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Welcome to our travel gallery - 2008!

We will be working in Phoenix this year until the end of June, then home for the balance of the year. Our only travel plans this year are a trip to San Francisco for Suzie's birthday in March. Wishing a great year to all!

always,
bill and suz

Galleries

Acapulco, November 2008 :

Acapulco, November 2008

Updated: Nov 26, 2008 6:18pm PST

Sedona, Oak Creek Az - 2008 :

Sedona, Oak Creek Az - 2008

Updated: Aug 19, 2008 10:12am PST

Utah :

Updated: Aug 19, 2008 9:53am PST

Zion Nat'l Park, Utah - 2008 :

Zion Nat'l Park, Utah - 2008

Updated: Aug 19, 2008 9:40am PST

Las Vegas - 2008 :

Las Vegas - 2008

Updated: Aug 19, 2008 9:20am PST

Bryce Canyon, Utah - 2008 :

Bryce Canyon, Utah - 2008

Updated: Aug 19, 2008 7:52am PST

Arches, Utah - 2008 :

Arches, Utah - 2008

Updated: Aug 19, 2008 7:37am PST

Lake Havasu City, Az - 2008 :

Lake Havasu City, Az - 2008

Updated: Aug 19, 2008 7:11am PST

Alcatraz - Bill bikes Golden Gate Bridge - 2008 :

Alcatraz - Bill bikes Golden Gate Bridge - 2008

Updated: Aug 12, 2008 6:41am PST

San Francisco,2008 - :

San Francisco,2008 -

Updated: Mar 24, 2008 8:03am PST

Picacho Peak State Park : Picacho Peaks National Park, 70 miles S.E. of Phoenix is a great place to view the Mexican Poppies and brittlebush flowers in bloom.

Picacho Peak State Park

Picacho Peaks National Park, 70 miles S.E. of Phoenix is a great place ...

Updated: Feb 28, 2008 11:40am PST

Saguaro Nat'l Park, Old Tucson, Pima Air Museum, Tombstone. : Saguaro Nat'l Park, near Tucson, Az. Home of the giant Saguaro Cactus. They live to be 200 yers old, and grow to sometimes 40 feet tall! The giants and the most well known of the Cactus.

Old Tucson - a movie set, and old western town.

Pima Air Museum - 4th largest air museum of antique airplanes in U.S.

Tombstone - "The town that wouldn't die" - last bastion of the "Old West" in U.S.

Saguaro Nat'l Park, Old Tucson, Pima Air Museum, Tombstone.

Saguaro Nat'l Park, near Tucson, Az. Home of the giant Saguaro Cactus ...

Updated: Feb 27, 2008 6:51pm PST

Salt River Canyon, Roosevelt Lake :

Salt River Canyon, Roosevelt Lake

Updated: Feb 27, 2008 12:29pm PST

Christmas 2007 - the Goldens :

Christmas 2007 - the Goldens

Updated: Dec 27, 2007 1:21pm PST

Christmas 2007 - the Feiersteins :

Christmas 2007 - the Feiersteins

Updated: Dec 27, 2007 12:55pm PST

Phoenix, 2007 :

Updated: Aug 05, 2007 6:03pm PST

Canada, 2007 :

Updated: Aug 05, 2007 5:56pm PST

Niagra Falls, 2007 :

Niagra Falls, 2007

Updated: Aug 05, 2007 5:33pm PST

The Catskils, 2007 :

The Catskils, 2007

Updated: Jul 04, 2007 11:22am PST

Signs of The World ( Under construction) :

Signs of The World ( Under construction)

Updated: Jul 04, 2007 8:17am PST

Golden's Christmas 2006 :

Golden's Christmas 2006

Updated: Jan 15, 2007 3:26pm PST

Feierstein Christmas 2006 :

Feierstein Christmas 2006

Updated: Dec 27, 2006 9:10pm PST

Back Home in Colorado - 2006 :

Back Home in Colorado - 2006

Updated: Dec 22, 2006 10:49am PST

Christmas Blizzard - 2006 :

Christmas Blizzard - 2006

Updated: Dec 22, 2006 8:18am PST

Our new home in Singapore, January 2006 : We arrived in Singapore on January 5, 2006, for a six month work assignment. This gallery shows our new home for that time.

Our new home in Singapore, January 2006

We arrived in Singapore on January 5, 2006, for a six month work assig ...

Updated: Oct 09, 2006 2:31pm PST

Colorado Fall Colors 2005 :

Colorado Fall Colors 2005

Updated: Oct 09, 2006 2:22pm PST

Grand Junction, Colo and Colo. Nat'l Monument :

Grand Junction, Colo and Colo. Nat'l Monument

Updated: Oct 09, 2006 2:14pm PST

Amboise, Loire and Cher River Valleys :

Amboise, Loire and Cher River Valleys

Updated: Sep 22, 2006 7:42am PST

Figeac, Capdenac, St. Cirq La Popie :

Figeac, Capdenac, St. Cirq La Popie

Updated: Sep 22, 2006 7:35am PST

Najac, Cordes, and Lourdes: 2005 : Bill and Ron's excellent adventure!

Barred from Ratier, they were forced to explore France for a week together. Suz was barred from France until her passport was renewed.

Najac, Cordes, and Lourdes: 2005

Bill and Ron's excellent adventure! Barred from Ratier, they were f ...

Updated: Sep 22, 2006 7:31am PST

Ireland, Spring 2005 : Off we go to Southern Ireland where we spent St. Patrick's day and week celebrating Suz's birthday.

Ireland, Spring 2005

Off we go to Southern Ireland where we spent St. Patrick's day and wee ...

Updated: Sep 22, 2006 7:25am PST

Normandy: Fall, 2004 : Omaha Beach, the German Cemetery, and St. Lo are powerful and emotional. There are nearly 10,000 American soldiers buried at Omaha Beach in beautiful, serene, and peaceful surroundings. In stark contrast, only 6 miles away there are approximately the same number of German soldiers buried in somber but equally powerful surroundings.

Moving along you will see the German artillery overlooking Utah beach left as a reminder of the battle there.

Next, the museum dedicated to the 29th and 35th infantry divisions who liberated the town of St. Lo in July, 1944. 2,000 bombers carpet bombed all day and all night long,and utterly destroyed the city in the 2 days immediately preceding the liberation by American troops.

Bill's father was there, he was 19 years old, and remembers most vividly the bullets flying overhead and all around in the rubble which gave cover to the many German troops and snipers.

These same French people today have never forgotten the bravery and sacrifice of the American soldiers. Several times per year, the people of St. Lo make a pilgrimage to Omaha Beach and decorate the graves of every fallen soldier from both the 29th and 35th division.

While in their town, we attempted to buy some souvenirs, but the people of St. Lo would accept no money, and instead sent them home as gifts of the city for Bill's father. The mayor of the town came personally to open the museum for a private showing for us as the museum was closed this time of the year.

These same French people gather at the St. Lo museum every year on 9/11 and pay their respects to the fallen Americans who died at the twin towers in 2001.

They love Americans, and are among the most gracious, friendly, and wonderful people we have ever met anywhere, anytime, and anyplace.

Never will we stand quietly and listen to any person who says the French are rude, or hate Americans.

Go where we went, judge for yourselves.

Normandy: Fall, 2004

Omaha Beach, the German Cemetery, and St. Lo are powerful and emotiona ...

Updated: Sep 16, 2006 8:11am PST

Paris: Fall, 2004 :

Paris: Fall, 2004

Updated: Sep 16, 2006 7:59am PST

The French Riviera: 2004 :

The French Riviera: 2004

Updated: Sep 16, 2006 7:52am PST

In the countryside: France 2004 :

In the countryside: France 2004

Updated: Sep 16, 2006 7:45am PST

Cahors, France: Summer 2004 : Many vineyards claim to be among the oldest wines in France. But rare are those that have left so many traces in history.
Two Thousand Years Old - that is for sure.
The Romans called the wine of the region "black wine" because of its deep purple color, due to the abundance of tannins in the wine.
At the time when Roman conquest of Gaul was coming to an end, vines developed rapidly in Quercy. Bacchus, the Roman god, was worshipped by the Gauls.

Cahors, France: Summer 2004

Many vineyards claim to be among the oldest wines in France. But rare ...

Updated: Sep 16, 2006 7:39am PST

Figeac, France: Summer, 2004 : Figeac is a friendly mediaeval town nestling on the banks of the river Célé in ancient Quercy.
As you stroll through the town you cannot help admiring the mediaeval architecture of its brick and timber framed houses. Nowadays, attractive modern boutiques replace the shops of former traders behind the carved and moulded stone arches of the middle ages.
In the later Renaissance period, wealthy merchants built their turreted stone mansions round an open interior courtyard, with finely carved bulustraded stone staircases leading to the upper floors.
At the Place des Ecritures, there is a fine modern rendering of the Rosetta stone, by the artist Joseph Kosuth, celebrating the achievements of Figeac's famous scholar Jean-François Champollion. Born here in 1790, he was the man who first broke the code of Egyptian hieroglyphics.

Figeac, France: Summer, 2004

Figeac is a friendly mediaeval town nestling on the banks of the river ...

Updated: Sep 16, 2006 7:33am PST

Rocamadour, France: Summer 2004 : Rocamadour is indebted for its name to the founder of the ancient sanctuary, St. Amadour, who was none other than Zacheus of the Gospel, husband of St. Veronica, who wiped the Saviour's face on the way to Calvary. Driven forth from Palestine by persecution, Amadour and Veronica embarked in a frail skiff and, guided by an angel, landed on the coast of Aquitaine, where thy met Bishop St. Martial, another disciple of Christ who was preaching the Gospel in the south-west of Gaul. After journeying to Rome, where he witnessed the martydoms of Sts. Peter and Paul, Amadour, having returned to France, on the death of his spouse, withdrew to a wild spot in Quercy where he built a chapel in honour of the Blessed Virgin, near which he died a little later.

Rocamadour, France: Summer 2004

Rocamadour is indebted for its name to the founder of the ancient sanc ...

Updated: Sep 15, 2006 8:04am PST

Tour de France, 2004 :

Tour de France, 2004

Updated: Sep 15, 2006 7:55am PST

Chicago: May and June, 2004 :

Chicago: May and June, 2004

Updated: Sep 14, 2006 8:14am PST

Barrel Tasting: Grand Junction, May 2004 :

Barrel Tasting: Grand Junction, May 2004

Updated: Sep 14, 2006 7:57am PST

Route 66: California, Arizona, New Mexico, March 2004 :

Route 66: California, Arizona, New Mexico, March 2004

Updated: Sep 14, 2006 7:42am PST

San Diego, March 2004 :

San Diego, March 2004

Updated: Sep 14, 2006 7:25am PST

Barcelona :

Updated: Sep 14, 2006 7:11am PST

Andalucia (Costa Del Sol, Spain) :

Andalucia (Costa Del Sol, Spain)

Updated: Sep 14, 2006 7:04am PST

Daintree National Rain Forest - Australia 2006 : While staying at Cairns we took a trip north to the Daintree National Rainforest. This is a great place to see wild crocodiles, unusual birds, and creatures that lok like iguanas. The natural scenery is also breathtaking, wild and untamed.

Daintree National Rain Forest - Australia 2006

While staying at Cairns we took a trip north to the Daintree National ...

Updated: Aug 09, 2006 8:43pm PST

Hobart, Tasmania : Hobart is the capital of the Australian State of Tasmania, and the farthest Southern point of the country. It is the last frontier left, except for the Outback! The most famous attraction is the Tasmanian Devils, which are pictured and described in this gallery. They are currently in grave danger of becoming extinct within the next five years, as they are afflicted with an infectious cancer which attacks their facial muscles. There are massive efforts underway to breed them in captivity and re-introduce them back into the wild, as only the wild devils have the disease at this time.

Hobart, Tasmania

Hobart is the capital of the Australian State of Tasmania, and the far ...

Updated: Aug 09, 2006 8:41pm PST

The Great Barrier Reef - Australia 2006 :

The Great Barrier Reef - Australia 2006

Updated: Aug 08, 2006 9:04am PST

Bill's Helmet Dive at Great Barrier Reef : From The Great Barrier Reef, out of Port Douglas, Bill did a "helmet dive." In a helmet dive, you put on the appropriate wet suit and undergarments and a belt of weights is strapped to your waist. Then you put on the helmet, which has oxygen pumped continuously into it and descend 21 feet to a viewing platform where the coral reef and marine life are viewed for 30 minutes. The helmet dive is tricky because you must look straight ahead or up to avoid getting salt water in your mouth. You cannot see your feet because the helmet protrudes too far out. The underwater photos were taken by another professional diver who accompanies you. Since this was Bill's first dive, there was no way he could be comfortable enough down there to do any photography. Simply enjoying the undersea wonderland was quite enough!

Bill's Helmet Dive at Great Barrier Reef

From The Great Barrier Reef, out of Port Douglas, Bill did a "helmet d ...

Updated: Aug 08, 2006 8:08am PST

Ayer's rock (Uluru) and the Olgas - Australia 2006 : Ayer's Rock (in the aboriginal - Uluru) is arguably the most photographed spot on earth! At 1,141 feet above ground, and 3.1 miles below ground, it was formed by sediments laid down 600-700 million years ago in an inland sea and thrust above ground by geological forces. When photographed from a distance, it looks like a big, smooth blob - up close there are many overhangs, holes, and curtains of stone draping it's sides. Say what you will, but I must say that this is the only place I (Bill) have ever had the privilege to photograph that I was oblivious to the beautiful sunset behind me and totally focused on the changing colors of Uluru as it changed before my eyes from pink to peach, peach to orange, orange to red, and finally red to a deep violet. There can be no other visual experience anywhere to rival an Uluru sunset!
The base walk is around the Rock is 10 kilometers, 6.2 miles, takes 2-3 hours, and is a must do while there.

The Olga's ( aboriginal - Kata Tjuta) are a sister formation of 36 various shaped red domes formed in the same manner as Uluru. We walked the strenuous but rewarding Valley of the Winds walk, which we were able to accomplish in three hours. It was an awesome, powerful experience.

Ayer's rock (Uluru) and the Olgas - Australia 2006

Ayer's Rock (in the aboriginal - Uluru) is arguably the most photograp ...

Updated: Aug 06, 2006 8:24am PST

Alice Springs, Capital of the Australian Outback - 2006 : Alice Springs (population 27,000), fondly called "The Alice" is the unofficial capital of the outback. It is located in approximately the center of the country. It is equidistant to beaches in all four directions. It is the home of the famous camel races in July, and the Todd Regata in September (a boat race down the center of a dry river.)

Alice Springs, Capital of the Australian Outback - 2006

Alice Springs (population 27,000), fondly called "The Alice" is the un ...

Updated: Aug 03, 2006 6:22pm PST

Great Keppel Island : After 3 plus weeks of travelling Australia, we were really ready to take a "vacation from our vacation!" The place we chose was Great Keppel Island, off the coast from Rockhampton. 4 days of golfing, hiking, tennis, bird watching and long walks on the beach were most welcome and truly appreciated by then!

Great Keppel Island

After 3 plus weeks of travelling Australia, we were really ready to ta ...

Updated: Aug 02, 2006 12:29pm PST

Coober Pedy, Outback, Australia. Opal capital of the world. : Coober Pedy is the premier opal mining town in Australia. The temperature in the summer reaches 118 degrees, so the miners live underground in old opal mines, or build their homes into the side of the hills there.

Coober Pedy, Outback, Australia. Opal capital of the world.

Coober Pedy is the premier opal mining town in Australia. The tempera ...

Updated: Aug 01, 2006 10:13am PST

Christchurch, N.Z., 2006 :

Christchurch, N.Z., 2006

Updated: Aug 01, 2006 10:02am PST

Along the East Coast Parkway, Singapore, 2006 : Our home on the east coast Parkway, Singapore, 2006 is about 300 yards from the South China Sea, overlooking the Straits of Singapore, and in the distance; Indonesia. The Park is 22 kilometers from end to end, and is the largest park in Singapore. This gallery shows some of the things you might see all along the Parkway.

Along the East Coast Parkway, Singapore, 2006

Our home on the east coast Parkway, Singapore, 2006 is about 300 yards ...

Updated: Aug 01, 2006 10:02am PST

Adelaide and Kangaroo Island : Kangaroo Island, off the South Coast of Australia, near Adelaide is the breeding ground of the "Little Penguins of Australia." These mammals breed in winter, and each penguin couple hatch two chicks. The adults go out to sea to fish in the morning, returning in the evening to feed the young. If you time it right, you can see the "march of the penguins" near dusk each day. They are afraid of a flash, and to be considerate of their breeding home, we took few pictures which came out well because of the dark. It is an awesome sight to see them in the wild!

Adelaide and Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island, off the South Coast of Australia, near Adelaide is th ...

Updated: Jul 12, 2006 8:09pm PST

Rainforest of Tasmania :

Rainforest of Tasmania

Updated: Jul 09, 2006 12:19am PST

The Animals of Tasmania :

The Animals of Tasmania

Updated: Jul 08, 2006 12:52am PST

Sydney, Australia - 2006 : Our first stop in Auatralia was Sydney, a modern, charming city. We stayed on the Rocks - the olest section of Sydney. From there we were just a short walk away from Circular Quay (pronounced key). This area is probably the most visited in Sydney. We were able to see an opera at the opear house while there. The production was called Lamke, and was - believe it or not - in French.
This was Bill's first opera, and although he slept through part of it, he has promised to give opera another try!

Sydney, Australia - 2006

Our first stop in Auatralia was Sydney, a modern, charming city. We s ...

Updated: Jul 07, 2006 11:49pm PST

Sydney, City Down Under as seen from Up Above! : We took a seaplane ride around Sydney Harbor, over the city near the harbor, and up the coast northward for about 50 kilomneters. Later that night Bill took some photos from the Sydney Tower, so this is the view from up above!

Sydney, City Down Under as seen from Up Above!

We took a seaplane ride around Sydney Harbor, over the city near the h ...

Updated: Jul 07, 2006 11:48pm PST

Our new home on the South China Sea, Singapore - 2006 : We just moved to a wonderful Eat Coast apartment on the 12th floor overlooking the Singapore Harbor. It is about 300 yards (as the crow flies, but a little longer by foot as you have to go underneath the east Coast parkway in a tunnel to enter the Park area) from the South China Sea. There is always a cool breeze blowing, and it is a very delightful place to live. Along the beach is the largest park in Singapore, about 22 kilometers), and it has bike paths, walking paths, sandy white beaches, many restaurants, and some barbecue pits along the beach also.

Our new home on the South China Sea, Singapore - 2006

We just moved to a wonderful Eat Coast apartment on the 12th floor ove ...

Updated: Jul 05, 2006 11:24pm PST

Ho Chi Min City (Saigon City) : Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) today is a city of nearly 8 million people. The population before the Vietnam War (1964) was about 1 million. By the end of the war (1975) it had doubled. It is now a bustling, noisy city. Motorcycle and car horns blare day and night. Yet the charm and familiarity of Saigon remain. Today it looks very similar to the images we saw in 1975 at the end of the war.

Ho Chi Min City (Saigon City)

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) today is a city of nearly 8 million people. ...

Updated: Jun 24, 2006 3:16am PST

Can Tho - Mekong Delta, Vietnam : Can Tho is considered the capital of the Mekong River Delta. From Saigon, it is a 4-5 hour journey by car, and 2 days on the river by boat.It is a sprawling, bustling city of 1.2 million population. That aside, it is only less than an hour's journey to the real rural life on the Mekong River. The Floating Markets are a two hour journey by riverboat, and we feel quite priviliged to be able to get there. This is not a trip for everyone, the area is definitely undeveloped, and that is also its greatest charm.

Can Tho - Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Can Tho is considered the capital of the Mekong River Delta. From Sai ...

Updated: Jun 24, 2006 3:10am PST

Mekong River, Vietnam : The Mekong River, in Southern Vietnam is an awesome sight. It has been and remains today a way of life, and an area of rural charm and beauty. It presented us with a wonderful opportunity to experience "unspoilt" Vietnam.

Mekong River, Vietnam

The Mekong River, in Southern Vietnam is an awesome sight. It has bee ...

Updated: Jun 24, 2006 3:00am PST

Harbour Front and Sentosa Island : Harbor Front is located on the South central side of mainland Singapore. From there, a cable car runs from the top of Mount Faber - the highest point in Singapore - to Sentosa Island. Sentosa Island is home to the southernmost point in Asia.

Harbour Front and Sentosa Island

Harbor Front is located on the South central side of mainland Singapor ...

Updated: Jun 24, 2006 2:29am PST

Floating Markets - Mekong River, Vietnam : The Floating Markets were located about 2 hours by boat from Can Tho on the Mekong River. Can Tho is approximately 75 kilometers up the river from My Tho, very near Saigon. These markets are authentic, and the products are mainly fruits and vegetables. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Floating Markets - Mekong River, Vietnam

The Floating Markets were located about 2 hours by boat from Can Tho o ...

Updated: Jun 24, 2006 1:23am PST

Malaysia, 2006 : Malaysia, 2006. We visited Kuala Lumpur, home of Pertronas towers, 2nd tallest in the world, and The K.L. tower, fourth tallest in the world. We also took a side trip to Malacca, old town in Malaysia - conquered and re-conquered by Portugese, Dutch, British, Japanese, and Chinese. Suz's nephew Rob came to visit for two weeks, and we travelled together. We went to the Petronas Twin Towers, the second tallest in the world, @ 100 stories high! You can only go to the 41st floor, so the view is disappointing, but the KL Tower (fourth tallest in the world) is only about 2 miles away and affords a great view of the city, which is home to 5,000,000 people. We also visited the historic town of Malacca, and hope you enjoy this gallery

Malaysia, 2006. We visited Kuala Lumpur, home of Pertronas towers, 2n ...

Updated: Apr 26, 2006 2:38am PST

Singapore - Nephew Rob visits, 2006. : Suz's nephew Rob came to visit for two weeks, and we visited many local sights, caught a horse race, played some golf, saw some monkeys, and generally enjoyed the ambiance of the city.

Singapore - Nephew Rob visits, 2006.

Suz's nephew Rob came to visit for two weeks, and we visited many loca ...

Updated: Apr 24, 2006 1:46am PST

Golfing in Singapore: 2006 :

Golfing in Singapore: 2006

Updated: Apr 23, 2006 4:58am PST

Bintan, Indonesia : One hour off the East coast of Singapore are the Indonesian Islands of Batam and Bintan. They are 2 of the 10,000 Indonesian Islands. There are golf resorts and SPA's on these islands, and the principal industry is Tourism. Indonesia is a Muslim country, and the people are gracious and gentle. They clasp their hands and bow in welcome, and the greting is Salaam. It is a country not on the State
Department's list of places to go, but we were treated well there, and would go back.

Bintan, Indonesia

One hour off the East coast of Singapore are the Indonesian Islands of ...

Updated: Apr 23, 2006 4:51am PST

Pulau Ubin - an island getaway 2006 : Pulau Ubin, Granite Island is situated just off the Northeast corner of mainland Singapore. It was the site of early granite mines, and now remains a reminder of what Singapore was like 60 years ago! Join us as we bicycle all around the island eventually ending up at a Buddhist temple on the far north side of the island.

Pulau Ubin - an island getaway 2006

Pulau Ubin, Granite Island is situated just off the Northeast corner o ...

Updated: Apr 12, 2006 1:40am PST

Akaroa Bay : Akaroa Bay claims to be the most beautiful bay in the world. It is!! We spent St. Patrick's Day here and celebrated Suz's birthday by eating pizza.

The original europeans to land were a boatload of lost Frenchmen. They loved the place, so stayed. Then the Brittish arrived, stayed on also, claimed the area for Britain, and the rest is history! There was also a German colony here later.

Akaroa Bay claims to be the most beautiful bay in the world. It is!! ...

Updated: Mar 27, 2006 1:11am PST

Wellington - The Picton Ferry - Picton, New Zealand, March 2006 : Wellington, the Capital of New Zealand is located on the South shore of the North Island. From there we travelled by ferry to Picton, located on the North shore of the South Island. It is the gateway to the Queen Charlotte Track, a 71 kilometer (42 mile) hike along the beautiful and pristine mountain trails of Marlborough County. There is a seperate gallery for this. We also did a little wine tasting near the Picton area, where they produce primarily Sauvignon Blanc wine considered to be some of the best in the world. Also up and coming wines of the region include Pinot Noir's and Chardonnay's. Most of the New Zealand wine is meant to be consumed young, and does not age more than a year or two. Also, they do not use corks for their wine, but rather screw tops. This took a little adjustment, as it is not very common yet throughout most of the rest of the world.

Wellington - The Picton Ferry - Picton, New Zealand, March 2006

Wellington, the Capital of New Zealand is located on the South shore o ...

Updated: Mar 26, 2006 4:05am PST

The Skies of New Zealand - March,2006. :

The Skies of New Zealand - March,2006.

Updated: Mar 26, 2006 3:43am PST

The Queen Charlotte Track, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2006 : The Queen Charlotte Track, located in Marlborough, New Zealand. The Marlborough Sounds along the North coast of the South Island treat visitors to 1500 kilometers of pristine coastline, secluded bays, islands, and deep clear water. The Sounds are in fact sunken glacial valleys, which is why they are so dramatically steep and inaccessible from land. It is an area of unspoiled splendor.

Our plan here was to hike 71 kilometers (42 miles) in four days along the Queen Charlotte Track, staying in different lodges each night, with our gear portaged from lodge to lodge via boat. What were we thinking?!!!!! We actually hiked the trail for the first 2 days, covering some 28 kilometers (about 19 miles. After that we took the boat to the last 2 lodges. The terrain was steep, brutal, and unforgiving.

In the end, it proved to be an unforgettable experience, as rewarding as it was difficult.

The Queen Charlotte Track, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2006

The Queen Charlotte Track, located in Marlborough, New Zealand. The M ...

Updated: Mar 26, 2006 1:29am PST

Auckland, New Zealand, March 2006 : Auckland (pronounced Oakland) is the largest city in New Zealand, but not the capital, which is Wellington. The population of New Zealand is about 4.5 million, and the sheep there number 65 million, roughly a 13 to 1 ratio! Auckland is a modern, beautiful city, compared often with Sydney, Australia. Auckland is home to the Sky Tower, the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere, taller than the Eiffel Tower. Views from the top are breathtaking, and we hope you enjoy them as much as we did.

Auckland, New Zealand, March 2006

Auckland (pronounced Oakland) is the largest city in New Zealand, but ...

Updated: Mar 25, 2006 9:24pm PST

The Lion Dance - Singapore, 2006 : The Lion Dance is an old Chinese ritual ceremony to usher in the new year, and seek health, happiness, and prosperity. It has roots somewhere in the ancient Tsaoist religion.

The Chinese celebrate the New Year with the custom of exchanging oranges, the symbol of health and prosperity. New Years Eve is the setting for the "reunion dinner", but anytime during the month long New Year's celebration, oranges are brought by any visitors to your home, and reciprocal oranges are given to the visitors as they leave. These oranges are always given in even numbers, the most common being two and the most usually being eight. At the Catholic Church in Singapore, there is an orange blessing ceremony after Mass, and the oranges are passed out to the congregation.

For an extra dose of health, prosperity, and now you may add wealth, the Lion dancers are invited to the home. The dancers come with lion costumes, drums, cymbals, and gongs. They go throughout the home, and whenever they see pre-placed colorful envelopes of money (again in the increments of two- $22 to $88 being common), they jump up high and get the money and the lettuce. Then the lion lays down on the floor and covers the oranges that have been placed there - and acts out the eating of the lettuce, which he expels from his mouth all over the floor. The lettuce is picked up (it can never be swept up with a broom, or the good luck is swept away) and placed in your wallet or in your purse for two days. This is the symbol of coming prosperity for the new year.

Finally the Lion peels the oranges and arranges the orange segments on a plate in the Chinese symbols of luck and health, and often in the lucky numbers for the new year.

Join us for a look at the colorful ceremony!

The Lion Dance - Singapore, 2006

The Lion Dance is an old Chinese ritual ceremony to usher in the new y ...

Updated: Mar 19, 2006 5:11pm PST

Orchid Gardens, Singapore Botanic Garden - 2006 :

Orchid Gardens, Singapore Botanic Garden - 2006

Updated: Feb 20, 2006 5:18am PST

Chingay Parade - Lunar New Year : The Chingay - Parade of Dreams - is the longest Chinese New Year's Day Parade in Asia. The first 2 hours have an International flair, followed by a uniquely Singaporian ending to a most enjoyable pageant.

Chingay Parade - Lunar New Year

The Chingay - Parade of Dreams - is the longest Chinese New Year's Day ...

Updated: Feb 17, 2006 3:06am PST

The International Clipper Fleet. 2006 : The International Clipper Fleet of 10 clipper ships dock at Sentosa cove, on Sentosa Island, just South of Singapore. On this island is the southernmost point of the Asian continent. The fleet was here in harbor for Chinese new Year celebrations.

The International Clipper Fleet. 2006

The International Clipper Fleet of 10 clipper ships dock at Sentosa co ...

Updated: Feb 14, 2006 7:57pm PST

Bill's Favorite Photos : I am a moron. These could be anything, anytime, anyplace. Most are home and garden, view from the deck, etc pictures.

Bill's Favorite Photos

I am a moron. These could be anything, anytime, anyplace. Most are ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2006 5:00am PST

CBD (Central Business District) and Boat Quay, Singapore 2006 : The Central Business district and the Quays (pronounced keys), Clark Quay and Boat Quay are in the center of the City of Singapore, and near the Singapore River. There are no lofts and residences as we know them in this area, but the restaurant and bar activities are busy and colorful. Every establishment has someone outside trying to entice you into their place. It is possible to haggle over "jug" beer prices there - that is equivalent to a small picther of beer!

CBD (Central Business District) and Boat Quay, Singapore 2006

The Central Business district and the Quays (pronounced keys), Clark Q ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2006 2:13am PST

Chinese New Year - Singapore Chinatown : Chinese New year is a month long celebration, beginning the first week of January and running until the first week of February. Since around 80% of Singaporians claim Chinese descent, this is a huge celebration complete with floats, fireworks, and festivities.

Chinese New Year - Singapore Chinatown

Chinese New year is a month long celebration, beginning the first week ...

Updated: Jan 22, 2006 6:02pm PST

Eric rides bulls! :

Eric rides bulls!

Updated: Dec 17, 2005 8:53am PST

Rocamadour, Cahors :

Rocamadour, Cahors

Updated: Oct 11, 2005 12:04pm PST

San Sebastian :

Updated: Sep 18, 2005 10:39am PST

Lagos / Tavira :

Updated: Sep 18, 2005 10:16am PST

Paris :

Updated: Jun 02, 2005 5:00pm PST

Chenonceau Chateau on the Cher River :

Chenonceau Chateau on the Cher River

Updated: Jun 01, 2005 4:14pm PST

France 2005 : Southern France in the Spring time is beautiful. Along with the natural beauty and signs of new life, we share with you here our winter and spring home in Figeac.

Due to some legal difficulties involving the French Government, our stay was temporarily interrupted.
This provided us an opportunity to share Najac, Cordes, and Lourdes with you.

Suz was still in the U.S. renewing her passport, so this was really Bill and Ron's excellent adventure.

Hope you enjoy it, we did!

Southern France in the Spring time is beautiful. Along with the natu ...

Updated: Jun 01, 2005 2:55pm PST

Notre Dame :

Updated: Jun 01, 2005 1:53pm PST

Orsay Musee - Paris :

Orsay Musee - Paris

Updated: Jun 01, 2005 1:02pm PST

Lunch at Ant and Val's :

Lunch at Ant and Val's

Updated: Jun 01, 2005 12:09pm PST

Chateaux of France :

Chateaux of France

Updated: Jun 01, 2005 9:54am PST

Iberia : These are photos taken from Spain and Portugal, fall 2003

These are photos taken from Spain and Portugal, fall 2003

Updated: May 25, 2005 7:31am PST

Wine tasting in Marcillac : These new photos will take you to a 1,000 year old winery in Marcillac, France where we spent a wonderful afternoon enjoying the ambiance created by our hosts, Gilbert , Georgette, and their son Francois, the owners of the winery and vineyards. Time has stood still here since the sixteenth century, and wine is produced now as then. They produce around 5,000 bottles per year, and market none. The home burned down in a fire in about 1565, and has been rebuilt since that time.

Wine tasting in Marcillac

These new photos will take you to a 1,000 year old winery in Marcillac ...

Updated: Apr 13, 2005 10:21am PST

Figeac Fall 2004 : Thanksgiving in Figeac, the Boyers, Figeac at night with Christmas lights. A birthday party for Don. We hope you have all enjoyed France 2004. We sure did!

Figeac Fall 2004

Thanksgiving in Figeac, the Boyers, Figeac at night with Christmas lig ...

Updated: Mar 26, 2005 6:10am PST

Christmas 2004, Goldens :

Christmas 2004, Goldens

Updated: Jan 06, 2005 8:40am PST

Christmas 2004, Feiersteins :

Christmas 2004, Feiersteins

Updated: Jan 01, 2005 9:07am PST

Our Vertical Flat in Figeac :

Our Vertical Flat in Figeac

Updated: Dec 29, 2004 8:56am PST

Turin, Italy - Winter, 2004 :

Turin, Italy - Winter, 2004

Updated: Dec 29, 2004 8:51am PST

The Louvre, Versailles: Fall, 2004 :

The Louvre, Versailles: Fall, 2004

Updated: Oct 18, 2004 6:31am PST

Our New Home in the South of France : This is the cottage where we will spend most of September and October. It is located in Corn, 12 kilometers West of Figeac, in a wonderfully secluded and incredibly beautiful rural setting. The property grounds are 40,000 square meters,
a very large and private living arrangement, with only the owner and his family near. You can not see any other residences anywhere from the cottage. Deer graze around here freely in the mornings. This is a unique opportunity to experience the ambiance of provincial Southern French country living.

Our New Home in the South of France

This is the cottage where we will spend most of September and October. ...

Updated: Oct 18, 2004 6:28am PST

Capdenac, near Figeac: 2004 : The fortress of Capdenac, last place in France where the Gauls resisted the Roman conquerors in 51 A.D.

A little, rustic one-horse town, Capdenac is full of history. An obelisk dedicated to the fallen soldiers of World War I and II is the centerpiece in the town square.

Capdenac, near Figeac: 2004

The fortress of Capdenac, last place in France where the Gauls resiste ...

Updated: Sep 17, 2004 2:18am PST

St. Cirq La Popei :

St. Cirq La Popei

Updated: Sep 17, 2004 2:17am PST

A Wedding In Figeac :

A Wedding In Figeac

Updated: Sep 17, 2004 2:16am PST

Rodez, France: Summer 2004 : Capital of the
Rouergue, Rodez is situated in the
heart of the Aveyron department.
Lying in the centre
of a triangle
formed by Toulouse, Montpellier and
Clermont-Ferrand,
its geographical
situation makes
it the focus of
local representatives attention.
Rodez is full of traditional historical interest. The name of its inhabitants, theRuthénois" is already an important clue to the visitor concerning the origins of the town. Their ancestors, the Rutenes were good-looking, fair-haired Gaulish people who settled in this typically Gaulish oppidum.

Rodez, France: Summer 2004

Capital of the Rouergue, Rodez is situated in the heart of the Avey ...

Updated: Aug 04, 2004 9:25am PST

friends : Good friends..............

Good friends..............

Updated: Jun 14, 2004 2:25pm PST

Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Painted Desert :

Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Painted Desert

Updated: Mar 18, 2004 9:34am PST

The Vacation from Hell (La Paz-2004) :

The Vacation from Hell (La Paz-2004)

Updated: Feb 22, 2004 8:06am PST

Kaufmann's, January 2004 :

Kaufmann's, January 2004

Updated: Feb 01, 2004 11:26pm PST

Christmas 2003, Goldens :

Christmas 2003, Goldens

Updated: Jan 08, 2004 2:27pm PST

Christmas 2003, Feiersteins :

Christmas 2003, Feiersteins

Updated: Dec 28, 2003 6:55pm PST

So. California, Winter-2003 :

So. California, Winter-2003

Updated: Dec 05, 2003 7:09am PST

Avila :

Updated: Nov 15, 2003 12:54pm PST

Spectacle :

Updated: Nov 10, 2003 8:43am PST

Porto :

Updated: Nov 08, 2003 6:15am PST

La Alhambra (Granada-So. Spain) :

La Alhambra (Granada-So. Spain)

Updated: Nov 05, 2003 8:00am PST

Almada (Costa Capricia) / Lisbon :

Almada (Costa Capricia) / Lisbon

Updated: Oct 28, 2003 4:48am PST

Ronda :

Updated: Oct 28, 2003 4:46am PST

La Coruna / Vigo :

La Coruna / Vigo

Updated: Oct 20, 2003 4:47am PST

segovia :

Updated: Oct 04, 2003 10:00am PST

Madrid :

Updated: Oct 04, 2003 9:57am PST

Feiersteins :

Updated: Sep 19, 2003 7:11pm PST

Sundstrand-2003, the end :

Sundstrand-2003, the end

Updated: Sep 17, 2003 8:58pm PST

Rocky Mountain Cancer Center Retirement: Suz :

Rocky Mountain Cancer Center Retirement: Suz

Updated: Sep 17, 2003 3:00pm PST

The Last 4:17-----9/11/2003 : On 9/11/2003 we had our last 4:17 meeting @ the Black Angus. After 31 years of doing this, we had really learned how! A good time was had by all! It's hard to go away, but we all must, so it was good to get together one last time for a farewell drink. Please enjoy the photos.

The Last 4:17-----9/11/2003

On 9/11/2003 we had our last 4:17 meeting @ the Black Angus. After 31 ...

Updated: Sep 15, 2003 1:39pm PST

Goldens :

Updated: Sep 04, 2003 6:41am PST

Peniscola (Costa Dorada-No. Spain) :

Peniscola (Costa Dorada-No. Spain)

Updated: Nov 30, -0001 12:00am PST

Seville :

Updated: Nov 30, -0001 12:00am PST

Hudson Gardens, 2003. : We live .7 miles from Hudson gardens, Littleton's Botanic garden experience. From the model train to the giant flowers, it is a cool place. Enjoy!

Hudson Gardens, 2003.

We live .7 miles from Hudson gardens, Littleton's Botanic garden exper ...

Updated: Nov 30, -0001 12:00am PST

Fatima / Evora :

Updated: Nov 30, -0001 12:00am PST

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