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Old Town Verandas

When I was in the old town section of San Juan Puerto Rico last fall I became enamored with the charm of the place. By charm I mean the sense of community and character. I think the verandas play an important role in all that. Folks like to hang out on their verandas or the streets below talking, playing cards or just watching other people walk by. I have a veranda out the back of my house were I like to go to relax sometimes, so I guess I relate to these older, more storied versions. I imagine these have been here for a hundred years, but I can’t imagine all the scenes that have transpired on or below them. Fun to think about nonetheless.

When I was in the old town section of San Juan Puerto Rico last fall I became enamored with the charm of the place. By charm I mean the sense of community and character. I think the verandas play an important role in all that. Folks like to hang out on their verandas or the streets below talking, playing cards or just watching other people walk by. I have a veranda out the back of my house were I like to go to relax sometimes, so I guess I relate to these older, more storied versions. I imagine these have been here for a hundred years, but I can't imagine all the scenes that have transpired on or below them. Fun to think about nonetheless.

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Christ Church Cathedral

Surrounded by tall buildings on all sides is Vancouver’s Christ Church Cathedral. I’ve been meaning to go inside capture the interior one day, but this section caught my attention late one evening while walking back to my hotel. Vancouver is a harmonious mix of the old and new. Now, as it’s Sunday, I better get off to church.

Surrounded by tall buildings on all sides is Vancouver's Christ Church Cathedral. I've been meaning to go inside capture the interior one day, but this section caught my attention late one evening while walking back to my hotel. Vancouver is a harmonious mix of the old and new. Now, as it's Sunday, I better get off to church.

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Sunrise on Deck

On the last day of our journey aboard the Jewel of the Seas I got up before sunrise to capture a few pictures around the ship. This is the top deck and running track which overlooks the pool area. In a couple of hours this would be full of folks catching some rays or enjoying water volleyball. But in the tranquility of the morning the sun rose behind a layer of clouds and cast these rays that I was lucky enough to capture. The cruise season is in full swing now and I suspect the economies of many Caribbean ports of call are doing quite well right about now.

On the last day of our journey aboard the Jewel of the Seas I got up before sunrise to capture a few pictures around the ship. This is the top deck and running track which overlooks the pool area. In a couple of hours this would be full of folks catching some rays or enjoying water volleyball. But in the tranquility of the morning the sun rose behind a layer of clouds and cast these rays that I was lucky enough to capture. The cruise season is in full swing now and I suspect the economies of many Caribbean ports of call are doing quite well right about now.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

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Bridges

Bridges is a trendy restaurant in Vancouver’s Granville Island. It’s a cool place because in summer you can sit outside and be surrounded by the lights of the harbor, the two main bridges in to the city and the lights of the city at night. For some reason I was intrigued by how many people arrived here this evening by bicycle. Somewhat reminiscent of a european city don’t you think? Anyway, I see this when crossing over the Granville or Burrard bridges in a cab back to the airport and finally managed to get close enough for a photo one evening while exploring. Silly me, I just realized why it’s called bridges.

Bridges is a trendy restaurant in Vancouver's Granville Island. It's a cool place because in summer you can sit outside and be surrounded by the lights of the harbor, the two main bridges in to the city and the lights of the city at night. For some reason I was intrigued by how many people arrived here this evening by bicycle. Somewhat reminiscent of a european city don't you think? Anyway, I see this when crossing over the Granville or Burrard bridges in a cab back to the airport and finally managed to get close enough for a photo one evening while exploring. Silly me, I just realized why it's called bridges.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

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Sinclair Centre

This is a shot of the iconic Sinclair Center in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. Vancouver has such an abundance of modern skyscrapers but in an amongst them are gems like this, reminiscent of another time. Cities like this that have not lost touch with the past are probably better for it on a number of different levels. If buildings could hear, I’d like to tell the newer sleeker ones to respect their elders while pointing at this. There you have it, I have a sense of architectural heritage and at times I might just be stark raving bonkers. 😉

This is a shot of the iconic Sinclair Center in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. Vancouver has such an abundance of modern skyscrapers but in an amongst them are gems like this, reminiscent of another time. Cities like Vancouver that have not lost touch with the past are probably better for it, on a number of different levels. If buildings could hear, I'd like to tell the newer sleeker ones to respect their elders while pointing at this. There you have it, I have a sense of architectural heritage and at times I might just be stark raving bonkers. ;-)

Follow link to obtain a print of this photo.

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Reflection

Early morning reflected in the widows of the Loft in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour. Refections sometimes produce an effect of separation that’s not really there, but allows our minds to believe it is, producing perspective, hopefully for the better. I wonder what the perspective of the early morning crew was as they saw me taking pictures of the reflections in their windows. Something I’ll never know.

Early morning reflected in the widows of the Loft in Vancouver's Coal Harbour. Refections sometimes produce an effect of separation that's not really there, but allows our minds to believe it is, producing perspective, hopefully for the better. I wonder what the perspective of the early morning crew was as they saw me taking pictures of the reflections in their windows. Something I'll never know.

Follow link to obtain a print of this photo.

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Quiet Corner of the Castle

This is a piano I found in a corner of the Scottish castle otherwise known as the Banff Springs Hotel, in Banff Alberta. When I was there I took quite a few photos of the place which is a small measure of how impressed I was by the ambiance and architecture. If anyone ever invents a time machine, this is the place I’d like to visit fifty or a hundred years ago. From the looks of the furnishings I’d think little has changed, it’s as though the place was cut right out of a movie set and a playground for the rich and famous. Perhaps the only difference now is that people like me, not so rich and famous, can wander the halls and get lost in reverie and imagination.

This is a piano I found in a corner of the Scottish castle otherwise known as the Banff Springs Hotel, in Banff Alberta. When I was there I took quite a few photos of the place which is a small measure of how impressed I was by the ambiance and architecture. If anyone ever invents a time machine, this is the place I'd like to visit fifty or a hundred years ago. From the looks of the furnishings I'd think little has changed, it's as though the place was cut right out of a movie set and a playground for the rich and famous. Perhaps the only difference now is that people like me, not so rich and famous, can wander the halls and get lost in reverie and imagination.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

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Old and New

In October I arrived by ship at this port in Bridgetown Barbados. The sugar elevators used to play a major role in the economy but are little used now due to the world market. However in it’s place tourism has taken hold and as most people know, Barbados has the most friendly people anywhere in the Caribbean and perhaps the most beautiful beaches. I was intrigued by these towering elevators which represent the old economy as they silhouette the tug in the foreground. This tugboat is used to guide large cruise ships into port which deposit the new economy (tourist) to the island. Either way, it’s an island that relies on the sea and is undergoing transition and I, for one, can’t wait to go back.

In October I arrived by ship at this port in Bridgetown Barbados. The sugar elevators used to play a major role in the economy but are little used now due to the world market. However in it's place tourism has taken hold and as most people know, Barbados has the most friendly people anywhere in the Caribbean and perhaps the most beautiful beaches. I was intrigued by these towering elevators which represent the old economy as they silhouette the tug in the foreground. This tugboat is used to guide large cruise ships into port which deposit the new economy (tourist) to the island. Either way, it's an island that relies on the sea and is undergoing transition and I, for one, can't wait to go back.

Follow link to obtain a print of this photo.

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Top Down

This is a view of the lobby on the Jewel of the Seas, a ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet. The first time I saw this ship it played a trick on my eyes as I thought I was looking at two ships. Turns out this one is small relative to some others. Nonetheless, if you stand midship on about the 13th floor and look down through a glass table, you’ll see this lobby and elevators. And I thought a sailboat was big.

This is a view of the lobby on the Jewel of the Seas, a ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet. The first time I saw this ship it played a trick on my eyes as I thought I was looking at two ships. Turns out this is one is small, relative to others. Nonetheless, if you stand midship on about the 13th floor and look down through a glass table, you see this lobby and elevators. And I though a forty foot sailboat was big.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.