Pre Arab Spring in Tunis, Tunisia

Tunis. Located on the North African Coast. There was no question we were about to enter a different environment and culture. The images do not convey the differences we witnessed. Nor do they adequately tell the story.

The juxtaposition of old and new stays with me today. Imagine an old man with his push cart & mule, traveling on newly laid pavement. Behind him were excavated ruins beside a shiny modern office building.

Prior to the Arab Spring and the ensuing unpleasantness, Anne & I found ourselves approaching the city. Located on the North African Coast, this is also the location of the ancient city of Carthage. Roman influence once encircled all of the Mediterranean.

 

 Touring one of the local museums, the architecture was as amazing as the artwork. This is an entrance ceiling.

 And the artworks: hard to adequately describe.

 A common scene. Locals having tea & discussing the events of the day. 

 At some point during the trip, one realizes the differences in cultures. The women were attired following the norms of Islam.

 English is not the primary language here. But we tourist were able to mingle among the locals with no issues.

 Coming off the streets, it was cooler and quieter.

 Entering the Souk. Think local market for day to day needs.

 Ancient Carthage ruins. This was once an enormous bath house.

 Another view of the bath house ruins.

 A rather handsome gent, don't you think?

 And yes, we were able to walk among the ruins. Not just view them from afar.

 On the hill above the ruins; the home of then-president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Ben Ali would not reside here much longer with the upcoming unrest.

Heading back to our ship, there were the usual tourist photo trappings found anywhere on the planet.

At this point, one can only wonder about the present lives of the people in the photos.

Making Way to Malta

Sometimes I act like a photo-snap-happy tourist. I cannot control myself. And some time later I look at the photos and think "Some of these came out OK". The photos were taken on an open boat between our cruise ship home & the island city of Valletta, Malta.

 Our home for the trip, the Azamara Quest

 

And our transportation from ship to destination. Oars useful at times, motor when needed.

 

 The view from the bow.

 Next stop: Ancient walls & Malta life.

 Bumps, bruises and rust. Signs of a working sailors' labors.

 Try this for your luxury condo.

 A wooden vessel that probably can tell a few stories, both good and bad.

 Old & new. A playboy toy in front of history.

 The buildings may be drab in color. But that is not an issue.


 

Oh Joy! Another boatload of tourists!

A Day In Pompeii

In its' heyday, Pompeii must have been a spectacular city. Unfortunately there was that issue with a volcano.

The architecture of the day was grand. The city was laid out in an orderly fashion.

The gym. Here, gladiators would prepare for battle.

Stalls for the combatants. 

Tour Guide giving her remarks in the coliseum.

Only stonework now, but one can imagine the interiors.

 Once there were residents. Now there are tourists.

Most people were illiterate. How to buy services at the whorehouse? Just point to the picture of choice.

Entrance to a villa.

Part of the town square.

Wall decorations.

More architecture.

Storage from the excavation work. 

Everything was covered in ash after the eruption. These columns managed to survive.

Some of the ongoing excavation.

Here I've used photos of Pompeii  hopefully other than what you would see on TV or in National Geographic. I could walk these streets for days with the wonder of a child.

A Photographic Return to Roma

Have not posted in about a month. With studies concluded & exams passed, it's time to visit photos not previously seen from our 2008 Mediterranean cruise.

 

We were in Roma only 24 hours prior to boarding the Azamara Quest. The view from the blacony of our hotel suite. After a long flight from the U.S., my photo skills gave way to needing some rest.

 You may recognize this. Yes, it's a portion of the Coliseum.

 A view from Palatine Hill.

Taken from the same location as above.

 I always enjoy the opportunity to walk among ruins. Save the barricades for elsewhere.

 Trod by Romans and by tourists.
 

 Roma skyline.

 Public space in our hotel. Not shabby at all.

The end of the hall finds an old style lift with exposed mechanicals.

Just down the block on the Via Veneto.

A Fall Trip in the Mountains

Random photos of the trip from several years ago. A blog gives one the opportunity to display what normally is archived & forgotten.

Home for several days. The Chetola in Blowing Rock, NC.

  

 A lovely property with room to move.

 We also did the tourist thing in downtown Blowing Rock.

 After a healthy walk, one needs refreshment. The barkeep was constantly on the go.

 No, this hydrant is not remote controlled. The stick tells the fire department where the hydrant is located when the snows are deep.

 Near the hotel, it's a different world. No other humans in sight.

 Minutes later, signs of civilization.

Grandfather Mountain & the famous "Swinging Bridge". My dad & I have been up there in heavy winds. The bridge is bolted to the rocks & did not move.

 The Linville River.

 Linville Falls. How many millions of this exact photo have been taken by people over the years?

 Another Linville River photo.

The Blue Ridge. Travel here is always good.