Shoot Three B - "Paris and Beyond!"

Cuba - too easy?? Nine of you thought so - Michelle, Elaine, Jim, Peyton, Mike, and Joani. Returning to my weekly were Carol, Michael, and Doris! 

"The Iron Maiden!"

What would a trip to Paris be without visiting the Eiffel Tower! My wife and I lucked out as the best way to see this iconic site is by way of a tour group - avoids standing in those long lines! However, all the tour groups were booked solid on the days we had open. We managed to find an American company that had two openings on our last night in Paris.

Skipping the lines for tickets meant more time on the Tower. 

I liked this angle I managed to catch while walking up to the #1 tourist activity in Paris.

Getting older?

"I don't plan to grow old gracefully; 
I plan to have face lifts until my ears meet."

   Rita Rudner

Where in the World?

Here are some interesting facts about various countries of the world. Just where would I be?

Called Cymru in its native language.

42% of the South and West coastline is designated as 'Heritage Coast'.

The country is said to contain more castles per square mile than any other country in the world.

It is often termed "the land of song" the country is known for its harpists, male choirs, and solo artists.

Although football (soccer) is the more popular sport in the northern part, Rugby Union is seen as the national sport and is passionately played and followed by most of the country.

Cardiff's Millennium Stadium has the largest retractable roof of any sports stadium in the world.

Major Walter Clopton Wingfield is generally credited with inventing lawn tennis when in 1873 he designed and patented a similar game for his guests to play on his estate.

Interesting Fact. . .

The tooth is the only part of the human body 
that cannot heal itself.   

Leaving on a humorous note, I hope!

One nice thing about egotists: 

They don't talk about other people!

Shoot Three B - "Paris and Beyond!"

Nigeria! Only heard from Jim, Joani, Elaine, and Peyton. Let's find some place a little easier this week!

"Conciergerie Cell"

The Conciergerie was once a royal palace but later housed political and common prisoners. Probably the most famous among them was Marie Antoinette! Her former cell has been converted into a chapel.

The picture of the week was one of the cells in the basement area - cold, dark, and damp. Most of those housed here never got to feel the blade of the guillotine as the plague and others diseases were the most common causes of death.

This was a most difficult shot as flash was not allowed (and, that would have ruined the impact of the room). I braced myself between the wall and one of the bars and clicked away. 


Getting Older?

"Inflation is when you pay $15 for the $10 haircut 
you used to get for $5 when you had hair." 

   ~ Sam Ewing

Where in the World?

Here are some interesting facts about various countries of the world. Just where would I be?

One of the largest of all islands in the Caribbean. The country also includes more than 4000 other much smaller islands and cays.

From the air, the island resembles a crocodile or alligator and so it is often referred to in Spanish as "El Cocodrilo" or "El Caimá".

Country is renown for its music, bands play everywhere in its capital. The main musical form is called son, which is a combination of upbeat rhythms with classical guitar.

Sugar from sugarcane is the main crop grown here, followed by tobacco which is used in the making of hand-crafted cigars that are famous for being the finest cigars in the world.

Baseball is the most popular sport by far. The country is also dominant in boxing and has produced a number of Olympic boxing champions. 

The game of dominoes is extremely popular.

Interesting Fact. . .

Everything weighs one percent less 
at the equator! 
(Who needs Weight Watchers, then???)  

Leaving on a humorous note, I hope!

You do not need a parachute to skydive. 
You only need a parachute to skydive twice!

Shoot Three B - "Paris and Beyond"

I was informed that many of these countries above the Artic Circle are "Lands of the Midnight Sun!" However, Norway is the one we associate with this honor. Mike, Joani, Jim, Elaine, Milt, Michelle, and Peyton came through this round on the correct side.

Apologies to Elaine who had Poland right last week but was not credited in the blog!

"Arc de Triomphe Unfurled"

This was a drive-by grab shot. We had visited the Arc the previous day when there was a graveside ceremony happening. However, on the weekends they unfurl the French flag. I was sitting in a small van passing by this popular attraction and saw the waving flag. With camera in hand I managed to fire off about four shots - this one getting the final nod!

Getting Older?

"She said she was approaching 40, 
and I couldn't help wondering from what direction."

   ~ Bob Hope

Where in the World?

Here are some interesting facts about various countries of the world. Just where would I be?

a British colony from the late 19th century through to 1960 when it became independent.   has over 250 ethnic groups, the three largest of which are the Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo. its currency is called the Naira.  English is the official language, and is used in education, business and for official purposes. In rural areas, indigenous languages of Yoruba and Igbo are more commonly spoken.  the life expectancy is on average just 52 years.  has high levels of oil reserves and relies a lot on crude oil exports.

Interesting Fact. . .

The letter J does not appear anywhere 
on the periodic table of the elements.  
(What's a matter, you don't remember them from high school?)

Leaving on a humorous note, I hope!

Two can live as cheaply as one, 
for half as long!

Shoot Three - "Amsterdam III"

Poland! Well, Michelle was thrilled to see her roots featured in "Where in the World!" Also, adding their guesses were Peyton, Jim, Joani, and Mike!

"Bruges Church"

While in Amsterdam, we took a side trip to see Bruges. Unfortunately our city guide was not very good so we left him and explored the historic town on our own. One of the places we did visit was a church where the sculpture, "Madonna and Child" was on display. This very same artwork was reclaimed from Hitler and featured in the movie, "Monument Men!"

"Madonna and Child"

Getting Older?

"When I was a boy,
 the dead sea was only sick."

   ~ George Burns

Where in the World?

Here are some interesting facts about various countries of the world. Just where would I be? 

famous for its majestic fjords and mountainous terrain. 

often described as the "Land of the Midnight Sun", because during the summer months of late May through to late July 

home to a number of Arctic animals such as reindeer, wolverines, polar bear, the puffin bird and the Arctic fox.

home to the world's longest road tunnel, with a length of 24.5 km's (15.3 miles) the tunnel has become a tourist attraction in itself.

the troll plays a significant part in its folklore. The troll is an ugly, messy, nasty creature that lives in caves or forests and will turn to stone if sunlight hits them. 

Football (soccer) has the highest participation level of any sport. The winter sports of biathlon and cross-country skiing are the most eagerly followed.

is the most successful nation in the world at the Winter Olympics. The country has collected the most medals of any country over the Games' history and it is one of just three countries (along with Austria and Liechtenstein) who have won more medals at the Winter Games than at the Summer Games.

Interesting Fact. . .

A comet's tail always points away from the sun.   

Leaving on a humorous note, I hope!

I finally got my head together, 
but now my body is falling apart. 

   

Shoot Three - "Amsterdam II"

O Canada!!! Glorious and free!!!

Glorious about hearing from Elaine, Michelle, Jim, Joani, and Mike Di.

"The Keukenhof!"

The Keukenhof Gardens was our main reason for starting out this trip in Amsterdam. To see these gardens in full floral display was a unique experience! Spending the entire day walking through the paths and through the display halls was a multi-sensory experience!

Don't throw away those DISCO BOOTS, there is still some life left in them as floral displays!

Getting Older?

"By the time a man is wise enough to watch his step, 
he's too old to go anywhere."

   ~ Billy Crystal

Where in the World?

Here are some interesting facts about various countries of the world. Just where would I be? Here is an easy one:

seven countries share a border with it. its national symbol is the White Eagle famous native son Nicolaus Copernicus, the famous 16th century astronomer who first suggested the sun was the center of our universe. famous physicist, chemist and Nobel laureate Marie Curie (or Maria Sklodowska) was born here as well. has more than 20 Nobel Prize Laureates, of these 4 were for Peace prizes and 5 in Literature. of all migratory birds that travel to Europe for the summer, one quarter of them breed here making it the most important bird breeding ground in Europe.

Interesting Fact. . .

The military salute is a motion 
that evolved from medieval times, 
when knights in armor raised their visors 
to reveal their identity. 

Leaving on a humorous note, I hope!

If God wanted me to touch my toes, 

he'd have put them on my knees!!