Vancouver, Canada

305 days
5 continents
80,000 kilometers
countless good times

We returned to Vancouver earlier this month - our minds exploding with memories.
     .people met
     .geographies traversed
     .foods consumed
     .cultures experienced
     .wildlife observed
     .wines tasted
     .art admired
     .religions discussed
     .nature explored

Now it's back to the planning stages for the next one !

New York City

I'm in a New York state of mind.

New York City's finest - responding to a call in Midtown Manhattan.

Madison Square Park in the spring.

Flowers - like a Monet painting.

Cherry blossoms at Union Square - remind us of Vancouver.

New York City Public Library.

Iconic Chrysler Building - 42nd Street and Lexington.

Bicycle couriers on fixed speed bikes - the fastest way to make a delivery.

Flatiron Building - Broadway at 23rd Street.

 Fashion window - 5th Avenue.

Empire State Building - 34th Street - maintains it's original allure.

Chess in the park - time to make a move.

Freedom Tower at Ground Zero - the mast being hoisted into place - 1776 feet high - now the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.

Brooklyn Bridge - constructed in 1875 - we walked down from Central Park.

'The Bride on Brooklyn Bridge'

Grimaldi's coal fired brick oven pizza - under the Brooklyn Bridge.

Strumming 'Hey Jude' at Strawberry Fields in Central Park .....

..... and just like that - a group breaks into chorus.

Imagine - just imagine. The world needs another John Lennon.

Portugal

Terracotta tile roofscape on the slopes of Alfama - a labyrinth of narrow, steep, winding roads.

Infamous vintage Tram 28.

Pastel de nata - flakey crust and custard filled tarts sprinkled with cinnamon and icing sugar - delicious. Best enjoyed with espresso.

Ornate architectural detailing decorate this mint green building on Rue da Conceicao in Baixa.

A nice pair of Portugese knockers.

Mosteiro dos Jeronimos in old Belem.

Outdoor cafes along Rua de Belem where we enjoyed a dinner.

Intriguing - the artist mounted the copper rooster sculpture over the existing graffiti.

Kaleidescope of colors, materials and textures in one small corner.

Small arched side door at Lisbo Catederal.

Old doorway in the shadows on a hill above Lisbon.

Intricate sidewalk patterns of cream and black limestone throughout Portugal. The craft was taken to the promenades of Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches in Rio.

Mosteiro dos Jeronimos in Belem.

Sculptured detail above the main entrance to Ingreja N. Sra. Loreto.

One of dozens of statues at the old royal palace in Lisbon.

Hand painted tile wall murals dating back to the 17th century - still evident at outdoor plazas and inside old cafes.

Hand painted tiles in geometric patterns cover entire facades of old buildings.

View across the Rio Arade in southern Portugal where we had a dinner at sunset.

Praia da Rocha on the Algarve - the beach almost to ourselves - warm waether, good food, off season prices.

Ochre red cliffs form a backdrop to the long wide beach that runs for kilometers - we walked the full length every morning.

Jane - in her boardshorts.

Madrid, Spain

El Matador ..... vs

                         
..... El Toro.

Hotel Metropolis on Avenida Gran Via.

Fresh baguettes consumed daily.

Formal entrance to Parque del Retiro.

'Valverde de la Vera' - 1969 - photographer Rafael San Lobato [on display at Museo Reina Sofia].

'Boy' - 1955 - photographer Virxilio Vieitez.

'The Victory of Samothrace' - 1962 - sculptor Yves Klein.

'The Painter and the Model' - 1963 - painter Pablo Picasso.

European transportation - available in Tiffany blue.

Catedral de la Almudena - central Madrid .....

..... daylight illuminates the main chamber

..... brilliant stained glass windows align the exterior

..... intrically painted ceilings above.

Calle de Alcala - pedestrian street near Puerta del Sol.

Hotel Meninas at Campomanes 7 where we stayed.

Street busker / violinist perfecting her craft much to our delight.

Balconies of architectural splendor at every corner.

Delis display flavour sensations of mature cheeses, cured hams .....

..... that we consumed standing with a pint or a copa vino in Museo de Jamon.

'The Girl in the Red Pants' - 2013

Iglesia de San Gines bell tower and dome at dusk.