Harbour Island doesn’t just have the phenomenal Pink Sand Beach, but also a quaint, friendly and very fun town! Most people drive their golf carts as there isn’t ever too far to go! The Island is only 4 miles long and a mile across! Interesting architecture reflects the British heritage while the bright colors scream Caribbean. Roosters are everywhere. No need for alarm clocks!
adventures
The Most Beautiful Beach in the World
I think I can die happy now. I have seen the perfect beach, with perfect sand and perfect water. Not a cloud in the sky. Not a beach vendor in sight. In fact, almost no one at all. I had heard such places existed, but I was stunned they were so close to home. Harbour Island, Bahamas. Awesome. I cannot wait to return.
Please stay tuned for several more posts on this Gem of an Island. I just had to start with the beach…
Fresh Paris Produce Market in the Winter!
The fresh produce markets in Paris are as lively in the winter months as the summer. I was surprised by the incredibly stunning array of fresh veggies all seasonally appropriate. I wish we had more of this in the US, although certain communities are getting there! Our spread-out cities make it more difficult to walk to the market and buy dinner…
I also love the huge assortment of stinky cheese to flavor your fresh baked baguette.
We are so sterilized in the US. How would we feel about this in the Meat department at Safeway? Well, it’s what we eat every day!
…only we are much more comfortable seeing it this way.
And, imagine drinking Champagne from chocolate flutes out of a chocolate bottle!
After the visit to the market, have a little treat and watch the world go by…
Paris in Winter
Blogging! Yeah, it’s been awhile and I’m getting back at it. I am fortunate to have taken some great trips lately and lots of good stuff ahead for the Spring and Summer.
In January, I went to Paris with Chasing Atlas — a new custom travel company started by a woman who isn’t new to high-end experiences in Europe, Jill Jemison. Her sights are set high for creating memorable excursions for individuals, groups and families who want to see the world their way, which usually means all sorts of interesting things. Fortunately, she is taking me along to help record these once-in-a-lifetime experiences. This jaunt to Paris was R&D, to prepare to launch Chasing Atlas into the world. The photos I will post are mostly my ‘ADD’ escapes as my eye wanders to what I find fascinating and fun.
For the photos Jill likes, check out HER website! She will be launching it soon.
Wow, 2 kid mobile. Mom drives and sticks Dad on front with the bungee cord!
Drive to work. Start roasting. Sell some warmth. Drive home.
Fashion week in Paris! Textile companies from around the world were displaying their fabrics all around the streets on jumbo lamp shades. Colorful. Brilliant.
Back in the ’80s, Vaurnets were the sunglasses of choice among my group at East High School. I thought they died! So glad they are still around.
This pup looked rather bored as he rested his head on the cafe table. Dogs abound in Parisien eateries.
Many shoppers still out on a cold, rainy evening finding sales! The mid-weeks of January are famous for items in Paris being about 50-70% off. FYI, great deals.
The Arc de Triomphe honours those who fought and died for France in the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. The names of all French victories and the Generals are inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces. Beneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I. Its iconic shape makes it almost as recognizable as the Eiffel Tower, as a symbol of Paris. It stands in the centre of the Place Charles de Gualle.
At the eastern end of the Champs-Elysees, is the Big Wheel, or the Grande Roue. It was built for the millennium celebrations and was supposed to stay at the Place de la Concorde for only one year. The owner, however, refused a judge’s order to have the wheel taken down, and the wheel was dismantled only in 2002. It traveled around the world and came back to Paris in 2007. It now illuminates the Place de la Concorde and Tuileries for the end of the year festivities every year.
Thanks for joining me for my random eye and musings… more to come.
Fall in Park City…
Although I love to travel, I think some of the best outdoor adventures and scenery are right in my backyard. AMAZING!
The golden aspen are stunning!
This was my hiking trail yesterday…
The yellow “brick” road.
Ski runs ready for snow. Know the lift or the runs? One of my favorite areas at PC for groomers, especially when it’s crowded. People tend to ignore this mid-mountain gem.
Don’t forget to look down… keep grounded with the details.
And never forget to keep lookin’ up! The sky is the limit.
Gaudi’s Cathedral, La Sagrada Familia
Cathedrals are a “dime a dozen” in Europe. You walk in and ‘ooh and awe ‘and after you’ve been in 25 or so, they begin to look the same, with minor differences. A few notable “must sees,” i.e. Notre Dame, Westminster Abbey… check. La Sagrada Familia falls into that MUST SEE category. And, yes, there is a reason you stand in line for two hours to get in, and then have the pleasure of paying $20. What’s the big deal? Start here and then go see for yourself.
Building began in 1882 and it is still under construction. Optimists predict it being finished around the middle of the 21st century. Gaudi, its famous architect, is long gone having been hit by a tram/bus in 1926. However, a man way beyond his time, he left detailed and complicated instructions on how the work should be completed. Actually, many of his instructions are only recently being understood with the help of computers. This building is also unique in that it is – and always has been – funded completely by private donations, starting with the Sagrada Family trust and continuing on with the millions of visitors each year who pay to visit. Truly this is a remarkable structure and is the definition of “awe inspiring.”
The Facades. There are actually four facades, but only three of note. The tourist enters through the Passion Facade. For non-Catholics, this means the “passion of Christ,” in other words, his death. The lines are harsh and stark. There are purposefully no symbols of Joy, such as birds or flowers or other ornaments. The figures represent Pain, Sacrifice, and Death. The desolate architecture invites the visitor to appreciate Christ’s suffering for humanity. I personally found the Crucifix very powerful.
The Glory Facade will eventually be the main entrance but is not yet complete. The sculptures there represent Man within Creation: Origin, Purpose and Pathways… finding Redemption thru Virtue.
The other main facade, completely different in design, is the Nativity Facade, or the Birth of Christ. It is more traditionally Gothic in design and incredibly ornate:
Upon entering the place of worship, one is awe struck. From the elaborate designs on the floor, to the incredible stained glass windows, there is one thing after another to stare at!
Again, with a weak Catalan translation, this floor art reads, “Hosanna in the Highest.”
Other interesting details include this numerical table which apparently represents the number 33, the age at which Christ died. All columns and rows should add up to 33.
The stained glass is spectacular. Pictures are better than words.
And, what I found to actually be the most interesting feature of all was the columns. Gaudi studied nature obsessively to create his homage to God. The columns represent trees and branches reaching to the sky. Gaudi actually invented a new column called the double twisted helicoid with an elaborate system of proportions. As you stand at the base and look up, it emulates a tree trunk. It is wide at the bottom with the striations far apart, that narrow and twist as the column rises. At the very top, the branches incline toward the center as trees growing over a courtyard. It is magnificent!
Photo below borrowed from La Sagrada Familia website to demonstrate column design.
And finally, below the structure is the Carmen Chapel and Sagrada Familia Crypt, where Gaudi is buried. There are windows in the nave which peer down into the chapel. When I was there, I saw a service being held below. Interesting…
In closing, art on the wall. No translation necessary.