31 December 2015 ~ Eve

Listening to: Eric Clapton ~ Somebody's Knockin' On My Door (Slowhand at 70)

I took this photo with a Nikon P610 of the Christmas Moon. I hope everyone (east of the Mississippi) had an opportunity to see the full moon. A full moon coinciding with Christmas usually happens every 19 years. But this is the first one since 1977 because of the vagaries of our calendar and lunar cycle.

A bright full moon was described in "The Night Before Christmas" first published in 1823. I can almost see St. Nick flying by....

Here is wishing everyone a safe and healthy and happy 2016!

30 December 2015 ~ El Tanque

Listening to:   Sia ~ Cheap Thrills

Our first stop in Havana, even before going to our hotel, was El Tanque.

It is the the work of the Muraleando Gallery Collective, to restore a 100 year old water tank as a workshop for adults and children in ceramics, bookmaking, dance and theater.

A great improvement to the neighborhood, it also adds some lively color.

In the dance hall.

A makeshift drum set.

Here is a short sample:

https://youtu.be/HI2kdAhzOoU

After the concert, we were offered a taste of the original "el tanque" drink. Of course, rum and several other ingredients.

The finished product was quite potent but very delicious.

22 December 2015 ~ Next Up: Cuba

Listening to:  David Bowie ~ Lazarus


Over Thanksgiving I partook in a National Geographic Tour to Cuba. The great part was to have a National Geographic explorer with us at all times, as well as a women who just wrote the Frommer's Guide to Cuba 2015 edition.

As a People-to-People Exchange Program, the US government allows currently direct flights from the US to Havana due to the Embargo. Direct commercial flights may resume next year if all follows through as planned. I took a charter flight from Miami to Havana.




I didn't get to travel to many places on the island. Mostly the time was spent in Havana, with short trips to Cienfuegos and Trinadad, which are both on the northern part of the island, on the south sea side. In comparison, Guantanamo is on the southern eastern tip of the island. This map was on our tour bus at all times for easy reference.

Two beers reign supreme: Cristal and Bucanero. I usually ordered Bucanero when it was available.

Exchanging money is easy but must be done strategically. US dollars will be charged an additional 13% as an exchange rate, so I took Euros to be exchanged at a 3% rate. There are local pesos and CUC's, or the "tourist" money. Here are samples of the denominations. However, it's a 1:1 rate whereby 1 USD = U CUC.

20 December 2015 ~ Views from Grizzly Peak

Listening to:  Railroad Earth ~ Mighty River

We finally have some rain in California. But I was able to get a few nice pictures from the Grizzly Peak lookout areas.

I do miss leaves changing, but this Japanese Maple provided some beautiful colors.





The Bay Bridge, heading into San Francisco.



Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz shrouded in the fog.



Rising moon.

8 December 2015 ~ Inkaterra Hacienda

Listening to: Kim Simmonds / Savoy Brown ~ Ain't Got Nobody


Inkaterra was the tour agency in Peru and they had a newly built hotel in the Sacred Valley.

It was nicely decorated. The high ceilings and wood beams provided an inviting structure.

Masks have a long history in Peruvian culture. Facial shapes, various embellishments, and rich colors decorate the forms.

And of course the pottery was amazing. This isn't even the erotic section.

Golden shoes.

Giddy up!

 Time for a relaxing cocktail in the bar.

7 December 2015 ~ Terminal Bus Station Shopping

Listening to: Sugar Minott ~ Mr. DC

In Cusco we had some time for traditional bazaar shopping.

Several young girls in traditional dress would carry lambs as a photo op as we entered.

So many stalls in the labyrinth that it felt like we needed to leave breadcrumbs to find our way back to the entrance.

Always fun to try on the hats!

4 December 2015 ~ Machu Picchu

Listening to:  Johnny Cash ~ Rusty Cage


I still have photos and experiences to share about my Peru trip in September.

The main purpose of the trip, as with most tourists, is to visit Machu Picchu.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu is a lasting tribute to the Inca Empire. The walls, terraces and staircases weave effortlessly in the mountainside without the use of mortar or modern machinery. Truly amazing considered this was built in the 15th century!

My friends climbed to the peak of the hillside, but I stayed behind to enjoy the view.

My guide took these photos.

3 December 2015 ~ Fare Thee Well, Skye

Listening to: Bob Marley ~ Three Little Birds

With sad heart and fond memories I bid farewell to Skye.

 RIP little lovebird. October 2001 - November 2015.

I remember driving from Virginia to California with her in the back seat, and she always seemed to "sing along" to reggae music.

She kept me sane and grounded in Hong Kong.

Her happiness and curiosity were contagious. And remember, she's even in the video of the Bird Hospital!

I will miss her tremendously.

https://youtu.be/mX3GP3LPOCw