Phoenix, Arizona - Sunset and Moonrise

I am always excited when there is a full moon.  I drove to several places this afternoon to scout out my "ideal spot" for tonight's event.  I have found a new favorite.

Pending thunderstorms threatened to block the full moon, but I was happy to be out shooting.  Keeping a positive attitude (not always easy when it is 108 in the desert), I set up the tripod and tested the settings.

I was disappointed by the cloud cover in the direction of the moon, but was able to get a few photographs before it was hidden.  The sunset, however, did not disappoint.

Here are the photos, in the order that I took them.  Running back and forth from sunset to moonrise!!

Thunderstorms on the way in and I was able to catch a lightning strike in the east.

Facing the northwest.  The tower is at the Phoenix airport.

North east, big zoom, playing with the zoom lens to see what I could get.

The virga (the dark thin lines coming down from the cloud...rain!) near downtown Phoenix.

The moon peaks between the storm clouds for a moment.

My favorite is the view of the sunset light shining on clouds.

Phoenix, Arizona - Farming in the City

What?

This (formerly) empty field is on Central Avenue south of Camelback. It was periodically watered to minimize the dust. I met my son at Lux Coffee in the neighborhood when I returned from my Balkan trip to discover that the trees had been moved (crated in the distant background) and the field had been planted. Great use of undeveloped land and likely a better way to hold the dust to a minimum. 

Ladee

"There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign."

Robert Louis Stevenson

Sofia, Bulgaria - Farewell Dinner

Our last night dinner was held at a restaurant high in the surrounding mountains. This view looks at Sofia. 

We got off of the bus and walked a little. This is the entrance. 

Benches at the front entrance. 

Plaid? Goes with everything!

Cold drinks were ready for us upon arrival. 

A stack of logs burned in preparation for the fire walkers. 

Appetizers

Costumes decorated the walls. 

Dancers and singers in regional dress entertained after dinner. 

We then all gathered around the fire pit for the big thriller. The hot coals were spread around the pit. 

Ahhhhhh!!

Ladee

"There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign."

Robert Louis Stevenson

Currency Conversion Rates

The blogposts may have the price of food or products. This will help you figure out the cost in U.S. Dollars if you are interested. 

Ladee

"There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign."

Robert Louis Stevenson

Travel Time

Ever wonder how long does it take to get there?  Here is the info for the Danube River trip. The first column is time at the location, second shows the time in Phoenix. 

Ladee

"There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign."

Robert Louis Stevenson

Sofia, Bulgaria - Church of St Petka of the Saddlers

I was able to put in a little time geocaching!

Ladee

"There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign."

Robert Louis Stevenson

Belgrade, Serbia - A Complex History

Nikola Grujin was the guest speaker at the educational presentation this morning. He covered the history of Serbia and the multitudes of "rulers & conquerors" over the decades. I didn't know what to expect from our tour but knew that it would be interesting. 

We started the morning with a tour of the fort on top of the hill. 

We went to the public square with the only "man on horseback" statue. 

The local technical school had a contest for the best robot statue. Reminds me of "transformers".  (I have several other examples!!)

We walked on the pedestrian walkway with cafes and shops to the Magestic Hotel for a drink. 

We also visited a church under construction. This was fascinating to see. It is expected to be completed in 20 years. 

The main interior area. 

In comparison the growth, rebuilding and recovery, we also saw the remains of a targeted bombing. At some point this will be torn down and new buildings will replace it. For now, it is a grim reminder of former conflict. 

The city is a contrast landscape of results of Hun and Turk invasions, World War I, World War II, organization and reorganization. Our guide was intelligent and witty, providing personal insight and historical details. This was a good stop. We had to take our passports with us as we were now out of the EU. The vendors accepted Euros and I understand that the country would like to enter the EU. Best wishes to all as we were treated well. 

Ladee

"There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign."

Robert Louis Stevenson

Pécs, Hungarian - A City Rebuilt Multiple Times

Pécs (pronounced like pashe) is an old city with ancient Roman ruins. The city was destroyed by Ghengis Khan and his buds, rebuilt, and then destroyed by the Turks. And rebuilt again. 

We docked along the Danube at Kalocsa and then took an hour and 45 minute bus ride through farmland and forest. We toured several spots and then has a wine sampling lunch. Our return trip took us through more farmland to return to the ship at Mohacs. 

Here is the sample from the day:

Farmland

Businesses in Pécs. 

Our daily dose of church along with an organ concert. 

There is a large plaza in the center of the city. 

A pedestrian walkway with shops and cafes. 

We finished the tour with lunch at a wine cellar restaurant. No complaints about a midday meal that starts with a glass of bubbly. This was called champagne and I caught some story about not enough sugar to be sparkling wine and so it was bubbly champagne. Well, if that is what it is called, pour a glass for me!!

Ladee

"There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign."

Robert Louis Stevenson

Budapest, Hungary - Amazing Night Sail Away

This is a place holder for a set of photographs of the most amazing sight my eyes have seen. Budapest lit at night, with the bridges and the grand stately buildings magnificently displayed. "Thank You!" To the Captain for taking us on the drive-by while the Blue Danube waltz filled the air. 

Ladee

"There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign."

Robert Louis Stevenson

Budapest, Hungary - All in a Day's Work

We were up early today to meet our bus for the city tour. 

I must mention that the early morning sail-in was beautiful. 

We drove through the city. The memorial to the unknown soldier was our first stop. 
  

After touring the low and flat side of Pest, we wound up the hill to see the sights. Here is the daily dose of church views. 

The view from the top and some Transylvania street vendors. 

  

We toured more, had snacks and then returned to the ship. After a light lunch, several of us gathered to walk over to the market and the shopping street. This is the entrance. (Elizabeth and Jane, it's an Aldi's!!  See the blue sign!)

This is a view of the pedestrian only shopping street. The name of the street is Váci utca. It is pronounced vatsy utsa. 

We are docked until about 10:30. The Captain is then going to do a drive by so that we can take photos of the city lit at night. I can hardly contain my excitement!

Ladee

"There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign."

Robert Louis Stevenson

Bratislava, Slovakia - Sample from the City Walk

The weather is hot, even for the girl from the desert. We heard a wonderful lecture this morning by Thomas Slaboda and then took a city walk with our tour guide Linda. I stayed in town for lunch and walked around a bit. 

Here is the sample for the day:

A plaza area with restaurants under shade trees and souvenir booths. Straight ahead is the opera house. 

The daily dose of church interior. 

A Street in the old town section. The Boulder in front is an art piece. 

The old town center. The big tower is the government building. 

Lunch at one of those shady sidewalk restaurants that I saw earlier. 

Fun day. Adorable town. Walkable, level in the town area. Cobblestones streets. 

Ladee

"There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign."

Robert Louis Stevenson

Vienna, Austria - Vienna Waits for You

Vienna. Ever constant and waiting, ready for your visit. I didn't get to see the Royal apartments in my first trip but got to see everything today. 

And our tour guide Susanna gave a thorough, and sometimes funny, presentation. 

Carriages abound. 

It's all about Empress Elizabeth!

Carriages line the entranceway to the Imperial palace. 

Checked the progress of the restoration looks like only the bottom portion of the tower is under the replica canvas that gives us a nice view. 

I stopped in this church again. It has a lot of shiny things in a small space.  

I went with Pat to Demel's for lunch, coffee called "einspänner" and teeny tiny portion of apple streudel and a sacher cake. 

What fun!

Ladee

"There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign."

Robert Louis Stevenson