Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts

Sunday, March 17, 2024

POTD: Beehouse Dijiwa Ubud

"Way down bumpy roads,
Dinner's joy in Bali's heart.
Wonderful retreat."

—h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 04 06 Bali

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Beehouse Dijiwa Ubud in Bali, Indonesia. We didn't stay in this "private paradise surrounded by amazing rice paddies, lush greeneries, and view of Mount Agung." But we had dinner here on our last night in Bali. Just getting to the restaurant was a nighttime adventure down a narrow, bumpy road that our driver never hesitated on, although I suspect he scratched his car on one tight squeeze. I wish I could remember what we had to eat, but like everything about our stay in Bali, I do remember that it was wonderful.

Saturday, March 16, 2024

POTD: Pura Taman Ayun

"Taman Ayun's heart,
Bali's heritage enshrined,
UNESCO's love signed."

—h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 04 06 Bali

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Taman Ayun Hindu Temple in Bali, Indonesia. Pura Taman Ayun is a quiet oasis of Balinese temples and gardens with water features. In 2012, Pura Taman Ayun was added as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Sunday, March 10, 2024

POTD: Rice Terraces of Tegalalang

"Rice terraces stretch
Up, down, along the valley.
Swings high above."


—h/t ChatGPT
From 2023 04 06 Bali

Today's photo-of-the-day is from Tegallalang, Bali, a popular tourist site because of its beautiful rice terraces and countless photo ops.

A bonus photo is after the jump.

Saturday, March 9, 2024

POTD: Tanah Lot

"Bali at twilight,
Low tide unveils rocky path
to Tanah Lot's grace."

—h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 04 06 Bali

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken at Tanah Lot, a spit of rock off the west coast of Bali, Indonesia, that is home to a Hindu temple. The temple can only be reached on foot at low tide. The sun setting in the ocean behind the temple makes it a popular site for photography.

Sunday, March 3, 2024

POTD: The Monkey Forest in Ubud

"Hindu temples stand,
throughout the Monkey Forest,
Nature's bandits close."

—h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 04 06 Bali

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken in the Monkey Forest of Ubud on the Indonesian island of Bali. About a thousand long-tailed macaque monkeys live in the sanctuary. The sanctuary is also home to three Hindu temples. Let's stipulate up front that the monkeys love stealing from the tourists and the tourists love seeing the monkeys do it. They can unscrew water bottles and unzip backpacks and purses and reach inside pockets. Keep your hats, sunglasses, cameras, food (especially food) to yourself and out of reach of the monkeys (better yet out of sight of the monkeys), and no one will get hurt (probably). Otherwise, all bets are off.

Saturday, March 2, 2024

POTD: Pura Bratan, Bali

"Bali's Hindu charm,
Temple by Lake Bratan where
Nature and gods meet."

—h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 04 06 Bali

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken on the island of Bali, Indonesia. Bali is Indonesia's only Hindu-majority province. With its temples, music, dance, painting, and, of course, beaches and resorts, there's something for almost any tourist. Our photo is of Pura Ulun Danu Bratan. The temple complex is on the shores of Lake Bratan in the mountains near Bedugul in north-central Bali.

Sunday, February 25, 2024

POTD: Bananas for Sale in Lombok

"Five million souls live
with Ranjani's constant threat.
Lombok's restless heart."

—h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 04 05 Lombok

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken on the island of Lombok, Indonesia, about the same size as Bali, which is just to its west. Lombok is home to over 5 million Indonesians, one of whom is shown here. If Lombok makes the news in America, it's most likely because of a volcanic eruption. The island's geography is dominated by the 12,224 ft stratovolcano Mount Ranjani, an active volcano that had a large eruption as recently as 2010. One of the largest volcanic eruptions in world history occurred on Lombok in 1257.

Saturday, February 24, 2024

POTD: Dragons are Real

"Volcanic islands,
Dragons roam in wild splendor.
Evolution's gift."

—h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 04 04 Rinca

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken on Rinca Island, home of Indonesia's Komodo National Park, populated by an estimated 5,700 giant lizards, or Komodo Dragons. We saw a dozen or so, from a safe distance. At least they told us we were safe.

Sunday, February 18, 2024

POTD: Closing the Book on Australia

"Monochrome fetish.
Bookshelf swap, a little game.
Order soon restored."

— h/t ChatGPT
From 2023 04 01 Darwin

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken on our visit to Darwin, our last stop in Australia. The interior decorator on the Viking Mars cruise ship that we traveled on had a monochrome design fetish, as the bookshelves in various public rooms were ordered by color. Just wanting to mess with their heads, I sometimes swapped a book from one shelf to another, just to see how long it would take before the staff put things back in Viking's preferred order. I was never disappointed.

A bonus photo is after the jump.

Saturday, February 17, 2024

POTD: Australia's Jumping Crocodiles

"Jaws in midair snap.
Darwin's wild heartbeat revealed.
River spectacle."


—h/t ChatGPT
From 2023 04 01 Darwin

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken about 45 miles from Darwin, Australia. It was taken from a boat on the Adelaide River, billed as the "Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise." Was it spectacular? See for yourself.

Bonus photos are after the jump.

Sunday, February 11, 2024

POTD: Australia's Top Pub

"Car stops, man offers
to show us Thursday Island
On his Thursday off."


—h/t ChatGPT
From 2023 03 30 Thursday Island

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken on Thursday Island, in the Torres Strait between the Australian mainland and Papua New Guinea. It's Australia's top pub, that is, its northernmost pub. There's not much else on the island so my guess is that it gets a lot of the island's business.

Ellen and I were hiking up to what's left of the historic, hilltop fort when a man in a car stopped and offered to give us a lift. He worked for the Australian border service and had the day off. So he gave us a panoramic tour of the hilltop, then offered to drive us around the rest of the island. We took him up on his offer and received the best personal tour available.

A bonus photo is after the jump.

Saturday, February 10, 2024

POTD: Beach Camping


"Safe zone amid waves,
Jellyfish safely kept out.
Lone camper's haven."

—h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 03 28 Cairns

Another port in Queensland, another (almost) empty beach. Today's photo-of-the-day was taken in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. There is one lone camper on the beach. Beaches in Queensland are plagued with jellyfish, whose stings are painful. This beach has one safe zone for swimming. Halfway down the beach, you can see the floats for a net used to keep swimmers separated from the jellyfish. In the foreground you can see one lone camper sitting in the sun and enjoying reading a book.

Sunday, February 4, 2024

POTD: Marine Stingers

"Empty Queensland beach,
First-aid stations ready for
Jellyfish stings."


—h/t ChatGPT
From 2023 03 27 Townsville

Another port in Queensland, another empty beach. Today's photo-of-the-day was taken in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. The beach is empty in part because of the presence of jellyfish. Beaches in Australia have first-aid stations with bottles of vinegar to douse yourself with if you happen to fall victim to these beautiful but nasty sea creatures. Oh, also, beware of the crocodiles.

After the jump, a view of Townsville.

Saturday, February 3, 2024

POTD: The Heart of the Reef

"Reef's empty allure
spoiled by fear of jellyfish.
Caution in the waves."

—h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 03 26 Airlie Beach

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken in Airlie Beach, Queensland, Australia, the self-proclaimed "Heart of the Reef." The "reef" referred to is, of course, the Great Barrier Reef. The beautiful beach is empty, perhaps because swimming is definitely not recommended without a wet suit because of the high risk of jellyfish stings.

Sunday, January 28, 2024

POTD: Go Lions

"Brisbane's pride shines bright.
A photo frozen in time:
Lions' hopeful start."

—h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 03 24 Brisbane

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The "Lions" being cheered for by the skywriting (or "barracked" for, as this is Australia) are the Brisbane Lions of the Australian Football League (AFL). This photo was taken at the beginning of last season in March, 2023. It's old news now, but in September, 2023, the Brisbane Lions and Collingwood Magpies played before a capacity crowd of 100,024 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the AFL's Grand Final. It was a close match won by Collingwood 90-86. Here's hoping that America's Detroit Lions in the National Football League have a happier result in their own NFL Western Conference championship game this Sunday. Go Lions.

Saturday, January 27, 2024

POTD: Brisbane Skyline

"Nature and steel meet.
City's heart in river's bend.
Brisbane's beauty shines."

—h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 03 24 Brisbane

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. That's the big bend of the Brisbane River in the foreground, the Botanic Gardens on the left, and the skyline of Brisbane's city centre in the background. Brisbane is a walkable, beautiful, vibrant city.

Sunday, January 21, 2024

POTD: Carpaccio di Polpo

"Manfredi tempts with
Italian dishes sublime.
Next time, translate first."

—h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 03 22 Newcastle

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken at sea aboard the cruise ship Viking Mars, sailing from Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. They say you should travel and experience new places, people, and cuisines. That's how Ellen and I ended up in Manfredi's®, a specialty restaurant featuring Italian dishes, with an appetizer of Carpaccio di Polpo in front of Ellen. Who knew it translates to thinly sliced octopus served raw? We didn't. Did she eat it? You'll have to ask her.

Saturday, January 20, 2024

POTD: Riding the Wave

"Surfers carve the sea.
Newcastle's big waves dance high.
Kangaroos in flight."

—h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 03 22 Newcastle

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Surfest in Newcastle "is the largest surfing festival in the southern hemisphere," according to its own marketing material. Our day in Newcastle happily coincided with the 2023 festival.

Sunday, January 14, 2024

POTD: Farewell to Sydney

"Sydney fades away,
Beckoning us, "Come again."
Now, new ports await."


—h/t ChatGPT
From 2023 03 20 Sydney

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken from our cruise ship as we departed Sydney, Australia. You see a lot of ports on a cruise, but our stays were always too short. They say take a cruise to sample what you'll want to come back to explore at more leisure.

After the jump, another view.

Saturday, January 13, 2024

POTD: A "Funky High-Energy Area"

"Multicultural
Neighborhood invites delight.
Darlinghurst's essence."

—h/t ChatGPT

From 2023 03 20 Sydney

Today's photo-of-the-day was taken in Sydney, Australia. According to Google, "Inner-city Darlinghurst is a funky, high-energy area with cafes, sleek multicultural restaurants and intimate cocktail bars. Oxford Street, a centre of the city’s LGBT scene, has nightclubs that thump with music, plus stylishly restored pubs. Edgy shops on Crown Street sell records, offbeat fashion and vintage apparel. Art galleries, independent theatre companies and live music venues draw a young, chic crowd."