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“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 …
“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 …
“Pic of the Week”, January 3, 2020: The Bounty of Canada’s Great Plains
The great Canadian prairies (and their American counterparts) grow a lot of food. More food than can be consumed in either country and which is then transported to destinations all around our hungry world. The Canadian prairies extend from Alberta in the west, to Saskatchewan, to Manitoba in the east.
While driving across the prairies to visit my father in Winnipeg this past year, I made a point of randomly turning up a country road or two, driving a few miles to see what was there.
One turn lead to field of corn. Corn is not that common a crop on the prairies and this likely would end up as feed corn for livestock (less likely for consumption in nearby Winnipeg …
“Pic of the Week”, December 27, 2019: Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida
A few scenes of a nice warm day at the beach, on what for many of us is a cold winter’s day. Generally about 80F in Fort Lauderdale today — and 20F in Calgary.
(Click on thumbnails to enlarge, right arrow to advance slideshow)
“Pic of the Week”, December 20, 2019: Prince of Wales Hotel, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Situated in the heart of pretty Niagara-on-the-Lake is an elegant Victorian era landmark, the Prince of Wales Hotel. lt was built in 1864 and has gone through several name changes. Originally called the Arcade Hotel, then Niagara House, it was given its current name when the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George V and Queen Mary) visited in 1901.
The hotel was significantly expanded in the 1970s, though in a manner very consistent with its original design. It was thoroughly restored and updated in the late 1990s. It’s lobby shows nice architectural and historic details.
I’ve never stayed here but did eat at its fine dining room once and thoroughly enjoyed it. High Tea in the Drawing Room …
“Pic of the Week”, December 13, 2019: Radovljica Chocolate Festival
I was unaware that the small city of Radovljica, home of Slovenia’s famous bee-keeping Museum, was home to a chocolate festival until I saw this piece of street art sitting near the main town square.
I did a little research and found this event is fairly new, starting in 2012. It is held over a weekend in early April of each year, usually on the weekend after Easter. Chocolatiers from all over the country and some from neighboring countries show up and feature their wares. You can buy “tasting” coupons that let you sample the delicious assortment of chocolates. My mouth waters just thinking about it (confession — I am a lover of fine chocolate)
Besides palate tempting displays …
Dec 12, 2019
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“Pic of the Week”, December 6, 2019: Fresh Snow in the Mountains
I love driving through the mountains. Perhaps no season in the mountains is more memorable than winter. The fresh snow on the Rocky Mountains in the Crowsnest Pass and soft light were quite lovely.
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Dec 5, 2019
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“Pic of the Week”, November 29, 2019: Stumbling onto a Jain Parade, Delhi
While walking the streets of Old Delhi, we encountered this unexpected parade. A group of people playing instruments, carrying a few floats, and seeming to have a good time.
Our guide told us that it was a parade of Jains — people adherent to the ancient Indian religion of Jainism. I don’t know much about the faith except that along with Hinduism and Buddhism, it is one of the oldest religions in Asia, dating to the 6th century.
There are many festivals in the Jain faith and we thought it likely was a celebration of one of these. Unfortunately I’ll never know.
(Click on thumbnails to enlarge, right arrow to advance slideshow)
Nov 28, 2019
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