Monday, August 29, 2011

Las Vegas

PRESENTING: a brief interlude from posting international vacation photos for my shots of our 5 days in VEGAS! Hottest temperature: 117 F. Alcoholic beverages consumed: 2. Money lost/won gambling: $0/$0. Items of outlet store clothing purchased: 6. Shows watched: 1 (Cirque du Soleil: Mystere, which was amazing!).



The beautiful Chihuly glass on the lobby ceiling of the Bellagio.


Hot air balloon decor in the Bellagio.


The Bellagio fountains dance to Frank Sinatra, with the miniature Eiffel Tower at the Paris Casino in the background.


The baby Statue of Liberty at NY NY.


The NY NY Casino "skyline."


Inside the Paris casino on a strangely eerie fake Parisian street....


A Vegas strip view.


Gondolas waiting at the Venetian.


An ornate ceiling in the Venetian over the escalators.


The Forum Shops next to Caesar's Palace (the first spiral escalator I've ever seen).


Typical statuary at the Forum Shops.


Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the US, seen as we drove to Hoover Dam. I love the desert colors.


The view upriver at Hoover Dam.


Massive bridge and a long way down at Hoover Dam.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Summer Travels: Coimbra, Portugal

Our overnight train from Spain to Portugal took us straight to Coimbra, a lovely Portugese town with one of the oldest European universities (over 700 years old). For the first time this summer, it was HOT, but we still enjoyed exploring the colorful city on a hill and practicing our first bits of Portugese.





















Monday, August 15, 2011

Summer Travels: Bilbao, Spain

After Paris, we traveled to Bilbao, Spain, on our way to Portugal. Although Bilbao is most famous for the architecturally amazing Guggenheim Museum, I also loved the series of fantastic modern bridges along the town's river, the charming narrow cobblestone streets, and the surprisingly beautiful train station. Overall, a perfect introduction to Spain.

P.S. The two photos at the end were taken in the nearby city of Vittoria, where we caught an overnight train to Portugal.



















Monday, August 8, 2011

Summer Travels: Paris

Dear Readers,

Our five weeks of travel been over for a few weeks now, and I have been busily pouring over my photos, re-living our adventures and carefully selecting my favorites to post here. For the next couple of months, stop by to see shots of a different city or region each Monday morning. Today: the City of Light. Sights seen: covered shopping arcades, Pont Neuf, Eiffel Tower (from a distance), Sainte-Chapelle, the Conciergerie (where Marie Antoinette was beheaded), the Rodin museum, Jardin des Plantes, the Pantheon, and lots and lots of gorgeous architecture.