R. Doug Wicker's Blog, page 47

Christmas on the Pecos — Part 1

25th Anniversary of Christmas on the Pecos

Time for what has become sort of an annual tradition here at the blog — Christmas light photography — but this time with a travel twist.  This week I’m going to not only give you five articles, but I’m going to take you to Carlsbad, New Mexico, for a Christmas light boat ride along the Pecos River taken in 2016.

Christmas on the Pecos

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Christmas on the Pecos, which originates from the Pecos River Village.  Ursula h...

Photographing Outdoor (and Indoor) Christmas Lights

(Following is a repost from December 2012, hence the Mayan calendar reference)

It’s the Christmas season.  That means it’s camera time, because you won’t see this much nighttime splashing of color again until July 4, and that’s only if we’re all still around come Mayan dawn on December 21 (remember — those west of the International Dateline get it first).

Taking pictures of Christmas lights requires special care and preparation.  Regular readers of my blog know that I don’t usually advocate taki...

Fun Photo Friday — Mediterranean 2022; Ibiza Favorites 2

Time for this week’s second of three Fun Photo Friday of Ibiza Island favorites. Starting tomorrow I’ll be rerunning articles and stories from Christmas Past. The week after that I’ll return you to this Mediterranean cruise and our visit to the island of Ibiza, Spain.

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Mediterranean Cruise 2022 — Ibiza; Playa de Ses Salines Beach, then into Eivissa (Ibiza town)

Another stop. Another beach. This time, heading east and then south, we traveled from Sant Antoni de Portmany to Playa de Ses Salines Beach. As you can see, this is also a popular spot for everyone from sunbathers, to swimmers, to those who want to rent some sails. I’m going to make this visit fast, as we’re about to head back into Eivissa (Ibiza town) for some fascinating Old World scenery, so here’s two more shots of Playa de Ses Salines:

Playa de Ses Salines Beach, Ibiza, Spain Playa...

Mediterranean Cruise 2022 — Ibiza; Portiatx Beach, then onto Sant Antoni de Portmany

Following our stop at the Punta Arabí Hippi Market we headed north, near Ibiza’s northernmost point, to Portiatx Beach. And for such a distant destination, this place appeared to be quite popular with both locals and visitors alike. The waters were clear and a beautiful blue with green undertones, as you can see in the photo above. Now let’s zoom in for a closer view before heading to the second largest city on Ibiza:

Portiatx Beach, Ibiza, Spain

The beach is not without its amenities. ...

Fun Photo Friday — Mediterranean 2022; Ibiza Favorites 1

Seeing Red Amidst the Blue Waters of Playa De Santa Eulalia

Time for the first of three Fun Photo Fridays featuring Ibiza favorites. Next week we continue with our tour of this Mediterranean island featuring sun, sand, scenery, and such.

The Troll at the Playa De Santa Eulalia Town Hall Fountain Water Reflections Guarding the Portal de ses Taules Vara de Rey Monument ( Joaquín Vara de Rey y Rubio ) Ducks United — Citroën 2CV “Deux Chevaux” (“Two Horsepower”)

Слава Україні! (Slava U...

Mediterranean Cruise 2022 — Ibiza; Punta Arabí Hippie Market

Ibiza has several famous outdoor “Hippie Markets,” and the most famous of these is the Punta Arabí Hippie Market. It’s also the original, dating back to 1973, and the largest, with over 500 venders. As luck would have it, Punta Arabí Hippie Market is only open on Wednesdays. So, what are the chances Ursula and I would be on Ibiza on a Wednesday, specifically the 18th of May 2022?

Punta Arabí Hippie Market in Es Canar, Ibiza east coast

If you’re into arts, crafts, handmade clothing, hand...

Mediterranean Cruise 2022 — Ibiza; Santa Eulalia del Río

Our next destination aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Vision of the Seas was the Spanish port of Eivissa (town of Ibiza) on the island of Ibiza. In case you’ve lost track, Ibiza would be our nineteenth day aboard Vision, including the preceding transatlantic cruise. This also represents the nineteenth day of a 68-day journey, excluding travel to our port of origination and the day of return travel. So, as you can see, we have quite a ways to go on this travel series.

Decorative wate...

Fun Photo Friday — Mediterranean 2022; Corsica Favorites Part 3

Phare des Îles Sanguinaires (Lighthouse of the Sanguinaires Isles)

Today finishes up Corsica, and next week I’ll show you our stop on 18 May 2022 — Ibiza Spain. Until then, here are today’s Fun Photo Friday favorites of Ajaccio, Corsica:

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Mediterranean Cruise 2022 — Napoleon Bonaparte House; Ajaccio, Corsica

Maison Bonaparte — Bonaparte ancestral home

We’ve left behind Ajaccio Cathedral, headed north east along Rue Saint-Charles, and have arrived at Maison Bonaparte, the ancestral home of the Bonaparte family and the place of birth of Napoleon. It may not look like much, but it’s a busy destination. I had to wait out the throngs to get the shot you see above. And that marble plaque above the door? It reads in Corsican “NAPOLEON | EST NE DANS CETTE MAISON | LE XV AOVT M·DCC·LXIX,” which translates...