This was only our "place" for three nights. But it came with a nice beach and great food (as pictured yesterday). One of the things I try to do when I plan our foreign travel is to get to places that aren't overwhelmed by American tourists. Being an American, I don't mind other Americans. But if I want to go to some place exotic just to be swarmed by other Americans, the Mall of America is closer and cheaper.Corsica is certainly off the beaten path - especially in early June, when Deb and I were there. The hotel's name is the Hotel Abbartello, and it is on the West coast of Corsica. I think we paid about $80 per night for a nice room, a nice beach and food that was locally renowned.
Travel
A Walk On the Moon?
in Travel
This is clearly not the moon. It is the kind of terrain you will find at South Point on the Big Island of Hawaii. If you have never been to Hawaii, I hope you get to the Big Island because there are such amazing contrasts. It has lush, tropical rain forests, and nearly barren, wind-swept areas like the one pictured here. And it has everything in between, including rolling cattle ranches.This photo was taken very near the famous Green Sand Beach, which our son Jon took us to several years ago. Getting there was difficult but well worth it. I doubt I would have gone if it hadn't been for Jon. It is also close to the spot where you can jump off the most southern point in the US.
Swan Dive
Some peered cautiously over the edge (me). Some jumped in feet first (Brian). And one did a swan dive (nicknamed "Grom.")This was taken at a place called South Point on the Big Island of Hawaii. I don't know Grom's real name but I do know that he was very athletic and half crazy, from what my son Jon told me.
Fuzzy Logic
If you hadn't already figured it out, this is a cactus. Nature's design? Or an experiment in genetic engineering? Either way, what were they thinking!? Compare this cactus with "Thorny Problem."The botanical name for this plant is the Mammillaria vaupelli "Cristata." Sometimes it's called "brain cactus."
Electric
This is another photo from our recent trip to California. After I got done taking a few broad shots from the top of Mulholland Drive, I turned my camera towards some long grass that was illuminated by the strong morning sun.
03-28-10 Stranger In A Strange Land
This title is not at all descriptive of the subject of this photo. The title suggests how I felt when we visited California. The fact that I had never seen a plant like this (in the Norton Simon art park in Pasdena, California) suggests that I was a bit of an alien. Sorry, but I don't know what it is called.
As I was looking at my California photos to find something to post today, I decided that I think that everybody ought to visit the Los Angeles area. It seems so American to me: the sprawling megapolis, the wealth, the exotic cars, the Walk of Fame, the beautiful endless coast and the mixing of cultures, to name a few.
For a South Dakotan like me, California is like Japan: exotic and inviting. For what it's worth, incidentally, I also think that everybody ought to visit South Dakota - especially Californians.
03-26-10 Cool Cat
in Travel
This is my third post in six days from the Norton Simon Museum of Art in Pasadena. The museum was great but the sculpture garden was beautiful - espcially on a spring day in California. The bronze cat is a sculpture but the white trees also are a strong sculptural element in the garden.
Canon 5DII 1/100s f/4.5 ISO200 65mm
03-25-10 Betty
Betty is my 89 year old aunt. At age 18 she left South Dakota for California and has lived there ever since. At age 18 she showed a willingness to explore and she recently showed the same willingness when we carted her all over the Los Angeles area.
In this photo she is sitting complacently in the lobby of the Norton Simon Art Museum in Pasadena. I thought a full day of visiting places like Hollywood, the Santa Monica pier and an art gallery would do her in. But she never slowed us down!
03-23-10 You Be the Judge
in Travel
Take a minute to look at this post from a while back (click here) and then consider the three biggest differences. And one similarity. Discuss.
One similarity that I can see is that they were both taken through the window of a car on an interstate highway. A difference? In one the world is whizzing by at 75 mph and in the other it is hardly moving.
For the record, one was taken in southern California and the other was taken in western South Dakota. And I love both places.
03-21-10 California Green
That there should be no snow or ice in Pasadena, California, might be enough for South Dakotans enjoying a brief spring break. But that there should be greenery and flowers and warm breezes is enough to erase a whole, harsh winter.
These “flowers” caught my attention because they are green and were in a deeply shaded part of a garden adjacent to the Norton Simon Museum of Art in the town that is the home of the Rose Bowl Parade.
Canon 5DII 1/80s f/4.0 ISO200 105mm
03-21-10 Pacific Reflections
in Travel
That’s me with the camera and behind me is the Santa Monica Pier in southern California. And way off in the distance is the peaceful Pacific ocean, smooth and welcoming on a beautiful spring day.
Just around the corner in the unfocused part of the photo is the owner of the sunglass kiosk. When she discovered me taking this photo, she said, “No photo’s allowed.” I said, “I’ve already taken the photo but the dock and the light and the reflections are public.” She insisted otherwise and after a short philosophical exchange about ownership, I walked away. And then I bumped in to Fred and Kathleen, two people from Watertown, SD. What are the odds?
03-11-10 Wildlife
The only wildlife I seem to photograph is captive, such as the butterflies I've posted. And now a lumbering brown bear, on display at a zoo a few miles south of Sitka, Alaska, named "The Fortress of the Bear." This young bear is one of two at the compound. They were orphaned after their mother had to be be destroyed. The crime the mom had committed was that she had made her way into the kitchen of a resort. Once a bear has tasted peanut butter and jelly, she is less inclined to eat berries and salmon. And before you know it, they'll be back in your kitchen. Here's another view. (click)
