R. Doug Wicker's Blog, page 46

Mediterranean Cruise 2022 — Ibiza; More views of Dalt Vila, then back into Eivissa

Portal de ses Taules

After our view atop Dalt Vila’s fortification, we began the trek back down the steep hill and into Eivissa’s Old Town section. I’m going to post photos in sequential order and captioned with the street where that scene was located staring with:

Carrer de la Sant Creu at Plaça de Vila Bar Es Cafeti, Carrer d’Ignasi Riquer at Carrer del General Balanzat Carrer de la Santa Creu Museum of Contemporary Art, near Carrer de la Santa Creu Carrer de Bisbe Torres Anoth...

Mediterranean Cruise 2022 — Ibiza; Entering Eivissa’s walled Dalt Vila (Old Town)

Dalt Vila (High Town; Ibiza Old Town)

Now that the Christmas holiday is over, and I’ve completed an eight-day run of past Christmas articles, it’s time to return for one more week’s worth of touring Ibiza. And today we start with touring the walled Dalt Vila, otherwise known as Old Town Eivissa (Ibiza City). As you head south toward the main Portal de ses Taules gate leading into Dalt Vila you’ll notice that the skyline is dominated by the belltower of Catedral de Santa Maria de la Neu de Vil...

Fun Photo Friday — Christmas Lights of San Jacinto Plaza

San Jacinto Plaza decorated for Christmas

One thing I neglected to tell you about this week’s photographs is that they were not taken with my trusty, but aging, Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000. They were instead taken with my iPhone SE. I still much prefer a camera, but I guess this thing will do in a pinch. What do you think?

Ursula Enjoying San Jacinto Plaza

Straight out of the iPhone the images weren’t bad, but they did require a bit of postprocessing on the computer.

San Jacinto Plaza ...

Christmas Lights — San Jacinto Plaza, El Paso, Texas Part 2

As you’ll recall from Monday, this week I’m taking you on a tour of El Paso’s annual Christmas decorations in the historic San Jacinto Plaza. This was between venues, starting with dinner at Gonzalos G&R and culminating with this night’s Broadway in El Paso show at our magnificently restored Plaza Theatre. We’ll get to that in a moment, but first let’s continue with the San Jacinto tour:

Another Christmas “tree” in San Jacinto Plaza — This one changes!

Ever strolled through a Christmas ...

Christmas Lights — San Jacinto Plaza, El Paso, Texas Part 1

It was date night for Doug and Ursula on a comfortably cool 6 December 2022 evening in El Paso, and the main event was to be at the incredible Plaza Theatre. But before showtime we decided to start early with dinner at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants, followed by a stroll among the Christmas decorations adorning downtown El Paso’s historic San Jacinto Plaza. So, first stop was Gonzalos G&R at the corner of Nevada Avenue and Kansas Street (401 E. Nevada). I had my usual favorite, the ...

The Christmas Lights of Eastridge

Colors of Christmas past from our locally famous Eastridge neighborhood here in El Paso. Here are some more photos from 2012:

Christmas on the Pecos — Part 4

End of the Ride — Returning to the Pecos River Village

I’ve given tips before on how to photograph Christmas lights.  For a refresher, here are a few articles:

Photographing Outdoor (and Indoor) Christmas Lights Fun Photo Friday — Christmas Lights 2013 And even a lesson on Available Light Photography Without a Tripod

On today’s photo gallery/slide show, click on any image below to see the shot data for that photograph, which will include ISO, f-Stop, shutter speed, and focal length (in 35mm eq...

Christmas on the Pecos — Part 3

Christmas Tree Mirror

The cost for the Christmas on the Pecos river cruise varies by age and day of the week (the following are 2016 prices). Children 12 and under ride for $10 Sunday through Thursday, $15 on Friday and Saturday.  For 13 and up the cost is $15 in the cheap nights and $20 during the prime Friday and Saturday evenings.

The Four Wise Guys of Christmas

Is it worth it for 40 minutes?  I think so.  In fact, I wouldn’t mind doing this again someday.  I know kids will certainly enjoy it...

Christmas Gift Ideas

You could, of course, purchase for that special someone one of my Kindle mysteries (Decisions, The Globe), or you could get what I just got Ursula:

Christmas on the Pecos — Part 2

Christmas on the Pecos

The boat tour for Christmas on the Pecos runs about 45 minutes.

Christmas on the Pecos

Three boats were available this year, and the seating capacities were 15, 40, and 45.  We were on the largest, Bella Sera.

Christmas on the Pecos

The light show starts out a bit sparse, but about halfway along the length of the cruise things start picking up nicely.  The following two shots were taken shortly after leaving the Pecos River Village:

Christmas on the Pecos

Christmas on the ...