travel

travel

Watercolor

Looking south at the Olympics from San Juan Island – 2 September
travel

VENICE

Venice sign hangs over intersection
The Corner of Windward and Pacific – Venice, CA
travel

Night wheel

Ferris Wheel on Santa Monica pier – 28 December 2019
travel

Mill Bay Beach

Mill Bay Beach – Kodiak, Alaska
Mill Bay Beach – Kodiak, Alaska – 2 September 2019
100s of salmon just of Mill Bay Beach
Salmon just off the beach – Mill Bay Beach, Kodiak, Alaska – 2 September 2019
travel

Berlin

St. George – The Dragon Slayer

WordCamp Europe, the catalyst for the travel, was held in Berlin this year and kick-offed the EU 2019 trip. Berlin is a large and beautiful city. The architecture, food, public transportation, and shopping were great. The open squares and beer gardens were plentiful—European cities know how to create large social spaces. There was also a lovely smell throughout the city due to the thousands of linden trees that were in bloom.

We stayed in the southern part of Mitte, the central borough of the city. The location was fantastic. It was easy to walk to all of the attractions and food of central Berlin. Our hotel was next to a U2 station, making it super convenient to get to the WCEU venue and to other districts within the city.

The city is extremely bicycle friendly. The bicyclist… lets just say that pedestrians are third in the hierarchy of owning the sidewalks and streets. 1-bicycles 2-cars 3-pedestrians. It was, however, impressive to see how many people ride their bikes as their primary mode of transportation. It is inspirational.

In dealing with its past, the city doesn’t hide the atrocities that happened in and around the area while under control by the Nazi Party. Rather, it is magnified. There are many markers, monuments, and memorials throughout the city to the memory of those that were taken and/or killed. It is a dramatic reminder that people are people and that we need to push back on anyone in power who divides people based on gender, race, religion, etc.

  • St. Marienkirche
  • Volksbühne theatre
  • Sculpture at a Jewish cemetery
  • Brandenburg Gate
  • Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
  • Graffiti on the side of a building
  • View of Fernehturm outisde of a train station
  • Sunset over the Spree
  • One of the train lines at Alexanderplatz station
  • Fernsehturm broadcasting tower
  • Französischer Dom
  • The Spree through central Berlin
  • Memorial to the Sinti and Roma of Europe murdered under national socialism
travel

Vltava

Vltava River with the Prague Castle in the distance – 10 July 2019
travel

Schwanenboot

A swan paddle boat with mountains around.
Paddling in a swan boat on the Hallstätter See – Hallstatt – 6 July 2019
travel

Burning of the castle

Rapallo's old fortress with flames dripping down from it.
Rapallo’s fortress on fire for the Our Lady of Montallegro celebrations which occur every 1-3 July – 3 July 2019
Fireworks with the Rapallo castle in the foreground.
Fireworks preceding the burning of the castle – 3 July 2019
travel

Lake Zürich ferry

Had a wonderful ferry ride and social time with Felix on Lake Zürich, 27 June. The temperature was about 100° F – the lake provided some relief.
food, travel

Sausage #1

Sausage, mashed potatoes, and sauerkraut at Augustiner am Gendarmenmarkt – Berlin – 19 June 2019
travel

Hawai’i Island Spring 2019

My first trip to Hawai’i Island (the Big Island) was really great. The island has plenty to do while maintaining a secluded feel.

I am looking forward to going back and spending more time in the north part of the island. I really enjoyed the vibe and food around the towns of Waimea and Hawi.

  • Oceanblue Morning-glory
  • View from Mt. Kohala
  • ‘Akaka Falls
  • Red Plumeria
travel

Belgrade 2018

Visit Belgrade.

The Serbian capital is a vibrant, energetic, and friendly city, with interesting architecture, large pedestrian areas, and plenty to consume. And it is very cost friendly.

Belgrade Fortress and central city lights from across the Sava River

I traveled to Belgrade to join about 2,100 others to attend WordCamp Europe. The city wasn’t a travel destination that I had ever considered. Thank you to the WordCamp Europe team for choosing it as the 2018 destination. Great choice.

The city’s architecture is a mix of classic European, modern, and brutalist. Many of the buildings show the scars from a history of conflict (most recent being the NATO bombings in 1999) and foreign occupation of the millennia-old city.

2018 Men’s World Cup

A particular treat of the trip was watching the Serbian Men’s National Fútbol team on a giant projection screen set up in a city square showing their opening match in pool play against Costa Rica. The crowd was energetic and loud. Especially when Serbia scored the games only goal early in the second half.

A city square with a projection screen to watch Serbia play their World Cup match

Consumption

While the food in Belgrade was decent, the drinking was great, including a local favorite, Slivovitz, a plum brandy. The bars are unique and offer a great mix of local beers. Miner’s Pub was especially a delight with its funky art space and excellent Serbian craft beers. We went multiple times.

  • Slivovitz

Interesting street art

And a few fucks.

Nikola Tesla Museum

Belgrade is home to the Nikola Tesla Museum. A must visit. This little museum has fun gadgets, presentations, and demonstrations. Tesla also happens to have one of the coolest urns I have ever seen (photo below).

3am gyros

The gyros from Solunac, across the street from where we were staying, were the best I have ever eaten. We went twice to be sure. It is likely that the 3am-ish eating time might have played a significant role in the enjoyment, but it is such a great memory.

Visit Belgrade

The city has a strong service industry. Good food. Excellent cheap drinks. And friendly people. I am looking forward to returning.