Going down

More of the cute side streets of Taoromina. Photo taken in May 2011.

Water jugs

I found these lovely pieces of pottery at an open market in Crete. We got there early in the morning and the light was beautiful. Sadly I couldn't take one of these home. But at least I have a nice picture! Photo taken in May 2011.

Streets of Sicily

Taoromina is filled with beautiful, flower-filled corridors and extravagently decorated balconies. It was such fun just to walk around the city and peek into these alleyways. You never knew what you might find! Photo taken in May 2011.

Vista

Had you taken a few steps to the edge of yesterday's plaza, you would have been rewarded with this stunning view. I really liked the small city of Taoromina and would love to go back sometime. We only got to explore a small part of Sicily due to time constraints with the cruise, but I think it's worth a more in-depth visit one of these days.

Bonus elbow

I love the way those kind of pavement stones look on a square. This one comes to you from Taoromina, Sicily. I tried to get a shot without my shadow, but this was the best I could do! Photo taken in May 2011.

Sicilian view

A view of the volcanic landscapes of Sicily. But don't let those blue skies fool you, it was a cold and windy day. But great for photos. Photo taken in May 2011.

Misty morning

A black and white view over Martigny, Switzerland on a misty morning. Photo taken in February 2004.

To see more monochrome shots, visit the Weekend in Black and White.

Where it all began

Ford developed the modern production line for automobiles. Thanks to him, cars became the most efficient means of transportation. I hope you've enjoyed this series of old-timers. Photo taken in February 2004.

Antique Benz

An old-timer Mercedes was also on display. She is definitely well-cared for. Photo taken in February 2004.

Red beauty

My local old-timer expert Louis LaVache has advised me this is a 1920s Alfa Romeo. It was my favorite car on display, but that probably has to do with the color more than anything else! Photo taken in February 2004.

Blue roadster

Another old-timer from the collection in Martigny. According to the my local expert, Louis LaVache, this is a Bugatti. Photo taken in February 2004.

Yellow Rolls

I don't know much about cars, but here's a look at an "older" model Rolls Royce. You can see this one inside the Pierre Gianadda Museum in Martigny, Switzerland. They have a whole collection of old-timers. And they all really run too! Photo taken in February 2004.

Venitian footbridge

A footbridge over one of the many canals in Venice, Italy. Photo taken in February 2004.

To see more bridges from around the world, visit Sunday Bridges.

Streets of Geneva

A street scene from Geneva, Switzerland. I used a grain effect on this one. I rather like the effect, especially coupled with the black and white. Photo taken in February 2003.

To see more black and white shots from around the world, visit the Weekend in Black and White.

Sunset over the lake

A beautiful sky seen reflected in Lake Geneva. Photo taken in February 2003. 

To see more beautiful skies from around the world, visit Skywatch.

Golden wings

The Brunswick Monument is a memorial to the Duke of Brunswick who died in Geneva in 1873. He left his fortune to the city on the condition that they erect him a monument even more beautiful than that of the Scaligeri family in Verona. I think the golden-winged angels fit the bill. Photo taken in February 2004.

Clocktower doorway

A modest wooden doorway contrasted against a beautiful stone edifice. Photo taken in Geneva, February 2004.

Spire

A view of the spire of Saint Pierre's. It's a wonderful church to visit if you're ever in Geneva. Photo taken in February 2004.

Magnificent columns

The Cathedral Saint Pierre is a Gothic beauty in the heart of Geneva, Switzerland. It was originally a Catholic church but was converted during the reformation, you can even see Calvin's chair inside. Photo taken in February 2004.

Bloom with bonus

A small bloom on the Sweet William begins to peek out. And it seems I'm not the only one who enjoys this delicate, beautiful flower! Photo from the garden in Jackson, April 2011.

To see more flowers from around the world, visit Today's Flowers.

Burst of color

More color from the garden in Brittany. I don't recall the name of these flowers either, but they certainly are pretty! Photo taken in April 2004.

Red

I don't recall what the name of this flower is, but I love the bright burst of color! Photo taken in the garden in Rennes, April 2004.

Cherries

Cherry blossoms from the garden in Rennes, France. Photo taken in April 2004.

Spring blossoms

The roses are blooming like crazy back in Jackson. These come from the Colonial Golf Course where I played with my husband on our recent weekend visit. There was plenty of sun and blue skies! Photo taken in April 2011.

Mountain view

A view into the Col des Planches just above Martigny, Switzerland. A really beautiful place! Photo taken in June 2004.

Albert warmed over

Victoria's beautiful memorial to her beloved husband Albert. Who wouldn't like to be remembered as a golden statue? I added a "warmify" effect to this shot, I like the way it looks. Photo taken in September 2004.

London bridge

The famed tower bridge in London. I'm sure this beauty has been photographed thousands of time from every angle. But she's still a beauty. Photo taken in September 2004.

To see more bridges from around the world, visit the Sunday Bridges series.

Bellagio in black and white

The famed fountain in front of the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Every hour or so the fountain dances to different kinds of music. If you're in Vegas, don't miss it!

To see more monochrome shots from around the world, visit the Weekend in Black and White.

Millennium evening

The Millennium Park at l'heure bleu. A beautiful sight anywhere, but especially enhanced by the sparkly lights starting to come out. Photo taken in September 2004.

To see more skies from around the world, visit Skywatch.

Oxford street

Guess what? It's another timbered building! This one was found on Oxford Street in London. Photo taken in September 2004.

Saint Paul's

The grand entrance to Saint Paul's Cathedral in London. Photo taken in September 2004.

Pritzker pavilion

This ultra-modern amphitheater is part of the Millennium Park in Chicago. It was designed by Frank Gehry (one of my favorite architects); I really like it, although I know his style doesn't appeal to everyone. Photo taken in September 2004.

Grand canal

After seeing the faux Paris and the almost-real pyramid, here's a peek at the fake Grand Canal of Venice. It's almost as lovely... photo taken in September 2004.

Disney golf bridge

A bridge across one of the water hazards on the Disney Golf Course in Orlando Florida. It was fun to play here. My husband and I were paired with two pilots who made the game even more enjoyable. Photo taken in February 2011. 

To see more bridges from around the world, visit the Sunday Bridges series.

Fake sphynx

After visiting the fake Paris, I thought you'd also like to see the fake Egypt. This may be a close as I ever get to the pyramids, unless things get politically more stable over the next few years. Photo taken in September 2004.

Chihuly glass

I love what Chihuly does with glass. It looks so beautiful with the sun shining through. Photo taken in Las Vegas, September 2004.

Fake Paris

A small replica of the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas. Photo taken in September 2004.

Framed view

A look out onto the beach from the ramparts in the old city of Saint Malo. Photo taken in April 2003.

Nose thumbing

Not sure what got this lady in such a tizzy. Maybe the painter did something to upset her? Seen inside the Saint Malo city museum. Photo taken in April 2003.

Rue du Chapitre

Another beautiful, old street in the heart of Rennes. If you haven't figured this out by now, I absolutely love timbered buildings. Photo taken in April 2003.

Bridge in black and white

One of the many bridges at the Magnolia Grove golf course in Mobile, Alabama. It's part of the Robert Trent Jones golf trail and the LPGA plays a tournament here.Photo taken in October 2010.

To see more bridges from around the world, visit the Sunday Bridges series.

Beautiful machine

This big brother may not be a beauty to some, but I do have a certain attraction to these machines. Photo taken at the factory in Nuremberg, June 2010.

TV tower reflected

The famous East Berlin TV Tower reflected in a nearby building. Photo taken in July 2006.

To see more reflections from around the world, visit Weekend Reflections!

Jewish cemetery

A small Jewish cemetery in the Prenzlauer Berg district of Berlin. Unfortunately, the older graves have not survived without some vandalism. But the site is well-protected these days. Photo taken in July 2006.

Red Rathaus

The grand entrance to the main City Hall of Berlin. It's in the former East, but since this building was grander than the one in the West, the city decided to consolidate and use this one. Photo taken in July 2006.

Wasserturm

The water tower in Prenzlauer Berg is a landmark of Berlin. It was an actual working water tower until the 1950s. My friend Joo at Urban Stories showed a similar one from Poland not too long ago.

However this tower has a dark past; it was used by the Nazis as a place to detain and torture political dissidents during the 1940s. The tower has now been converted to apartments, but some say there are still ghosts who haunt the premises. Photo taken in July 2006.

Friendship fountain

I personally find this fountain ultra-ug, especially since at this time it was under repair and not running. You'll find this marvel in the middle of Alexanderplatz in the former East Berlin. It was apparently a popular spot back in the day! Photo taken in July 2006.

Dahlias

Beautiful dahlias straight from the garden in Brittany. Photo taken in June 2002.

To see more beautiful flowers, visit Today's Flowers.

Street scene

A lion keeps watch over the streets of Geneva. Photo taken in November 2004.

To see more monochrome shots, visit the Weekend in Black and White.

Edges

Le Couesnon dans sa folie a mis le Mont en Normandie. 

The Couesnon river divides Brittany from Normandy, creating the edge between the two regions. Many Bretons feel regret the Mont Saint Michel made its way into Normand hands because of this river. This shot was taken from one of the terraces of the abbey which is just atop the pinnacle of the Mont. Photo taken in November 2002.

To see more skies from around the world, visit Skywatch!