Ephesus, Turkey. October, 2010

The ruins of this ancient Roman city in Asia Minor are fascinating. One reason is because the entire city is in various stages of restoration, so you get an idea of what was where and in relation to what else. The library, for example, holds a central position. The forum. The theater. Here is the head of the welcome committee, a member of the original Roman settlement. And in the back, that multi-storied building with the columns is the amazing library.

Leaving Málaga, Spain. November, 2013

How beautiful the Wind Star (sister ship to our Wind Surf) looks as both vessels leave Málaga harbor and head for Cádiz. The sails, the sun, the sea. How could I not indulge in snapping something so, well, so snapworthy?

Pinar del Río, Cuba. February, 2012

Our first day in Cuba, we were bussed out to a model community within the tropical rainforest in the western part of the island. (Seems like this is on the list for all tour groups as we saw busses come and go all morning.) While we got our orientation and listened to a local group offer some great music, we were offered a rum-based cocktail (10am). I declined. But looking up, I saw this roof made of thatched palm fronds. Nothing is wasted in Cuba. Except maybe the tourists who didn’t decline that breakfast mojito.

San Cristóbal de la Laguna, Tenerife. November, 2013

On the morning we docked at the Canary Island of Tenerife, Dr. Blake and I hopped on a spiffy new tramvia and rode 45 minutes up into the mountains to the beautifully restored city of San Cristóbal de la Laguna. With its narrow streets and vibrant colors, it reminded me of parts of Havana. And I said as much to a nice woman in the tourist office where we’d gone to get a map. She teasingly corrected me, saying, “La Laguna does not look like Havana. Havana looks like La Laguna.” So noted.

Lisbon. October, 2009

Inside the city’s large central market. But it’s not so crowded on a Monday; many of the stalls (especially the fish and seafood ones) don’t bother opening. But enough do that it’s always worth a visit. Portuguese is not one of my best languages, but I know a little. Mostly “menu Portuguese.” And it’s often close enough to Spanish or Italian so that I can read it sometimes. How about you? How many of the categories listed above can you make out?

Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. November, 2013

On the day we flew home from the Canary Islands, it was 78 degrees there. A few hours later, when we arrived back in Boston, it was 18 degrees. I had a definite preference.

Sea of Marmara, Turkey. October, 2010

Our first day out of Istanbul was spent cruising the Dardanelles. And one of the perks of cruising with Windstar is that the ships have an “open bridge” policy. Except when the ship is in port or is dealing with an issue, the bridge is open to passengers to inspect. Here’s Dr. Blake checking out the instruments and computer screens aboard the Wind Surf. You can just make out the whitecaps on the choppy sea. But what you can’t see are the crew members who seem to take a genuine interest in answering questions and pointing out how the instruments work. The real-time maps showing where the ship is are my favorites.