February 19th, 2010
The Calm Side of the Island
Ruth on a Rock
Had a great trip with Ruth, who was down there for a medical conference. Strange place–one side of the island is packed with high-rise hotels and white powdery beaches, and the other side is empty lava-strewn desert with treacherous waves. About a fifth of the island is a national park. The people were incredibly friendly, and even the tourists were nice! It’s Dutch-owned, and many of the tourists were European. We snorkeled, hiked, and ate great food.
Our Chariot
North Side of Island
Wild Waves
Divi-Divi Tree
Small Natural Bridge
Hotel Denizen
Local Lizard
Butterfly Farm
It Finally Landed...
500+ Steps to the Top
Top of the Haystack at Dawn
Copyright 2010 Diana Rathe Pray
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January 24th, 2010
Yes, we’re not used to storms much here in LA. Five inches of rain–oh my! But this time of year is magical. I never thought I’d live in LA, let alone love it here. But I do…just not in September.
After Storm #3
Just up the street is a wonderful spot to view LA to the south and north. Most people don’t realize LA is backed by snow-capped mountains for a brief period in the winter. The mountains behind Doug and Jeff, however, rarely have snow–very low elevation. I restrained my impulse to head for the hills. As expected, there was a major traffic jam of people trying to get to the snow…
Doug & Jeff on Kite Hill
Copyright 2010 Diana Rathe Pray
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January 5th, 2010
I’ve started a gallery of photos from the big day!
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November 27th, 2009
Our First View
We left the kids and took a couple of days in the Rioja wine region, part of which is in Basque country. The rain stayed away, the autumn color was at its peak, and we had the place mostly to ourselves. I never imagined it would be this beautiful.
LAGUARDIA
Underground Cellars
We stayed at a medieval town called Laguardia, a walled town on a hill with only four gates. Beneath the town is a maze of tunnels used as cellars and, back in the day, as a hiding place when the town was under seige. No cars are allowed to drive in town, for obvious reasons! These tunnels used to connect but have been bricked up into individual cellars now. We visited La Fabulista, one of the few wineries operating in town. They still stomp on the grapes there!
Surreal Vista
MARQUES DE RISCAL WINERY
We also visited one of the grand old wineries in the area, Marques de Riscal, which has been operating since 1858. We took a tour of the old cellars and the new, tasted and bought some rioja and rueda verdeja, and took a look at the adjacent Frank Gehry-designed hotel, which is now part of the marketing scheme called the “City of Wine.” Rioja is starting to fill up with these “Star-chitect”-designed buildings and spas.
We visited a huge wine museum, Dinastia Vivanco Museo de la Cultura del Vino (another vanity project by a winery), which was terrific (no photos allowed, though). Impressive building layout, all manner of historical presses and machinery, an eclectic but too-scattered collection of modern and ancient wine-related art, and 3000 corkscrews. The only problem was the quite obvious snubbing of the U.S. wine regions in the world exhibits. Harrumph!
Speaking of the U.S., another small town had something surprising–a statue of liberty. It was dedicated in 1897 to those killed in one of the Spanish civil wars.
A relatively new feature to the Spanish (and French and Portuguese) landscape is the wind farm. It seems like every hill is covered with turbines (and the plains are filled with solar panels). But this new technology sometimes doesn’t fit so well with the old; got stuck waiting as a driver negotiated the narrow medieval streets of this small town. He’s hauling a single turbine blade.
All photos copyright 2009 Diana Rathe Pray
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November 18th, 2009
The journey began on S.’s birthday after school. Here she is with her birthday “cake,” a selection of 12 pastries she sampled into the night. Long but pleasant drive to Paris.
Stopped by Chartres on the way, which was undergoing a top-to-bottom cleaning, including the windows. Can’t imagine how amazing it will be when everything is gleaming. Saw “La Boheme” at the Bastille Opera House–fantastic!
Walked out of our hotel to the Sunday Bastille Farmer’s Market–100 stalls of seafood, produce, cheese, and bread–unbelievable. Bought our breakfast and lunch materials for the next two days. Doug made us wild mushroom omelettes! Onion bread–mmmmmm.
Had a very rainy day at Versailles, but it was intriguing to see the place off-season. The weather didn’t deter the crowds much, at least inside.
Stopped by the Eiffel Tower on the way back. The top was closed due to weather, but we were able to go to the second level. No crowds! Wonderful views. Went to the Louvre the next day–again, very few people, given it was a Monday holiday with no other museums open. Saw the classic must-sees.
Drove through Bordeaux country and stopped at Saint Emilion, a classic old town surrounded by chateaux and vineyards. T. decided to sample the remainders–delicious!
Stopped by Hossegor, a little surfing town in French Basque country where the continental shelf is near shore. The waves are crazy.
All photos copyright 2009 Diana Rathe Pray
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November 9th, 2009
THE ATLANTIC BOTANICAL GARDENS IN GIJON
400-year-old oaks, pokeberry, hips, and Laboral University view.
SALAMANCA, SPAIN
Lively city between Madrid and Portugal. Massive square where the city once held bullfights, beautiful old sandstone buildings, and a 13th century university.
NORTHERN PORTUGAL
Porto church and pier; Viana do Castelo with a modern basilica on the hill–impressive view and Sophia’s dream car; lots of old and crumbling buildings.
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, SPAIN
Many pilgrims walking the Way of St. James in the countryside and arriving at the cathedral; gorgeous lighting.
LUGO, SPAIN
Complete Roman wall around a crumbling city in Spanish hills.
BAIONA, SPAIN
Little town north of Portuguese border where the Pinta returned in 1493 to deliver news of the New World. Below is a replica of the Pinta–hardly more than a tub with sails. It happened to be Columbus Day when we were there, hence the traffic jam.
All photos copyright 2009 Diana Rathe Pray
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September 27th, 2009
We stopped in Segovia on the way back from Madrid. Storybook kind of place. Alcazar is the castle some say was the model for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle (but I think a lot of European castles claim that). The highlight in Segovia was the mortarless 2000-year-old Roman aqueduct, still in use with a pipe on top.
OTHER SPANISH DETAILS
The cuisine of Northern Spain is wonderful–apples, beans, lots of seafood, and, of course, ham! In EVERYthing! Our first night was spent on the Boulevard of Cider in Oviedo, capital of the Principality of Asturias. The cider, which has very little apple flavor and very little alcohol content, must be poured from a distance to aerate it. Fabada (huge beans in stew with saffron, chorizo, and blood sausage) is a regional specialty–very yummy.
Tunnels are everywhere in Asturias, some 4 km long through mountains, and some just ‘cuz…
Art is everywhere, too. Even the graffiti is nice…
(Click on pix twice for largest size.)
Copyright 2009 Diana Rathe Pray
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Street Below Cathedral
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Massive Cathedral
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S Cloister
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LA Girl Enters Church
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A Graphic Reminder
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Chant Book
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Alcazar
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Aquaduct
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Blvd. of Cider
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First Night
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Air Time
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Fabada
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Coke Bottles
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Metermen and Chevrolet
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Picasso
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Tunnel
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Spain!
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