Live: 1st w/Princess, FLL-Panama-SF, Pix?s, Terry/Ohio

[TLCOhio]

We just completed our Jerusalem/Holy Lands, Egypt/Valley of the Kings,Petra/Jordan, Oman, Dubai/Abu Dhabi, etc., exploring.  To see the trip live/blog for this history and religious “adventure”, check out these postings linked below.  We started in Athens, Greece on Nov. 14, then traveled various locations connected with three of the world's major religions.  Many fun and interesting visuals on this live/blog!!  Below are just a few, quick visual samples.    Check it out and let me know any questions or comments.  Just over 6000 views so far on this live/blog. 

 

Connect to our latest exploring at: 

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

In Greece, we started with a day at Delphi, where the Oracle was consulted about important decisions from throughout the ancient classical world.:

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From Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the site of Jesus' crucifixion, burial and resurrection. here is one interior view.  Second is a procession along the historic Via Dolorosa.  Third is my connecting at the Western/Wailing Wall in the most holy site for the Jewish faith.:

 

 

 

In Luxor’s Valley of the Kings, we explored the tombs of Egypt rulers from 3300 years ago plus Karnak's night glories, statutes and columns.:

 

 

In front of Petra’s Treasury in Jordan, we found this cute camel as a "co-star".  Feeling the spirit of Indian Jones here!:

 

We finished with the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi and the sandy beaches of Dubai having its unique modern architecture in the background.:

 

[TLCOhio]

From the London/UK Telegraph earlier this weekend, they have this headline: “San Francisco, California's Golden City – an expert guide”  with these highlights: “Romantic and beautiful, San Francisco has been the backdrop for many of the world’s favourite films, such as Bullitt and Mrs Doubtfire. The reality is even better, from the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz to cable cars and fog. With great restaurants, shopping and museums, this is a five-star destination.”.

 

Many tips, ideas and suggestion are contained in this feature.  This story bring back nice memories from two years ago in this wonderful "City by the Bay"!!  This includes:"Thanks to California’s fresh produce, seafood and wines, the city has long led the way for innovative modern cooking, from posh restaurants to neighbourhood bistros and hip food trucks; 50 restaurants carry a Michelin star. Find influences from Italy and France, China, Japan and Vietnam, Mexico and South America."

 

Full story at:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/port-guides/san-francisco-cruise-port-guide/

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 44,592 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

 

Here are two of the interesting visuals featured in this SF profile from this London newspaper.  Looking good?:

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[AF-1]

Terry,  thanks for sharing this info.  I see you have had quite a few interesting trips over the last four years.  I have to say the holy land, and petra is a highlight.  Let me ask you this question.  how far from where Jesus was tried; down the via dolorosa, to his burial ground;  how far was this?  I say it was maybe less than a football field.  

[TLCOhio]

18 hours ago, AF-1 said:

Terry,  thanks for sharing this info.  I see you have had quite a few interesting trips over the last four years.  I have to say the holy land, and petra is a highlight.  Let me ask you this question.  how far from where Jesus was tried; down the via dolorosa, to his burial ground;  how far was this?  I say it was maybe less than a football field.  

 

Appreciate this nice follow-up from our neighbor in Cincinnati.  Your guess for that distance in Jerusalem sounds roughly correct.  We visited the Church of the Holy Sepulcher prior to doing more along the historic Via Dolorosa.  Therefore, it is harder for me to be able now to remember that exact distance and timing.  As you know, the older parts of Jerusalem are fairly "twisted" and your normal senses of distances and timing do not recall those specifics that well.  Good question!!  So much to see and do in the Holy Lands.  Great trip and experience!!

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling for "down under” wonders. Exciting visuals with key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 210,119 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

[TLCOhio]

From the Financial Times a week ago, they had this headline: “Climate change poses new threat to Panama Canal”  with this sub-head: "Upgrade to vital waterway may be required to cope with impact of more extreme weather."

 

Here is more of the story highlights: “At the end of last year, the Panama Canal had a problem: too much water.  Torrential rains had swollen its main water source, the artificial Lake Gatún, beyond capacity, forcing the canal authority to open the floodgates to evacuate the excess out into the Atlantic.  But in a twist of meteorological fate, amplified by climate change, within three months the opposite was true: a severe El Niño weather phenomenon struck and the canal began imposing cargo restrictions to cope with what turned into the worst drought in its 115-year history.”

 

Also noted in this news story: "The canal, one of the world’s major trade arteries that links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, underwent an expansion in 2016 that allowed it to accommodate bigger ships. But just three years later, additional upgrades in the form of a third lake are already needed if it is to navigate the extreme weather that is expected as a result of climate change."

 

Full story at:

https://www.ft.com/content/524ae9f8-7db3-11e9-81d2-f785092ab560

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

For latest live/blog, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

 

Here is a visual used to illustrate this article on the Panama Canal.:

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[TLCOhio]

From the Travel Section of the London/UK Independent yesterday, they had this headline: “Best Hotel in San Francisco” with these highlights: “It has one of the most spectacular urban settings in the world, fantastic food and a mindset all of its own – no wonder everyone wants to come to San Francisco. The hotel scene had long been lacking, though, with properties clustered around the soulless Union Square and slightly grubby Tenderloin district – but in the last decade, a series of new openings spread around the city have livened it up considerably.  Today, you can stay in historic buildings in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge, in a new build opposite San Francisco’s baseball stadium, in the midst of America’s oldest Japantown, or on Market Street – the "new" Union Square (it’s handy to get around, though doesn’t have much going on). Whether you prefer to be disturbed by foghorns or drag brunches, there’s something for everyone in California’s most individual city.”

 

Interesting options, details and pictures related to this great city on the Bay!!

 

Full story at:

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/hotels/san-francisco-best-hotels-value-views-budget-luxury-deals-a9107406.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Just completed Calgary, Jasper/Banff National Parks, Western Canada Rocky Mountaineer rail adventure, Vancouver, sailing up to Alaska, post-cruise excursion to Denali, etc.  Lots of visuals and details from our first visits to these scenic areas!!  That live/blog is at: 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2682584-live-terryohio-silver-muse-alaska-canadarockies-pix’s/

 

Or, you could simply do a quick Google search with these terms: 

Live Terry/Ohio Muse Alaska

[TLCOhio]

From Travel and Leisure magazine yesterday, they had this headline: “50 Best Places to Travel in 2020” with spotlighted attention as a top option for: “Costa Rica”.  T+L rates these top areas as "must-visit vacation destinations, and with something to suit every interest — food, shopping, culture, history, and nature."

 

Here are some of the story highlights: "Several just-opened eco-retreats are offering more ways to unwind in Costa Rica. Perhaps the most-anticipated is Nayara Tented Camp, a safari-style retreat inside a sloth sanctuary. Adjacent to the famed Nayara Hotel and Nayara Springs resort, the camp debuted in December, and offers 29 family-friendly suites linked by footbridges across the rain forest. Then there’s Kasiiya Papagayo, which opened as an adventure-focused getaway; walkie-talkies and headlamps are distributed at check-in. Its five sustainably built, ocean-facing tents rest on platforms above the local flora, leaving much of the landscape undisturbed. Farther south is Kinkára Luxury Retreat, built on the slopes of the Talamanca mountain range. The wellness resort's 31 glamping tents are centered around a thatched-roof yoga pavilion and a garden. Seriously indulgent bathhouses feature indoor-outdoor rain showers; outside, you can take a dip in the waterfalls and wading pools that dot the property." 

 

Glad in 2017 that we enjoyed Costa Rica and a small sampling of its world-class sights and locations. 

 

Full story at:

https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/best-places-to-travel-in-2020

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

From late 2018, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East. Now at 16,770 views.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

[TLCOhio]

From the Travel Section of the London/UK Daily Mail today, they had this headline: “The city full of golden greats: From THAT bridge to Chinatown and even Alcatraz - San Francisco is a collection of vibrant villages” with these subhead highlights: “Perched on the Pacific, the city of San Francisco is a gold-rush town that’s now pulsating with tech start-ups.  The city is actually a series of diverse villages from the hippy Haight-Ashbury to the old money of Nob Hill.  Writer Sarah Turner reveals how to see San Francisco from the Golden Gate Bridge to Alcatraz, in just 48 hours.”

 

Many pictures, ideas, options, etc., to consider for exploring this wonderful city are included in this profile.  Among the other story highlights: "San Francisco is a transport fan’s dream destination – there are cable cars, a subway system and low-emission buses, but if you want to go retro, jump on one of the F trams – restored street trolleys from the early 20th Century that head between Downtown and The Castro.  Early morning is the best time to head to the brooding hulk of Alcatraz, America’s most infamous prison, on an island in San Francisco Bay (the queues tend to build up after 11am).  The ferry ride to the island takes about 15 minutes, and once you’ve arrived, make sure you take advantage of one of the brilliant audio guides. Head to Chinatown, which was established in 1850. In the early days, it mixed bars, temples, laundries, gambling dens and brothels. These days, it’s a bit gentler but it’s still one of the most atmospheric parts of the city, full of locals proud of its history."

 

Full story at:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-7796549/From-bridge-Chinatown-Alcatraz-San-Francisco-collection-vibrant-villages.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 249,718 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[TLCOhio]

From the travel Section of the London/UK Evening Standard newspaper earlier this month, they had this headline: “What to see, eat and do in Cartagena, Colombia” with these highlights: “Cartagena, founded by the Spanish in 1533 and named after their port city, has plenty to attract the growing number of visitors to Colombia.  With a clutch of award-winning restaurants, Instagrammable murals and buildings and compelling historical sites, its relentless energy won’t fail to seduce.  El Centro is the main historical district, a mass of maze-like streets leading to secluded squares overshadowed by domed churches. All around is noise, scent and colour; food sellers peddle patacones (slices of fried plantain) or thick cornmeal arepas, while palenqueras — traditional Afro-Caribbean fruit sellers, in vivid, primary-coloured, frilled dresses — hustle for selfies with tourists and salsa music spills out of almost every bar and cafe.”

 

This article brings back nice memories from our visit to this historic city. 

 

Full story at:

https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/travel/cartagena-colombia-travel-city-guide-a4331551.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Wonderful scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 238,503

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

Many colorful and interesting visuals were featured as a part of this detailed profile.  This visual shown below was from their local tourism office.:

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[christieSF]

Hi Terry, I wanted to thank you for the amazing posts you have put together for so many locations.  We are currently planning a Med Cruise for this summer and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your posts (and viewing your pictures) of the places we will be going.  I saw the link in those posts to this current one and I had to see what you thought about my city of San Francisco!  I enjoyed reading this so much!  Having lived here my whole life, it is easy to get a little jaded about the day to day problems of the city and it is refreshing to view it through someone else's eyes!  It really is an amazing place!  Thank you!

Edited February 10, 2020 by christieSF