Vacation picture dump (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter WedgeRock
- Start date
ekricket
Royal Flush
Looks like a fantastic time!!!! All that food and beer!!!!
Took a food tour in Vienna today.
This ice cream was amazing. It's a vanilla ice cream dumpling filled with apricot. It's one of a kind and patented.
Budwisr beer from the Czech Republic - shares a name with Budweiser, but is not Budweiser, it is much better.
Cabbage Roll
Flédermaus schnitzel
King's rubbish.
Street vendor Gulasch.
3 mustards for the sausages
Sausage with fresh grated horseradish.
Pork belly.
Horse meatloaf
This ice cream was amazing. It's a vanilla ice cream dumpling filled with apricot. It's one of a kind and patented.
Budwisr beer from the Czech Republic - shares a name with Budweiser, but is not Budweiser, it is much better.
Cabbage Roll
Flédermaus schnitzel
King's rubbish.
Street vendor Gulasch.
3 mustards for the sausages
Sausage with fresh grated horseradish.
Pork belly.
Horse meatloaf
Spent the day in Budapest. Lovely (and cheap) city. Wish we were staying a few more days, but alas, it's almost time to get back to work. Train to Prague in the morning.
Took another food tour (any guesses what's important to me?)
Started the tour off with a shot - our guide said this was customary - who am I to argue?
Followed by a tour of the market with some samples along the way. Lots of paprika and I bought some lavender coffee that I am looking forward to trying. Grabbed some street food before departing. Cabbage stuffed pastry, paprika spiced sausage, pickled vegetables, cabbage roll and stewed cabbage.
Next up was a walk to the Jewish district. Passed by the largest synagogue in Europe.
Once we were in the pre WW2 ghettos, our guide pointed out gold markers in front of buildings. These were memorials to people who were lost in the Holocaust. It was sad to hear that the Holocaust was the largest loss of life to Hungarian citizens, ever.
We spent the rest of the day exploring this district and had some classified Hungarian goulash, a bean stew, and some Hungarian wine spritzer.
Following lunch, we needed some dessert. After a very brief walk, we grabbed some Langos and a chimney cake, which was roasted dough covered in cinnamon and sugar. I didn't take a picture for some reason.
After all that food, we needed another shot to aide in digestion. This was a Hungarian liquor that was made years ago to help the king with his stomach troubles. Our guide stated it was an acquired taste - it tastes like cough syrup to me.
Finally we wrapped up the tour by learning about the "ruin bars" which were pop up bars that took over the buildings that were damaged by war before rebuilding. This was the first and it is a historical monument - this building has not been refurbished - only patched up to keep safe for public use.
We walked back to our hotel and stopped for some coffee to further aid in digestion.
Took another food tour (any guesses what's important to me?)
Started the tour off with a shot - our guide said this was customary - who am I to argue?
Followed by a tour of the market with some samples along the way. Lots of paprika and I bought some lavender coffee that I am looking forward to trying. Grabbed some street food before departing. Cabbage stuffed pastry, paprika spiced sausage, pickled vegetables, cabbage roll and stewed cabbage.
Next up was a walk to the Jewish district. Passed by the largest synagogue in Europe.
Once we were in the pre WW2 ghettos, our guide pointed out gold markers in front of buildings. These were memorials to people who were lost in the Holocaust. It was sad to hear that the Holocaust was the largest loss of life to Hungarian citizens, ever.
We spent the rest of the day exploring this district and had some classified Hungarian goulash, a bean stew, and some Hungarian wine spritzer.
Following lunch, we needed some dessert. After a very brief walk, we grabbed some Langos and a chimney cake, which was roasted dough covered in cinnamon and sugar. I didn't take a picture for some reason.
After all that food, we needed another shot to aide in digestion. This was a Hungarian liquor that was made years ago to help the king with his stomach troubles. Our guide stated it was an acquired taste - it tastes like cough syrup to me.
Finally we wrapped up the tour by learning about the "ruin bars" which were pop up bars that took over the buildings that were damaged by war before rebuilding. This was the first and it is a historical monument - this building has not been refurbished - only patched up to keep safe for public use.
We walked back to our hotel and stopped for some coffee to further aid in digestion.
Mongoose
Full House
Spend most of the day on a train between Budapest and Prauge today, looking at this guy.
Once we arrived to Prauge it was check-in to the hotel and dinner.
Sausage plate and the goulash, and of course a beer (or 3).
Took a stroll around the area of our hotel after dinner - no idea what some of these buildings are, we have a city tour in the morning.
And finally found some survivors to bring home.
Once we arrived to Prauge it was check-in to the hotel and dinner.
Sausage plate and the goulash, and of course a beer (or 3).
Took a stroll around the area of our hotel after dinner - no idea what some of these buildings are, we have a city tour in the morning.
And finally found some survivors to bring home.
Enjoyed Makati, Philippines, for few days. we’ll be on a boat for the next week.
Attachments
ekricket
Royal Flush
Say what!? This is at least a coffee! PM me if you want to meet up or if you need anything!
A long weekend in man-breeding and man-killing Epirus, the north-western region of Greece.
Holy Monastery of Our Lady of Kipina. Built during Ottoman rule, when infidels (Christians) had to escape to the mountains.
Annual rainfall at Scottish levels
And, the restored Plaka bridge on Arakhtos river. Originally built in 1866, it was washed away in 2015 due to negligence. It was rebuilt in stone, just like the original, under the guidance of the National Tecnical Univerity in Athens.
The river marked the provisional border between warring patriotic and communist resistance groups in Nazi-occupied Greece, in a British-sponsored truce signed in February 1944.
Holy Monastery of Our Lady of Kipina. Built during Ottoman rule, when infidels (Christians) had to escape to the mountains.
Annual rainfall at Scottish levels
And, the restored Plaka bridge on Arakhtos river. Originally built in 1866, it was washed away in 2015 due to negligence. It was rebuilt in stone, just like the original, under the guidance of the National Tecnical Univerity in Athens.
The river marked the provisional border between warring patriotic and communist resistance groups in Nazi-occupied Greece, in a British-sponsored truce signed in February 1944.
In Marbella, Spain resting up before the Stockholm meet-up 
Ronda:
Earning the afternoon beer:
Gibraltar today. They say the cable car ride to the top had a nice view. I wouldn’t know (afraid of heights)
Hence the slightly uncomfortable pose here:
The wife (on the right) making friends
Ronda:
Earning the afternoon beer:
Gibraltar today. They say the cable car ride to the top had a nice view. I wouldn’t know (afraid of heights)
Hence the slightly uncomfortable pose here:
The wife (on the right) making friends
Last edited:
Venturalvn
Full House
Checking in from Rome and Florence/Tuscany, on the way to Naples tomorrow. I think I may retire in Italy after having seen what I've seen on this trip - hands down my favorite country I've ever traveled to.
And I will 100% be making a CPC set to commemorate it.
And I will 100% be making a CPC set to commemorate it.
Miles flew the plane?! That’s awesome!
links_slayer
4 of a Kind
AlbinoDragon
Flush
Another new moon in June is over and another trip to the Grand Canyon and Grand Canyon Star Party is in the books. Laundry is done and put away, and I'm sitting back with a relaxing adult beverage before returning to reality and work going through photos. I hope they all fit here!
As usual, most days are spent out hiking before having dinner then heading out to the observing field to set up scopes and get ready for the night showing visitors to the park the night sky. This trip had the benefit of several conversations with the new head astronomer at the observatory whose wife is involved with the Grand Canyon Conservancy. As one might expect, they have spent extensive time in the park and know some of the lesser known and explored areas and vistas. His top suggestion was a viewpoint called Shoshone Point. It's on the park maps, but isn't labeled beyond a parking area and has no real signage, but is easily the most beautiful view of the Canyon from the south rim that I have seen in all my trips to the park. 270 degree vistas that the panorama function in the camera in my phone only barely lets me take!
Bighorn sheep and calves along another trail nearby:
and quite a few elk as well, including this one that was mostly unconcerned with our presence as we walked past, just a handful of yards away!
Smaller wildlife abound too, including this busy bee gathering nectar from the abundant flowers in the park.
Rain storms impacted one night of observing, but made for some spectacular views of the Canyon that afternoon with dark and menacing clouds lingering overhead.
The real reason for the trip was the stargazing. An afternoon panorama of the larger scopes at the event in an area that has been nicknamed the "red light district" for the larger telescopes and the red lights we use for protecting our night vision. Six of the largest scopes at the event are here with their happy owners. I'm second from the left with the largest at the party on the right and one other scope hiding behind the group.
My friend, who ground and polished the mirror in my telescope, made a 1:10 scale functioning replica last year. It was a hit of the members of the public who came by during dusk when there was still light to see what was going on, but a bigger hit of the other folks who had brought scopes of their own. I think there was at least two requests for him to make miniature copies of other scopes once they saw and looked through "mini-me"!
Finally, my scope pointing at Venus in the evening sky waiting for the first of the visitors to pop into line for a look though the scope.
Once it was all over, three of my four nights there were a success. Thursday was a bit of a bust with rain at sunset (and some frantic scope disassemblies as the rain started), but close to midnight the skies cleared leaving a couple hours free in the field with no visitors. Saturday night, the last night, was crystal clear and saw a personal record number of "contacts" at my telescope in the five years I've attended the party.
In always love the interest and enthusiasm from the visitors who take the time to come out to the observing field after a full day of hiking and exploring the park. It's a truly unique experience for folks who haven't seen a dark and star filled sky, and probably haven't even looked through a telescope. It is always a great deal of fun being able to show off and share that sky with them. I'm already looking forward to next year (June 1-8, BTW) and have already booked my lodge.
As usual, most days are spent out hiking before having dinner then heading out to the observing field to set up scopes and get ready for the night showing visitors to the park the night sky. This trip had the benefit of several conversations with the new head astronomer at the observatory whose wife is involved with the Grand Canyon Conservancy. As one might expect, they have spent extensive time in the park and know some of the lesser known and explored areas and vistas. His top suggestion was a viewpoint called Shoshone Point. It's on the park maps, but isn't labeled beyond a parking area and has no real signage, but is easily the most beautiful view of the Canyon from the south rim that I have seen in all my trips to the park. 270 degree vistas that the panorama function in the camera in my phone only barely lets me take!
Bighorn sheep and calves along another trail nearby:
and quite a few elk as well, including this one that was mostly unconcerned with our presence as we walked past, just a handful of yards away!
Smaller wildlife abound too, including this busy bee gathering nectar from the abundant flowers in the park.
Rain storms impacted one night of observing, but made for some spectacular views of the Canyon that afternoon with dark and menacing clouds lingering overhead.
The real reason for the trip was the stargazing. An afternoon panorama of the larger scopes at the event in an area that has been nicknamed the "red light district" for the larger telescopes and the red lights we use for protecting our night vision. Six of the largest scopes at the event are here with their happy owners. I'm second from the left with the largest at the party on the right and one other scope hiding behind the group.
My friend, who ground and polished the mirror in my telescope, made a 1:10 scale functioning replica last year. It was a hit of the members of the public who came by during dusk when there was still light to see what was going on, but a bigger hit of the other folks who had brought scopes of their own. I think there was at least two requests for him to make miniature copies of other scopes once they saw and looked through "mini-me"!
Finally, my scope pointing at Venus in the evening sky waiting for the first of the visitors to pop into line for a look though the scope.
Once it was all over, three of my four nights there were a success. Thursday was a bit of a bust with rain at sunset (and some frantic scope disassemblies as the rain started), but close to midnight the skies cleared leaving a couple hours free in the field with no visitors. Saturday night, the last night, was crystal clear and saw a personal record number of "contacts" at my telescope in the five years I've attended the party.
In always love the interest and enthusiasm from the visitors who take the time to come out to the observing field after a full day of hiking and exploring the park. It's a truly unique experience for folks who haven't seen a dark and star filled sky, and probably haven't even looked through a telescope. It is always a great deal of fun being able to show off and share that sky with them. I'm already looking forward to next year (June 1-8, BTW
) and have already booked my lodge.
I feel so sympathetic for the poor wives in this forum...
Yes, yes I know she’s out of my league. Don’t have to be so blunt. Also, don’t remind her about itI feel so sympathetic for the poor wives in this forum...
megarises
Flush
Annual Sunriver, OR vacation. Benham Falls and Tumalo Falls.
Definitely know that place!!! Great lookout over Stockholm and obviously the best tourguide.
Erik don’t beat yourself up about your wife being out of your league. You probably just have a nice personality
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