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| | Internet Photos | | not my images but adjusted in image editor for C & C in photography forums |
| | Custom Knife Collection | | a variety of sub albums containing images of custom hunting, utility, boot & daggers, Bowie & fighting knives, forged steel knives, folders, art knives and pearl or ivory handles knives |
| | Amsterdam | | Our trip began with time in Amsterdam with some tours in the city, the Rijks Museum, a canal tour at night and a trip to Rotterdam, The Hague and Delft. After the burglary of our hotel room, we missed another tour but joined the River Duchess for the cruise. |
| | Madurodam | | models of Dutch architecture and locations from the countryside to the city. Miniatures with exactness enjoyed by all who attend. |
| | Koblenz to Rudesheim | | the day begins with a walking tour of Koblenz and later we cruise down the Rhine passing numerous castles before stopping at Rudesheim to travel by mini train to the Seigfried Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum followed by shopping in the town |
| | Heidelberg | | August 3, 2005 we disembark the ship in Frankfort and drive through this modern city before traversing through the lush green countryside to the oldest university if Germany--Heidelberg. |
| | Miltenberg, Wertheim, Wurzburg | | Thursday, Aug. 4 begins with a walking tour of Miltenberg where we view many of the half-timber houses followed by a ride to Wertheim known for its glassware. We reboard the bus and travel to Wurzburg to see the Prince Bishops Residence followed by a tour of the town. Upon returning to the River Duchess, the evening is concluded with music by Midieval harp, guitar, flute etc. |
| | Rothenberg via Tauberbischofsheim | | on the first of our optional tours we depart on an all day tour which takes us to Tauberbischofsheim where on market day, the town square was filled with vendors and buyers of local produce. We continued with a drive through the Bavarian countryside and arrive in the ancient walled city of Rothenburg. One of the reasons we planned this stop was to see if we could learn more about an artist of an original drawing we obtained a few years ago at a sale in Kitchener, Ontario. We had seen the same image in a couple of the cruise guides and so hoped to see the location and learn about the artist. |
| | Bamburg--Aug. 6, 2005 | | As we cruise today, we begin with a glass blowing demonstration presented by Dieter Schrade of Wertheim. After an early lunch, we departed by bus for Bamburg, a UNESCO heritage city, that survived through the centuries intact so one sees buildings of various periods of architecture. St. Peters Church is most predominent. |
| | Nuremberg | | is a major commercial center on the Pegnitz River and was the staging spot for Nazi rallies as Hitler loved Wagner whose home was Nuremberg. We spend time in the town in the rain and went to the castle ruins with a nice view over the city. In the market square there is a large gold fountain and a large soccer ball and a gothic style cathedral with a glockenspiel. Following our return to the ship, we pass the continental divide as go thru a very large lock. In the evening, the crew presented some skits. |
| | Kehlheim and Regensburg | | today we sail through the Altmuhl Valley and enter the Danube at Kelheim. On this cool morning we begin an optional tour of Kelheim at the Liberation Hall followed by boat trip through the Danube Gorge arriving at the Abbey of Weltenberg. The Abbey's resident monks have brewed beer for centuries and following a tour of the church interior, the tour was provided with a sample of their beer. In the afternoon, we do a walking tour of Regensburg which at 20,000 population was Germany's largest city in 1200AD. An old stone bridge of Romanesque architecture spans the river. The tour found us looking at many churches and buildings. In the evening, an Oom Pa Pa band from Munich entertained us. |
| | Passau and River Inn/Schaerding | | We arrive in Passau and depart for a walking tour of the town located near the Austrian and Czech borders and known as the young old city on the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers. Each year, Passau like some other cities is faced with small floods. The Cathedral of St. Stephen is on the highest point of the old part of town built about 720 AD and although burned in 1662, is the largest cathedral in Germany housing the largest pipe organ in the world with around 18000 pipes and growing. Daily there are concerts inside this quite amazing structure. In the afternoon we took an optional trip to the River Inn and Schaerding with a stop inWernstein after viewing the Marie Hilfer Monastery and Austrian/German countryside accompanied by a terrific guide, Eva Riedler, who told us many cute jokes and even provided some special bread. |
| | Melk and Vienna | | Today begins as a sunny day with a visit to the Abbey of Melk which is a Benedictine monastary of Baroque architecture. Thirty seven years were needed to built this structure which is home to 33 monks and 900 students standing 150 feet above the Danube. The church is full of beautiful paintings and gold leafe sculpture and marble columns. Following lunch the River Duchess continued travelling via the Wachau Valley where we saw Austrian villages, vinyards and castles, The evening was completed with a Strauss and Mozart concert with Ensemble, singers and dancers. |
| | Vienna | | We spend a couple days in Vienna but the photos were all done on August 11 following a city tour when we stopped at the Hofburg Imperial Palace and St. Stephen church. In the afternoon, we go to Schonbrunn Palace, the summer residence of the Hapsburg family with its fountain, large residence and huge gardens. |
| | Budapest | | as we proceed down the Danube, we come to the cities of Buda and Pest joined by 6 bridges to create Budapest. This album will have images from August 13 & 14, 2005. Between the two sides of the Danube is located Margit Island--a spa in mid river. Upon the approach, we view the Parliament buildings. Once the custom officials have been "satisfied", we are able to tour the city with stops at Heroes Square with its statue offering tribute to fallen warriors, St. Stephen church and then to the Fishermans Bastion and a great city view from the Castle Hill. Next morning, our optional tour to us to the 2nd largest Jewish synagogue in the world. After viewing the interior, we saw the memorials and metal weeping willow tree honoring those lives lost in Auschwicz and then viewed the Holocost museum. Later in the afternoon, we went to Godollo Palace, the summer home of Empress Elizabeth-Sissi wife of Franz Josef.As part of the palace there is a riding school which houses a sculptural display. In the evening Phyllis went to a local Hungarian restaurant where a folklore ensemble entertained. |
| | Kalocsa and Pecs Aug.15 | | Today we begin in Kalocsa, home of Paprika production, and a small tour of a museum of paprika related items before heading to the Archbishops Palace housing a large library of ancient books. Back to the buses and down to a typical two generation farmhouse followed by a tour and organ recital in St. Stephens Cathedral. Next we drove to the Horsemans Putza where cowboys put on a horse, buggy and whip demonstration and the tourists were offered Apricot Brandy and an opportunity to view embroidery, egg decorating and make purchases of whips and pottery. In the afternoon we travelled to the ancient walled city of Pecs founded by the Romans. Pecs if the location of the first Hungarian University and student lovers seal their devotion to one another by locking their locks together on a gate and then ascend the hills and throw away the key forever sealing their fidelity. Upon the birth of a child, another small lock is attached to their locks. In the evening, we are entertained by local musicians and traditionally costumed dancers. |
| | Belgrade | | the tour today begins with a trip to the old walled fortress at Kalamegdan Park which includes a display of WWII tanks and guns as well as a panorama view of the city of Belgrade where the Sava and the Danube rivers meet. Following a city tour of the city and past many embassys we see the largest orthodox church of Belgrade--Saint Sava Temple capable of holding 900 people. The afternoon was free for us to stroll the city to see its old and new buildings. |
| | Cruising thru Iron Gates | | as we continue the Danube cruise, we pass thru the narrow gorge between the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains viewing Romania on the North and Bulgaria on the south side of the river |
| | Velika Turnova--Bulgaria | | Today begins with a tour of Velika Turnova after a one and one-half hour trip thur the country and small villages of Bulgaria which is inhabited by some of the poorer people of Europe. Past owned Government factories and apartments are now closed and abandoned. Upon arrival at VT, we stop at their version of a 4 star hotel for refreshments and a short tour of a formerly well off Turkish family. Next we headed to Arbanssi and a visit to an Orthodox church. In a garden yard, we had a barby lunch during which we were entertained by a band and Bulgarian folk dancing. Up to Tsarevets Hill to the old stone fortress walls and a view of Tsarevets and Trapezitsa before heading downtown. At the end of the day we have a quick stop in Rousse at a park before returning to the River Duchess for supper and pan flute entertainment that night. Quite a day for sure. |
| | Constanta--Black Sea | | although technically not the end of the journey, our trip in the Black Sea Canal took us to our farthest point on the trip--Constanta. We were the only shipped docked but are told that up to 95 ships perday are loaded/off loaded daily. This afternoon, we go to Mumaia beach. This is not the cleanest of beaches compared to our standards but is quite nice and very long--about 20 + KM. After this short visit, we went to a local tour and a museum and then an Orthodox church that like home was very busy with Saturday weddings. Before returning to the ship, we proceeded to the beach and the local Casino area at which a local bazaar was in full swing and married couple were being photographed on the rocky beach area. |
| | Bucharest Romania | | the trip is coming to a conclusion. On a 4 hour trip from Constanta to Bucharest, we see the poverty of the country and as we enter the city we see many of the Communist era apartment buildings that are very drab indeed. The centre of the city is much more modern and well kept and the fountains and the Ceaucescue Palace is indeed impressive. Our stay at the Marriott hotel is very nice in a magnificent hotel. We also visit another Orthodox church and have a nice dinner at a local restaurant where some beautiful local music and folk dancing is performed.
The following morning Phyllis and the group take a long bus trip through Transylvania countryside to the Sinaia Monastary followed by a lunch in a chalet style restaurant and then off to Bran Castle the reputed home of Vlad the Impaler whom some claim to be Count Dracula. Before returning, there was a stop at a market with typical Romanian crafts being offered |
| | 2006 European Vacation | | This year we did additional Uniworld Riverboat cruises with some additional time in Paris, Barcelona and Madrid. The two cruises were in France--Soane and Rhone rivers and in Portugal -- the Duoro river. |
| | Spain 2006 | | Through a different tour company, we have arranged for a 6 day Spanish trip between Barcelona and Madrid. This will be our first time using European Railways as we travel from Nimes, France via Montpelier to Barcelona. Following 3 nights in Barcelona we take another train to Madrid. |
| | Portugal | | Upon completing our six day trips to Barcelona and Madrid, Spain, we fly to Lisbon, Portugal to rejoin Uniworld for a riverboat cruise in northern Portugal on the Douro River following a 2 day sojourn in Lisbon and Sintra then a bus ride via Coimbra to OPorto to begin the final leg of our 2006 European Vacation |
| | LasVegas 2006 | | My wife's sister Jean was once a flight attendant for Pan Am airlines and each year there is a convention under the auspices of World Wings PAA. In 2002 we were invited by Jean to attend on a Princess Cruise to Alaska and this year Jean invited Phyllis to attend the Las Vegas convention at the Las Vegas Hilton--a long time home to The King-Elvis. In addition to attending convention events the sisters gave LV a good looksee and also took a side trip to the Grand Canyon. Phyllis took about 600 images and of those, 186 are included in this album. Highlighted hotels include the Las Vegas Hilton, Paris, Bellagio, Venice, Mirage and the Wynn with some night shots of others. |
| | St. Anne's Flower Festival 2006 | | St. Anne"s is Toronto's only Byzantine style Anglican Church. The church which houses the only collection of religious art produced by members of the Group Of Seven (J.E.H. MacDonald, Frank Carmichael and Fred Varley) hosted a flower festival created by 200 volunteers of the Garden Club of Toronto. The centre piece is a 23 meter runner of fresh flowers down the centre aisle consisting of 25 pans approximately 1 metre by half a meter and 5 cm in depth. Each pan is lined with sphagnum moss. |
| | Chinese Lantern Festival Oct. 6, 2006 | | The summer of 2006 saw the city of Toronto, at Ontario Place host a 65-night celebration of Chinese craftsmanship and culture featuring the largest lantern festival to take place outside Asia and one of the most impressive presentations of its kind in North America.
Unique and intricate works of art, carefully crafted by master artisans who have handed down the secrets of their artistry for generations with installations as high as 50 feet and as long as 300 feet.
While the individual designs are countless, they typically fall into one of two categories: iconic or scenic.
The iconic lanterns are made in the shape of butterflies, dragons, birds and many other creatures. They are typically the more common, red spherical lanterns.
The scenic lanterns and floats depict scenes from popular stories and legends.
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