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.All Trips / North America / Western Canada / Yukon
The Yukon Transporation Museum, Whitehorse
I enjoy transportation and car museums, so it’s no surprise that I thought this was one of the most interesting places to visit in Whitehorse. The museum is mostly housed in a large building with several wings, but also spreads onto the surrounding grounds. The Yukon is large territory, but is sparsely populated. The museum focuses on those things that made the Yukon Territory what it is today, so there is a heavy emphasis of large machinery, trucks and airplanes — the type of equipment needed to get around in and develop a wild and frozen land. But the collection goes beyond that.
Diorama of the Chilkoot Pass, Yukon Transporation Museum
The Museum tells some of the stories of the Yukon’s development, especially of the very important Klondike Gold Rush. This …
North America / Western Canada / Yukon
“Pic of the Week”, January 24, 2020: Sam Steele, The Lion of the Yukon
There are times in history when one man can make an enormous difference to the lives of thousands of people. Sam Steele, known as the “Lion of the Yukon”, was just such a man. His formal title, in time, was to be Major General Sir Samuel Benfield Steele.
Sam had a distinguished career as a soldier and officer in military and in the Northwest Mounted Police (NWMP), which today has morphed into Canada’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Sam was head of the Yukon detachment of the NWMP during the Klondike Goldrush. What was a sleepy outpost initially turned into a challenging position for Sam and his Mounties.
He established Custom outposts atop the Chilkoot and White Passes, and the Mounties did …
Tagged gold rush, Klondike Gold Fields, Lion of the Yukon, NWMP, RCMP, Sam Steele
.All Trips / Asia / Dubai
Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
There are many great markets in Dubai, with no lack of opportunity for shopping. Some markets, like the Mall of the Emirates and the Dubai Mall, are modern and could be found in almost any city in the world. Others are uniquely Arab, including the original and traditional outdoor markets, like the spice and textile souks.
The Souk Madinat Jumeirah is sort of a hybrid of these concepts, a re-creation of an Arab market but with modern amenities, set by the sea, adjoining the lovely Burj Al Arab hotel. The place is quite lovely, with traditional wind-towers and sand colored construction. Shops and restaurants of a great variety are available, …
Tagged abra, canals, Dubai, Market, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
.All Trips / Argentina / South America
Buenos Aires’ unique Barolo Palace
There are many old and interesting buildings in Buenos Aires, but none caught our attention quite like the Palacio Barolo (Barolo Palace), situated on famous Avenida de Mayo.
The Barolo Palace was designed by Italian architect, Mario Palanti. He was given this commission by the original building owner, entrepreneur Luis Barolo, an Italian immigrant who made his fortune in wool and cotton textiles. When the Barolo Palace was finished in 1923 it was the tallest building in South America. It is 100 meters (330 ft) tall; subsequently a taller but similar appearing sibling was constructed, the Palacio Salvo, built by the same architect in Montevideo, Uruguay. And, of course, today’s Buenos Aires skyline contains many taller structures.
Graf Zeppelin Palacio Barolo 30 June 1934. Courtesy Wikimedia and National Archives of Argentina
The Palacio Barolo’s design was …
Tagged Barolo Palace, Buenos Aires, Palacio Barolo
“Pic of the Week”, January 17, 2020: Moose Jaw’s, “Mac the Moose”
Situated just off the TransCanada Highway, besides the city’s Visitor Information Center, is a massive statue of a moose know as Mac. Mac the Moose was built in 1984, stands 32 feet (9.8 m) tall, and for a long time was the largest moose on Earth. Mac has become somewhat of a roadside landmark for those who enjoy visiting such sites (I admit to this guilty travel pleasure).
Moose Jaw is very proud of Mac. Then, horrors of horrors, a larger moose was constructed in Stor-Elvdal, Norway. That moose — known as Storelgen — was completed in 2015 and is a polished stainless steel structure that is 30 centimeters (about a foot) taller than Mac.
The good news is that Moose …
.All Trips / Europe / Spain
Barcelona’s Other Cathedral
If you’re in Barcelona, then you absolutely MUST visit the still unfinished Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Gaudi’s masterpiece. It’s a church unlike any other and must be experienced in person. But if you have time, then by all means you should also visit the historic and beautiful Barcelona Cathedral. It’s also a busy place, with many people waiting in line to enter.
Main entrance to the Barcelona Cathedral
Barcelona Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, is a lovely Gothic construction. The site where the Cathedral currently sits has been home to various Christian temples dating to the fourth century. Construction of the Cathedral you visit today began in 13th century and it was mostly completed by the 15th century. …
Tagged Barcelona, Barcelona Cathedral, Cathedral, cloister, Gothic, Saint Eulalia
“Pic of the Week”, January 10, 2020: Lassiwala in Jaipur
‘Lassiwala’ is an Indian term for someone who makes lassi, a thick sweetened yogurt beverage. This particular shop in Jaipur is the best known in the city and is considered by some to have the finest lassi in India. It has been visited by politicians, celebrities and many thousands of tourists. LassiWala has been serving its famous drink for over 70 years.
We visited the shop very early one morning, just after dawn. The place already had several people waiting for their drink, which is scooped from a large bowl when ordered. The beverage is cool, frothy, refreshing and delicious.
Lassi is served in hand made red clay cups (mitti ka kulhad) of the kind so common in Rajasthan. Once used, the cup is …
.All Trips / Florida / North America / Southeastern USA
A Few Photos of Life in the Everglades
The slowly flowing, warm, River of Grass is teaming with life, although at times it’s hard to see it. A recommended place to spot wildlife within Everglades National Park is in Shark Valley. There is a lengthy elevated bike path in the area, which is shared by a tram. You can rent a bike and cycle around, stopping to see the alligators and birds, or you can sit back in the tram and let a biologist/guide educate you about what you’re seeing. Both options are very rewarding. There is no better place to immerse yourself in this UNESCO World Heritage ecosystem.
We visited Shark Valley a few months ago and had a wonderful experience. I previously published a …
