryside setting. Gold, gold, everywhere. Move over, Versailles...this place is incredible! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1502860185128-QMKZH5R0TLJ7HLZXJITB/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Bozobus, the Baltics, and the Borscht There is way too much here to capture in photos and, yes, all mosiacs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1502847098744-1NG0LTZTVV9PYSH835W9/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Bozobus, the Baltics, and the Borscht Shot during a visit to the Jasna Gora Monastery in Poland. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1502852037792-SJAF51OPI1LEMCRPAC5S/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Bozobus, the Baltics, and the Borscht The Yusupov Palace turns out to be one of our favorites. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1502850310050-WR4AGJHWROX5L6IM8AK2/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Bozobus, the Baltics, and the Borscht A morning walking tour takes us past these art nouveau style buildings in Riga. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1502860013053-2UN91KMGG1XIYFR2NFFJ/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Bozobus, the Baltics, and the Borscht Since it gets so cold in Saint Petersburg, paintings are not such a good bet compared to mosaics, which wear much better. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1502850423941-UN67BU8OU2GSV7D6VBHQ/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Bozobus, the Baltics, and the Borscht https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1502848886223-CMMOKH7JHHZ5SFE0EOHD/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Bozobus, the Baltics, and the Borscht The longest day of the year is celebrated in Riga Latvia with performances by many choral groups. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1502852335626-2B9DZRHD5CTD2VXZIJJY/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Bozobus, the Baltics, and the Borscht Inside the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1502847926287-BAPOIEQPX1Z40F86D4YY/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Bozobus, the Baltics, and the Borscht A park runs through much of Krakow and also rings the old town giving it a much more peaceful feeling than other cities we visited. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1502918050330-PYFEJYQMNNGOJSCIDFE9/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Bozobus, the Baltics, and the Borscht A room full of heads at the Kumu art museum in Tallinn, Estonia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1502848690071-AN5A054VUK4G549J0EFA/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Bozobus, the Baltics, and the Borscht This park, in the middle of Warsaw, is a peaceful escape from the rest of the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1502850156571-25XTI1MTN8DE89ZRMQL8/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Bozobus, the Baltics, and the Borscht Women are busy making and selling wreaths to celebrate the longest day of the year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1502850501555-ARTFOYDWQF1DR1E6QPSM/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Bozobus, the Baltics, and the Borscht Buyer beware when you order the fish sticks at the public market. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1502848128683-CD143WL9HQNZFB0NKYK5/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Bozobus, the Baltics, and the Borscht While much of Warsaw looks like this . . . https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1502917960272-IFS6SB2H8YR3ATW0NX0Z/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Bozobus, the Baltics, and the Borscht Space monkey greets us on our way into town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1502850622537-SUS4P1CRKKEXG86LIKPI/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Bozobus, the Baltics, and the Borscht Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in Saint Petersburg. Major wow factor are the mosaics inside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1502851852949-R37H85ECUOXO1FZL1WIM/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Bozobus, the Baltics, and the Borscht So many venues for fashion shoots in Saint Petersburg. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1502850356930-JS292M7HJ33YXNKI3UKG/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Bozobus, the Baltics, and the Borscht https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1502852090580-GOD0059TTLN9VJE4S4DJ/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Bozobus, the Baltics, and the Borscht The home entertainment system at the Yusupov Palace...they had their own theatre in their “house”. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1502848199824-D6Y4EEA2LXNZCASN2R4X/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Bozobus, the Baltics, and the Borscht . . . the restored Old Town is more tourist-friendly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1502851791418-CKS4YGAOG26QPGRFYJDV/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Bozobus, the Baltics, and the Borscht Eggs, eggs, glorious eggs at the Faberge Museum. https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2017/7/3/bavaria-baden-in-baden-baden-bacharach-berlin-beyond monthly 0.5 2017-07-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1499119989327-SDRALO1B23RX6HX8LZ45/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Bavaria, Baden in Baden-Baden, Bacharach, Berlin & Beyond A walk through the Black Forest, which isn't particularly dark. The Vogensen Kapelle was built by a World War I soldier who made a pact with God to build a chapel in the forest by his hometown if he survived the war. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1499120074472-5G8DQ6LPOVJQLLQQMOBS/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Bavaria, Baden in Baden-Baden, Bacharach, Berlin & Beyond Walking out of the woods and heading for town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1499121917595-8DAQKLRHTUKPTTN6PDY5/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Bavaria, Baden in Baden-Baden, Bacharach, Berlin & Beyond Three photos of a side trip we made to Dresden on our way to Berlin. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1499120454223-XNLB00C04D6A2ELC63ND/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Bavaria, Baden in Baden-Baden, Bacharach, Berlin & Beyond The lazy 8-hour trip up the Rhine takes us past too many castles and towns to keep track of. We pretty much have the whole boat to ourselves except for 1-1/2 noisy hours when two huge tour groups join us. But once they leave, it is peaceful again and we enjoy the long evening light and warm temperatures. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1499121494380-1V7RRF9O4D3GE0EHB5XK/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Bavaria, Baden in Baden-Baden, Bacharach, Berlin & Beyond We join the other tourists in taking snapshots of the most photographed street in Europe known for having inspired sets from Disney's Pinocchio to Harry Potter. Hint to photographers: they're inanimate buildings. You don't need to spend 10 minutes waiting for them to pose while you set up your shot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1499120337103-GLYIM58SRK7RE6JGYET6/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Bavaria, Baden in Baden-Baden, Bacharach, Berlin & Beyond Visit to the Wieskirche, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1499120749899-AG3AL3E7RVSMY1FWWL5C/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Bavaria, Baden in Baden-Baden, Bacharach, Berlin & Beyond The Berlin Reichstag. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1499120853806-22DA743F2UXJY3TQUN8X/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Bavaria, Baden in Baden-Baden, Bacharach, Berlin & Beyond A section of what's left of the Berlin Wall. Hint: the wall didn't work out so well in the end. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1499119290902-OKIHK5D4V0Z3N0O2QLVR/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Bavaria, Baden in Baden-Baden, Bacharach, Berlin & Beyond Floating down the Rhine, we spend the day passing picturesque castles and towns. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1499117442448-NGC3KXNOP5196IAL983T/P1000859.JPG Boarding Pass - Bavaria, Baden in Baden-Baden, Bacharach, Berlin & Beyond Neuschwanstein Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1499118428967-WCWESG3TTEMT8UEAY6TY/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Bavaria, Baden in Baden-Baden, Bacharach, Berlin & Beyond https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1499119546155-AFXPG9TOEZGYUSIROMG0/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Bavaria, Baden in Baden-Baden, Bacharach, Berlin & Beyond Checkpoint Charlie, now a crowded tourist mecca with a carnival-like atmosphere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1499119723535-T4VOT4TULLD99566L5E8/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Bavaria, Baden in Baden-Baden, Bacharach, Berlin & Beyond Mary's Bridge in Bavaria. Sorry we didn't get to walk over it, but once people get on to it, they don't want to move, thus making the wait very very long. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1499121617279-UIZCV6EQIEBH2J9M8KQ6/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Bavaria, Baden in Baden-Baden, Bacharach, Berlin & Beyond Built over a marsh, whenever there is major construction in Berlin, as in the case of a new U-bahn line, the high water table necessitates the pumping away of water, hence these blue pipes running along the street. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1499119856055-2GCS5Z4B1V8TECR4G7JP/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Bavaria, Baden in Baden-Baden, Bacharach, Berlin & Beyond Füssen at dusk. A much quieter town after the big cites we have been visiting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1499119147814-4YJMX5PKUZAODQUBK78X/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Bavaria, Baden in Baden-Baden, Bacharach, Berlin & Beyond Annoyed that our way is blocked by police and barricades in front of a fancy hotel, we notice a group of people waiting on the river bank with cameras. We wait with them, chatting with some Europeans, until a band starts playing New Orleans jazz and finally, Obama comes strolling out, and, upon noticing us, waves. He was receiving an award and consoling Angela Merkel, who was presumably asking him WTF? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1499120997320-K9HXN8P1NK1BHKJVRAM4/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Bavaria, Baden in Baden-Baden, Bacharach, Berlin & Beyond Very steep cultivation of wine. It's mostly white and you don't have to pay much for something good and dry. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1499122073962-6XC8GYMKJPPIS4GK36JO/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Bavaria, Baden in Baden-Baden, Bacharach, Berlin & Beyond https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1499121147070-ALQ2Z31GCTWL05ZKKXBJ/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Bavaria, Baden in Baden-Baden, Bacharach, Berlin & Beyond Two photos of Rothenburg. Chock full of day trippers, this is purported to be the best preserved medieval city in Europe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1499121799998-6DB3MZ06FRNXD71DO0LV/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Bavaria, Baden in Baden-Baden, Bacharach, Berlin & Beyond Toy store window in Rothenburg. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1499122030514-IO123O1GUSR93ZH2VSMN/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Bavaria, Baden in Baden-Baden, Bacharach, Berlin & Beyond https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2017/6/21/czech-republic-with-a-heads-up-in-prague monthly 0.5 2017-06-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1498119000892-5VC5XZ34ZS312P8QQ96O/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Czech Republic with a Heads Up in Prague https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1498117932364-1MB5199HG89GRZKKPUWO/IMG_0955.JPG Boarding Pass - Czech Republic with a Heads Up in Prague We found a wonderful vegetarian restaurant along the river bank. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1498120207934-JZ46Y3CTKKL2YIK3RQT4/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Czech Republic with a Heads Up in Prague The past need to promote telecommunications meets with the present need to serve Chinese food.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1498119866829-0OVAIPD0ZV4SXE3L37DU/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Czech Republic with a Heads Up in Prague https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1498121583048-SKKRH6I55AO1XBRN0V2B/IMG_1148.JPG Boarding Pass - Czech Republic with a Heads Up in Prague Old Town Square. There always seems to be lots of music and street performers here entertaining the crowds.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1498120579136-U85LUHRVJNOEASIOWI4J/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Czech Republic with a Heads Up in Prague Beautiful interiors too.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1498120352906-AGAJQ1PQ2DYQ3OU31YRW/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Czech Republic with a Heads Up in Prague A walk along the river takes us past countless art neuvo buildings.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1498121682295-53S8116QWA56GZDUR8CO/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Czech Republic with a Heads Up in Prague Old Town Square at night.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1498121025934-5J8BGY7ZOI5G977323CE/IMG_1162.JPG Boarding Pass - Czech Republic with a Heads Up in Prague Graveyard in Jewish Quarter.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1498120820539-HYRV79WUDXF8TJIYDR0B/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Czech Republic with a Heads Up in Prague Tile work in the basement of the Municipal House. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1498121474148-U0VVLB4A3HMT1VBN6VMS/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Czech Republic with a Heads Up in Prague Astronomical clock.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1498119758121-5SZA0M6EIACXB68OGC0B/IMG_1156.JPG Boarding Pass - Czech Republic with a Heads Up in Prague Sometimes referred to as the "Fred and Ginger" building (Astaire & Rodgers), Frank Gehry was one of its architects.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1498117731714-H6N342A8FNESBFP7SLCK/IMG_0959.JPG Boarding Pass - Czech Republic with a Heads Up in Prague View of Cesky Krumlov in the Spring from its Castle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1498119925968-JN47MMTE0Z7YQLJBPWW7/IMG_1135.JPG Boarding Pass - Czech Republic with a Heads Up in Prague https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1498120126567-TRZMH00GJATR4ZX41HSQ/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Czech Republic with a Heads Up in Prague https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1498120450278-UUB5KSY76WK2EBBNUVNY/IMG_1168.JPG Boarding Pass - Czech Republic with a Heads Up in Prague The head of Kafka. It turns around, fragments, and reassembles itself. No need to look up for this one: it's already in your face.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1498120736075-ZY3ULZSKZZKFAD7KYU9W/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Czech Republic with a Heads Up in Prague Art neuvo bar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1498119507518-LSS13DDDS12BU31XSGKA/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Czech Republic with a Heads Up in Prague When in Prague, Look Up!  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1498120633538-TU5K1KF166Z2FF884I40/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Czech Republic with a Heads Up in Prague Prague is of special interest to typographers.    https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1498121181357-FSX6BRF2S0C082T4VMJK/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Czech Republic with a Heads Up in Prague https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1498120011432-V97E2YYBL0EY42WK0515/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Czech Republic with a Heads Up in Prague Look up!  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1498121234641-Z411U1WXOTII2BF3DTL0/IMG_1149.JPG Boarding Pass - Czech Republic with a Heads Up in Prague https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1498121141323-AQU2NUDHSI1B0C87VMSW/IMG_1164.JPG Boarding Pass - Czech Republic with a Heads Up in Prague Another tribute to Kafka.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1498120077093-QX6EZDYPBPFMJ0XO44QF/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Czech Republic with a Heads Up in Prague Hang in there.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1498119258430-KZOTWA98NT7N27LQHXO9/IMG_1160.JPG Boarding Pass - Czech Republic with a Heads Up in Prague Magnificent view of Prague from the balcony at Lobkowicz Palace.  https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2017/6/4/vienna monthly 0.5 2017-06-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1496588012267-7RC0Y61N1KH5GUI2JQQ8/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Waking Up in Awesome Austria https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1496664848875-SV9PPLSX9YVQHGJ8T83G/IMG_1133.JPG Boarding Pass - Waking Up in Awesome Austria https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1496662158241-FQLZPGJSX55DIFTG64Y8/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Waking Up in Awesome Austria https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1496665593596-4SYHULSKPL30YPOGCNGF/IMG_0982.JPG Boarding Pass - Waking Up in Awesome Austria Heads will roll! But not these ones. Part of an art installation near the graveyard in Salzburg. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1496662620299-P2DXV8U5ZWQ3NJDGABYA/IMG_0887.JPG Boarding Pass - Waking Up in Awesome Austria Heard a great organ concert here at St. Peters.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1496662264382-Y0B6533FRV8DRRTFDXRB/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Waking Up in Awesome Austria Some random church not in our guide book.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1496665497579-0IJ1STXBOSEVRDZ6TZPG/IMG_0979.JPG Boarding Pass - Waking Up in Awesome Austria Quiet courtyards in Salzburg give relief from the busy shopping areas adjacent to them.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1496662425041-90H77PMYW4TN0B8WEBRX/IMG_1106.JPG Boarding Pass - Waking Up in Awesome Austria Hundertwasser building.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1496665942792-HU175JNJL53BHH346IUZ/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Waking Up in Awesome Austria salzburg from the Mirabell gardens.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1496662554586-QUNTMDPNSG3DNLCL8W4Y/IMG_0902.JPG Boarding Pass - Waking Up in Awesome Austria The Hofburg Palace at dusk.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1496830905364-HLWBKU8UIJTT16QUCN8R/IMG_0889.JPG Boarding Pass - Waking Up in Awesome Austria Ellen in central Vienna.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1496665873567-0KKDF6T541JPOHY9BMH1/IMG_1128.JPG Boarding Pass - Waking Up in Awesome Austria View from atop that wall of rock looking in the opposite direction from Salzburg. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1496830746113-LY8JSYDI9965BO9A25VF/IMG_1105.JPG Boarding Pass - Waking Up in Awesome Austria Springtime is wisteria time here.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1496665226236-9UQF4CGS6MD1QIIOQCD5/IMG_0981.JPG Boarding Pass - Waking Up in Awesome Austria Monks' resident.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1496665792421-5BIOBJPI8S3XL5NXXE3W/IMG_1127.JPG Boarding Pass - Waking Up in Awesome Austria Looking down at Salzburg from above. We   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1496662095121-XMS5334OMN65MBRB0SDO/IMG_1101.JPG Boarding Pass - Waking Up in Awesome Austria https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1496662476064-22WIJ4FGKRGO39U2DOOO/IMG_1107.JPG Boarding Pass - Waking Up in Awesome Austria Trees growing out from the building.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1496830571378-V3PAVZKN8XMMOJTI6BEZ/IMG_1104.JPG Boarding Pass - Waking Up in Awesome Austria Walking to up the hill in back of Schrönbrunn Palace.    https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1496665663177-OA67YLNHYK5PW2DMANQM/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Waking Up in Awesome Austria A very fancy graveyard.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1496665029258-7F7UMBBHTRDVYX3PP9MR/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Waking Up in Awesome Austria https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1496665158075-88PWE6MI4N2J135N8BNT/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Waking Up in Awesome Austria https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2017/5/21/budapest-2 monthly 0.5 2017-05-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1495489368282-VM01RDNSWNHI1NGRCW0E/IMG_0873.JPG Boarding Pass - Budapest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1495386263344-CNWMNY5YV6TMIF6Y2NGA/IMG_0864.JPG Boarding Pass - Budapest Liberty Square is surrounded by beautifully restored apartment buildings. Throughout the city, intermixed with the restored buildings, are others that have great potential but are still in need of major refurbishing.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1495385878091-0IOXKX6R5BL0V4ES6VBM/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Budapest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1495488081701-882E1SXG80QG0BLH7630/IMG_0860.JPG Boarding Pass - Budapest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1495488447308-YYJLSM5UG7TZ58720WHX/IMG_0881.JPG Boarding Pass - Budapest Széchenyi Baths beneath a full moon.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1495489111385-W8FVT4JJGEOLD1WV67X1/IMG_0884.JPG Boarding Pass - Budapest Heros Square at night.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1495489583687-43XOCS8BUFJ7ZJG5410K/IMG_0874.JPG Boarding Pass - Budapest An ongoing visual protest against a World War II memorial supposedly honoring those killed in the holocaust, but actually whitewashing and glossing over Hungary's anti-semitism and culpability even before the German takeover of the country.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1495489291140-L4GEVPHQ6T04UH6NNB1E/IMG_0872.JPG Boarding Pass - Budapest Reminders of the holocaust are seen throughout the city. Here along the Danube are bronzed shoes of the Jews who were taken to this spot on the water's edge, shot, and then thrown into the river. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1495487835343-I7Y1AM0BXQFV8QMB9TNX/IMG_0859.JPG Boarding Pass - Budapest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1495487369851-X5JXU5CAOM2ZZEQ3PYR1/IMG_0877.JPG Boarding Pass - Budapest Ellen takes a stroll with The Gipper.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1495487637861-4M0Z33EWLXIKCJY6ZBIO/IMG_0853.JPG Boarding Pass - Budapest The Great Market is a great market.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1495488829067-IJG2TY7IFN5EIXIY150S/IMG_0847.JPG Boarding Pass - Budapest Budapest has its own St. Stephens, a bit more opulent than the one in Vienna.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1495488299375-9FPGSRX69L2ZNA821O9R/FullSizeRender.jpg Boarding Pass - Budapest The lobby of the Gillert Hotel.  https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2017/10/19/a-lazy-drive-through-france monthly 0.5 2017-11-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508552826716-P8PTAZINIIGRWI2GUQQJ/IMG_2125.JPG Boarding Pass - A Lazy Drive Through France https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508554990004-MZTK784DNEN7RRR5U431/IMG_2269.JPG Boarding Pass - A Lazy Drive Through France This chateau was actually occupied, though open to the public. It gives us a better sense of what it is like as a living space rather than just a museum. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508555540224-G09OUHHNZN0XA8U9A5MA/IMG_2333.jpg Boarding Pass - A Lazy Drive Through France Remnants of German artillery bunkers are everywhere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508552504609-0C98G8MBXD8K3T5EV6MT/IMG_2093.jpg Boarding Pass - A Lazy Drive Through France https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508555746455-A38MXSRIWD7V35A4FJ58/IMG_2254.JPG Boarding Pass - A Lazy Drive Through France We take a side trip on our way to Normandy to Oradour-sur-Glane, site of a senseless Nazi massacre of an entire village. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508555268591-BQI6LSSPYG5QYWL5HFXD/IMG_2327.JPG Boarding Pass - A Lazy Drive Through France Now such a peaceful and beautiful location, it takes visits to the war memorials to envision all the carnage that has happened on these beaches. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508554814341-18MHOHV9I5CZIJ94OHBG/IMG_2279.jpg Boarding Pass - A Lazy Drive Through France https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508552362227-K2F8OIW44H9Y18N7HOOT/IMG_2038.jpg Boarding Pass - A Lazy Drive Through France https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508552397319-KFCVMEBH8IV6QA3QO6Y3/IMG_2069.jpg Boarding Pass - A Lazy Drive Through France https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508554561071-EVBJTR6M77VWA3O6E6R6/IMG_2198.jpg Boarding Pass - A Lazy Drive Through France Walking above the Dordogne. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508555229316-HTE24N36DEGVAGY51QZK/IMG_2329.jpg Boarding Pass - A Lazy Drive Through France The extraordinary American Cemetery overlooking Utah Beach, Normandy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508454646196-MJJEMYHA0EBD5ZG8LAT2/IMG_2034.jpg Boarding Pass - A Lazy Drive Through France https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508552425814-R9G80PGE3JGTFR1EYQSN/IMG_2065.jpg Boarding Pass - A Lazy Drive Through France https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508555132560-1MLLJDMGXYDNJU5VJPX9/IMG_2305.jpg Boarding Pass - A Lazy Drive Through France Château de Chenonceau built over the Cher River. We kept touring until the sun went down. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508554782936-SEV5EXM53KZQRJUU7FK6/IMG_2276.jpg Boarding Pass - A Lazy Drive Through France These wild gardens at Château De Villandry go on and on. They also include several vegatable gardens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508552610043-I4KIGR77TVYONPTGV81H/IMG_2120.JPG Boarding Pass - A Lazy Drive Through France Ellen beside huge water wheel as we take a time out from shopping in L'Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508553710410-5WUHQSF7ZQ244ZRJ6J4R/IMG_2148.JPG Boarding Pass - A Lazy Drive Through France The market in Aix had over a dozen different types of mushrooms for sale. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508554637171-D66GWGMWEMUELJFNA6IA/IMG_2207.JPG Boarding Pass - A Lazy Drive Through France And canoeing down on the river. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508556054286-L6W1ELUO5GJSX7G84CSC/IMG_2350.jpg Boarding Pass - A Lazy Drive Through France The church in Honfleur. After being burnt out by so many great churches and cathedrals, this one really gets our attention. Shaped like an upturned boat, it has intricately crafted woodwork throughout. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508557772409-V601189JFITLPSI0XQ5R/IMG_2239.jpg Boarding Pass - A Lazy Drive Through France The pate industry is huge in the area around the Dordogne. Sarlat-la-Caneda (above) seemed to be focused on the sale of all varieties of the delicacy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508555018851-0X8D1ZGULYP35Z47JZXL/IMG_2272.JPG Boarding Pass - A Lazy Drive Through France https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508553775184-EKYYWR1ZZ9K8A452X2ND/IMG_2150.JPG Boarding Pass - A Lazy Drive Through France Aix street musicians. They were doing some amazing French influenced blues/jazz so we bought their CD. Unfortunately, it ended up being just studied versions of the American originals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508552900818-LJW7F51FXIER1OHRJJWP/IMG_2144.jpg Boarding Pass - A Lazy Drive Through France Aix-en-Provence. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508557536350-DHAXFP7RYP46PC3TWY30/IMG_2313.jpg Boarding Pass - A Lazy Drive Through France Wee took a side trip to Mont St. Michel in Normandy seen here at very low tide surrounded by mudflats. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508554473552-WMSH14WAZSO28KY9ZE2F/IMG_2156.JPG Boarding Pass - A Lazy Drive Through France Hilltop castle-fortress at Carcassonne. https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2017/10/18/oh-right-now-we-are-in-belgium monthly 0.5 2017-11-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508364259919-NFGLF2ZCI05FM61445RO/IMG_2002.jpg Boarding Pass - Oh. Right. Now We Are in Belgium The Grand Place (Belgium) on a rainy day is still grand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508364116525-NGYR72AXJ2W5XMQWZKZ4/IMG_1946.jpg Boarding Pass - Oh. Right. Now We Are in Belgium We get to see the real Rembrandt countryside on our bike ride to Damme. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508364333871-R5QOX9CZR0MVK0Q4PCLL/IMG_2664.jpg Boarding Pass - Oh. Right. Now We Are in Belgium One last picture of Delft. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508364177431-I46J7HQ6H4EK1UTL60EO/IMG_1947.jpg Boarding Pass - Oh. Right. Now We Are in Belgium Damme. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508363985199-4L731IWN2O960C6P4AD5/IMG_2043.jpg Boarding Pass - Oh. Right. Now We Are in Belgium Everywhere we turn seems to be another photo-op. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508364056780-6M8CT9V4D28DBK4H66SJ/IMG_2018.jpg Boarding Pass - Oh. Right. Now We Are in Belgium Nothing will stop the truly determined tourist. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508363899926-TYX7VONHS9RMLS85CLPF/IMG_2009.jpg Boarding Pass - Oh. Right. Now We Are in Belgium It's hard to stop taking photos in Bruges. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508363804437-23H4IL1D7WKXJJVOZXXX/IMG_2020.jpg Boarding Pass - Oh. Right. Now We Are in Belgium Window shopping in Belgium. Wouldn't this Belgium chocolate shop be a great addition to a Dutch coffeeshop? https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2017/10/18/dutch-treat monthly 0.5 2017-11-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508359599833-RM54LW5XQFG5LIIDL0RZ/IMG_1811.JPG Boarding Pass - Dutch Treat Many of the canals are lined with houseboats. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508360194759-3QIQX40X9ZXXPKJM27BO/IMG_2658+2.jpg Boarding Pass - Dutch Treat So many brews, so little time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508359388812-ZLMO5AKOBN5OXPD0JYF6/IMG_0021.jpg Boarding Pass - Dutch Treat Across the street from our Rijsttafel restaurant. We marvel at how old these buildings are. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508359692108-N8Q7BCNNRIQ6FVFOY5XK/IMG_1846.JPG Boarding Pass - Dutch Treat A drive-by to Edam prooves rewarding. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508359488051-UJZIEBVV859C995J3XKZ/IMG_1784.JPG Boarding Pass - Dutch Treat https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508360501207-2HRBW7KO5M5TJ7VOKMFO/IMG_1908.JPG Boarding Pass - Dutch Treat A narrow street in Ghent is designated for grafitti. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508358292630-TYXASOV8988S545RVM0W/IMG_1820.JPG Boarding Pass - Dutch Treat https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508359346377-R3N598D7SLXDX2WKIV8O/IMG_1835.JPG Boarding Pass - Dutch Treat https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508359770187-CV0M8FL0IV85NQUC92PF/IMG_1852.JPG Boarding Pass - Dutch Treat We put together a quick picnic lunch in Edam and have our snack in the park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508360037350-9CDGYKP0OQUUT1DKKYXF/IMG_1853.jpg Boarding Pass - Dutch Treat As is our norm, we arrive to our destination, in this case Delft, later in the day to begin our tour. https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2017/10/18/paris-redux monthly 0.5 2017-10-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508350507375-MN7J6RY4VQCV0SVWF22J/IMG_0032.jpg Boarding Pass - Paris Redux Strolling around the Left Bank on a sunny afternoon, we bumped into Shakespeare & Company English-only bookstore. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508350669116-U3PWZ6RIEC1H6KBDV404/IMG_0014.jpg Boarding Pass - Paris Redux https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508350957125-20GO2I1QMR2AFP8337FI/IMG_1751.JPG Boarding Pass - Paris Redux The citizenry of Lycia get turned into frogs and lizards because Apollo's mom didn't like their sass. A fountain at Versailles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508350810529-6TV3Y6ZSZ5CFWA2E6371/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Paris Redux Inside the Hotel de Ville which is Paris' City Hall. We are lucky enough to be in Paris on the one weekend of the year when this building is open to the public. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508351076216-2M7XDY7RCKVJJHBO5IHA/IMG_1730.JPG Boarding Pass - Paris Redux The perfect headgear for Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508350999025-KE65VWBM9FTIAHWCVCOV/IMG_1759.JPG Boarding Pass - Paris Redux Random gardens of wildflowers seem to everywhere. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508351049442-XW6VNBSM087ZG10XDRUI/IMG_1767.JPG Boarding Pass - Paris Redux In The Queen's Hamlet at Trianon Gardens in Versailles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508350258141-LESEYKAT970VXSR0338A/IMG_0037.jpg Boarding Pass - Paris Redux So many manicured public gardens https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508350844043-P2R32UU8NIXO5QYT2M0G/IMG_1676.JPG Boarding Pass - Paris Redux At Musee Rodin. This is the fourth time Bill has visited here that it has been either closed or under repair. This time, at least, the gardens were open. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508350205228-BO5TULG0HDKI89254NMK/IMG_0033.jpg Boarding Pass - Paris Redux https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508350887671-S1Q434TPQ5MEON7VENAU/IMG_1703.JPG Boarding Pass - Paris Redux We were unaware that Nepolian's Apartments were within the Louvre. A "must-see" in our opinion. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508351426179-WFVLYM2J9KQKMCQEW0OX/IMG_0036.jpg Boarding Pass - Paris Redux The iconic Moulin Rouge...a bit seedy and tired looking these days, but many good kabob shops in the neighborhood. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508350409875-DTBZG8R3O7NFW4SGKFQG/IMG_1662.JPG Boarding Pass - Paris Redux A typical Parisian neighborhood side street https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508350468547-6T1IR6IVOOT93I97C2ZE/IMG_1726.JPG Boarding Pass - Paris Redux Galleries Lafayette. Paris is credited with being the birthplace of the department store. You know you're not a Macys when you shop here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508350311984-E28FFPJN1PG1RZP9NUJF/IMG_0027.jpg Boarding Pass - Paris Redux https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2017/10/22/costa-rica-land-of-pura-vida monthly 0.5 2017-11-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508734527605-MXOYH422W2696ZYECG0N/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Costa Rica: Land of Pura Vida Not particularly wildlife. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508788893189-IDJ1EBKEZN7SMJ7QII2L/IMG_3375.jpg Boarding Pass - Costa Rica: Land of Pura Vida At the base where we begin our ziplining tour. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508789439347-PTCL9GMP0GKLIOSNLWNH/IMG_3307.jpg Boarding Pass - Costa Rica: Land of Pura Vida We had to include this shot looking down into the volcano at Poas since we had waited close to an hour for the clouds to lift. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508734436976-216QZF5E4GT0RGTH68NJ/IMG_2477.JPG Boarding Pass - Costa Rica: Land of Pura Vida More wildlife. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508784440999-QO2KML9A93LE784GOXAA/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Costa Rica: Land of Pura Vida Ellen on Cano Island. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508734226529-TISYD82XY6H8Z8Q1NH0U/IMG_2470.JPG Boarding Pass - Costa Rica: Land of Pura Vida Taking an early morning boat cruise through Tortuguero spotting wildlife. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508789150439-V4VDO432U4LKX9J0S6CA/IMG_3392.jpg Boarding Pass - Costa Rica: Land of Pura Vida Time for lazy days on the beach. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508785898926-L4FYGG5IZO8Z2EVZTIRG/IMG_2669.jpg Boarding Pass - Costa Rica: Land of Pura Vida Yes, it really looks like this. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508733813397-3EMSDRE0WNAOYQOFGH1H/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Costa Rica: Land of Pura Vida https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508789623241-BOD7ESKUBIMESPGYZ54J/IMG_3317.jpg Boarding Pass - Costa Rica: Land of Pura Vida A country rich in volcanic activity, here is the iconic shot of Arenal volcano. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508785266985-YAC6466H8URMCJ9DKYW0/IMG_3267.jpg Boarding Pass - Costa Rica: Land of Pura Vida https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508789000407-S719MF7MNA460YZKQEZL/IMG_3377.jpg Boarding Pass - Costa Rica: Land of Pura Vida After zip-lining, there are a series of bridges over the rain forest for a stroll. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508784759994-6UIG09ZJ9Z154J45M1C5/image3.JPG Boarding Pass - Costa Rica: Land of Pura Vida Boruca masks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508740752522-44ZO5GI1DYGR375MU6BM/IMG_3264.jpg Boarding Pass - Costa Rica: Land of Pura Vida View from our breakfast patio overlooking Manuel Antonio National Park. It doesn't look as hot as it was. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508734478180-LSJWNY7PHOLWRQVYE6ZA/IMG_2419.JPG Boarding Pass - Costa Rica: Land of Pura Vida Even wilder life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508784822574-YV6NM4TLPH09QG1AXHK2/IMG_3200.jpg Boarding Pass - Costa Rica: Land of Pura Vida The drive up to Boruca . . . https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508785588637-KJLSWIOJPWTZX7CA4HNP/IMG_3343.jpg Boarding Pass - Costa Rica: Land of Pura Vida On our hike to Rio Celeste. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508788517260-TSBUXXDYJMNIMLB4H0FB/IMG_3373.jpg Boarding Pass - Costa Rica: Land of Pura Vida The drive up to Monteverde. Alas, this cell iPhone photo is all that we have and doesn't capture the acrophobia inducing views that stretch fromthe mountainous drive down to the ocean. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508785214803-I8OWMASVFXWYCGZOLHSJ/IMG_3266.jpg Boarding Pass - Costa Rica: Land of Pura Vida Finally, a chance to cool off at Poas. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508734402919-ZK3KOCSEPYDMGX8BEV37/IMG_2447.JPG Boarding Pass - Costa Rica: Land of Pura Vida Wildlife. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508784292464-A3LH660KST3WL1XTJO6M/IMG_3216.jpg Boarding Pass - Costa Rica: Land of Pura Vida https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508784910491-55IAX41O70LXG8EATU9W/IMG_3201.jpg Boarding Pass - Costa Rica: Land of Pura Vida . . . offering some great scenic countryside with hardly any tourist competition. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508799115995-6GNZLMLWVV3BWZWKOQ1S/Frame-23-10-2017-03-29-37+copy.jpg Boarding Pass - Costa Rica: Land of Pura Vida https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1508785998765-A5DMFB185OK90I45T5DU/IMG_2672.jpg Boarding Pass - Costa Rica: Land of Pura Vida https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2016/10/13/chillin-in-chile monthly 0.5 2017-10-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1477093166155-LIR1DK76NIU17MNUIKC1/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Chillin' in Chile https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1478798632934-Y6ATGJKIK5IW0NDXL44Z/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Chillin' in Chile https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1478798352982-A6V047D8X5VZ1H6NJFIX/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Chillin' in Chile https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1477093271750-UL9GALBLPC8R8BCZ5FK6/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Chillin' in Chile https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1477093005584-42Z7BJ2O8II1LHVS4SWN/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Chillin' in Chile https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1477093087862-ENB7T94N9O19SVZAV99M/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Chillin' in Chile https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1478826506691-YZSYMYDQKW307JMQL8XP/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Chillin' in Chile https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1477093205865-0HS3BTJ401EVRMMMWF9S/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Chillin' in Chile https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1478798568502-G145OEG8WIAJWCAPLBRK/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Chillin' in Chile https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1478798543907-86OOVAR5GV4FT9JSMEO7/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Chillin' in Chile https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1478798469437-JINIO0115PSHYW8X78MN/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Chillin' in Chile https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2016/11/6/try-to-imagine-a-slightly-skanky-paris monthly 0.5 2017-04-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1493230949921-EKUUX6UZWTBC1BWB1I8A/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Try to imagine a slightly "skanky" Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1493231452682-6AXCAD7X1BSHO2S2QCHE/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Try to imagine a slightly "skanky" Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1493231522212-QQGXZXQCAIFQ50T6KVKK/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Try to imagine a slightly "skanky" Paris Colorful gaucho poses with his mate in a truly GQ moment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1493231371285-IZJFGOKZVW19PL0CPEXN/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Try to imagine a slightly "skanky" Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1493230904508-WRJ43PKNICOE2LKUV7Q8/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Try to imagine a slightly "skanky" Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1493231079830-OOKCD7OUUWJ9T7SGEYU7/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Try to imagine a slightly "skanky" Paris Volcanic view from our hotel room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1493230778160-XQTVZ2YDKDG0831QL2NB/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Try to imagine a slightly "skanky" Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1493231206632-CZNJN9YO4AY83SY7FFIP/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Try to imagine a slightly "skanky" Paris Looks a lot like the San Juan islands. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1493231142659-YBEINMPEPQYDNYJ9HLKG/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Try to imagine a slightly "skanky" Paris Plenty of sea food to go around. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1493231491133-WNGX5QNRAOPDMV912O5J/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Try to imagine a slightly "skanky" Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1493230854652-WKTET7O9PM24RKUD70KH/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Try to imagine a slightly "skanky" Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1493231277990-AXBFHC8SFY8UU3Q9UZQC/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Try to imagine a slightly "skanky" Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1493230816814-ZAB03RWOFRUP9SRWFLU7/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Try to imagine a slightly "skanky" Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1493231316103-HMBVP150GJMX5NLV47Z7/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Try to imagine a slightly "skanky" Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1493231027368-WT6BOI1796UW6V3GCGYQ/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Try to imagine a slightly "skanky" Paris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1493230728251-URU54VANQ1AJ6Y9CXXIX/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Try to imagine a slightly "skanky" Paris https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2016/6/23/cinque-terre monthly 0.5 2016-06-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466735095018-BZBPCGWEL40RLRSJKRTA/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Cinque Terre With a storm approaching, the fisherman have hauled their boats up to the pedestrian-only main street in the village of Manarola for safe keeping. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466735619992-N6SK1GA85FVPTLSLA1DE/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Cinque Terre A hot and sunny day on the trail...In the background, the village of Corniglia (pronounced "Cornelia") with about 40 more minutes of hiking to go. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466735700232-UHYVXZY2G6ZFC304QQY0/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Cinque Terre The colorful homes and harbor in the village of Riomaggiore... https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2016/6/20/roman-holiday-our-version monthly 0.5 2016-06-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1467045703057-NO3Q0LTM94U6QENRRACN/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Roman Holiday--Our Version The view from our picnic table in the yard of our agriturismo lodging just outside of the Tuscan town of Montepulciano. We were surrounded by vineyards, olive and fig trees, and at night, we were serenaded by croaking frogs that sounded much like velociraptors! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466472138923-KL50ENYBY8AEJX8X6LAD/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Roman Holiday--Our Version The harbor in Sorrento is a long steep downhill hike from the city. It used to be a separate town. Day boats bound for the islands that dot the Amalfi coast depart from here and we hop on one to spend the day on Capri. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466473351463-72DCH7F38REQWOPFXELY/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Roman Holiday--Our Version Today consisted of meandering through the rolling hills of Tuscany and stopping at the natural hot springs of Bagni San Filippo to soak in a pool of hot mineral water in the middle of the woods..."aah yes, Virginia, the best things in life really are free" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1467045471567-OBO9D68Z1OMXKRHXFVPJ/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Roman Holiday--Our Version Say cheese! It's impossible not to succumb to snacks of cheese and bread when there is so much of this good stuff around you all the time. One open-air market vendor had at least a dozen different kinds of pecorino cheese. We bought a big wedge of one filled with truffles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466471198913-NGQMU6C3LA6SKKQX17WQ/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Roman Holiday--Our Version The Catessa Darwina (our Darwin's Great-Great-GrandMum) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466827872233-O5PRFTAI08D087I8KFM5/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Roman Holiday--Our Version Venice. We had forgotten just what a picturesque city this is. No need here to set up a shot--just take the lens cap off and shoot. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466471281745-NTJ9W6LZQ708C0KWRELO/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Roman Holiday--Our Version High up in the clouds in Erice with views as if you were piloting a plane. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466827665299-U2JI49UD8U27PAFTKOYF/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Roman Holiday--Our Version Pisa (duh). Actually my favorite picture is of a row of about a dozen tourists all lined up pretending to be holding up the leaning tower and one actually clever guy standing at an angle which makes him appear to be pushing it down. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466827569068-T9YLLVM3LCHZGT6S1XXH/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Roman Holiday--Our Version Siena. We are constantly moving further and further back to try to get it all in the frame of our camera. At first we start out well-intentioned, focusing in on some exquisite architectural feature, but then pulling back when we see the need to include that great detail immediately to the left or right of our original subject, then further back still as we notice even more, until we finally say, ok, let's just include the whole damn thing and let the viewer sort it out. After all, isn't that what the zoom option is for? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466473056771-BEFES58XRZ8YFN03XRB3/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Roman Holiday--Our Version The view from Ravello high up above the Amalfi coast https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466827727895-XCLI6L9HIE8WXINSOHFN/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Roman Holiday--Our Version Volterra. An alabaster workshop. Notice the piles of dust below the worker. The interesting thing is that none of them wear masks. Not surprising in a country where Camel sponsors a very crowded smoking room at the airport and, to our dismay, it seems like almost everyone smokes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1467045531970-QNW4OLZOJU5N40KWCHZK/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Roman Holiday--Our Version We complain about the ubiquitous fast food stands, but even in the years BC, fast food places were everywhere. Above is one of many snack bars in Herculaneum, the various large urns built into the counters no doubt serving up the Big Macs and french fries of the day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466471365029-A3JQ3JMNTE9V1Y46RUVA/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Roman Holiday--Our Version Agrigento. After visiting so many ruins, everyone needs to take a rest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466471063408-KJDLP4XR3YLP8JT3VD1F/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Roman Holiday--Our Version Nothing says Rome like the magnificent Bernini statues in the Piazza Navona. We bought scalped tickets to the Borghese Gallery to see more of the Master's work and the amazing Caravaggio collection. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1467045640038-WYD1DBQEK5W1H8OGAIGD/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Roman Holiday--Our Version Despite all of the ash and mud that covered Herculaneum after the eruption of Vesuvius, there are many well-preserved excavations like this home with art work in vivid color. It helps put in to perspective what it must have felt like to live in this ancient affluent town. This was a mosiac decorating the wall of some wealthy family's living room...notice the scallop shell frame still partly intact around this mosaic.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1467045757915-RNFH3F03A2PQYAOTK2JC/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Roman Holiday--Our Version The hill town of Civita di Bagnoregio in Umbria. We have visited many tiny towns in Umbria and Tuscany, this one having just 10 full-time residents now. Another town we visited in Chianti had only a few houses plus a monastery and 3 Michelin restaurants...Go figure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466827943004-J6AJL44M6WAC958C9WHA/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Roman Holiday--Our Version Venice. Good-bye Money Kitty. We were here for Venice's biennial art exhibition. The theme this year was something like, "The future looks grim. Give up." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466471128866-J8F5LVQDAZKVM84WV60S/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Roman Holiday--Our Version Wish we could include the sounds of the vendors at the market in Palermo bellowing out the wonders of their products but, alas, bandwidth does not easily allow such extravagance. Imagine fresh carciofi (artichokes with delicious edible stems featured above) costing 0.15 Euros per Kilo (that's about .08 cents US per pound)...Heaven! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466472074100-PVTSJYSOTDMG94HP9WN3/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Roman Holiday--Our Version Mt. Etna in Sicily...like so many volcanoes and Italians, it hasn't stopped smoking! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466473286847-AAG1CEEY4KS3HQ8ZAFF3/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Roman Holiday--Our Version Positano's pastel buildings clinging to the cliffs on the Amalfi coast https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2016/6/23/the-road-to-mandalay-without-hope-crosby-or-kipling monthly 0.5 2016-06-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466733038192-VR4D71DZDA5FA384F7Y3/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Road to Mandalay (without Hope, Crosby, or Kipling) At a remote site located near a Shan tribe village on Inle Lake, 1068 small shrines and stupas surround a pagoda on the top of a hill. The fascinating landscape seems whimsical and reminiscent of an illustration out of a Dr. Seuss book. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466733142651-LCF888XDOQG0HT6OJ9Q4/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Road to Mandalay (without Hope, Crosby, or Kipling) A fisherman on Inle Lake demonstrates how they use three limbs at a time to maneuver their boat while trapping fish. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466732005933-CMG0LAAW8M7A6BHAOLBK/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Road to Mandalay (without Hope, Crosby, or Kipling) Leaving the big city of Yangon behind, we fly to Bagan, which should be a shoe-in to become a UNESCO World Heritage site (it's currently under consideration by the organization). The best word that comes to mind to describe the rural landscape dotted with the thousands of ancient pagodas and stupas of Bagan is "magical". We are here for 3 days and nights but wish we could linger here for at least a week exploring the ancient temples by riding bicycles along the hard pack dirt roads that crisscross the countryside. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466732946794-R4142GDC6VWASA29747Z/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Road to Mandalay (without Hope, Crosby, or Kipling) "Get we to a nunnery!" Buddhist nuns sit down for their main meal of the day, which, on this day, was supplied by a Chinese donor. Yes, it is typical for the Buddhist nuns to shave their heads just like the monks. In fact, it is often hard for us to tell them apart with no hair and robes covering all the distinguishing body parts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466732223351-ZETND8HEU9AZ1M7K81QM/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Road to Mandalay (without Hope, Crosby, or Kipling) After Bagan, the city of Mandalay, the second largest city in Myanmar after Yangon, is a disappointment with little of interest to tourists here in our opinion. There are the requisite number of hillside pagodas and stupas to explore but they are underwhelming compared to what we have already seen. I would just as soon skip this city in order to grab more time in Bagan if "do overs" were possible. The jade market is interesting though. It is a rustic outdoor section of the city where jade sellers and buyers gather in the early mornings to do business. It could pass for a crude street market were it not for the thousands of dollars that are changing hands here for the semi-precious stone. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466732099218-IMGWRT23FLGWLF56LM00/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Road to Mandalay (without Hope, Crosby, or Kipling) The story our guide tells us is that the King of the first Burmese Empire (back in the 11th century) converted to Buddhism and in his enthusiasm granted his people land and tax breaks if they wanted to build a stupa or pagoda or other monument. This tradition went on for the next couple of hundred years and, as with anyone who starts collecting things, over time you find that you have accumulated a whole lot of them; in this case thousands of shrines to Buddha in all shapes and sizes. Now one can just bicycle around the back roads of Bagan all day and explore isolated (and some very well visited) stupas, pagodas, and temples. Those shrines that can be entered have Buddha statues and alters within and many have interesting frescos on their walls, too. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466731861241-66ETEQVYC1MTQLINVFY2/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Road to Mandalay (without Hope, Crosby, or Kipling) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466733243509-FTS5XZYHWLWWHSZDQV2Z/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - The Road to Mandalay (without Hope, Crosby, or Kipling) Relatively narrow but 12 miles long, big Inle lake is home to floating gardens, houses, and ethnic tribal villages. https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2016/6/23/on-to-cambodia monthly 0.5 2016-06-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466730610212-T3QGYUQC9OEQ0ID50VXN/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - On to Cambodia Although there is so much similarity between the other emerging countries we have seen, our visit to the floating villages provides a more unique (Cambodian) experience. Everywhere, the air is permeated by the smell (stench) of fermenting fish sauce, an essential ingredient in a lot of dishes throughout these countries. With perhaps the exception that they now use rows of car batteries to power their TVs and cell phones, these river dwellers live pretty much as their ancestors did for a thousand years before them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466730767207-5OZSMOXLL3NZYGU5I3KT/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - On to Cambodia Ta Prohm Temple, also known as the Jungle Temple. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466730851540-BAJQ3SIPK57Q4D8LXPJE/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - On to Cambodia The south gate of Angkor Thom, the capital city of the Khmer rulers, on our way to visit Bayon temple. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466730680043-WPKARPK1CHMY7EGYRA2J/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - On to Cambodia Finally on to Siem Reap to visit Angkor Wat and the other surrounding temples. This is Banteay Srej, or the Citadel of Women, recognized as a tribute to the beauty of women. A big part of the "wow factor" of these sites isn't so much the temples themselves as it is their surroundings and the mood they convey. This was shot just after a tropical downpour and the light captures some of that feeling. Sometimes you have to mentally photoshop out the other tourists in order to get the full effect, but it's not too hard to do this. https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2016/6/22/nighttime-in-communist-viet-nam monthly 0.5 2016-06-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466643100421-EF6C5ZBGFBXILP4L4XUQ/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Nighttime in "Communist" Viet Nam Mmmmm. Street food, in this case, fried rice cakes. Yum! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466643151325-80I314CQZKNR4P3QYQF5/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Nighttime in "Communist" Viet Nam Ha long Bay. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466643051769-FA2GSGZAZ77NFYV2O2B8/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Nighttime in "Communist" Viet Nam Hanoi. There are over 3million scooters in this city and, at any given time, it seems like they are all on the street you are trying to cross. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466643197149-Y0SUPC47ZGQWR4M3KIS4/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Nighttime in "Communist" Viet Nam https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2016/6/20/thailand monthly 0.5 2016-06-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466660530196-JIWULUWQ59Z9ZC0RNDDD/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Searching for Thailand One of the krathongs. These are banana leaf floats that are set off into the water with lit candles and incense. You make your wishes, ask for forgiveness, and send it and all the bad karma off down the river. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466661103106-FSXDC9JL6Q6BQ8Y8O03M/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Searching for Thailand This particular Buddha was at a temple which was pretty much out in the middle of nowhere. It was not possible to fit it all into this photo. See Bill in foreground for a size perspective! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466660955918-3P8PEDP0X2D9HQ8OY6KT/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Searching for Thailand Night markets are quite big in these countries. Supposedly because it is cooler in the evening but only by about 10 degrees. This one was rumored to extend for 6 km and that's without the side streets and alleys which are also packed with stalls and shoppers! One side street consisted of rows and rows of foot massage chairs filled with customers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466478532291-T0UUPN3LR7TXRFQHO6V3/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Searching for Thailand You've got your sitting Buddha, you're walking Buddha, your reclining Buddha, and your standing Buddha. This is from Wat Pho. Guess which one this is. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466478408121-YJNR9104TFDVG18OPGFG/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Searching for Thailand The Royal Palace with landscaping by Dr. Seuss. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466660366643-DFOVJWMWXHKMO2EI0Z7A/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Searching for Thailand These were delicious. They take bamboo and stuff them with sweet sticky rice mixed with either beans or coconut or pumpkin or some mixture thereof and cook/steam over hot coals. https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2016/6/24/peru monthly 0.5 2016-06-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466819449847-TV34WTDCKKTDFOBRMHRB/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Peru The first sight of Machu Picchu from the Inca trail. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466816927406-1B33IE9T4POZGRSAUFIE/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Peru Here's the one we picked -- before . . . https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466816716950-N5S5V8KYJSVQZ30DCN8R/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Peru Our first major workout was climbing these steps in Urubamba. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466816980019-6UEWV28PZDUWJ2M95FK6/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Peru . . . and after (no, we didn't pick it . . . just kidding). Guinea pig is a delicacy in Peru and Ecuador and eaten on special occasions. Ellen went vegetarian for this lunch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466818862715-W4SOM2NNGVT51U39QLQ3/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Peru Sun shining through the jagged peaks of the Andes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466819526084-IEM0MJ6Y41G28UIBX7L7/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Peru Downtown Machu Picchu. If left for 10 years, the entire site would be completely overgrown with the thick tropical cloud forest that surrounds it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466819351258-LQ5QQPKEM9WUQKV545WB/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Peru This incredibly powerful river flows through the town of Aguas Calientes, a small town of hotels and restaurants at the base of the road up to Machu Picchu. Its roar makes sleep at night easy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466817209508-K3GWS0T97M0WG806DV3W/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Peru Our mestizo medicine man. He performed a curandero ceremony, an Incan healing ceremony using traditional and modern symbolism and drawing on the energy of the mountains and the earth. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466816455134-HNH5X4Z4U1OFKDDRKBTW/image-asset.png Boarding Pass - Peru The quaint section of Lima. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466816553300-Y0TZZ6NPXBYARGRTZA21/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Peru Our first stop was Pisaq. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466817275511-EHM6LDU4U4LGFMD1N2UH/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Peru He made a brew of coca leaves (considered sacred), a candle for our wishes, other plants held sacred by the Indians, alphabet soup noodles to represent our names, then surrounded it all with cotton to represent the heavens. We each blew three times on the folded up package and made 3 wishes, then he burned it in an open fire with a llama fetus to send the smoke with our prayers heavenward. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466818561231-TNZ92A2ZETYTK5GLSGTN/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Peru Cute little street urchin who sang a song for us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466818929012-B3BFACG3DQEU88QFJGXZ/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Peru Oh nooo! A mummy wrapped up in the fetal position so as to be reborn into the next life . . . Incan tradition. https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2016/6/22/ecuador monthly 0.5 2016-06-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466662657011-34PHSU7N2HI1HFKE9N1I/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Ecuador A typical Ecuadorian Hacienda surrounded by formal gardens https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466663547309-942MW17DDGWRBQ3TYKAJ/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Ecuador Those "Panama Hats" range in price from about $20 up to about $4,000! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466663000275-0IL6IEGXBU4J14LYHP2S/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Ecuador Ecuador is the 3rd largest exporter of roses worldwide after the Netherlands and Columbia. Each greenhouse holds about 25,000 plants. The nursery we visited had over 750,000 plants blooming in many colors, all gorgeous. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466663887763-9MS7V48I811B9K3SMRA5/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Ecuador It's been raining a lot and we encounter a mudslide as we wind through the mountains which adds an extra 2 hours onto this day trip...the men at work here are all motorists who got out of their cars and trucks to dig and clear the road for everyone... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466662886187-TX36IMZ5I1H5O7FIVGAR/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Ecuador A corner bakery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466663454100-23EI7R4FZG75P5IOXBQC/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Ecuador The Devil's Nose Train ride through the Andes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466663284373-SKU5RCAWH9G3G36LMR6Y/image-asset.png Boarding Pass - Ecuador Llama and Alpaca are common here. These guys greet us at a high altitude railway station 11,500 feet above sea level. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466663752112-90OIHUIW8DLFZDQZAYNI/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Ecuador Everyone loves sweets here and these goodies are found on most pushcarts in the city of Cuenca: bags of home-made plantain chips (delicious and only 50 cents a bag), candy apples and mounds of colorful meringue custard that is scooped up and piled high onto wafer cones https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2017/10/26/hop-on-the-bus-gus-morocco monthly 0.5 2017-11-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1509036025124-M5K5DVWPC69P42Y6I7I4/P1060453.jpg Boarding Pass - Hop On the Bus, Gus -- Morocco Striking architecture at this very impressive mosque in Casablanca . . . https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1509039687663-3BQKO8WGKCJI13T1AGMN/P1060625.JPG Boarding Pass - Hop On the Bus, Gus -- Morocco Treating animal hides at the souk. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1509041205105-5ERKN7XCQTSFH9JD48I9/P1060720.jpg Boarding Pass - Hop On the Bus, Gus -- Morocco https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1509041478563-2ZOR2OM4XDJ54WUGIDYY/P1060702.jpg Boarding Pass - Hop On the Bus, Gus -- Morocco Our camp out among the dunes. At night we hike up into the dunes to where we can see nothing but moonlight, stars and sand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1509041716709-GN2F14ICOIWPPFY7DAE1/P1060925.JPG Boarding Pass - Hop On the Bus, Gus -- Morocco Alas, our camera began to die by the time we got to Marakesh, but we had to include some blurry photos of our favorite hotel, La Mamounia. An oasis of civility just a 10 minute walk to meyhem. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1509039967251-KQYPV3RQW8STU18DRXPR/P1060610.jpg Boarding Pass - Hop On the Bus, Gus -- Morocco These passageways are okay until you meet a fully loaded donkey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1509041358689-HQ08CR7KNI6FV3RNUCAP/P1060786.jpg Boarding Pass - Hop On the Bus, Gus -- Morocco We also pass by smaller cities in the desert. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1509041748069-VUGG41SCMCEFJU7I2Q8B/P1060927.jpg Boarding Pass - Hop On the Bus, Gus -- Morocco The gardens at La Mamounia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1509035477260-20LNJ7T17BSLUJYK10Q9/P1060516.JPG Boarding Pass - Hop On the Bus, Gus -- Morocco https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1509041581388-678MHNB5WDXQGG31AP9W/P1060784.jpg Boarding Pass - Hop On the Bus, Gus -- Morocco A random camel wanders into our camp. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1509041680531-XNG0JVAKMEMLZNI58VE9/P1060873.jpg Boarding Pass - Hop On the Bus, Gus -- Morocco By day, the markets just seem to go on forever. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1509041937661-T1ZNLV619S8CQ8FQMNTI/P1060897.jpg Boarding Pass - Hop On the Bus, Gus -- Morocco On a visit to Yves Saint Laurent's Jardin Majorelle we get some ideas of the shade of blue we might use next time we paint the house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1509041646328-WWFWJC37N2AKQTKO8SFP/P1060877.jpg Boarding Pass - Hop On the Bus, Gus -- Morocco At night the Djemaa el-Fna is in full circus mode with street performers, musicians, fortune tellers, and food food food! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1509039896261-YR89V66T8DNBKR0ZJMFV/P1060618.JPG Boarding Pass - Hop On the Bus, Gus -- Morocco And still other things that are questionable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1509036068479-TLSSY4ES6W7FZ7SOYCAX/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Hop On the Bus, Gus -- Morocco . . . but otherwise a pretty blah city for tourists. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1509039597931-T4PLUMJHWGOMW2RJYAWH/P1060609.JPG Boarding Pass - Hop On the Bus, Gus -- Morocco Fez. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1509041429169-UEFIZD2N499O81PBN7SM/P1060797.jpg Boarding Pass - Hop On the Bus, Gus -- Morocco https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1509039850001-TPOJ55O5ACR62FQUR2TR/P1060617.JPG Boarding Pass - Hop On the Bus, Gus -- Morocco And plenty of things for vegetarians too. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1509041288579-L3KFLOKUTBLZFSEESL03/P1060828.jpg Boarding Pass - Hop On the Bus, Gus -- Morocco Spectacular scenery as our bus ride takes us through mountainous passages. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1509041776140-T2GAO0GRR5QIYBXKM1P0/P1060624.jpg Boarding Pass - Hop On the Bus, Gus -- Morocco We can't seem to get enough of the delicious Moroccan cuisine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1509035627125-KZEZRV2CUV3DDCJQVRDA/P1060578.jpg Boarding Pass - Hop On the Bus, Gus -- Morocco Our group stumbles upon an event at dusk involving horsemanship and shooting skills. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1509039768978-QETXZIKCBSN7PNB6KDOC/P1060612.JPG Boarding Pass - Hop On the Bus, Gus -- Morocco Scenes from the souk. Above, a camel stand. https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2016/6/26/spain-part-3 monthly 0.5 2016-06-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466997782265-FOH09V6C2FJF3USDF9IX/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Spain Part 3 A rooftop on Salvador Dali's private home in Portlligat, near Figueres https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466998318195-MN3HT2ULV51AQJWCZ1FL/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Spain Part 3 A night at the theater in Barcelona. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466998571481-UXUJS9P2O9JHYAJ2T9XS/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Spain Part 3 And, finally, Barcelona pays homage to the vibrator. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466998501082-TF00G7FH67TIZO26MHTH/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Spain Part 3 Smoke stacks on a 1910 Gaudi apartment building...the prototype for Darth Vader? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466997889291-L0YMS4JW5XCDSL5P3Z7A/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Spain Part 3 Salvador Dali's backyard https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466998394516-6S4E231FSOK8O6ISA9PM/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Spain Part 3 Inside Gaudi's trippy La Sagrada Familia with Jesus flying in on a grape covered parachute over the altar. https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2016/6/26/spain-part-2 monthly 0.5 2016-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466995906852-3TNTA2ODVSVUTDWREBCX/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Spain Part 2 The requisite stop off in Bilbao to see the Guggenheim Gehry Museum...the spider to the right is by a French sculptress and is called, "Maman" (Mommy in English)...per the brochure: she spins a beautiful and delicate web of life to hold her young and entrap her victims...hmmm... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466995694629-3MQW9SDYXNJE58QTE2FT/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Spain Part 2 The symbols along the pilgrimage route on the Camino de Santiago...yellow arrows and scallop shells point the way for 500 miles https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466995607890-HUDBTJKLNWP84MHEPLOT/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Spain Part 2 A 2 night stopover in the idyllic small town of Santillana del Mar, also on the route of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2016/6/26/from-seville-to-portugal monthly 0.5 2016-06-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466964925720-0MU2S01O6TN3PHMGT0BW/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - From Seville to Portugal Octopus Cataplana (rice and seafood stew) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466966051018-WBXIHJWWE4YIFORMYTIS/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - From Seville to Portugal Coimbra, Portugal home of the oldest university in Portugal established in 1290 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466963847531-4RYDT9NY3TOIWU57AWQL/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - From Seville to Portugal It only takes a couple of flamenco performances before you start sounding like an expert on the art. "She was technically very precise, but lacked the passion needed for a great performance." But honestly, every performance we saw was -- moving? exhilarating? engrossing? powerful? It's an odd art form, one suitable to Seville, where beauty that has matured over the centuries is entwined with the everyday lives of the people here. Just as we were adjusting to the city and finding the best churro stands, it was off to Portugal and the windswept beaches of the Algarve. Actually, it took some time to find those windswept beaches, our hotel being located amongst the fish and chips, hamburger, ice cream, disco and casino pits in the blue-collar British tourist trap we found ourselves in. But once on the road, it was great to breathe the fresh air at what was the end of the earth for the early explorers. Octopus stew, jumbo prawns, beer, and sangria while listening to the waves pounding on shore and watching the surfers wipe out will always be a good memory. Our waiter has a droll, deadpan sense of humor, reminding us that in a place where time stands still, people have time to work on their craft. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466966446114-ATCTOKRGRCDCXF7O4TS2/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - From Seville to Portugal We parted company with our friends Anne and Jon in the northern Portuguese city of Porto but not before sampling a lot of sweet port wine and taking a boat ride on the Douro River that runs through the town and for centuries was used to transport the grapes for the port wine from the Douro Valley, just a short distance east of here, to the distilleries in Porto. Unlike regular wine, port is a "fortified wine" with 20% alcohol content so even just a small glass gives a pleasant buzz :) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466964859032-O6E41NL3QAJ4VSCX9Y8F/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - From Seville to Portugal The (rare) pristine beach in the Algarve, Portugal https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466965308118-BF71KJPG6QCSEK535WA4/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - From Seville to Portugal Lisbon was a very pleasant surprise. Easy to get around and lovely to tour. Too bad that it flies under most American's radar when planning a trip to Europe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466965849995-QTMT7S3RHTN41BMRXLEQ/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - From Seville to Portugal The abandoned castle at Ourem, a picturesque small hilltop town in central Portugal https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466964504864-URIS21Q7OHWZ6MV4BVOL/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - From Seville to Portugal Giralda Tower in Seville, Spain https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466965896047-FMWO9Y6KYAWODOKW7WF2/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - From Seville to Portugal Intersecting with a pilgrimage in the walled town of Obidos https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466966183003-QEH662DYEDASCX6WH4MF/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - From Seville to Portugal Our (haunted?) hotel near Coimbra in the Bussaco Forest...this hotel, completed in 1907, was the last royal palace ever built in Portugal for a King. Carlos I, the reigning king at the time was assassinated a year later along with the crown prince. https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2016/6/25/spain-part-1 monthly 0.5 2016-06-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466879103292-M7EM12BMZH8E3PKU9Z25/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Spain Part 1 We hit the road to Avila a few days ago via Segovia and then went onto Toledo, driving through the countryside that presented everything from desert-like regions to ski slopes. Wild blackberries and cool nights make it feel like autumn, but the long hot days into the high 80's still feel like summer and it's still light here till almost 9 PM. We listened to American gospel music and blues standards at an outdoor concert beneath a full moon and the towering cathedral of Toledo tonight. We are on to visit Roman ruins tomorrow in Merida https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466882626621-J5O7FF7ANDKYIKXKPNM9/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Spain Part 1 We hit the Costa Del Sol but even though the attached photo shows the pretty view, up close and personal it is overbuilt, overcrowded and over-rated. We split as soon as possible but not before going down under for a look into the caves in Nerja, just 2 miles inland from the beach but a world away . . . very cool! "I never go down to the coast. It's awful down there" was the comment from a British ex-pat who was buying his croissant & coffee at the bakery next to our churro place. He's been living in the "white hill town" of Ronda for 7 years and still loves it (see first photo). It's a charming place just under an hour from the coast . . . what a difference an hour makes! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466882735189-YCKPBXO6CB2NBNWTEKM8/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Spain Part 1 The toy store in Ronda. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466879672681-NTBT8KZLO8MZ7ZZA4SZ2/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Spain Part 1 Merida Temple of Diana https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466877428406-9S5JHGIUKV7TZWZY1N33/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Spain Part 1 Angry clowns in Madrid. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466879245653-1BM82VR922CPHQINO92P/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Spain Part 1 Toledo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466877588950-86VNZ6D702BJXRRCIQZ2/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Spain Part 1 Madrid street market. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466879602669-NV0MHRHDQTGP02XEIC5X/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Spain Part 1 The highways are a far cry better than the 405 in LA. Endless miles of flawless blacktop stretch as far as the eye can see with only an occasional fellow motorist along the way enabling us to make great time, enough so to include a side trip to the land of La Mancha (Consuegra) with 300 year old windmills, cheese and azafran (saffron). From there, it was on to the Roman ruins in Merida (Temple of Diana below) after an extended tour of a Toledo suburb, courtesy of our GPS navigation system ("if possible make a U-turn" x 30). "She" also can't count worth a damn, especially at traffic circles which are ubiquitous here. Luckily, we also brought some actual maps and a little common sense along. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466881371981-RIMKGG5123BCIFUQIWVA/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Spain Part 1 We took a turn to the south into the Andalusia region, first visiting Cordoba and then Granada: Cordoba for La Mezquitaop, once the largest mosque in Europe (and third largest in the world) though it is now used as a Cathedral and then to Granada for the Alhambra, the most popular destination in Spain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466882835346-31T16NOUHRSLSI3YUA86/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Spain Part 1 Grazalema, another whitewashed town nearby, much smaller and even quainter and more lovely than Ronda. We have remained up in the hills, despite having to navigate our little Citroen on single lane roads winding through steep canyons with the occasional 16-wheel tour buses barreling down in the opposite direction. But, no matter...after the recent rains, everything smells sweet and the fig, olive, pomegranate and plum trees that grow all along the country roads here are now all laden with ripe fruit to pick and we've foraged for plenty of blackberries, too. By the way, have we mentioned that in Spain, when you order coffee, they always make you a cup of strong espresso with plenty of steamed milk and mounds of foam?! It's a coffee lovers paradise :) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466881740996-7Y0PCI52NLN6RLJ70007/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Spain Part 1 Every site we visit seems bigger and more elaborate than the last, and the Alhambra is truly magnificent! We feel fortunate to be here slightly off season because the crowds have not been too much of an issue. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466882695569-H2FRLA7KP6S910J9B01L/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Spain Part 1 Ronda https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466877294634-Y2FA9PSZ78LSMEM7ML71/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Spain Part 1 On our last day in Madrid, after foraging through far too many fried foods, fishy sea creatures, pork rinds and offal, we finally found the local landmark bomb: Chocolateria San Gines, home of churros and hot chocolate since 1894! First you dip the churros and then you drink the rest of this hot chocolate that is every bit as rich as a chocolate sauce...completely decadent and delicious :)...tomorrow after stopping at La Rastra, the local Sunday flea market and the largest one in Spain, we head out for Avila with a brief stop in Segovia on the way... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466881415475-BFW25QWZ06RK293FGXX2/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Spain Part 1 Walking through the Jewish Quarter of Cordoba https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1466881955680-5C2Q5X9WD37TR11Z0RRI/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Spain Part 1 We were able to get tickets to a gypsy flamenco performance, which turned out to be much more dramatic and exciting than we had expected and almost as consuming as the architecture we have been seeing. https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/2016/7/19/africa-our-first-tour-group monthly 0.5 2016-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1468966755564-5TY5YPCIHVRFMF8BCJ5S/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Africa -- Our First Tour Group Sharing a few laughs with some giraffes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1468967544859-R60UJJ0H5YTXJRRDFQ0I/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Africa -- Our First Tour Group https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1468980216806-1LBHP6VT3ZERIQNV0XW3/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Africa -- Our First Tour Group Beautiful views from our lodging on a coffee plantation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1468967254032-1YZED95GDQNKUG62EQCX/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Africa -- Our First Tour Group A couple of Maasai attempt to show us how they build fires when out in the wilderness without the aid of a Bic lighter. After much sheepish giggling, they call in the expert fire builder to manages to get things going. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1468981256720-YHF3QIYP27801BY7E6E6/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Africa -- Our First Tour Group More roadblocks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1468981908645-4BQP7HJXI3LCT9SSB6YZ/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Africa -- Our First Tour Group https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1468967812641-UZ2GVI7Y2FB4GC5A17Z7/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Africa -- Our First Tour Group Some picture-worthy animals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1468981411389-WPOP89OR4IF5DRH2RVP1/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Africa -- Our First Tour Group A giraffe trots on while giving birth. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1468982828599-82NQWZRJISEVUUPTHCXC/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Africa -- Our First Tour Group One of the last pictures I took in Africa at Victoria Falls. After this, my camera was destroyed by all the mist. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1468982024775-8WYGD2UJSPPY704HNXDK/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Africa -- Our First Tour Group The Akasha tree seems so emblematic of this part of Africa. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1468980003891-6KWLP1IZQ9N5ZA7684OP/P1020020.jpg Boarding Pass - Africa -- Our First Tour Group https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1468979694868-JIUUJ3FOJFCXJM9DUNIB/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Africa -- Our First Tour Group https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1468982608540-KNPUXPZW29QMULICJW8J/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Africa -- Our First Tour Group https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1468981751547-JYGMSEVZRFAV42JH13GJ/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Africa -- Our First Tour Group An outdoor market along side the road. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1468967630749-CKC4TMM2F7BD7PC5Z8NI/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Africa -- Our First Tour Group https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1468967151979-SQIH8I45J133X79P63G5/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Africa -- Our First Tour Group https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1468981131933-9K7MQ3VBN1NYED365H9J/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Africa -- Our First Tour Group The Great Migration blocks our path. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1468980353864-8MXNWK85V03U345U4Q49/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Africa -- Our First Tour Group https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1468980121478-86C4BCMJW0T2E8MRWDNQ/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Africa -- Our First Tour Group https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1468981600525-SDLPJ257H3X6R2218RGY/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Africa -- Our First Tour Group https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1468982353740-KDRVPH2Z795RVIUWNQMT/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Africa -- Our First Tour Group This guy trotted along side our 4x4 for nearly a mile before getting fed up with us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1468982545058-0BBA9YQBX23HWO8EBGD6/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Africa -- Our First Tour Group https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1468967426452-EKK3XH21R7NRP990TOKL/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Africa -- Our First Tour Group https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1468966594022-OK6WPR5HAVWLDWFKG5GO/image-asset.jpeg Boarding Pass - Africa -- Our First Tour Group https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/category/South+America monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/category/New+Zealand monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/category/Asia monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/category/Italy monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/Easter+Island monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/Stow-On-The-Wold monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/wart+hogs monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/Valparaiso monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/Scandinavia monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/Casa+Blanca+Valley monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/Moai monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/%C3%86r%C3%B8 monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/Copenhagen monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/Sweden monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/Tour+Group monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/Chile monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/Bavaria+Berlin+Baden+Fussen monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/Blog monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/Santorini monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/M%C3%A4laren monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/Rapa+Nui monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/street+art monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/Argentina monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/smells monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/Isle+of+Man monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/cows monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/Africa monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/Zapallar monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/Athens monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/Ios monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/Stockholm monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/Mykonos monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/penguins monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/London monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/Denmark monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/Anafiotika monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/%C3%96land monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/Sifnos monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/boarding-pass/tag/travel monthly 0.5 https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/our-story daily 0.75 2016-11-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/576720759f7456370134c2dd/1478575650119-A7KCRLLOWXQ7BV20LHK1/P1000254.JPG Our Story https://www.boomerboardingpass.com/contact daily 0.75 2016-06-29