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World Tour 2: Cuba thru Gibraltar { 51 images } Created 5 Feb 2014

Part 2 of the World Tour showcases another 50 international cities. Use the Locations list to find your favorite countries and cities. You will also enjoy exploring locations in all 50 states.
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  • Bay of Havana History in Havana, Cuba<br />
In 1515, the Spanish established Villa de San Cristóbel de la Habana as their first town in Cuba because of the large, natural bay. Five years later, they created the Port of Havana to harbor their Fleet of the Indies during their trade routes between Spain and the New World. It was not long before ships laden with treasures attracted the attention of pirates. To defend against the attacks, the Spaniards built four fortresses from 1590 through 1774. In the background is one of them: Castle of the Morro. As navigational trade flourished, so did the city. The port was extensively expanded between 1790 and 1850. In 1898, the battleship USS Maine exploded and sunk in the harbor. This aggression sparked the Spanish-American War leading to the end of Spanish control. The American’s invested in the port’s infrastructure for a few years until 1902 when the Republic of Cuba was formed. Further enhancements during the 20th century have been limited.
    Cuba-Havana-Bay_of_Havana_History.jpg
  • Floating Market in Punda, Eastside of Willemstad, Curaçao  <br />
This view of the Floating Market from the Queen Wilhelmina bridge makes it seem the market is conducted from the tethered boats along the Waaigat waterfront. However, behind those tarps are produce stalls brimming with fresh fruits, vegetables and fish. They are built along the colorful buildings of Shailio Caprileskade. Many Venezuelan merchants live in those small wooden boats. They also use them to transport their fresh product from their homeland 40 miles away across the Caribbean.
    Curaçao-Willemstad-Punda_Floating_Ma...jpg
  • Charles Bridge and Old Town in Prague, Czech Republic<br />
This iconic view of Prague shows the Charles Bridge spanning the Vltava river as it connects with Old Town. Staré Město became a walled-in settlement after it was founded in the 9th century. Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV commissioned this namesake bridge after its predecessor, the 12th century Judith Bridge, was crippled by floodwaters in 1342. The designer was Petr Parléř, the same architect who created its eastern gate, the Old Town Bridge Tower in the center of the photo. Construction of the 16-arch bridge was finished in 1402. After an extensive restoration ending in 1978, Karlův most has been restricted to pedestrians. This very popular landmark is typically packed with camera-ready tourists taking photos of the 30 sculptures lining its 1,692 foot length.
    Czechia-Prague-Charles_Bridge_Old_To...jpg
  • Sailing Ships Docked along Nyhavn in Copenhagen, Denmark <br />
These ships are moored at the quay on Nyhaven. Docking vessels here continues a tradition dating back to 1673 when this inner harbor was dug out by prisoners at the command of King Christian V. For the next 400 years, it grew into a major shipping port but then tapered off in the late 1940s. Today, traffic consists of some working vessels, restored wooden sailing ships plus sightseeing boats.
    Denmark-Copenhagen-Nyhavn_Ships_Dock...jpg
  • Expansion History of Fredensborg Palace in Fredensborg, Denmark<br />
When the initial pleasure palace for King Frederick IV was finished in 1726, it was a modest building of one-and-a-half stories. His successor, King Christian VI, initiated a significant expansion in 1741 that would stretch through the reigns of two more Danish kings.  By 1770, it had evolved into an elaborate, octagonal-shaped complex complete with riding stables and a huge garden.  It became a favorite venue for monarchs to spend their holidays plus their spring and summer months.
    Denmark-Fredensborg_Palace-Expansion...jpg
  • Architectural Details of Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerød, Denmark <br />
It is a delightful challenge for your eyes to drink in all of the magnificent details of the Frederiksborg Castle.  The slot’s red brick façade is adorned with a clock tower, copper-crowned spires plus mythological and Renaissance sculptures. In the foreground is a reproduction of the Neptune Fountain. The original was installed in 1620 but then seized by Swedish soldiers in 1659 during the Second Northern War.  Jacob Christian Jacobsen, the founder of Carlsberg brewery, paid for the fountain to be recreated in 1888.
    Denmark-Frederiksborg_Castle-Archite...jpg
  • History and Design of Egeskov Castle in Kværndrup, Denmark <br />
During the mid-16th century, Denmark was plagued by civil wars plus political and religious upheaval.  Therefore, it was common for Dutch noblemen like Frands Brockenhuus to build a fortress to defend their estate and family from attacks.  The design of the Egeskov Slot included a wide moat, three foot walls, battlements, arrow slits plus machicolations for dropping stones or scalding oil from the towers onto attackers below.
    Denmark-Kværndrup-Egeskov_Castle_His...jpg
  • Spire of St. Alban’s Church in Odense, Denmark <br />
This photo was taken along a long boulevard called Sankt Knuds Plads.  It shows the spectacular spire of St. Alban’s Church which soars 177 feet in the center of Odense, Denmark.  It is sometimes confused with the St. Alban’s Church were Canute IV of Denmark was killed in 1086.  That historic site was near here but no longer exists.  This St. Alban’s Church was built in a neo-gothic style in 1908.
    Denmark-Odense-St_Alban's_Church_Spi...jpg
  • Pastel Row Houses in Samaná, Dominican Republic<br />
These pastel buildings near the Bay of Samaná along the Avenida la Marina look like a painter’s pallet. The colonial row houses have a quaint village appearance. Inside they are designed to attract tourists’ wallets. On the right is the Samaná Casino. It is small with about 50 slots and a couple card tables. The rest are part of Plaza Pueblo Principe, a center containing shops, restaurants and nightlife. This property is owned by Gran Bahia Principe Cayacoa, a resort located a short distance away.
    Dominican_Republic-Samaná-Pastel_Row...jpg
  • Blue-footed Booby on Eggs at Punta Suárez on Española Island in Galápagos, EC<br />
Also along the eastern coastline of Punta Suárez are colonies of blue-footed boobies. With a wingspan averaging five feet, they are the second largest booby endemic to the Galápagos. The mating season of these monogamous seabirds peaks between June and August. The female typically lays two eggs on the ground about five days apart. The parents take turns incubating the eggs with their bright blue feet for about 45 days. Then the chicks are protected and fed for about two months. There are more than 25,000 breeding pairs of blue-footed boobies living in the Galápagos Islands.
    EC-Galapagos-Española-Punta_Suárez_B...jpg
  • Arriving at Darwin Bay Beach on Genovesa in Galápagos, EC<br />
While cruising around the Galápagos Islands, you itinerary typically includes two excursions a day. After your ship anchors in open water, you will board an inflatable raft for a short journey to the next destination. There are two types of landings: wet and dry. The former means you will step into shallow water along the shore. Good water shoes are a must. There to help you disembark are members of the crew and the occasional swallow-tailed gull. Welcome to Darwin Bay Beach on Genovesa Island.
    EC-Galapagos-Genovesa_Darwin_Bay_Arr...jpg
  • Red Sacs on Male Magnificent Frigatebirds on North Seymour in Galápagos, EC <br />
You will never forget seeing a male magnificent frigatebird with an enormous red balloon below the neck. The color is intensified by their black feathers and the surrounding white brush where they perch. This scarlet throat pouch is inflated during mating season to attract females. Notice the deflated sac of the bird on the right. Most pelecaniformes - such as pelicans and related marine birds – have a similar gular pouch. It is designed to scoop up fish and then drain water before eating. But the frigatebird has elevated this feature to a dramatic flamboyance.
    EC-Galapagos-North_Seymour-Magnifice...jpg
  • Incredible Scenery of Rábida Island in Galápagos, EC<br />
You will be awed by the landscape after your wet landing at the northeast side of Rábida Island. You may be so engrossed by the forest of white trees encircling the reds, oranges, pinks and greens that you might not notice the sea lions sleeping on the maroon beach. Some people call this “moon on earth.” Another nickname is the Red Island. This travel guide shows some highlights of your 60 to 90 minute hike. The .7 mile trail is easy. The experience is unforgettable.
    EC-Galapagos-Rábida_Island-Incredibl...jpg
  • Galápagos Tortoise Description at Darwin Station in Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, EC <br />
The Galápagos tortoise richly deserves the common adjective of “giant.” An average adult of this endemic species – the largest in the world – weighs 400 pounds. Yet size varies by island. The biggest are native to Santa Cruz Island. Males here can measure up to five feet and be nearly 500 pounds. The largest was 6.1 feet and 880 pounds. Their scale-covered legs have to be enormous to carry that much weight. There are five claws on the front legs and four on the back pair. Their carapace (shell) is either saddleback, domed or a variation of the two. Most impressive is their life expectancy. In the wild, they typically live over 100 years. Harriet was the oldest in captivity when she died at 170 years old in Australia Zoo. With that much time, who needs to hurry?
    EC-Galapagos-Santa_Cruz-Puerto_Ayora...jpg
  • Lighthouse on Santa Ana Hill in Guayaquil, Ecuador<br />
This 61.5 foot lighthouse with the blue and white stripes at the 197 foot summit of Santa Ana Hill is the symbol of Guayaquil. The initial Spanish settlement was founded in the 1530s. After being destroyed twice by indigenous people, it relocated here at the base of Little Green Hill in 1547. Since then, Guayaquil has become Ecuador’s largest city with over two million residents. From the light’s observation deck, you can enjoy a panoramic view of many of the landmarks in the Old and New Towns plus the Guayas River.
    Ecuador-Guayaquil-Santa_Ana_Hill_Lig...jpg
  • Square at Alfaro City Civic Center in Manabi Province, Montecristi, Ecuador <br />
Eloy Alfaro was president of Ecuador around the turn of the 20th century.  He is credited with building the country’s unity, education, railroad and infrastructure but also suppressed the Catholic Church.  He was deposed in 1911 and murdered by a mob a year later.  This monument to him is at the Alfaro City Civic Center Square on a hill known as El Centinela.  It overlooks Montecristi, the town best known for originating the Panama hat.
    Ecuador-Montecristi-Square-Alfaro_Ci...jpg
  • Historic Centre Icons from Plaza Grande in Quito, Ecuador <br />
The Historic Centre of Quito is an 800 acre time capsule of Spanish architecture blended with European and Ecuadorian indigenous designs. Flanking the cobblestone streets are marvelous churches and monasteries, former opulent palaces, two-story houses with balconies and red-tile roofs, fascinating museums and quaint squares. The iconic landmarks range from the mid-16th century like the Cathedral of Quito to the Virgin of Quito statue erected in 1976. In 1978, Centro Histórico was the first to be named by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in its entirety. El Centro is also so charming it earned the nickname “Florence of America.”
    Ecuador-Quito-Plaza_Grande_Historic_...jpg
  • Pharaoh Ramesses II Statues at Temple of Ramesses in Abu Simbel, Egypt<br />
It is extremely hot in southern Egypt on the shores of Lake Nasser. Located there is the almost deserted town of Abu Simbel. Few people would visit here if not for two spectacular temples built by Ramesses II. He ruled for 66 years until he died in his mid-nineties in 1213 BC. These are two of four colossal statues of the pharaoh sculpted into the face of a cliff. They guard the entrance to the Great Temple. This is also called the Temple of Re-Harakhte or the Sun Temple. These magnificent carvings are over 65 feet tall. They portray him on his throne wearing a double crown and a nemes headdress. Notice on the left that his false beard is still intact.
    Egypt-Abu_Simbel-Pharaoh_Ramesses_II...jpg
  • Camel and Egyptian Man at Step Pyramid in Cairo, Egypt<br />
The Step Pyramid of King Djoser at Saqqara was built around 2,650 BC. It is considered to be Egypt’s first pyramid. The ancient structure is over 200 feet tall and consists of six external levels. Underground it is more impressive. There is a network of chambers, tunnels and galleries traversing over three miles. This camel seems to be smiling with pride. Or was he puckering up for a kiss from his Egyptian owner?
    Egypt-Cairo-Camel_and_Egyptian_Man-S...jpg
  • Relief in Temple of Horus Sanctuary in Edfu, Egypt <br />
The Temple of Horus on the Nile River was completed in 57 BC after 180 years of construction.  It is considered to be the best preserved Ptolemaic temple in Egypt and is the second largest. The temple was dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god and the lord of the sky. The sacred sanctuary, where a statue of the deity was kept, is surrounded by golden reliefs. This one has two images of Horus. His left eye was the moon and the right was the sun. Also carved was an image of King Ptolemy IV Philopator. All pharaohs were considered to be incarnations of Horus. Between them is Hathor, the goddess of love and beauty.
    Egypt-Edfu-Relief_in_Temple_of_Horus..yjpg
  • Great Sphinx and Pyramid of Khufu at Giza, Egypt<br />
A short distance from Cairo is the country’s most iconic archeological treasures. The Great Sphinx was built around 2,500 BC. This 240 foot statue has the shape of a lion with the face of Pharaoh Khafre. The likeness is magnificent despite the missing nose. In the background is the Pyramid of Khufu. Also called the Great Pyramid, it is the largest and oldest of the three pyramids surrounding the Sphinx. This architectural marvel is over 450 feet tall and consists of 2.3 million limestone and granite blocks.
    Egypt-Giza-Great_Sphinx-Pyramid_of_K...jpg
  • Nile Lechwe Walking Along Nile River at Sunset near Kom Ombo, Egypt <br />
The Nile flows over four thousand miles from Alexandria to Aswan. This distance makes it the world’s longest river. For Egyptian towns, this is the primary water source for transportation and farming. Its annual flooding supplies silt and irrigation creating a fertile path through the desert. Along the riverbanks, the farm buildings, practices, crops and free-roaming animals appear little changed since ancient times. This female Nile lechwe – an endangered species of antelope - was meandering along at sunset. I call this photo, “Rush Hour on the Nile.”
    Egypt-Kom_Ombo-River_Nile-Nile_Lechw...jpg
  • Colossi of Memnon Statue of Amenhotep III with Hot Air Balloon near Luxor, Egypt<br />
This is one of two huge, 1,000 ton statues of Amenhotep III called Colossi of Memnon. He was the King of Egypt from 1382 to 1344 BC. The pharaoh built a 4.2 million square foot temple in the ancient city of Thebai on the Nile’s west bank near Luxor. From 27 BC. until 130 AD., this 75 foot, quartzite block used to make bell sounds in the mornings. They are all that remain of the temple after it was washed away by the river.
    Egypt-Luxor-Colossi_of_Memnon_Hot_Ai...jpg
  • Reclining Limestone Statue of Colossus of Ramesses II in Memphis, Egypt<br />
Memphis, Egypt, was the capital city along the Nile’s west bank beginning in the Old Kingdom in the third millennium BC. It is now an open-air museum containing ruins, a sphinx, granite statues and monuments. The site’s main treasure is inside a two-story courtyard: a magnificent, 33 foot statue of the reclining Ramesses II. He reigned from 1279 to 1213 BC during the New Kingdom era. This stunning limestone statue is called the Colossus of Ramesses. It used to stand outside the God Ptah temple. His idealistic image includes the royal headdress called a nemes, the diadem headband and the uraeus cobra snake, plus his false, rectangular beard.
    Egypt-Memphis-Reclining_Limestone_St..Ijpg
  • Introduction to Bath, England<br />
Bath, England is a city of about 90,000 residents in Somerset County. It is named for the hot springs that soothed the Romans during the 1st century.  From the mid-18th century until the early 19th century, those same mineral waters transformed Bath into a major resort destination for the social elite.  Filled with Gregorian architecture constructed with beige limestone, Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One look at this idyllic view along the River Avon should prompt you to add Bath to your bucket list.
    England-Bath-Introduction.jpg
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