R. Doug Wicker's Blog, page 156
June 6, 2016
Arriving Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Puntarenas Lighthouse
The Golden Princess left Callao, the seaport serving Lima, on Friday, March 20, 2015, and sailed northward. We were leaving South America behind us and heading toward Central America. Our next destination was along the isthmus that links the North and South American continents. After three full days at sea the Golden Princess docked at the port city of Puntarenas in Costa Rica on Tuesday, March 24.
Puntarenas
Stepping off the ship we saw two sand sculptors plying their t...
June 3, 2016
Remembering John Steele — 82nd Airborne, D-Day
Paratroopers in Stained Glass
In keeping with Monday’s Memorial Day post and Wednesday’s commemoration of D-Day, I dedicate today’s post to the memory of John Steele, Sainte-Mère-Église, and the church upon which Private Steele of the82nd Airborne hung suspended for two hours before briefly being taken prisoner by the German Army, escaping, and later rejoining his brigade.
You will recall this famous incident from the movie The Longest Day, in which Private Steele was portrayed by Red Buttons...
June 1, 2016
Storming The Beaches—Omaha and Utah
Pointe du Hoc
Next week marks a solemn anniversary of a tragic triumph of epic proportions. This “Longest Day” began in the dark of a moonless night on June 5 and continued throughout the murderous day of June 6, 1944. The location of this historic battle was along a 62-mile strip of blood-soaked sand and smoke-shrouded cliffs lining the beaches of Normandy, France.
No trip to Normandy is complete without a pilgrimage to the beaches that took the brunt of the great D-Day Invasion of World Wa...
May 30, 2016
The Meaning of Memorial Day
Normandy American Cemetery, France
Honorably discharged veterans of the military are frequently thanked on this day for their service to their nation. And although we are grateful for the thanks, veterans would like to remind you that Veterans Day (formerly Armistice Day and also known as Remembrance Day to our Commonwealth Cousins) is the time to celebrate military service both past and present. Memorial Day is set aside to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of a grateful...
May 27, 2016
Fun Photo (and Video) Friday — Farewell, Lima
Pottery Gallery
It’s time to head back to the Golden Princess and start heading north from our two-day stop in Lima. Here are some last minute looks before we board (a farewell video follows today’s gallery):
Next week I’ll be taking a break from our Chile-to-Los Angeles cruise for repeat posts in honor of Memorial Day, and the approaching anniversary of the D-Day Invasion of Normandy during World War II. The week following that we’ll return to this cruise and our next port-of-call — Pu...
May 25, 2016
Two Last Stops in Lima
Restaurante Luchita
After our dining experience at Restaurante Luchita our tour hit two more stops before returning to the Grand Princess. Both were artistic enterprises in a rather charming section of town not far from Luchita.
The Light Post
As you can see the buildings here were brightly colored and begging to be photographed.
Out and About in Lima
Outside the second gallery was this interesting display of color (another photo of this piece on Fun Photo Friday):
Hangin’ by a Thread
The fir...
May 23, 2016
Luchita Lunch in Lima
Restaurant Luchita
After a long day watching monks cast themselves off cliffs, and traipsing about ancient pre-Columbian pyramids, it was time to eat. Our tour was taken to Restaurante Luchita for some authentic Peruvian cuisine. It’s a charming restaurant with several individual rooms capable of handling various party sizes. Here you can see our group’s table:
Our table at Luchita — Ursula on the right
And, as I wandered about the restaurant, I came across anther party getting ready to chow...
May 20, 2016
Fun Photo Friday — Templo del Sol Favorites
Panoramic view from Temple of the Sun
Today brings to a close our visit to Pachacamac, and next week will take our final look at Lima before reboarding the Grand Princess and heading north toward Puntarenas, Costa Rica, and an exciting adventure cruising up the crocodile-infested waters of the Tárcoles River.
View from Temple of the Sun
Templo del Sol
View from Temple of the Sun
Filed under: Fun Photo Friday, Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation Tagged: Fun Photo Friday, Lima, Pachaca...
May 18, 2016
Exploring Templo del Sol (the Temple of the Sun)
Temple of the Sun
Unlike most of the buildings in Pachacamac, Templo del Sol wasn’t constructed by the Ichma. The “Temple of the Sun” came a short while later, after the A.D. 1440 fall of the Ichma Culture to the Inca Empire.
Temple of the Sun
It’s interesting to note the detailed construction that went into building this site, using both adobe and stone.
Temple of the Sun
The climb to the top of the hill upon which the Temple of the Sun sits rewards the hiker with some really nice views of t...
May 16, 2016
Ascending the Templo del Sol (Temple of the Sun)
Templo del Sol
It’s a hefty hike to Templo del Sol, the Temple of the Sun, but it’s not unreasonable if you don’t push it. The walk just looks more intimidating than it actually is.
On the Ascent
Indeed, no one in our group who attempted the ascent failed to make it, although we did have several who opted to not even give it a go.
Climbing Higher
And while the view from below at the beginning of the climb may look impressive, wait until you get the view from the top.
Templo del Sol (Temple of...
